I'm a food writer who recently traveled to Europe for the first time. I ate 6 foods that made 3 time zones, 5 plane rides, and a train trip worth it — take a look.

I enjoyed haggis balls during my trip to Europe.Lauren Edmonds/Insider

• I spent 10 days in England, Scotland, and Belgium in September and early October.
• It was my first time trying several cuisines and European food staples.

The best part of vacationing is the food.

It's my humble opinion, but there's nothing more satisfying than traveling to a new destination and discovering that — yes — the local food is just as good as you imagined.

While working at Insider, I've covered my fair share of food drama and taste tests, but a recent girls' trip to Europe offered an unexpected opportunity to expand my palate.

Over 10 days, I traveled from New York City to London before visiting Glasgow and ending the trip in Brussels. I navigated five flights and an early morning train ride during my trip, but these six foods made it worth it.