3 reasons to take kids to EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival
November 3, 2010 by Destination Guide
Filed under Where To Go & What To See
Taking my kids to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is not high on my list – its pricey, my kids can be picky (although sometimes they are also adventurous) and this event really sounds better suited to adults. But Britt Reints from Uptake Orlando’s Local Getaway Crew might just prove me wrong. Here are [...]
Attractions
One Hundred and One Beautiful Towns in France: Food & Wine (101 Beautiful Small Towns) (Hardcover)
June 26, 2009 by Destination Guide
Filed under Travel France Guides
Review
“…a wonderful combination: the beauty of (France’s) towns, the glory of its food, the delectability of its wine.” ~The Chicago Tribune
“Do not read this book when you’re hungry or thirsty.” ~The Times-Picayune
Product Description
Beautifully illustrated as well as informative, One Hundred & One Beautiful Towns in France: Food and Wine explores the local delicacies of a country known for and proud of its love of food and wine. Organized by region, this book features a wonderful sampling of French plaisirs de la table and the shops and markets where you can find them. The classic dishes and drink of France are as remarkably varied as its many different regions: Quench your thirst with a glass of calvados, the heady apple brandy that Normandy is known for; reach “land’s end” or Finistère, in Brittany, and enjoy a galette, a savory buckwheat crêpe stuffed with ham and cheese or mushrooms and lobster; don’t miss the vendange (harvest) in romantic Burgundy or a simple, hearty meal of boeuf bourguignon; in scenic Alsace enjoy a piping-hot flammekueche, a tart of local cheeses, speck, and onions. A thorough appendix provides useful addresses and phone numbers to accommodate planning your trip, including hotel listings, restaurants, wineries, and shops. Sidebars give information on local delicacies to be tasted and imbibed, as well as where to find the choicest goods.
Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy (Paperback)
May 31, 2009 by Destination Guide
Filed under Travel Italy Guides
From Publishers Weekly
In this lighthearted memoir by television’s former L.A. Law star, Tucker delve graciously into the rich lifestyle, cuisine and local wine of central Italy when he and his wife, actress Jill Eikenberry, make an impromptu purchase of a 350-year-old stone cottage in the Umbrian countryside. The Tuckers break away from the Bay Area to acquaint themselves with the Rustico, their new second home. Despite speaking limited Italian, they quickly befriend their expatriate and Italian neighbors and with them set out to celebrate the regional cuisine found in local trattorias, tavernas and the aromatic kitchens of new acquaintances. Language gaffes and the occasional couple’s spat is to be expected, as the Tuckers begin to re-evaluate their lives. The simplicity and heartiness of Umbria begins to feel more like home for them, and little by little the Tuckers let go of their more career-ambitious lives in the U.S. Jill’s revitalization of her theater career in New York becomes as much of an accomplishment as her taking art classes with 16 non-English-speaking Italian housewives. Tucker simply appreciates his relationships forged with Gloria, the owner of the local orta-frutta shop and the town’s butchers. Guileless narrative intertwined with generous descriptions of Italian fare make Tucker’s food memoir and travelogue a satisfying look into the good life. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
–This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Booklist
Driving through Italy, television actors Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry and her young Korean^B assistant are seduced by the stately, relaxed pace of Italian life. Swapping their dream of a house in Provence for an Italian venue, they find a friend’s home for sale near Spoleto, and Tucker quickly seals a deal. The delights of Italian food awaken Tucker’s latent epicure. His determined compulsion to savor every edible raised on local farms ultimately obliges him to spend some serious hours at the local gym. Returning for a time to their California home, they want to share their love of Italian food by hosting a dinner party, but egocentric American friends can’t even gracefully accept this generous invitation, citing a catalog of dietary restrictions and food fears. Foodies will slaver and bristle with envy at the surfeit of pungently fresh truffles that appear at seemingly every meal. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
–This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Buy Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy (Paperback) at Amazon
Michelin Green Guide Wine Regions of France (Paperback)
May 23, 2009 by Destination Guide
Filed under Travel France Guides
Product Description
The long-standing Michelin Travel Guides are an ideal travel companion for travelers who really want to connect with the world. Get to know the local way of life through detailed background information on the country, people, and culture. Quickly identify the best places to visit using Michelin’s star rating system. The best sites are highlighted on the sites map or you can follow a pre-planned driving tour. With the Michelin Travel Guide, let France’s wine regions tempt you to leave your car inland for wine sampling on Île de Porquerolles and to go underground to the champagne cellars of Reims. Visit a cooperative to learn about the “terroir” of a Bordeaux red or explore Dijon’s Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Buy Michelin Green Guide Wine Regions of France (Paperback) at Amazon
Italy and All its Many Wonders
May 3, 2009 by Destination Guide
Filed under Where To Go & What To See
Italy is the home of romance, delectable food and wine, breathtaking scenery, The Matterhorn, Ferrari, stunning beaches and the Winter Olympics. This place is truly a vacationer’s dream getaway. Italy is one place where everything and anything can happen. Many have been wowed and awed by the beautiful scenery this place has to offer. From head to toe, Italy is one of the most radiant places in the entire world. Most people love Italian culture not only because of its beauty, but also because of the lush landscapes.
Three countries border Italy – Austria, Switzerland, and France. All of these countries are beautiful but none compare to Italy. This country is also one of the largest islands on the Mediterranean Sea; though Italy is slightly larger than our wonderful state of Arizona. The capital of Italy is Rome (called Roma by its locals) it is surrounded by lavish architecture, thriving history and some of the friendliest people you may ever come across.
For a city Rome is full of artists both past and present. Home to The Louvre, aspiring artists and some of the greatest artists of all time, the museum welcomes tourists from all walks of life every year. But don’t forget the history of Italy is lurking around every corner and in every building you’ll encounter. Once the sun sets, the fun and romance begin. If you’re traveling alone, you might find you enjoy taking a relaxing stroll through the cities wine tasting and emerging yourself in the mouthwatering delicacies of what is Italy. For a couple or family visiting one of the most romantic countries of the world, a stop at Trattoria or Osteria, will please your taste buds, leaving you wanting more.
As with any culture, Italy has its holidays. But in Italy, every Sunday the shops and businesses close to pay respect to their Saints. On holidays, the streets become crowded from the many celebrations the Italians throw in favor of their saints; they call these days, their feast days – they are held in high regard – and everyone participates. Perhaps one of the most celebrated events, are the holidays paying homage to the leaders of old, who helped to found the country they know and love.
For all of you wine connoisseurs, Italy is perhaps the only place in which you will find wine served with all your meals. Many of the local hot spots, museums and restaurants offer wine tasting. Italy boasts that it is the Enotria (land of wine) and even the Vatican takes pride in sharing their best wine with tourists. Taking a gondola ride offers you not only solitude, but also some of the best views of the cities. So, remember that while visiting Italy, for some of the best scenery, hop on a gondola, sit back, relax and enjoy often.
