When you think of Italy, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the iconic landmarks of Rome or the romantic canals of Venice. But there’s a hidden gem that’s worth exploring, especially in the fall. Welcome to Piedmont, a region tucked away in the northwest corner of Italy! In the fall, Piedmont transforms into a vibrant...Read More
Welcome to the world of truffles, a culinary gem that has captivated food enthusiasts for centuries. These elusive fungi, buried beneath the soil in select European regions, are a gastronomic delight. They’re prized for their unique aroma and flavor, transforming ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences. But where can you find the best truffle spots...Read More
A visit to Italy’s nearby island of Sardinia would not be complete without exploring the many wineries found on this island. Home to beautiful beaches and crystal-blue water, miles of coastline, and jagged rock formations, Sardinia’s natural landscape creates the perfect environment for its booming viticulture and vinification – growing unique wine grapes and the...Read More
Puglia, also known as Apulia, forms the heel of Italy’s famous boot shape. That gives the region some distinct advantages — the longest coastline of any part of Italy’s mainland, for instance, and a Mediterranean climate especially conducive to growing olives. With around million 60 olive trees, Puglia produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil. On...Read More
Croatian cuisine shares many flavours with its Mediterranean neighbours Greece and Italy, and adds a few regional twists all its own. One aspect that often takes the uninitiated by surprise is the lively tapas culture that has evolved in towns like Split. Especially when you’re just passing through, this focus on on light meals and...Read More
If you’re new to wine Tasting or need a refresher, click here to read our “Wine Tasting 101” post. Winemaking is woven into the culture of many of the countries we visit with Pure Adventures. If you’re a wine lover on a self-guided tour, you might drop in on favourite vineyard to see how the grapes...Read More
Wine is an important part of the culture of many of our destinations: France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Chile and Argentina all offer vineyards of international distinction. If you’re tempted to stop off on your next custom tour but don’t know where to begin, take heart! You don’t have to be a trained sommelier to thoroughly...Read More
1. Cheese This is the obvious choice, and one that likely immediately comes to mind. Burgundy is a wonderland for those who like rich and vibrant flavors, and this holds true for cheese as well. A proper pairing of Burgundian wine and cheese brings out notes and characteristics of each that would be hard to...Read More
No trip to this much-visited area of Spain is complete without a heaping dose of exploration, relaxation, sightseeing and taste-testing. Here are a few of our must-try activities to help you experience the local culture of Catalonia to its fullest. Try Out the Beach Life Catalonia and beaches: they’re practically synonyms. When visitors think of...Read More
For the longest time, my knowledge of tapas was limited to the Basque variety. Being young and moving somewhere as culturally different as Boise, Idaho, Guernica’s sister city, I enjoyed the Basque district and all it had to offer– especially the tapas. I now understand tapas are more than just a social (and delicious) food...Read More
