LONDON, October 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Annual World Food Day taking place on 16 October

• Spain celebrate food in same month with Fiesta de la Exaltación del Marisco

• Thomas Cook offer range of great holidays for cultural travellers

One of the great things about having the opportunity to visit different countries on your holidays is the chance to try out all the new tastes and flavours that are offered by the wide range of cuisine you will find whilst there.

The food industry is a large part of the appeal of many different cultures and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates this with an annual World Food Day - which takes place on 16 October this year.

The official World Food Day theme changes annually and this time round will highlight the splendour of different styles of cooking and ingredients whilst increasing awareness of the shocking statistics that still exist regarding world hunger.

One of the aims of World Food Day is to improve food security and contribute to the eradication of hunger around the world. Although this is still a major problem across the continent of Africa, it is something that can rear its head all over the planet; whether due to manmade wars or natural disasters such as earthquakes and droughts.

Although World Food Day is about awareness of problems, it's also a celebration of the diversity of global cuisine and presents some great opportunities for those taking their holidays around the time it takes place.

Thomas Cook offer range of holiday options

Package holidays to Spain are extremely popular with travellers and holidaymakers, thanks in no small part to the attraction of the Mediterranean diet. Different regions in the country offer different specialities and local variations on popular dishes, making Spain a great holiday option for those looking to celebrate food.

With a diet based on fresh ingredients and plenty of fish, the Fiesta de la Exaltación del Marisco (Fiesta in Honour of Seafood) is held in October in the town of O'Grove on the coast of Galicia and celebrates the region's unique relationship with food from the sea.

The Fiesta sees fish and shellfish being prepared in traditional ways by locals and then sold at fantastic low prices. The event attracts visitors in their thousands and other elements include dance displays, music, competitions and sports events.

Of course, it isn't only Spain that has a strong reputation for the diversity and quality of seafood used in its cooking. Cheap Portugal holidays give everybody the chance to experience the unique mix of Mediterranean and Atlantic coast culture which impacts greatly on the types of seafood available and the way they are incorporated in the cuisine. Cheap holidays to Algarve are a particularly good choice for any seafood lovers.

SOURCE Thomas Cook