India is a feast for the senses; where the air is heavy with the scent of jasmine and its chefs compose dishes from a palette of exotic spices that may leave a lingering taste of saffron or aniseed. Our Team Leader David Gallie from GOGO Vacations shares with us the amazing food of India along with some helpful tips of things to experience (and eat) while you’re in this colourful country. From Thali to Chai, he takes us on a gastronomical journey:

India; an assault on the senses but worth every penny. I have been fortuante enough to have travelled extensively around the world and have travelled to some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts, yet India still managed to excite me about travelling again.

To say that India was a completely different travel experience from what I have enjoyed previously is an understatement. From the sights, sounds, smells, people, and customs, India opened my eyes to travel as if I had never travelled before in my life; as if India was the first place outside of my home that I had seen.

My journey started with the most incredible flight; an upgrade on Etihad to business class for the 14 hour flight from Toronto to Abu Dhabi; our stopover to change planes to Delhi. If you can afford it and have a journey that is anymore than 8 hours – do the upgrade wherever possible; your mind and body will love you.

From here the journey was nothing but exceptional and the gastronomical journey began. Business class has it’s obvious advantages; larger seats, flat beds for sleeping, onboard entertainment, and THE FOOD. Etihad has an amazing “Dine Anytime” menu and the choices are not only brilliant, but varied as well.

Before I knew it, I had arrived in India. A world like no other. For those who are ready for the next adventure, India will both delight and intrigue you! Then there is the food…

You may have had butter chicken, pakoras, chutney and the like, but until you get to India you really haven’t experienced REAL Indian food.

Let me start off by saying that I love Indian food. The smells, colours, and flavour are a culinary delight. But beware, you are travelling in a part of the world where hygiene standards are not up to the standards that we are accustom to, so make sure you take precautions:

1. ALWAYS drink bottled water (and check that the seal is not broken when buying it).

2. Drink LOTS of water, the temperatures are quite high; an average of 45 degrees while I was there.  Add lemon slices to the water if possible, it helps to keep you from becoming dehydrated.

3. Do not eat anything raw that requires washing, like salad. For finer hotel restaurants you should be fine, but I just didn’t take the risk.

4. For Vegetarians: India offers more than ample choices for all meals.

5. Avoid the street vendors; again hygiene!

6. Avoid ice in beverages unless, again, it is a finer restaurant or hotel that uses filtered water.

As much as traditional Indian foods are the main staple, it was surprising to see the amount of Chinese dishes, or Chinese inspired foods on most menus.  Everything from chicken fried rice, sweet and sour chicken to beef and broccoli.

But you also have to make sure you try the traditional foods of India:

Thali

A Thali is commonly served in a tiffin, tiffin is a “packed lunch” that is generally served on a large tray with several different containers on it that each hold there own dish. Generally speaking a tiffin is vegetarian and usually contains the following:

rice
soup (see recipe below)
dhal (lentil stew)
chutney (usually a pickled vegetable)
curd (yogurt)
papadum (a thin cracker like flatbread made of lentil, chickpea, black gram and either rice or potato flour) seasonal vegetable curry chapati or naan bread and some type of sweets (personally, I wasn’t really a big fan of this).

Curry

Curry is not an actual spice but a combination of spices that create a particular flavour. The variation in amounts of the combined spices it what gives curry it’s flavour and kick. Generally speaking a curry contains tumeric, cumin, corriander seed, red pepper, fenugreek seeds (a type of lentil, quite bitter and not essential), garlic, ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, celery seeds, hing, mace, nutmeg, anise and so on. So, depending on the region of India, the traditions of the family making the curry, and the availability of spices, a curry will generally always have a different flavour each time you have it.

In western tradition, a curry is normally associated with chicken and is quite saucy, but in India, you could end up with a “dry” curry where very little moisture is used during the cooking process and you can find many assortments of meats or vegetables used in the curry to create a stew. Everything from seasonal vegetables to chicken, mutton, lamb, and fish.

Tandoori

Tandoori is more of a method of cooking than a flavor, however it is the cooking method that really produces the most amazing flavors. A Tandoor is a clay oven that is heated through charcoal or wood; hense the smokey flavour it gives the food. A Tandoor is also what is used to bake the Naan bread giving it’s amazing texture and flavour.  (Naan bread is similar to a roti; a flour flat bread that is fluffy and a bit chewy) and if it is served, you have to try Garlic Naan – my all time favourite!

Other amazing dishes cooked in the tandoor oven are tandoori chicken a spice rubbed chicken that is marinated in yogurt then cooked in the oven (somewhat spicy, but really just extremely flavourful) and chicken tikka; a bbq’ed combination of chicken pieces which is what the punjabi translation of “pieces” means – tikka.

Dry Chili Gobi:

This is an absolutely amazing vegeterian dish that offers incredible flavour and an amazing kick of spice! Similar to General Tao chicken, yet vegetarian.

Some of the “Must Do’s” while eating your way through India:

Chai: The classic India tea served hot with lots of milk; quite sweet and delicious. Masala Chai is often available from street vendors; called “chai wallas”.

If you are looking for a cold refreshment; bottled pop is quite easy to find and you can find some of the typical brands you would find in North America and you will also find some great treats as well:

-Limca: A lemon/lime pop with a hint of grapefruit – similar to fresca.
-Thumbs Up: Similar to 7up.
-Miranda: Similar to Fanta orange pop.

If you are looking for a snack; you can find nuts, etc. at the spice markets, but make sure you try some of the potato chips. There are flavours that I have never seen before – and YUMMY including tandoori, curry and mastra masala. If you get a chance, you have to try a Pista Koolfi, a pistachio flavoured ice cream packaged and available from vendors.

Again, India is not for the faint of heart, but it is most definitely for those who have an adventurous appetite!

For more information about travelling to India, contact one of our travel consultants at 1-866-502-4605 or check out our website for destination guides and information on tour companies that offer trips through India.

India is highlighted on the Flight Centre Map.

While many people travel to Australia to experience the incredible landscape, this country also has some delicious cuisine options. Our flightie Justina Rousseau recently travelled down under and gives us a look (and taste) into the food and coffee of Australia along with her top two favourite restaurants that you must experience for yourself:

After a 14 hour flight and a meagre attempt at adjusting to a new time zone and climate, the first thing you want is a coffee, right? Whether you take your coffee black, or with cream and sugar- try ordering it like that in Australia and I can guarantee you’ll get some strange looks.  In this country you’ll want to be prepared to order it the Aussie way. A “Long Black” will get you a coffee much like an Americano with 2 shots of Espresso and hot water added. A “Flat White” is essentially a cappuccino, and you can add your own sweetener if desired.   Even though you may find it impossible to find drip coffee anywhere in Australia, I was rather impressed with the quality of their coffee and the process that went into making it.

An Australian Barista is considered a true artist of Coffee making & each Barista must actually be certified by a reputable Institution before they can get a job.  In North America, anyone who is briefly trained to operate a cappuccino machine is therefore considered a Barista, whereas in Australia they take this title much more seriously.

Australia dining is fairly similar to Canadian dining.  Their fusion style food encompasses many different influences from all over the world; particularly Asia, South America, other areas of the South Pacific and even Europe; including the Mediterranean. Most Aussie breakfasts are rather hearty and are served very similarly to western cultures; a few of the differences include beans in tomato sauce & mostly back bacon in much thicker strips with the rind left on.  The breakfast buffets that we enjoyed had some incredible variety to them. We even had a full honeycomb display included on the fruit table at the Four Seasons Breakfast buffet that came with a wooden honey spoon!

The food overall in Australia, was fabulous.  Keeping in mind that everything is perceived as being quite expensive compared to what we pay, (because tipping is not expected and the tax is already included in the prices) on most occasions it tends to even out.

If I was to choose two meals that stood out as the best & most authentic during this trip, I would pick “The Lauxes” Champagne Bar, Lounge & Restaurant in Broadbeach & “The Bushfire Grill” in Cairns.

Our first big dinner out in Australia was at The “Lauxes“. At first I thought it was a very strange name, but was told to look at the spelling backwards and soon realized that this was indeed a sexy play on words. (No pun intended). The Lounge area itself definitely lived up to its expectations, with large champagne glasses and bottles displayed in glass cases, elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, an open-air concept with the park right next door and the main strip of bars and clubs right across the street.

Most of us started out with the fresh Oyster Bar (raw, of course) which were served in an Asian style with Ponzu sauce, wasabi or pickled ginger.   The main courses included but were not limited to; Duck, Barramundi, or Lamb rack, Pork Tenderloin, or BUG!  What’s that you say? You heard me right…

Tempura Moreton Bay Bug served with sautéed Asian vegetables, black beans with Chili, Ponzu & Ginger sauce.  The “BUG” is a very famous, well known dish in Australia.  It looks like a cross between a Cray Fish & a Lobster tail.  Most restaurants that serve this local delicacy provide a different sauce and presentation each night.

The Brazilian influenced “Bush Fire” Aussie BBQ grill in Cairns was by far my favourite dining experience.  The smell when you walk in the door reminded me of campfire and open-pit BBQing in the Summer time.  The menu selection and unique dining experience was a “never to be forgotten” kind of experience.  Our host, Vernon had already taken on the initiative to order for us.  This was a very wise choice because he chose the CHURRASCO EXPERIENCE which was truly an authentic Aussie BBQ experience.  Check it out for yourself  & download their fantastic menu!

After serving a nice selection of Brazilian rice & bean dishes as well as some seasonal vegetables, the waiters started bringing out these enormous skewers of different meats, each BBQ’d with a different sauce & the waiter would slice the meat for you, while you used your tongs to remove the slices until you were content with the portions.  There was chicken, beef, lamb, pork, chorizo sausages and ribs.

The flavours and selection were absolutely fantastic.  I don’t recommend this place for vegetarians, unless of course they want to indulge in the cinnamon & sugar coated BBQ’d Pineapple.  To die for!  I didn’t actually try any Kangaroo, but apparently they eat it like we eat deer or venison in Canada.  Also, crocodile Jerky is on my list of treats for my next Aussie adventure.  The dessert selections were also fantastic & the variety was not only pleasing to the eye, but also to the palate.

With a full belly, first class treatment and a fabulous experience under my belt, I headed back to Canada; to the microwave pre-made dinners, take out Pizza and the odd nice meal out.

I would go back to Australia in a heartbeat, but I can honestly say that in nine days, I was able to learn, experience, EAT, and do an incredible amount within such a vast and fascinating country.

G’day Mate!

Justina Rousseau is an International Travel Consultant at our Courtenay location in BC and can be reached by e-mail or calling 1-866-538-0102. For more information about Australia check out our destination guide or take advantage of our Australia offers available until Sept. 30th, 2011!

With the Aldrei for eg Sudur Festival coming up, we’ve got Iceland on the mind. Our flightie Kate recently went to this beautiful country and couldn’t stop talking about the food. So this one is for the foodies:

While other travelers were shying away from Iceland after the volcano scare, I headed out to see what all the fuss was about. What I found was a country of beautiful people, clean air, geothermal energy and amazing food.

Iceland itself doesn’t produce very many types of food as much of it is imported. Despite this, I was lucky enough to visit a tomato green house, eat Icelandic lamb and have the best Mojito/Waffle combination of my life at 3am in Reykjavik.

Our first day in Iceland, we landed at 630am and headed out for a drive through the countryside to our hotel.  Breakfast every morning of my stay was buffet style with not only toast, jam and other familiar items, but picked fish, lunch meats and shrimp-paste-cheese.

Lunches were always soup and bread with salad and fish. And boy was it ever fresh! I’m pretty sure it had just been pulled out of the ocean that morning and cooked up just for us kind of fresh.

Dinners were a variety of different foods including Icelandic lamb, great salads and deserts to die for! Not to mention the European chocolate bars! I was dedicated to taking a picture of everything I ate until when reviewing my photos I found far too many of the delicious Toffee Crisp chocolate bar (which I now crave pretty much every day).

Our final night was spent in Rekyjavik.  The vibrant nightlife in the downtown area produces surprisingly, some of the best mojitos I have ever had and a variety of foods purchased from vans in the central square.  I chose a waffle from a nice lady who offered me my choice of a multitude of toppings and sent me on my way, waffle in hand.  One of the most popular food stands is the hot dog stand which is legendary in Iceland and will be my first stop on my return trip!

The next day at the Blue Lagoon spa the buffet lunch offered us flat bread baked in holes in the ground, authentic Icelandic salads and whale meat, both cooked and raw with wasabi.  While I didn’t care for the raw version very much, the cooked tasted surprisingly like beef.  Whaling is a vital part of the Icelandic economy (which has suffered in recent years) and while whale is not a staple of their diet, it can be found on many restaurant menus where traditional Icelandic fare is offered.

Before going to Iceland I didn’t really know much about it, but now that I’ve seen (and tasted it) I can’t stop talking about it!  The best part? This hidden gem is only a 5 hour flight away from Toronto.

Iceland is more than just a volcano and the Blue Lagoon… it’s great food!  (and delicious waffles served best with chocolate and bananas from a van).

Reykjavik, Iceland is highlighted on the Flight Centre map.

Thinking about a trip to Iceland? Contact one of our Flight Centre agents to find out more and get your trip planning started!

Our Flightie Adam Barralet has been all over the world and has learned a lot of valuable tips along the way. Each week he’ll take us to a different country and offer his tips on what to expect and what manners are acceptable:

Did you know you can go skiing in Hawaii? Or that Liechtenstein, Singapore and Norway have no official statutory minimum wage rate? Surely you know that Pamela Anderson, Sir Paul McCartney and His Holiness the Dalai Lama all won’t eat KFC due to the fast food giant’s lack of responsibility against cruelty to animals? It’s easy to get concerned with your little lot in the world and forget that life is different in other parts of the world. When it comes to etiquette and manners, we know you should keep your elbows off the table and always bring a gift to a dinner party, but is this applicable everywhere in the world? I invite you to join me over the coming weeks as we zig zag around the world to explore the differences of etiquette around the world.

First we stop for a romantic rendez-vous in France. As a child I still remember lazy Sunday dinners, drifting into a food induced coma from too many roast vegetables only to be jolted back to reality by a sudden whack from my Pop for resting my hands or elbows on the table. If only I had of known then what I know now, that I was simply honouring my French background. Unlike in countries such as Canada, Australia and England, in France you must keep your hands ON the table.

There are numerous differences in French table etiquette to the upbringing you may have had. For example for the French is that it is bad form to touch the crockery. Therefore don’t tilt the soup bowl to get the last few drops. At the onset of the meal bread or breadsticks may arrive at your table. In France, these are an accompaniment to the meal so don’t start nibbling until the food arrives.

Start your meal by waiting for the host or hostess to begin eating and then say Bon appétit before taking the first mouthful and do not say it again. During the meal don’t eat food with your hands, even sandwiches or fruit and if you enjoy a cool drink, know in France ice will only be added to your drink upon request. At the end of the meal, always leave a little on your plate to show that you have “eaten well”.

Before we jet off to our next stop, you may feel like a coffee but it’s not commonly drunk after 3 – 4pm in France so don’t be surprised if you get funny looks if you ask for one. It’s not really a faux pas but useful to know.

Want more tips from Adam? Let us know where you’re travelling next and he’ll write about it! Adam Barralet is Assistant Manager at our Flight Centre- Sheppard Centre in Toronto and can be reached by E-mail, or by calling 1-866-828-1390.

Whistler is a winter wonderland filled with endless things to do, some of the best food BC has to offer, and the most accessible inbound terrain in North America.

It has so much to offer that it can be overwhelming your first time around,  so we asked a Whistler local (and photographer) Erin Hogue to share a few of her secrets with us:

1. Fresh Tracks:

It’s important to start your day off early. This season Mother Nature has given Whistler over 1256 cm of snow, which means we have had endless powder days. The key to getting the best runs is starting early! Be one of the first people out there by purchasing a Fresh Tracks ticket. This gets you up the Whistler Gondola before the mountain even opens and you can fuel up on an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at the top of the mountain. As soon as the bell rings you’ll want to be first out the door. A few warm up laps under green chair are important but as soon as you have your legs back, head to Unsanctioned or Indeep. Harmony and Symphony are also excellent.

2. Sip Away:

If you weren’t up early enough to catch fresh tracks, start your day off on the right foot next to the Whistler Gondola at Lift Coffee Company. Their large selection of breakfast sandwiches, wraps and pastries will give you fuel to get you through the morning. I recommend taking some time on their beautiful heated patio and really enjoying that first cup. It’s a relaxing change from the hectic mornings at home. It’s moments like these that are ever better when spent with a loved one.

3. Ingrid’s

When the mid-day munchies hit, head to the village for a healthy home cooked meal at Ingrid’s. This place has been a Whistler staple for over 25 years. Although Ingrid herself is no longer around, her perfected recipes still thrive. Try the Chicken Schnitzel or veggie wrap with sweet chili sauce.

4. Treat Yourself:

Head down to Gone Bakery for a warm drink and delicious treats. This bakery is well known for their soups and massive cookies, however they recently added three must-try desserts to their menu. The greatest part? Items are inexpensive and made from scratch without chemicals or preservatives. Try out a bowl of the hearty, homemade soup that is served with a wedge of fresh bread.

5. Ride the Gondola:

In 2009 Whistler Blackcomb opened the largest one in the world so it’s time to test your fear of heights and make the 20-min Gondola trip from Blackcomb to Whistler. Once you’re there, make sure you ride the 7km down from Whistler Peak to Creekside.

6. Dusty’s:

After completing your ride down to Creekside, treat yourself to some apres drinks at Dusty’s where they serve the best Caesars in town!

7. Glam it Up:

In Whistler, at least one night of glam is always fun. Try some  Cocktails at Cure Lounge in Nita Lake Lodge. Mixologist Hailey Pasemko makes her own bitters, syrups, and infusions, so it would be a shame not to experience it! Strange Attraction, and Like Cockatoos are merely some of the amazing menu items but the staff there are so fabulous they will make you a custom cocktail with your favourite ingredients.

8. Aura:

After cocktails, head to Aura for dinner. Combining locally sources ingredients with a genuine passion for culinary art, executive chef Tim Cuff sends your taste buds into ecstasy.

9. Play in the Snow:

Not feeling the mountains today? Whistler’s Outdoor Adventures offers plenty other activities to entertain you. From zip trekking to snowshoeing or snowmobiling, it’s completely up to you.  I recommend an afternoon on the snowmobile. You start off on a beautiful guided trail then let lose on a wide open lake. It’s a real rush going at tops speeds and is so incredibly fun.

10. Have a Spa Day:

Feeling some muscle aches today? It’s a proven fact that your muscles with ache in places you didn’t even know could ache so it’s time to give them a bit of a break. Spend an afternoon relaxing at Scandinave Spa. Your body will love you as you move through their multi bath system.

Whistler has so much to offer that you really need to experience it for yourself.

Thinking about booking your next vacation there? Contact one of our Flight Centre agents or call 1-877-967-5302 to book your Whistler adventure!

*photos courtesy of Erin Hogue Photography. Check out our Flickr album to see more!

Flight Centre’s Karla Fee blogs about her three favourite restaurants in Ottawa and Karla should know because she’s from O-town. From Malaysian to British pub fare to Mexican, Karla recommends Chahaya Malaysia, The Lieutenant’s Pump and Ahora.

As I sit here wondering what to blog about, I’m still thinking of what I had for lunch. It was a great meal, let me tell you. I had a big bowl of vegetarian chili, and a piece of homemade spelt bread. It was delicious. I thought to myself, I should write about some of the great places I love to eat in Ottawa. If you’re ever visiting Ottawa, there are three restaurants that I would highly recommend.

The first, and my favourite, is a tiny place called “Chahaya Malaysia”. It serves the most amazing authentic Malaysian, Indonesian and vegetarian cuisine. The owner came to Canada from Malaysia in 1985, and opened his restaurant. They serve the best, and I mean best, spring rolls. My favourite dish is called Malaysian fried noodles, (or Mee Goren). It consists of wheat noodles, bean sprouts, Chinese greens, beef, baby shrimp and tofu, sautéed with sweet soya sauce, tauco and garlic. I can’t even describe to you how good it is. They also serve an array of curried dishes, as well as many meat and vegetarian options.

My second fave is a place I frequent quite often as I live right around the corner. It’s called the Lieutenant’s Pump. It reminds me of a British Pub, with its quaint little rooms, and open brick walls; everything they make is homemade, and oh so good. I’ve lived beside it for about four years now, and I don’t think I’ve missed a weekend breakfast yet. Their menu is filled with delicious things like Eggs Parisienne (poached eggs on an English muffin with mushrooms and brie cheese) and a personal favourite — Mulligatawny Indian Curry Soup. Whether you’re going to relax on the patio with a big glass of red wine, or inside on a Friday night watching the game with a pitcher or your favourite beer, I have no doubt in my mind that this is a place you won’t forget.

The third, is a tiny little Mexican restaurant called Ahora. Ahora is a Spanish word that means Now. When I think of it, that’s when I want it, now! It’s located just steps away from the Byward Market, and is filled with Mexican charm. As you enter and go downstairs, you’re surrounded with bright colors and an atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re in Mexico. They only use fresh produce, and they have the greatest salsa bar — with everything homemade. My favourite dish is the Burrito Grande, which is a great big burrito stuffed with chicken or steak, cheese, black beans, rice, salsa gringa, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream. With a side of homemade tortilla chips and refried beans, you’re good to go. They also make a mean margarita! So, if you’re ever in the mood to be transported back to Mexico, this is the place to go.

If you’re ever in the Ottawa area, I suggest stopping by any three of these places if you’re looking for some good eats. You won’t be disappointed. Happy eating everyone!

The location of Chahaya Malaysia in Ottawa, Canada is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on great restaurants in Ottawa and around the world? Contact Karla Fee, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Ottawa, Ontario at The Glebe and can be reached at 1 866 991 5584.

Flight Centre’s Nicole McDougall joins us today with a blog post about travelling New Zealand with a gluten intolerance. I had no idea how much of a challenge this was until a friend’s child was diagnosed coeliac and it has literally changed the way we plan our get togethers. In this post Nicole recommends gluten free friendly restaurants in Mount Cook, Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Auckland. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what to eat when travelling. This gets even more difficult when you have dietary restrictions, but with a little planning you can have a great trip and some great meals. I have an intolerance to gluten, which means I can’t have wheat, barley, rye and a variety of other related grains. This is made even more difficult since these ingredients show up in the strangest places. If you let the restaurants know ahead of time this can significantly increase the quality and variety of your meals. Here were some of my favourites: Hermitage Resort, Mount Cook They brought me a separate bread course, with individual dips and a very nicely toasted gluten free bread. The waiters were all very knowledgeable and made sure that every course was safe for me. It was also very, very delicious, everything from the breads, to the roast lamb, to the strawberry and champagne granata. Winnie’s Restaurant, Queenstown This is a laid back pub with a huge pizza menu, they make a terrific gluten-free crust and everything on the menu is clearly labeled. The crust was thin and crispy, and there was a lot of different toppings to choose from. Even my travelling companions couldn’t tell the difference. Pannikers, Arrowtown Not only was Arrowtown an adorable little town, the variety of gluten-free foods was amazing! I had gluten-free Eggs Benedict, and it was terrific. They had a huge selection of gluten-free foods, including meat pies, breads, pancakes and they could make most things on their menu gluten-free. Hammerheads, Auckland A very nice seafood restaurant, with a very thorough menu. The mains were all good, but the part I remember best was their panna cotta. It was so, so, so good! The great thing about travelling gluten free in New Zealand is that everyone seemed to understand what I was talking about, which seems to be a difficult thing to explain in North America. It was easy to come across gluten free products in cafes (I had an amazing gluten-free friand in Christchurch) grocery stores and even convenience stores carried CookieTime brand gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. Arrowtown, New Zealand is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map. Nicole McDougall is an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Hamilton, Ontario and can be reached at 1 866 662 6421. More of Nicole’s photos can be found on Flight Centre’s Flickr channel.

So, here I sit at the new Flight Centre Ottawa store in the Glebe on Bank Street and inspiration hits me for a new blog post. How about doing a travel blog post on one of my favourite restaurants in the entire world, Haveli? Stomach now officially grumbling as I start to write this post.

Quite a few years ago when planning a business trip to Ottawa a dear friend of mine recommended (actually she insisted) I visit Haveli Indian Restaurant. Jan knows I have a passion for both making and enjoying a great curry. You know, we are all passed along food and travel recommendations but considering Jan was from India and that she stated Haveli was considered one of the top Indian restaurants in North America – well, I was sold.

The first time I went I was by myself and I quickly realized that was wishing I was sharing this experience with others. So I made it my mission to pass along Jan’s incredible recommendation. From the window looking into the tandoor where the naan rolled down the side of the ovens it browned to the incredible mix of flavours in my Thal-E-Haveli. I have been back many times since ordering specific plates such as the Chicken Tika Masala, Saag Gosht, and Beef Vindaloo but the Thal-E-Haveli is the best way to have a taste adventure.

Haveli is not a bad place to people watch and catch the odd celebrity sighting; from the Prime Minister to Bryan Adams, and I have been told the B52s. Love Shack indeed!

Always having been located in and around the Market, Haveli was previously located inside a mall which made it a little difficult to find. Now located on Clemence Street it is centrally located and easy to find. Find yourself a bit out of town? No problem because Haveli has a second location at Bells Corners in Nepean.

Ok, thinking I may need to skip tonight’s Buzz night and hit Haveli before my flight out this evening. Kidding, but next time I am in Ottawa I’m thinking I will have to insist on taking people out for some yummy curries.

Haveli’s location in the Market at 39 Clarence Street, Ottawa, Canada is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Flight Centre’s Theresa Babic travels to Seoul, Korea and reports back with unique vacations tips, culinary adventures and shopping delights.

What a diners delight to venture out into the city of Seoul, Korea looking for dishes unique to the North American palate.

My first mission was to find and devour Kimchi. I had never tried this side dish before but had heard so much about it. It is a traditional Korean pickled dish made of vegetables with varied seasonings, usually cabbage and can be very spicy. There are over 100 different varieties of Kimchi and I believe that I only managed to try 6 varieties at most.

Another unique staple to the Korean dining experience included Soju. It’s an alcohol most commonly made from rice and usually 20% proof. It tastes comparable to that of vodka but slightly sweeter. Most interesting about drinking Soju is that it is against traditional custom in Korea to fill one’s own glass. Instead, it must be filled by someone else at the table. This promotes a spirit of thoughtfulness and camaraderie.

And my most favorite dining experience included the infamous Korean Barbeque. A group of 4-6 people sit down together at a charcoal grilling station to share a feast of cooked pork, chicken or beef. I had the pleasure of trying pork accompanied by Kimchi and fern and pickled bean sprouts wrapped up in a lettuce leaf.

I would also have to say that I believe Seoul to be a shopper’s paradise. There are so many shopping malls and outdoor markets throughout the city to buy anything your heart desires. I spent most of my time in Dongdaemun Market which happens to be largest in South Korea. Dongdaemun is filled with hundreds of vendor booths selling anything you can imagine; knick knacks, souvenirs, clothing, and brand name hand bags. Also, a little bargaining is always welcomed at the booths without sticker prices on their items. My shopping experience was a success and I managed to pick up for myself two hand bags, an eel skin wallet, stainless steel chop sticks… and of course souvenir Kimchi.

So if you are looking for a dining and shopping holiday that is “off the beaten path,” I strongly encourage you to try Seoul Korea. If even you find yourself in Incheon airport for a 9 hour layover en route to another destination…. go out to eat or shop till you drop!

Seoul, Korea is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Theresa Babic is an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Oakville, Ontario and can be reached at 1 866 704 5366.

So, if you saw yesterday’s video blog post you know that the Flight Centre crew traveled to Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island and had a blast of a vacation… err, working holiday. What the video didn’t show was the incredible choice of restaurants offered. Surprisingly we found time away from all that hard work (there’s my tongue implanted in my cheek again) to enjoy the culinary delights the resort had to offer. So now that I’m back at the Flight Centre compound I have the opportunity to reflect on the incredible gastronomic treats we enjoyed.

Kimonos

If you’ve never had the opportunity to experience Tappanyaki then this Japanese restaurant is a must-not-miss. Why; because Kimonos includes a dinner and a show. Our chef did a great job of keeping us well fed and entertained with his humour and knife skills. I can still feel the heat of the sizzling grill and smell the incredible flavours as the food was cooked right in front of us. The great thing about Tappanyaki is even if you’re sitting at a table with people you’ve never met before the experience quickly becomes a group event and is a fantastic way to cut the ice and meet new friends.

Crystal Room Restaurant

Walking into the Crystal Room was like stepping back in time. The first thing I noticed was the incredible chandelier and a décor that would be best described as graceful; fit for royalty. I would love to say that the few of us at our table each sampled something different but truth be told we all eyed the scallops and prime rib. The seared scallops were perfectly cooked and the prime rib was complimented with a hearty baked potato and fresh vegetables. I didn’t try the chowder but was told it was incredible. After the main course I professed to our table that I don’t normally eat dessert and, if I do, I just nibble. Let’s just say that my statement was seriously doubted because every last morsel of the chocolate volcano on my plate vanished; a delectable final course to a great meal.

I wish I had the time to enjoy all nine restaurants but it just wasn’t possible in the three days we were there; thinking it’s my reason to return! I had a few other great meals which I will share in a later blog post.

If you’ve been to Sandals Royal Bahamian what culinary experience can you share?

Today we highlight the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort on the Flight Centre travel map.