Inside the Newport Gourmet Tour (Photo 3 of 12) - Pictures

For many baby boomers, food has become as central to their travel planning as scenery and culture. Whether simply sampling authentic cuisines, getting a behind-the-scenes look at famous eateries, or taking cooking classes with celebrated chefs, adding culinary components to their travel agendas makes for a richer — and tastier — experience. See a recent tour in Newport, R.I.

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Jan Theberge, of Westport, Mass., and her daughter-in-law Missy Theberge, of Bridgewater, Mass., tasted cheese at Le Petit Gourmet as they participated in the Newport Gourmet Tour on Nov. 3.

Jan Theberge of Westport, and her daughter-in-law Missy Theberge of Bridgewater, tasted cheese at Le Petit Gourmet as they participated in the Newport Gourmet Tour.

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Loaves of bread were for sale inside Le Petite Gourmet.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Salesperson Emily Reynolds, right, discusses cheese with Newport Gourmet Tour participants at Le Petit Gourmet in Newport, Rhode Island, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Gretchen Ertl for the Boston Globe

Salesperson Emily Reynolds (right) discussed cheese with Newport Gourmet Tour participants.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

French wines filled the shelves of the Newport Wine Cellar.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Theberge listened to Newport's history in the rum business during a stop at the Newport Wine Cellar.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Newport Gourmet Tour participants popped into the Newport Casino, a national historic landmark, for a quick look at the grass tennis court and shingled buildings.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Theberge listened to the history of the Canfield House, a classic Victorian house that once featured an invitation-only casino for the nation's elite and a brothel. The restaurant and pub are what remains.

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The painting over the bar of the Canfield House alludes to the restaurant's colorful past.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Debbie Dolliver, of Martha's Vineyard, left, and Jean Golicz, of Old Saybrook, Ct., strolled down Bellevue Ave., with fellow participants of the Newport Gourmet Tour.

Debbie Dolliver of Martha's Vineyard (left_ and Jean Golicz of Old Saybrook, Conn., strolled down Bellevue Avenue with fellow participants of the Newport Gourmet Tour.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Debbie Dollivar, of Martha's Vineyard, left, and Cori Pasqaule, of Old Saybrook, Ct., listen to chef Kevin Fitzgerald inside the kitchen of Sardella's, the last stop on the Newport Gourmet Tour in Newport, Rhode Island, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Gretchen Ertl for the Boston Globe

Dollivar (left) and Cori Pasqaule of Old Saybrook, Conn., listened to chef Kevin Fitzgerald inside the kitchen of Sardella's, the last stop on the Newport Gourmet Tour.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |

Sardella's Restaurant chef Kevin Fitzgerald uses kahlua in his tiramisu, the final bite on the Newport Gourmet Tour in Newport, Rhode Island, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Gretchen Ertl for the Boston Globe

Sardella's Restaurant chef Kevin Fitzgerald used kahlua in his tiramisu.

Gretchen Ertl for The Boston Globe |