Where the world tastes different

Our small-group food-focussed expeditions take you into the kitchens, markets and towns of regional China… and beyond. Led by Leanne Kitchen – food expert, travel writer, and lifelong seeker of the good stuff – and supported by trusted local networks, our journeys deliver the depth, flavours and cultural richness you won’t find on any tourist trail.

Less tourist, more tastebud

Small-group food-focussed escapes taking you deep into local culinary culture, where regional flavours tell their stories, and centuries-old traditions come to life.

Where we go

  • Person holding a tray with three dishes: a bowl of white rice, sliced meat, and a spicy salad with herbs and vegetables.

    Yunnan

    Join us in Yunnan, a breathtakingly diverse corner of China where rich traditions, distinctive local cultures, and incredible food come together against a backdrop of stunning landscapes and atmospheric towns. Wander vibrant markets, taste regional specialties, and experience the deep culinary heritage of China’s glorious southwest.

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  • River with stepping stones, surrounded by lush green trees and distant mountains, with a person crossing. Traditional village buildings in the background.

    Sichuan

    We’re crafting a food-focused journey through Sichuan, where historic towns, lush bamboo forests, mellow old teahouses, and the vibrant culinary capital of Chengdu await. Sichuan is home to one of China’s most celebrated cuisines, famous for in-your-face flavours and that tingly-spicy má là effect. And yes, there will be pandas!

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What they say

  • "I've seen Leanne in action for years and she doesn’t just visit a place; she dissects it. She’ll read everything, talk to everyone, and go back again (and again) until she’s got to the heart of a destination. Surface-level experiences just don't work for her."

    Antony Suvalko, Publisher, Red Pork Press, Auckland

  • "Travelling with Leanne is a riot... in the best possible way. She finds the backstreet bars, the hole-in-the-wall eateries, and the unexpected moments that turn a trip into a story. She makes travel into an adventure and somehow, you always eat much better (and take better photos!) when she’s around."

    Norman Andrews I.T. Professional, Sydney

  • "Leanne has an incredible knack for sniffing out the best food, the best markets, the best local quirks, and the best shopping options too! Her instincts are razor-sharp, her standards are high, and she’s the person you want leading you through any place, anywhere."

    Anne Barton, Creative Director, Uki

  • “Before a trip, I always like a catch-up with Leanne to get her take; she has a real nose for ways to get to the crux of a destination and under-the-radar food recommends are her forte. I follow her online articles on the Lazy Sunday Club too and love her sharp, honest take on travel and food; no fluff or BS.”

    Mark Elliott, Online Business Coach, Christchurch

Our Instagram

View fullsize Ordering chlebíček (open sandwiches) at the iconic Café Slavia in Prague, where a stunning Art Deco interior has played host to Czech artists, intellectuals and dissidents for more than a hundred years. Right on the Vltava River with Pr
View fullsize Yeah nah; I’m not big on bucket list sights necessarily. But the Charles Bridge on a damp and moody morning recently was hardly a cliche; if only those stones could spill their secrets…
View fullsize Bringing the Praha vibes. Doughy, fruity, topped with a buttery crumble – a sweet kolache is just the way a Prague morning should start. The staff might’ve been as cool as a winter’s morning on the Charles Bridge but honestly. I get
View fullsize Sigh; the end of the golden weather. Recently snapped at Kawhia, Aotearoa NZ.
View fullsize Meanwhile, back in Fez, it’s another couscous Friday. This is how they do dessert… although I preferred to think of this as ‘still life with hand embroidered tablecloth’. #fes #fezmorocco #fez #moroccotravel #marruecos #mor
View fullsize Interrupting normal transmission to consider Syria and Türkiye, experiencing unimaginable horror after this latest earthquake. Specifically remembering Diyarbakir, unofficial capital of Kurdistan and with one of the most beautiful old cities in
View fullsize Cop this. Did you know Casablanca is a repository of incredible Art Deco architecture? The downtown area is insanely time-warpish; the Rialto cinema is just one architectural gem. Built in 1929, it hosted not just movies but performing artists such a
View fullsize Am I the only one who loves Casablanca? It gets such a bad rap! I adore how it just doesn’t exist for tourism, with a refreshingly gritty take-it-or-effoff air. I’m still dreaming about the fresh seafood and general clamour at @marchecent

Contact us

leanne@elsewhereandbeyond.tours
WhatsApp: +61 422 657 617
WeChat: EandBTours