Articles in the 'Food & Drink' Category

Culinary Québec

The beauty of Québec is that its history is so perfectly intertwined with its cuisine. The Québecois have a great affinity with food that stems directly from the first permanent French colony of Nouvelle France established by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Today’s simple, rustic fare continues the tradition of the trappers and the earliest settlers of the colony, whilst the elegance of haute cuisine pays homage to the king’s nobles and seigneurs who once held court here.

Travel Briefing: Russia

Stereotypes of Russia abound: bad food with even worse service, gruff, surly people and ugly, functional buildings. As with all stereotypes, the reality is somewhat different. Modern Russia is a place that fascinates with its history, inspires with its architecture and museums, and delights the senses with some of the world’s best hotels and top class restaurants.

Sushi, Sashimi and so Much More

Sampling the culinary highlights of a country is, for some, one of the main reasons for choosing to travel to a particular location. Japan is certainly a place where eating is half the fun, as long as you can overcome the misconception that all there is to eat is raw fish. Of course, Japan is renowned for its fantastically fresh and delicate sushi and sashimi, but adventurous eaters will be delighted to hear that Japanese food offers a wealth of dishes to satisfy any palate.

Chai Tea

“Put the kettle on and we’ll all have a nice cup of tea”. A common suggestion in households across Britain. It’s easy to take the soothing effects of a decent cup of tea for granted, but tea has a far more complex and fascinating history than this simple act would suggest.

Buenos Aires: An Insider’s Guide

Buenos Aires is often high on the list of the best cities in the world to visit, but to truly appreciate all it has to offer, insider advice from the locals is imperative. We therefore asked one of our top guides, Maria, to share a few of her favourite places to visit, eat, drink and tango!

Come Dine with the Locals

Nothing draws people together like food, whether it’s the preparation or sitting down to taste local delicacies, barriers are broken down and conversation flows. We asked our specialists to choose some of their favourite culinary experiences from around the world.

Melbourne in Spring Time

Australia is widely portrayed as a land of amazing diversity and, thanks to the recent screening of the ‘Australia’ blockbuster movie, the country’s rugged landscapes and vast outback scenery have been the recipients of a bag of well-deserved plaudits. Whilst cinemas and tourism campaigns have been filled with a glossy and romantic portrayal of the Aussie outback dream, Australia’s ‘second city’ sits patiently in the state of Victoria, ready to be discovered. Here there is a stark contrast to the roughly hewn cattle-drover and dusty outback image portrayed on screen.

God’s own Country

Warmed by the waters of the Malabar Coast and sheltered from the bustling interior by the mountainous range of the Western Ghats, Kerala is a fertile rural paradise that bills itself as ‘God’s own country’. It’s a land ruled by nature, with an easy-going ambience and sense of ease: ideal for a complete restorative getaway but with plenty to do and see. Here our Kerala specialists share some of the reasons why a visit to this state should be top of everyone’s wish list.

South Africa: Where the Pound still packs a Punch

The pound might have dropped but the rand has plummeted. Andrew Hunt, South Africa Programme Manager, finds bargains aplenty as the southern hemisphere summer swings across a country that offers big five safaris, excellent dining and world-class boutique hotels.

China: From Cityscape to Village Life

China’s famously fast-moving society is transforming the travel experience in cities, with a new sophistication bringing boutique hotels and fine restaurants. Beyond the urban centres, however, many parts of China have escaped the rush to modernise, with rural village communities atmospherically unchanged over the millennia. Tom Stapleton and Ben Colbridge compare and contrast.

The Connoisseur’s Choice

Whether you’re a serious wine buff, teetotal, or simply enjoy the odd tipple, winegrowing regions are always fascinating places to visit.

Two Nights in Bangkok

Natalie Lewis explains where to stay, what to eat and what to do in Bangkok.

Quaff on your Travels

Our specialists reveal their favourite tipples from around the world.

Dining Out

Our specialists uncover the finest places to dine out.

Eat Morocco

A whistle stop tour of Morocco’s fashionable cuisine.

Same, Same but Different

Despite common links, the countries of Southeast Asia have developed distinct national dishes.

Japanese Dining Unravelled

Eating in Japan can be anything from a relaxed occasion to a lengthy ritual.

Tea Time

Sri Lanka may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of tea but if we use the island’s older name, Ceylon, instead it becomes a much more familiar name to the connoisseur of a good cuppa.

Spice Island

The spice trade is intrinsically woven into Zanzibar’s history and culture.

Guinea Pig to Go

South America may not be known for its cuisine, but that is not to say that a trip there is without interesting food.

Mean Cuisine

While the dishes of some countries have become immensely popular in the West, certain delicacies haven’t caught our imagination quite so much.

Great Australian Bite

The macho barbecuing culture may still exist but Australia’s culinary ability now stretches much further.

Curry Flavour

The Tastes of the Indian Subcontinent merit the trip alone.

Grape Expectations

Visits to New Zealand’s top wineries can easily be incorporated into a tour of the country.

Cooking it up

Learn how to bring the taste of the exotic home with you.

24 Hours in Kyoto

A quick taste of one of Japan’s finest cities.

Flying Down to Rio

It’s admittedly a long way to go for a weekend, but Carolyn Foreman highly recommends Rio de Janeiro as a short break destination.

Temples, Thalies & Treehouses

Susie Brand takes a journey through the south of India.