Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

FALL/ WINTER 2021 DREAMSCAPES 39 stay in a homestead and do foodie experi- ences," notes David Green, Managing Director for Canada at G Adventures. Meanwhile, a study conducted by Trafalgar, a leading brand specializing in guided vacations, has chronicled the pan- demic foods we crave. Think go-to Japanese sushi takeaways, Mexican enchiladas, and yes, pizza. "These food trends and experi- ences will likely shape how we explore the world once travel fully resumes," explains Wolf Paunic, President of Trafalgar Canada, and adds, "We identify a place to food." AMERICAN STYLE In New Orleans, the gumbo simmers. As the state of Louisiana reopened this summer, the culinary exploits at one landmark downtown fixture underwent a total reboot, thanks to an ace chef. neworleans.com/restaurants At the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, Executive Chef Alon Shaya works his magic at his new restaurant, Miss River. His pan- demic cooking tips: Learn how to pickle preserves, make jams, cook in bulk, and don't be afraid to freeze. Chef Alon, founder of Pomegranate Hospitality, offered takeout, created outdoor dining, and accel- erated his online cooking classes from his home kitchen. With his wife Emily, he cooked 100–300 meals a day at the height of the pandemic for nurses and doctors when hospitals were filled. missrivernola.com Around Palm Beach, foodies are lining up. Considered an under-the-radar foodie desti- nation, its ever-evolving culinary landscape with world-renowned chefs, Palm Beach County has made major strides over the past year. "We have unveiled over 20 innovative restaurants ranging from Florida's largest food hall and waterfront eateries to scratch kitchens and sustainable seafood," says Nick Parks, Vice-President of Marketing for Dis- cover The Palm Beaches, who predicts a surge in culinary tourism once international travel fully reopens. thepalmbeaches.com Over at 1000 North, a waterfront restau- rant in Jupiter, Florida, finding creative solutions was a mantra early on in the pan- demic. "We designed new menus and found ourselves catering to people with to-go items curbside and dockside," reflects Lee Morris, Culinary Director at 1000 North, who is a big believer in stepping OPPOSITE: G Adventures offers a unique temple stay tour in Japan. Guests dine on the Shojin-ryori vegetarian cuisine. G Adventures/Shereen Mroueh ABOVE: Pei Pei Chei Ow owner, Scott Jonathan Iserhoff showcases his Indigenous culture and cuisine. Pictured are Scott, his wife Svitlana and daughter with smoked sisip (duck). Indigenous Tourism Alberta SIDEBAR: A self-described food lover, one of the owners of Aborígens, Cesc (left) hams it up with a slow food chef at a Catalan cooking class in Spain. © Aborígens GLOBAL GOURMET: CULINARY EXPERIENCES WORTH CRAVING Things get rolling at Avital Tours, a vir- tual and in-person culinary tour company that has launched the world's first bubble-ball food tour. Bubble Food Tours follow protocols (no handshakes) as guests get suited up in their per- sonal bubbles and bring foodie fun back to iconic neighbourhoods in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. avitaltours.com/bubble-food-tour Stay in your bubble and go for the sushi. Follow traditions at a Hagi Homestay in Japan and experi- ence Japanese farming culture in this purposeful homestay program from G Adventures. planeterra.org/japan- hagi-elder-homestay Connect with locals as you travel across Spain with a chef or a sommelier and indulge in a slow food experience with Aborígens, a Barcelona-based culinary travel agency established by two Catalan food writers. aborigens- barcelona.com Anticipate Italy's good life deep in the heart of Tuscany at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, a luxury 5-star hotel that promotes eco-sustainability from its organic garden to the nature estate's virtual beekeeping program where you can adopt a beehive. castelfalfi.com Eat more in Italy with Trafalgar's nine-day Best of Italian Lakes tour. Head to the Lombardy region and join the Serenelli family for a farm-to- table feast, sample delicacies around Mantua, and loosen your belt for more foodie romps. trafalgar.com en-ca/tours/t/best-of-the-italian-lakes

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