Brittany Ferrara

The Foodie’s Guide to Culinary Travel

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Choosing a vacation destination has many factors depending on the people going, what they like, and what their priorities in a vacation are. Is the activity important? Adventure or sightseeing? Family trip or going solo? Cruise or land-locked? A fun type of vacation we’re seeing a lot of lately is a culinary travel adventure, where travelers visit some of the most culinary-focused destinations around the world. But since everywhere in the world has food, how do you know where to start and what to plan? We have put together a guide of the top 5 destinations for culinary travel.

Top 5 Destinations for Culinary Travel

Paris, France

Of course this is first on our list, right? Paris is what people think of when they think of fashion, class, sightseeing, and food. Paris has many specialty foods that can be tasted around the world, but never in the same way as eating the authentic version in the country itself. Some of these foods include croissants, Croque Monsieurs, escargot (seriously, if you’re open to trying new foods, this is a must in France!), and frog legs. Going on a food and wine tour in Paris will allow you to incorporate sightseeing and eating some of the local delicacies.

Tuscany, Italy

Italy is one of the most well-known locations for food in the entire world. Tuscany is at the top of that list. The cool part about Tuscany is that many of the tours include cooking lessons so you can not only taste some of the best local dishes, but you can have fun learning to make them from local Italian chefs that make them everyday. It’s a fun adventure and learning experience, and it always ends up delicious. The dream of many travelers is going to Italy and being able to make (or even just eat) some authentic homemade pasta, meaty pasta sauces, amazing wines, and antipasto salads. Tuscany is known for potato tortelli, chicken liver pâté, pappa al pomodoro, and of course, the wine.

New York City, New York

Yes, that’s right. Right here in our backyard, we have some culinary travel destinations that will be delicious, fun, and much closer than traveling all the way to Europe (if you’re not ready for that yet). New York has a rich cultural diversity, and with that comes rich food diversity. Take the tour of Italian delis, Mexican tacquerias, Polish bagel shops, Turkish shawarma trucks, and fresh local farmers’ markets. New York is a great place to visit for a culinary travel experience. Start in Brooklyn and work your way around New York City and try a bit of everything.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Another more local option for culinary travel, New Orleans has a large variety of sights, sounds, and experiences. The style there is a unique blend of Creole and French with some equally unique (and delicious) foods. The chefs there are some of the best in the country, and you’ll have the opportunity to really open your flavor profile here. Some must-tries in New Orleans are BBQ shrimp, muffuletta sandwiches, beignets, Po Boys, gumbo, and jambalaya. Seriously, if you just sit in restaurants the entire time you’re in New Orleans, we will not judge you. 

Culinary Collection Cruise

Did you know entire cruise ships surrounding culinary travel exist and are ready to show you all kinds of awesome food experiences? We work with multiple travel partners that are part of the Culinary Collection cruise promotions to offer travelers a variety of culinary experiences. You’ll get all the benefits of a cruise while having the opportunity to attend dining events full of authentic and unique menus cooked by some of the world’s top chefs.

Pearl Travel: Sending You on the Perfect Culinary Travel Tours

At Pearl Travel, we have a few specialities: cruises, family vacations, and traveling abroad. Because of this, we really know our stuff. We know the best hotels to stay, the safest places to visit, and of course, the best places to visit when you want to try authentic cuisine. Working with a travel agent can help make sure you have all your bases covered for your cruise packing list, and it can save you a lot of money and time in the process.

Pearl Travel is pleased to offer unparalleled personal service via our dedicated team of travel advisors! We are able to share an amazing wealth of collective experience and expertise. The use of a personal travel advisor will be sure to enhance your travel experience – we specialize in all forms of travel from all inclusive resorts that are laid out for ease to custom travel that allows for the most unique of adventures. Contact Pearl Travel today or learn more.

Brittany FerraraThe Foodie’s Guide to Culinary Travel
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5 Popular Italian Dishes You Must Try

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When traveling the world, trying the country’s authentic food is paramount in learning about the culture. It lets you dive into the very depths of how people live in that country, their history, what they find important, and so much more. Food can tell you much more about a culture than just what flavor profiles they prefer. Italy is a country full of cuisine that brings people together and creates delicious get-togethers. If you’re planning a trip to Italy in the near future, you should try some of these popular Italian dishes.

Styles of Popular Italian Dishes

Italian dishes are full of flavor. Anyone who has ever eaten any authentic Italian dish knows that. There’s a reason restaurants all over the United States want to emulate their food and sell it far and wide. Think pizza, pasta, cheesy meat dishes, expensive sausages and cheeses, olives…all the good things people want at a party.

The foods of Italy include plenty of flour, cheese, flavorful sauces, and more carbs! The Italians have a heavy tradition of using fresh ingredients and whatever produce is in season. Fish, pasta, pizza, meat, and all produce are regulars on Italians menus and are usually from local farms. Sometimes when traveling to Italy, you may even have the experience of being able to make your own food and learn the traditions and recipes in the process.

5 Popular Italian Dishes to Try in Italy

Depending on where you’re visiting in Italy, you will have the experience of different Italian cuisines. While we have a variety of favorite places to go in Italy, we will broaden this guide to help you no matter what part of the country you are visiting.

1. Cicchetti

In Venice, you will find many places of cicchetti (snacks to go with a small glass of wine). You will traditionally find cicchetti at small bars where they use wine barrels as tables. Cicchetti is Italy’s version of tapas, and it is typically made up of crostini with seafood or meat topping, meatballs (Polpette), hard-boiled eggs, or even small sandwiches.

2. Tiramisú

Also in Venice is the more well-known dish of tiramisú. You may have tried it in the states, but if you haven’t tasted it in Italy, you haven’t really tasted it. Ladyfingers are soaked in espresso with a whipped topping added that’s made from mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar. Every recipe is a little different depending on the family, so we recommend trying a lot of it!

3. Steak

We know, you can get steak just about anywhere in the states, but going to Tuscany and getting their authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina, you may feel like you’re just getting a regular T-bone or porterhouse, but what you’re really getting is authentic Italian steak from a local farm. The steak here comes from a specific breed of cattle, Chianina, and it’s grilled over hot coals with only salt and pepper. Like most things in Italy, the steaks are meant to be served with robust wines.

4. Pizza (obviously)

Of course we weren’t going to create an Italian cuisine guide without adding pizza to the list. Pizza in Rome or Naples will make you hyper aware of the very large differences between American pizza and Italian pizza. Naples is most well-known for their pizza, but Roman pizzas include pizza by the slice that is softer and have a bread-like base and Roman round pizzas with olive oil in the dough. This means the crunch is thin and crunchy and full of delicious fresh toppings. A pizza cooking class is a fun way to get involved in eating pizza in Rome and learning the recipes—plus it’s really fun.

5. Seafood

Sicily has some of the best seafood in the entire world. It’s right on the sea, which means everything is fresh, and a strong North African influence brings a new twist to their seafood. Some common examples of the mixtures of these traditions are couscous al pesce and pasta con le sarde (sardine pasta). These seafood dishes pair great with—you guessed it!—wine, but it also goes well with pizza and tiramasú. Sicily has a lot of great food and wine tasting tours to choose from, and we know some of the best ones to recommend!

Now, we aren’t forgetting the pasta, but that’s a given. Everywhere you go in Italy has some of the best pasta you will ever eat, and it’s all a little different depending on where you are eating it and what particular twist that family has added to it. Try it paired with other dishes, and try a large variety!

Pearl Travel: Sending You to the Right Places for Popular Italian Dishes

At Pearl Travel, we have a few specialities: cruises, family vacations, and traveling abroad. Because of this, we really know our stuff. We know the best hotels to stay, the safest places to visit, and of course, the best places to visit when you want to try authentic cuisine. Working with a travel agent can help make sure you have all your bases covered for your cruise packing list, and it can save you a lot of money and time in the process.

Pearl Travel is pleased to offer unparalleled personal service via our dedicated team of travel advisors! We are able to share an amazing wealth of collective experience and expertise. The use of a personal travel advisor will be sure to enhance your travel experience – we specialize in all forms of travel from all inclusive resorts that are laid out for ease to custom travel that allows for the most unique of adventures. Contact Pearl Travel today or learn more.

Brittany Ferrara5 Popular Italian Dishes You Must Try
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Traveler’s Guide to the 5 Best Family Cruises

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Now that lockdowns are lifted and mask mandates are becoming more relaxed, more travelers are starting to get back to what they love- traveling. And what better way to relax than with your family on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are incredibly versatile, with plenty of activities for people of all ages. Family cruises are truly the perfect getaway. But you may be wondering, “with all the cruise ships out there, which are the most family friendly?” We’ve compiled a list of the 5 best family cruises to remove the question and get you on your way to a relaxing family cruise.

Best Family Cruises

Family cruises offer many amenities, such as water attractions, movies, magical dining experiences, and so much more! Many people refer to them as “floating cities” (and for good reason!) Cruise ships are jam-packed with activities for people of all ages. Read on to discover the 5 best family cruises.

Disney Cruise Line

There’s no denying that the fleet of Disney Cruise Ships tops the list of best family cruises. Disney strives to create magical experiences for the whole family. The Disney Cruise Line consists of 5 ships- Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and the newest ship, Disney Wish. From plays, to dining experiences, to the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, these ships offer unforgettable memories for all members of your family. To discover more about the magical differences between ships, visit the Disney Cruise Line Fleet.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

With Royal Caribbean, you’re sure to experience attractions unlike any other cruise ship. Royal Caribbean pushes the envelope with cutting-edge design and first of its kind attractions. The 3 largest and most innovative ships, Harmoney, Allure, and Oasis, have taken home awards every year for their exclusive attractions. By choosing Royal Caribbean, you’ll have 26 ships to choose from (with 2 more arriving soon!) To discover more about the differences between ships, explore the Royal Caribbean Ships page.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival is another well known cruise ship dedicated to creating memories for the whole family. With Carnival, there are 23 ships to choose from (with 2 more opening soon!) Carnival has created spaces for children of all ages. From day camps to teen only clubs, there’s sure to be an activity for everyone. Check out this article from Cruise Critic to discover more on the most kid friendly ships within Carnival.

 

Celebrity Cruise Line

The Celebrity Cruise Line is known for its luxury and elegance. From a movie night under the stars to Camp at Sea, and even exciting shore excursions, there’s something for the whole family aboard the Celebrity cruise ships. They also provide many accommodations for individuals with autism. The Celebrity cruise ship fleet consists of 16 different ships. To discover more about the individual ships and amenities, visit the Celebrity Cruise site to explore the luxury ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line

You can expect many different family activities on the Norwegian cruise ships. They offer youth programs, family dining and entertainment, and many family accommodations. Teens can take part in exclusive themed parties and gaming. They also have different zones available to kids of all ages. To check out what these ships have to offer, visit the Norwegian cruise ship page.

Family Cruises are the Perfect Getaway

Now that you know the 5 most family friendly ships, it’s time to pick a cruise line with the perfect amenities for you and your family. Take the time to explore different cruise ships and their array of activities before committing. For this step, we highly recommend consulting a travel agent. The expertise and experience that travel agents hold can take your family cruise to the next level. They know the ins and outs of cruise ships, which ones provide the best deals, and which cruise ships are tailored to your family’s needs. If you’re questioning what essentials to bring with you, visit our blog for an ultimate cruise packing list.

Family cruises are truly the perfect home away from home. From water parks to magical themed dining, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories with your family this season.

Pearl Travel: The Planning Experts for Family Cruises

At Pearl Travel, we have a few specialities: cruises, family vacations, and traveling abroad. Because of this, we really know our stuff. We know the best hotels to stay, the safest places to visit, and of course, the best family cruises. Working with a travel agent can help make sure you pick the perfect cruise ship for your family, and it can save you a lot of money and time in the process.

Pearl Travel is pleased to offer unparalleled personal service via our dedicated team of travel advisors! We are able to share an amazing wealth of collective experience and expertise. The use of a personal travel advisor will be sure to enhance your travel experience – we specialize in all forms of travel from all inclusive resorts that are laid out for ease to custom travel that allows for the most unique of adventures. Contact Pearl Travel today or learn more.

Brittany FerraraTraveler’s Guide to the 5 Best Family Cruises
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