Tag Archives | food

Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

Covoni in Mugello. CC Image by Giuseppe Moscato (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Travelling to Florence is not just about seeing the city itself but the whole region that surrounds the city, also known as Area Fiorentina. Aside from Florence itself, the Area Fiorentina is comprised of five regions with plenty of different cultural, historical and gastronomical attractions. Mugello, Montagna Fiorentina, Valdarno, Chianti and Empolese Valdelsa are easy accessible by car or bus from many Florence apartments.

Mugello is a valley in the northeast of Florence filled with beautiful little towns surrounded by gorgeous green landscapes. This is the original land of the Medici family, loved among those who look for silence and countryside. The towns of Borgo San Lorenzo and Barberino di Mugello are particularly worth a visit due to their beauty and buildings of cultural and historical interest. Lake Bilancino is also a highlight of this area along with Trebbio Castle. Expect for these places, long walks in the countryside and forests make it a joy for nature lovers.

East of Mugello is Montagna Fiorentina, an area that stands out for its beautiful natural landscape. Vineyards and olive trees in the valleys of mountains and hills make this an excellent place for nature enthusiasts. The Foreste Casentinesi National Park and the Forest of Sant’Antonio have beautiful walking paths that attract hikers.

Further south is the smallest region of Area Fiorentina, Valdarno, which follows the river Arno along the valley. The town of Figlino de Valdarno is a 12th century town with beautiful roads that border the river. Religious tourism is the main attraction of Valdarno, with small churches and parishes dating from the 11th to the 16th century, such as those in the town of San Giovanni Valdarno or Incisa.

Tuscany Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

A Tuscany delight. CC Image by Edgar Barany (Flickr).

To the west of Valdarno is Chianti, a name that will ring a bell to wine lovers, since this is the origin of Chianti wine. Of all the regions, Chianti is possibly the most beautiful with all the picturesque towns surrounded by vineyards. Castles, churches, monasteries, cottages and villages line the roads that lead to Florence, the old roads taken by pilgrims that arrived in the city from Italy and other parts of Europe. Tuscan cuisine is especially good in Chianti, so sample it in the villages of San Casciano or Impruneta.

Finally, there is Empolese Valdelsa, southwest of Florence, a land of castles and romanesque and renaissance architecture, with many castles and churches scattered across the green landscape. Medieval towns filled with buildings and museums of historical and gastronomical importance, such as Certaldo, Castelfiorentino or Montespertoli, make this part of Tuscany ideal for history lovers.

Although you’ll be on the road discovering the beauty of Tuscany and Area Fiorentina, it will pay off to choose one of the price-worthy apartments in Florence as a base for your trip.

What to Do as a Newcomer in Budapest

By Erica Johansson on in Europe

Széchenyi Thermal Baths. CC Image by Alex E. Proimos (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

With hundreds of thousands of tourists arriving in Budapest every year, you want to be among those in the know to avoid unwanted surprises. Here are a few tips if you visit Budapest for the first-time.

In the last few decades, since the dismantlement of the USSR, all countries behind the Iron Curtain, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Baltic countries, have become interesting and popular tourist destinations for visitors. These countries still preserve some of the essence of the past, which mixed with modernity, make them unique destinations at cheap prices, since most of them aren’t in the Eurozone yet. Hungary is one of the prime examples, and its capital Budapest is the crown jewel. Budapest apartments are becoming an increasingly popular accommodation choice for those who want to visit this city on the shores of the Danube, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed to the tourist services in the city.

First of all, it’s important to know that Hungary still trades in Forints (HUF), and not Euro. Since it’s quite a weak currency (approximately 300HUF = 1 Euro), it can be easy to get confused if you’re not used to handling these types of currencies. If you arrive at Keleti Train Station, you may be approached by people who offer allegedly better exchange rates than the official bureau de change. However, their exchange rate isn’t correct and notes can be false so make sure to change your currency at the bureau de change.

Once that is sorted, try out the excellent Hungarian cuisine. Not trying its typical food (goulash) and spirits, such as Pálinka (try Unicum at your own peril), is almost a crime. When you go to a restaurant, some of them will try and sell you the so-called ‘tourist menu’. Even as a purist, you shouldn’t be put off by this since Hungarian people are very pleasant and welcoming and will strive to give you their best cuisine. The portions will be abundant and they will probably give you a free shot of pálinka at the end, so these are highly recommended.

Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths. Since most baths have cheaper rates usually after 7pm or 8pm, save your visit to these beautiful buildings, such as the Szechenyi, Gellert or Rudas, for the evening. A bath will be especially rewarding after a busy day in the city, and also more beautiful since the outdoor areas of the thermal baths will be lit up at night.

Last, Hungarian is a very complicated language and the Hungarian people are aware of this so a lot of them speak some English. However, if you can learn some basic words (Hello & Goodbye = Szia; Thank you = Köszönöm; Please = Kérem), the locals will warm to you and will go that extra mile to help you with whatever you may need.

For the highest comfort during your stay in the city, rent apartments in Budapest and enjoy your home from home on the shores of the river Danube.

The Via Aurelia, from Rome to Pisa

By Erica Johansson on in Europe

Pirgo by Night. CC Image by Daniele Liberati (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Rome provides a great starting point for various day trips that take you to places with a lot of history as well as offering a beautiful landscape. One drive is to follow the old Via Aurelia, the road from Rome to Pisa, built in the year 241 BC. The road goes along the Italian West Coast, a beautiful 200 mile trip, and today, the Italian motorway SS1 uses the same route. The Via Aurelia is an excellent choice for a day out during your stay in Rome apartments.

The road leaves from the Western part of the city, not far from The Vatican. After 18 miles you come across the town of Cerveteri, which was one of the most important Mediterranean commercial centres for over 200 years, from the 7th to the 5th centuries BC. Cerveteri was an Etruscan village, and although it’s not by the sea today, it used to be at the time. In Museo Nazionale di Cerveteri you can see all sorts of Etruscan remains and treasures that were taken from the Banditaccia Necropoli. The necropolis is laid out as a village with Etruscan huts and tombs.

Past the port of Civitavecchia, where you can get ferries to Spain, Sardinia, Corsica and France, you will find Tarquinia, another famous Etruscan centre, which holds one of the best archeological museums in Italy. The town is alleged to have been founded in the 12th century BC, and it also holds a necropolis. After Tarquinia, the road goes a bit inland and you can enjoy the change of scenery before it returns to the coast at the town of Orbetello.

The combination of Italian countryside and sea with villages on cliffs and tempting beaches makes the road a real joy to drive. If hunger kicks in, you can drive a few miles up the road to the town of Grosseto. Ideal for lunch to sample delicious Tuscan cuisine and try the typical schiaccia, an oven-baked bread with herbs. In Grosseto you can also visit its famous Medicean Walls, its 13th century cathedral or its many beautiful palaces.

After lunch, the beautiful drive up to Pisa goes past beaches such as Follonica and quiet towns like Castagneto Carducci, perfect for an afternoon’s coffee in the shadow of its cobbled piazzas. Less than an hour up the road you get to Pisa and its famous tower.

Consider renting apartments in Rome before your trip, then get behind the wheel and enjoy the western coast of Italy.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

Caffè Florian, a Luxurious Experience in Venice

By Erica Johansson on in Europe, Food & Drink

Venice, San Marco, the “Caffè Florian”. CC Image by Frank Müller (Flickr).

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

In the heart of Venice, in Piazza San Marco, there’s one of the classic and most luxurious Venetian experiences. Caffè Florian is known for its distinctiveness, its exclusiveness and the exquisiteness of its food and drinks.

There isn’t quite anything like Venice. No other city in the world holds the beauty of this city in the heart of the Veneto, a city built on water, where you can only get around by boat or by walking its narrow streets and crossing its small and beautiful bridges over the canals. Staying in one of the many Venice apartments is an experience you will never forget, since Venice is no place to just spend a day in. Yes, Venice is a pretty expensive city and you’ll definitely have to pay a bit more than you’re used to in other cities but you won’t hesitate to do so, because the the beauty of the place all make it completely worth it.

Eating and drinking in Venice can be quite expensive especially in the areas of San Polo and San Marco. However, when in Venice, you cannot miss out on a visit to Caffè Florian. This café in Piazza San Marco first opened in 1720 and it has been serving Venetians and illustrious foreigners ever since. No wonder Lord Byron, Casanova, Goethe and Charles Dickens, amongst many others, were regulars in this Venetian café. Its delicious preparations and luxurious interior make it irresistible to anyone who wants to sample true Venetian culture. Mirrors in golden frames, velvet sofas, delicate chandeliers, and beautiful art scattered everywhere inside makes Florian an almost intimidating place to be in. Its service is excellent as well, with the waiters dressed in impeccable suits and white shirts, ushering the clients to their tables and handing them the menus. Yes, this is the part where Florian makes its exclusiveness known, as the prices on it are a tad high. A hot chocolate at 10€ or a cup of tea at 9€ can seem a bit high, but the quality is immense. Make sure you try the cakes, especially pistachio and chocolate, which at 13€, completely justifies its price. If you fancy something savoury, the sandwiches at Florian are exquisite. Wines and champagne are also available, perfect for a midday snack overlooking the piazza. The food and drinks are served on a silver tray and can easily fit on the centuries-old wooden tables.

Italian Orchestra Caffè Florian, a Luxurious Experience in Venice

Live Italian Orchestra at Caffé Florian. CC Image by remster_9 (Flickr).

Also, usually an orchestra will play classical music outside under a canopy. The music is heard inside the café and makes the atmosphere relaxing and the client feel special. However, don’t be surprised if your bill includes a 6€ musical supplement per person. But with it being Venice and after enduring the dreamy experience of the food and drink, it is well worth it.

There is no point in travelling to Venice and counting the pennies. Venice is a city to be enjoyed and Caffè Florian is an important part of it.

Renting apartments in Venice is a cheap way of finding accommodation, so you can spend the money you’ve saved on treating yourself to Venetian luxuries, such as the incredible Caffè Florian, which overlooks one of the most beautiful and emblematic squares in the world.

Open Air Cinema in Berlin Premieres in May

By Erica Johansson on in Europe

Freiluftkino in Kreuzberg.

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

Open air cinema is something that’s been going on for a long time in major cities. We can all picture that typical American scenario of the drive-in cinema, where people watch a film in a parking lot sitting in their car, sometimes watching the film, sometimes trying to woo the girl or boy they’re with. However, in Europe it’s more common with open air cinemas where people can sit on chairs with something to eat or drink during the film.

Berlin is no stranger to open air cinema, what they call the Freiluftkino, and the city has not only one but six of them. No matter where our Berlin apartments are located, we’ll have one within walking distance. They usually put on excellent films, and although they will screen the films in their original language, the films have subtitles in English.

The oldest and one of the most popular open air cinemas in Berlin is located on Marianenplatz gardens in Kreuzberg. The spot offers the broadest programme of films this spring and summer, and opens with the Spanish film ‘También la lluvia’ (‘Even the rain’) on May 4^th.

Friedrichshain Open Air Cinema in Berlin Premieres in May

Freiluftkino Friedrichshain.

Another popular choice is Friedrichshain Freiluftkino, which is one of the most beautiful open air cinemas as it’s located in Volkspark Friedrichshain. There’s a small grassy hill to sit on if you prefer to watch from a distance and not from one of the tables by the screen. And here you’re allowed to bring your own food and drink (it’s a park after all!). A perfect evening entertainment in one of Berlin’s coolest areas.

One of the biggest open air cinemas, which can accommodate up to 1,500 people, is the Rehberge Freiluftkino, located in Volkspark Rehberge, right next to Tegel Airport. Here you can see more alternative and independent films, as well as cartoons (ideal if travel with children). The cinema employees and some attendants can dress up in the theme of the film, so feel free to join in.

The smaller Dahlem Museen Freiluftkino also screens cult and independent films. Why not see a film after visiting the famous museum? During the summer months, there’s also one near Potsdamer Platz and another one, with food stalls, at Volkspark Hasenheide, where you can watch a mixture of cult films and Hollywood blockbusters.

An open air cinema night is a terrific idea for our stay in apartments in Berlin this spring, whether we’re with friends, family or our partner. Why not enjoy the beauty of a park in the city during the afternoon and round it off with Freiluftkino, one of the best activities Berlin has to offer.

For more information: www.freiluftkino-berlin.de/

Photo: 1, 2

A Taste of Cyprus

By Erica Johansson on in Europe, Food & Drink

By AMATHUS HOTELS

Islands are the stuff of fantasy and romance, places to find solitude and a sense of calm. The beautiful sun-kissed Mediterranean island of Cyprus is a must visit, but what can be expected within its unique cuisine? The following guide helps you discover the tastes of Cyprus.

You may have heard on the grapevine that the Mediterranean people live a long and healthy life. It used to be said that Cyprus invented the art of good living and the island has developed a reputation of luxurious lifestyles for both humans and Gods. The fresh produce is a clear indication of why the elderly Cypriots are still skipping down the streets in their eighties!

Global Influences

Cypriot cuisine has many different influences due to its neighbouring countries and location: Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Such flavours inject a unique culinary experience for visitors. Herbs and spices are an ingredient within every dish, the most common being parsley, oregano, basil and mint. The hotel that you might be residing in could in fact have its own herb garden! So your meal in its restaurant will deliver a fresh local taste every time.

Introduction to the Meze

Meze, the definitive dish of Cyprus, meaning ‘delicacy’, is a great introduction to the cuisine on offer and is available in many vegetarian variations.The meze arrives with a choice from 20-30 different dishes of rich Mediterranean flavour. In your vegetarian meze you could expect a selection of vegetables, stuffed with a mixture of rice and herbs known as yemista, and spanakopita consisting of spinach and cheese cooked in flaky filo pastry. These dishes will all be accompanied by an array of fresh appetizers such as different types of Greek/Cypriot cheeses like halloumi and feta, olives, sun blushed tomatoes, peppers, sliced artichokes and koupepia (stuffed vine leaves). The fresh homemade bread can be used as a great sponge to mop up the zesty lemon and olive oil juices as well as the dips provided such as houmous, tahini and tzatziki.

Is your mouth watering? It would probably be a very wise idea to begin a meze on an empty stomach and to have plenty of friends and family to share it with!

Traditional Moussaka

If you’re looking for something a little gutsier on your travels, then why not try the traditional moussaka. This dish may have originated from Greece but no one prepares individual portions in earthware dishes like the Cypriots do. For a vegetarian option, the meat will be replaced with vegetables such as mushrooms and courgettes then layered with sliced potatoes and aubergine, tomatoes, onion and cinnamon, topped off with a creamy béchamel sauce. There are a few variations of the recipe to try so before you go on your travels, why not make one at home.

Fruits of the Gods

If all that just seems a little too savoury and you crave something a little sweeter, then you must taste the fresh ambrosia fruits of the gods, including golden oranges, apples, ripe pairs, luscious watermelon, exquisite berries, strawberries and figs, grown all over Cyprus. Here is a little fig fact for you, there is a fig tree growing in Famagusta, Cyprus which is believed to be more than 700 years old. It seems it’s not just the people of Cyprus that live a fruitful life!

Limassol Wine Festival

To accompany all these earthly pleasures you must try the wine of Cyprus. It is a well known fact, confirmed by many historical references, that Cyprus has been producing wine for more than 4,000 years. Worshippers and ancient folk chose the island to be epicentre for the adoration of Aphrodite the Goddess of fertility and love and Dionysus the God of wine.

These traditions are still evident in Limassol, the largest seaside town on the south coast. Limassol hosts an annual wine festival held during the first week of September. The festival takes place in the Municipal Gardens which are situated on the east side of the town.

On arrival you pay a minimal fee and then purchase a souvenir glass or bottle which will be your trusty vessel for the duration of the festival. You are able to taste as many wines from the different wineries for free! So fill your boots and join in with the frivolity and merry making that this now international festival can offer. You may even stumble across the most entertaining sight – the traditional pressing of the grapes.

If there is one wine in particular that you must sample it’s Cyprus’s famous sticky dessert wine commandaria. It represents an ancient wine style dating back to 800 BC and was traditionally drunk at festivals to celebrate the Goddess Aphrodite. If wine is your vice and you want to experience this unique and pleasurable festival then why not book yourself into one of the luxury hotels in Cyprus based in Limassol and enjoy your days by the sea drinking wine to then return to your five-star hotel to relax and unwind.

I hope that you now have a feel for the undeniably mouth watering island of Cyprus and the delicious food and wine it has to offer, it’s where tradition and luxury combine to make a memorable holiday.

If you are looking for an exclusive and luxurious place to stay in Cyprus then take a look at Amathus Hotels: www.amathus-hotels.com. Amathus restaurants and bars offer a variety of choices to cater for all tastes.

Goreng Pisang: A Street Hawker Delight in Penang, Malaysia

By Erica Johansson on in Asia, Food & Drink

By CHERIL MARIE CORDEIRO Photo KEVIN CORDEIRO

Having grown up in Singapore where street hawkers who sold their food along the roadsides were cleaned off its streets around the 1960s with a government initiative to spruce up the island, visiting Penang, an island off the northwest coast of the Peninsula of Malaysia, is like visiting a scene from Singapore’s past.

Penang, like Singapore, was a former British colony, the island was given by the Sultan of Kedah to the British East India Company in 1786, in exchange for military protection against the Siamese and Burmese armies. Their history is evident in the architecture of the older buildings that mostly reflect in its design, a colonial style of living with large compound houses along Gurney Road, and what used to be the suburbs of the city center. But as with most Asian economies, the face of Penang is changing radically, with skyscrapers now surrounding these older buildings from the 1700s, making the landscape quite eclectic in reflecting both old and new.

Despite food courts (a collection of food stalls that sell specific dishes per stall) becoming incorporated into the newly built skyscrapers in Penang, what remains a delight are the easily accessible food hawker stalls still found along the roadsides of this island that produce authentic local on the spot for their customers. Customers often either stand to consume their meal or sit on the metal foldable tables and chairs provided by the stalls, along the roadside.

It was at one such coffeeshop corner and street that I came across this man in a brightly coloured shirt, hawking goreng pisang or deep fried bananas in a sumptuously prepared batter. The locals in Penang eat goreng pisang as a snack or dessert and its variants can be found across Southeast-Asia, from the Philippines to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. In Thailand for example, the fried bananas are often accompanied by drizzled caramelized sugar whilst in Malaysia and Singapore, goreng pisang is eaten on its own. In Sweden, one might find a variant of this dessert in Chinese restaurants, served with ice-cream, though in my opinion, the batter in which the bananas are dipped into prior to frying is slightly different in the Chinese restaurants found in Gothenburg, than the ones sold alongside the streets in Penang, Malaysia.

The man who sold these goreng pisangs had a simple hawker stall that was attached to his motorcycle. This gave him mobility and he could technically, place his hawker stall along any street corner he wished. In a basket attached to his motorcycle, he had other vegetable roots such as tapioca and sweet potato, which he would then dip into the same batter and fry. These are no less delicious to the tastebuds, though I personally prefer the deep fried bananas that melt in your mouth at first bite.

I couldn’t help but ask the man for his batter recipe, after my first bite into the goreng pisang. He gave a warm smile and said that there was no magic in the recipe; the batter is a combination of equal portions of flour and rice-flour, with a dash of cornstarch and some water. A pinch of salt and sugar are added and voila, the batter is done! Use some vegetable oil to fry the bananas in and you can serve this with anything from soft cheese to ice-cream. Well, I couldn’t wait to come back to Sweden to give this a try!

Generally, I found the people of Penang warm hearted and friendly, ready to share their local culture with visitors. When in Penang, the local food hawkers along the roadside will prove a worthy try and adventure since it is with these people, with recipes usually handed down from generations past, that one can get a true taste of the culinary delights of the place.

Street hawkers are a common sight on the island of Penang, Malaysia, where one can get authentic local food.

His hawker stall is simple, attached to his motorcycle, so that he is mobile and can literally park his stall anywhere along the street.

The frying process.

Apart from bananas, this man was also hawking deep fried sweet potatoes and tapioca, which he stores fresh in this basket attached to his motorcycle.
Cheryl Marie Cordeiro is a PhD student with Gothenburg University and writes about travel, food, fashion and lifestyle in her free time. More of her writings can be found at her website at www.cmariec.com/blog.

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Tag Archives | food

Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

What to Do as a Newcomer in Budapest

The Via Aurelia, from Rome to Pisa

Caffè Florian, a Luxurious Experience in Venice

Open Air Cinema in Berlin Premieres in May

A Taste of Cyprus

Goreng Pisang: A Street Hawker Delight in Penang, Malaysia