Category Archives: cuisine

Make bread part of your tasty adventure

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Bread is one of the world’s oldest “prepared” food. It is a universal staple and eating it together is one of the simplest forms of bonding. “Breaking bread” is a symbol of friendship, reconciliation, hospitality and camaraderie. Bread holds religious significance and it shows up in proverbs and slang. While you may not want to tailor your travel adventure around this staple, advisors at GetAway Travel can make sure you get what you knead in your travel itinerary and we can even add some time for loafing around.

From stone ground to stone baked

Recorded history shows bread is an important part of culture and diet. It is the oldest food that doesn’t require foraging or hunting. The oldest unleavened bread was flatbread discovered in Jordan in 14,400. It was wild wheat, barley and einkorn. Stone tools were used to crack and smash the grains. They were initially mixed with water to make a porridge and then, the porridge was spread on rocks and left in the sun. The dried, sun-baked mixture was the first bread.

With the domestication of wheat in the mid-East, the cultivation of grain to bread spread.

Egyptians used bread as a vessel, other countries began using it as utensil. Before coins became prevalent in Egypt, workers were paid with bread and beer.

Iberians and Gauls used foam from beer and discovered it added lightness and taste.

Europeans used beer as leavening and sourdough evolved. Until the development of yeasts during the 19th century every bread was sourdough. In the 1980s demand for sourdough was so high, there were regulations drawn up to define what could be sold as sourdough.

Mayans used corn and that evolved into tortillas, tamales and other bread varieties.

While there are thousands and thousands of type of bread world wide, Germany is the big winner for bread varieties clocking in at more than 3,200.

Bread is different in Europe due to the use of different wheat varieties. They are softer and the bread has a lower gluten content. Many countries also use more diverse wheat strains grown especially for their taste. There are stricter regulations on what can be included in flour.

Cassava

Global prestige granted to bread

Maltese Ftira

 UNESCO recognizes bread making traditions as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage designation. The recognition is designed to protect the practice of making bread, including traditions, unique craftsmanship, ingredients, social importance, historical roots. It is designed to promote and preserve these practices. UNESCO designations go to France’s baguette, Malta’s Ftira, Haiti/Caribbean’s Casabe cassava bread, Lebanon’s Manoushe and the German bread culture.

Lebanese Manoushe

Germany is in a whole category of its own when it comes to bread. It is an integral part of their culture and they have more varieties than any other country. According to the bread register of the German Institute For Bread (really, it does exist, we aren’t making it up) there are more than 3,200 types of bread. It is a staple at most meals. There’s bread for breakfast and bread for break time, called Pausenbrot or “break bread.” Bread for lunch and, of course, bread for dinner called Abendbrot or bread of the evening.

Pausenbrot

German supermarkets have their own corner bakeries attached and bakers are held in high regard and must undergo a high level of training. There are German standards for bread quality including the size of the loaf and each year the German Institute announces the bread of the year. For 2025 the bread of the year was Nussbrot or Nut Bread. You can enjoy farmer’s bread, mixed bread, stone oven bread, pumpkin bread and five-seed bread.

Abendbrot

There’s bread rolls which come in several varieties and may be called something else depending what part of the country you might be in and milk rolls which are a breakfast item when they contain raisins or chocolate chips. Hörnchen is another breakfast staple. The name means “little horns” and the half moon shaped rolls are the German version of a croissant with a lot more butter. They are served with jam or a chocolate spread.

Vollkornbrot

Vollkornbrot, whole grain bread, is a predominant bread at bakeries. It is a dark bread commonly used with meat and cheese for sandwiches in the evening. There is a law making it mandatory that loaves of Vollkornbrot must have whole grain flour content of at least 90%.

Pumpernickel bread in Germany is a rich, dark bread made of 100% rye flour. Most supermarkets in Germany sell it in pre-sliced small batches. It must be baked at a low temperature for a long time and frequently sells out at the bakeries. Roggenbrot is any rye bread other than pumpernickel.

Pumpernickel

Katenbrot is a dark brown, coarsely textured whole grain bread. The name means “barn bread” and it is great as sandwich bread. Sonnenblumenbrot is sunflower seed bread. This slightly sweet offering is great for breakfast and is served with cream cheese and jam. Dreikornbrot/Fünfkornbrot is the healthiest of the bread options. It is made with a variety of wheat, rye, barley, oats and maize flour and grains.

 

GetAway Travel advisors are by no means bread experts, but in their travels they have tried many delectable varieties and can give great tasty vacation advice. They can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel Check back for our next blog which takes you around the world to check out more bread options.

 

 

 

 

Eat well, drink well in the Veneto region

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Sure, pasta is king in Italy, but in the Veneto region, pasta takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. You are on the coast, so there is plenty of great seafood, including squid ink risotto and fabulously prepared octopus. You could be basking in the glory of the region and enjoying great food as well as Prosecco and special wine selections if you travel with GetAway on our group trip to the Greek Islands followed by our bonus Veneto trip in 2027.

Balcony at Juliet House – Verona

Salute! Great drinking choices

 The Veneto region is slightly smaller than the other wine-producing regions in Italy, but it generates more wine then any of the other regions. It is a geographically transitional area so the climate differences create areas where specific grapes can flourish.

Vineyard landscape in Soave

The region can be split into three different producing areas. The Northwest is the foothills of the Alps. The cooler climate gives fresh, crisp whites. In that same area, just north of Verona is Valpolicella and the subregion of Valpantena — giving us fruity intense reds, like Amerone. Traveling east of Valpolicella is Soave, home of the dry, white wine.

Vicenza gardens

Vicenza and Padua are in central Veneto and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Nero are produced there.

Anytime is a good time for Prosecco

Prosecco reigns supreme in the Northeast region. In 2019 this area received a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for its continued stellar production of Prosecco. Sweeter than champagne with bigger bubbles, Prosecco holds the lively taste of apple, pear, lemon rind, perhaps a hint of light flowers and even tropical fruit.

Sunset on the Piave River

The Northeast corner on either side of the Piave River, in the areas of Verona and Treviso is also the leading producer of Grappa. Using grape seeds, stalks and stems left over from the wine-making process, gives us the intensely flavored Grappa. Designed to be sipped after a hearty meal, it is served in a smaller glass and has a higher alcohol content than wine.

Grappa!

There are a number of wine route/Prosecco tours you can take, or take advantage of the many vineyard tours available in the region.

 

Aperoal Spritz is great on a hot day

We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the spritz. Order it in any bar, it is three parts Prosecco, and two parts Aperol (an Italian bitter make with gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — it has an orange hue) or two parts Campari (a pinkish bitter made with fruit and herbs).

 Mangia! Savor the cuisine

 Sure, you can get the traditional pasta in the Veneto region, but it takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. The pasta you get here is bigoli, a thick spaghetti made with buckwheat or whole wheat and eggs.

Bigoli pasta with duck meat sauce

Polenta is served as a side dish with meat and game. It looks like grits when served, or is formed, then sliced and toasted. It is made of corn ground finer than traditional polenta found in the United States and it is often white rather than yellow.

Mixing up a big batch of Polenta

There are substantial rice paddies around Verona where the paddy fields are flooded and irrigated by the River Tartaro. The rice is cultivated along strict guidelines and carries the country’s status of PGI or Protected Geographic Indication.

Radicchio Rossi di Treviso

Radicchio, grown near Treviso, also carried the PGI designation. Radicchio Rossi di Treviso is unique to this region. It can only be grown in limited areas around Venice because it requires nutrient-rich soil and spring waters. It also has strict cultivation processes including harvesting. Certain varieties are harvested and the heads tied and kept in darkness for two weeks. Another cultivation method involves harvesting and then washing the heads over and over again in tanks of water

It is served grilled with olive oil, which removes much of the bitterness, as a poultry stuffing, with pasta or in a tapenade.

Treviso

If you are offered the chance to have a dish that includes white asparagus, don’t pass it up. It has a milder, sweeter flavor than its green counterpart. It grows underground in the perfect sandy soil around Treviso.

Mussels

You’re near the coast, so expect mussels, crabs, anchovies, sprat (herring-like fish) and octopus.

Sarde in Saor

A great bonus is that there is a variety of fabulous cuisines in different areas. In Vicenza, try the asiago cheese. Creu is a hot horseradish sauce that usually accompanies meat and sometimes stew. It is made by mixing fresh horseradish with bread crumbs, vinegar and olive oil. Baccalà alla Vicentina is stockfish (an air-dried variety of fish) cooked with onions, olive oil, sardines, milk, cheese and parsley served with polenta.

Pandora cake

Enjoy rich stews in Verona with polenta as a side. Brasata all’amerone is beef braised in wine and pastissada de caval is a horse meat stew. For dessert, Pandora, a brioche style cake dusted with powdered sugar.

Oca

Padua options include lots of tasty chicken dishes as well as Oca in Padovana, a rich goose dish. You’ll find horse meat on the menu here, included with pasta, risotto or cut in small dried strips and put on pizza.

Squid ink Risotto

Depending where you are, you can order bigoli in salsa which is pasta in anchovy sauce, risotto al Nero di seppia which is risotto with cuttlefish ink, sarde in saor (sardines preserved in a sweet and sour marinade) and baccalà mantecato which is (oddly enough) North Atlantic salt cod soaked, cooked in milk and then pounded with olive oil to make a mousse or pate. It is eaten with polenta.

Focaccia

Risi e bigi is risotto with peas and pancetta. Try the focaccia, oven-baked bread topped with a variety of ingredients. Salvia Fritter is fried sage leaves. The leaves are lightly battered in a batter of flour, olive oil, egg whites and salt, fried and then sprayed with salt.

Cichéti, small plates like tapas

 Bar patrons out in the afternoon take advantage of cichéti at bars called bàcari. With a glass of wine or a spritz, enjoy small servings usually accompanied by some type of crostini. Polpettes are one of the popular items, small meat or fish balls. A version of sarde in saor is also served. It is usually sardines fried in oil and then flavored with raisins, pine nuts and white wine vinegar. It hits all the notes — sweet, savory, sour and salty. There may be sandwiches, little squids, hard-boiled eggs, olives, vegetables and items served on polenta.

Hungry for travel? Thirsty for adventure?

GetAway Travel has just the answer. Give our travel advisors a call and start your vacation plans, (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

The Beaujolais Region: France’s “Little Tuscany”

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The Beaujolais and the Burgundy regions of France are great spots for adventure and including them in a fabulous river cruise is a great idea!

The Beaujolais Region is nicknamed “Little Tuscany” because of its rolling hills covered with vineyards, quaint villages, great wine and beautiful castles. It reminds visitors of Italy’s lovely Tuscany.

Beaujolais, France

Time slows down and enjoyment ramps up when you take a cruise on the Rhône River through the area. No packing and unpacking, leisurely tours through stunning countryside and exciting dinner fare that reflects what is available in the area. Have we piqued your interest? Good! GetAway Travel advisors can help you pick the best cruise to take you through the Beaujolais area.

Let’s talk wine!

 There are wine tours and wine tasting options available everywhere your ship docks, but there’s always something to do if you don’t want to drink wine. The wines are nicely aged reds, easy drinking reds and even some sparkling and white options. The diversity of flavors and textures are due to the different soil types, elevations and microclimates and the gamay grapes.  Each wine carries the distinctive influence of the specific vineyard where it is produced.

The Beaujolais region is larger than any single district of the neighboring Burgundy Region. The vineyards here stretch for four miles along the Saône River. The granite-heavy soils and warmer climate make it ideal for producing lighter flavored grapes and fruity, zesty wines.

There are three distinct wine areas in the region.

The granite soil of the Region of the Crus adds a complexity to the wines which are usually aged for several years. The Beaujolais Villages area has granite and sandy soil. Here, more structured and textured wines are produced and they fare well aged between three and six years. The Regional Appellation Beaujolais area produces very fruity red wines with the help of the clay and limestone soil. Beaujolais Nouveau, white Beaujolais as well as sparking wines are produced here.

Golden Stones Country

 Thirty-nine villages in the southern part of the Beaujolais Region are in the Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones) area. Ochre colored stones were used to build homes and even castles in this area and when the light hits the golden limestone, they shimmer and glow. Oingt, Ternaud, Marcy, Charnay, Jarnioux, Pommiers and Bagnois are among the villages in this area.

Village Oingt

Oingt, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, overlooks the Azerques Valley and surrounding mountains. Panoramic views from the village include the Beaujolais vineyards, the Rhône and Lyon.

Window in Oingt

There are perfectly preserved half-timbered homes here and charming artisan shops. More than a dozen artists live and have workshops in the village creating everything from distinctive jewelry to kintsugi, a Japanese pottery. The history of mechanical music instruments is chronicled at the Mechanical Music Centre Museum. There are phonographs, music boxes and mechanical pianos.

Village Oingt

The Fortress from the Middle Ages used to be the home of the Lords of Oingt. The museum has fossils, carved stones, ceramic items, documents from the middle ages and panoramic views of the area.

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Berlin blends past and present

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All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner!“    John F. Kennedy, 1963

Oberbaum Bridge, Berlin

Germany’s capital city has a vibrant cultural and art scene. It has overcome its difficult past with resiliency and grace — preserving iconic landmarks and not forgetting lessons taught by history. It is nine times bigger than Paris, has more waterways than Venice, three UNESCO World Heritage sites, its own beer, its own snack and its own doughnut! How about it? Ready for GetAway Travel to make you a Berliner?

Hit the island for some museum time

 Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site with five world-class museums encompassing 6,000 years of history and art. Museum Island, or Spree Island, is in the heart of Berlin between the River Spree and Spree Canal. It is easily accessible.

Museum Island

With five museums to choose from, you can pick your art interests. One of the museums, the Pergamonmuseum, is closed until 2027 for renovations. But there are plenty of options in the other four.

Altes Museum in Winter

The Altes Museum was built by order of King Frederick William III and its considered a major example of German Neo-classical architecture. Here you can find Greek antiquities Fromm the 10th to the First century. There’s early portraits of Caesar and Cleopatra, stone sculptures, vases, craft objects, jewelry, gemstones, coins, urns and tablets.

Classic hallways of the Neues museum in Berlin

The Neues Museum building is a blend of old and new. Heavily damaged during WWII, the remains were used in the new construction. There are bullet holes, chipped paint and the ceilings are partially destroyed. The Egyptian collection, including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti are housed here. Included in the 9,000 objects are a burial chamber from Egypt dating back to around 2500 BC, art, artifacts, statues, vessels and manuscripts.

Alte Nationalgalerie museum

Art from the period of the French Revolution and WWI are in the Alte Nationalgalerie museum. Browse among paintings done by Adolph Menzel, Sabine Lepsius, Dora Hitz, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne.

Bode Museum on Museum Island

The Bode-Museum is renowned for its Byzantine art and coin collection. There are glazed terracottas by Luca della Robbia and masterworks by Donatello da Settignano.

Berlin Palace (Humboldt Forum)

The Humboldt Forum is also on Museum Island. Originally built as an imperial palace in the 15th century, it now has exhibits dedicated to human history, arts and culture.

Many of the artifacts are displayed in context. The Berlin Global exhibit examines Berlin’s impact on the world referencing categories such as entertainment, revolution and fashion. A Nature Exhibit looks at the interplay of climate change and democracy around the world.

More museums, historic sites, palaces

Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace was build in 1699 as a summer retreat for Sophie Charlotte, wife of King Fredrich I. The massive, multi-wing Baroque style structure as damaged in WWII and then restored and rebuilt through several decades. The reconstructed rooms feature ornate plasterwork, gilding, frescoes, all from original designs. There are priceless collections of silver, crown jewels and royal porcelain. The 18th century paintings include works from French masters. The gardens are fabulous. Designed in English and French styles, there are fountains, ponds, tree-lined paths and hedges.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most famous monuments. The Neo-classical arch is the only one of 14 that remains in the city. About a block from the arch is the Holocaust Memorial or the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The maze of 2,711 concrete blocks is a stark, modernistic, abstract reminder of the 2.6 million Jews who were victims of the Nazis. There is a museum/information center at the memorial.

Section of Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall Memorial is an indoor/outdoor museum and memorial. The one-mile stretch along Bernaur Strasse is an open air exhibit that includes photographs, signs and a preserved piece of the original wall. One of the original watchtowers is there and an indoor center has exhibits chronicling the historical and political events around the wall. The East Side Gallery is also a wall memorial. The stretch of Berlin Wall runs parallel to the Spree River. The concrete canvas has murals from 118 artists from 21 different countries.

Berlin Cathedral on the river Spree

The Berlin Cathedral is a 19th century church that fronts the Spree River on Museum Island. It is one of the largest religious landmarks in the city. The Protestant church is a mix of Italian, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. The cathedral’s most striking feature is the 374-foot high dome topped with a gilded cross.

Entertainment, snacks, etc.

 The Mauerpark Flea Market is located in Wall Park, The largest and best outdoor market in the city gets going every Sunday. Visitors can buy anything and everything there and also enjoy jugglers, have a picnic and participate in the giant karaoke party at Bearpit Karaoke.

Escalators at KaDeWe

Speaking of shopping, Berlin is home to Europe’s largest department store, KaDeWe.

The Berghain used to be a power station. This gigantic warehouse draws techno music fans from all over the world for three-day pulse-pounding music extravaganzas every weekend.

Giraffes at the Berlin Zoo

Tiergarten is a 519-acre oasis of green that used to be a royal hunting ground. Now its a series of lakes, bike paths, English gardens and the very romantic beer garden, Café am Neuen See. The Berlin Zoo is here and there’s a great panda exhibit.

Prater Garten is Berlin’s oldest beer gardens. Sit at the communal tables or benches, people watch and enjoy a bratwurst, Bavarian pretzel and, of course, a beer. Bratwurst is ordered either spicy or standard.

Berlin has its own specialty beer, Berliner Weiße, this slightly sour brew is made with wheat and barley. It has a high acid content and can be served with a shot of either raspberry or woodruff syrup.

Currywurst is a Berlin snack with a cult following. Get it at restaurants or from street vendors. The fried sausage is sliced, doused with tomato sauce, dusted with curry powder and served with bread or a roll. There is a vegan option.

If you are a late-night snacker, there are 1,000 kiosks around the city that dispense food, snacks and beverages.

Ooooh, pretzels, warm, golden brown served plain or with coarse salt. They are also served with cheese sauce, sesame seeds and even sunflower seeds.

Berliner Pfannkuchen

Then there’s the Pfannkuchen. This sweet, yeasty beauty of a filled doughnut is known as a Berliner or Krapfen in the rest of Germany. Topped with powdered sugar, the pfannkuchen can be filled with chocolate creme, but is most often filled with marmalade.

Ready to “be a Berliner?” The travel advisors at GetAway Travel can help you with that! We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Three Words to Savor: Osteria, Trattoria, and Ristorante

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When dining in Italy, you’ll hear three magical words that promise a delicious experience: Osteria, Trattoria, and Ristorante. While they all mean “places to eat,” each one offers its own vibe and flavor of Italian culture. Think of it as a journey from rustic charm to refined elegance. Let’s break them down so you can find your perfect Italian table!

🍷 Osteria – Cozy, Casual, and Full of Charm

Picture this: a no-frills, cozy spot where the wine flows, the locals gather, and the menu is short but oh-so-satisfying. Traditionally, osterie were simple taverns serving up hearty, affordable dishes. Today, they still keep things laid-back with comfort food, often highlighting seasonal, local ingredients. It’s all about relaxed vibes and big flavors. If you want to feel like you’ve stumbled into a friend’s kitchen, an osteria is your go-to.

🍝 Trattoria – The Heart of Family Dining

A trattoria is like the warm hug of Italian dining—still informal, but with a touch more structure. Often family-run, these spots serve up generous portions of classic Italian fare. You’ll get friendly service, fresh ingredients, and dishes that are simple but perfectly executed. Think homemade pastas, local meats, and seafood. A trattoria is where you go to feast like a local and leave blissfully full.

🍽️ Ristorante – Where Elegance Meets Italian Flavor

Ready to elevate your dining experience? A ristorante is the most formal of the three. Expect polished service, elegant décor, and menus with a sophisticated twist. From appetizers to desserts, dishes are often artfully presented and prepared with finesse. Whether it’s an upscale affair or a slightly more casual venue, a ristorante is where Italian cuisine puts on its fancy shoes. And don’t forget to browse the wine list—you might just discover your new favorite vintage.

Ready to dine like an Italian? No matter what kind of experience you crave, Italy’s dining scene has a seat just for you. Buon appetito!

Destination: Chocolate

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Chocolate has been making life a bite better since the 17th century. Travel is a great way to learn, expand your mind, broaden your horizons, make great memories. Why not combine the two — chocolate and travel? Fabulous idea! The travel advisors at GetAway Travel are here to help you plan an adventure that includes chocolate and great memories. Here’s some of the tasty travel and chocolate possibilities… 

 Saint Lucia 

 This eastern Caribbean Island is a particularly attractive option when it’s cold out. The Saint Lucia rain forest has been home to cacao beans since the 17th century. Chocolate has vied with bananas as the island’s prime export for years with bananas finally taking a backseat to chocolate in recent years. 

St Lucia pitons

Saint Lucia chocolate has less sugar content than Belgian, Dutch, French or American chocolate, but the intense cocoa flavor is not bitter. You can get cocoa tea all over the island and cocoa sticks, which is how the tea is made, make great souvenirs. There are plenty of chocolate, bean to bar, options around the island and you can practice your chocolatier skills. 

Cocoa Tree

“Single estate” chocolates are chocolates produced solely on one estate. Chocolate is highlighted even more in August which is Chocolate Heritage Month. 

cut open cocoa pod

Island visitors can indulge in chocolate facials, massages and body scrubs and enjoy savory and sweet chocolate dishes and a choc-tail or two!  

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Elegant, historic, quaint Madrid

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Madrid is one of the oldest and most beautiful of the European capital cities. A city of elegant boulevards, manicured and maintained parks and fabulous museums, Madrid is also one of the greenest cities in Europe. There are examples of great architecture everywhere and the taverns, restaurants and cafés offer cuisine from all regions of the country including vegan options. Travel advisors from GetAway Travel are ready to plan your trip so you can make memories in Madrid where Hemingway and Dali once walked. 

 Architecture and green space 

 There’s a rich range of architectural variety throughout the city. The pedestrian-friendly Plaza Mayor is an open area surrounded by gorgeous building facades each with a balcony or portico facing the square. More than 230 balconies jut out from the fronts of the buildings and there are stunning frescoes between the balconies. 

Plaza Major, Madrid

The Templo de Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple gifted to Spain in gratitude for the country’s help in restoring the temples of Abu Simpel in Southern Egypt. It was dedicated to the goddess Isis and the god Amun and rebuilt stone by stone in Madrid’s Cartel de la Montaña Park.  

Templo de Debod, Madrid

Inspired by the design of the Louvre, the Royal Palace in Madrid is the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain, although they don’t live there. It’s the largest functioning royal palace in Europe. Visitors to the city on the first Wednesday of the month can see the Solemn Changing of the Guard at the palace which includes a parade of horses and the Spanish Royal Guard. 

Royal Palace of Madrid – It is one of the few official seat of a Head of State that is open to the public. Almost 2 million visitors come every year to discover its rooms, works of art and treasures that are unique in the world.

The city has the highest number of trees and green space per resident of any European city. Retiro Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 292-acre park is Madrid’s most famous park and was once reserved for Spanish royalty and aristocracy.  

Retiro Park, Madrid

Admire the manicured gardens, ornate fountains, statues of Spanish writers and heroes, cute gazebos, and open-air cafés. If La Roseleda Rose Garden is in bloom, the 4,000 roses are a stunning sight! 

Retiro Park, Madrid

Check out the Madrid Atocha, the first major rail station that opened in Madrid in 1851. In 1992 service at the original building was moved to an adjacent site and the old station with its fabulous architecture was repurposed into shops, cafés, a nightclub and a tropical garden. 

Madrid Atocha Station

 Museums feature the masters 

 Prada Museum has works by Goya, Veláquez, Zubarán and other Spanish masters. It has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings as well as by works by other European masters with an emphasis on Italian and Flemish artists. The Reina Sofia museum has collectionis from 20th century artists including works from the Surrealist and Cubist masters such as Salvador Dali and Picasso. Picasso’s huge anti-war masterpiece, Guernica hangs here. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisca houses what were the private art collections of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisca and his son, Hans. There are about 1,000 paintings from some of the world’s most famous European and American artists from the 13th to the 20th century. 

Momument to Francisco Goya – He is considered the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

There’s the National Archeological Museum, the Railway Museum and the fascinatingly different Sweet Space. 

Picasso’s Guernica. It is one of his best-known works, regarded as the most moving and powerful anti-war painting ever created.

The Sweet Space features rooms created by modern artists with an emphasis on sweets as well as a shop that allows tasting. Who can resist cotton candy palm trees, a candy forest and an ice cream laboratory? 

 So many quaint places to see! 

We would be remiss from discussing art if there wasn’t a mention of flamenco. Referred to as a dance, it is actually a celebrated art form. Indeed, it is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. The world’s first flamenco theatre is in Madrid. Catch a performance at a theatre, bar or restaurant. 

Take an evening or daytime Hemingway tour. You can explore some of the places mentioned in his books and see where he ate, wrote, drank and watched the bullfights while he covered the Spanish Civil War. One of his favorite places was La Venencia, a sherry bar that seems preserved from the era. 

Sopa de ajo – Soup with egg

El Sobrino de Botin is the world’s oldest continuous operation restaurant and the roast suckling pig there was one of Hemingway’s favorite dishes. He was also a fan of sopa de ajo which is an egg poached in chicken broth flavored with sherry and garlic. De Goya was a waiter here while he waited to get accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts. 

Spanish sherry and some snacks

Visitors to Madrid can get tastes of local dishes and pick their favorites by taking advantage of the tapas offered at bars and some bodegas.  

Wineries around Madrid offer tours and tastings, some of the most popular are Bodegas Y Viñedos Valleyglesias, Bodega Del Nero and Solera Bodegas. 

Cibeles fountain on the Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid

Is a visit to Madrid in your travel plans? GetAway Travel can help you plan a memorable adventure to this most fascinating city! Contact a travel advisor at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Charm, beaches, mountains, great food and drink – Tasmania has it all!

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View from Mount Wellington, Hobart

Originally developed as a penal colony by the British, Tasmania is an island of breath-taking beauty that is slightly bigger than Switzerland. It boasts 19 national parks, pristine beaches, cliffs, caves, unique wildlife and 24 mountain ranges. Indeed, the wilderness area of Tasmania has been classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts, but it has immense historic charm and, is somewhat of a foodie paradise. Launceston, Tasmania is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. There are less than 50 cities in the world carrying that distinction. If some charm, some stunning scenery and some great food appeals to you — GetAway Travel can get you to Tasmania. 

On a hike in Tasmania

 History, culture and critters 

 Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and where much of the population is located. It is the second deepest port in the world and it has a charming waterfront as well as a great food and wine scene with an emphasis on farm-to-table. 

Hobart waterfront

Port Arthur is a little more than an hour from Hobart. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built in 1830 as a timber station and penal settlement. About 3,500 convicts were housed on the 250 acres. Historians contend Port Arthur, on Cameron Bay, is one of Australia’s most well-preserved landmarks.  

Port Arthur penal colony

There are more than 30 historic buildings on the site which can be reached by ferry, car, bus or taxi. You can even take an evening ghost tour along the coast.  

Tasmanian Devil at Bonorong

About a half hour from Hobart is the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. A 24-hour facility that treats and rehabs injured or orphaned wildlife with the intent of returning them to their natural habitats, it is a temporary home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world. At any given time it is a temporary home to wombats, Tasmanian devils, quoll (a cat-like marsupial with short legs and a white-spotted coat), koalas and emus. Stroll the grounds, which mimic the animals’ natural habitats. Get another taste of the outdoors at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. It’s an outdoor oasis of multiple gardens spread over 34 acres. There’s a conservatory, lily pond and regional gardens including a subantarctic plant house that replicates the cold, wet conditions f the subantarctic islands. 

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a museum, art gallery and herbarium that holds artifacts that are important to the natural and cultural aspects of the country. The more than 100,000 items are the bulk of the State Collections of Tasmania. It has some fabulous displays on the history of seafaring and whaling and interactive child-friendly exhibits. 

Sue hiking at Lemonthyme lodge, Tasmania

The Museum of New and Old Art or MONA, looks like it would be just one floor, but there are three more levels underground. It was started as a small museum of antiquities by David Walsh. Now, in addition to the collections, there are art exhibitions, live music, food, wine, bars, restaurants, a library, recording studio and tennis court — almost all entirely underground. 

Digestion Art at MONA – yes it actually works

The art pieces range from the remarkable to the ridiculous. 

Looking for a great shopping experience? Every Saturday the Salamanca Market is open. The more than 300 vendors sell handcrafted woodwork items, jewelry, ceramics, glassware, souvenirs and tasty items like fish and chips and scallop pie. 

Cascade Brewery, with Mt. Wellington in the distance, is the oldest continuously operating brewery in the country. It still makes award-winning ales, stouts and bitters.  

 Devils, glorious food and spirits 

 Cradle Mountain is a stop on your way from Hobart to Launceston and you can visit the Cradle Tasmanian devil sanctuary. Tasmanian devils are nothing like the crazed cartoon character that tries to catch Bugs Bunny. They are shy, nocturnal carnivores about the size of a small dog, but definitely not cuddly.  They do have a voracious appetite and the strongest biting force of any mammal their size on earth. Their jaws are extendable and can bite through metal and most farming fences. 

Marsupials, they carry their babies in pouches and use scent glands to mark their territories. 

Speaking of marsupials – here’s a Wallaby mom and joey

The Cradle Mountain sanctuary is a breeding and conservation facility for the Tasmanian devil, spotted-tail quoll and the Eastern quoll. 

Our lodging in Cradle Mountain

Cataract Gorge is Launceston’s biggest tourist attraction. It is home to the world’s largest single-span chairlift and the gorge has fabulous panoramic views as well as walking trails, wandering peacocks and other natural wildlife, gardens including a Victorian garden, a tearoom, restaurant and cafe.  

Cataract Gorge, Launceston Tasmania

Queen Victoria Museum has natural science and history collections as well as a planetarium and just across the river is the Art Gallery with contemporary and traditional art and art pieces.

 

But let’s talk food and drink, after all, Launceston is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.  

Charcuterie platter hits the spot at Pooley!

The country is small enough that visitors can take advantage of great food and drink options throughout the country.  

Moo Brew on tap at MONA

Enjoy craft brews of cider, single-malt whiskey, small batch gin or vodka. Most distilleries offer guided tours — try ships whey vodka, gin flavored with sloe berries or lavender rye. The “very Scottish weather” is not only great for whiskey, but also for blended spirits of apple, pear and cherry as well as some fabulous Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The Pipers River region near Launceston produces superior quality sparkling beverages. 

 

Derwent vineyard – Keeping the birds out as it gets close to harvest

Many of the vineyards have their own restaurants which take full advantage of crayfish, abalone, asparagus, mushrooms, fish, scallops and octopus which can be sourced nearby. Take the bay tour and stop off at Freycinet Marine Farm and they will let you put on a pair of waders and shuck oysters taken directly from the bay. Visit a truffle farm and go out with the truffle-scenting dogs and find your own treasures. The gin distilleries offer classes where you can learn the intricacies of making gin and mixing in some exotic botanicals. 

Check out our previous blog on wine tasting around Hobart – located here

 

Art, food, wine, history, culture — Tasmania has it all and GetAway Travel can get you there! Reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

 

 

 

 

Savor the ambiance, wine, history of Bordeaux

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A port city on the Garonne River, Bordeaux is known for its cultural sites, great weather, proximity to Paris and, of course, the fact that it is the hub of France’s wine country. The city and the surrounding countryside are a fascinating destination even if you don’t have a sip of wine. Your travel advisors at GetAway Travel have been to Bordeaux and can set up a trip for you based on personal experience! 

 It’s wine country! 

 We’ll talk wine first. Bordeaux IS first and foremost, wine country. The only area that makes a bigger imprint on the world wine scene is in Italy. Bordeaux has great weather the year round and it’s actually where Paris residents like to visit. You can’t throw a stone without hitting a vineyard. Grapes, and wine lovers, love Bordeaux. It’s the soil, the water, the weather, the way the wind blows and years and years of experience that make the wine renowned around the world. The Left Bank is cabernet sauvignon and the Right is merlot with white and dessert wines interspersed into both areas. 

Even if you don’t go to Bordeaux because its the wine reputation, take at least one vineyard tour. You are visiting the second largest wine producing region on Earth, you owe it to yourself to take a vineyard tour. See the vat rooms and cellars, see how wine is made and stored. Be one of the people that experience tasting world-class wine on the grounds of a chateau. 

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

About the vineyard tours, you need an appointment. After all, making the best wine in the world is work and you are actually entering a workplace. Tours usually last an hour to an hour and a half and, of course, end with tasting. Your travel advisors can discuss vineyard tours with you when you book your vacation.  

GetAway group at Chateau Lafite Rothschild

You want to pace yourself and not book oh say five or six tours in a day. That’s not going to work because of the distance between vineyards and the tasting time. Tasting means sipping wine, not throwing down a glass like its last call.  

 Two wine museums 

 Two museums devoted to wine? Yes! The Musée du Vin et Du Négoce de Bordeaux or the Bordeaux wine and trade museum is located in the historic Chatrons district. Built in 1720, it was the former wine cellar of Louis XV. Trace the history of three centuries of wine including the background behind wine trade, the work of coopers — the makers of wine barrels — learn about the invention of the bottle, shop for souvenirs and wine and your visit will end with wine tasting. 

The Cite du Vin looks a little like a UFO. It is all things wine, in a world-wide context, as an immersive interactive experience. The world’s largest wine museum, it opened in 2016. It has eight floors of exhibits as well as a wine bar, wine library, permanent as well as temporary exhibits and it should not be missed! 

The Cite du Vin is set up to celebrate wine and its history. There are spectacular panoramic images of wine regions around the world, Videos, touch screens, a fun (yes, fun) explanation of fermentation. The portraits of wine are surrounded by wooden bottle sculptures. Touch the portrait and it will tell you about the wine. Aroma machines waft the fragrance of wine around and famous historical figures as well as present day chefs and winemaker give virtual chats about their favorite wine. 

 There’s a lot more than wine 

 The central area of Bordeaux has one of the world’s most amazing 18th century cityscapes. It has modern stores, theaters and retail establishments, but they are all in the framework of old century buildings. There are no glass-fronted office buildings and the tallest structures are cathedral towers and church spires 

The Musee de Beaux Arts is renowned for its extensive collections of French and Dutch art including works from Van Dyck, Ruebens, Titian, Chardin, Delacroix, Corot, Boudin, Bounard and Matisse. 

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in France is the Primatial Cathedral of St. Andrew of Bordeaux or the Bordeaux Cathedral. A stunning example of medieval gothic architecture, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII were married here. The cathedral’s north entrance is considered the royal entrance and a recessed area above the door shows images that appear to be the last supper. The Grand Theâtre de Bordeaux was built by architect Victor Louis and atop the 12 front columns are large statues of muses and goddesses. The facade is particularly striking at night because the front as well as the statues are lighted. 

St. Michael’s Basilica is constructed in a form of late gothic architecture. It is the largest church in Bordeaux and the second tallest church in France. 

The Miroir d’Eau is the largest reflective pool in the world. A UNESCO world heritage site, it was designed with the help of a fountain architect. 

Shopping? Oh yes, the Rue Sainte Catherine is the longest pedestrian street in Europe. And you can truly shop until you drop. Start at the north end and wander through clothing stores including major outlets and work your way to the south which features regional shops as well as restaurants and cafes. 

 If Bordeaux is your cup of tea, or idea of a wine paradise, GetAway Travel can help with your vacation. Reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Sample Portuguese cuisine with petiscos

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You can walk into a bar in Portugal and order tapas, and you’ll get something, but it’s not a tapa. You’ll likely get an eye roll from the wait staff and then you’ll order off the petisco menu. Both tapas and petiscos are smaller versions of what might be served as an entree, but get your tapas in Spain and your petiscos in Portugal. Get your travel plans in order with help from GetAway Travel! 

 What exactly are they? 

 Petiscos (pe-tea-sh-cos) are smaller plates of traditional dishes. They cost less than an entree and are made to be shared or “picked at” while you enjoy a beverage. They are small enough that you can have three or four before a meal and not feel stuffed. 

They let you try a variety of dishes at one setting. They differ by region which is also helpful when you are tasting your way across the country. You  will likely see more seafood options along the coast and petiscos in the central and east will likely be more meat and cheese oriented. 

Petisco bars are called petisqueiras. Their petiscos offerings can be widely different, from plain bread and olives to creative and tasty octopus salads. Bars, especially the bars in Porto, Portugal, have full menus of petisco options and they vary by establishment. Some of them are very rich, so a glass of beer or wine goes down easy! 

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