Delicious Lisbon seafood; photo by Leon Brocard, shared on Flickr under a Creative Commons Licence

Sampling the local cuisine always ranks high on my list when traveling, so I enjoyed this guest post about top choices for foodie holidays in Europe. I’ve been to Lisbon and Berlin, and now I see that I need to visit Lyon soon too.

Why do you normally go traveling or take a vacation? For most people it is to take a well-deserved break from the daily routine in a sun-drenched beach location. Others prefer to ski in the mountains, embark on a cultural discovery or simply enjoy some sightseeing.

But have you ever visited somewhere purely based on its cuisine? After finding out about the delectable delights of the following destinations, you might just consider it next time.

Lisbon, Portugal
As you would expect from its location, Portugal’s capital has plenty of fresh seafood treats. But there are several other surprises in store for any food lover that chooses a Lisbon city break. Even though snails are closely associated with France, they are a popular summer snack in Lisbon and can be found in nearly every traditional taverna. But for something more conventional, try the caramelised skin of suckling pig, a dish that hails from the Barraida region.

Lyon, France
Heralded by many as the food capital of the world, Lyon is home to renowned Michelin-starred restaurants and modest local bistros. At one end of the scale, a Lyonnais menu will contain anything from blood sausage to cow’s stomach and chicken liver salad. But contemporary bouchons specialize in only the finest foie gras and truffles. However, any tourist is bound to enjoy quenelles, which are creamy dumplings of poached meat or fish.

Berlin, Germany
Germany might not be the most celebrated or admired country when it comes to food, but Berlin has plenty of delicious dishes and mouth-watering meals to choose from. Be sure to visit a local restaurant for a bowl of steaming eintopf stew, swing by a wurst (sausage) stall on the street for one of 1500 varieties made in the country, or finish the day off at a bakery for some famous apple strudel.

So next time you’re planning a weekend city break or annual vacation, think about choosing cuisine over culture and sustenance instead of sun.