A famous 19th century foodie once said, “Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are.” One of the greatest joys of travelling is immersing oneself into the culture of the places you visit, and what better way than through the regional food? While many urban centres are chock-a-block full of restaurants serving diverse global cuisine, it is never the same as savouring a local meal in its home country. Tom yum gai on Thailand adventure tours, paella in Spain, mandazi on Tanzania adventure tours, lomo saltado in Peru…the list is endless.

With all of the focus on international dishes, one aspect of global dining that is often overlooked is how and when the food is served. In much of North America, we have been brought up to believe that a day should consist of 3 square meals and possibly a few snacks. In particular, we start our day with breakfast, followed by a light lunch at noon, finishing with a large dinner/supper in the evening. But just like the dishes themselves, this eating template differs around the world. While many travellers stick to the North American standard of meals, eating what the locals eat, how the locals eat, and when the locals eat can give an insight into the culture that may just follow you home.

The following is a list of 4 countries that illustrate a variety of different dining schedules found around the world.

1 » Two meals a day in Tanzania

When asked about the most well-known global cuisines, Tanzanian food is not likely to make the list. Regardless, internationally influenced, Tanzanian cuisine is both diverse and unique. Unlike the other countries on this list, a day in Tanzania typically consists of only two meals, possibly supplemented with snacks. The day begins with breakfast, commonly comprised of chai (tea) and mandazi (fried bread) or chapati (flatbread). The main meal of the day is traditionally served at midday, while chai and snacks of mandazi are often served at social gatherings in the afternoon.

2 » Lunch is dinner in Peru

In the past couple of years Peruvian cuisine has really started to be noticed on the world stage. The differences in environment and climate throughout the country, along with the diversity of the population, means that there is a great variety of local Peruvian dishes to enjoy. However, throughout the country, the same basic meal schedule is followed. Breakfast is generally served between 7:00 and 9:00 am, often consisting of pancito (bread) with butter or jam, coffee or tea, and fresh fruit juice. Peruvians then enjoy a large lunch between noon and 3:00 pm, during which time many businesses are closed. Although some Peruvians eat a quick snack after work, many simply wait until their light supper in the evening, which is often a slightly altered repeat of breakfast.

3 » Snacking all day in Thailand

Thai food is undoubtedly one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Thai food is so delicious that it is common for Thai people to snack throughout the day, in addition to eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While no one meal dominates the rest in Thailand, dinner may offer a greater variety when it is viewed as a family meal. However, regardless of the meal, whenever there is a group of people dining together there are usually several different dishes meant to be shared. That way you don’t have to choose just one thing…you can try it all.

4 » Midnight meals in Spain

Spain is probably one of the most challenging places to adopt the local schedule. A typical day will begin with a small breakfast of coffee and some toast or pastries. As in many countries outside of North America, lunch is the largest meal of the day. In Spain this meal is usually consumed between 1:30 and 3:30 pm, after which a siesta is traditionally enjoyed before heading back to work. Once work is finished, many people go “bar-hopping” to socialize and enjoy assorted tapas along with their drinks. Sometime between 9:00 pm and midnight a light dinner is served. Sounds like a nice day…but wait, it’s not over yet. During weekends and holidays many Spanish people continue to socialize in cafes and taverns until the wee hours of the morning. Just thinking about it makes you want to take a siesta.

Here are five solid reasons why bicycles are here to stay – like, forever.

1 » Ultra-low cost-per-use

Gas ain’t cheap. The only fuel your bike needs is the apple and peanut butter you stuffed in your face five minutes ago. In fact, bicycles can travel up to 1,037km on the energy equivalent of a litre of petrol. Throw in an annual tune-up and you’re good to ride as far and as hard as you like.

2 » Going green isn’t a trend, it’s a solution

It’s taken us longer than we’d hoped, but humanity finally seems to be coming around to the tenants of environmentalism. We still have a long (long long long) way to go, but sustainable solutions are now being preferred to their environmentally taxing alternatives (at least in theory). For this reason (among many others), biking is picking up more momentum. Although this may seem like a trend, a future shift to a less sustainable worldview is not on the horizon. Biking has and always will make sense. We just have one more reason to enjoy it these days.

3 » We need outlets for activity more than ever

The number one reason for lack of exercise is lack of time. It may seem that there’s not enough hours in the day to fit in our exercise, but there is – just as long as we fit it into our existing routines. In droves, people are hopping on the bandwagon and biking to work. The commute may take a little longer, but I don’t see anybody frowning about it. In fact, regular cyclers can expect to be as fit as an average person 10 years younger, and that’s something worth smiling about.

4 » There’s a bike for every situation

Mountains, roads, trails, even rivers – bikes can go anywhere. Bikes have come a long way since the beginning and continue to evolve. But the basics stay the same – two wheels, two bars, two pedals, one seat, and a rolling love for outdoor adventure.

5 » We will always want to be associated with brilliance

Regarded among the best inventions ever, bikes are a pretty smart idea. Cycling solves problems involving health, pollution, fun, and finance. Merely being associated with such brilliance is considered an honour – and all it takes is riding one.

Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Vancouver has fostered an outdoor culture that continues to grow each year. In some cases, the popularity of Vancouver’s outdoor amenities have become so mainstream that tourists and locals share the path in droves.

One such local attraction is The Grouse Grind. Known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,” The Grouse Grind is a challenging hiking trail leading to the top of Grouse Mountain. As a result of its fame, The Grind attracts not just fitness-happy hikers, but unprepared tourists as well.

Having witnessed firsthand countless examples of unsuspecting day-trippers getting more than they bargained for, I offer this advice to consider before climbing The Grouse Grind.

1) It really is a grind

Trail stairs

Not just a clever title, this hike is a serious grind. It begins with one wooden stair. From there, you have 2,829 more before you’re finished. There are no plateaus, stints of downhill, or “easy parts.” It’s a straight shot to the top. Completing the trail is certainly something people of all skill levels can achieve, just as long as they understand what they’re up against and prepare accordingly.

2) The checkpoints indicate your elevation, not your distance

As you ascend the mountain, you pass signs marked: 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4. Often people use these to gauge their progress and then distribute their energy accordingly. It’s important to note that these markings aren’t related to distance, rather elevation. As a result, the 1/4 mark takes longer to reach because the slope is at a smaller incline than the other quarters – so you must travel a farther distance.

3) The trail doesn’t lend itself to jeans and flip-flops

It’s not hard to spot the first-time grind-goers. They’re the ones wearing jeans, flip flops, and carrying a bulky purse. They’re also the ones you’ll likely see turn around at the halfway point and head for the parking lot. The Grind warrants proper workout clothes – hiking boots/runners, shorts, a light t-shirt, and few extraneous items.

4) Bathrooms are not an option

The Grind is usually very busy during peak hours of the day. It is not uncommon to be surrounded by other hikers the whole way. This makes it very difficult to duck off into the bushes when nature calls. There are no outhouses or port potties, nor opportune places to slip into the woods.

5) You will definitely want water

Just like on a hiking adventure vacation, The Grind has been known to draw a lot of sweat out of all its participants. Be sure to replace this water by bringing an adequate supply. Many people prefer more than just your standard 250ml bottle and opt for a full 1 liter canteen.

6) It can be cold at the top

You generate a lot of heat on the way up, but depending on the day and time of year, that can change abruptly once you reach the top. Once you’ve finished your hike, your sweat dries and the breeze sets in – after all, you’re on top of a mountain now! If it looks like a cloudy or windy day, it’s a good idea to bring a long-sleeve shirt and toque to cut the wind while you wait for the gondola down.

7) No dogs allow on the gondola

Although dogs would certainly enjoy the exercise offered by The Grind, Grouse Mountain doesn’t allow dogs on the Gondola. In this case, the only alternative is to walk the dog back down the mountain. This, however, is frowned upon. Although hiker’s aren’t prohibited from walking back down the trail, this is only to allow for the option of “turning back” when the trail is too much for someone. You can hike down the alternative BCMC trail. Unfortunately, no dogs aloud on that one either.

8) Plan ahead to witness the view

The view from Grouse Mountain is fantastic. On a clear day, there is no better way to see a Vancouver sunset. The trouble is, foggy days are common, obscuring the beauty in a white haze. If you are interested in seeing the view, make sure to choose a clear day.

9) Peak times are very busy

Although the trail gets very crowded during peak times, you can find a more intimate experience by going early in the morning. Any time before 8am is a good bet for fewer hikers. This benefits both newcomers looking to go at their own pace and seasoned athletes looking for a personal best.

10) Bring money for a beer at the end

After a good burn up the trail, it’s great to indulge in a drink on one of Grouse Mountain’s many patios. It’s a good idea to keep a credit card and drivers license in a small pocket, at least to give yourself the option once you reach the top.

What are you looking for in an adventure vacation?

Although we all have our own variations of what we’re looking for, most of us want the same thing – that is to say, we want it all. The perfect vacation can’t be summed up by one facet. Not by a long shot. Instead, the perfect vacation is the culmination of a variety of essential factors coming together in travel magic.

Here are the six essential elements of the “perfect” adventure vacation.

1 » Excitement

Adventure isn’t for the timid. The whole point is to stir up a flurry of excitement, unraveling an epic story we will remember for the rest of our lives. An exciting vacation is one that evokes movement, passion, and stimulation, propelling us towards the next chapter of a story we don’t ever want to end.

2 » Sweat

If you’re not sweating, you’re not doing it right. Ever heard of a runner’s high? Try throwing in some biking, rafting, kayaking, and zip-lining, and then you’re really talking. Good fun can’t be given to you – it must be earned. The feeling of overcoming challenge and pushing yourself physically is an unrivaled asset of the perfect vacation.

3 » Beauty

Beauty is everywhere, but only travel has the ability to unveil the type of beauty you’ve never seen before. From evolving natural landscapes, to bustling foreign cities, to the colourful contrasts of ornate villages – the beauty discovered aboard an active journey is a worthy element in its own right.

4 » Bonding

The act of connecting with cultures abroad is enough to give you goose bumps. It also has a drastic influence on how we judge the place we’re visiting. Putting a face to the destination humanizes the art of travel and helps us remember the feelings you discovered when we were there.

5 » Dining

Active days make for hungry bellies. The joys of international dining are steepest right around dinnertime. There’s no more delicious way to discover the ways of the people than to join them in a feast!

6 » Surprise

The best vacations are never what you expected them to be. It’s the life that gets thrown at us along the way that makes the road worth walking.

This is the driving force that keeps adventure travel fresh. There are always new ways to see the world. It takes only a glimpse of prospective excitement to make us say, “I have got to go there and do that!”

Here are the current travel trends in a rapidly changing industry.

1 » Self-guided travel

The information renaissance continues to find new outlets, most recently in the form of self-guided travel. Digital mapping, GPS, online bookings, and computerized check-ins have opened the doors for independent travellers to experience the convenience of organized tours. Empowered with the logistical support of an experienced tour operator, travellers can now execute an itinerary without the necessity of a guide. The results are an unrestricted self-paced adventure, typically at a lower cost than guided travel.

2 » Point-to-point biking

Gone are the days of simply visiting a destination – it’s now how you get there. This has spawned a new yearning for point-to-point itineraries, allowing travellers to navigate across a country or even several. Biking is the most popular means of transportation, but kayaking, rafting, and hiking are often thrown in the mix as well.

3 » Culture is king

The world has gone social. We’re finally starting to realize that this beautiful world is meant to be shared, and that means meeting the neighbours. More and more travellers have shifted their focus toward cultural experiences. Meeting locals abroad is an uplifting experience that increases the quality of life for every party involved.

4 » Personalized itineraries

It’s never been easier to get what you want. These days, travellers have a good idea of what they want their vacation to include before they even start looking. Adding elements like extra activities, festivals, different accommodation, and private departures has become common place and will continue to push tour operators to increase their levels of customization.

5 » Responsible travel

Okay, responsible travel may not be a “trend” (at least we hope not), but it continues to grow. More and more, travellers are ensuring the companies they choose are responsible (both environmentally & socially). This continued shift in appreciation for responsible travel sets a stickier precedent for all travel companies and consequently, the countries they operate in. This trend touches the travel industry as a whole. For instance, airlines are testing biofuels and flying more efficiently by reducing cabin weight and rethinking their routes.