Rush-hour on the Strand can make London feel like a town of nothing but tourists and theatre-goers. The black cabs and red buses whirl by as confused, map touting foreigners scamper across the streets. The well-heeled, well-suited business men pile into the posh hotels and swanky gastro pubs. If you watch carefully, however, you?ll see a few, in-the-know locals slipping into the shadows of the side streets to share an afternoon drink and a chat with friends or co-workers. If you follow them, you may find yourself on Bedford Street, just beyond the Adelphi theatre. Walk briskly and you?ll be led to one of the best kept secrets in central London:  Bedford & Strand wine bar.

Down the stairs, through a set of aging wooden doors, the buzz of a crowd and the soft clink of wine glasses float in the air. The lighting is mellow and a smiling, chattering crowd fill the low wooden banquets and tall bar stools. You?d be forgiven for thinking you had slipped back in time to a 1920?s Left bank Brasserie. The black and white tile interior is filled with chalk board menus, marble-topped tables and ranks of wine bottles.

People come for the wine. There is little wonder why. In a town where wine selection can begin to look like they all fell from the back of the same truck, Bedford and Strand stands out as a bespoke collection of classic French and Italian favorites alongside surprising discoveries from Portugal, New Zealand and Spain. The wine list is smartly segregated to meet the needs of the thrifty connoisseur or the celebrant dandy. One can linger over a single glass, or while the evening away over a few shared bottles. The carefully researched selections change quarterly, with new surprises always waiting a little further down the list. The servers are eager to help; there is no wine snobbery in this cosy cellar. Tell your host what you like ? or what you think you like ? and you?ll be steered true and helped to match your wine to a few bites of rustic, French and English food classics.

The food is just as well thought-out and does the wine proud. Order up a dish of freshly made, crisp and salty pork scratchings or tuck into the Braun Fritters; crispy bites of slow-cooked pork cheek breaded crisp and served with greens and creamy Gribiche sauce. For wine paring magic, point to a few of the creamy cheeses and bright, cured salumi glimmering in the long display case. The food changes with the seasons and menu launches are always announced to insiders.

And the cocktails aren?t bad either. Standing proud between the wine racks is a wall of spirits to make any aperitif connoisseur swoon. From Scottish highland malts to obscure Italian bitters, the sure-handed bar staff knows how to make the most of their tools to pour out and shake up ultimate versions of the classics. Ask for one of the house variations on the classic martini and your night is off to a bracing start. Specialty cocktails feature home-grown London spirits and liqueurs that you may never encounter again.

When you head back up the stairs to street level, you?ll feel connected to London. You?ll have seen and experienced a beating heart of the city that the fast moving tourists will never know. Turn back onto the strand and you?ll be swallowed into the warm buzz of the crowd as they rush from one hot-spot to the next. But you can relax because you know exactly how to slip away from it all. Take a breath and enjoy the luxury that comes from quietly knowing a secret haven in the most cosmopolitan food and drink city in the world.

Sage Russell is Editor of Food Pilgrimage.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Source: http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2012/05/14/londons-best-hidden-wine-bar/

America United States Tour Resorts

Posted: April 6, 2012 at 1:18 pm by Monica Thomas

Volunteer at Duwamish Alive 2011

SEATTLE ? With restoration and eco-art programs running year-round, every day is earth day at Nature Consortium. But with the official Earth Day around the corner, the organization has lined up a full week of special arts and environmental activities for people of all ages in West Seattle, Yesler Terrace, and Rainier Vista. Earth Week in both programs will culminate with large celebration events on Saturday, April 21.

Nature Consortium?s forest restoration program will host five volunteer events throughout the week at their restoration sites in the West Duwamish Greenbelt in West Seattle. These events are open to all ages and include forest ecology workshops taught by NatureC?s restoration experts.

Those looking to get their hands dirty for Earth Day can pitch in on April 21^stat Pigeon Point Park, where Nature Consortium and Earthcorps will co-host an expected 600 volunteers for a biannual day of service called Duwamish Alive.

Volunteers at Nature Consortium?s Duwamish Alive event will work to remove invasive plants like blackberry, ivy, and Scot?s broom from the park. In keeping with their mission to connect people, arts, and nature, the company hires live musicians in the woods to perform for volunteers both during and after the work party as part of the Earth Day celebration. Artists range from bluegrass, jazz, klezmer, folk, to soul. (Sign up here)

Art at Yesler Community Center

Meanwhile, in Yesler Terrace, youth in Nature Consortium?s art program will spend the week (which is also spring break for Seattle Public Schools) with environmentally-themed art classes. Students will work to fill up their earth week ?passports? with stamps by completing earth week fact sheets, arts and environmental education projects, and work in their community.  Their hard work will culminate with a community-wide Earth Day celebration on April 21^st at the Yesler Community Center.

Nature Consortium?s Rainier Vista art program is also holding a special ?From Trash to Treasure? art workshop for Earth Week at the RV Boys & Girls Club.  Youth will work with recycled materials to build and decorate a life-size castle fort.

The goal of Earth Week is to build community while promoting long-term sustainability. NatureC?s art and restoration programs run year-round and provide plenty of opportunities to get involved during the rest of the year. Youth and adults can sign up to volunteer, attend an art class, or donate online at www.naturec.org.

Source: http://www.naturec.org/earth-week/press/

Surfing Wind Surfing Hawaii Islands

Source: http://blog.atlastravelweb.com/cruises/cruise-news/the-cruise-deals-have-arrived/

Tourism Destinations Surfing Nature Travelling

Liberia is the 71st nation to join the International Surfing Association (ISA). After the last civil war, the country has a growing tourism industry, part of which circulates around its 350 miles of pristine, white-sand coastline in Western Africa.

Surfing is also getting more popular in Liberia and the ISA is trying to spread the love for the sport of riding waves in the entire African continent.

“At the ISA we are aware of all the good that surfing has done as a social, economic and cultural force for a better world. It’s a sport and a lifestyle that breeds opportunity and positive energy for practioners and fans alike,” said Fernando Aguerre, the President of the ISA.

“We know that surfing can function as a tool, a vehicle, for positive change on several levels. I’m so happy that Liberia has recognized the benefit of surfing and of working with the ISA. We’re excited to help them develop the sport in their country.”

“I’m happy for Liberia, for its citizens, and of course, I’m happy that surfing has started the ‘ride’ in Liberia,” Aguerre continued. “This is all good news for the peace loving people in that part of Africa.”

The addition of Liberia brings the total number of member nations to 71, nine of which are from Africa. Along with Liberia, Cape Verde, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Somalia and South Africa are member nations of the ISA.

“The stoke for riding waves continues to expand around the world,” Aguerre said. “Liberia’s membership is part of a strong push at the ISA to develop the sport of surfing in Africa.”

Alfred Lomax is the country’s first surfer and the two-time national champion. The 2010 trophy was branded using a metal bucket handle that was heated in a coal fire. Benjamin McCrumuda is also one of the important names in Liberian surfing.

Source: http://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/7413-liberia-joins-the-international-surfing-scene

World Travelling Live Backpacking Atlantic

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Wu Gorge (image courtesy of Anne Roberts)

The Yangzi (or Yangtze) River is the world?s third longest river ? with its humble origins in the Tibetan plateau, the river then grows in width and volume, flowing 6,400km (or almost 4,000 miles) to its mouth in Shanghai, where it empties into the East China Sea. The Yangzi River has historically acted as a divide between China?s north and south. Based in the heartland of China, home to 500 million people, it?s not surprising the impact the river has had on Chinese culture ? the Chinese people have long viewed the river as integral to their culture. Its great power has been recognised and celebrated throughout Chinese history in poetry, painting and prose.

View of the Yangtze River from Fengdu

Undoubtedly the best way to experience this world-famous landmark is first hand on a luxury cruise. This is the only way to be fully immersed in the tranquility of the Yangzi river basin. China cruises are perfect for those looking for a cultural experience in a serene manner, and, of course, in luxury. Relax onboard and enjoy the majestic scenery or hop onto a boat excursion. Here are three sights you shouldn?t miss:

1. Wanzou

Yangtze excursion boat

As you drift along the water, you will take in the landscape and traditional Chinese culture. Spanning both sides of the river, the mountain city of Wanzou is known as the gateway to the East Sichuan Basin. Here you will gain a snapshot of rural China where you will see countless farmers and fishermen.

2. The Three Gorges

The most celebrated area of the Yangzi is undeniably the Three Gorges region, with its towering mountains that seemingly plunge into the river basin. Enriched with over 3000 years of history, the gorges have played an important role as far back as the ancient Three Kingdoms Period (260-280 AD) to modern history of World War II, when they acted as a barrier against the Japanese invasion. These days, the Three Gorges is a popular cruise destination; tourists come here to gape at the awe-inspiring gorges and the huge, albeit controversial, Three Gorges dam.

3. Shennong Stream

Take a trip on a local longboat (?sampan?) along the Shennong stream, poled by Tujia boatmen where you will discover inland creeks. With the clear waters and luscious forestry surroundings this really is a must-do whilst on China cruises.

The serenity doesn?t end outside. On board luxury China cruises you can unwind with a series of authentic Chinese activities. Those looking for indulgence can enjoy the Spa, fitted with oriental themed treatment rooms where the only goal is relax with rejuvenating treatments to revive the body. Afterwards sip on traditional Chinese tea on the deck as you watch the Yangzi scenery pass by.

The cruises also provide the opportunity to whet your cultural appetite with Chinese cookery lessons where you can learn to create your own traditional Chinese masterpieces. For those looking to expand their cultural knowledge, classes in ancient civilisation, calligraphy and silk embroidery are also available.

If you are looking for a relaxing and authentic cultural experience then book a luxury Yangzi River cruise today and let the Three Gorges act as a scenic backdrop for your voyage.

Note: This post is brought to you in partnership with Sanctuary Retreats who operate a number of luxury cruise experiences.

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Travelling Blog Of Travelling Leisure E Travelling Blog

Taking a trip doesn?t have to mean falling off the wagon if you?re on a special diet. Whether you have dietary restrictions because of culture, health issues, allergies or simply the need to lose weight, you no longer have to give up on the eating plan or be on starvation rations. A little bit of planning can help you have an enjoyable trip without going hungry or risking your health.

Check Out Your Options

One of the first things to do is research your diet options and one of the best places to get the help you need is via Twitter, Facebook or another social media site. If you want to know the best places to get gluten free food in San Francisco someone is bound to know ? and most people are willing to help. Do a wider web search to see what food options are available when you arrive at your destination or at the airport before you travel. Most places are pretty good about signalling when a meal contains something you may react to.

Flying Long Haul

On a domestic flight, you probably won?t get any food and can purchase or take something suitable with you. On long-haul, though, you might not have a choice. Luckily, most airlines cater for all kinds of diets, offering kosher food, halal food, food for diabetic diets and vegetarian and vegan options. You?re pretty sure to find something you can eat among those options.

Making Your Wishes Known

Traveling to a place where you don?t speak the language. Then it?s back to the web to find out the words you need to indicate the diet you are on or the foods you need to avoid. I can tell people I don?t eat meat or ask if a particular dish contains meat in four language ? and counting. And just in case you don?t get the information you require, prepare a little card with the phrase for ?I?m allergic to [name of food] in the target language.

Finally, it?s always a good idea to keep some snacks on hand in case your flight is delayed or even cancelled. At least then you won?t have to worry about keeping your energy levels up while you wait!

Planning a trip during the summer? Check out Park Ride Fly USA?s latest discount airport parking coupon for big savings on off airport parking.

Image: globalcosmic/Flickr

Tags: airplane food, diet and travel, eating, travel, Travel Tips

This entry was posted on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 5:52 am and is filed under Travel Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.parkrideflyusa.com/blog/2012/05/14/travel-diet/

Leisure E Travelling Blog Vacation Hotel

There are islands and then there are islands – emerald green, floating specks of land so dreamily perfect in every way, they seem almost unreal. St. Lucia falls squarely into this category and is unsurprisingly one of the world?s most popular honeymoon destinations, with The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach one of its most sought-after resorts.

Where in the world

St. Lucia is situated in the eastern Caribbean and is the largest of the Windward Islands. Mountainous, fertile and almost entirely covered by rainforest, the landscape has an air of the South Pacific about it, though fresh Creole flavours drifting out of doorways and reverberating sounds of soca and reggae keep it feeling unmistakably Caribbean.

Sugar Beach, between the twin Piton mountains © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

Deep in the island?s southwestern corner, twin volcanic conical peaks soar into the sky like some kind of giant tropical pyramids. These are the famous Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage site and St. Lucia?s most recognisable geological feature.

Down at the bottom of the undulating valley between these two peaks is a small bay of improbable beauty, backed by the cream-sand curve of Sugar Beach and the start of the rainforest just behind. This privileged spot is occupied by The Jalousie Plantation, in what has to be one of the most idyllic beachside settings on earth.

The hotel

We arrive at night and are immediately whisked off to one of the brand new luxury beachfront bungalows by our own personal butler, Aquinas, who shows us around the capacious all-white room before leading us out to the beach, where a petal-strewn trail leads to a lantern-lit table set up for dinner. The velvety blue sky is scattered with stars, waves lap the shore and local tree frogs sing softly in the distance ? it?s hard to imagine a more romantic welcome.

Chic white interiors feature in the new bungalows © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

Inside, the white-on-white interior is utterly calming and just what?s needed when the entire surrounding landscape is a deep, relentless green. A large and supremely comfortable four-poster bed faces directly out to sea, offset only by the full-length drapes and a couple of striking lamps and tables.

Views from the bedroom © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

Behind the dividing wall is a luxurious freestanding bathtub, walk-in shower and separate dressing room, where you may just find all your clothes have been miraculously and neatly hung. It?s also home to your own proper coffee machine, perfect for early morning contemplation on your terrace.

Luxury beachfront bungalow bathroom © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

All of the new bungalows feature a private inner courtyard with tropical planting, outdoor shower, and floodlit plunge pool, with a large picture blind that can be rolled up for a perfectly-framed view of the beach and Petit Piton?s towering mass beyond.

Beachfront bungalow courtyard and jacuzzi © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

What makes it special?

The hotel covers a large area ? sometimes you?ll need to take a golf buggy to get around ? but the attention to detail and emphasis on personal service and privacy make it seem like a much smaller, boutique-style establishment. A real effort has been made to ensure that guests get a true sense of seclusion and intimacy. From the opposite shoreline, the whitewashed beachfront bungalows seem to dissolve into the sand, with the remaining rooms and villas widely spaced across the volcanic slopes and barely visible through the canopy.

The Cane Bar © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

On the other hand, the hotel?s main house brings a touch of urban glamour to proceedings. The ex-plantation building may still look traditional from the outside but the contemporary art-filled Great Room restaurant and ultra-sleek Cane Bar have a distinct Miami vibe about them; a look that?s really not that common in the Caribbean. It?s a great excuse to get your gladrags on after a lazy day of sunbathing.

The Great Room © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

One of Jalousie?s real treats is the multi-million dollar Rainforest Spa, a gorgeous enclave in the heart of the forest reached via a winding candlelit tunnel. An assortment of seven treehouse-style treatment rooms on different levels are connected by raised wooden walkways, coupled with a wetroom and Amerindian steam dome.

The Rainforest Spa treehouse treatment cabanas © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

Whatever kind of treatment you?re after, it?s likely to be available here, with bamboo massages and hot rock therapies a favourite with honeymooning couples who opt to be pampered side by side.

The couple’s treatment cabana at the Rainforest Spa © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

Beyond the hotel

Don?t be fooled into thinking this is purely a honeymoon island with not much reason to explore beyond your room. St. Lucia offers some of the best snorkelling and diving in the Caribbean, excellent local cuisine, and a whole host of natural attractions and activities in its rainforest-clad interior.

The Jalousie Plantation is perfectly placed for exploring St. Lucia?s lush southwest corner and further afield. A short distance from the hotel is Sulphur Springs Park, home to the Caribbean?s only drive-in volcano and one of the island?s best known attractions. Take a walk through the crater past gurgling hot springs and bathe in warm sulphuric mud pools, renowned for their therapeutic properties.

Gros Piton © The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

A guided hike to the summit of Gros Piton is a challenge attempted by many visitors to St. Lucia. It?s a steep, demanding climb and a fair proportion of walkers give up at the halfway point ? this is definitely not an adventure to be taken lightly. But if you?re physically fit and happy to sweat it out, you?ll be rewarded with some staggering views. Leave as early as possible to avoid the hottest part of the day.

For a less strenuous excursion spend an afternoon at Rain Forest Adventures in the northeast of the island, admiring the tropical canopy from onboard the aerial tram.

Read more about these and other ideas in our Top Five Things to Do in St. Lucia article.

Be aware that distances in St. Lucia can sometimes be deceiving. While the island is just slightly longer than 24 miles from north to south, the roads are winding and slow. On the other hand, you will drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean; over rolling green hills and banana plantations, through deep-sided valleys where village life plays out at a leisurely pace.

Essentials

Accommodation options at The Jalousie Plantation include rooms, variously configured villas and the new luxury beachfront bungalows. All come with personal butler service. Sugar Mill Luxury Rooms are the best value, starting at $300 per night in low season, based on double occupancy. The Luxury Beachfront Bungalows start at $1,000.

Visit Virgin Holidays for the perfect St. Lucia honeymoon staying at The Jalousie Plantation. Virgin Atlantic operates flights to St. Lucia from London Gatwick.

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Hotel World Travelling Live Backpacking

There?s no escaping the fact that a trip to New York can become a very expensive endeavour if you let it. But if you do your research beforehand, that doesn?t have to be the case. There are countless ways to save money in the Big Apple ? without missing out on any of the major sights ? so here?s the lowdown on how to enjoy everything the city has to offer without breaking the bank?

Invest in a New York discount pass

A discount pass is one of the best ways to save money in New York. The choice of which pass to go for depends on the length of your trip and how many attractions you plan on visiting. The two main contenders are the New York CityPass and the New York Pass.

The New York CityPass gives you admission to six of the city?s top attractions: the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) plus a choice of the Guggenheim Museum or Top of the Rock, and the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island or a Circle Line Cruise. The pass is valid for 9 days from the first day of use, and you get to skip the queues ? a massive bonus at the Statue of Liberty and Empire State building in particular, where the lines can be immense. The ticket costs $89 (about £55) for adults and $64 (about £40) for 6 ? 17 year olds, which is a saving of around 45% on individual ticket prices.

Statue of Liberty, New York © Maxine Sheppard

The New York Pass works differently. It covers more than 70 different attractions, including all those covered by the CityPass above, and offers visitors a choice of 1, 2, 3 or 7 day validity. The 2, 3 and 7 day passes must be used on consecutive days, and during that time you can visit as many attractions as you like. This means you?ll need to pack a lot in to get the best value out of the 1 and 2 day passes, but you can make substantial overall savings on the 3 and 7 day passes. Prices range from $80/£50 for the adult 1-day pass to $210/£130 for the adult 7-day pass.

View of the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock, New York © Maxine Sheppard

Other types of discount pass include the New York Explorer Pass, where you can select a fixed number of attractions to visit over a 30 day period, and the New York City Entertainment Book, which contains money-off coupons for attractions, restaurants, cinemas and sporting events.

Free events in New York?s parks

The High Line is one of our favourite outdoor spaces in the city, and there are plenty of things to do in the park for little or no cost. Every Tuesday night, the Amateur Astronomer?s Association of New York hosts a free stargazing night using high-powered telescopes. Also on Tuesdays are free guided walking tours, giving you an opportunity to learn more about the High Line?s design and history. Most of all though, we just love hanging out at the ?10th Avenue Theater? watching the world go by at our feet.

Tenth Avenue Theater, High Line Park, New York © Maxine Sheppard

Central Park is not short on free events and activities either, with free Conservatory Garden tours every Saturday morning between April and October. If you?re travelling with a budding LeBron James, then get them down to the free Youth Basketball Clinic for 9 to 17 year olds, where they?ll learn to shoot hoops like a pro. Younger kids will also be in their element in Central Park ? it?s home to 20 different playgrounds and the Tisch Children?s Zoo (within the main Central Park Zoo) where little folk can pet and feed the potbellied pigs and other barnyard animals. Entrance (which covers both zoos) is $18/£11 for adults (13 and up) and $13/8 for 3 ? 13 year olds ? cheaper if you buy tickets online in advance.

Central Park, New York © Maxine Sheppard

Great value, high quality restaurants and food trucks

We?ve written about the explosion of the food truck scene before, and it?s still an ever-growing phenomenon. If you?re on a tight budget, this is a really good way of getting to try a whole range of varied, quality food at reasonable prices. On everyone?s radar at the moment is the Mexican/barbecue fusion Mexicue truck, which travels to different locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn throughout the week. Keep an eye on their Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute movements. Other great trucks worth investigating include Gorilla Cheese, Korilla BBQ and the Big Gay Ice-Cream Truck, which will hit the road again at the end of May 2012.

On the restaurant front, if you?re a health-conscious traveller then take a look at our previous article on cheap and healthy eats in New York. For absolutely top-notch burgers ? the ?Classic? is priced at $7.95 ? head to Bill?s Bar & Burger in the Meatpacking district or the Rockefeller Center. Award-winning Daisy May?s BBQ in Hell?s Kitchen serves up plates of pulled pork and chicken, and bowls of Texas-style chili for around $10, though if you?re particularly hungry and you fancy a splurge, $150 will buy you a whole pig.

Pancakes at Clinton Street Baking © takahi rock

For the perfect Sunday brunch head to the Clinton St. Baking Company in the Lower East Side ? the queues might be long but the food is worth the wait. The Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar, homemade tomato jam and hash browns will set you back $9. For more breakfast ideas, check out our previous feature on New York?s best breakfasts.

Good quality, good value accommodation

On a trip to New York, the cost of accommodation can often be the biggest expense. Just like any huge, expensive city in the world, it can be difficult to find a decent place to stay that ticks both the quality and the budget box. There are genuine budget and lower priced hotels in New York, but you may have to compromise on location, space or en-suite bathrooms to grab a great deal. And don?t forget to sign up to receive special offers from somewhere you especially like the look of; free nights and other money-saving deals are frequent at quieter times of year.

One such hotel offering regular promotions is the trendy Pod Hotel in Midtown. Rooms or ?pods? come in a variety of configurations, from hip and spotless single or twin bunk rooms with shared bathrooms (the availability of which is shown on an in-room display) to more spacious Queen pods and a ?Double Double Pod? that sleeps four. All rooms come with free wifi and MP3 docking stations, and there?s a great rooftop garden. Rates start at $179/£110 for a twin bunk room in early June or $229/£142 for a double. A new Pod hotel is opening in the Murray Hill district in June 2012.

© courtsey the Pod Hotel New York

The Jane Hotel is a handsome old building with a great location in the West Village, and a compelling story behind it. Originally built as a hotel for sailors, it housed survivors from the Titanic in 1912, who stayed on until the end of the inquiry into the ship?s sinking. Rooms are inspired by luxury rail cabins, and are cosy but well-designed. Bunk and standard cabins with shared bath start at $135/£83 in early June, Captain?s Cabins with private bath are $250/£155.

The Flatiron District is home to the creative arts-focused Gershwin Hotel, one block from Fifth Avenue and Madison Square Park. Five different types of room are available, again starting with low budget bunk rooms and increasing in size to rooms that sleep up to four. Superior rooms (sleeping two) start at $179/£110 in June.

Also in Manhattan, check out the Americana Inn, the Tribeca Blu and the Chelsea Star Hotel.

For more money-saving ideas, read our article on how to see New York for free.

Virgin Atlantic operates five daily flights to New York from London Heathrow.

Thanks to Flickr photographer takahi rock.

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Barcelona

Barcelona is one of those amazing cities that can easily whisk you off your feet, enthrall you and before you know it, you?re on your way home, breathless and consumed by a whirlwind of impressions and vague memories. There?s so much to see and do in the city that you?ll soon find yourself zooming from one highlight to another without getting a real sense of the local culture or discovering what makes the city tick. One of my favourite remedies is to find a café in a quiet street or square and plant myself there for a few hours and simply observe the world passing by. Strolling around a market or participating in a cooking course are two activities that also help me to travel slow and immerse myself in the local scene. In Barcelona, Cook and Taste, a small cooking school offers just that: a stroll around the splendid La Boqueria market, followed by a cooking course that introduces guests to Catalan cuisine.

Cook and Taste is located a short distance from La Rambla, Barcelona?s most famous boulevard. It?s a cosy place with a long counter along the length of the studio and an exposed, ancient-looking stone wall at the far end. My visit to the cooking school turned out to be one of my favourite experiences in Barcelona (along with the Segway tour). The chef first took us on a tour around the La Boqueria market on La Rambla. It was a fascinating tour as the chef took her time to show us many types of vegetables, meats and seafood and how each are typically prepared in Catalan cuisine.

La Boqueria

A stroll around La Boquria is a mouthwatering experience. The seafood looked incredibly fresh and the hams, sausages and mushrooms were more than sufficient to get my juices flowing within minutes.

Fresh seafood at La Boqueria

Hams and sausages

We spent what seemed like ages exploring the market, picking up some groceries along the way before we were led to the cooking studio. Once there, we washed our hands and donned aprons. I couldn?t wait for the fun to begin. The chef explained the day?s menu: Crema de Calazabo (pumpkin cream soup), fideuá (noodle paella) and Crema Catalana (Catalan flan). YUM!

The Cook and Taste cooking studio

I was quick to raise my hand when she asked for volunteers to prepare the soup ? I love pumpkin soup. She explained how the pumpkin should be peeled and chopped and what to do next whilst the others in the group looked on. She then turned her attention to the others and explained the first steps of preparing the noodle paella. She kept a close eye on us as we chopped, blended and stirred all sorts of different concoctions, and explained the origins of the dishes and the specific use of certain ingredients in Catalonia. I loved the way she mixed the cooking instructions with stories about her grandparents and anecdotes about the dishes we were preparing.

Nellie stirring the noodles in the paella pan

Toasted bread with tomato, garlic and olive oil

I chopped the pumpkin, onions and potatoes and dumped them into a pot of water and left them to boil. I then fried the leek before turning my attention to the others. It was good fun having a peek at what the others were up to. After about 30 minutes, I put the boiled vegetables into a blender and watched it churn into a porridge-like soup. A sprinkling of salt and pepper and I was done!

Pumpking soup anyone?

My yummy pumpkin soup!

The noodle paella simmering in the paella pan

Rich firing up the Crema Catalana

My pumpkin soup was a big success! Phew! I?ve since tried this recipe a few times at home and it?s delicious every time. Another simple recipe I picked up at Cook & Taste was how to make toast with tomato and garlic. It?s so simple yet absolutely delicious and perfect for a Sunday morning. The fideuá and the Crema Catalana were done really well ? Rich did a fantastic job with the burner to create a thin sugary layer with a lightly burnt colour.

We had a fun afternoon and I came home with some great memories, insights into Catalan cuisine and new recipes. If you?re thinking of taking it slow to immerse yourself in Barcelona?s vibe, I recommend staying in an apartment (click here to find out more about renting an apartment in Barcelona) and enrolling for a cooking course at Cook & Taste. After the course, you can get your groceries at a local market and try out new recipes in your apartment while you?re still on holiday!

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Oh-Barcelona.

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Islands Carnaval Women Surfing Washington

What happened on this day in history? As it turns out, May 9th was a significant day for travel ? and a few other things happened too.

Travel Events

1502- Christopher Columbus left Spain to begin his 4th and final trip to the New World.

1836 ? Charles Darwin left Mauritius on the HMS Beagle.

1874 ? the first horse drawn bus debuted in Mumbai, India. It had two routes.

1870 ? London?s Victoria Embankment opened.

1882- The Telegraph Hill Railroad Company was formed.

1896 ? London?s first auto (horseless carriage) show took place with 10 models.

Sitting in a “horseless carriage” at the first New York Auto Show in 1900.

1904 ? The City of Truro steam locomotive set a record by becoming the first steam engine to go above 100mph

1926 ? Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett made the first plane flight over the North Pole. However, many later claimed that they missed it.

2010 ? A volcanic ash cloud in Iceland caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

Other Events

1901 ? Australia?s first Parliament opened in Melbourne.

1914 ? President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that the second Sunday in May would be Mother?s Day

1955 ? West Germany joined NATO.

1960 ? the US becomes the first country in the world to approve the use of the birth control pill

1974 ? Hearings about considering impeachment for President Nixon began.

1994 ? Nelson Mandela was chosen as South Africa?s first black president.

Tags: historical events, may 9 events, travel history

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 7:03 am and is filed under Travel Fun. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.parkrideflyusa.com/blog/2012/05/09/it-happened-on-may-9/

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