Travel - The Hungry Nomad

Summer Inspiration I (Sicily, Italy)

February 6, 2011 No Comments

Enjoy this post by resident blogger Kim!

A lot of us are still living in chilly wintery conditions and although I am enjoying Mediterranean weather conditions nowadays, February can be very grey, cold and wet. So while heavy rains are pouring down on us here, I thought it might be a good time to share a little taste of summer with you all. Not as popular as other destinations in Italy, Sicily is a rough gem to be discovered. During high season (outside the main tourist attractions) I encountered only an agreeable amount of other tourists and many available small & charming hotels. To me, Sicily has everything to offer for a lovely get-away: beautiful nature, delightful baroque towns, impressive historic sights, pleasant beaches and simply scrumptious food.

New Orleans, Travel, USA

Just your typical day on Bourbon St. (New Orleans)

February 1, 2011 2 Comments

Bourbon Street (French: Rue Bourbon) is a famous and historic street that spans the length of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. When founded in 1718, the city was originally centered around the French Quarter. New Orleans has since expanded, but “The Quarter” remains the cultural hub, and Bourbon Street is the street best known by visitors. Although, once you’ve seen it you really won’t be drawn back to Bourbon since present day bourbon is filled with drunks (day and night), rowdy college kids, strippers hanging out by their clubs, and at times it can be quiet dangerous. Many hang out in the balconies and will throw you beads if you are drunk enough to flash them your boobs. Although sometimes they’ll be nice enough and just throw you one without you having to expose your privates. It is however, packed, day and night! So if you are looking for some crazy fun then definitely make your way to Bourbon. If you are really in need of getting drunk at 9 am. Don’t fret: bourbon street is waiting for you.

I personally MUCH prefer the street parallel to Bourbon: Royal street. Its filled with antique shops, restaurants, and jazz musicians performing on the street. (see my post: french quarter, new Orleans for more).

Gourmand, Istanbul, Travel, Turkey

Sweet & Savory Streets (Istanbul, Turkey)

January 30, 2011 No Comments

Another great post from our resident blogger, Kim. Enjoy!

Surely I love a good restaurant as much any other girl. But sometimes the best treats can be found out there on the streets. Just imagine enjoying fresh ice cream while strolling in the summer sun or warming up on spicy hot cocoa on a crispy winter day. So when I went to Istanbul, of course I had to try all the Turkish on-the-go delights.

It took a long time for me to open up to chestnuts, but on a cold cold day these hot roasted little treats are exactly what you might need to warm up and continue your adventurous walks around town. I have seen chestnuts stands from Northern Italy and Geneva to Athens and also in Istanbul people munch happily on chestnuts while out and about. Also, keep your eyes out for chestnut treats in coffee shops and restaurants as there are some seriously deliciously chestnut cakes and deserts to be found.

A new discovery for me when I went to Turkey was fresh pomegranate juice. All around the city you may notice small coffee shops and kebab stands squeezing and selling orange & pomegranate juice to take away. Extremely refreshing, I love how it makes for a healthy change from sipping on (also very enjoyable) Turkish coffees and black teas.

Much less greasy than the varieties I have tasted in Greece, kebabs in Istanbul are a popular fast food. My favorite is the döner kebab with a thin pita, lamb meat, sour pickles and veggies (which you see in the picture), yum! Couple it with a pomegranate juice, relax on a bench and enjoy the bustle of the city around you.

Salep is a sweet and spicy drink which will definitely do you good on a rainy and chilly day. Originally made from the salep orchid, it is now usually made with hot milk, cinnamon and salep flavorings. You can see salep being sold by some traditionally dressed men pushing their carts and shouting “Hot Salep, hot salep!”. A word of caution: Salep is extremely hot, so don’t burn your tongue.

Simit (“koulouri” in Greece) stands are present on every street corner in Istanbul. Considered breakfast by many in this neck of the woods, you almost can’t go wrong with these simple bread rings sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Cancun, Gourmand, Mexico, Travel

Thai Lounge and Elefanta Restaurant(Cancun, Mexico)

January 23, 2011 1 Comment

Thai Lounge: Bulevar Kukulcán Km. Plaza La Isla Shopping Village

Thai Lounge– Thai food in Mexico? It’s possible! Thai Lounge is a beautiful restaurant located in the La Isla Shopping Center overlooking the lagoon. If you do happen to go here, make sure to call ahead to book one of the cabanas (cabana #7 is the nicest one-includes a bed and a table for two). The place is very intimate, cozy and romantic. It is one of the nicest places to go for dinner in Cancun and I highly recommend it.

The food was really good. As good as the dishes I had tried in Thailand…just not as cheap. My favorite Thai dish that I discovered in Thailand (Glass Noodles with Prawns) was also on the menu and I was not disappointed. The setting is very romantic, especially if you make it in time for the sunset.

Adjacent to the Thai Lounge is Elefanta Indian Cuisine. I would have liked to have tried the Elefanta as well but didn’t have time. They are both set on the edge of the lagoon with magnificent views.


Make sure to ask for Cabana #7 (did I already say that?)

Istanbul, Travel, Turkey

Istanbul Impressions (Istanbul, Turkey)

January 23, 2011 No Comments

Istanbul has been on my to-go list for a very long time and finally this winter I made it! Such a wonderful place. Literally at the border between East and West, its long history remains tangible everywhere you walk in this vast city. I was dazzled by the beauty of its historical mosques, palaces and churches while I thoroughly enjoyed all the modern city had to offer. Tea houses and wine bars, modern art galleries and ages-old mosques, eastern bazaars and western malls all make for an exciting mix for the traveler. I will be sharing more of Istanbul with you soon, for now a few colorful impressions. (by The Dutch Nomad, Kim)

Athens, Greece, Shopping, Travel

Athens International Airport (Athens, Greece)

January 19, 2011 No Comments

Here is the first post by the new addition to the blog: Kim. Enjoy!

What better way to kick off my guest blog here at the Hungry Nomad than to start where most travels start: the airport! I love airports, with their air of adventure, observing all the people wondering what exotic places they might be heading while snapping a pic or two.. Mostly though, my airport experiences are the same with the occasional little treasure. My point of departure nowadays is Athens International Airport, where you may find two such treasures.

One I’d like to share with you is Korres, a Greek store offering natural and organic beauty products which to my opinion all smell delicious and come in beautifully designed packages. I simply can’t choose what I like best about Korres: their philosophy on nature and beauty, their great design or perhaps just their delicious guava butter, fig body milk and spicy fragrances.

The other one is the Mastiha Shop selling products with mastiha, the resin of mastic trees growing only on the island of Chios. The resin has a long history of use and is believed to have many good qualities. Mastiha with its lovely distinct flavor and scent is used in tons of different products from ointments and liqueurs to sweets. My personal favorites are the little choco delights with mastiha. Mastiha is a favorite also outside Greece, I have tasted some scrumptious mastic desserts in Istanbul. So when you’re in the neighborhood, keep an eye out for mastic treats!

The Mastiha Shop can be found only at the ‘all passengers area’. Korres stores can be found at both the ‘all passengers area’ and ‘extra-Schengen passengers area’. The Mastiha Shop & Korres also have stores in some major international cities around the globe such as Paris and New York and can also be found at Sephora.

New York, Travel, USA

Destination: Brooklyn (New York)

January 17, 2011 1 Comment

A trip to New York is NEVER complete without a journey over the bridge and into Brooklyn. Although there are many ways you can reach Brooklyn I recommend for those who have never walked across the Brooklyn bridge to actually take the time to do so. I absolutely loved every step across. Perhaps its my deep love for anything and everything in and around New York City but I loved the Brooklyn bridge and it was not till after that I realized that is is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. No visit to Brooklyn is complete with out a stop over at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria directly underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. However, do expect long line ups as it is a major tourist destination. If you are lucky enough to visit NYC during the summer you should find out about the free Brooklyn Park outdoor film series. Grab a picnic blanket and a bottle of wine and head to the park to watch your favorite classics outdoors while looking over to the New York City skyline. Sigh. Why am I still NOT living in New York? It remains a mystery.

The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869. It was completed and opened to the public in 1883. The first automobiles drove across the bridge in 1925, and the last elevated train crossed in 1944.

Fort Lauderdale, Gourmand, Travel, USA

Gran Forno Italian Bakery (Fort Lauderdale)

January 2, 2011 No Comments

One thing I look most forward to on every trip to Fort Lauderdale is my daily morning trips to the local Gran Forno Bakery. It is located on the lovely Las Olas Street where many wonderful local mom & pop shops can be found. The breads are baked daily in their ovens and if you go early enough you will get your hands on warm, pillowy and delicious breads. I must admit that I have tried everything in this bakery and do love each and every one of their delights. Amongst the favorites include the ciabatta, multigrain, and walnut and raisin breads. Then on to the sweets: the chocolate, almond, ham and cheese croissants are all wonderful treats for one’s belly. But then there is also the scones….oh the scones. How wonderfully delicious and not too sweet are the scones. (Other ‘Forno’rific delights include: custard-filled fruit tarts, lemon cakes and chocolate fudge brownies, chocolate tarts and paninis). Next, make sure to also try the small pizzas!!! They are once again….delicious. Choices include the eggplant, tomato, mozzarella or the tomato/mozzarella pizza. I can’t resist having these for breakfast. Living only two blocks away from this little Floridian gem is both a blessing and a curse. I have no control when it comes to delicious breads and treats…. or to be more factual I have no control when it comes to the wonders of gastronomy.

France, Paris, Travel

Eat and Drink at Le Fumoir in Paris (Paris, France)

December 2, 2010 No Comments

What can be more amazing then sipping on a glass of white wine in the evening while staring across the street at the magnificent Louvre? Ahhh Le Fumoir. I had the pleasure of working just a couple of blocks away and found myself on many of nights having a post-work glass(es) of wine at le Fumoir. For me there is nothing more beautiful than the louvre at night glowing under yellow lights. Having a glass of wine while taking in so much history and culture is priceless (the crowd isn’t so bad either so make sure to do some people watching). The decor inside is interesting… books line the walls giving the impression that you are dining in a library. Although I have never had a chance to eat at this fabulous spot I have seen the food they serve and it all does look delicious. I myself like to settle back for a glass of the Sancerre.

6 rue de l’amiral Coligny 75001 Paris

French Quarter, New Orleans, Travel, USA

A photographic tour through the French Quarter (New Orleans)

November 27, 2010 3 Comments

Although mostly known for its rowdy crowds on Bourbon street, the French quarter in New Orleans is one of the most charming neighborhoods in the United States. From the beautiful architecture to art galleries, museums, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels, the French Quarter has something for everyone – no matter what your interest may be.

From wrought-iron balconies, tall shutters, courtyards, and horse carriages- the French Quarter is uniquely New Orleans. For a day tour of the French Quarter, 1- Start at the French Market located alongside the Mississippi river (the first outdoor produce market in the US. (Make sure to pick up some hot sauce or my personal favorite Tabasco Sauce 2- You will soon smell the scent of beignets from Cafe du Monde. Stop over for some of their famous sugar coated beignets and chicory laced cafe au lait. I guess it is worth mentioning that while in New Orleans, you should completely put aside any diet or idea of healthy eating and indulge in Southern Cajun food.

3- Listen to some local street musicians on Royal street 4- Visit the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square with its manicured lawns 5- Back on Royal street you can try a little antique shopping and visit some of the art galleries 6- Wonder around the different streets (Pirate’s Alley and Pere Antoine’s Alley) and make your way over to Bourbon street to see one of the most happening streets in the US. 7- If you are getting hungry check out one of the many amazing restaurants in the Quarter. For more on restaurants check out other postings on French Quarter food.