2014's Hottest Travel Destinations For Food

Lauren Mack|Jan. 22, 2014 12:23 pm EST

A recent survey found that 61 percent of Americans say they plan to travel this year and will take an average of 2.4 vacations, traveling 100 or more miles from home, according to the U.S. Travel insurance Association. Where should food-lovers go? The Daily Meal has 10 of the hottest destinations for those looking to eat great food in 2014.

2014's Hottest Travel Destinations for Food (Slideshow)

It was hard for The Daily Meal's travel editors to whittle the list to 10; after all, there are so many perennially popular places like Tokyo, Japan, Madrid, Spain, and Napa Valley, Calif. The cities that made our 2014 list earned their spots for hosting major world events enhanced by exciting food and drink; have a variety of compelling culinary trends or numerous noteworthy restaurant openings; or featured prominently on The Daily Meal's series of 101 Best Restaurant lists in 2013.

While 85 percent of those surveyed who plan to travel pledged they would vacation within the U.S. and Canada, folks with a fondness for great food and wine should consider not only North America but far-flung locales like Þingvallavegur & Lake Myvatn, Iceland for some of the best views of the Northern Lights in years and Cape Town, South Africa for its wineries and fun food festivals.

New hotel and restaurant openings and world events like the Super Bowl XLVIII are enough to entice us to have a staycation here in New York City.

No matter what you seek –from trips bringing Southern hospitality and comfort food in Nashville, Tenn. to fine fusion in Paris, France, don't forget to pack your appetite. Read on for the top ten destinations for food lovers in 2014.

Lauren Mack is the New York City Travel Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @lmack.