Mesaluisa cooking class takes place in a restored fisherman’s warehouse in central Lisbon that oozes Portuguese charm—rough stone walls, weathered wood, and copper pots dangling from the rafters. It’s almost too perfect, and there’s a reason: the space doubles as a studio for Luisa Villar’s popular television cooking show. But […]
Cooking Traditional Portuguese Dishes with Mesaluisa Read More »
It’s easy to get into the holiday spirit at a European Christmas market, and some of the most festive can be found in Vienna, Austria. The tiny wooden stalls burst with all-things-Christmas, from glittering ornaments to handmade jewelry, apparel, candles and more. And then there’s the food: Candied almonds, sizzling
A Guide to Vienna’s Christmas Markets Read More »
When the Pasta alla Carbonara I was making went wrong and instead turned into spaghetti with scrambled eggs, I turned to chef Claudia Cillaria for help. Claudia spent many years in the restaurant industry and now teaches travelers to make authentic Italian dishes from her home kitchen in Zagarolo, Italy,
Learning the Secrets of Authentic Pasta alla Carbonara Read More »
It’s the Portugal predicament for travelers with limited vacation time: Lisbon or Porto? Both are great destinations for good food, wine and historic sites. To help make the decision, Stirring Up Adventure explores both cities. The Cities Lisbon sprawls across seven hillsides on the banks of the Tagus River. “What
Lisbon or Porto? How to Choose (if you can’t visit both) Read More »
We fell in love with these savory cheese puffs on a recent trip to the Burgundy region in France. Made with choux pastry and served warm, gougères traditionally include Gruyere cheese but grated Emmental, Comte, Parmigiano-Reggiano or even cheddar can also be used. They are a simple and elegant pre-party
French Cheese Puffs (Gougères) Read More »
A road trip through the countryside lets you slow down and explore all that France has to offer. Medieval architecture, imposing castles, wineries tucked inside hidden hamlets, and warm baguettes from the local boulangerie are just the beginning. It’s worth doing a some advance planning so you can enjoy France’s
Road Trip in France: A Photo Essay Read More »
We’re lost somewhere in the French countryside. A herd of caramel-colored cows are lazing in the late autumn sun. A rooster from a far-off field begs for attention. And the neat stone barn in front of us is not the winery we were looking for. C’est la vie. Laughing, we
An Afternoon in the French Countryside Read More »
Uzi is a special dog and she knows it. Nearly a dozen of us follow as she meanders through the misty forest, stopping now and again to look back and make sure she’s still the center of attention. We’re on a truffle hunt in Bracciano, Italy, about 30 minutes outside
It’s a Dog’s Life in Italy’s Truffle Country Read More »
I don’t remember exactly where I was in Italy when I first tried porchetta, but the taste is unforgettable. An in-the-know travel companion spotted a food truck selling porchetta and pulled us toward it, saying, “You have to try this.” I will be forever grateful. The warm slivers of pork
Porchetta: An Italian Street Food Obsession Read More »
We met up with Ricardo “The Professor” Hipólito on a day trip from Lisbon with The Cooltours, a company that specializes in small group tours and a passion for sharing knowledge and unique experiences with travelers to Portugal. In this interview, the Professor answers our questions about exploring this beautiful
Interview: Ricardo Hipólito, The Cooltours – Lisbon Read More »
The world is as close as your kitchen! The recent explosion of virtual cooking classes makes it easy to learn how to cook global cuisines in your own home. Formats range from interactive sessions to live demonstrations to videotaped instruction. Many are taught by regional cooks who have a passion
Seven Virtual Cooking Classes That Give You A Taste of the World Read More »
Local produce markets are a practically a destination of their own. They are a window into the traditions, foods and lives of everyday people around the world. It’s hard to resist the fresh greens piled high…neat rows of the season’s best apples, apricots and pomegranates…or a riot of cherries spilling
Markets Around the World: A Photo Essay Read More »
Armenia may not be on your bucket list, but it should be. The capital, Yerevan, sits in the shadow of Mt. Ararat and the country is home to treasures from the paleolithic period to modern times. Here, we’ve asked tour guide Hayk Avagyan to tell us more about this emerging
Interview: Hayk Avagyan, Armenian Tour Guide Read More »
