Gastro Tours

15/11/2020

Happy Diwali!!! 🪔 Better days are on the horizon!! 📸

18/06/2020

Tomorrow at 6pm ET, we'll be virtually touring Frichette Winery in Red Mountain, Washington state. ⁠
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Join us in celebrating this family's incredible journey filled with dedication, passion, and fate. ⁠

https://gastrotours.co/local/virtual-vineyard-tour-red-mountain-washington
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17/06/2020

We just can't get enough of the Douro or these incredible images depicting what is an extraordinary wine region. For more on wines from Portugal, check out our "Intro to Portugal Wines".⁠⠀
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@ Douro Valley

15/06/2020

As Europe slowly reopens it’s borders and begins lifting restrictions, we wait patiently to safely travel again. In the meantime, here are some of the best dishes of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands of Spain. 🔗 in bio! ☝🏽⠀
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Photo by .harper 😋 ⠀
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12/06/2020

Bourgogne might be one of the hardest wine regions to cover 🤯 BUT it's well worth every ounce of effort. Whether you're new to the wine game or a veteran, Bourgogne is considered one of the bedrocks of wine. 🍇 Discover more about this highly-praised 👏🏽 , wine region in our Beginner's Guide to Bourgogne Wines⁠: https://gastrotours.co/gtjournal/bourgogne-a-beginners-guide
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08/06/2020

This Saturday we kick off an exciting virtual food and wine series, part of the initiative. Oscar and Tatiana, Gastro Tour's in-house Chef and Sommelier are hosting a cooking and wine class. ⁠
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This Saturday, we honor Oscar's hometown of Madrid with the authentic and spicy Brava sauce recipe, along with a beautiful Garnacha wine from Madrid.

Join us at 4pm ET. Tickets are only $10 to register. ⁠

Sign up below:
⁠https://gastrotours.co/local/cooking-sipping-chef-somm-from-madriz-to-heaven

19/05/2020

Tune in tomorrow for a live vineyard tour in Provence! We’ll escape confinement, even if only virtually, for an hour in the glorious Mediterranean vineyards!

16/05/2020

Plating might be one of the most difficult things to do when cooking! There are countless ways to make something ordinary, a total master piece. Just ask if you don’t believe me. It could break or make your dish, despite how delicious it may be.

So here’s a challenge for all you weekend, wannabe chefs : what are you cooking this weekend and how are you plating? Take a picture of your dazzling masterpiece and tag both for a chance to win a private 1-to-1 virtual tasting class with Gastro Tours’ very own in-house chef!!!

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Hot days mean refreshing dishes like this Melon Spruce Gazpacho w/ compressed melons, charred cara cara oranges, plum, and yuzu koshu by 🎥:

15/05/2020

Take a tour of the Loire's stunning châteaux!

Explore the rich history and magnificent landscapes of these French architectural jewels.

14/05/2020

Whether you have extensive hiking experience or prefer your paths flat, Mallorca, Spain has a little bit of something for everyone! Hundreds upon hundreds of hikes, both routinely traversed and set by avid adventurers, have been established for all abilities and interests - from coastal treks to castle ruins. ⁠
Check out our post for more on these opportunities and some of Mallorca’s other great hikes! https://gastrotours.co/gtjournal/take-a-hike-mallorca-spain

13/05/2020

For today’s GT Travel Tales, Gastro Tours intern Madeline remembers her time in Carcassonne, France, which turned out to be a dream come true:

“I was very lucky to study abroad in London in spring 2019. It was a trip of many travel milestones, including my first time leaving the country. London was incredible—it has an energy and presence that evades language. Where we lived, the streets climbed in picturesque hills and the trees were gnarled at the ends of their branches. Everywhere you looked, you saw brick, brick, brick. There was a woman who lived in a home across from our dorm with big wide, open windows and bright white walls lined with bookshelves. A chandelier sparkled over a simple piano that she’d sit down at and play. A couple times while walking to the tube station, I’d pause to watch her. That moment of pause is the best way I can think to describe my London experience. But the highlight of my trip came over a ten-day tour of France—more specifically, in Carcassonne.

France had long been a hope of mine. I was one of those obnoxious teenagers with Eiffel Tower images hanging on their wall; friends gave me necklaces with that same sparkling emblem dangling from it. When I was fourteen, I read “Anna and the French Kiss” by Stephanie Perkins. That book, despite its very saccharine name, sparked a long-simmering love affair with Paris and France in general. I suppose my interest was first ignited when I recognized my name, Madeline, as the heroine in the popular children’s series that was set in France. After cementing my desire to travel to Paris someday, I took two years of French courses in college (I was also obsessed with Les Misérables…have you ever listened to the original French recordings filmed in the 1980s?). Basically, the cliches never end.

Going to France was the fulfillment of a nearly decade-long dream, and there wasn’t any better place to start than Carcassonne. The destination was recommended to me by my grandfather, who was struck when he visited this fortified city as part of a round-the-world bike tour in 2000. Stepping off the plane just before dusk, the difference was palpable: the air smelled different; the sun felt alive on my skin. My friend and I arrived at our AirBnb, which was nestled in an alley and had its own courtyard garden. After I un-shuttered the windows, she captured a video of me twirling around with an almost maniacal grin on my face.

The following three days are a dream: endless walks around the fortified La Cité, exploring the ramparts of the castle, Château Comtal, visiting the market in the lower city, La Bastide, conversing (in poorly-forged sentences) with the locals, walking alongside the Aude, one of the best meals of my life at a place serving nothing but wood-fired pizzas, and eating macarons. It was magical, and I never wanted to leave.

Our last morning there, I rose early and peeked out the windows. Dawn was just beginning to break, and the courtyard was cast in a grayish blue. I whispered—quite literally, whispered aloud—a promise to myself: this would not be the last time I would visit. And now with this crisis, it’s looking that way for the immediate future.

My heart aches for the wonderful people of France, as well as the countries worldwide that have been affected. We are all in this together, and I look forward to the day when it is again safe to travel, to be swept away and experience a whole other part of the world. It is a privilege, and it is one I will never again take for granted.”

13/05/2020

In Gordes, France, the Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque stands, overlooking a field of lavender. Founded in the 12th century by Cistercian Monks, construction took place over a 60-year period. ⁠⠀
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The next centuries saw a rapid rise to power and equally rapid decline, leaving the Abbey in a state of uncertainty; people proposed ideas as radical as turning it into a factory. For many ensuing decades throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the Abbey underwent changes in ownership and availability to the public, which resulted in graffiti that is still visible today. Finally, in the 1980s, the Abbey was restored to its original Cistercian oversight. ⁠⠀
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Today, it continues to be inhabited by a group of Cistercian monks, and visitors are welcome to take in this stunning piece of architectural and religious history. When you embark on Gastro Tours' Provence expedition, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Abbey in all its glory! ⁠⠀
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Our next expedition is set to depart September 28th but as we all know that may not be possible, considering that our health and safety come first, we'd like to take this opportunity to offer our guests free cancellations on or before August 15th. We're all staying home (I hope) but that doesn't mean our aspirations have to, as well. Just like the Abbaye, we'll endure difficult times but we will rise and be surrounded by beauty once again. ⁠⠀
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⁠⠀ @ Abbaye de Sénanque

07/05/2020

Margaux invites us to reminisce on her ebullient time in Latin America, where sightseeing thrills were made all the more special by the presence of a friend:

"I travelled to Mexico with an amazing friend of mine, Manon, last May. We arrived in Cancun and rented a car there. During our road trip, we went to several cities (Tulum, Campeche, Merida, Izamal, Valladolid), natural reserves (Lake Bacalar, Los Rapidos, Sian Ka’an, Celestun), islands (Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox) and archeological sites (Tulum, Calakmul, Uxmal, Chichen Itza). People were incredibly nice, the food delicious and the weather incredible. I will cherish the memories we have in the middle of the jungle by ourselves and swimming in the lake by night surrounded by plankton lighting up in the dark forever.”

06/05/2020

For those of you traveling in the coming days/weeks, here's a comprehensive list of restrictions per country. It was a little hard to find but this may be the most complete info we've found to date.

Countries around the world have taken drastic measures, including border closures, in an attempt to curb COVID-19.

05/05/2020

Grab a glass (preferably of Alentejo wine) at 12pm ET today and go for a stroll in this incredible Portuguese region. Join us on IG live!

04/05/2020

Did you know Barcelona is one of the world’s most renowned food cities? This mecca of gastronomic excellence pays homage to centuries of culinary traditions on menus citywide. Staples like salt cod, bombas, and crema catalana are a feast for the eyes and taste buds...and that’s just the beginning. Check out our post for the top foods to try in Barcelona and where to find them.

Pic credits: ⁠

https://gastrotours.co/gtjournal/find-your-next-plate-in-barcelona-spain

30/04/2020

Looking for a new food channel to binge--or provide some kitchen inspiration? We’ve selected four noteworthy channels for you to deep dive into.

Discover innovative ways to prepare meat with Guga Foods, mimic the culinary talents of Kenji Lopez Alt through his POV videos, use up your veggies with Deliciously Ella, or learn how to make authentic Italian cuisine (and enjoy a laugh or two) with Vincenzo’s Plate.

https://gastrotours.co/gtjournal/cook-from-home-4-food-channels-to-try

30/04/2020

⁠⠀ Madalena Vidigal wears many formidable hats, including travel blogger and vineyard owner, and one of her most impressive is that of wine guide. When you join our Portugal tour, you’ll have Madalena at the helm to take you through some of the country's best offerings--least of all its phenomenal cuisine! ⁠
Join us Tuesday, May 5th for a live tour through Madalena's vineyards in Portugal. We'll be Live on Instagram at 12 pm ET. Don't miss it!!!!⁠⠀ ⠀

29/04/2020

https://gastrotours.co/gtjournal/cook-from-home-4-food-channels-to-try

There’s nothing quite like a much-loved cookbook, with all its splotches, dogeared pages, and scribbles in the margins. However, the digital age has granted us unprecedented access to recipes from across the globe. Gastronomic culture has a thriving internet presence, with food blogs, articles, so...

29/04/2020

In this segment, Jules Park recounts a study abroad trip in Ecuador that exceeded every expectation but ended far too soon due to political turmoil.
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“Some of my best memories in Ecuador included the various trips and sightseeing adventures we took. ⁠
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I will never forget our weekend trip to Baños, Ecuador. Baños does indeed mean bathrooms in Spanish, but it also means bath, and I believe that it’s in reference to the thermal hot springs that they provide. It was truly one of the most beautiful places that I have ever visited. I remember being surrounded by lush green mountains and waterfalls, and you had the chance to do ziplines and things like that. Those sadly cost money, and we were poor college kids who had to catch a bus back to Quito. But, I am truly hoping that I am able to go back someday to get the full experience! ⁠
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That trip was also the last major excursion for us. Shortly after, Ecuador erupted into widespread (and in some parts) violent protests against the government. The government rolled back years-long subsidies on fuel and other necessary things, and the country responded. This was another major learning curve for us, beyond just the Spanish language. We learned about Latin American politics, as well as the inspiring persistence of indigenous folks who were on the front lines. We were sadly sent back to finish the semester on our college campus, so I have a very bittersweet memory of my time in Ecuador. ⁠
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But even as I write this, I am reminded of the happy moments and the beautiful opportunity that I had to live in Ecuador for 2 months. Ecuador is a rich, artistic, lively, gorgeous country, and I miss it very much. I grew very close to my 4 other groupmates, and it is an experience that will always remain close to my heart.”

28/04/2020

Kick off our Portugal tour with 2 memorable nights in country’s colorful metropolis, Lisbon, where you’ll have gastronomic experiences you won’t soon forget: a walking culture, wine, and food tour of the city, and an exquisite dinner at a locally-sourced, seasonally-minded restaurant.

24/04/2020

Here's a story for you! College senior Kaela Renee shares her mind-blowing archaeological trip to Iceland--from a nondescript parking lot into a near-mythical landscape.

“There is a sense of the underwhelm whenever you get off of a plane and walk straight into a parking lot. This was certainly my experience when arriving in Iceland’s Reykjavik International Airport.

I left the heartland for the glacial island with a group of technology, biology, geology, and archaeology nerds (myself included) from my school; all of us traveling for our summer school research expedition to measure glaciers, extract Viking DNA, and learn about sustainable energy. Stuffing all of our equipment into the two vans we rented, I could not help but feel underwhelmed and anxious for the next step. I wanted to see the mountains, the volcanic landscape, the seaside, and the glaciers.

Iceland did not disappoint, of course, and catered to all of my desires and exceeded my expectations. If you ever need a landscape that is wild and wondrous--something that will shock you and excite you around every turn--I cannot stress the beauty of Iceland enough. The volcanic landscape was so varied and so unpredictable that most drives left me feeling uneasy. Having traveled from the flat landscape of Indiana, with its cornfields, suburbs, and consistent landscape, Iceland’s variance was completely unexpected. It may seem unrealistic to think a flat plain could turn into a large lumpy field or to a cliff face in a blink of an eye, but Iceland made this fantasy into a reality.

Uneasiness certainly doesn’t sound like a positive thing and most people at home did not understand what I meant when I explained Iceland with this word. However, the unease was special and enjoyable; the Icelandic landscape was so removed from anything I had ever experienced that ‘ease’ didn’t feel like a goal or even desired. That is not to say that my experiences were not pleasurable or comfortable. I have never had comfort food as delicious and satisfying as the meatballs or cream-covered Cod at Brekkan in the fjord village of Stöðvarfjörður. The true pleasure was in the daily surprises and the places of overwhelming beauty. Each turn brought a new waterfall or a cliffside, a field of clouds as fluffy sheep grazed, a black sand beach, a craggy fjord, or a glacier.

If you’ve ever wondered why people find beauty and excitement in nature, then you must let Iceland challenge your preconceptions. Reykjavik allows the mind to be inspired and impressed, with its thermal heated sidewalks, tulip-shaped light-posts, cozy coffee shops, and nature-inspired architecture. I found myself lost in wonder while staring up at the walls and ceilings of the Harpa concert hall, designed to replicate nature’s affinity for creating hexagons (seen especially in the basalt columns which can be discovered in varying locations around Iceland). If you get a rainy day, it is easy to escape the clouds and explore a myriad of engaging museums. I discovered the rich and expansive history of Iceland at the National Museum of Iceland.

On sunny days, I walked the Sculpture and Shore Walk, a walking path that skirts the port and offers a variety of beautiful sculptures. I was especially excited to discover the Raven’s Nest in Laugarnes, a magical and odd garden of rusting recycled sculptures which play with images of Norse Mythology. Not too far of a walk from this eccentric plot of art, I was able to walk to the famous and impressive Sun Voyager. From here, it is easy enough to walk back to the center of Reykjavik and grab one of Iceland’s famous hotdogs (I still crave them).

While it is easy to spend most of your time exploring Reykjavik, I preferred traveling up the coast and discovering the natural grandeur of Iceland. Each small town has something interesting to boast. No matter where you travel in Iceland, no matter what background you come from, Iceland will never disappoint.”

23/04/2020

The stunning fortified city of Carcassonne, featuring the immaculately restored Château Comtal, sends you straight back into a Medieval past as you step through the walls of La Cité. ⁠⠀
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Carcassonne is actually divided in two: in addition to La Cité, the center of tourism, you’ll find plenty of charming shops and delicious restaurants across the Pont Vieux in Carcassonne’s other half, La Bastide. ⁠⠀
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Start planning your trip to get acquainted with the city's delightful charm!

22/04/2020

The Earth got her mojo back! 💅🏼 Happy 🌍 Day!! “This house is clean.” Pic by: .whiehurst.photography
Location: , Germany

21/04/2020

In this segment of GT Travel Tales, Cristina Goyanes reflects on a drastic decision that changed the course of her life. She never anticipated what would happen when she traded the hustle and bustle of NYC for WWOOFing (https://wwoof.net/) on an olive farm in Italy--or how one not-so-little turkey would come to mean much more than dinner:

“We named her ‘Cena.’ Italian for ‘dinner.’ Any other name might have created an unwelcome bond that could dangerously blur the lines of our true relationship. She was, in fact, dinner. What turned out to be this American's first authentic Thanksgiving meal in November 2008.

From the Sunday the aging lothario, Emanuele, dropped off this beautiful, 30-pound turkey to the Wednesday before the holiday surrounding her death, I was careful to keep a cold distance from Cena, the star of a feast that would feed some 20 new Italian friends and neighbors on this special Thanksgiving in Tuscany. I had a lot to be grateful for, specifically the privilege to say “ciao” to my magazine job, New York City apartment, and a loving boyfriend to pick olives on a sprawling, hilltop farm.

How I went from desk to farm was made possible by World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). I needed to escape (work, life, love, you name it) just long enough to make sense of it all. This nonprofit organization, which connects people with organic farmers around the globe looking for a helping hand in exchange for room and board, was my ticket out. A cheap one at that thanks to off-season prices. And while I generally prefer cute Gladiator sandals to muddy work boots, I do think getting my hands dirty is encoded in my DNA. My immigrant parents left their respective farms — mom, the Dominican Republic, and dad, Spain — to come to America, where they met, in the 1970's.

Less than a month after resigning, packing, and exchanging Skype info with family and friends, I found myself living on a hilltop organic farm named Fattoria Castellina, overlooking the sleepy, ceramic-centered town of Montelupo, a half hour’s train ride from Florence. The fact that America, and most of the world, was, then, in crisis hadn’t crossed my mind. In fact, it seemed like a good time to get the hell out. Little did I know I’d be shacking up with three other 20-something American gals who shared my escape plan.

‘Giorni de grazie,’ I translated, quite literally. Day of thanks, I realize, doesn’t make much sense to the locals, but that’s exactly what it was to me. It was the perfect culmination to a life-changing trip that set me on a path to defy the conventional and trailblaze my own path in life. I returned home to launch a successful freelance career, now entering my 12th year as , that has taken me from the tops to the bottoms of the world (quite literally, I’ve traveled from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica, and some 35 countries in between).”

20/04/2020

In this segment of GT Travel Tales, Fawzia Istrabadi reflects on a whirlwind semester in London. With a passion for theater and history, London was the ideal metropolis to spend a few months:

“I really loved London. Arriving in January with some of my best friends for our semester abroad, London initially felt like the alternate universe version of home. I spent my formative years as a kid in New York City and cities have always felt like home, but there is of course a vast difference between NYC at age 8 and London at 20. I had originally chosen to go to London because as a Theatre and History Double Major there seemed like no better place for me to study abroad. As a history major my focus is in Tudor England and finally got to visit some of the places I spend so much time studying- like Hampton Court Palace and Hever Castle. I know I sound like a complete and utter dork when I talk about them, but I really can’t describe how wonderful being able to visit these places was. There were moments when I really felt like I was walking through the 16th Century. As a theatre major, there was certainly no shortage of plays in London. By the end of my time there I had seen 44 shows. Some were wonderful, some were definitely not, and some were just odd, but it was just amazing to be able to see that many shows in the span of five months. I couldn’t do that at home if I tried. (And before anyone asks- my favorites were Six the musical, Henry V at The Globe, Witness for the Prosecution, and All About Eve ). I genuinely felt at home in London and I eagerly await the time I get to return, but until then I will cherish the memories of my few months there.”

17/04/2020

Happy ! We just couldn’t resist sharing these photos posted by , winemaker at . If this doesn’t inspire you to crack open a bottle of today, then nothing will!

16/04/2020

As the world suspends all journeys abroad, college student Emma O’Brien takes us on her mind-expanding trek through Turkey and a remarkable period of independent travel in Georgia:

“Last May, I traveled on a college-funded program to Turkey to investigate philosophy in place. Our program was titled "Wandering and Wondering" and we were meant to philosophize in our mind while traveling through space visiting beautiful historical sites (some more modern than others) in Didim, Kusadasi, Bergama, Sirince, and finally, Istanbul.

Our program was led by two philosophy professors who supported us intellectually and spiritually on this journey. We usually met every day for 2-3 hours to discuss relevant readings for the day and engage in deep, often argumentative, debates on our understandings of these texts. I didn't expect to walk away from this remarkable experience with such an engaged mind, heart, and spirit. Traveling through Western rural Turkey with a Turkish professor who was familiar with many of the ancient beautiful landmarks we encountered was nothing I had ever dreamed of. Even as a somewhat well-traveled 20-year-old, I did not expect to love Turkey as much as I did.

The people, the food, the history, the landmarks, and the remarkable experiences are some that I'll never forget. Following this program, I traveled to Georgia to meet two friends. I road-tripped from Tbilisi (the city) to Batumi (the sea) to Kazbegi (the mountains) then back again. I experienced an even greater cultural shock here as the lack of English and the provocative cellar wine and khinkali (meat dumplings) at every turn took my breath away. My first experience in far Eastern Europe will most definitely not be my last.”

14/04/2020

Welcome to Caves São João, a 100-year old enterprise started by two brothers. Situated in the Bairrada region, this family business produces everything from reds, whites, rosés, and the region’s signature sparkling wine to spirits. Plus, their incredible cellar houses vintages more than fifty years old!