The wait is over – the 2010 World Cup is finally upon us. For the next four and a bit weeks the eyes of the world will focussed on South Africa as the planet’s greatest footballers put their talent and reputations on the line in a quest to lift the most famous trophy in sport. Memories are waiting to happen, dreams will be realised or shattered and the kind of immortality that only the World Cup can bring beckons for a select few. You can follow … Read More

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(Art Print van Gogh, Vincent Buy at AllPosters.com)

Next time you visit Spain – why not go on a culinary tour?

This will add a whole new quality and unexpected depth to your travel experience.

A Taste of Spain…

“Great food, new sources of inspiration, best vacations ever…”

My favourites:

The Olive Oil Harvest

Spanish Spices, the Saffron and Paprika Route

Or take a

1/2 Day Cooking class in Barcelona !

There is even a

1/2 Day Spanish Vegan Cooking Class in Madrid !

Yes, it’s possible – Spanish cuisine goes Vegan!

Or try the

Gourmet Tastings

Why not take some time out from your regular vacation activities to add some very special gastronomic enjoyment?

Again, my favorite is

Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil

If you’re in Spain and you’re a foodie, you probably know that Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of olive oil. Over the past twenty years, quality extra virgin oils from Spain have finally come to occupy a significant place among the world’s most important gourmet products. Indeed, Spanish extra virgins are highly appreciated, not only for their exceptional gastronomic qualities, but because they are so beneficial to our health… so what better place to come and learn about this prized liquid gold?

This original “break” from regular vacation time will undoubtedly shed new light on anyone’s view of this product, revealing an impressive range of varieties and nuances that can, in fact, be likened to the complex universe of wine tasting.

Click here to see olive oil tasting experiences in Barcelona and Madrid.

There is so much more to discover at A Taste of Spain… just go there and explore!

You can also follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/atasteofspain

As I write this, I’m listening to a podcast of Michael Palin discussing his new book Halfway to Hollywood. I’m finding the sound of Palin’s voice very reassuring. He traveled the world in 80 days. I simply must cook it. In my own kitchen. In as many days as I like. Little cooking tricks can make the difference between an okay dish and a super star.  I learned an easy and important couscous trick from Claudia Roden author of the gorgeous cookbook A … Read More

via I Cook The World

I’m having problems with the cuisine of Algeria: Where to start? Where to stop? What NOT to include? Chef Farid Zati describes the cuisine of Algeria as a Mediterranean Creole. It’s a beautiful mix of Berber/African, Jewish, Arab, Moorish/Turkish, Spanish/Catalan, Italian/Sicilian, and French influences. I grow more and more excited about the exploration of this cuisine, as I read about it. The flavor combinations are often a sophisticated layeri … Read More

via I Cook The World

If Moliere was alive today, there can be little doubt that he would have found plenty of inspiration in the chaos of his countrymen’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup, which is now looming large on the horizon. The great French playw … Read More

via TwoYellowCards

Here is what Chocolate and Zucchini wrote about it and its chef Rene Redzepi:

“He has received … many … accolades as the herald of a refreshing and talented new wave of Scandinavian chefs. His forager’s approach seems to celebrate nature at its most generous, yes, but also at its roughest, revealing its beauty even when rocks and roots and wind are all it has to offer.”

Read more

La Casetta del Borgo

I would like to recommend one of my twitter friends for your stay in Italy:

La Casetta del Borgo

If you are looking for a very specific and charming accomodation, consider staying here.

In the heart of Tuscany, in the heart of the Cities of Art and History

Holiday accomodation La Casetta del Borgo is located at the Resort Borgo La Fornace of Montignoso, is on the hills 500 meters high, around Castelfalfi, Montaione and Gambassi Terme. The area is well known and visited for the scope and beauty of the woods and the richness and wholesomeness of its springs. A few steps from the Resort there is the Sanctuary of Montignoso, destination of many pilgrims devoted to Our Lady of Fatima.

La Casetta del Borgo is few minutes from San Gimignano

The famous medieval town San Gimignano is only a few minutes, Volterra 30 minutes, also the most famous cities in Tuscany like Siena, Florence, Pisa and Lucca are reachable in less than an hour away.

You can also follow them on Twitter, to get in contact and get a feel of the place:

https://twitter.com/CasettaDelBorgo

Would you have thought uncooked snacks and desserts made from raw healthy ingredients could look and taste fantastic? Well, they can!

Read what Carolyn Hansen – Author, Nutrition Expert, Fitness Centre Owner,  & National Champion Bodybuilder – has to say about this:

“I was born in New Zealand (which, by the way is a beautiful country that you should take the opportunity to visit if you ever get the chance) and I still live there today, in Whangarei, the northern-most city in the country. Don’t worry if you have never heard of it – so many people have no idea even where to look for New Zealand when they pick up a world map. Hint: it lies about a thousand miles to the south east of Australia.

Nearby Poor Knights Island

Basically Whangarei is a little green paradise surrounded by the most gorgeous coastal scenery you can imagine, and so much in the way of ocean that it is almost like living on an island. Whangarei is also famous for the fantastic diving opportunities out at the nearby Poor Knights Islands.

Currently I operate a pair of fitness centers located in the heart of Whangarei city, and I spend a great deal of my time consulting with people in my gyms, and learning about the problems they face trying to stay in shape and maintain the right kind of diet – which, I will admit, always takes a certain element of willpower. Over the years I have learned that the best way to control your calorie intake, and ensure that you are not ruining your health because of poor nutrition is to pay close attention to the kinds of things you tempt yourself with. Why use unhealthy butter, sugar, and processed flour to prepare the foods you eat when you can use equally delicious substitutes that confer none of the ills that the refined foods do?”

If you want to try those “substitutes” get Carolyn Hansen’s FREE Ebook – and enjoy!

PS. I personally love those “Snacks” very much – and I could live on them day in day out! Currently my favourites are the “Coconut Orange Chocolate Squares”.

Thanks to a Mr. António de Aboim, I was able to visit the docks of Leixões and document the arrival of the sardine – an ancient Portuguese spectacle that to my surprised hasn’t changed much in the past years. Mr. António has been taking pictures of fishing cultures along the northern coast of Portugal for at least 50 years, just as his father did before him. Together they have amassed an impressive archive that dates back to the 1930s. These are … Read More

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