About - Delectable Destinations

About Delectable Destinations

Travel is an inspirational part of living,” says Carol Ketelson, owner of Delectable Destinations, a travel company dedicated to planning, co-ordinating and curating customized tours to hand-picked destinations. “I invite travel enthusiasts on an epicurean journey into the heart and soul of the people, the culture, the cuisine and the breathtaking landscapes of intriguing lands.

Liz Schaffer is the founder and editor of Lodestars Anthology a magazine-meets-journal that, since 2014, has explored a single country for every issue. So far, they’ve created magazines devoted to England, Scotland, Australia, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, France, India, Portugal, Switzerland, Mexico, Wales, Greece and Spain – and Ireland is next on the list. Splitting her time between Sydney and London, Liz is also a freelance writer and photographer specializing in travel, food and the arts.
While preparing the India magazine, Liz and Delectable Destinations first crossed paths. She joined Carol on a wondrous, whirlwind tour through Rajasthan and fell in love with the region. She returned to experience Puglia with Carol in 2022 and is thrilled to be joining the Delectable Destinations team, savouring all the beauty, food and wonder that comes with travel.

The Company: For over 12 years, Carol has guided small groups of travellers to countries including Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, India and Bhutan.

A Delectable Destinations trip with Carol includes a comprehensive itinerary combining travel and sight-seeing with delightful dining, beautiful accommodations and inspirational leisure time enhanced by breathtaking views.
The Curator: Carol has perfected the formula for a successful trip: small groups; an attentive host; and culinary adventures off the beaten path. Her contacts around the globe include local cooks, internationally-renowned chefs, experienced drivers and personable vineyard owners. All come together to ensure Carol’s clients have a first-class travel experience.

The dream destination bucket list. Everyone has one. But with the hustle and bustle of everyday living, it can be a challenge to set dates, book vacation time and plan to embark on that dream trip. Delectable Destinations understands this. That’s why our curator, Carol, makes it her mission to fulfill your dream. She’ll take care of the details while you await your dream trip.

In 2000, Carol ventured to Italy, a destination she had long desired to experience. She landed in Ravello, a small, charming, Amalfi Coast cliffside town which offered more beauty than she could have ever imagined. She immediately felt at home.

The following years provided Carol with new adventures that would enhance her already awestruck state of mind. She visited the romantic canals of Venice, the winding countryside of Tuscany and the architectural splendors of Rome. Her growing love for southern Italy also led her to discover the magic of Puglia, the scenic terrace views of the Mediterranean Sea and the magnificent cliffs of the Amalfi Coast.

Each trip reinforced Carol’s love for the unsurpassed beauty of the region and her passion for blending culture with the cuisine. Determined to share Italy’s beauty with others, Carol began organizing culinary and cultural trips for friends and family, ensuring the itineraries inspired the senses.

But Carol’s enthusiasm for the cuisine and culture didn’t stop in Italy. Spain, France and India are regularly on her destination list. Beautiful countries devoted to preserving their history and gastronomic delights, providing a unique perspective on native culture, local cuisine and the leisure opportunities to fill the mind, body and soul.

Over the years, Carol has traveled far and wide beyond Italy and it is these particular trips that have sparked new passions within her. Spain is among these destinations – a beautiful country that offers gastronomic delights and endless wonders. She has a unique perspective on native culture, local cuisine and the intimate leisure opportunities that each region has to offer that one simply cannot obtain through books and travel reviews.

In 2008, Delectable Destinations became a reality and proved to be the culmination of Carol’s mission to make dreams come true for travel enthusiasts. Those seeking the perfect blend of culture and cuisine in foreign lands were and still are treated to first-class travel itineraries designed to include sights, sounds and tastes experienced in the quaint kitchens of local cooks and renowned chefs.