eat, drink, explore
One of the things I’ve discovered during my travels in Spain is that every city, and region, seems to be quite different. Free tapas were the name of the game in Granada, which is part of Andalusia… but Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia, operated with the pay-for-tapa scheme. I can’t say that this is why... Continue Reading →
One of my Porto visit goals, beyond the port wine cellars, was to head out into the Douro River Valley to visit a winery or two, taste some wine and take in the sights. The Douro is famous for its stunning landscapes and terraced vineyards that rise from the side of the river high into... Continue Reading →
One of my goals for visiting Porto was to see some of the port wine cellars located throughout the city. Or, to be accurate, what I thought was the city. Despite the name of the product – “port” – and the name of the city – “Porto” – the port wine cellars are actually on... Continue Reading →
Warning: food pictures ahead. Tapas… Granada… it’s a combination that just makes sense. Apparently tapas were invented in Granada – whether that is true or not, I’m not quite sure – and this is one of few cities in Spain that still maintain the old, time honoured tradition of a free snack with your drink.... Continue Reading →
Barcelona is a pretty excellent foodie destination and meals, generally, are quite affordable. At least in comparison to the prices I saw in Italy and France. The trend here, however, is the daily menu which generally includes two courses, dessert, bread and a beverage for a set price. There are ethnic restaurants, traditional restaurants, tapa... Continue Reading →
One of Busabout’s recommended partners in Barcelona is a company, catering primarily to backpackers and exchange students, imaginatively named the Travel Bar. They have a variety of offerings, ranging from walking tours to bike tours to snorkeling trips, plus they operate several bars within Barcelona’s core. One excursion that most of us on the coach... Continue Reading →
One of Italy’s greatest gems is the area known as Cinque Terre, a national park (and marine park) consisting of five small villages and the surrounding area. With dramatic scenery, colourful houses and a sense of isolation, Cinque Terre is a treat to visit. Unless you come during a train strike, when three of the... Continue Reading →
I had signed up for Italy on a Budget’s Taste of Tuscany day trip after being offered a small discount while booking my wine tasting trip into Chianti. I spent the morning exploring Florence, but had caught most of the highlights and was ready to head back out into the Tuscan countryside for a few... Continue Reading →
I have long considered a trip out into the Chianti wine region a “must do” for my trip to Florence. Before leaving Canada, I had looked up a number of providers and settled on a few that I thought looked interesting. I discussed it with my Busabout guide between Venice and Rome since I knew... Continue Reading →
Florence, or Firenze to the Italians, is a city that was praised and hyped by everyone I encountered. “You’ll love Florence,” they promised, praising the architecture, the food and its enviable role as the capital of Tuscany. I thought it would be a much larger city than it was, but I found it quite easy... Continue Reading →
