How many times pre-retirement could you book a last-minute trip, or nail down your next holiday without work schedules getting in the way? You’ve hit the milestone, and your time is finally your own again. The silky panna cotta of Italy and the pastel de nata of Portugal are waiting. Keep reading for our five overseas holiday destinations for food lovers, including some of the best local restaurants to kick off your trip and the most convenient transport options from the UK.
Five overseas holiday destinations to explore in retirement
Palermo, Sicily (Italy)
Recommended stay: 5-7 daysAll things pasta, arancini and seafood
Known as the capital of Sicily, Palermo delivers some of the boldest flavours and most beautiful architecture in Europe. You’ll find deeply rooted culinary traditions at every turn, from the street food stalls of the 900-year-old open-air Mercato di Ballarò in the Albergheria district, to the family-run restaurants like Osteria Mercede, Corona Trattoria and Bisso Bistrot along the south-west coast. For a day trip you couldn’t experience anywhere else, why not try a truffle hunting experience in the Sicani Mountains? Explore the Italian woodlands and hills just an hour's drive from the city with an expert guide. Plus, you’ll get to take home the treasures you find. Must-try Palermo dishes:- Arancina: Deep-fried risotto balls filled with a rich minced ragu.
- Sfincione: A salty, deep-dish style pizza.
- Pasta con le sarde: Fresh pasta made with sardines, fennel and pine nuts.
- Pani câ Meusa: The spleen sandwich is a Palermo staple, traditionally eaten for breakfast.
Travelling to Palermo from the UK
Airlines operate direct flights from London Stansted and London City Airport, with flight times of just over three hours. Travellers can also fly from Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds Bradford, however, these flights tend to have at least one stop. After landing at Palermo Airport, take the Prestia e Commande shuttle bus to the city centre. The journey takes around 25 minutes and costs approximately six euros.Seville, Andalusia (Spain)
Recommended stay: 3-4 daysExperience tapas culture
Home of the Alcázar Palace and the beating heart of Flamenco tradition in Spain, Seville sits inland and is the birthplace of Andalusian tapas culture. Inland kitchens tend to prepare rich stews, cured meats and vegetable-forward dishes. Expect plates of Jamón Ibérico, espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas) and albóndigas de choco, a type of cuttlefish meatball packed with flavour. If the food choices feel a little overwhelming, book a guided food tour during your first few days. A local guide will introduce key dishes and help you navigate the city’s dining scene with confidence. Looking forward to a tipple? The sherry-producing region around Jerez de la Frontera is just over an hour from Seville. Rolling vineyards and historic bodegas create a striking backdrop for tastings and tours.Travelling to Seville from the UK
Airlines run frequent direct flights from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to Seville Airport, with journey times under three hours. From Seville Airport, board the EA shuttle bus and reach the city centre in around 30 minutes.
Fez, Morroco
Recommended stay: 4-5 daysGo big on breakfast treats and grilled meats
Think tender meat stews, traditional tagine and the sweetest desserts, doused in honey and infused with cinnamon. Fassi cuisine focuses on deep flavours, slow cooking and generous use of spices. Fez’s Medina is a must-visit during your stay for local street food. Made up of more than 9,000 narrow alleyways, this UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with food stalls, bakeries and small restaurants. You’re sure to find plenty of hidden gems as you explore. Take a deeper look into local food and history by booking onto one of the Under Moroccan Sun food tours. For a sit-down dining experience of the more classic dishes like pastilla, The Ruined Garden is a local favourite. Dar Roumana is another beautiful spot to enjoy your evening meal, surrounded by olive groves. Meanwhile, Ishq Restaurant presents Moroccan flavours through a distinctly modern fusion lens. As an Islamic country, Morocco doesn’t serve alcohol in many restaurants. However, some establishments do tailor to international visitors and offer wine. Must-try Fassi dishes:- Pastilla: A traditional Moroccan pie filled with pigeon or chicken
- Mechoui: Slow-roasted lamb cooked until tender
- Maakouda: Crisp potato fritters
- Traditionally prepared tagine: Savoury, slow-cooked stew itself cooked in spices
- Chebakia: A type of honey-soaked biscuit
- Mkhamer (or batbout): A soft breakfast bread, delicious with honey or kefta
- Msemen: Flaky square pancakes enjoyed sweet or savoury
Travelling to Fez from the UK
Ryanair operates direct flights from London Stansted to Fez Airport in just under three and a half hours. Flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford are also available, although the journey usually includes one or two stops. From Fez Airport, travellers can reach the city by shuttle bus, the number 16 bus or via taxi in around 15 minutes.Porto, Portugal
Recommended stay: 4 to 6 daysPort wine and hearty meat dishes
Porto suits travellers who enjoy relaxed city exploring on foot, rewarded by a hearty spread of meat-based dishes and a jug of wine at the end of the day. The city is compact and easily walkable, while prices are usually lower than in Lisbon. Some riverside restaurants cater to tourists, but if you know where to look, many authentic spots are waiting for anyone who’ll explore off the beaten track. Porta 4 in the Baixa district offers an intimate dining experience where you can watch chefs prepare your meal in the open kitchen. Yuko Tavern is one of the best places for Porto’s signature dish, francesinha – a huge sandwich layered with bread, steak, sausage, ham and melted cheese, under a rich beer-based sauce. Meanwhile, for a casual lunch, Casa Expresso whips up street food favourites like the sandes de rojão, a delicious marinated pork sandwich. Naturally, Porto’s collection of incredible pastel de nata bakeries deserves a tour all to itself. Manteigaria has established itself as the gold standard for a flaky pastry, but Castro’s and Mercador Café are well worth a visit too.Travelling from the UK to Porto
Porto is a particularly accessible holiday stay, with short, direct flights to Porto Airport from most UK airports, including London Stansted, London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. From Porto Airport, you can take Metro Line E to Trindade station in around 30 minutes. Several shuttle bus services, including Transdev and Goin’Porto, also run into the city centre.Colmar, Alsace (France)
Recommended stay: 3 to 5 daysSave space for charcuterie, bakes and world-class wines
Colmar charms you with colourful timber-framed houses and a strong culinary identity shaped by both French and German traditions. Local menus feature the best meats, cheeses and breads in the region, paired (of course) with a Riesling. In the town centre, Au Chasseur serves seasonal Alsatian classics, from tarte flambée to foie gras. Meanwhile, Wistub de la Petite Venice focuses on generously portioned comfort dishes like sauerkraut and jambonneau, with a carafe of local wine on the side. The Marché Couvert de Colmar adds another layer to the experience. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, the market bustles with busy bakeries, cheesemongers and street food stalls.Travelling to Colmar from the UK
If you prefer to avoid flights, you can drive to Colmar via the Eurostar to Paris. From Paris, the drive to Colmar takes around six hours, so it’s worth making it a relaxed road trip where you can enjoy other parts of France along the way. The city of Reims is a particularly convenient stop, or visit the Parc naturel régional de Lorraine. Alternatively, you can take a direct flight from London Gatwick to Strasbourg airport in just over an hour and a half. From Strasbourg train station, direct services reach Colmar in around 30 minutes.
Spend more time on the things you love, with Churchill Living
When you become a Churchill homeowner, you enjoy a "lock up and leave" lifestyle. So, whether you’re planning a bucket-list trip, an anniversary celebration abroad or your annual getaway, you can book your next holiday with peace of mind, knowing your retirement home is safe while you’re away. Find out more about what independent living could look like for you in a Churchill Living retirement community.FAQs
Will my Churchill retirement apartment be safe while I’m away?
Yes, we’ve designed every Churchill retirement community with safety and security in mind. Each retirement apartment comes with security features like:- A video door entry system
- An intruder alarm
- Additional outdoor motion sensors on ground-floor apartments