On & Beyond Culinary Delights

Having just spent five marvelous weeks in Italy enjoying (a bit too much) cheese, learning to make pizza, and spending (a whole lot of) money on olives at the farmers’ market, it comes to no surprise that I talk about visiting the country every chance I get. 

Eating in a foreign country can be intimidating enough. If you happen to be wandering around Thailand, the intimidation factor is exasperated by how spicy they like their food. For most tourists in Thailand, there’s always a safe choice: Pad Thai. A noodle dish made of chicken and a variety of vegetable; it is customizable for the customer and can be intensely spicy or mild and sweet. 

From show-stopping sandy beaches to the idyllic countryside – the southeast part of Australia certainly doesn’t lack for gorgeous sights, nor entertainment. We’ve heard all about adventures, but what about food? The true gourmets know that this is the road where deliciousness lies, and those with a discerning palette will definitely want to check out the fine cuisine that this part of the country offers.

“You have got to be kidding me! Pakistan? No way!” This is more or less the response you would probably get when you share with your friends and family that you are traveling to Pakistan. Though the Western media hasn’t painted Pakistan in such a pretty light, it is far from the reality. 

Whether you consider yourself a foodie or not, the fact is, you have to eat. Moreover, food has a way of bringing people together. For example, when you have guests at home, the first thing you do is probably prepare them a nice meal. Even if you don’t have anything else to offer, they will feel appreciated and warmly welcomed.

For many food lovers, Anthony Bourdain may just have had one of the coolest jobs ever. He got to explore different countries, learn about their culture, meet interesting people, and constantly enjoy tons of scrumptious food. 

I love visiting Rome and would take the time to go at least once every couple of months. I visit Rome not only for business but also for leisure and personal time away with my girlfriend. I sometimes also come to introduce the city to foreign friends. In short, any excuse will do for a trip!

Romanian cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and heavily influenced by the peoples that the area has come into contact with. Major influences have come by way of the Ottoman Empire as well as the Greeks. For example, the Turks brought meatballs and meat filled cabbage rolls (“sarmale”) with them; whereas the Greeks came with the moussaka (“musaca”). 

With today’s fast-evolving society making travel more accessible than ever, it’s hard not to see another side of the world. A great part of that advantage is discovering different types of food from other countries. 

There are few things in life more refreshing than luxury wine tours of picturesque wineries offering quality wine. However, if you haven’t been on wine tasting tours before, you need to know a couple of things before you plan one.

My love for Greece dates back to my first years as a freelance writer and was a direct result of my years working in a travel agency. My job used to involve meeting and talking to service providers in Greece. It didn’t take very long for me to fall in love with the country and, once I set foot there myself, my love became even deeper.

They say that the best experiences are those that catch you by surprise. Well, on my recent visit to Bali, the breathtaking destination dubbed as ‘the Island of the Gods’, I was treated to an unexpected yet unforgettable culinary adventure. 

Are you looking for awesome ideas to help you plan your next great adventure? In order to truly make the most of your travels, keep in mind that you can only grow and enrich your life by doing something you have yet to try. So instead of setting yourself up for yet another touristy sight-seeing trip, why not try something different for a change?

Having a bad day? Whatever it is that ails you, sometimes, there’s nothing that will soothe your soul quite like comfort foods.

Two years ago I had a very rude awakening. The first time I measured my glucose levels, I found out I was pre-diabetic. I was age 45, had been a nutritionist for 5 years and was eating what I thought was the healthiest diet on the planet: all organic, local, home cooked and Paleo foods. But something was not right. I was gaining weight. I was always hungry. I also had joint and lower back pain.

If you too are a big fan of “MasterChef”, one of the most popular cooking shows on television, chances are you’d remember its first and only blind contestant, the formidable Ms. Christine Ha. You may also recall that this lovely Vietnamese American chef, had defied all odds when she was named the reigning champion of season 3.  

Though many people still perceive veganism as a type of diet, those who had chosen to become a vegan insist that it is far beyond that – it is a way of life. The reasons for people to adopt the vegan lifestyle greatly vary – from an effort to improve their health and wellness, to contributing to the end of exploitation of animals, to helping to protect the environment and many more.

Our Italian cooking holiday at Podere le Olle in Umbria was fabulous. The venue is stunning and the couple who run it are really wonderful, genuine and welcoming. We enjoyed good food and wine, good company and great scenery. It gets a gold star from both me and my husband. We would go back in the blink of an eye. We could not have made it more perfect a holiday if we had designed it in detail ourselves!