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3 adventures to tantalise the tastebuds in 2017

By Sally - Silversurfer's Editor Jan 6, 2017

Food is an important part of any holiday experience and at Headwater we pride ourselves on choosing destinations where you can sample the best authentic regional cuisine.

Whether it’s a gourmet meal paired with the finest wines, a cookery lesson sampling local delicacies or a simple local dish that just hits the spot, food is king on a Headwater holiday. Work off the calories whilst enjoying the food…the perfect balance.

Here are just some of our fail-safe regions in Europe that are fantastic for foodies….

Italy

Italian Market

Italian Market

Food and wine are a defining part of the country’s culture; where sitting round the table and sharing a good meal means more than just filling empty stomachs. It’s about family, tradition and experiencing something special …

Piedmont

Tucked away in the north-west of Italy is Piedmont – the home of the Slow Food Movement. The region was deservedly put in the spotlight by 2015’s Masterchef: The Professionals and its rich and fertile countryside is responsible for some of Italy’s finest food and wine. Think quality, local meats served up in mouth-watering ragùs, aromatic white truffles and signature cheeses like Gorgonzola and Toma delle Langhe. Wine here is second to none; sip on sweet Moscato or sparkling Asti Spumante, or go for full-bodied reds like Barbera or the ‘king of wines’, Barolo. On our Gastronomic Barolo Cycling holiday in Piedmont you’ll spend two nights at Relais Villa d’Amelia, just outside Benevello, which boasts a superb Michelin-starred restaurant.

Savour the flavour on Headwater’s Gastronomic Barolo Cycling holiday. Prices from £1,599 per person.

Cycling

Cycling in Barolo

Spain

History has seen Spain occupied by Greeks, Romans and Moors amongst others, and you can taste these influences throughout Spanish cuisine. Whether it’s olives from the Greeks and Romans, spices like saffron from the Moors, or tomatoes, potatoes and peppers from the New World, Spain serves up a fiesta of flavours, with each region making its own culinary statement.

Catalunya

Catalunya has quite the reputation for its cuisine and culture of eating – and deservedly so. As the European Region of Gastronomy 2016, they know a thing or two about food. Authentic flavours combine with inventive recipes to create some wonderful dishes based heavily on seafood, meat, poultry and local fruit. Typical Mediterranean ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil are also prevalent. Local gastronomy reflects the region’s geography of coast and mountains with Mar y Muntanya (surf and turf) a popular choice – try dishes like Pollastre amb escamarlans (chicken and scampi). Another highlight is Escudella, a Catalan stew made with meat, beans, potatoes, cabbage and sometimes pasta. Wash down with full-bodied reds like Priorat or sip on chilled Cava, a signature Catalan tipple. The region is home to numerous talented chefs including the Roca brothers, whose contemporary Catalan restaurant took the coveted number one spot in 2015’s The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and number 2 in 2016.

Enjoy Catalunya’s classic foods on Headwater’s Catalan Classic Walk. Prices from £909 per person.

France

Local French wine

Local French wine

Traditional French dishes are simple recipes with ingredients that accentuate the rich, natural flavours. The ‘gastronomic meal of the French’ is UNESCO-protected, and takes proud place on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is transmitted from generation to generation as part of its cultural identity.

The Loire

In the Loire you’ll enjoy a variety of rich foods including tasty goat’s cheese and rilletes, a delicious paté-style dish made from pork and spread on sliced bread – very gourmet! Mouthwatering game is also a popular menu choice, with everything from pheasant, duck, quail and wild boar or deer, all prepared in rich sauces. Due to the soils and mild climate, you’ll be able to wash down the local dishes with some delicious wines, such as Sancerre and Chinon. On our Loire Gastronomonic Cycling holiday there are plenty of wine-tasting opportunities en route and you’ll enjoy gastronomic menus in your hotels including dishes such as sandre en croute d’escargots, selle d’agneau a l’ail nouveau and le moelleux au chocolat Valrhona, all washed down with a glass or two of the many fine local wines.

Dine in style on Headwater’s Loire Gastronomonic Cycling holiday. Prices from £1,199 per person.

You can view Headwater’s full range of walking and cycling holidays across Europe, the Med and the Caribbean at headwater.com or call us on 01606 828647 to speak to one of our experienced sales advisors.

 

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Sally - Silversurfer's Editor

Mother of three grown-up daughters and a proud grandma too, I am the ultimate multi-tasker and am passionate about my role as Silversurfers Website Editor and Social Media Manager. Always on the lookout for all things that will interest and entertain our community. Fueling fun for the young at heart!

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