Southwest United States Tours – How to Prepare

These are some preparation ideas to get the most out of your Southwest US food vacation.

Have a Sumptuous Appetite
The optimal way to do justice to your food vacation is to have a big appetite. What’s the purpose of paying for the opportunity to taste the best culinary delights of a given area or culture when your tummy can’t accommodate more than one bite?

Of course, having a big appetite doesn’t mean denying yourself the day before.

Just make sure you don’t eat too much the day before your trip. If possible, take a pill to ensure your stomach’s certifiably empty for the food fest ahead.

Prepare for the Heat
Spicy is a word often associated with the Southwest in more ways than one.

First, a majority of the tastes of Southwest food are especially spicy. Chimichangas, nachos, taquitos, stuffed peppers, chile relleno, chili con carne, and salsa are just a few of the well-known dishes that could get you hopping mad out of the restaurant with burning taste buds. If you’re not accustomed at eating spicy stuff, make sure you have a small bottle or jug of iced water with you at all times; there may be times when you just can’t wait a second longer to cool your mouth off.

Secondly, Southwestern states are not particularly the coldest regions of the United States. The weather in this area, especially in Arizona and Texas, can be quite stifling in its heat. You can't beat Arizona vacation.  But be sure you’re dressed comfortably in light, comfortable clothing. Wearing a cap or sun visor as well as a pair of shades can help protect you from the heat.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are always a possibility, so again, having a ready source of water with you at all times is encouraged.

Prepare for the Heat
Concerning the heat, there are also certain characteristics of the weather that you might need to watch out for. Mosquitoes are a nominal but irritating problem, but one that a mosquito repellent can easily address. Rain can also be a cause of trouble, but not if you come
ready with a rain jacket and umbrella.

Clothing
Since we’re on the topic of clothing, make sure to ask your tour planner if you’ll visit any locations with a requisite dress code. Knowing what to dress can also help guarantee that you pack light for your Southwest US trip.

Bring a First Aid Kit with You
Vacation planners always have first aid kits with them, but there’s no telling when you’ll find yourself lost and separated from your group. As such, it would do you no harm to have your own first aid kit with you.

Now, if you’ve considerable experience touring, you probably already have a first aid kit packed with your things. There are, however, extra things you could add to your kit in consideration of “special dangers” you might encounter during your Southwest US tour.

If your vacation includes a trip to the desert, antidotes for snake bites and treatments for other kinds of bites (remember: scorpions and spiders can cause harm, too!). High altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also a possibility if your food tour includes a short but challenging mountain hike.

Double Check Everything
Last, review your travel checklist a few days before you leave for your tour. Call your tour planner to guarantee that everything’s fine in their side as well.