Gastronomic tours in Russia and abroad: wine tours to France, tasting tours to Italy, gastronomic tours to Portugal and other countries.
Just imagine a tempting picture: while crowds of tourists who consider themselves to be admirers of painting, sculpture and architecture languish in kilometer-long queues to the Vatican Museums, Louvre or Versailles, in a cool restaurant hall, accompanied by unobtrusive music, you taste dishes from Piedmont truffles, washed down with fragrant Barolo. Or you can enjoy transparent slices of jamon "with a tear" wrapped around a golden-orange slice of juicy melon, the color of which is so reminiscent of the Sagrada Familia glowing in the rays of the sunset, just a little further away. Or you delve into the rules of cooking national Korean sauces and snacks, but not just anywhere, but in the royal palace of Gyeongbokgung. Or you can taste "edam" and "gouda" - and it is in Edam or Gouda. In a word, you already understood that we are talking about a recently appeared, but already very popular direction of tourism - gastronomic.
Food can tell about the spirit of the people much more than other works of architecture and painting. The fine arts are individualized, but the national cuisine, as the French say, is a "case of a pinch" of numerous and unnamed authors.
What are food tours
Someone will say that gastronomic tourism is the lot of natures with a fine mental organization, others argue that all this is whim, hedonism and money down the drain. They say that in the modern globalized world, almost any terroir product - even from Spain, even from Mauritius, can be found in a good supermarket. You won't surprise a Russian with oysters and frog legs for a long time, as well as wines from Valley X, Slope Y. Undoubtedly, the times of gastronomic shortage have happily sunk into the past, and today it is worth trying international delicacies without leaving the capital. However, as the satirist noted, “there is everything ... and a small deficit” - Parma ham in Moscow is a little different from that in blessed Parma, sushi in the Land of the Rising Sun is definitely different from Yakitor's companions, and real pasta in a village by the sea in Puglia cannot be compared with the assortment of the capital "vero" -Italian establishments.
It is thanks to the maximalist gourmets who live (or rather, eat) according to the principle of "all or nothing", and such a tourism industry as gastronomic tours appeared. In short, gastronomic tours are trips abroad (for the time being, foreign ones, although all the prerequisites for a gourmet run through Mother Russia are obvious), which focus on taste impressions. Visiting restaurants on such trips is not a side effect, so as not to die of hunger, but the very essence of the trip. Of course, you can't do without sights - it's stupid to go to Paris and not even look towards the Champs Elysees, but the visual impressions are more likely to go in addition to the gustatory ones, set off the "impression", so to speak.
How they cook in Rome
The local recipe for centuries, if not millennia (remember the oldest of the world cuisines - Armenian), absorbed the customs and traditions of the people who created it. So Arabian spicy dishes are both a tribute to the hot climate, in which you need to sweat thoroughly to cool down, and a remedy that helps you not to get sick “in unsanitary conditions,” and a portrait of the average Egyptian or Moroccan: emotional, hot-tempered and spontaneous.
Separately, it should be mentioned that the purpose of the gastronomic tour is not to try a couple of certain exotic dishes (say, the same frog legs, fried worms or durians), but to form your own global idea of the country through taste buds. And, of course, learn more about the "near-kitchen" traditions: how vegetables are grown or poultry are raised, what time they eat and how the dishes are served.
What are the gastronomic tours
Conventionally, gastronomic trips can be divided into two large groups: rural and urban. During the first, tourists are offered to enjoy natural products "from the ground" - to participate in the collection of berries, nuts and mushrooms (especially truffles), to taste fruits from the tree and vegetables from the garden, of course, 100% organic, cook jam or bake a cake under the supervision of a chef ... This also includes a tasteful acquaintance with the so-called "products of the earth" - those gastronomic delights (and not ready-made dishes!) That this area is famous for: Parma ham, Spanish ham, Dutch cheese, Brussels praline, Swedish bleak caviar, Japanese puffer fish, etc. .d.
City gastronomic tours involve visiting restaurants of national cuisine, where the guest is invited to taste local delicacies, as a rule, "from the pen" of eminent chefs. The establishments themselves, of course, are also marked with at least one Michelin star. In such trips, the emphasis is more on the virtuoso combination of numerous components, rather than on enjoying the simple taste of "peasant" food. In other words, if you like escape from civilization - welcome to the vastness of Alsace or Tuscany, and for those who want rare dishes on porcelain and boiling white starched napkins - a direct road to Parisian or Milanese haute cuisine restaurants.
Among other things, you can study the gastronomic map of the world, so to speak, synthetically or analytically. In the first case, we take one product (for example, cheese) and study it in all countries of production - we visit cheese factories in France, cheese dairies in Holland, private farms in Belgium, we try mozzarella in Italy and suluguni in Georgia. With an analytical approach, we choose a country and “taste” it to its taste - vegetables and fruits, snacks and sauces, cold and hot dishes, desserts and compotes.
And of course, you can't do without wine on such tours! Although there are special wine routes (which cost only one trip to Champagne or Chianti), to one degree or another, strong drinks are necessarily present in the programs of gastronomic trips, because it has long been known that the taste of even the most exquisite dish without wine will lose half of its uniqueness.
Gastronomic India
Where and what to try
Generally speaking, any country that has decided to develop gastronomic tourism has every chance of success - there are no tasteless cuisines, there are only more massive or more "highly specialized" areas. In other words, Bavarian sausages are great for any tourist, but fried larvae and pickled chameleons are a pleasure for everyone.
Gastronomic Europe is, first of all, pasta, pizza, hams and wines of Italy, foie gras, snails, oysters and other seafood, cheeses, as well as numerous wines and champagne of France, dry-cured delicacies, fish dishes and again wines of Spain, pastries, sweets and chocolate from Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, cheeses and herring from Holland, sausages, meatballs and beer from Germany and many other products with a national flavor.
People go to exotic countries mainly for global impressions of local gastronomy: Jewish hummus, falafel and unchanged stuffed fish are only a small part of Israel's multicultural cuisine, as well as the national gastronomic traditions of India - a mixture of dozens of local dishes, spices and seasonings from different states.
Gastronomy fair in Peru
Programs, duration, cost
Depending on the "slope" chosen, gastronomic tours are offered lasting from a weekend (urban programs, say, oysters in Paris) to a full two weeks of immersion in the ocean of taste (rural routes, for example, along the roads and restaurants of Puglia).
In most cases, tourists choose combined gastronomic tours - after all, from morning to evening, trying, tasting, evaluating and describing can be interesting only for a glutton-graphomaniac. In such combined programs, visiting restaurants are harmoniously combined with excursions or beach vacations. Fortunately, the most remarkable gastronomic countries, as for selection, have excellent opportunities for recreation - whether it is sightseeing Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic and Hungary or "sunny-sea" Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.
For example, one of the popular gastronomic tours in Italy based on accommodation in Parma, in addition to exploring the local ham, includes a trip to memorable places associated with the name of Giuseppe Verdi, a visit to an opera performance, a tour of the castles of Parma County and, for the pleasure to be complete, shopping in one of outlets.
Gastronomic tours, like any exclusive, are not cheap pleasure. To a certain extent, this is due to the individual approach to the client: it is impossible to recruit a large group for gastronomic tours, therefore the program is most often calculated for one or two people. The cost depends on many factors - direction, duration, season, etc. Travel to significant gastronomic events - for example, to the gourmet festival in St. Moritz, will cost more. In general, when going on a trip on popular programs (to Italy, Spain, France), you should count on the amount of 1500-1800 EUR for a weekly tour. The cost of exclusive routes, such as eating snails in Madagascar, can go up to 5,000 EUR.
Yes, and finally, a few proprietary valuable advice from "Subtleties". First, it is worth knowing when to stop: do not overload all the dishes on offer. After all, you have come not for indigestion (you can get it at home), but for a pleasant experience. It is better to try a little bit of everything, rather than gorge yourself on snacks and gaze longingly at soups, hot dishes and desserts. Secondly, thoughts of unwanted waist measurements must be left at home - or not at all on a culinary tour - otherwise the joy of taste will be overshadowed by annoyance at the kilograms purchased for the vacation. And finally, grab a package of medicines like "indispensable for the stomach" - you will have to absorb the delicacies in considerable quantities.
Bon appetit and wonderful gastronomic experience!
Portugal is a charming country that can be called a quiet European province, where everyone can find something for themselves: a variety of natural landscapes; majestic monuments of the past; and the visiting card of Portugal is port.
The term "oenogastronomy" emerged from the combination of the words "eno" - "wine" and "gastronomy" - "a set of rules and customs of cooking." This is a true culture in which wine and food must be a wonderful pair, harmoniously complementing each other.
You have a wonderful opportunity to travel and learn all about the production of Portuguese wines and port wine!
Scotch whiskey is a drink that the inhabitants of Scotland are rightfully proud of, it is rumored that it even absorbed the rebellious spirit of this northern country. Its distinctive feature is a slight smoky aftertaste. It is associated with the technology of preparing the drink: in order to dry barley grains, it is traditionally customary to use burning peat.
Champagne is a drink of kings, aristocrats and true gourmets. We invite you on a journey with a tasting of the best wines of the iconic Champagne Houses - Louis ROEDERER and GOSSET.
Sunny, cheerful and inviting Spain invites you. A country renowned for its wine history dating back millennia.
Wineries and cheese factories, the art of making real Swiss chocolate and dinners in picturesque villages - we invite you on a journey where you will discover Switzerland in a new way!
Seduce your ladies with the luxury of Paris and the finest Bordeaux wines. Plunge into the atmosphere of romance, fine dining and visit the capital of the world winemaking. Fashion exhibitions, cultural attractions and of course wine tastings await you.
Do you want to experience the real fullness of the taste? Then we invite you on a culinary journey through central Spain!
We invite you to Montenegro, to visit the vineyards of the Lipovac farm: enjoy the wine, cuisine and beauty of the nature of this beautiful country.
We offer all golf lovers a trip to Tuscany, where, in addition to an exciting game, you can relax in the spa and visit the wineries.
Bordeaux is a unique region where history and art of creating wine masterpieces merge together. We offer you to plunge into the most crucial period of the year of every winemaker - harvesting.
Tuscany is a true gourmet paradise, the region boasts a variety of its culinary traditions.
Croatia is one of the few countries, the "pearl of the Adriatic" in the center of Europe, which is still a mystery, and therefore of great interest for active and caring travelers.
A trip to Ireland combining a visit to Dublin with its attractions and beautiful natural surroundings.
A trip to Ireland on the most beautiful west coast - the Cliffs of Moher. Immersion in the unforgettable flavor of local culture, tasting of local salmon, oysters, goat cheese, craft beer.
A trip to Ireland, the Atlantic, the counties of Kerry and Killarney, which are famous for their nature reserves and authentic villages untouched by civilization.
The date of birth of Scotch whiskey is still unknown and, apparently, will forever remain a mystery. But it is absolutely clear that over the centuries the drink has become one of the most important symbols of Scottish culture. Its distinctive feature is a light smoky aftertaste. Are you dreaming of the perfect weekend? Travel to Scotland and enjoy this vibrant drink in an authentic atmosphere!
We invite you on a trip to Tuscany to the famous farms of the Marquis Frescobaldi. For 700 years the renowned family has been involved in winemaking and is synonymous with quality and excellence in Tuscany.
An unforgettable holiday in the Alps and the wine and gastronomy of the region.
We invite you on a trip where you can spend time actively skiing, as well as warm up and relax by visiting the best wineries in the region.
We invite you on a one-week sailing trip along the coast of Mallorca. Visit the beaches and coves of this coast with crystal clear waters, plunge into the atmosphere of sailing, enjoy the views of the cliffs with picturesque pine forests. Visit the island's unique attractions, wineries and restaurants in Palma de Mallorca.
We invite you to plunge with your whole body into the magical properties of Kodali. “Our story began in Bordeaux. This is where the roots of "Caudalie" are. Exploring our wine-making estate, we discovered an underground warm spring at a depth of 500 meters. We've tried to make the most of this happy find and have combined wine and grape extracts to create unique body treatments. This is how our first SPA Vinothérapie was born in 1999. " Matilda Thomas.
Picturesque lakes and islands, boat trips, gastronomic workshops and exquisite dinners in restaurants - all this awaits you in cheerful Italy!
Galicia is a gastronomic paradise for gourmets! We offer an original way to discover this corner of Spain through its wines, cuisine and contemporary art.
Ireland is a country where a river of fun and music flows. It flows through old, remote Irish villages and bustling modern cities. It brings together past and present, capturing everyone in Irish soil.
We invite you on a tour of Scotland, where you will visit the best distilleries, enjoy fantastic views and get to know the sights of this unique country.
Coming to the UK and experiencing English culture is easy! We invite you to London to spend an educational weekend in it, as well as go out of town and visit the mysterious Stonehenge.
A journey for real men awaits you: tastings in the best cognac houses, gastronomic restaurants and accompaniment by our wine expert.
Sardinia is an amazingly beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea. There are still paradise untouched by civilization with golden beaches and secluded rocky bays. Exclusive direct VIP flight on PRIVATE JET!
The program proposed to combine a visit to the main attractions of Edinburgh and an active program in Scotland with accommodation in Edinburgh, trips to the Scottish Highlands, among the most beautiful Scottish nature, as well as to the North Sea coast. This combination will allow you to see both the medieval heritage of Scotland and the unique atmosphere of the country, as well as the most beautiful Scottish nature.
Lyon is the gastronomic center of France, the capital of silk, the birthplace of cinema, the birthplace of Antoine Marie Roger de Saint-Exupery and the Roman emperors Tiberius Claudius and Caracalla ... and that's not all! Visit Beaujolais where there are wines aged for over 3 years and discover the secret of the illusion born in Beaujolais Nouveau.
We invite you to an exciting gastronomic journey to Austria with Irina Klimenko! The capital of Austria is luxurious Vienna, hospitable and hospitable, always tasty food and beautiful drink.
And the lakeside Burgenland will surprise you with wonderful wines - white and red, sweet and very sweet.
We invite you on a fascinating food and drink journey through southern Tuscany. Walking through medieval towns, tasting the iconic Tuscan wines Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montepulciano, visiting a cheese dairy, an olive farm. Horseback riding and relaxation at the Chianciano Terme thermal springs.
We present you a program of acquaintance with Austrian winemaking in the unique region of Styria - the "green heart of Austria". The mesmerizing and hospitable world of Austrian wines and cuisine will open wide its doors and family secrets. You will embark on an unforgettable journey along the Wine Road with our experts. Welcome to Austrian Tuscany!
We invite you to one of the main wine and gastronomic centers in France - to Burgundy. Festive tasting of the best vintages in the heart of Beaune from Sandro Khatiashvili!
We invite you on a trip to the spring Costa Brava with a unique opportunity to catch sea urchins and then tasting the famous delicacy - sea urchin caviar.
Gastronomic journey with Anatoly Gendin in the Spanish region of Andalusia. A unique wine made according to the original technology. A unique ham that has no analogues in the world. And great snacks in the style of a non-stop gastronomic show.
We invite you on an unforgettable journey along the Wachau and Styria Wine Route with our expert Tatiana Schwegelbauer.
The fascinating and hospitable world of Austrian wines and cuisine will open wide its doors and family secrets to you. We are going to visit winemakers, we will live with winemakers, taste Austrian wine, communicate with them and listen to unique stories about their work, "aging" and not only ... Blooming apricots, the beauty of the Styrian hills and dizzying clean air will be excellent companions of your impressions.
We invite you to the incredible Basque Country!
Your journey begins in the extraordinary city of Bilbao with a visit to the even more extraordinary Guggenheim Museum. You will visit the city of gourmets - San Sebastian, get acquainted with the world of Basque wine, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes.
We invite you to participate in an exclusive 4-hour car tour: experience the latest Ferrari models.
Provence is the brightest region, rich in cultural traditions and excellent gastronomy. We invite you to plunge into the atmosphere of harmony and beauty, appreciate the splendor of local cuisine and discover new pages of history.
Why do they regularly visit Monaco? To try and catch your luck at the Monte Carlo casino, of course. Its doors are open daily from noon until dawn. Those who prefer peace and quiet to a secular get-together will find magnificent sandy beaches, walks through the gardens and palaces of the principality, and a world of luxury luxury.
We invite you to follow in the footsteps of celebrities to the unique places of this magnificent Principality, and, of course, succumb to the temptation of excitement in our company.
A journey through unexplored Occitania to the cities of Montpellier and Nimes, acquaintance with famous wineries, oyster tasting and an unforgettable walk at Lake Ethan de L'Or, where pink flamingos live.
Travel to Champagne and discover the Great Champagne Houses Billecart Salmon and Louis Roederer, Lanson, Selosse and Geoffroi
We invite you to emerald Ireland! Drive from Dublin to the oceanfront along the 2,500 km Wild Atlantic Way. You will visit authentic pubs and distilleries, where you will taste real whiskey and ale.
Visit the largest annual wine exhibition in Merano - Merano Wine Festival 2018, with the head teacher of the Enotria wine school Veronica Denisova. In terms of importance and scale, this event is second only to the Vinitaly exhibition in Verona. The best wines, Italian gastronomy, picturesque alpine towns and relaxation at the thermal springs await you.
Breathtaking landscapes, exclusive dinners with winemakers, a boat trip on Lake Garda, an introduction to the Sirmione peninsula, tastings with the best wine producers at the Vinitaly 2020 international exhibition!
We invite you to take part in a colorful, active journey through Piedmont. You will visit the best wineries in the region, taste iconic vintages, and dine with winemakers. Piedmont is famous for its truffles - take part in a historic truffle hunt and visit a truffle fair. As part of a gastronomic journey, you will take part in a culinary master class, visit the local DUMA cheese production and salumeria.
Elegant, neat, smart, casual, rich, and everything, everything, everything we love - so that it is tasty, dizzyingly beautiful, carelessly carefree, and the beach for a kilometer, and yachts with snow-white sails, and champagne in the morning instead of coffee ...
Normandy is one of the most romantic regions in France. Camembert and pont-l'eveque cheeses, Benedictine liqueur and Calvados were born here. Normandy is also known as the birthplace of Impressionism.
Implemented programs
January March
We invite you to plunge into the atmosphere of cozy Switzerland, live in Zurich, visit cheese dairies and restaurants, as well as visit the famous Swiss resort of Montreux.
Amarone has received DOC status since 1990. And since December 2009 - DOCG status. Translated from Italian "amarone" literally means "bitter", as opposed to the sweeter high-alcoholic wine Ricioto. Amarone is a very gastronomic wine - it goes well with stews, game, especially hare, duck with oranges, matured cheeses, it goes surprisingly well with lobsters in tomato sauce.
Umbria is the "green heart" of Italy. We suggest starting your journey in this gastronomic region, famous for its Umbria DOP olive oil, deli meats, cheeses and vegetables. Tuscany is an ideal destination for wine tourism.
Cobblestone streets, long shadows falling from burning lanterns and dark outlines of Gothic cathedrals ... - this is magical Prague, a city covered with numerous legends and myths that have arisen over its thousand-year history.
August 2016
We invite you on an amazing journey to Tuscany - the most picturesque region of Italy. We will make your journey into the world of colors and colors unforgettable.
autumn
2014
By inviting you on a wine and gastronomic journey across Holland, we want to break the stereotypes, the prevailing stereotypes about this country in our country, in Russia. What is Holland? This is the land of windmills, beer, cheese and herring. On our journey, of course, you will see and try all this. But, not only that.
Scotland "Luxury"
The award-winning Inverlochy (www.inverlochycastlehotel.com) luxury hotel and restaurant from the 19th century is surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Scottish West Highlands. The hotel has 17 individually decorated rooms with luxurious decor. Fort William town center is just 4 miles from the hotel.
October 2015
We invite you to a fascinating tour that will not leave anyone indifferent! The Silver Mine ("Sala Silvermine") will open its secrets to you, where a unique tasting of local cheeses and wines will take place at a depth of 150 meters.
We invite you to visit the wine region - Bordeaux. This region is arguably the most important wine-growing region in France and one of the most famous in the world. Bordeaux wines are the standard of quality, prestige and good taste.
Tuscany is now one of the most iconic and best wine-growing regions in Italy. Red wine dominance zone. But, back in the 1970s. few people knew about him outside the country. The incredible hard work of local winemakers, coupled with rich terroirs and mild climate, have made this land a Mecca for connoisseurs and connoisseurs of wine from all over the world.
A master class on the preparation of truly Piedmont dishes in their authentic presentation will slightly open the curtain of the history of the formation of the cuisine of the northern part of Italy. Home cooking from the best chefs!
We invite you to one of the world's greatest wine regions - Piedmont, the gastronomic capital of Italy. The region that gave the world such wines as Barolo, Barbaresco, Gavi.
The Wine Festival & Gourmet in the Italian city of Merano is a real summit of fine wines and products. It is difficult to say which is more important on it - tasting the world's top drinks or master classes from the best chefs.
On this rich food and wine journey, we invite you to visit three of the most important wine-growing regions of Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Navarra. Each region is interesting in its own way: for its wines, wine-making culture, and specialties of the cuisine.
We invite all wine and ski lovers to take part in the brightest event in March! What is Winterfest? A 3-day festival that brings together your two passions - wine and ski. Enjoy a tasting of the best wines from the Balkan region.
For many people around the world, the word "Rioja" is synonymous with Spanish wine itself. This is recognized by the Spaniards themselves: despite the fact that the country produces many excellent distinctive wines, only the Rioja region was awarded in 1991 the status of DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada), the highest category according to the classification adopted in Spain. Literally it means 'Honored Designation of Origin'.
We invite you to one of the world's greatest wine regions - Piedmont, the gastronomic capital of Italy. The region that gave the world such wines as Barolo, Barbaresco Barbera. Your residence for the entire tour will be the Villa Beccaris hotel.
We offer you a unique opportunity to become a participant in the world's oldest wine auction Hospice de Beaune in Burgundy, which will take place from November 14 to 16.
Gastronomic weekend tours in 2020 from Moscow are one of the most popular ways to organize leisure. Gastro Mania travel agency specializes in organizing such short and tasty tours. We can please even a seasoned gourmet and offer to spend the weekend in such a way that they bring maximum pleasure and remain in memory for a long time.
Organize a weekend getaway with GastroMania!
The prices set by us for gastronomic tours to Europe for the weekend are low and allow you to have a great time at reasonable costs. Choose your country and we can arrange a gourmet culinary journey in no time. If you already know where you want to visit, we will definitely make your wish come true. If you haven’t decided, we will tell you where delicious and delicious food is served, focusing on your preferences. Book a gastronomic weekend tour with the Gastro Mania travel agency on favorable terms. For many years we have been organizing weekend gastronomic tours from Moscow and have considerable experience that allows us to fully fulfill all the wishes of the client. Weekend culinary tours will help you get acquainted with the traditions of the cuisine of different countries, learn a lot of new and interesting things. Travel with Gastro Mania if you are interested in organizing tours in a professional manner!
Gastronomic tourism is a fairly young and only developing direction. However, today there are a large number of people who want to go to another country, so as not just to lie on the beach and go shopping, but to learn the culinary habits and traditions of a particular society.
The program of any gastronomic tour, as a rule, includes a tasting of various dishes of local cuisine. There are two types of such tours - rural ("green") and urban. The former are focused on environmentally friendly products and involve, for example, the collection of vegetables and fruits on farms or grapes in vineyards. The second, in turn, include a visit to a factory or workshop that produces food products, with a tasting of the manufactured goods.
KitchenMag has selected five interesting food tours that will appeal to even the most sophisticated stomach.
Tuscany
Italy
Tuscany is one of the most visited regions in Italy. This is where the Italian Renaissance originated. However, the secret of Tuscany's popularity is not only in its delightful landscapes and cozy atmosphere. Local cuisine is a paradise for real gourmets and simply lovers of delicious food. Tuscan cuisine is rooted in ancient traditions. Most of all, they value fish dishes, sausages and flour products, and a variety of vegetable dishes. However, they should be simple and healthy.
In this region, according to the recipe of distant ancestors, the meat of young gobies is perfectly cooked. It is used to make a Florentine steak from slices of tenderloin marinated in aromatic olive oil. By the way, olive oil in Tuscany has a golden-greenish tint and an unusual smell, making it one of the best in all of Italy. It is also an essential ingredient in almost all local cuisine.
Tuscany is the favorite region of the popular TV presenter Yulia Vysotskaya. The mastermind behind the Eat at Home culinary talk show even organized an exclusive tour to Tuscany with accommodation at the Konchalovsky villa, an Italian-style breakfast, visits to local markets and, of course, master classes from chefs and Vysotskaya herself.
Provence
France
The cuisine of Provence is rightly called "the kitchen of the sun". Indeed, filled with the aromas of the south, the smell of herbs, fresh fish, an abundance of vegetables, fruits and juicy olives, it reminds of a warm summer. Provence cuisine differs from "classic" French in its relative simplicity and closeness to home cooking. Vegetables are especially tasty in the southern region of France. They are found in both cold and hot dishes. The legendary Provence signature dish, ratatouille, immediately comes to mind. And without wine, Provence is, in principle, impossible to imagine.
Olives, olives and olive oil are the undisputed favorites in Provence. They are used in the preparation of most dishes and give them a unique flavor. Thus, olive oil gives a noble taste to a traditional sandwich with lettuce, tomato slices, anchovies, eggs and capers.
The main methods of cooking meat in Provence are braising and baking. At the same time, the attitude to meat dishes is rather restrained. Light variations are preferred: lamb, rabbit and chicken. Famous Provencal herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil and tarragon are a great addition to any meal. Intertwining, they create a unique and unforgettable bouquet.
Nika Belotserkovskaya, a popular blogger and author of many culinary bestsellers, has dedicated an entire book to this region of France called “About food. About wine. Provence ". The girl was so fascinated by the local cuisine that she even launched 5- and 7-day tours to Provence, during which everyone can learn the intricacies of this cuisine together with the chefs of Michelin restaurants.
Piedmont
Italy
Another region of Italy that attracts tourists not only with its mesmerizing Italian landscapes, but also with culinary traditions and delights. Piedmont has presented Italy with many specialties, which is largely due to the favorable natural and climatic conditions.
Speaking of Piedmont, it is impossible not to mention truffles - the most unusual and exquisite mushrooms in the world. The most valuable edible varieties are black and white. However, the way they are prepared is different. Black ones can be heated and even fried, but white ones, in turn, cannot, as they lose their unmatched aroma, reminiscent of the smell of garlic and ripened cheese. White truffles are eaten raw: they are cut into slices and sprinkled on the dish. Such mushrooms give a unique taste and aroma to risotto, scrambled eggs, pasta.
In addition, Piedmont is famous for its cheeses. For example, gorgonzola is one of the oldest Italian cheeses. Young gorgonzola has a more delicate taste, and ripe more piquancy. It is cut and served for dessert with bread and strong red wine or as an appetizer, added to risottos, sauces and fillings. Also, be sure to try local dishes in Piedmont: salted anchovies with green sauce, pickled peppers, potato dumplings with cheese sauce, fondue, cornmeal porridge.
It is impossible not to mention the wines: 45 of them, which are cultivated in Piedmont, have the status of old Italian wines. The most famous red wines in the region are Barolo and Barbaresco. The first, thanks to its velvety taste, even gained fame as "the king of wines and wine of kings." It is also home to the Martini and Cinzano vermouths.
Catalonia
Spain
Catalan cuisine is also called “sea and mountain cuisine”. She got this name for a reason. Indeed, Catalan cuisine combines the best culinary traditions of Spain. Since a significant part of the region is located in the mountains, meat dishes occupy an important place in the local cuisine. Here they cook meatballs, sausage with beans, rabbit with snails, chicken with chocolate, frikando (veal with sauce and mushrooms), turkey stuffed with plums or pine nuts ... The list goes on.
Catalonia is a wine-growing region. In this regard, the culture of snacks is developed here. They are prepared from everything: seafood, vegetables, meat. Local salad is also popular, which includes tomatoes, lettuce, green onions and olives. It is dressed with olive oil and vinegar. Various sauces are of great importance in Catalonia. For example, picada is a sauce made from a mixture of garlic, parsley, roasted almonds, pine nuts and bread. In Catalonia, a variety of pastes, paellas and their various modifications are also very common.
The seaside situation obliges the local cuisine to have fish and seafood dishes. Culinary masterpieces of sea bass, merlan, anchovies, sardines, tuna are willingly prepared here. Traditional fish dishes are cod with pine nuts, salted Dorada, Ebro eels.
You should also pay attention to desserts. Sweet cheeses, donuts, candied almonds - this is just an incomplete list of Catalan treats.
Amsterdam
Holland
A gastronomic tour to the capital of the Lower Lands takes you from a completely new perspective to the land of windmills, tulips and endless freedom. An important feature of the Dutch national cuisine is the principle of "Grown, caught, eaten"!
Tours to the Netherlands are often associated with beer. And this is not surprising at all. You should definitely visit the breweries, both large ones, for example, Amstel, Heineken, Bavaria, and little-known ones, which are in no way inferior to their older brothers in product quality. By the way, small breweries produce about 30 different types of beer, so you can fully appreciate and understand the whole taste and aroma of the foamy drink.
Wine is also worth trying in Holland. Despite the unfavorable climate, winemakers here successfully cultivate various grape varieties, and then produce wonderful wine. The seriousness of the Dutch intentions regarding wine is confirmed by the creation of the Winemakers' Guild.
As for the cheeses, there is also where to roam. In any restaurant you will be served a cheese platter with 3-5 different varieties. In addition to the famous Gouda, Maasdam, Old Dutch, Bemster, you should definitely try blue cheese and truffles, with young garlic and caraway seeds.
Tbilisi
Georgia
Georgian cuisine is perhaps the main attraction of this country. She absorbed the best culinary traditions of many peoples of the Transcaucasus, as well as Asia and the Black Sea region. Georgian cuisine is not only magically tasty, but also bright, original, distinctive, unforgettable. To prepare its delicious dishes, you need the freshest ingredients, the presence of sauces, seasonings, herbs and spices, fresh herbs.
The main feature of Georgian cuisine is the absence of restrictions in the choice of meat. Beef, lamb, pork and poultry are also used for cooking. Caucasian meat dishes have long ceased to be an element of only local cuisine. They are prepared with pleasure and pleasure all over the world. Shashlik, satsivi, tobacco chickens, chikhirtma and chakhokhbili - the list goes on.
