Food is an important part of the Laurus Travel experience. Our tours include meals that reflect the culinary traditions of the destinations we visit, and we encourage travellers to approach local cuisine with curiosity and an open mind.
While we make reasonable efforts to accommodate certain dietary requirements, group travel comes with practical limitations. Please pay close attention to the following warning before booking:
Personal food preferences are generally not accommodated. Requests such as substituting beef for pork, fish for chicken, or similar changes based solely on taste cannot be accommodated. Menus are selected in advance and are intended to showcase local cuisine.
Our Approach
We select restaurants for their authenticity, local reputation, and suitability for small groups. Most are establishments patronized by local residents rather than restaurants that cater primarily to tourists.
The focus is regional cuisine. Travellers should expect meals that reflect local tastes, ingredients, and culinary traditions.
Breakfast
Breakfast is usually served at the hotel and typically includes a range of local and international options. Fresh fruit, vegetarian dishes, coffee, tea, and other breakfast staples are generally available.
At some smaller properties, breakfast may be served as a set menu rather than a buffet.
Lunches & Dinners
Included lunches and dinners are served at carefully selected local restaurants.
Food varies considerably from one destination to another. Sampling local cuisine is part of the travel experience, whether in Japan, India, China, Southeast Asia, or elsewhere.
Vegetarian Travellers
Vegetarian meals can usually be accommodated if requested at the time of booking.
Travellers should also remind their tour leader at the start of the tour.
Food Allergies
Food allergies must be disclosed at the time of booking and brought to the attention of the tour leader during the trip.
We will communicate allergy information to restaurants whenever possible. However, we cannot guarantee that meals are completely free of specific ingredients or traces of allergens. Travellers with severe allergies should carefully consider this limitation before booking.
Dietary Restrictions
Travellers with dietary restrictions arising from medical, religious, ethical, or personal reasons must advise us at the time of booking.
The ability to accommodate such requests varies by destination, restaurant, and tour. Acceptance of a booking does not constitute a guarantee that all dietary requirements can be met at all times.
Our tours are best suited to travellers whose dietary requirements allow for some flexibility while travelling.
Food Preferences
Personal food preferences are generally not accommodated.
Requests such as substituting beef for pork, fish for chicken, or similar changes based solely on taste cannot be accommodated. Menus are selected in advance and are intended to showcase local cuisine.
Travellers joining our Japan tours should be comfortable encountering seafood and fish in various forms, including sushi and sashimi. Similar expectations apply elsewhere, where local ingredients and culinary traditions form an important part of the experience.
Travellers seeking highly customized meal arrangements will find that our tours are not the right fit.
Meals on Your Own
Some lunches and dinners are not included in the itinerary, allowing travellers to explore independently.
Tour leaders and local guides can recommend restaurants suited to different interests and budgets.
Street Food
Street food can be a rewarding part of travel, but standards vary considerably from place to place.
Travellers who choose to eat street food do so at their own discretion and should exercise appropriate caution.
Familiar Foods
Western and international cuisine is available in most destinations and can usually be enjoyed during free time.
That said, travellers who join our tours should have a genuine interest in experiencing local food as part of the journey.
