Gastronomic tour of Sicily

Cultural tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels has introduced a new gastronomic adventure in eastern Sicily, celebrating the island’s rich culinary traditions and ancient history. One of 16 archaeological and cultural tours in Peter Sommer Travels’ 2011 program, the eight-day Gastronomic Tour of Eastern Sicily explores the markets, farms, vineyards and restaurants of the Italian isle, escorted by experts in Sicilian food, culture and history. Culture with a good feed thrown in - how good can it get?

Beginning in the World Heritage-listed city of Syracuse, the tour includes two cooking classes and opportunities to visit local producers of cheeses, olives, honey and wines. Its highlights include a day of swimming and fishing from aboard a local fishing boat, two nights at a Sicilian farm-stay (Agriturismo) and a walking tour of Mt Etna guided by an expert volcanologist.

Sommer says the new tour is perfect for anyone with a passion for traditional Italian food and ancient Mediterranean history.

“Eastern Sicily is home to a vibrant culinary tradition that mixes delicious local produce with cooking styles drawn from the foreign rulers of its past, including the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Spanish,” he says. “The rolling hills and fertile plains produce seemingly unlimited quantities of fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables, while the abundant flocks and herds produce delicious cheeses and meats.”

The new tour is led by two expert guides - historian Dr Michael Metcalfe, the former Assistant Professor in Ancient History at Sicily’s Mediterranean Center for Arts and Sciences, and Italian food and culture aficionado Marcello Baglioni, named Sicily’s top travel specialist by Condé Nast Traveller magazine.

Peter Sommer Travels is a UK-based specialist tour operator offering archaeological tours and sailing cruises for small groups, visiting ancient sites in Turkey, Greece and Italy. A Gastronomic Tour of Eastern Sicily operates from 3-10 September 2011, priced from £2375 (approx A$3680) per person twin share, including all meals, accommodation, activities, cooking classes and transport (except flights to/from Sicily).

Contact Peter Sommer Travels by email: info@petersommer.com or visit www.petersommer.com

Europe's best food festivals for 2016

Rail Europe’s Five European Food Festivals for 2016!

There is no doubt that many Australians have come to love European cuisine, with some of the most popular being French, Italian, Spanish and Greek. However, Europe’s culinary horizon extends far beyond the Mediterranean nations and Rail Europe shortlisted five countries and their food festivals for the discerned foodie traveller.

Tapas, Spain

Catalonia, Spain

Being the European Region of Gastronomy for 2016, Catalonia will be boasting its rich culinary heritage including its 63 Michelin Star restaurants, 12 wine regions and a series of gastronomic hotels. Visitors can expect to have their senses spoiled by vibrant colours, rich aromas and unmistakable flavours of Catalonian cuisine wherever they go in the region.

Exploring Catalonia and around Spain is easy with a Spain Pass or via France-Spain High Speed tickets if heading over from France.


VegfestUK Bristol, England

UK’s largest annual vegan event, VegfestUK Bristol will run over two days from 21-22 May 2016. Visitors can expect to enjoy a weekend of live music, taste international vegan food from about 160 stalls, 15 caterers, bars and juice bars; pick up on some useful cooking skills, nutritional tips; and even learn about the vegan philosophy and lifestyle.

Bristol is 1.42hours by train west from London. Travellers can explore England and the around the UK using a Britrail England Pass.

Prague Food Festival

Prague

Prague Food Festival
Running for 10 years now, the Prague Food Festival is an extravagant event that takes place on the verdant lawns of the Royal Gardens at Prague Castle. Taking place from 27-29 May this year, the best chefs and restaurants will wow visitors with their culinary interpretations and creativity. From soups to desserts and beverages of all sorts, there will be endless tasting opportunities, discussions and classes to keep visitors engaged.

Discovering the culinary delights of Prague, Czech Republic and Eastern Europe is easy with a European East Pass.

Stockholm, Sweden

Taste of Stockholm, Sweden 

Running in its 25th year, Taste of Stockholm will take place from 2-6 June. From a two-day event and 90,000 visitors when it first began, the event today runs for five days and welcomes 350,000 visitors. This year will see 24 restaurants, 14 food trucks, 45 chefs (including four Michelin star chefs), 35 bakers and 30 small food-entrepreneurs from around the country educate, inspire and spoil the senses of every visitor.

Travelling around Sweden and Scandinavia can be done cost effectively with a Scandinavian Pass (covering Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway).

Wiesbaden, Germany

Rheingau Wine Festival in Wiesbaden, Germany
Germany, well known for its beers and Oktoberfest, is not the first place foodies will think of when it comes to wine, yet it is a country that produces quite a wide variety of wine, some of them featured in the Rheingau Wine Festival. Running for 40 years now and entering its 41st year, the Rheingau Wine Festival will take place from 12-21 August, where a variety of wine estates and local delicacies from Rheingau and Wiesbaden will be featured.

Wiesbaden is a 46min train ride from Frankfurt. Travellers can explore this region and other parts of Germany using a German Rail Pass.

Manager Australasia of Rail Europe, Ingrid Kocijan, says, “Backed by rich history, culture and long-standing traditional cooking methods, Europe is a kaleidoscope of gastronomic experiences. There is certainly a lot more of European culinary experiences to be had beyond the norm or what is already popular.”

For more information on European rail tickets and passes, visit www.raileurope.com.au / www.raileurope.co.nz.