4 Unexpected Destinations for Food Travel

1. Croatia

Croatia is a fascinating destination characterized by diverse cultural influences and geographic landscapes, and their culinary scene reflects this diversity. Located on the Mediterranean between Italy, Central Europe and Eastern Europe, Croatian cuisine varies based on the geographic region. 

On the Dalmatian coast, enjoy locally sourced seafood and delicious pastas. Sample food enhanced with fine Croatian olive oils, truffles or organic honey on the Istrian Peninsula. In Slavonia, home to Croatia’s capital city, try savory cheese pie, cured meats, and other Central European-influenced fare.

2. Jordan

Influenced by Arabian and Lebanese cuisine, and infused with many herbs and spices, Jordanian cuisine offers a variety of local specialties with interesting flavours. A popular culinary tradition is Jordanian Mezze, which features an assortment of small dishes shared communally. 

Small plates commonly feature dips such as hummus and babba ghanoush, salads such as fattoush (salad made with lettuce, parsley, and fried pita bread), and other tasty bites like haloumi (a mild cheese) and falafel. Another specialty is Jordan’s national dish, mansaf, a Bedoin meal made from meat which is simmered for several hours and served on rice.

3. Peru

Peru offers an eclectic mix of culinary specialties, some of which are more “traditional” to Peru, while others have been influenced by culinary traditions in Spain, China, Japan and others. 

One of the most popular Peruvian dishes is ceviche, a dish of fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. Peruvian cuisine meets Chinese with the dish lomo saltado, a mix of beef, tomatoes, peppers, and onions, fried with soy sauce and potatoes and served over rice. Another favourite is rocoto relleno—stuffed peppers covered in melted cheese.

4. Scotland

Like England, Scotland’s cuisine is often equated with pub food—shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, mushy peas to name a few. However, there is much more to Scottish cuisine than this tired stereotype would lead us to believe. Ingredients in many Scottish restaurants are fresh, organic and locally sourced. 

Enjoy delicious salmon and sea trout sourced from the Hebrides, try wild boar, lamb, and venison sourced from the Scottish Highlands, and delicious cheeses and produce sourced from local farms. In addition to more traditional Scottish fare, many immigrants from India, the Middle-East, China and other destinations have brought other culinary delights, contributing to a thriving local food scene.

A Jordan Adventure

by Lesli Heron

The full moon lit our path as we followed our Bedouin guide Mohammed, into the Rum. We weren’t sure where we were going. As we rounded a rocky outcrop we came across a beautiful sight. There on a candlelit sand dune was a feast for the eyes, literally. Our guide Majdi had created a Jordanian feast in the middle of Wadi Rum. As we all sat around on pillows and carpets, eating grilled meat, fatoush, babaganoush, drinking Arak and marvelling at the twinkling stars we reflected on our journey so far. It all started in Amman, a week earlier, 7 women aged 32 to 72 and the lone male, our Jordanian guide Majdi.

The very essence of Jordan has been influenced by the world’s oldest civilizations. The Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Nabateans, Romans, Crusaders and Turks have all left their mark. North of Amman lies the magnificently preserved Roman ruin of Jerash. From the entry through Hadrian’s Arch to the Oval Plaza surrounded by 56 Iconic Columns and along the cobblestone colonnaded street, Jerash is a Roman wonder. During our visit we were regaled by the Jordanian Scottish Pipe Band in the amphitheatre, showing off the still amazing acoustics. Did you know the bag pipe actually originated in the Middle East!

As you can’t pass up an opportunity for a peaceful float in the lowest point on earth we popped into the Dead Sea on the way to the Dana Nature Reserve. This reserve has a special beauty and some breath taking scenery. We camped overnight and did a wonderful hike along red rock escarpments and enjoyed a bit of dare devil rock climbing to reach some of the ancient cave churches.

We continued along the Kings Highway to Petra which is one of the highlights of any visit to Jordan. As I wandered through the Siq with its sheer sided walls and narrow passage ways I began to realize how apt the name, The Rose Red City really is. And then there it was, the first glimpse of the Treasury bathed in the morning light. It was breathtaking! We spent hours exploring this ancient city with its Royal Tombs and colonnaded streets culminating in a hike up an ancient rock cut path of over 800 steps to the spectacular Monastery, golden in the afternoon sun.

We rode our camels into Wadi Rum and after 3 hours and a screaming backside we arrived at our Bedouin Camp, Moon Valley, just as the sun was setting. This was our home for the next couple of nights as we explored this moon like landscape of towering sandstones and rippling sand dunes. We hiked through canyons, scrambled up rock faces to straddle natural rock bridges, we plodded along sand dunes and we marvelled at the colours that played out over the desert. I found my peace in Wadi Rum and was under its spell.

After a quick dip and a snorkel in the Red Sea my journey in Jordan came to an end all too soon. This tiny desert kingdom has managed to straddle the ancient and modern worlds effortlessly and in so doing has made it a fascinating, enjoyable and safe country to explore.