Over 27 years of travel, we’ve bought our fair share of trinkets. We have shelves of wood carvings, decorative bowls, a collection of caps, and enough magnets to cover three refrigerators. But if you asked us to describe our favorite memories from a trip five years ago, we wouldn’t talk about the magnets. We would talk about the panko crusted fish and chips in Hawaii, the Michelin star eatery in Soignes, Belgium or the wine spot in Riomaggiore, Italy.
For us, food is more than just fuel; it’s a time machine. One bite of a specific spice or the aroma of a particular wine can transport us instantly back to a sunny afternoon on a balcony or a rainy night in a crowded bistro.
This is especially true since we’ve started cruising. While the food on modern ships is often spectacular (and the convenience of having it all included is hard to beat), we make it a point to eat locally whenever we are in port. There is a specific kind of magic in the “Long Lunch.”
A “Long Lunch” involves three things: a table with a view, a bottle of local wine, and no “next appointment.” We use this time to chat about our travels: what we have loved so far, what we have not liked as much, and just catch up with each other. In the hustle of everyday life back home, it’s rare to get two hours of uninterrupted conversation over a meal. Travel creates that space for us.
This photo was taken at a little wine bar on a cliff in Cinque Terre (in Riomaggiore). We saw it from one of walks, and thought we should check it out. Even though it was a cloudy day, the view was spectacular and the wine, simply delightful.
We’ve also learned that the best meals aren’t always the most expensive ones. Some of our most cherished food memories involve a baguette and cheese on a park bench or a street taco in a coastal village. The best hot dog that either of us has ever eaten was near the Champs-Elysees in Paris. We still talk about that hot dog.
What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had while traveling? Was it the food or the location that made it special?
