Tapas: A Gastronomical Tradition in Spain Cooking
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips
Tapas aren't just small plates of food. They also offer a wonderful glimpse into the gastronomy of the particular Spanish region that you're visiting. Sure there are olives pretty much wherever you go in Spain, but the different flavors you'll experience, whether in a tapas bar, tavern, or Spain cooking class, are extremely varied. After all, the country's geography has everything from mountains to coastline, and lush orchards to miles… Read
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Fall Culinary Vacations in Italy: White Truffles
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips
October and November may be the low season in Italy, but it's also one of the best times to travel to the boot-shaped country. That's because it's the season of the white truffle, and truffle fairs abound where the tuber grows. Where can White Truffles be Found? While Piedmont, in particular Alba, is widely considered the place to visit if you fancy the white truffle, it isn't the only city… Read
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France Cooking Vacation: What is Chèvre?
Filed Under Food History, Travel Tips
If there's a food that France is known for it just might be cheese. But with so many fabulous cheeses, how is one to choose which to try first? This isn't so easy to answer, especially when you consider that few of the best French cheeses are imported to the U.S. So while you're in France for a cooking vacation one delicious cheese you must try is chèvre, which translates… Read
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5 Reasons to Visit Spain for a Cooking Vacation
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips
Italy and France may be our top two destinations when it comes to cooking vacations, but Spain comes in a close third — and it's been gaining popularity. From Costa del Sol up to San Sebastian, the land of the setting sun offers so many gastronomy traditions. Here's just five food-related reasons to consider Spain for your next overseas trip. Learn about Spanish tapas. 5. Olives, either stuffed or with… Read
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A Trip to Sintra During a Portugal Culinary Tour
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips
If you're looking for a town straight out of a fairytale, visit Sintra, which is less than a half hour from Lisbon, or 20 minutes from Cascais, in Portugal. Famous for its European Romantic architecture, Sintra has charmed its visitors for decades, as well as guests of our cooking vacations such as our Lisbon Food Tour and our Lisbon and the Algarve tour, with its castles, natural forest, and ruins.… Read
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Wine Wednesday: Malbec Wines Around the World
Filed Under Destination Features, Wines & Spirits
Malbec grapes may originate from the Bordeaux region, but you won't just find wine made with these grapes in the southwest corner of France. After all, these red wine grapes are often used in "blended" wines, including Cahors vintages along the Lot River in France. Malbec is also an important part of the winemaking traditions of Argentina, which tourists can discover during a wine tour and cooking vacation, such as… Read
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Cooking With Pumpkins on an Italy Culinary Vacation
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History
Pumpkin dishes abound in the U.S. during the Fall season. Since Italian cuisine is so focused on seasonal ingredients and dishes, it should come as no surprise that pumpkin dishes are also popular in Italy this time of year, which you can discover on an Italy culinary vacation. In Italy, zucca — or pumpkin — is an important ingredient in everything from puddings and cakes, to soups, breads, pastas, and… Read
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Emilia Romagna Cooking Vacation: Culatello and the King of Parma Ham
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips
Prosciutto is one of the most popular cured meats in all of Italy, and it's widely available here in the States, selling in the tens of millions each year. But if you head to the Italian countryside just outside Parma, Italy, cooking vacation guests can discover a rare -- but renowned treat -- that is produced far less: culatello, a cured meat made from a prized part of the pig,… Read
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Cooking Classes in Italy: What is Battuto?
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips
The terms "soffritto" and "mirepoix" are often used in cooking -- in Italy and France, respectively -- but one of the lesser known terms is "battuto." Yet battuto is an important component of Italian cooking and, in many ways, it can be considered a cousin to the Italian soffritto. After all, the base of battuto, like soffritto, often begins with celery, onions, and carrots, which you can learn about in… Read
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One-Day Cooking Classes for Solo Travelers
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips
Many of our cooking classes and vacations require a minimum of two people to run, due to operation costs, but lucky for all you solo travelers, we also offer some great classes that only require a minimum of one person! Italy cookery courses If you're visiting the capital of Italy, Rome, try our cooking class in Rome! After visiting some of the chef's favorite shops, stop in the local Roman… Read
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