Wanderlust: Far and Wide

If food determines an important aspect of living a good life, travel is another important extension of the same. And when you combine good food with great travel, the outcome is bliss. We pick 10 amazing international destinations we have travelled to in the past 25 years and had some amazing experiences

Text & Photographs: Farzana Contractor

 

Since its inception 25 years ago UpperCrust, aware of the incredible significance between food and travel, sought to bring to its readers travel destinations both within India and outside. Over the years, food tourism has only grown and gone beyond. It has helped people understand nations and its people through its food culture and other traditions. With unique culinary experiences often becoming the highlights of their trips.

Travel is important for our very soul. It rejuvenates us, reduces stress, and improves our overall mental well-being. It allows us to connect with people from different backgrounds, fostering an understanding so needed in today’s world of differences and divisiveness. It drives home the fact there is untold beauty in diversity. Travel engages all our senses, it sparks creativity and inspiration, arousing our very zest for life. What can be better than that?

So go ahead, bon voyage.
Travel through our pick of 10 of the best of UpperCrust travels in foreign lands; Argentina, Atlantic Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, Basque region of Spain, Champagne, Egypt, UAE, The Maldives.

 

Spain

F   or the moment, my most fave place to holiday is Spain. Primarily for the amazing food that you get in its restaurants. And the way the locals live. The easy-going feel, the friendliness all around.

Basque Country first! San Sebastian serves food you can’t even imagine.  Total culinary-centric, its pintxos are to die for! Pintxos are what tapas in the rest of the country is. Just that in the Basque region they are much more elaborate. Since it’s a coastal location, seafood is fabulous. Grilled octopus, cod and hake are common. But it’s the Txuleta which wins hands-down; a ribeye steak cooked over an open flame!

Bilbao, next door is equally good, with an added attraction; the Guggenheim Museum. As for food, pintxos rule here, too. But mains like Bacalao a la Vizcaina, Marmitako and Kokotxas set your taste buds on fire! The first is a traditional dish with cod in a rich red sauce made of onions, garlic and red peppers. The second, a hearty Basque stew made with tuna, potatoes and tomatoes, and the last one, fleshy cheek of cod or hake served in garlic and white wine sauce.

Incidentally this region has the maximum number of restaurants with Michelin stars, many with as many as three. Arzak and Akelarre to mention a couple.

Granada in the south is my next pick.  Food, yes, but the architecture! Alhambra made me cry! It’s another world. I caught a flamenco show in a cave dwelling and cried some more! Seville, Cordoba... it’s history coming alive.

There is of course Madrid and Barcelona, Spain’s heartthrobs. The capital city is pulsating with it its nightlife but also calming with slow walks through its many museums like Prado and Reina Sofia.

Barcelona is a blend, modern and historic. La Rambla, the famous pedestrian street lined with cafés and shops is so captivating with its street performers. And Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia can’t be missed! Started in 1882, the church is expected to be completed by 2026. Fingers crossed!  

 

 

Ireland

Ireland’s charm lies in its combination of natural beauty, historical depth and warm hospitality. Dublin, the capital city is vibrant, thanks to its pub culture, many cafés and restaurants and the vast student population, hurrying along here and there to lend to an atmosphere of youth and vitality. Traditional music with a pint of Guinness at iconic spots like The Temple Bar and John Mulligan’s is de rigueur. It’s a pleasure to just stroll through its ancient streets or walk through Phoenix Park, one of Europe’s largest enclosed parks.

Ireland is dotted with age-old castles, which you discover as you drive through it. And drive you must. It’s the best way to enjoy Ireland. Be footloose and fancy-free. Hire a car and just go.

The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive that takes you through some of Ireland’s most picturesque landscapes, including the most charming villages, rugged coastline and lush green hills. That’s another reason to drive out to the countryside. It’s just so green everywhere. There are 40 shades of green in this country, at least!

Killarney National Park in County Kerry with its beautiful lakes and mountains, is a must-visit. Just as going to Dingle Bay is. People of my vintage will remember it’s where Ryan’s Daughter was shot.

 

 

Argentina

Think Argentina and you think Andes Mountains, glacial lakes and vast grasslands, the traditional grazing grounds of its famed beef cattle. You hear the tango beat, the trot of the Gaucho’s horses, the sound of cascading water at the great Iguazu Falls. You take in the aroma of meat being grilled, of devouring the empanadas, the beef steaks!

Argentina is a fantastic destination with a rich blend of culture, natural beauty and adventure, compelling enough reasons to visit it. And this does not even include the warm hospitality that Argentinians are known to extend.

The landscape of this country is dramatic; from the lush rain forests in the north to the arid deserts of Salta, to the icy expanses of Patagonia, it’s all too stunning.

Buenos Aires is among the best of capital cities of the world. With its European-style architecture, vibrant nightlife, amazing restaurants, tango clubs. Pulsating neighbourhoods like Palermo, San Telmo and La Boca, with its street art and tango performances. It also has the Teatro Colon, among the best opera houses anywhere, the serene Recoleta Cemetery famous for its elaborate tombs, including that of Eva Peron.

The food, ah yes, the food in Argentina! Beef can’t get any better. The cornerstone has to be the asado, as much a meal as a social event. A barbecue, which involves grilling various cuts of meat, mainly beef, but also chicken and pork, over an open flame. Believe it or not, it is typically seasoned with just salt, but slow-cooked to perfection and served with chimichurri, a vibrant green sauce. You just have to look out for a parilla (steakhouse) to experience an authentic asado.

We can’t sign off without talking about Mendoca, the beautiful wine region at the foothills of the Andes. It offers extraordinary wines made from its flagship grape, the Malbec. Many wineries in Mendoca offer interesting wine tours and tastings. Especially in March when they hold the National Grape Harvest Festival, a celebration of wine with music and dance thrown in.

 

 

Atlantic Canada

It’s Eastern Canada comprising four provinces, one more beautiful than the other and all united with the wild side of the Atlantic Ocean. Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. The key cities of these provinces; Halifax, is known for its vibrant waterfront, historic sites and lively art scene. St. John’s, the oldest city in North America, with its cute and colourful row houses, stunning coastal views, has a rich maritime history. Charlottetown, with its charming small- town feel and Victorian architecture. Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick has loads of cultural festivals and historic buildings. And all of these cities have one thing in common. Fabulous restaurants!

So why have we included Atlantic Canada in the 10 best destinations UpperCrust has travelled to in 25 years? For one, it’s enough of travelling to Toronto and Vancouver and time to discover other parts of Canada. Also because this region is so different from any other in all of North America. The coastline is so rugged, the sea unbelievably choppy, the marine wildlife is incredible. You can actually go whale-spotting. Another highlight; you can stand at the shore’s edge and watch icebergs drift by. Mesmerising. The icebergs vary in colour from crystal white to deep turquoise, and the feel is so unreal for one travelling from distant India. There are also places like Peggy’s Cove, with the most iconic sights in Canada, the 1915 historic red and white lighthouse, which still works!

And the best reason to go to Atlantic Canada; its seafood! A hallmark here; scallops, mussels, oysters, and the lobster is king! In Prince Edward Island, traditional lobster suppers are served in church basements with all the trimmings including fresh-baked bread, salads and home-made fruit pies. In July, Shediac in New Brunswick celebrates the annual Lobster Festival where visitors from all over the world gather to eat fabulous seafood. Good time to be there.

 

 

Dubai

The one destination that has caught everyone’s imagination is Dubai. Celebrities from all over the world breeze in and breeze out, and many even have homes in exotic locales. Not just the rich and famous, but it’s a favourite destination for all class of people who come to shop, eat, enjoy!

First-time visitors will go on a desert safari; sand dune bashing and belly dance watching and camel riding. Or they will go for an abra ride along the creek, visit the famous gold souk, but after that is done, it’s just the experience of being in Dubai they seek. A place with mind-blowing malls, super excitement and entertainment that they can’t get enough of.

Dubai is unbeatable where hotels and restaurants are concerned. It offers the world on a platter. The best of chefs have their presence here and the standard of hospitality is another level, perhaps even beating the one set in South East Asia. It started with Burj Al Arab, the iconic sail-shaped hotel with its fine-dining restaurants, and it now has Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal; in themselves, restaurant cities! You could go stay at either, not leave its portals for a week and come back rejuvenated.

Al Maha, 100 kms from Dubai is what I recommend. A luxury tented property, it’s probably the world traveller’s best kept secret. Only the well-heeled have found their way there! You can thank me and UpperCrust after you return from there!

 

 

Champagne

Charm personified. That’s Champagne, dotted with little villages, surrounded by swathes of world famous vineyards situated in the medieval towns. Once the most important settlements in Europe, this is one destination that will never let you down. And if you love drinking champagne – you will be in seventh heaven! I was there during Christmas and it is among my most memorable trips ever.

Please understand the whole region is called Champagne and only sparkling wine produced from here can be called champagne. From tiny villages, attractive towns and the best of cities, the entire region is quaint. Driving around here is pure magic.

Among the more famous towns is Reims. Here you can marvel at the Gothic cathedral and go visit the Café du Palais, have a piping hot drink. There is also Anthenay, so small that you can’t even call it a village. It’s a little hamlet, known as hameau in French with just a smattering of houses around a church. Its population? About 75 residents.

 To visit some of the most illustrious Champagne houses, a visit to Mareuil-sur-Ay is a given. Here the vineyards are classified as Premier Cru. It is home to the famous Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Epernay, known as the Capital of Champagne, albeit unofficially, is a city best known in the region, perhaps also because of its easy accessibility. It has a train station on the Paris-Strasbourg line and makes it possible for visitors without cars to visit Champagne. Cheers to drinking champagne in Champagne!

 

 

Egypt

Egypt is so special for so many reasons. A captivating destination with a tapestry so rich in history and culture it’s simply awesome.

No doubt there are the iconic pyramids of Giza which still baffle learned minds, the Sphynx sitting there silently, since eons, with watching eyes, but it goes beyond that. There is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo with its vast collection of ancient artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun, the historic Islamic district in the city centre with its stunning mosques and bustling bazaars, its various other cities.

Luxor, the world’s open-air museum, with the Valley of the King, the vast Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, so beautifully illuminated, it takes your breath away.

But the best of all is cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan to, the gateway to Abu Simbel, the massive rock temples built by Ramses II and the Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis.

The two other attractive places to visit; Sharm El Sheikh and Alexandria. Sharm El Sheikh is a popular resort town on the Red Sea. It has beautiful coral reefs and marine life, perfect for diving and snorkeling. The hotels here are luxurious.

Alexandria has an intellectual feel to it. And it doesn’t just come from the most astounding library they have but the people you meet and get to know.

Food is a mix of Middle East and Mediterranean. Rice is freely used with lentils and aromatic spices. Pasta, fava beans, lots of olives and vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers are also used liberally.

 

 

Malta

Malta is not on the traveller’s beat. At least not from our part of the world. Many Europeans do travel to it though. A fantastic destination with a rich history and a deep culture it offers stunning landscapes, too. Valletta, the capital city, is known for its Baroque architecture and heritage buildings all in a hue of pink.

There is Mdina, a medieval walled town which takes you back in time with its narrow streets and many palaces. If you get lucky you may witness a religious procession passing through the street, with all the panache and drama associated with rituals from hundreds of years ago.

St. Julian’s is for the young ones with a vibrant night life. Dozens of exciting restaurants, plenty of water sports. The best hotels are located here.

There is Gozo and Comino. Small islands worth visiting on a day trip. Famous for its rural charm and great cheese!

Food in Malta is a delightful blend of Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. Unusual stuff, like ftira, which is Maltese bread filled with tuna, olives and capers. Ot pastizzi, a flaky pastry filled with Ricotta and peas. But the most traditional dish of Malta is Stuffat tal-Fenek; rabbit stew. No, I did not try it.

 

 

New Zealand

Peace and quiet, excitement and thrills, great food, lovely people, wonderful homestays, luxurious lodges and boutique hotels, it has it all. New Zealand is a fantastic destination with diverse experiences on offer. Why, I even went on picnic to a mountain peak by helicopter where the pilot sprung out a chilled bottle of champagne from a hamper, which we sat on rocks and sipped, looking out at Queenstown, lying idyllically below.

Queenstown is perfect for bungy jumping, rafting, sky diving or if you prefer, just a walk in the woods. The capital city of Wellington with a vibrant art scene has beautiful waterfronts with eclectic cafés where you get the most amazing Pinot Noirs. Christchurch with its scenic Avon River is quaint and known as the Garden City for its numerous parks. Rotorua offers umpteen numbers of hot springs and geysers. It is also a place where you can learn about New Zealand’s indigenous heritage, its Maori culture. Milford Sound is a stunning fjord where, if you are lucky, you could just spot some wildlife.

Renting a car is a popular way of exploring and I did just that. Driving these roads is like being in a dream. Smooth. Perfect. Scenic.

 

 

Maldives

Ah, Paradise! What’s not to like about The Maldives? Many would retort, how frightfully expensive it is, but that’s true only in part. Because for the adventurous, Maldives can be quite affordable. Yes, you read right. There are any number of homestays and guest houses which are equally beautiful. Like Maafushi to name one, where you can spend nights on a friendly budget. Eat super food, go swimming and diving and indulge in water sports. Just that you may not sleep in a perfectly temperature-controlled room with a plush bed which has Egyptian cotton bed sheets with an 800 thread count and down duvet.

That said, the fun of The Maldives is in its luxury. Imagine being in a region which has more than a 1000 coral islands, all basking in the sun. Stunning white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters which offer the world’s best diving and snorkeling opportunities. Each resort better than the next. With the best food, all flown in from every part of the world. Like its visitors! Honeymooners, filmstars, business tycoons from all over.

It’s certainly my idea of an ultimate holiday. Sitting on the deck, or better, lying on the sea hammock, of an opulent yet understated villa, like Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, doing nothing more than watching the ocean. Perhaps sipping some red wine.