Virtual Travel Archives ⋆ The Dining Traveler https://diningtraveler.com/tag/virtual-travel Travel Tips, Recipes, and Culinary Travel Website Fri, 01 May 2015 13:53:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://i0.wp.com/diningtraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cropped-DiningTraveler_IG1-e1581697224126.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Virtual Travel Archives ⋆ The Dining Traveler https://diningtraveler.com/tag/virtual-travel 32 32 88259031 Travel Inspiration: Anguilla Tourist Board in DC https://diningtraveler.com/2015/04/anguilla-tourist-board-in-dc.html https://diningtraveler.com/2015/04/anguilla-tourist-board-in-dc.html#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:42:10 +0000 http://www.diningtraveler.com/?p=1333 As the winter started to fade away, Ana, one of our The Dining Traveler team members went to the W Hotel in DC to learn all about the Anguilla Tourist Board.  I have been curious about this beautiful Caribbean island since interviewing Lacy of the expâté and fawning over her gorgeous photos on Instagram.  This is what […]

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]]> As the winter started to fade away, Ana, one of our The Dining Traveler team members went to the W Hotel in DC to learn all about the Anguilla Tourist Board.  I have been curious about this beautiful Caribbean island since interviewing Lacy of the expâté and fawning over her gorgeous photos on Instagram.  This is what Ana had to say about her virtual trip to the tiny Caribbean jewel.
Anguilla Tourism in DC
Anguilla Sky Cocktail at Anguilla Tourism Event in DC

Anguilla Tourist Board asks: What is your shade of blue ?

Have you ever sat on the beach to watch the waves hit the beach or to admire how calm the sea looks in the distance ? Have you ever admired the hue of the blue waters? Teal. Navy. Aquamarine. Azure.  My shade of blue is that light baby blue water that meets the beach and as you gaze into the horizon, the sea’s cobalt blue meets the sky in perfect harmony.
Anguilla Tourism in DC
Anguilla Beach, Photo Courtesy of Lacy of The Expate
Tranquility Wrapped in Blue is the campaign slogan of the Anguilla Tourist Board who promoted the island as an exciting destination at a cocktail reception late March at the W Hotel in Washington, D.C.  As I enjoyed their signature drink for the evening, Anguilla Sky, I learned about the stretches of gorgeous white sand beaches, waters of different shades of blue, and their friendly and hospitable people.  Anguilla, British West Indies, is in the Eastern Caribbean.  If you happen to live in Puerto Rico, your flight will be 55 minutes to Anguilla. You can also fly from major East Coast cities. It is recommended to fly to St. Maarten first and then to Anguilla to still enjoy part of the day after you arrive.
The island boasts many beautiful resorts and from the size of the island, you won’t be far from the ocean no matter where you stay. The Anguilla Tourism Board brochures states that the Island’s population is 13,907, a fact which according to them, only emphasizes you will feel at home as you meet the island’s friendly inhabitants. Part of what I love about travel destinations is learning about their history.  Anguilla was originally settled by the English but the French took possession at some point in time to only be taken back by the English.  Today, Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory but with some measure of autonomy. Its natives, the majority of African descent, enjoy living in this idyllic island and will greet you with a smile.
 
As you think of your shade of blue, think of Anguilla and visit the Anguilla Tourism Board for inspiration.  What is your shade of blue?

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]]> https://diningtraveler.com/2015/04/anguilla-tourist-board-in-dc.html/feed 2 1333 Virtual Travel: French Cuisine of Provence https://diningtraveler.com/2015/04/french-cuisine-of-provence.html https://diningtraveler.com/2015/04/french-cuisine-of-provence.html#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2015 04:38:07 +0000 http://www.diningtraveler.com/?p=1272 As many times as I have been to France, I have never been to Provence.  I have heard great stories from friends who have indulged in a rose filled holiday or frolicked in a lavender field but unfortunately for me, I have only lived it through photographs.  Last week, I got a bit closer when […]

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]]> As many times as I have been to France, I have never been to Provence.  I have heard great stories from friends who have indulged in a rose filled holiday or frolicked in a lavender field but unfortunately for me, I have only lived it through photographs.  Last week, I got a bit closer when I was invited to discover the French cuisine of Provence at the Embassy of France in Washington, DC.  Provence Tourism invited a group of DC-based food bloggers to virtually travel to France for a cooking demonstration by Chef Mathias Dandine, the chef of the Michelin-starred Le Saint Esteve restaurant in Provence.

french cuisine of provence
Dishes at the cooking class

Chef Dandine started his demonstration walking us through the culinary history of Provence: how dishes revolve around fresh vegetables, fish, and of course lots of rosé wine. It was not difficult to imagine myself at a chateau sampling food and wine pairings.  He walked us through the presentation in French and was surprised I understood everything said given we don’t speak as much French as we should at the house.  I guess it’s like riding a vélo (bicycle).

French Cooking in Provence
Chef Mathias Dandine

One of the things that took me to holiday mode were the colors of the ingredients. Chef Dandine transported us to the French cuisine of Provence with the green peas, carrot juice, and fresh red snapper. The aromas started to come together as he fried thick trips of bacon as the base for the peas and onions.  The fresh aromas of thyme came together with the carrot juice in the pan as he prepared the sauce.  The rosé was being poured freely as we anticipated our dish.  There is something about the crisp taste of a cold rosé that can transport you to sunnier destinations from just a sip.

The dish was surprisingly easy to make.  We did not get recipe cards but I did get inspired by our cooking demonstration to make something similar at home.  I fried thick cut bacon, added peas, baby onions and served it over pan seared cod.  Not exactly Michelin star cuisine, but I was definitely inspired to get back into my kitchen after the class.  I was not only inspired to cook the French cuisine of Provence but to one day soon frolic in the lavender fields with rosé in hand.

French Cuisine of Provence
All the goodies from Provence

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