Latest news with #localcuisine
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
The gorgeous Greek beach with 'magical' blue lagoon crowned best in Europe
A stunning beach in Greece that has its very own 'Blue Lagoon' has been named as the best in Europe. Port Glarokavos Lagoon Beach took the crown in a ranking put together by judges at European Beach Destinations. The beautiful Greek beach is located on the country's northern Kassandra Peninsula. The judges describe Port Glarokavos Beach as a 'natural gem' with a 'tranquil lagoon' and 'soft sand'. 'This natural gem combines a tranquil lagoon, clear turquoise waters, soft golden sand and lush pine surroundings, creating a breathtaking setting for a relaxing and photogenic beach day,' says the panel. The beach is the ideal spot for kayaking and paddleboarding due to its 'shallow' and 'safe' seawaters. Port Glarokavos has organised sections with umbrellas and sunbeds as well as 'wild' and 'unspoiled' zones for holidaymakers looking for 'peace and privacy'. The judges add: 'Glarokavos attracts those looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in a raw and authentic coastal paradise'. And it's not just the panel that are impressed by this Greek gem. One visitor, who gave the beach a five star rating on Tripadvisor, writes: 'We had the best holiday here and can't wait to come back! Lovely weather, scenery and food with such a laid back atmosphere.' Another describes the view of the sea from the beach as 'magical' while one reviewer says it was 'incredibly clean'. And after spending the day at the beach, tourists can head to Pefkochori village to sample local cuisine. The judges recommend visiting one of the 'delightful' local tavernas where diners can 'savour grilled seafood, Chalkidiki olives, honey and other regional delights'. Brits can reach Port Glarokavos by flying to Thessaloniki International Airport which is around an hour's drive from the beach. British Airways, Jet2, easyJet, TUI, BA Euroflyer, Ryanair, BA Cityflyer and Malta Air all fly direct to Thessaloniki. Flights take around three and a half hours and according to Skyscanner, October is the cheapest month to fly there. But Port Glarokavos isn't the only European beach destination that's currently in the limelight. A cheap Albanian seaside village has been described as the 'European Maldives' due to its crystal-clear water. And a little-known UK beach has been crowned as the country's best 'seaside hidden gem'. The underrated Welsh hidden gem even has a beach golf course and an annual Spacehopper race.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
AP PHOTOS: Popular 'kumpir' dish in Turkey is served ahead of International Day of Potato
People in Istanbul 's Ortakoy district enjoy a popular dish, stuffed baked potato known as 'kumpir,' ahead of the International Day of Potato on Friday.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- CTV News
Alora launches brand new summer menu
Enjoy a menu that changes with the seasons. At Alora they pride themselves on serving up fresh and local ingredients.
Japan Times
13-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Shiga chef turns stinky sushi into cheesecake
A restaurant chef in Shiga Prefecture has developed a cheesecake using an ingredient from funazushi, one of Japan's pungent traditional sushi types known as narezushi, in an effort to draw more attention to the western region's local cuisine. Funazushi uses rice with nigorobuna crucian carp or other fish caught in Shiga Prefecture's Lake Biwa, the country's largest freshwater lake. As the fish and rice are fermented with salt, it has a strong smell. Girasole, a restaurant in the city of Hikone, has been serving the funazushi-derived Basque-style cheesecake since April 2021. The cake was created by owner and chef Shoichi Kojima, 40, who moved to Hikone in 2015 after getting married. The native of the central prefecture of Yamanashi was not familiar with funazushi before coming to the city but got hooked on the food after trying to make it at a friend's suggestion. To develop a recipe, he adopted a local lake fish broker's advice to use powdered "ii," or the fermented rice of funazushi. "I thought funazushi and cheese are both fermented foods and would go well together," Kojima says. After several failures, he finally hit on the right ii-to-dough ratio and completed the recipe in February 2021. Noting that the cake has been selling well, Kojima expressed hope that it will offer an opportunity for funazushi lovers to rediscover its appeal and attract interest from those who have never tried it. In Shiga, some other restaurants are also trying to cultivate the fermented food's potential, by using ii in potato salad and sandwiching homemade funazushi between buns. Michinori Hashimoto, a Kyoto Kacho University professor who is well-versed in the history of funazushi, said that the method for making the preservative food has changed over time. It is now common to marinate funazushi ingredients in summer when fermentation occurs more easily. A cookbook published during the Edo Period (1603-1868), however, describes how to marinate them in winter, according to Hashimoto. "Modifying (the recipe) according to the times will help pass on funazushi to young people and the next generation," he says.
Hospitality Net
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Curio Collection by Hilton arrives in Vienna
Hilton has further strengthened its presence in Austria with the opening of the Astoria Hotel Vienna, the first Curio Collection property in the Austrian capital. The hotel, located in the city's 1st district, blends unique design and local heritage, creating a new offering for both leisure and business travelers. A historic hotel with a new look The Astoria Hotel, originally opened in 1912, has undergone a significant renovation led by the Verkehrsbüro Group. Now featuring 125 rooms, including seven junior suites and one Beletage Suite, the hotel retains its classic Art Deco style while incorporating modern amenities. It also offers four conference rooms, catering to both business and leisure needs. Guests can enjoy authentic Viennese cuisine at the hotel's Great Salon, which serves a variety of local specialties such as Kaiserschmarrn and Fiaker Goulash alongside a traditional breakfast buffet. The newly renovated Astoria Bar offers a selection of local beers, Austrian wines, and classic cocktails, enhancing the overall guest experience. Enhancing Vienna's hospitality market The partnership with Hilton strengthens the visibility of the Astoria Vienna on the international market while maintaining its long-standing charm. The opening of the Astoria Vienna further strengthens Hilton's Curio Collection presence in Europe, joining upcoming openings in Sicily, Athens, and Romania. This new addition aligns with Hilton's strategy to expand its portfolio of lifestyle hotels in high-demand destinations across the continent. Hotel website
