Enjoy - Food & Travel

COMING JUNE-JULY 2013: Madrid, Barcelona and Sitges - Spain

2013-04-24T08:00:00.000+02:00

Vis Spain on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2013 i et større kart

These last Norwegian summers have been too cold and humid for most of us, and to ensure an adquate dose of sun and summer Enjoy Food & Travel pack up and leave for lovely Spain two weeks in June and July 2013.

Gran Versalles**** (Photo courtesy Hotel website)

Our last trip to Spain was in 2011, when we stayed for a week in Sitges. We both agreed that that was too little, and this summer we decided that we would stay for at least two weeks.

We discovered that air fare had skyrocketed when we started looking for tickets a few weeks ago. But we managed to get reasonably priced fare.

We will fly to Madrid with Norwegian Air Shuttle, leaving Oslo Airport 7.40 AM, arriving Copenhagen 8.50 AM. At Kastrup Airport we have a one hour and ten minutes to our flight to Madrid Barajas where we arrive at 1.10 PM.

Aparthotel Atenea Calabria *** (Photo: Hotel website)

Price paid for two: NOK 3308,- (432 Euros / 565 USD), hardly a rip-off for air fare during high season.

We will stay three nights at Gran Versalles****, close to the famous Prado Museum. Our 18 square metre / 193 square feet of the Spanish capital cost us around 304 NOK (40, 5 Euros / 52,80 USD) per person per night. Compared to Norway this is dead cheap. It does not include breakfast.

After three nights, we plan to catch the high speed train service from Madrid to Barcelona. The 621 km (386 mile) journey takes less than three hours.

I've been to Barcelona several times before, but this time we are excited to stay in a one room apartment with our own kitchen in Aparthotel Athaenea Calabria*** in the Eixample area. The 35 square meter (376 square feet) apartment cost us 375,54 NOK (Euros 50 / 65 USD), including breakfast. I do look forward to do some home cooking in the Catalan capital.

Subur*** (Photo courtesy Hotel website)

After another three nights we head for the beach. The vibrant resort town of Sitges is located a half hour train ride south of Barcelona, and this is a destination I look forward to return to.

Last time, we stayed at Hotel Port Sitges Resort, outside the city centre. In spite of the comfort of a spacious two room apartments, we felt isolated from the vibrant night life in the area by the main beach. Now we have booked a double room with balcony at Subur***, located at the beach. In spite of the location, even this hotel is no rip-off. We pay less than NOK 350 (46 Euros / 60 USD) per night. This does not include breakfast, but who cares. There are dozens of reasonably priced breakfast cafes nearby.

8 nights by the beach to be looking forward to, before our return Vueling flight from Barcelona to Oslo. NOK 1957 for two in July is a bargain.

Final costs for trip

The final cost of air fare and accommodation for two weeks per person is:

Airfare Oslo-Copenhagen-Madrid (Norwegian Air Shuttle): NOK 1654,-, EUR 219,60 (Supersaver.no)
Accommodation Gran Versalles****, Madrid (3 nights): NOK 913,-, EUR 121, 50 (Booking.com)
Accommodation Aparthotel Atenea Calabria*** , Barcelona (3 nights): NOK 1127,-, EUR 150 (Booking.com)
Accommodation Subur, Sitges*** (8 nights): NOK 2794,-, EUR 372,- (Booking.com)
Airfare Barcelona-Oslo (Vueling): NOK 953,50, EUR 130 (Bravofly.no)
TOTAL: NOK 7466,-, EUR 993,-

The New Jewish Synagogue, Berlin

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The beautiful dome of the New Synagogue

Close to Hackisher Markt in Berlin, you find the New Synagogue - a remarkable building. What you see is just a fraction of what this structure used to hold.

The two side towers underline its Moorish influence

In Oranienburg Strasse in Berlin you find an awesome historic monument. The beautiful New Synagogue was built in 1866 and was inaugurated by the famous Count Otto von Bismarck.

Sadly, the present building is a reconstruction after it was badly damaged by fire during the Kristallnacht prior to World War II.

It was a huge building when it was built, seating more than 3 000 people. What is left, however, is mainly the magnificent facade and a few rooms behind it.

I would love to visit the huge golden dome, that is open to public, and maybe I will, as I will return to Berlin in a months time.

Vis Berlin on Enjoy Food & Travel i et større kart

New flights from Kristiansand Kjevik Airport April 2013

2013-04-01T20:00:00.000+02:00

Vis MARCH 2013: All non-stop flights from Kjevik Airport i et større kart

Following new flights starts from Kristiansand Kjevik Airport - April 2013:

Barcelona (ES) (Fly NonStop)
Berlin (DE) (Fly NonStop)
Chania (GR) (Scandinavian Airlines - Charter)
London (UK) (Fly NonStop)
Nice (FR) (Fly NonStop)
Palma de Mallorca (Fly Nonstop)
Paris /Fly Nonstop)
Parma (Fly NonStop)

New flights from Oslo International Airport April 2013

2013-04-01T11:09:00.000+02:00

Vis APRIL 2013: All non-stop flights from Oslo Airport i et større kart

New flights from Oslo International Airport to following destinations April 2013:

Ålborg (DK)
Burgas (BG)
Chania (GR)
Dubrovnik (CR)
Malta
Pisa (IT)
Pula (CR)
Rhodes (GR)
Split (CR)
Valencia (ES)
Venice

Seasonal closing*

Aqaba (JO)
Dubai (UAE)
Grenoble (FR)
Krabi (TH)
Lanzarote (ES)
Marrakech (MO)
Phuket (TH)
Salzburg (AU)
Sharjah

* Based on listings on the Oslo Airport website

Food stories on Enjoy Food & Travel 2013

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Here is a list of food stories published on Enjoy Food & Travel 2013

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End of shelf life discounts
Look for discounts for products at the end of their shelf life. I did today and stocked up quality food for my freezer

Paella for dinner
Paella, the Spanish Risotto originating from the Valencia Region is a inexpensive, simple and tasty dinner.

NEW AND BETTER: Direct flights from Bergen Airport

2013-03-25T20:00:00.000+01:00

Vis MARCH 2013: All non-stop flights from Bergen Airport i et større kart

This new and improved map shows domestic, charter and international direct flights operated by all airlines from Bergen Flesland Airport. It shows seasonal as well as flights running all year.

It is based on information from the Bergen Flesland Airport official website. Errors may occur. Do consult airport website or airline for updated information.

Red marker means that flights has been cancelled or seasonal and not in operation.
Green marker for planned services. Time span mean that one or more flights will be operating during the period. Check the label for more information.
Airplane marker means that at least one air carrier has service in operation all year around. More airlines may have seasonal flights to the destination. Check the label for more information.
Activity marker means the destination is predominantly a charter destination. Seasonal regular flights may operate. Check the label for more information.

New flights from Bergen Airport - April 2013:

Chania - Greece (Seasonal)
Dubrovnik - Croatia (Seasonal)
Edinburgh - United Kingdom (Seasonal)
Larnaca - Cyprus (Charter)
Nice - France (Seasonal)
Palma de Mallorca - Spain (Charter / seasonal)
Warsaw - Poland (All year)

Ending flights from Bergen Airport - April 2013:

Lanzarote - Spain (Charter)
Salzburg - Austria (Seasonal)
Sharm el Sheikh - Egypt (Charter)
Tenerife - Spain (Charter)

UPDATED: Bergen A-Z 2007-2012

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View Bergen and Surrounding areas 2007-2012 in a larger map

Bergen is the only genuine medieval city in Norway. The city centre has been ravaged by flames many times, the latest being by the large fire of 1702. Over and over has the city risen from the flames, along the same old narrow medieval streets and passages. Among the most beautiful areas is Bryggen, rebuilt after the last large fire, it still reflects centuries of building tradition.

Here is a map and all stories written from Bergen on Enjoy Food & Travel from 2006-2012 in case you would need where to go, what see, and where to eat in Norway's only medieval city. I am so pleased to go back to this beautiful ancient city in April 2012 to attend a conference.

Food stories:

Hotels:

Bars and restaurants

Sights:

Bergen Aquarium
Bergenhus festning (fortress)
Bergen - Norways medieval capital
Bergen old city hall
Finnegården
Domkirken (Cathedral)
Fløibanen
Håkonshallen
Korskirken
Lepramuseet
Mariakirken (Ch. of St. Mary)
Mount Fløyen
Muren (1561)
Nonneseter Monastery (Remains)
Nykirken (1618/1953)
St. Jørgens Kirke
Stadsporten
Stone buildings at Bryggen (17th century)

Latest travel stories on Enjoy Food & Travel

EasyJet chose Bergen as its Norwegian base

How to get to Bergen

- By air

On this map you will find markers that display status on different non-stop flights from Bergen Airport to destinations in Europe. A red marker means that flights is seasonal and not in operation or that an earlier non-stop flight has been canceled. A green marker shows that there is a new non-stop flight planned to this destination. A yellow marker means that there a seasonal flight still operating to this airport. An airplane button means that service is in operation all year around from one or several European destination to Bergen.

See map of direct flights from Europe to Bergen airport Flesland

- By sea

Enjoy Food & Travel proudly introduce a new service to travelers from Europe to Norway. On this special map you find ferry connection from European to Norwegian ports.

See map of ferry connections from the continent to Norwegian ports here

EasyJet chose Bergen as its Norwegian base

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I sincerely hope that these planes may soon be seen at Oslo Airport as well as in Bergen . Photo: Arpingstone

British budget airline EasyJet has flights from most European countries, but Norway has been one of the few countries not serviced by this air carrier. This may change, as EasyJet has chosen Norway's second airport Bergen Flesland as its base.

Bergen Flesland Airport. Photo: Arsenikk

EasyJet is the third biggest air carrier in Europe with more than 50 million passengers each year. It has 22 bases in Europe, and is one of Ryanair's fiercest competitors.

The Bergen Airport management hopes that EasyJet flights to Bergen and the Norwegian West coast may boost the local travel industry.

As a traveler, I would certainly welcome EasyJet to Norway, and hope the air carrier may challenge the growing dominance of Ryanair and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Start flights Bergen - London

EasyJet will start its first flights from Bergen May 20th. It will challenge Norwegian Air Shuttle on flights from Bergen to London Gatwick Airport and British Airways on flights to London Heathrow. .

Confit de Canard du Souq or Moroccan duck legs

2013-03-24T16:47:00.000+01:00

Piper Longum - one rare ingredient in my Moroccan duck. Photo: Lemmikkipuu

Yesterday I made another duck confit. This time I substituted (or added to the) salt and pepper with some very different Moroccan spices and ingredients thus the name; Confit de canard de Souq, from the bazaars.

Ras el Hanout. Photo: Sarefo

I have described how to make a duck confit earlier, so here I will talk about the seasoning. I wanted to make duck legs with a distinct and exotic taste. What could be better than picking some of the spices I have brought back from my travels.

Red paprika powder. Photo: Bandagnani

For heat I took out piper longum or long pepper, a very spicy variety of pepper known to Europeans as far back as ancient Greece. It is very hot, and the grains are up to 1 cm (1/2 inch) long. It is a very rare ingredient and I aqcuired it at Izrael, the extraordinary spice shop in Marais in Paris.

Dried figs. Photo: Rich Smith

I pounded the pepperkorns with salt in my large morter and I sprinkled on the duck legs.

Then I added ras el hanout, a blend of spices from North Africa bought in the souqs of Marrakech made from cardamom, clove, cinnamon, ground chili peppers, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, peppercorn, and turmeric.

The last seasoning on my Moroccan duck was also purchased in the souq, smokey red paprika powder. To add to the Moroccan theme I placed chalottes and dried figs from the bazaars in the oven proof dish. The idea was that the dried fruit would soak up the juices from the duck.

I also drizzled a little honey over the duck legs to create balance, and allowed them to bake for 8 hours on 100 degrees Celsius (215F). By then onions and fics had taken up the aromas of the duck and the seasoning. Just like the many of the tagines served in Morocco combining savoury and sweet ingedients, I had succeeded in creating a touch of Morocco for my guests.

More duck confit and duck dishes

UPDATED: Sights on Enjoy Food & Travel 2012

2013-03-23T20:00:00.000+01:00

Mosaic at Pammakaristos Church, Istanbul Turkey

To make it easier for you, I have compiled all the sights on Enjoy Food & Travel for the year 2012 on this page. Enjoy!!

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Alte Brucke - Heidelberg (August 23rd 2012) The old bridge or die Alte Brucke is one of the most famous sights of Heidelberg. The bridge is the ninth over the river Neckar since Roman times and dates back to 1788.
Archbishops Palace - Lima, Peru (August 1st 2012)
The current Archbishops Palace in Lima was built as late as 1924, but the Archbishops have resided here since 1530. The building is baroque in appearance.

Bergen Aquarium, Bergen Norway (February 19th 2012)
The large aquarium at the Nordnes peninsula in Bergen, Norway has, since it was opened in 1960 been one of the city's main attractions
Bispegården - Tromsø, Norway (July 12th 2012)
One of the most beautiful houses in Tromsø city centre is the residence of the bishop of the northern most Roman Catholic diocese in the world.
Bosque el Olivar, Lima (March 30th 2012)
The Bosque El Olivar is an olive grove going back 450 years, to three trees that survived the transportation from Europe in 1560.

Chapel - Chateau Voltaire, Ferney-Voltaire (July 2nd 2012)
The philosopher Voltaire erected a chapel in the park of his own Chateau in 1761. It and even the chateau itself are now in a state of disrepair, so much so that the chapel is falling down.
Crowninshield-Bentley House (ca. 1727), Salem MA (September 19th 2012)
This magnificent Georgian-style house was built for a captain John Crowninshield in 1727. It has been moved to its present location in 126 Essex Street.

Derby House (1762) Salem MA (September 19th 2012)The beautiful red-brick Derby House is an exquisite example of American Georgian Architecture. It was built in 1762 as a marriage present by Elias Hasket Derby to his wife Elisabeth Crowninshield in 1762.
Destination Røros (February 27th 2012)
The old mining town Røros was founded in 1644 after a farmer discovered huge amounts of copper close by. From the mid 1600's the city grew into the most prosperous cities in the country.

Église Russe, Geneva, Switzerland (January 1st 2012)
When strolling in Geneva City Centre we spotted these beautiful gilded domes. They belong to the Église Russe, The Russian Church.

First Meeting House, Salem MA (March 14th 2012)
Salem MA is, as one of the oldest cities in the US, filled with historical sites commemorating the earliest stages of American history, as this plaque telling the story about the first meeting house that stood on this location until 1673.
Fløibanen, Bergen (May 6th 2012)
Fløibanen is, in my opinion, one of the best attractions Bergen has to offer. The carts of funicular will bring you 320 meters in 7 minutes, and when up you will have a superb view over the city.
Fort Van Tyle, Minisink NY (August 30th 2012)
I love local history, and traveling around upstate New York gave me an opportunity to visit historic sights of the Port Jervis / Greenville area. We spotted this sign when driving along a quiet country road.

Gardner Pingree House (1804), Salem MA (September 19th 2012)
This is one of several houses in Salem designed by the famous architect Samuel McIntire. It was built in Federal style for Samuel West Gardner, but was sold on in 1814 to cover losses to Gardner caused events leading up to the War of 1812.
Gideon Tucker House (1808), Salem MA (September 19th 2012)
The Gideon Tucker House is a third house I saw designed by Samuel McIntire. It was built for Gideon Tucker in 1808 or 1809, a man that worked as a clerk, but ended up as a wealthy businessman.

Hagia Irene Church, Istanbul (March 23rd 2012)
Hagia Irene, located on the grounds of the Topkapi Palace, is an ancient building. It is in fact the oldest church in Istanbul, but most of what you see today dates from the 8th century when the church was damaged by a eartquake.
Hamburg Rathaus, Hamburg (September 8th 2012)
Hamburg Rathaus or Hamburg City Hall is a massive building located in the heart of the city.
Hamilton Hall (1805), Salem MA (September 19th 2012)
The magnificent Hamilton Hall mansion is located in 9 Chestnut Street. It was not built as a private house but as assembling hall for the Salem federalists.
Hauptkirche St. Jacobi, Hamburg (February 5th 2012)
Most of what you see of Hauptkirche St. Jacobi today is rebuilt after the bombings after the war. It is dedicated to James the Great and the original structure dated back to the midt 14th century
House of Seven Gables, Salem MA (January 15th 2012)The oldest part of the House of the Seven Gables was built in 1668 for Capt. John Turner, and it remained in his family for three generations, descending from John Turner II to John Turner III.
Huaca Pucllana, Lima (June 5th 2012)Peru is famous for the Inca culture. This culture was however the latest in a long line of different cultures on which the Inca rulers built their reign. Historic monuments from these are scattered over this large country and many are also found in Lima. One of them is the Huaca Pucllana - the large pyramide.

Jet d'Eau - a Geneva signature (February 26th 2012)
The Jet d'Eau or the water jet is an impressive fountain is the signature of the city of Geneva, Switzerland
Jonathan Archer House, Salem, MA (September 19th 2012)
The gray wooden building in 8 Hawthorne Boulevard is over 300 years old and was built by cordwainer Jonathan Archer in 1710.
Jonathan Corwin House, Salem, MA (January 15th 2012)
The home of Judge Jonathan Corwin is built around 1660 and is a beautiful example of 17th century architecture.

Koutoubia Mosque - Marrakech (April 25th 2012)
If there is a trademark of Marrakech it has to be the Koutoubia Mosque. It is by far the oldest and largest mosque in the city dating back over 800 years.

London Coffee House, Salem MA (January 15th 2012)
This late 17th century building was the gathering place of the Patriots before the American Revolution.

Medieval Copenhagen (March 4th 2012)Copehagen City museum is located in Fredriksberg in central Copenhagen. Outside the museum you find a model of how Copenhagen looked like in the middle ages.
Minot light, Cohasset, MA (November 20th 2012)
The present Minot Lighthouse is located on a granite rock off the coast of Cohasset and Scituate MA. When looking out she grows out of the sea and it is barely visible to the naked eye. The first tower was erected 1850 and disappeared ten years later in dramatic events.
Miss Fan - the ghost of Dimmick Inn (February 23rd 2012)Dimmick Inn is daid to have a ghost that haunts them. Ms. Fan or Miss Frances Dimmick is said to roam around the old building.
Mosque of the Golden Apples (Mosque El Mansour) Marrakech (January 29th 2012)The Mosque El Mansour or Mosque of the Golden Apples is one out of three main mosques in Marrakech and the largest mosque in the Kasbah area.
Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon, Lyon (February 14th 2012)Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon has a beautiful collection of art spanning thousands of years. Here are a few of them from very different periods of human history.

Oriental treasures of the Peabody Essex Museum (May 21st 2012)
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem MA has an extra collection of artifacts, many of them from the Far East. Here are a few that I saw during my visit in October 2010.

Palmhuset, Gothenburg Sweden (January 22nd 2012)
I love botanical gardens and in particular green houses with tropical flowers. In Gothenburg city centre you find a horticultural gem, a large green house filled with most exquisite tropical plants and trees.
Pammakaristos Church, Istanbul, Turkey (January 8th 2012)
Pammakaristos Church in Istanbul is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. Hidden behind the rather gray facade is an 850 year old art treasure.
Paris: Medieval houses in Rue François Miron (July 26th 2012)
When walking down Rue François Miron, I found that this was not true. One of the houses in this street predates the alchymists house by at least 70 years.
Philosophen weg or the philosophers' walk - Heidelberg (D) (June 12th 2012)
A great way to start your sightseeing in Heidelberg is to take the scenic Philosophers' Walk where you can enjoy a great view of the valley and the old town.
Pickering House, Salem MA (January 15th 2012)
The Pickering House is the oldest house in Salem, dating back 350 years. It is also the home of 10 generations of the Pickering family, making it the oldest house in the United States continuously occupied by one family.
Pickman House, Salem MA (January 15th 2012)
The Pickman House is located by the Old Burying Ground, the second oldest cemetery in the United States.
Place de Vosges - a jewel of the Marais district , Paris (F) (June 15th 2012)
The Marais district of Paris is one of the areas of the French capital that escaped the urban planners of the 19th century.

Qubba Fatima Zohra - Marrakech (August 8th 2012)
By the Koutobia Mosque you will see a small, white building. It is the 400 year old Qubba or mausoleum of the famous Fatima Zohra.

St. Pers Church Ruin - Sigtuna, Sweden (June 25th 2012)
Church of Sankt Per’s (or St. Peter’s) used to be the main church of the Archdiocese before it was moved to the city of Uppsala.
Speicherstadt - Hamburg (D) (June 18th 2012)
Speicherstadt is Hamburgs warehouse district. It has, during the last years, gone through an extensive restoration the last decade, and is today one of the most beautiful areas of Hamburg.

Tomb of Suleyman the Great, Istanbul (July 12th 2012)
Suleyman I (Ottoman Turkish: سليمان Sulaymān, Turkish: Süleyman) died on September 6th 1566) after 46 years on the throne. He was known in the West as "the Magnificent" but is most often referred to as "the Lawgiver."

View Sights on Enjoy Food & Travel 2012 in a larger map

Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris

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Work on the ancient bell tower of Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés was started in 990 AD

One of the oldest churches, Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in Paris is found on the south bank of the river Seine. It goes back to 542, when Paris was ruled by the Merovingian dynasty. It was inaugurated Christmas of 558, and was the home of the relics of Saint Vincent of Saragossa.

Busy modern streets of Quartier Latin

The remains of the saint was brought back by Childebert I. By the 6th century the Merovingians had built their royal palace on the Ïle de la Cité, the historic heart of the French capital. The first church was clearly visible from the royal palace.

The present building is a beautiful Romanesque style basilica dating back to the 11th century. By then the previous church had been ravaged by the Normans on numerous occasions, and made room for the "new" one.

Work on the bell tower was started in 990 and ended in 1014, and it is one of the oldest towers of its kind in France. Its massive bells are held up by the massive structure.

Today it is located in the busy Quartier Latin, one part of Paris that never sleeps with countless restaurants and bars. Here you find the same narrow streets as in the Marais districts.

Medieval mysteries of the interior

But when you enter the church, you will find the contrast to the busy streets outside. It is a dark mysterious atmospherejust found in a building enterring its second millenium.

The Abbey around the church used to one of the richest in France. Nearly all of it has vanished, only the church remains.

The churchs founder, Childebert is buried in the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés with his successors.

Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an ancient historic memorial as central to Parisian history as the Notre Dame, and as well worth a visit.

Here are a few more photos of the church and its surroundings

Tower and exterior. Romanesque arches, maybe remains the the medieval Abbey

Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés - interior

Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés - view towards the alter

Vis Paris on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2012 i et større kart

Fly non-stop Oslo-Incheon South Korea summer 2013

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Photo: Shacho0822

There will be non-stop flights from Oslo to Incheon, South Korea's third largest city from May 25th 2013.

Geirangerfjord. Photo: Andreas Trepte, www.photo-natur.de.

Five chartered Korean Air flights will bring Korean tourists to Norway from May 2013. Korean tourists may visit a wide range of destinations in Norway as well as Denmark and Sweden. Korean tourists are offered explore the city of Bergen, the impressive Geirangerfjorden, North Cape or travel along the coasts with Hurtigruten, the cruise line between Bergen and Kirkenes.

Norway had 70 000 overnight visits from South Korea in 2012, over twice as many as Sweden and three times the overnight visits registered in Denmark. 5 flights with 1260 passengers are set up from Incheon in South Korea by Korean owned charter companies Kal Tours and Kal Pak starting May 25th 2013.

Vis All non-stop flights from Oslo Airport 2013 i et større kart

Coming up in June 2013: Geneva, Switzerland

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Montage for the Geneva article on Wikipedia by MadGeographer

Enjoy Food & Travel will once again visit Geneva, Switzerland in June 2013. Geneva is beautifully located by the banks of Lac de Geneve and enclosed by the Jura mountains and the Alps. It is a cosmopolitan city hosting the headquarters of several international organizations.

As Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, we have earlier stayed in the community of Ferney-Voltaire just across the border, but still close to Geneva Airport. It is home to around 8000 inhabitants.

Voltaire

From 1759 to 1778 Ferney was home to French writer and philosopher Voltaire. He built the local church and founded cottage industries that produced some of the finest potters and watchmakers of modern France.

After the French Revolution, the town was renamed "Ferney-Voltaire" in his honor.

This time we will stay in the small village Saint Genis Pouilly, visiting friends. So stay tuned for more stories from the Franco-Swiss border area this June

Geneva on Enjoy Food & Travel 2011-2013 - see map here

Vis Geneva on Enjoy Food & Travel 2011-2013 i et større kart

More Swiss stories on Enjoy Food & Travel

Chicken breast Cordon Bleu (May 13th 2010)
Swiss croissants - breakfast for champions (September 16th 2009)
Rösti potatoes, a Swiss specialty (July 28th 2008)
Les Moulins Fendant du Valais 2006 (March 26th 2007)

UPDATED: Restaurants on Enjoy Food & Travel 2012

2013-03-19T08:00:00.000+01:00

Vichyssoise served at La Taberna de Puerto, Sitges Spain (Coming)

To make it easier for you, I have compiled all the rated restaurants and other restaurant stories on Enjoy Food & Travel for the year 2012 on this page. Enjoy!!

Dar Donab, Marrakech (MO): BBBBB- (4,65 points)
Palais Donab is an exclusive riad in the middle of Marrakech, Morocco. The riad offers excellent dining in exclusive surroundings and we went there twice and enjoyed some of our best meals in Marrakech here.
Tony Roma's, Lima (PE): BBBBB- (4,64 points)
Our first meal in Lima was, if not Peruvian, American. Lunch at Tony Roma's had that feeling of the United States, but there were clear signs showing that we were in South America.
Restaurant Sankt Annæ, Copenhagen (DK): BBBB+ (4,50 points) First sandwich stop was Restaurant Sankt Annæ at Skt Annæs Plads, located in a beautiful historic Nyhavn area at Copenhagen harbour. It was a claustrophobic experience in a classic interior, but the food was great!!
Bar Restaurant Cordano, Lima (PE): BBBB+ (4,47 points) Bar Restaurant Cordano in the old part of Lima is not only a restaurant, it is an institution. It has served the citizen of Lima for over 100 years.
t'Kelderke, Brussels (BE): BBBB+ (4,30 points)
I am not impressed by most of the restaurants located at or close to Grand Place in Brussels. Most look inviting and some tempt with impressive displays of ingredients or prepared dishes.
Imroz, Istanbul (TY): BBBB+ (4,29 points)
We were on our way to see the legendary Pera Palace Hotel on the Galata side, when we started looking for lunch. We walked through narrow alley ways in order to find a restaurant and ended at Imroz.
Taberna del Puerto, Sitges (ES): BBBB (4,20 points)
Still this tranquil area has a great deal to offer as nice hotels, a beach and a few decent restaurants. Taberna del Puerto is definitely one of the best in the area.
Schwartzer Peter, Heidelberg (DE): BBBB (4,02 points)
Schwartzer Peter in Heidelbergs Bergheim district was my nephew's local kneipe when he studied in Heidelberg. One evening we went to dine there, and it was a good experience.
Palais de Chine, Ferney-Voltaire (FR): BBBB (3,95 points)
I am not the biggest fan of Chinese restaurants, as I assume that most of them are far removed from the original. The Palais de Chine in Ferney-Voltaire is absolutely the rule, rather than the exception.
Fiskeriet Youngstorget, Oslo (NO): BBBB (3,80 points)
To our joy another specialty shop, Fiskeriet, opened selling seafood, and takeaway. There is also a bar serving a small selection of fish, mussels and crustaceas.
Dimmick Inn & Steakhouse, Milford PA (US): BBBB (3,76 points)
Dimmick Inn & Steakhouse is absolutely worth visiting if you happen to be in Milford PA. The food is good and reasonably priced, and the service was good. If the old building had been totally restored back to its former beauty it would have been a pearl!
Erzincanli Ali Baba, Istanbul (TY): BBBB- (3,74 points)Erzincanli Ali Bab is a place where locals eat. No smart interior, but probably the best place to eat authentic Turkish food in Istanbul.
Legal Seafood, Braintree, MA (US): BBBB- (3,72 points)
Legal Sea Foods is a chain of restaurants founded in the Boston area and found in the Greater Boston area. We decided to have lunch at the Legal Sea Foods at South Shore Plaza in Braintree on Bostons south shore.
Delicatessen, Oslo (NO): BBBB- (3,71 points)Delicatessen is the name of two tapas restaurants in Oslo, and I went to dine there. Delicatessen was a far cry from the best tapas-places I have visited, and is surpassed by many other similar restaurants in Oslo
El Waha, Marrakech (MO): BBB+ (3,48 points) The biggest asset of El Waha is its rooftop location on Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech main square. Its second is the price of the food.
D. José, Hamburg (DE): BBB+ (3,38 points)
D. José had a Mediterranean theme follow the interior as well as the food but neither of the interpretations were very convincing.

View Bars and restaurants on Enjoy Food & Travel 2012 in a larger map

Rooftop breakfast in Miraflores

2013-03-17T08:00:00.000+01:00

Fresh pastry from Perlizza with mustard, butter, cheese and cold cuts heated in a toaster oven

Many of the experiences I miss from the past, and I should love to relive, are the small moments. One of these were the rooftop breakfasts I and my friend Laila experienced in Miraflores in Lima a year ago.

Calle San Fernando, outside our house

Our corner of Miraflores was Calle San Fernando, just a stone's throw away from Larcomar, a clifftop shopping mall. We stayed in my nephew's penthouse appartment overlooking the Peruvian capital, and every morning we had breakfast on the rooftop terrace.

My vacation routine was the same every morning. It was such a relief to switch from winter clothing and slip into shorts, T-shirt and slippers. I took the lift down to the ground floor, followed the street to a little square with a small shop selling fresh pastry, cheese, butter, cold cuts, and orange juice. Perlizza Baguetteria sold the best, fresh croissants, rolls, and loaves to be enjoyed every morning.

Cold cuts from Perlizza

I and Laila loved every minute, every second of our breakfasts. Fresh pastry, freshly brewed coffee, juice made from Peruvian oranges enjoyed in the tropical heat.

I bought sliced cheese, cold cuts, and fresh pastry to bring back home. My nephew had a little toaster oven and we made sandwiches with mustard, cheese and boiled ham and grilled them in the toaster until the cheese melted and the pastry became even crispier.

Then we walked up the stairs to sit in the sun, enjoying the view of the city waking up, watching the parrots flying by. Being in the tropics.

God I miss it, and how much I would have wished to go back and re experience one of these breakfasts. But these small moments will be one of the sweetest memories I will bring on for the rest of my life.


Pastry, cheddar cheese and cold cuts from Perlizza

Morning view from our rooftop terrace at Calle San Fernando. Miraflores, Lima

Vis Peru March - April 2012 i et større kart

Other memorable breakfast moments on Enjoy Food & Travel

Sights on Enjoy Food & Travel 2013

2013-03-16T08:00:00.000+01:00

March 28th 2012: Beautiful Macchu Picchu, Peru bathing in sunlight

To make it easier for you, I have compiled all the sights on Enjoy Food & Travel for the year 2013 on this page. Enjoy!!

N

Narbonne House anno 1675, Salem MA (March 9th 2013)
For Europeans a 17th century house is a reasonably old structure. In the United States a 17th century building spans nearly the life of a whole nation. The Narbonne House in Salem, MA is such a house.

Saadian Tombs, Marrakech (January 9th 2013)
The Saadian Tombs is a sight every traveler to Marrakech should visit. They are located in a secret enclosed in the Kasbah area, with old sights as the Mosque el Mansour, Bab Agnaou and the El Badi Palace close by.

View Sights on Enjoy Food & Travel 2013 in a larger map

Rating Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz

2013-03-15T08:00:00.000+01:00

Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz is the tallest building in Berlin

I stayed at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz back in 2007, and I had sa great time. Returning to Berlin in January we booked a business class room on the upper floor. I am glad to say that I am as delighted to stay in this hotel as back in 2006.

Rating Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz: BBBBB- (4,58 points)

Location: BBBBB
Service: BBBB
Room: BBBBB
Breakfast: BBBBB
Facilities: BBBBB
Price: BBBB

Alexanderplatz was the hub of the former East Berlin

Alexanderplatz was the centre of the East-Berlin, the former capital of DDR and the place for those of you that love the urban jungle. If you are into quiet romantic, and cozy, this is definitely nothing for you, but I loved every minute of it.

Looking west towards Berlin City Hall

The Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz offers top notch for service, well that is most certainly the case in the reception. We were even allowed to keep our room till 4 PM on our day of departure without extra charge.

Comfortable double bed

Slow service in the breakfast room

The staff in the breakfast room did not offer the same good service. They were quite slow to clear tables and to bring coffee to us, so much so that we had to get our own coffee

Room 3102 - high class business acommodation

We were given room 3102 a large room on the top of the giant Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz with windows on both sides with view to die for towards the old TV-tower and most of the former East German capital. From room 3102 we had the German capital at our feet as it stretched out.

Room 3102 had enough space for a seating area

Room 3102 was a business class room, very well maintained and held the highest hygienic standards. It felt spacious, even though it was smaller and more compact than most of the other large hotel rooms I have stayed in, as the bathroom and toilet were constructed as a cubicle inside the room dividing the space with walls of frosted glass.

Bathroom sink

But the designers had the made the most of the space, making room for a small seating area by the breathtaking view of the TV-tower. There was a good, reasonably priced mini bar, safe, and a kettle so you could brew your own coffee in the morning. I wished more hotels had such a small luxury for their guests.

There was also a working space, all in all the room had all the functions needed for a business executive as well as an ordinary tourist.

The hotel room was in mint condition, hardly a spot on the wall, or a crack in the tiles in the bathroom. Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz bear the mark of being continously maintained.

Decent breakfast included

Room 3102 - comfortable bed

Breakfast is not included in the price for economy class guests, but was included for (us) business class travelers.

The breakfast buffet had an exceptionally wide selection of food. Several alternatives of warm food (scrambled boiled, fried eggs, bacon, sausages and more) as well as cheese, cold cuts, salads, patés, and jam for those of you with a sweet tooth.

For those of you that prefer healthier alternatives you could pick from fruit, yoghurt, and cereal or sweet Danish pastry as an end of the meal. Freshly brewed coffee, tea and juice.

Hotel Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz is a modern business hotel with following facilities:

Restaurant
Bar
Shops in hotel
Restaurant (à la carte)
Restaurant (buffet)
Sauna
Fitness centre
Spa and wellness centre
Whirlpool
Wi-fi (Not included)

I have criticised the hotel for charging money for internet. WiFi is available in all areas and the hotel will charge you EUR 6.50 per hour or EUR 18 per 24 hours. Free internet does not cost the hotel much compared the goodwill it will create among the guests.

Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz is overall extremely well run and maintained. The only sign of real wear and tear was the condition of the furniture in the breakfast room, that had clear signs of the frequent use over many years.

Vis Berlin on Enjoy Food & Travel i et større kart

Paella for dinner

2013-03-13T08:00:00.000+01:00

A pan of beautiful Spanish paella

Paella, the Spanish Risotto originating from the Valencia Region is a inexpensive, simple and tasty dinner. What you do need for that Spanish taste, is the original paella seasoning. The good news is that most well stocked supermarkets have a brand or two.

Add fresh prawns at the end of the cooking time

When I make a pan of paella, I am struck by the beauty of the dish. The golden coloured rice reflects the Spanish sun, corral coloured prawns of the (once) abundance of seafood of the Mediterranean.

The traditional paella use chicken meat. I love the fiery red chorizo, Spanish sausage packed with flavour not easily replaced by any other variety. Made from pork, they still remind me of the merguez sausages of the Maghreb.

I substituted green peas for asparagus

I used green asparagus, but the original recipe contains small green peas.

The Paella reflects Spain's Arab roots as well, and it is so easy to make. Fry onions, garlic, and rice in olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add chicken stock in portions, allowing the liquid to evaporate until the rice get tender.

Add seasoning, sausages and asparagus at the middle of the cooking time, and the prawns just before serving.

More rice dishes on Enjoy Food & Travel

Presentation of Kristiansand, Norway

2013-03-12T16:00:00.000+01:00

View Arendal on Enjoy Food & Travel in a larger map

Kristiansand, Norway is opening up to European destination through new non-stop flights. Earlier travelers to the administrative, business and cultural capital of "Sørlandet" - Southern Norway, had to change planes at Oslo International Airport. Now you can reach the city via direct connections from Amsterdam, Gdansk, Copenhagen, Barcelona, London and Paris.

The city is located in the middle of what international media have named "the coolest riviera". The present population of 80.000 makes Kristiansand Norway's fifth largest city.

Here is a small film clip showing what Kristiansand has to offer those foreigners visiting the southern most tip of Norway.

NEW AND BETTER: Direct flights from Kristiansand Airport

2013-03-11T20:00:00.000+01:00

Vis MARCH 2013: All non-stop flights from Kjevik Airport i et større kart

This new and improved map shows domestic, charter and international direct flights operated by all airlines from Kristiansand Kjevik Airport. It shows seasonal as well as flights running all year.

It is based on information from the Kristiansand Kjevik Airport official website. Errors may occur. Do consult airport website or airline for updated information.

Red marker means that flights has been cancelled or seasonal and not in operation.
Green marker for planned services. Time span mean that one or more flights will be operating during the period. Check the label for more information.
Airplane marker means that at least one air carrier has service in operation all year around. More airlines may have seasonal flights to the destination. Check the label for more information.
Activity marker means the destination is predominantly a charter destination. Seasonal regular flights may operate. Check the label for more information.

WizzAir start flights Kristiansand to Gdansk

2013-03-11T14:00:00.000+01:00

WizzAir Airbus A320 at Katowice airport. Photo: Piotr Hojka

Hungarian low cost carrier WizzAir will start non-stop flights from Kjevik Airport to Gdansk, Poland May 15th 2013. Kjevik is the 7th Norwegian airport serviced by the Hungarian airline.

City Hall. Photo: Marcin Białek

WizzAir is currently running flights from Torp, Stavanger, Haugesund, Bergen, Ålesund and Trondheim.

Flights Kristiansand - Gdansk will run every Wednesday and Sunday.

More WizzAir stories on Enjoy Food & Travel

Vis MARCH 2013: All non-stop flights from Kjevik Airport i et større kart

Fly NonStop - a new low cost carrier

2013-03-11T08:00:00.001+01:00

The Fly NonStop Embraer 190. Photo: Conpany website

Fly Nonstop, a new air carrier will start flights from Kristiansand - Kjevik Airport to 8 European destinations this spring. Intriguing.

Fly NonStop is a new air carrier created by local investors headed by the Hennig Olsen family, expanding from ice cream into air travel. Flights will start with their 100 seat Embraer 190 from Kristiansand Airport to the following destinations this spring:

Barcelona (From NOK 2498 / € 335)
Berlin (From NOK 1798 / € 241)
Dubrovnik (From NOK 2398 / € 321)
London (From NOK 1998 / € 268)
Nice (From NOK 2498 / € 335)
Palma de Mallorca (From NOK 2598 / € 348)
Paris (From NOK 1998 / € 268)
Parma (From NOK 2298 / € 308)

Fly NonStop will also fly from Ålesund Airport to Nice June to August 2013.

Read more on their website (Norwegian only)

Narbonne House anno 1675

2013-03-09T10:15:00.000+01:00

US National Partk Service has owned Narbonne house the last 50 years

For Europeans a 17th century house is a reasonably old structure. In the United States a 17th century building spans nearly the life of a whole nation. The Narbonne House in Salem, MA is such a house.

The grounds of the Narbonne House

The Narbonne House in historic Salem, is one of the few middle class homes that has survived from Americas first century. It is, as such, an unimpressive structure, lovingly restored to survive for coming generations to see.

The oldest part of the house dates back three centuries

Its first owner was the slaughterer, Thomas Ives, and successive owners were different craftsmen and sailors.

The house is named after the seamstress Sarah Narbonne. She was born in the house in 1794 and lived and died in the house 101 years old in 1895.

Sarah Narbonne lived in the house until she died 101 years old

Her grandfather, Jonathan Andrews, bought the house in 1780. Her daughter Mary continued to live in the house until her death in 1905.

In 1963, the National Park Service purchased the historic building from the family of Mary Narbonne’s nephew Frank Hale. The family lived in the house for nearly 200 years.

Stories on sights close to Narbonne House

Vis New England, New York State and Washington DC on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006 - 2012 i et større kart

Beefy bacon burger

2013-03-05T18:55:00.000+01:00

Use a reasonably priced beef cut to make a good beefy bacon burger

I have bought much meat lately destined for destruction. The cuts were priced 50 % off as they were close to sell by date. One of the cuts I bought is stew meat used for "bankekjøtt", a Norwegian meat stew simmered in gravy for a long time. Instead of using the cuts to slow cook, I decided to make a few beefy burgers with bacon.

Bacon burger ready to hit the pan

In order to make to make two large burgers I used:

400 grams / 0,9 lb's "bankekjøtt", grounded
100 grams / 3,5 oz bacon, finely diced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 egg, beaten
2-3 tsp salt
Ground pepper
2 tbsp ground ginger
2 - 3 potato starch
1 sliced blue cheese for topping

Blue cheese on top started to melt

I mixed all the ingredients well, and shaped them into two large burgers. I allowed the burger to cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

I heated 75 grams butter in a non-stick pan. Place the burgers in the pan and fry the burger on one side until the ends were grey.

Flip the burger on the other side, place a large slice of blue cheese on top and allow to melt through the rest of the cooking time.

See to that you do not fry the burger completely through, but allow it to stay medium in the middle.

Serve with a good salad and potato chips.

Serve burger with chips and salad

Magic, mesmeresing, marvellous Marrakech

2013-02-28T17:49:00.000+01:00

The bright colours of the Majorelle Garden

Magic, mesmerising, marvelous, mysterious. These are words that can be used on Marrakech, Morocco. This city on the way from Europe to Sub Saharan Africa, on the foot of the mighty snow capped Atlas mountains.

Yesterday I returned from a warm Morocco to the cold winter of Norway. The weather defeated the odds as the North African winter may be treacherous, shown to us as we landed at Menara. It was raining cats and dogs and the temperature reached 13 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit) on arrival, but the coming days had highs 20-27 degrees and lows around 10 degrees and sun, sun, and sun.

My third time in Marrakech, but the first for the others, so I saw very little new. Here are stories from my first two visits and those to come from this years vacation in beautiful Morocco.

Bars and restaurants

Pinacolada as served at Cafe Arabe

Al Fassia Restaurant
Argana Café & Restaurant
Bomb wrecks Argana Café in Marrakech
Bougainvillea Café
NEW: Café Arabe
NEW: Café de France
Café Glacier
Café Jardin de Majorelle
Café Olive
Chez Bahia
Chez Ghegrouni
Dar Donab
El Waha Café & Restaurant
Grand café et restaurant de l'Atlas
Hotel les Jardins de Koutoubia
Le Fes
Le Foundouk
Le Toque
Les Terrasses de l'Alhambra
NEW: Marrakech Ground Zero
Portofino
NEW: Riad Libitibito
Ristorante Italiano Casanova
Snack Bar Reda
Villa Flore