Foraging Adventures for the Whole Family

There’s perhaps no better way to truly taste a place than to pull it straight from the earth. 

Foraging—scouring ancient forests, dense jungles, and wild green spaces for edible plants, knotty roots, mushrooms, and more—is becoming one of travel’s most immersive and visceral experiences.  

More destinations around the world now offer guided foraging tours where small groups can discover the remarkable ingredients growing beneath their feet and then watch them be transformed into something extraordinary to eat. 

SEEING NATURE IN A NEW LIGHT 

During a fall leaf-peeping trip to mountain-ringed Asheville, North Carolina, I got to try foraging with No Taste Like Home, an organized tour. Armed with woven baskets and led by a knowledgeable, trained forager, our group—adults and children from across the United States and abroad—set off eagerly into the rustling woods. 

The forest was teeming with color: trees blazing yellow, burnt orange, and deep red overhead, their canopy filtering the afternoon light. At each stop, our guide paused to point out what most of us would have missed.  

We pulled “fairy potatoes” from tangled, twisting vines—small, starchy nuggets that genuinely taste like tubers. We cracked and sampled earthy black walnuts, uncovered tentacled mushrooms clinging to mossy fallen logs, and gathered armfuls of spicy greens and jewel-like clusters of wild grapes. The more we wandered, the more the generous forest gave. 

From the volcanic rainforests of Hawai‘i to the sun-drenched farms of Mallorca, Spain, foraging and farm-to-table experiences are flourishing—each one shaped by its landscape, its seasons, and the people who know the land best.

Whether you’re traveling with children eager to get their hands dirty or simply craving a more meaningful connection to the places you visit, these destinations offer the chance to slow down, look closely, and eat something that helps tell the story of where you are.*

FORAGE MAUI’S RAINFOREST 

Hawai‘i's lush, dripping forests overflow with edible abundance. At Follow the Wai: Wild Food Education Project on Maui, chef Yuda Abitbol leads visitors through the verdant rainforest with deep reverence for ʻāina—the Hawaiian word for earth—teaching ethical harvesting alongside native ecology and medicinal plant lore. 

During these experiences, trekkers can discover local edibles such as sweet, nutty honohono grass, fragrant wild cinnamon, velvety wood ear mushrooms, and the otherworldly starfish stinkhorn. The day culminates in an outdoor cooking session where foraged ingredients are seasoned and cooked over an open fire for a shared meal. 

WHERE TO STAY  

Experience the sun and surf that can only be found on Maui. Walk the blue ocean waters just off the beach at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club. And you’ll never be far from authentic Hawaiian fun and flavors at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas North, or The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. No matter which resort you choose, you’ll make meaningful vacation memories.  

EXPLORE THE ROOTS OF MALLORCAN FARMING 

Spain is celebrated for golden saffron, silky Ibérico ham, and robust Rioja wine—but in the mountainous Manacor area, the story starts much earlier, in the rich soil itself.

At Terragust and Tramuntana, local farmers lead visitors through an immersive experience rooted in the ancient rhythms of Mallorcan agriculture. 

Operating year-round, the program shifts with the seasons: guests might pick from among 20 varieties of tomatoes, pluck plump strawberries still warm from the sun, or harvest fragrant citrus straight from the tree. The day ends with a family-style outdoor meal served beneath flowering orchards and sometimes accompanied by live music.  

WHERE TO STAY 

Settle into Mallorca, where charming villages and coastal beauty create an unforgettable European getaway. At Marriott’s Club Son Antem, Owners can unwind among beautifully landscaped grounds and thoughtfully designed townhouses, with time to lounge by the pool or enjoy a round on one of two golf courses. Beyond the resort, explore nearby beaches and local shops. The warm welcome of Spanish culture awaits.  

DISCOVER FARM-TO-TABLE LIFE IN LOS CABOS

Tucked into the sunbaked foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna, Flora Farms offers 75 acres of sprawling, vivid greenery in every direction. Guided tours reveal how Flora Farms approaches farming holistically by working gently with the land. Visitors can learn to press authentic Mexican tortillas by hand, explore the healing properties of indigenous Baja plants, and discover what it means to grow food with intention. Children have dedicated activities throughout the property while adults can slip away to the tranquil on-site spa. 

At Flora’s Field Kitchen, the farm’s restaurant, everything on the plate began a short walk away. Wood-fired pizzas are the draw, alongside dishes like chilled gazpacho, calabaza cannelloni, and lentils with roasted carrots—simple, seasonal, and quietly delicious. 

WHERE TO STAY  

One of the most unique Los Cabos resorts, The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa’s striking modernist design makes it one of the area’s architectural landmarks. Perched on gentle cliffs overlooking the brilliant Sea of Cortez, the resort invites you to recharge at Spa Otomí, relax on the gorgeous private beach, or explore the picture-perfect natural scenery and lively local culture—all while enjoying the comforts and amenities of home in your villa retreat. 

FORAGE WITH LOCAL EXPERTS IN ORLANDO 

At the 47-acre Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, winding shaded trails, towering pines, and a fluttering butterfly garden offer a surprisingly rich landscape for urban foragers. 

Check the garden’s calendar for events like the Florida Foraging Walk & Tea Experience, a two-hour exploration led by local experts. Participants learn to identify the state’s species, such as spiderwort, coontie root, cabbage palm, and other edible and useful natives while listening to birdsong and watching small, darting creatures move through the dense underbrush. The walk ends with a soothing tea tasting brewed from ethically foraged plants. 

WHERE TO STAY  

When it comes to Orlando, Florida, there’s fun around every corner. And with so many options for places to stay, you’ll always be close to the action. Add a little magic to your vacation with a stay at Marriott’s Cypress Harbour, Marriott’s Royal Palms, Marriott’s Grande Vista, or Marriott’s Sabal Palms, all just a short drive from the gates of Walt Disney World^® Resort. Explore even more options in Orlando’s theme‑park corridor when you stay at Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve, Marriott’s Harbour Lake, or Marriott’s Imperial Palms. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are close by for those craving epic coasters and high‑energy thrills. And of course, there’s more to Orlando than world‑famous parks. Vistana Signature Network^® members and Marriott Vacation Club^® Owners with Club Points can enjoy championship golf courses, inspiring museums, and scenic natural waterways with a stay at Sheraton Vistana Resort or Sheraton Vistana Villages. 

THE MAGIC OF FORAGING 

While every foraging adventure is different, the most lasting takeaway is often not what you gather but how the experience changes your perspective. , our guide used the day’s finds to prepare a shared appetizer—a tasty, buttery tapa of mushrooms and greens, a revelation of bright flavors from ingredients that had existed, invisible to us, all around. We stood together at the forest’s edge, passing the dish between strangers who had, over the course of a few hours, become friends through a shared adventure. That’s the magic of foraging—it helps dissolve the distance between people and place in a single, delicious bite.

FORAGING TIPS 

Here are some tips for first-time foragers: 

• Don’t Go It Alone: First-timers should never forage on their own. Consider joining a foraging group or guided tour—easily found online—to learn from experienced experts.

• Ask First, Eat Later: Never eat any wild food without being 100 percent sure of its identity and whether it’s safe to eat. Not all plants are edible, and some may be toxic. 

• Know the Terrain: Get to know the local area or destination you’re foraging beforehand. This will help you identify native species and the fruits or other edibles that are in season. 

• Respect the Natural Space: When foraging, leave the destination as undisturbed as possible—don’t trample plants or disrupt wildlife habitat.  

• Preserve Your Finds: Learn the best way to transport and store your finds. Experienced foragers recommend mesh or cotton bags, rather than plastic. 

Ivette M. Yee is a journalist, food writer, and the daughter of a chef and restaurant owner. She grew up in her family’s Miami Beach restaurant, eating authentic Szechuan, Cantonese, and Cuban food.