travel, custom programs, food Amanda Lowrey travel, custom programs, food Amanda Lowrey

Montreal's Uniqueness: A City Full of Food, Art and Accessibility

This city has its own personality that’s one-of-a-kind! Boasting with plenty of festivals, art, cuisine, and innovation, Montreal also has a sense of comradery and welcomingness! In the past, students and teachers have visited the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica and enjoyed learning how to prepare traditional Quebec cuisine with a local chef!

This staple city in Canada’s Quebec province has its own personality that’s one-of-a-kind! Boasting with plenty of festivals, art, cuisine, and innovation, Montreal also has a sense of comradery and welcomingness! American author and travel enthusiast Mark Twain once called it “the city of a hundred steeples” due to the high number of churches, and that’s just a snapshot of why this city is so special!

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Fun Fact: Did you know that Montreal is an island? It’s actually five times larger than Manhattan!

Read on to find out more about Montreal’s food culture, art scene and accessibility!

Accessibility in Montreal

Montreal features one of the largest underground networks in the world! It has a series of tunnels and structures which can offer shortcuts and safety from the harsh cold during winter months.

The Underground City is over twenty miles with links to shops, metro stations, restaurants, and museums (Tousignant)! Known as La Ville Souterraine, the underground network was first built in the 1960s and has since expanded into tunnels, corridors, and plazas (Galipeau). 

Montreal boosts the reputation of enjoying one of the most bike friendly cities in North America, according to the Copenhagenize Index (Fadden)! There are hundreds of miles of cycle lanes that connect together throughout the city. Visitors and locals hop on bikes all year long to see the city sights and ride through different neighborhoods. 

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Montreal’s Art Culture 

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Montreal has a huge art and graffiti scene that celebrates all types of art and encourages various cultures to embrace themselves. Montreal exudes an open and welcoming atmosphere, given its powerful identity.

In 2006, Montreal was actually named a UNESCO City for its architecture and artistic design (Design Montréal). The city’s commitment to walkability, especially demonstrated by the neighborhoods’ designs which show this in particular, embodies their initiatives to increase happiness for the people in Montreal. 

Photo of Mile End, by Alan Rouiller, Flickr

Photo of Mile End, by Alan Rouiller, Flickr

Montreal’s creative neighborhood, known as Mile End, features artists, musicians, writers, and houses bookstores, entertainment venues, vintage shops, and even a one-hundred-year-old bagel shop (Yogerst). Another distinctive area, referred to as Quartier de Spectacles, has promoted Montreal’s initiative to boost morale and culture for the past two decades (Yogerst).

The prominent district ignites cultural exploration through many forms of art due to its close proximity to the Place des Arts complex, Central Library, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Montreal Opera and Symphony Orchestra. In past years, this district has even displayed musical swing sets for locals to play for free! 

Place des Arts, Photo by Guilhem Vellut, Flickr

Place des Arts, Photo by Guilhem Vellut, Flickr

delicious food in the City of Saints

There’s more to Montreal than the cherished and widely popular dish known as poutine!  Although the city receives well-deserved praise for its delicious dish, Montreal continues to revolutionize the culinary scene! This city is known for being incredibly innovative and creative with incorporating modern twists to traditional favorites.

The cuisine found in Montreal truly captures the diverse population, with over 120 cultures influencing the city’s gastronomy (Roberts). All communities, including Greek, Italian, Eastern, African, Asian, and Jewish, have shaped the dining scenes in various ways (Roberts). Traditional Quebecois dishes are worth trying, but so is the ever growing and diverse international cuisine!

In the past, students and teachers have visited the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica in the heart of the Old Montreal are in the city. They’ve enjoyed learning how to prepare traditional Quebec cuisine with a local chef, and there’s

Hungry for more? Check out our past blog, “Culture and Cuisine: Savoring Canada’s Legendary Dishes”, for a look into dishes worth trying on your next adventure to Canada! 

Sources 

Fadden, Robyn. “Guide to All Things Biking in Montréal.” Tourisme Montréal, 29 Jan. 2020, www.mtl.org/en/experience/guide-to-all-things-biking.

Galipeau, Tobia. “Underground City Montreal: 16+ Amazing Attractions for 2020: Local Tips.” Local Food Tours - Beer and Food Tours, 16 Jan. 2020, localfoodtours.com/montreal/underground-city-montreal-destinations/.

“Montréal UNESCO City of Design.” Design Montréal, 19 Dec. 2019, designmontreal.com/en/about-montreal-unesco-city-of-design.

Roberts, Simon. “Beyond Poutine: Exploring Montreal's Growing Cuisine.” National Geographic, 29 Sept. 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/canada/quebec/montreal-restaurants-food-cuisine-global-international/.

Tousignant, Isa. “Your Guide to the Underground City.” Tourisme Montréal, 29 Jan. 2020, www.mtl.org/en/experience/guide-underground-city-shopping.

Yogerst, Joe. “12 Of Montreal's Best Neighborhoods.” CNN, Cable News Network, 16 Mar. 2017, www.cnn.com/travel/article/montreal-most-interesting-neighborhoods/index.html.

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language, food, travel Luis García language, food, travel Luis García

Five Facts About Peru That You Might Not Know

You may have heard about Machu Picchu and the Incas, or important Peruvian dishes, such as Cebiche (seafood dish) and Lomo Saltado (traditional Peruvian stir-fry), but what other elements make this fascinating country in South America so unique? In today’s blog, we will be sharing a few fun facts with you about Peru! 

How much do you know about Peru?

You may have heard about Machu Picchu and the Incas, or important Peruvian dishes, such as Cebiche (seafood dish) and Lomo Saltado (traditional Peruvian stir-fry), but what other elements make this fascinating country in South America so unique? In today’s blog, we will be sharing a few fun facts with you about Peru! 

There are 90 different micro-climates in Peru

Because of our varied geography, Peru features the coast, highlands, jungle and rainforest all inside its territory. This means Peru has all kinds of elevation in its terrain, from sea level to 6757 meters above sea level in Huaraz. Different altitudes means a wide variety of microclimates, which provides an abundance in both flora and fauna, referring to plant and animal life.

Pictured: Moray

The Incas knew this, and experimented with micro-climatization in the archaeological site of Moray, a multi-level agricultural site in Peru. The Incas would plant the same type of seeds at different altitudes of the circular depressions, which would yield different results!

The Amazon rainforest covers about 60% of Peru

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We don’t yet know all of the species that live there! The vast density of the rainforest makes it so difficult to traverse that few expeditions venture into it. That is why every year new species are discovered, from small to large. One of its territories called Madre de Dios (mother of god) is believed to have received this name because of the diversity of species that had its origin there.

Peru has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua & Aymara

Yes! Quechua is also known as the language that unified the Inca empire. Originally called Runasimi, “the language of the people”, Quechua has many dialects on its own and so different among each other that someone from Cusco will have a difficult time chatting with their neighbors in Ayacucho, and they both speak Quechua!

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Aymara is the language that is mostly spoken in the highlands of Puno and south-eastern Peru. Being an official language means the government has made efforts to provide information in all three languages to the Peruvian population. So next time you are in Lima, tune in to Channel 7’s TV Peru, and you’ll be able to hear the news in Spanish, Quechua and Aymara!

Lima is home to Peruvian gastronomy

If you ever plan on taking a cross-country trip through Peru, you will quickly learn that you could have a completely different meal each day and not necessarily find the same options in other locations! Diversity is shown through gastronomy, and Peruvians are quite passionate about their love for cuisine.

In Peru, food is closely related to identity, and depending on where within the Peruvian territory you are, you will find they have a signature meal. From Comida Criolla in Lima, to Cuy Chaqtado in Cusco, to Rocoto Relleno in Arequipa, you will find Peruvian food in a restaurant near you!

Three-quarters of the 10 million alpacas around the world live in Peru

Needless to say, we know each and every one of them… by name. Just kidding! However, we do keep track of them because they have been declared an endangered species.

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Alpaca wool is so fine and high-quality that it’s sought by luxury brands to make all sorts of garments for winter. The alpaca’s cousin, Vicuña, is also an endangered species because their wool is the highest quality fiber within the animal world. Garments made with Vicuña can be sold for as high as ten thousand U.S. Dollars!

Did you know any of these facts about Peru? Are there any others you have heard of or know from your trips to this wonderful country? Tell us about it! To get to know Peru in more detail, read our past blog, “Understanding The Keys of Peruvian Culture: Landscape and Diversity”!

Learn more about studying abroad in Peru with EdOdyssey!

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food, custom programs, travel Amanda Lowrey food, custom programs, travel Amanda Lowrey

Cuisine and Culture: Savoring Canada's Legendary Staples

Canadian cuisine has been around for over 150 years and you’ll see how traditional dishes can vary depending on cultural influence from coast to coast! From French-Canadian influences in Quebec to more a Euro-Jewish heavy influence in Montreal, you’ll gain a sense of how culture and local staples intertwine across Canada.  

Canadian cuisine has been around for over 150 years and you’ll see how traditional dishes can vary depending on cultural influence from coast to coast! From French-Canadian influences in Quebec to more a Euro-Jewish heavy influence in Montreal, you’ll gain a sense of how culture and local staples intertwine across Canada.  

Let’s uncover a few of these dishes and their importance to Canadian history!  

Sugar Rush 

During past programs where EdOdyssey has visited Canada with students, the maple syrup experience has given students unforgettable insight into the production of one of Canada’s staple items! Students visited a local sugar shack to learn how maple syrup is first collected, and got to better understand why the maple leaf earned its place on the country’s flag. These sugar shacks are very popular attractions, especially during early spring in Quebec, when there is plenty of fresh maple to taste (Alston-O’Connor 30)! 

According to Taste of Home, “Quebec produces an astounding amount of syrup each year: 7,989,000 gallons”. In order to produce one gallon of maple syrup, 40 gallons of maple sap needs to be boiled down in sugar shacks. 

Interested in a sweet experience? The tire d’érable (or maple taffy) is a candy prepared “by pouring boiling maple syrup over snow...You’re then meant to roll it up with a popsicle stick and enjoy immediately” (Guan). 

Nanaimo bar - Photo by Alan Levine, Flickr

Nanaimo bar - Photo by Alan Levine, Flickr

One of Canada’s favorite desserts, nanaimo bars, were founded in the 1950s in British Columbia. This no-bake, irresistible dessert bars consist of rich “crumb mixture, vanilla-flavoured butter icing, and melted chocolate” (Lev). Additionally, the Giant Jos Louis Cake, features a giant red velvet cake sandwich “filled with a creamy marshmallow layer with a milk chocolate coating” (Furdyk). 

Butter tarts, a sweet dish in Canada, are made of pastry shells filled with butter, sugar, egg, and syrup. This is an example of traditional Canadian cuisine, some believe it can be traced back to the 1600s, while others think it resembles sugar pies in Quebec or pecan pies in the U.S. (Lev). 

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Photo by Daveynin, Flickr

Photo by Daveynin, Flickr

Beavertails, which is flat cinnamon deep-fried dough, has an interesting name for such a delicious treat. Though it might not be traditional cuisine, it’s popularity has risen over the years. Various toppings like Nutella, peanut butter, and candies are quite popular to include on top. BeaverTails were first introduced in 1978 in Ontario by a husband and wife, and got its name from the dough resembling the tail of a beaver.

Infinite Ingredients in Poutine 

Poutine, the world-famous Quebecois dish made of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy is multifaceted for locals and tourists alike. This starchy and feel-good order can be consumed as a late-night meal, afternoon snack, or anywhere in between!

Curry Poutine - Photo by Danielle Scott, Flickr

Curry Poutine - Photo by Danielle Scott, Flickr

Over time, the traditional poutine has transformed and morphed with an even wider variety of foods and purposes. Restaurants now are even featuring poutine in creative ways, such as breakfast poutines (with roasted potatoes and eggs), curry poutine (substitute the gravy for curry), and iced poutine (replacing the traditional dish for chocolate wafers, syrup, and ice cream) (Fabien-Ouellet 40). 

Poutine - Photo by Joe Shlabotnik, Flickr

Poutine - Photo by Joe Shlabotnik, Flickr

Poutine has even started being offered as a dish at higher-end restaurants, especially in Montreal’s fine dining scene since the early 2000s, and the dish is even celebrated in “annual poutine festivals held in places like Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago, New Hampshire, and Quebec” (Fabien-Ouellet 34).

Did you know that poutine is considered a social dish? 

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This is meant to be eaten with others, which is why it’s common to see large portion sizes supplied with a multitude of forks (Fabien-Ouellet 30)! Speaking of social settings, the White House Chef in 2016 served poutine during the first State Dinner between President Obama and the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau (Fabien-Ouellet 28). 

Each poutinerie (poutine store) offers its own distinctive flavors, which means that each poutine experience varies! This makes the tasting not only unpredictable, but also intriguing! 

Regional Dishes 

French Canadian traditional foods, such as poutine, maple syrup, ham and pea soup, and tourtiere (meat pie) are rich and common to find in Quebec (Cadesky). Additionally, natives of Canada on the East Coast feast on all sorts of seafood, and the additional donair, “a shaved hot dog, served with a sweet milk and garlic sauce (it also comes as a pizza)” is in the same family as a classic kebab (Cadesky). Within the seafood scene on the East Coast, lobsters are famously found on a plethora of menus, the Nova Scotian lobster rolls in particular are a Canadian favourite (Guan). 

Montreal features a unique deli-style tradition, due to the large community of Jewish influence in the city, and kosher-style steakhouses have become a Canadian staple since (Cadesky). In Montreal, there is also an abundance of ethnic restaurants, including Chinese and Japanese cuisine, due to a large multicultural influence in the city (Alston-O’Connor 9). 

Bannock - Photo by Karen Neoh, Flickr

Bannock - Photo by Karen Neoh, Flickr

The bannock has been a key dish for decades. This classic is a type of a quick biscuit fry bread, which was adopted by the Indigenous people of Canada (Furdyk). Modern takes include baked and fried versions, which can be found in bakeries nationwide. If you’re interested in a more hearty meal, try the French Canadian tourtière, which is a savoury meat pie popular year round, and “pork, veal, beef and game are popular choices of meat to fill the pie” (Guan). 

Craving an afternoon snack? 

Photo by fw_gadget, Flickr

Photo by fw_gadget, Flickr

You might try chips during your next visit! There are chip flavors that can only be found in Canada! For instance, the all-dressed chips have, “tomato and onion to salt, vinegar, sour cream and BBQ. Ketchup chips and dill pickle chips are also mega popular flavours native to the Canadian junk food scene” (Guan). 

Did you know that Canada is a leading producer of insect foods? Food-grade insect farms have started to expand in Nova Scotia and Ottawa to develop unique agricultural solutions and sustainable eating (Cadesky). 

We hope you enjoyed this quick look into Canada’s cuisine scene! Gastronomy is a component of our custom programs that our students and staff highly enjoy. There’s plenty of education and delicious experiences that come with trying new foods from all over the world.

If you’re interested in designing a custom program full of interactive activities, such as cooking classes and tours, contact us today for more information to start planning! 

Sources 

Alston-O‘Connor, Jessa Riel. Consuming Culture: Negotiating Asian Canadian Identities Through Food Culture and Art. Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Nov. 2011.

Cadesky, Lee. “Oh, Canada - Over 150 Years of Food and Culture.” Medium, Medium, 30 June 2017.

Fabien-Ouellet, Nicolas. Poutine, Mezcal And Hard Cider: The Making Of Culinary Identities In North America. University of Vermont, 2017.

Food Network, Brent Furdyk. “30 Iconic Canadian Foods You Can Make at Home: Food Network Canada.” Foodnetwork.ca, 26 June 2019.

Guan, Christina. “17 Traditional Canadian Foods You NEED to Try.” Hostelworld Blog, 30 July 2019. 

Hansen, Kristine. “10 Surprising Facts About Maple Syrup.” Taste of Home.

Lev, Elianna. “10 Must-Try Canadian Dishes (and the Best Places to Find Them).” Reader's Digest.

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How Teachers Can Bring The World Into The Classroom

Often, we hear of students studying abroad, but how might teachers and faculty go about experiencing new cultures that can add value to their classrooms back home? We spoke with Greg Semplice, an avid traveler and high school teacher, and discussed his self-led program EdOdyssey had designed for him while exploring Spain this past July.

Pictured was Greg’s itinerary - Starting in Madrid, then heading to Santiago de Compostela, and ending in Barcelona.

Pictured was Greg’s itinerary - Starting in Madrid, then heading to Santiago de Compostela, and ending in Barcelona.

Often, we hear of students studying abroad, but how might teachers and faculty go about experiencing new cultures that can add value to their classrooms back home? 

We spoke with Greg Semplice, an avid traveler and high school teacher, and discussed his self-led program EdOdyssey had designed for him while exploring Spain this past July. Greg was able to experience lots of history, cuisine, and culture, and even returned to the U.S. with a few unexpected impressions.

This past July, Greg and his wife spent three weeks traveling to Madrid, Santiago, and Barcelona, Spain. We want to share Greg’s story with you today so you can catch a glimpse into his wonderful experience exploring Spain!  

Greg and his wife enjoying a sunny day at Fisterra, which is an hour and a half away from Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Greg and his wife enjoying a sunny day at Fisterra, which is an hour and a half away from Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

A Lifetime of Traveling 

Greg has always been interested in traveling, which began when he was invited on a cross-country camping trip as a child and visited over 25 states. He reminisced how, “[the road trip] wet my appetite for traveling and I have always loved it”.

Since he has been teaching, Greg has been on class trips, including Washington DC and Quebec, as well as overseas trips, such as taking 27 students to Spain in 2013, and teaching in Peru with EdOdyssey in 2016. Greg’s passion for travel has been a major component of his life, as well as his career as an educator. 

New & Old Connections Overseas

Greg had spent some time at a local high school in Madrid with their vice principal and teacher, and discussed their curriculum and possible plans to do a Skype classroom setup with both schools. It’s a bilingual high school, and as Greg puts it, “learning English is a very positive thing”.

Another exciting venture for Greg during his time in Madrid was meeting up with an old connection. Greg had dinner with a former exchange student from his high school, whom he had gotten to know very well during her time in the States. He had contacted her old homestay family before departing, and reunited with her after 50 years.

There’s something so fulfilling about having friends in other parts of the world, and having travel be the essential piece that establishes new, and old, connections. 

Adding Value To The Classroom 

Classic view of Toledo - An hour drive from Madrid, Spain.

Classic view of Toledo - An hour drive from Madrid, Spain.

Picture a gorgeous and comfortable train ride for a handful of hours as you make your way from Madrid into Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s most iconic northern cities.

While visiting Santiago de Compostela, one of the sites that was particularly moving to Greg was Santiago’s Cathedral, which welcomes thousands and thousands of people from around the world annually who hike from different parts in Western Europe.

Greg explained that the Cathedral had, “different roads coming from Portugal, France, other parts of Spain, which was very impressive.'' Greg also brought home a few movies on Santiago and its history so that he could include those in his curriculum with his Spanish classes. Having these experiences gives teachers the opportunity to incorporate other cultures into their curriculum, by bringing parts of the world into their classrooms. 

An International Appetite 

Barcelona is known for its great cuisine, and Greg and his wife were able to join a cooking class that made homemade paella, which was “phenomenal and we absolutely loved it”. They also attended a wine and tapas tour, and visited 3 to 4 restaurants, sampling different tapas.

EdOdysseyFoodSpain

Not only did Greg receive plenty of information on Barcelona’s cuisine, but also came back with an urge to cook after purchasing spanish rice to take home to make the perfect paella!

Taking the time to meet locals and be involved in their cooking or learn about customs allows travelers to bring newfound knowledge home and share it with others. 

Art is History 

While in Barcelona, Greg had a “Gaudi day” where they visited Palau Güell, followed by La Sagrada Familia and Parque Güell. Greg shared that, “La Sagrada Familia blew me away. Wow. That was so incredible. I had done a lot of reading but that doesn’t prepare you for walking into it for the first time...I could’ve spent the whole day there”. Greg got to spend the day observing Gaudi’s works, where poetry has been transformed into breathtaking architecture.

Reflecting on Spain’s Culture

Part of the vibrancy of spain is not only about the architecture, but also the cuisine, and the people themselves. When asked what the most unexpected realization Greg found about Spain’s culture, he replied:

EdOdysseySpainArchitecture

“Their culture is very much more laid back then people are over here [in the United States]. As soon as we’re done here at a restaurant the waiter tells you you’re done, whereas in Spain, you can sit and take your time and the food is made so fresh. They’re much more of a relaxed atmosphere, and we didn’t feel pressured to do too much.” 

Another unexpected interaction Greg encountered was his journey to the Cíes Islands while in Santiago de Compostela. The Islands has a limited number of visitors per day and Greg had gotten a bit lost and had asked for help.

A local ran to help get Greg's tickets for the ferry ride before the boat took off, Greg was shocked and thought, “Where in America would they do that? The hospitality and compassion here is great”. 

Finding the Right Fit With EdOdyssey

Pictured: Aqueduct of Segovia, which was built during the second half of the 1st century A.D., this is an hour’s drive away from the center of Madrid, Spain.

Pictured: Aqueduct of Segovia, which was built during the second half of the 1st century A.D., this is an hour’s drive away from the center of Madrid, Spain.

Greg enjoyed spending time in three different location, and felt a week in each was just right.

He spoke of how the pace of the program, “...was nice because it gave us some time to explore things in each place, and we took our time”.

When asked what he would say to someone showing interest in a self-led program, Greg advised prospective faculty to, “Be adventurous and take the time to do a lot of research and everyone is different. Yeah, don’t be afraid to try these things, and we had never been to certain places, but research with books on the locations. And you just have to explore and plan ahead! Don’t be afraid to try new things!”

Interested in customizing your own program? Check out “Four Major Benefits of Customizable Programs” to find out more on what you can gain from EdOdyssey’s programs! 

READY TO START PLANNING?

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food, news EdOdyssey food, news EdOdyssey

Our Bourdain Day Tribute

As we pay tribute to the late chef, Anthony Bourdain, we are featuring quotes and excerpts from CNN’s Parts Unknown and CNN articles regarding our five locations: Peru, China, Spain, Italy and Canada.

As we pay tribute to the late chef and TV personality, Anthony Bourdain, we are featuring quotes and excerpts from CNN’s Parts Unknown and CNN articles regarding our five locations: Peru, China, Spain, Italy and Canada. Bourdain traveled around the world to share stories of cultures and to bring us all to see the beauty, the reality, the challenges, and most importantly, the food from all these countries and more.

His open, honest approach when explaining and trying local cuisine in the streets of a foreign city, or enjoying a sit-in down Michelin star meals, made us feel like we were also invited into the conversation with locals, famous chefs, or stars from around the world.

Here are five quotes and excepts for our five locations:

“It’s an irritating reality that many places and events defy description…Machu Picchu, for instance, seem[s] to demand silence, like a love affair you can never talk about. For a while after, you fumble for words, trying vainly to assemble a private narrative, an explanation, a comfortable way to frame where you’ve been and whats happened. In the end, you’re just happy you were there- with your eyes open- and lived to see it.” -Anthony Bourdain’s NY-Times Best Seller “The Nasty Bits: Collected Varietal Cuts, Usable Trim, Scraps, and Bones”.

“If you love in Manhattan like I do and you think you live in the center of the world, this place, Shanghai, will confront you with a very different reality. Turn down a side street, it's an ancient culture. A century's old mix of culinary traditions, smells, flavors. A block away…an ultra-modern, ever clanging cash register, levels of wealth, of luxury, a sheer volume of things and services unimagined…” - Parts Unknown, Shanghai.

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"It takes a special breed to live in a province like Quebec. It gets cold in winter, and winters are long. It takes a special kind of person for whom frozen rivers, icy wind-whipped streets, deep seemingly endless forests are the norm. I will confess my partisanship up front. I love Montreal. It is my favorite place in Canada. The people who live there are tough…and I admire them for it. Toronto, Vancouver, I love you, but not like Montreal." -Parts Unknown, Montreal.

"Any reasonable, sentient person who looks to Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they're gonna fall in love. Otherwise, there's something deeply wrong with you." -Parts Unknown, Granada.

“As so many have found throughout history, it is easy to fall in love with Rome. She is seductively beautiful. She has endured and survived many things.” Parts Unknown, Rome.

Early in his career, he trained as a professional chef and worked at some of Manhattan’s top restaurants. Later, he went onto write a NY Times Best Seller and tell-all book called “Kitchen Confidential” that takes the reader behind the scenes of the culinary world and into the kitchen. He would later began collaborating with CNN to create TV series that would take us on a wild ride with our crazy Uncle Tony.

Do you want to learn more about food and culture? Definitely check out our blog The Secret Ingredients Behind Peru’s Diverse Culinary Scene!

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study abroad, travel, food Jake Leary study abroad, travel, food Jake Leary

Five Cafes in Miraflores You Must Visit

One of my favorite spots to visit, no matter where in the world, are cafes.  Cafes have an authentic and local feeling to them that chain restaurants cannot offer.  When visiting cafes in Lima , it is a local experience. During my time in Lima, I never visited Starbucks.  

One of my favorite spots to visit, no matter where in the world, are cafes.  Cafes have an authentic and local feeling to them that chain restaurants cannot offer.  When visiting cafes in Lima , it is a local experience. During my time in Lima, I never visited Starbucks.  

Why would you pay more for an unauthentic cafe experience?

The neighborhood of Miraflores is more touristy and known to be home to more chain restaurants and cafes, and this is something I wish I knew about the neighborhood ahead of time.  It can be tempting to go to these chain places, as they may provide some comfort being abroad. However, you should know that Miraflores has a myriad of options for small, locally owned businesses.

Here are 5 local cafes in Miraflores that you must visit!

1. El Pan de La Chola

This is my favorite cafes in all of Peru.  El Pan de La Chola has a warm atmosphere, with amazing coffee and bread that is fresh every single day.  You can come here to do some work and study or grab some coffee or a meal with friends. I remember that I loved their jamón con queso, or ham with cheese, sandwich and their avocado toast as well. There is also another location in San Isidro that is just as impressive!

2. Dolce Capriccio

If you are looking for something sweet with some coffee, this is the place for you.  Dolce Capriccio has a very homey feeling, as it looks to have been a former residence turned cafe.  I was in love with their chocolate cake paired with an espresso. The atmosphere is more like a restaurant, so it may not be the best study spot, but definitely worth visiting in your free time!

3. Pasteleria El Buen Gusto

If you are in search of some of the best pastries in Miraflores, this bakery is a must-visit.  Pasteleria El Buen Gusto has freshly baked bread daily along with delicious desserts. This bakery was closely located to my homestay so I would often grab a cup of coffee with some bread or pastry to get my morning started!

4. Homemade

This is a cafe that I visited many times when I was in Lima.  Homemade offers a wide range of options, from coffee and desserts to full meals.  I would recommend coming here for a piece tres leches cake and a cortado.

Tres leches is my favorite kind of cake when in Peru, it is a sponge cake consisting of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream.  Cortado is an espresso mixed with an equal amount of warm milk. This is more of a sit down type of place, but you will not be disappointed in their sweets and coffee!

5. Coffee Time

When I was studying at the Spanish language school El Sol I stumbled upon a hidden gem in Miraflores. Coffee Time is a very tiny cafe that serves coffee, pastries, and small foods at very reasonable prices.  It is located only a block from El Sol and I would sometimes stop in during breaks for a coffee and an empanada. You may walk pass it and miss it, but it is worth checking out!

When you are abroad, you may be tempted to visit places that you are familiar and comfortable with. However, you should explore more when you are abroad! The good thing about exploring different places is that there are a lot of options for you to choose from.  Enjoy the experiences that are singular and unique to Peru and you will feel even better about the coffee you will be sipping on.

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