Food & Wine

The main activity of winter get-togethers is eating. Most parties include sharing meals and cocktails as you catch up with your closest friends and family. Food & Wine is a great resource on Real Travel to find great places to eat out in your local area and at your next vacation spot.

Let’s commence the week in the world’s most culinary country, France. In the capital city of Paris, there is much more to try than the typical plates of oysters, escargots and frites (though, these are plentiful and delicious). Check out some of the cheaper options found at stands and boulangeries on every block.

The Marais district (third arrondissement), is concentrated with middle eastern food and amazing falafel walk-up windows down tiny streets neighboring shops baking up delicious macaroons and small boutiques offering unique and custom fashions.

Stop by any stand near the tourist attractions of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumphe, and the Louvre, for a sweet or savory crepe or panini (L’Ombre de Notre Dame found right next to Notre Dame Cathedral, is a delicious choice for a crepe with nutella).

A quick and yummy lunch will lure you into one of Paris’ many good-smelling boulangeries where a fresh baguette filled with ham, tuna, pate, and other charcuterie only costs you about $3. Or sit down and people-watch as you enjoy a goat-cheese salad or duck confit with fries at a local café.

Try out some of Paris’ most fun and funkiest places to eat in the Latin Quarter (sixth arrondissement), an area where restaurateurs are waiting for you out on the cobblestone streets shouting like salesmen to bring you into their kitchen. For a spot off the beaten path, try Le Refuge des Fondues (18th arrondissement) where the two long communal tables force you to get intimate with your dining neighbors as you climb over the table to sit down and sip unlimited wine out of baby bottles. The owners create a fun atmosphere where loud noises and using your fingers to eat are highly promoted.

If you are going more for the chic and fine dining that Paris is so well-known for, look no further than the Champs Elysees where up-scale restaurants and world-class cuisine make their mark. Politicians, celebrities, and socialites all enjoy their meals in these famous, uniquely designed eateries. For a fusion feel, try Market (8th arrondissement) where fresh seafood, amazing variety, and a dessert menu to die for will leave your palette enriched and taste buds satisfied.

Real Travel Blogger, Fine Photo, described his experience at one of Paris’ restaurants:

“We had lunch at the formal dinning room at the d’Orsay Musee. It is a fantastic Rocco gilt-encrusted, cupid-studded, frescoed environment
with great service. S had steak and French frits. I had boar in wine sauce (wonderful!) with an airy “custard” with lima beans and one with cherry tomatoes. Dessert of Tiramisu and fruit ice crèmes topped of a memorable meal. Great for people watching and meeting.”

The beauty of Paris is the wide culinary and cost range spread throughout the city; though at every corner you can find a restaurant and café to bring you the country’s classic French cuisine and amazing freshness and creativity hard to find so pervasively in any other city in the world.

For some more information about Paris, visit:

Paris Restaurants
Paris Hotels
Paris Attractions

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Known for its surreal views and its mouth-watering pesto, Cinque Terre is the epitome of an Italian vacation. A trip here is not complete without hiking through the five beach towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. An inexpensive day pass must be bought before the hike, and includes the train fare. An experience of a lifetime, you will never forget this scenic hike on Via Dell’ Amore. Not up for the hike? Conveniently, the train makes stops in every town. Be sure to stop in one of the towns and enjoy a truly Italian meal, as this region is known throughout Italy for its delectable pesto and fresh fish!

RealTraveler Myra-World Explorer describes the magnificences of Cinque Terre:

“Before I finalized my worldwide itinerary, my friends Suzanne and Nolen recommended that I add Cinque Terre to the Italian leg of my trip. I never heard of the 5 fishing villages nestled along the coast of Northern Italy, but trusted their judgment since they did a 1-year tour themselves several years ago. I am so glad I followed their advice since the five terres are just what most websites describe them as- breathtaking and untouched. Dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage site, this national park is the perfect place to hike, shop, lounge, or completely veg out while enjoying a small carafe of wine and tortellini. This is exactly the way I spent my days while I was there.” (more…)

RealTravelers oddlyweds share their very recent experience:

“We climbed a lot more steps and walked a lot longer (six hours to be precise) than we have done altogether so far on this trip. There were olive groves, vineyards, spectacular views of the coastline, interesting cemeteries, Via del’ amore (path of love) and steep drops from the side of the unbelievably narrow trail. At the end of the day it was well worth it. We rewarded ourselves with yummy popsicles and a really good pizza along the way. We also took a boat ride to get more of the scenery and the best part of it all, jumped in the sea. It is the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen. The water was so good that the incredibly rocky beach could not spoil it. Today has been one of the best, if not the best day of our trip so far. I can’t put a finger on it, the people, the scenery, the food, the laid back attitude, blue skies, bluer water, views from our apartment… it all adds up.” (more…)

To plan your trip to Cinque Terre, visit:

Cinque Terre Attractions
Cinque Terre Hotels

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