Gourmet travelling, cooking classes and themed travelling

We were asked a number of times over the past few months to arrange, research and design individual gourmet tours. I hate calling them cooking classes because they can be much more than that. For example, they can be more of the trying/tasting type and not so much about learning how to cook. Or they can include the "how-to-cook" element but instead of attending pre-organized classes, the customer can stay in an 18-century stone house and learn the tips from the hostess herself. Wine tasting can be done in the nearby vineyards together with the man of the house. Gardening can be explored with the local florist, etc.
Photo courtesy of www.kulinarno-joana.com

There are unlimited opportunities and hobby related travelling, or "themed travelling" as we like to call it, becomes more and more popular. It is attractive because it offers more than what we usually get from a trip - accommodation, one-two attractions, meals, and... What more is there? The truth is many people are looking for enriching experiences and when these are related to something they love to do, even better. Such themed travelling can be arranged for gardening lovers, chefs-to-be, butterflies explorers, botanics addicted, stone collectors, orchid growers, wine fans, and the list can go on forever. Even knitting can become a travelling experience.
One way to have such a lovely vacation are the organized tours. They may be for large groups or boutique tours for small groups of people who are usually asked in advance what their preferences are. Then the group is formed and hopefully the click will happen.
One of the companies you may want to consider: http://www.traveloffthebeatenpath.com/tours.html if thinking of France and small groups cultural, culinary and wine experience.
Luxury gourmet, wine tasting and golf experience in four French departments. You may even find a truffle! http://www.delikatours.com/index_e.html?gclid=CPqfxpGH-ZsCFQ_xDAodPyuw-Q
A wonderful website for travellers willing to try Spanish and Portugal food and wine: http://www.euroadventures.net/ea_vol22.asp?gclid=CPjN-rOG-ZsCFQEhDQodskTl_A
Themed culinary tours in Italy, choose based on your favourite food: http://www.guided-tours-italy.com/
An unique offer for luxury gourmet safari - choose Australia, Greece, or even Vietnam: http://www.gourmetsafaris.com.au/

Having listed these, I will again advise those of you who are willing to save some money, to try and experience the less known countries of South Europe which can still offer you award winning wines and great cuisine. Bulgarian wine tours: http://www.infohub.com/travel_packages/food_wine_bulgaria_186.html
Beautiful Romania and the unique opportunity to eat what Dracula probably did :) http://www.infohub.com/travel_packages/food_wine_romania_216.html
Don't miss some of the best sausages and meat dishes in Europe, go Serbia: http://www.infohub.com/travel_packages/food_wine_serbia_221.html
Sunny Greece and cooking with a renowned chef: http://www.infohub.com/vacation_schools/576.html

It is a good idea to use this website I quoted above for any themed vacations as it offers an extensive selection of hobby related trips around the world. If you look to the right of any of these pages, you will see listed biking tours, fishing tours, hiking, hunting, sailing, kayaking, etc. Another destination to consider is South America where you can find great meals at funny prices. The wines afre also good. The website has South American tours too: http://www.infohub.com/travel_packages/food_wine.html

I would also suggest to avoid the big festivals. If you wish to go on a beer tasting vacation, you can still visit Germany but the Oktoberfest may not be for you. Visiting a smaller German town is a good idea as they all have their festivals and you won't miss the cultural experience but the money spent will be much less. Or go to the Czech Republic and try some of the best beers in Europe at much lower prices. For a detailed advice where to go, you can always get your research and tips from us at http://www.youruniquevacation.com/

You may want to go on an exotic gardening tour: http://www.gardeningtours.com/?gclid=CJ3_0MWK-ZsCFRghDQoduyhr9Q
Or visit the famous English gardens: http://www.specialgrouptours.com/html/garden_tours.html
Or check out how the rest of the European gardeners are doing these days: http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/planner/blp_tours_garden.htm
Or simply try the phenomenal Botanica gardening tours: http://www.botanica.travel/

Painting in the heart of Tuscany and Umbria: http://www.artistinitaly.com/

Knitting tours with a craft lover: http://www.joycejamestours.com/

There are thousands of themed tours offered today. We can certainly not list them all here but wanted to give you an idea of what is available. While most of the tours are offered for well known destinations and, naturally, will cost you quite a bit of money, there are others which can save you a lot. From my point of view, travelling with organized groups is good if you are not an experienced traveller.
However, if you have travelled a bit and have been to a region once, I don't really think you need to be organized. What you need is a good deal for accommodation and the rest can be left to local people. What we usually do for customers is we read thousand of reviews and check local websites, blogs, and articles and obtain tons of information on which restaurants will let you learn some secrets, which wineries will allow a sip or two or offer a degustation, etc. This may save you even more money. It is all up to you.
At the end, I would like to advise you to always check the local cuisine and/or climate, attractions, etc. It doesn't make sense to go study cooking at a place where you dislike the food. Or go searching for truffles if you're afraid of dogs or hate muddy forests. Or simply tell us what you're looking for and we'll find it for you. :)

Some really good links for travellers

Good morning to all the world or Salut tout le monde! :)
I happened to read Independent today for some travel news and found a very helpful article which lists the 50 best travel websites in the world - great stuff! http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/the-50-best-travel-websites-1644467.html?action=Popup
Then I couldn't help it but visit virtually my all times favourite Provence in her warm heart where the Luberon mountain lays. http://www.theluberon.com/ The website is a very neat and very user friendly way to get an idea about the places, attractions and lifestyle, together with some really impressive accommodation deals. Check it out if you're thinking of a true Provencal vacation.
Finally, the blog that supported the above mentioned website: http://provencediary.typepad.com/. It is idle now but many of the articles are actual and describe the Provence area in a way only an insider who lives there could do.

I don't think I have mentioned a country I've lived at for five years until now. Greece - the core of the mythological tale of ancient Europe. As a person born in the area, I have never been able to ignore the whispers from old times. I highly recommend Greece, and especially the Northern part around Kavala, to those who are seeking emerald waters and still not well known beaches in small fisherman villages. In the mornings you will get your fish straight from the boats, or you can later visit one of the small restaurants across the beach and try out one of the most delicious cousines in the world, in my humble opinion. Here is an article, bright new, on Greece islands: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/try-some-vintage-greek-islandhopping--jump-aboard-the-first-ferry-out-1752133.html

From movies to reality - home exchange/swapping

Do you remember "The Holiday" movie where two women exchanged homes for a hopefully quiet vacation away from ex-boyfriends? When I saw it some years ago, I thought the idea was simply hilarious and clever plot wise. I couldn't imagine people would risk having complete foreigners in their homes although it would be the same for the foreigners having other foreigners, and so on. :)) However, over the past few months I've been researching extensively home exchange websites, blogs and articles as it became one of the hottest trends worldwide.

With the global recession knocking on many doors and the never disappearing longing for vacation, home swapping proved to be the right answer to thousands of travellers. Considering the average price of accommodation in Western Europe, even the owner's direct prices, the amount saved via home exchange would be not less than 350-400 Euro per week, and this is a very conservative approach. This money could easily buy two low-cost (last minute) tickets to major European city, or ten lunches for two in South Western France, or five pairs of designer shoes on summer sale in August. Not bad, eh?

There are hundreds of home exchange websites available on the net but I'm giving you some of those I have checked myself:

http://www.homeexchange.com/ - probably one of the biggest

http://www.ivhe.com/?gclid=CIuhrLi855sCFSMeDQod1UWB5Q - advertised as luxury but you can find everything there

http://www.homelink.ca/?gclid=CLTqgt-855sCFRPyDAodBwxQ6A - this website is 50 years old already!

http://www.seniorshomeexchange.com/ - especially for seniors

http://www.homebase-hols.com/ - Lois Sealey is a Canadian living in London, very personal and helpful

http://homeexchangetravel.blogs.com/ - this is Lois's blog which provides very valuable information, tips and hints

http://www.homebase-hols.com/news44.shtml - a great newsletter by another of the big websites

Finally, never forget to leave an extra pair of keys to a friend/neighbour; sign after you have read well a written agreement; arrange carefully pet care, appliances repair, etc. No doubt home exchange can be an unique way to get close to the local people and culture while saving a lot of money, but you can make it an easy way too by preparing your trip carefully thus avoiding troubles for both yourself and your partners in this adventure. Enjoy with a bottle of good red wine and, who knows, you may even meet Jude Law! :)

Virus week

Yep, unfortunately it's been a week to catch any passing virus, including the nasty stomach one who made me look like a model in no time but also affected badly my already skinny toddler too! Now I'm facing the challenge of feeding him better than ever, promoting a business, developing a business, working my day job, and last but not least - studying for exams... When does a modern woman get a break? How do you do it ladies?

I've always admired women who manage to have family time, a career or their own business, and time for themselves as well. I constantly feel like losing it. Somewhere between the healthy meals that require regular shopping for fresh food, the maintenace of a website, the tweeting/blogging/reading/following, playing and enjoying family, etc., I get lost. One of these always has to be sacrificed in my messy everyday life. Today it was the studying that had to be neglected, so I can sit here and have a nice little writing session. :)

Still, I have some interesting links for today. As you know, I get the Forbes newsletter and I always follow their Life section with interest. I found out that they have extensive archive and here is Forbes' Destination Of the Week for the past few years: http://search.forbes.com/search/storyTypeSearch?storyType=Destination+Of+The+Week

And here is another of my favourites - Elite Wine, Food and Travel magazine: http://www.elitewinefoodtravel.com/magazine/

I have always found particular meals remind me of places I have visited, and it is not mandatory that the meal originated from the place. Sometimes the association is unclear even to me. It's like perfumes which I smell on the street and turn immediately because my brain has connected the aroma with a powerful memory of a person, occasion, event. I find this beautiful. And because I'm thinking of the sea these days, and my feet can almost feel the tender sand, I made fish, potatoes sote and a big salad for supper. The white wine is cooling down in the fridge. I guess it's time to cool down the "little grey cells" too. :)

The hidden jewels to discover

* Photo courtesy of Kelby Carr, About.com

I'm in the mood to cheer up myself and all fellow travellers today. I'd like to share with you the South West corner of France where prices are far from the Provencal, the wine is great, the nature - beautiful, the climate - fantastic, and the sea/ocean is still there. If you are looking for a warm spot in Europe where you can relax to the fullest watching the burds and wild animals in the Pyrenees, or stretching on the beach, then check it out:

http://www.vintagetravel.co.uk/aquitaine_area_information.cfm

Of course, there are many more websites you can find and look at. This is only one of my favourites as I like their approach toward travelling - an old fashioned, slow and delightful way to explore far from the crowds and all inclusive resorts. The departments you may want to look at are Pirenees Orientales (coast on the Mediterranean sea) and Pyrenees Atlantique (coast on the Atlantic ocean). Now, I know many people who prefer the beaches on the Atlantic. However, my personal preferences are towards the more intimate Mediterranean. It is all up to you.

This corner of France, two corners actually, have lots to offer and are still calmer and cheaper than the trendy Provence and Var. You won't be able to completely avoid celebrities, especially if you choose the Atlantic coast, but the number will be significantly lower. Paparazzi falling from the tree tops are not common in difference from the Cote D'Azur. Rental accommodations are at reasonable prices, food is abundant and restaurants are not expensive.

A good website to look at French departments and get an idea where they are located is this one: http://flagspot.net/flags/fr(dep.html . All are clickable which is very helpful and provides good information.

And don't forget to check our travel clipping service at http://www.youruniquevacation.com/ - we can help you save money and stay away from troubles via extensive vacation research!

It is late

Yes, in all senses it is late - almost midnight. The night is young as I love to say, the sky is velvet, the stars are brighter than yesterday, and I finally have to say something about Michael Jackson. It took me quite a while to figure out what I feel, what I think. I loved him, absolutely. He was part of my teen nights with the dancing parties, kisses in the dark, long haired boys and funny cassette players, I remember going to see the "Moon Walker"... Oh my, I left the theatre in a state which was closer to coma than to consciousness.
Michael Jackson was an inspiration for a young dancer who then believed dancing meant living. This hasn't changed much. He made me move like wind. He burned me with his talent and I felt my own abilities coming out to the surface. Abilities I had never thought I possessed. Then I remember the accusations, the interviews, the flaking make up, the cracked mask, and enourmous pain and sadness behind it. It all reminds me of Freddie Mercury and "The Show Must Go ON". Only the video suitable for the situation would be "I'm Going Slightly Mad"...
I never believed any of these accusations. I've never had any doubt he was used in an extremely ugly way and broke down in disappointment. It was then when I realised this was a very, very sad person with a very tragic history.
Now, all these years later, I see the faces of his children and can't help it but cry. Because I've been there. I was at their age. I know how it feels to see your whole world in ruins. It took me years to get out of the memories' hell. I wish them to choose an easier way.
If I could, I would hug them and tell them there is always hope, light, life ahead. But I can only write this and who knows, maybe somehow they will know that many of us have faced the same fate and managed to live with it. Just don't try to forget. It never happens and will only make it more difficult. Let your pain win for now, surrender to your tears, cry it out, don't be afraid to face your own horror. I know it hurts and it hurts like hell. Still, you are loved dearly and I'm sure you will be happy and find your way because there was a lot of love in your lives. The gap will never disappear but with the time it will turn into a well from which you will drink when in need of his strength. He will always be with you.
Good night!

Forbes advises women how to pack for a trip

I got my regular newsletters from Forbes today and, among the others, there was this article about what and how women should pack for a weekend trip. Apparently, the author had never really tried to look stylish in a dress which she wore on the beach. It may be only me, but after a few hours on the sand, my dresses look like I took them straight from the garbage can. Any suggestions about using them with high heels and hitting the bars in the evening make me giggle. No doubt I would attract quite a bit of attention. Not the attention I'd like to though.

Then came the advice for the sunscreen. It says you should not trust only your cream/foundation SPF but use regular sunscreen under the make up. I would say: don't use foundation on the beach at all. From my experience, for some reason unknown, foundation on the beach not only makes the skin dirty and causes black spots (no matter what the manufacturer says) but also makes the tan uneven, and can grant you with spots which resemble the aging stains. Not nice at all.

Next I found this article about Provence: http://www.forbestraveler.com/provence.html . This is written by a/someone who had many bad things happening to him/her in Provence or b/has never been there.

Please, don't trust him/her. Avignon is absolutely beautiful but you have to know where to go. Reading only brochures doesn't help. One has to follow the locals and read tons of reviews to get an idea about a city/village. Aix-en-Provence is great but by no means greater than Avignon. If you go to Aix having read only tourist brochures, you can find it impersonal too. And there are so many beautiful villages in Provence which are never listed in these articles or brochures! Skip the Saint remy and Gordes, look for a detailed advice according to your own preferences! Or ask me!

Now, having said all that, what would you pack for a two week vacation to Provence? Would it be different from what you'd pack for Cote D'Azur? Italy? Spain? In other words, does the destination define what we pack?

I have built my own system for packing - I grab two things of each section of my wardrobe. It means I have two shirts, two tops, two pairs of pants, dresses, skirts, beachware, etc. The underwear, of course, is a separate category. Then I get flip-flops, day shoes, walking shoes, and two types of evening shoes. If I go to France, scarfs are my best bet! Sun hat - a stylich big one for the Cote D'Azur + big classic sun glasses. For Provence, Italy and Spain - a cute little panama hat + edgy sunglasses.

Another separate category is cosmetics - I always have tiny creams, lotions, toners in my hand bag. The rest goes to the luggage. I never leave without my usual shampoo as I find different types of water damaging my hair. I always get conditioner and one of the "stay on" conditioners for the beach. Sunscreen - I will disagree with the 30 SPF al the time. It takes away the ability of the skin to build up its own screen. I start with 25SPF for the first three-four days. Then I always switch to 20SPF. Gradually I reduce the number to 12-15SPF the last three-four days. The result is I never burn and always get an even, great looking tan.

And my baby's staff is a whole other story! :)))

Sun, Italy, wine and pasta

Since the sun is rejecting to show up in Toronto, I'm in the mood to make the day sunny for myself and for the men in the house. Travelling Italy, and especially Tuscany, was a life-time dream filled with sun, impossibly green fields, warm rivers, and late night drinks on terraces built centuries ago. Sleeping was a waste of time. Those were the days when the whisper of the vines in the night sounded secretive and seductive. Those were the times when walking on the beach at night and dancing till dawn around open fires on the white sand was routine. Finally, those were the long lunch hours when I fell in love with pasta and Italian cuisine.

So, to connect this poetic beginning with my prosaic cooking, here is my sunny Italian pasta recipe for today:

Fussili with anchovy and olives

one clove garlic

olive oil

one can of anchovy (I buy the Millionaire's anchovy little can)

olives (I use half of a regular can medium sized olives)

fussili

salt (optional)

diced tomatoes from a can

oregano

Bring the olive oil to the heat and when hot add the sliced garlic. Let it release its aroma for just a minute or it will burn. Add the anchovy and the olives which you have cut in pieces. Cover with a lid and let all these simmer and exchange aromas for a while - 10 minutes is more than enough. Keep the heat low to medium, it is easy to burn the garlic and the smell is terrible. Finelly add the tomatoes and the oregano. Cover and let all cook for half an hour. Salt is optional as usually the anchovy is very salty, so it is up to you.

The fussili are to be prepared as usual - in lots of water with a pinch of salt. I personally never boil the pasta as I've seen it here in North America. In the restaurants here pasta is always overcooked. Besides making it taste worse, overcooking the pasta turns it into a calorie bomb! So, follow the Italians and me, cook it al dente - if the package says 10 minutes, make them 8. Al dente pasta requires more from your body to digest, therefore it uses more energy and less pasta will stick to our thighs. I swear on this. I eat pasta at least two times a week, usually three times. Never in my entire life have I gained weight of pasta.

Enjoy with cold white wine, dry. If you're in the mood, let me send you to Tuscany on one of these stone terraces. Everything tastes different there!

*Photo courtesy of www.classicaltours.net