The world’s tourism sector is undergoing major changes.

At the heart of it all – people want their experiences to be REAL.

They want to immerse themselves and become a part of the world they are travelling to. Merely looking in, or looking at, is out.

But being a part of it, definitely is in.

So visiting, shopping, eating, at the world’s food markets is in – one of those REAL experiences.

The allure of the world’s food markets is easy to understand – many are steeped in history, hundreds of years old, they are colourful, exciting, places to shop at as you mingle with the locals, and they introduce you to something new and special, a kind of time travel to another world.

So join us as we discover another five of the world’s top food markets – part two of our series on these amazing places, the first five which we discovered in part one.

Queen Victoria Market – Melbourne, Australia

Spanning 17 acres, open since 1878, it’s the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere.

The market has more than 600 stalls and shops and the emphasis is on fresh produce and gourmet goods, as well as fish, meat and dairy.

There also are bakeries and cafes galore – many of the cafes offering an international assortment of specialty dishes and drinks.

And to top it all off there are several wineries and distilleries operating their own shops and tasting rooms.

Granville Island Public Market – Vancouver, Canada

Granville Island is one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations – a whopping 10.5 million people visit this amazing venue each year.

And there are several reasons for it.

It sits squarely on 35 acres in Vancouver’s downtown core, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

It offers a vast array of services, things to do, things to see.

And without a doubt the public market is the biggest attraction.

This public market is on the must-see list for the cruise ship crowd – especially during the five-month cruise ship season with 1.25 million international tourists passing through Vancouver, B.C., Canada, spending a part of their day in Vancouver before embarking on their cruise ship journey.

The market offers everything in the super-fresh food and produce category from all corners of the world.

There is an area of the market where you can sit down and eat a meal, purchased from many of the surrounding food vendors. And in the summer and late fall outdoor seating is spectacular – the Pacific Ocean almost in front of you with a high-rise Vancouver skyline punctuated by a spectacular mountain range as the backdrop.

But Granville Island is more than produce.

It also is one of Vancouver’s most important cultural hubs with theatres, art galleries, artisan workshops and craft studios.

The island also is home to a funky hotel, many of its rooms with ocean views and there is a parade of restaurants offering great food – authentic Mexican, freshly-caught seafood, great steaks – the spectacular Pacific ocean vistas making it special and memorable.

Chandi Chowk – Delhi, India

The hustle, the bustle, unlike anywhere on earth.

It’s the sprawling, chaotic, Chandi Chowk market in old Delhi, India.

There are alleys specializing in all types of household goods and daily items, along with gifts, crafts and souvenirs of every stripe. Spices, dried fruits and nuts, tea, lentils and beans, pickles and street food vendors amidst all that clamour.

There are plenty of famed restaurants and food vendors as well. Fight through the crowds to make it to Paranthe Wali Gali, an alleyway lined with food vendors specializing in fried flat breads loaded with a sweeping assortment of sauces and accompaniments.

Gwangjang Market – Seoul, South Korea

This market is a sprawling all-in-one marketplace with thousands of shops.

It’s a bustling hub of food culture, tourists and locals buying the best and freshest produce for their next meal or savouring endless varieties of Korean food at the many cooking stalls.

Sample an endless variety of banchan (small side dishes such as salads, vegetables, pickled veggies, etc.), or try soy-marinated crabs, ricerolls, mung bean pancakes, kimchi dumplings and specialties from renowned vendors like knife-cut noodles and baked baffle sandwiches with rice cake buns.

There also are clothing stores and traditional Korean craft stores.

Borough Market: London, England

The oldest fruit and vegetable market in London is also one of the world’s finest.

Located in the Southwark neighborhood, Borough Market has been operating there since 1755 – but the area where the market is located has been known for its fresh market since the 13th century.

Specializing in locally grown produce and fruits, hand-made cheeses and fresh breads, the wholesale market is the supplier of choice for many of London’s best restaurants.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the market is open to the public, who can sample the many snacks and gourmet foodstuffs before buying and taking them home to cook.