Archive for June, 2013
FAQ: Are there river cruises in other parts of the world?
Yes! On the Nile River in Egypt & the Chobe River in Botswana, Africa. The Amazon River in Brazil, South America. The Yangzte River in China & Mekong River in Southeast Asia.
Are YOU intrigued by any of these exotic choices?
Contact: Jacintha Perera, MCC
Master Cruise Counsellor
travel expert & escape artist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597
Celebrate the Season
Ever feel nostalgic about the traditional holidays of yesteryear?
The Christmas Markets in Eastern Europe always receive rave reviews. These are special sailings on the Danube & Rhine Rivers in late November & December. Contact me for more details.
photo courtesy of AmaWaterways
Contact: Jacintha Perera, MCC
Master Cruise Counsellor
travel expert & escape artist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597
Gourmet Getaway: Germany
Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle
This is a food & wine cruise tour beginning with a few nights in Paris, followed by a 7-night cruise on the Rhine & Moselle Rivers in Germany, finally ending in Amsterdam. photo of castle along the Rhine courtesy of AmaWaterways
Gourmet Getaway: Italy
There is a brand-new culinary cruise tour starting in Venice with a 7 night cruise on the Po River followed by a 5 night land tour to Florence & Rome with guided sightseeing & hotel stays.
Gourmet Getaway: Portugal & Spain
A 7 night cruise on the Douro River through Portugal can be combined with pre or post stays in Lisbon, Portugal & Madrid, Spain.
photo of Porto, Portugal courtesy of AmaWaterways
Not Created Equal
The river cruise experience is fairly similar but the 5 river cruise lines that sail in Europe are NOT. As travelers you have many choices. It’s important that you be matched with the one(s) that best meet your needs. Contact me to discuss different options.
Contact: Jacintha Perera, MCC
Master Cruise Counsellor
travel expert & escape artist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597
Au Revoir
We bid farewell to the staff & our home for the last week. Tomorrow we take an overland transfer to Barcelona, Spain for more sightseeing . . . and more food & wine – tapas & cava!
left to right: hotel director, assistant captain, captain, moi, cruise director
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Mis en Place
We are at Le Studio de Cabestan, a cooking school, in Avignon. Everything stands ready for our small group visit this afternoon.
Let’s Get Cooking
Chef Julien Cabestan quickly assigned tasks to participants in this hands on experience, beginning with some basic prep work for our menu of Provencal appetizers.
Collaboration
Here, he discusses the ingredients while demonstrating technique for a smooth brondade. Would YOU rather participate or spectate?
Notice that glasses of local rose has been offered to everyone during the cooking process What’s in your kitchen?
Cuisinart
Chef Julien checks the ingredients & the equipment for our fresh gazpacho before he rotates through the culinary teams again to discuss plating & finishing touches.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Vin et Chocolat
An onboard tasting event. Luxurious French Valrhona chocolates with different wines. Consider the following pairings.
1) Sauvignon Blanc w/ milk chocolate. A surprise to us all. Yum!
2) Merlot w/ Caraibe dark chocolate 60% cacao
3) Cab/Cab Franc/Merlot blend w/ Guanaja 70% cacao
4) Chateau Vignot / St Emilion Grand Cru w/ Guanaja 70% cacao
Which do you think you would like?
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Market Fresh
On the walk into the village, we discovered it was market day.
Pecheur
I was surprised to see a fresh fish vendor at the farmers market. She had a specialized vehicle for transporting & displaying her perishable goods. Note the pop up side panel on her truck transforms into an awning.
Local Flavors
Question: Does anyone know/recognize what these edible slabs are?
Hint: it is a regional specialty available in different flavors.
Cash & Carry
Answer: Nougat
Made in the area & sold by the gram. Yes, measured in metric & very popular. I noticed this young man was doing a brisk business.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Chateau de Grignan
It’s a short drive to the village of Grignan. Built during the 15th & 16th centuries, the hilltop castle is an excellent example of Renaissance architecture. It contains a collection of Louis XII furniture & Aubusson tapestries.
Follow the Trail
Our guide walked us through the maze of narrow streets toward the castle.
Uphill!
The steep route to the top can be an imposing sight. It’s going to be a workout in both directions.
Several people chose to explore the village or shop in the market instead.
View from the Terrace
If you continue to the top, you’ll be rewarded with great views. On a clear day, you can see the Vivarais mountains in the the Ardeche from the castle terrace. I noticed a life size garden maze (see the swirled hedges?) in the foreground & full size modern soccer field in the midground.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Going to the Dogs
Let me introduce Ariel & Belle, a couple of specially trained, hard-working canines. Let’s see what they do so well . . .
Truffle Hunters
These beauties work with their handler, at the Ayme Truffle Farm in Grignan, to detect the prized black & white truffles, hidden just below the surface.
Buried Treasure
VIDEO: Truffle hunters, Ariel & Belle on the job, in their orchards in Provence, actively searching for the valuable nuggets. They are French so they naturally respond to commands en francais 🙂
Gourmet Gold
The fruit of their labor: a fresh seasonal black truffle, which we are about to sample, after the live demonstration, inside the farmhouse.
Taste Treat
Thinly shaved black truffle drizzled with white truffle oil & extra virgin olive oil on toast points. The hors d’oeuvres literally flew off the plates. Served with glasses of local wine, of course.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597