Avignon, the capital of Provence, is full of local specialties and quirks that jumped out at sorbet stands, in restaurant menus and in the Les Halles markets – the perfect place for a wandering foodie to spend a few days. If my photos are anything to go by, most of my time in Avignon was spent eating, at the Parc des Rocher Doms or being lost. … Continue reading A Quick Guide to Eating in Avignon
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland townships of Montville and Maleny do not suffer from a shortage of delicious food or beautiful views. We were spoilt for choice with the best restaurants, cafes and B&Bs in town spruiking their ocean or hinterland views at every turn. Although these stunning panoramas never get old, if you’re in the mountains for the weekend visit Flame Hill Winery in Montville … Continue reading Lunch at Flame Hill Winery, Montville
It’s that time of year when a weekend escape calls for swapping beach trips for crisp days and cool nights rugged up in the mountains. Apart from the spectacular scenery, one of the best things about cool-weather hinterland holidays is the abundance of delicious food & wine at your fingertips. One of my favourite winter breaks in Queensland is in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, in the mountains behind … Continue reading Where to eat in Montville, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Sometimes you just need the wide open spaces. Endless blue skies, rolling green and gold hills, plunging waterfalls, good ol’ country hospitality and roadside pumpkin stands. Wineries, distilleries, orchards & dairies with cheese-so-good-you-could-eat-it-with-a-spoon certainly don’t hurt either. Southern Queensland Country is at its most beautiful in Autumn when the crisp country air gets a little chilly and the trees erupt in flaming golden foliage. A … Continue reading One perfect day in Southern QLD Country
Our Roman tour guide had a strong distrust of any Italians who lived south of Rome, and it is a sentiment echoed by many Italians throughout central and northern Italy. We’d heard rumours that the mafia in Napoli had the city under its thumb, taunting citizens by cutting off the garbage collection and letting putrid trash pile up in the streets if the local government … Continue reading Naples: Slow pizza & quick crooks
I’ve wanted to visit the Strawberry Fields Farm at Palmview on the Sunshine Coast for ages, and the perfect opportunity arose on our drive up to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland this past weekend. David & I were taking a long weekend in the mountain townships of Montville & Maleny and the fields are only a half-hour detour. I acknowledge the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples … Continue reading Strawberry picking on the Sunshine Coast
Dinner in Italy for the price of a prosecco. For the penny pinching traveller who has an unfortunate, somewhat expensive taste (such as yours truly) this is like winning the lottery. Aperitivo hour has got your back (and your belly). Our first encounter with this blessing was in Rome. We’d arrived that day and were exhausted. Before we could sleep however, we had to eat. … Continue reading Discovering Aperitivo in Rome
The best thing about eating pasta in Italy? It’s free from the “evil carbs” baggage that it gets burdened with back home. No, Italian pasta doesn’t make you “fat” – just look at all the Italians. As our local guide explained, Italians don’t eat pasta drenched in creamy, fatty sauces. Our idea of a spaghetti bolognaise is virtually foreign to them and a carbonara in … Continue reading That’s Amore Pasta Cooking Class, Rome
The most delicious gelato in Florence is Edoardo’s, right under the Duomo. It stands out against the countless old-school gelatarias in Italy with modern decor and most importantly, gelato that is kept under wraps (or, metal lids), a sign of a true gelato mastery. Gelato is kept freshest this way and as tempting as gelato piled high in cabinet windows may look, it is the … Continue reading Organic Gelato in Florence: Edoardo Il Gelato Biologico
By the time we arrived in Venice, we had worked up an appetite. We’d taken the train from Verona in the morning, but halfway through the trip a ticket inspector realised that we’d booked the train tickets for a month earlier – an admin error on our part that we hadn’t noticed. We were kicked off the train in Vincenza, and had to purchase new … Continue reading Rush hour by the Rialto Bridge