8 Great Culinary Bus Tours

Throngs of clueless tourists, a guide's monotone voice blaring on the loudspeaker... this is what typically characterizes bus tours. Rich cultural excursions through some of the greatest food meccas in the country do not, right? That's where you're wrong. We have found eight culinary bus tours that redefine what it means to travel through your tastebuds.

A benefit of taking a bus tour is that they allow for people to cover more ground than they would be able to on their own. Plus, the pressure's off, there's no need for the GPS or a designated driver, especially if you plan to visit some wineries. For instance, the Sonoma Wine Country Tour, offered by Sightseeing World, departs from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco on a half-day tour of the region's loveliest vineyards.

As a traveler in a new city, it can be daunting to distinguish the tourist traps from the truly authentic spots. Gray Line offers three culinary bus tours to get tourists out of Times Square and into some of the tastiest neighborhoods in Manhattan; the East Village, The Village (West and Greenwich, that is), and Chinatown. The masterminds behind these tours have pinpointed the best of the classics (such as a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery) to the local favorites (such as falafel sandwich from Mamoun's).

Whether you're looking to discover the most delectable deep dish Chicago pizza or taste your way through the Hudson Valley wine country, these tours will guide you in the right direction.

Click here for the 8 Culinary Bus Tours Slideshow.