European Summer 2019

Dear Walkabout Walkers and Friends,

The last days of summer are a reminder that the long and beautiful sunny days are slowly coming to an end. As always, we enjoyed returning to familiar places and finding new ones along the way.

Epicurean walk in Italy

Gabriela was very happy with her choice to stay three days in Sorrento at the magnificent Hotel Continental but also 3 nights in Amalfi to avoid too much travelling on the busy Amalfi coastal road.

Our new Hotel Miramalfi in Amalfi which is set on a cliff on the Amalfi Coast, just 10 minutes walking from the centre of Amalfi. It provides panoramic sea views from its restaurant, swimming pool and all guest rooms.

The different sun terraces and the private beach can be reached with a lift that has been carved in the cliff.

The restaurant serves traditional Campania cuisine. The stunning 'Walk to the Gods', which starts in Agerola and the walk to Ravello are both in easy reach of Amalfi.

We especially loved the sections of the holiday spent around Sorrento, on the Amalfi Coast and around Norcia and the mountains. The accommodation was excellent as well as the local scenery and attractions."
Deirdre from Adelaide, SA Australia [2019]

Epicurean Walk in Italy [16 days] | Next from Sorrento, Italy: June 3 2021

October 2019

Al Trabucco Da Mimi

Villa Rufolo Ravello

Iceland Explorer

Sometimes there is no other word but awesome. Ragnar, our Icelandic guide who joined Gabriela on two tours this year brought in very detailed knowledge and all our guests benefited from his "educational" talks in the evening.

His knowledge regarding all Icelandic matters is unbelievable - from geology to the Icelandic stories or even local customs to keep children outside during the day - summer and winter - until they start school... doing it the Icelandic way...

I had a really great time on this trip and positively LOVED Iceland. The landscape was truely amazing and the guiding was the best i have experienced. I loved the variety in the walks and the pace. My group was friendly and supportive and fun... the accommodation was just gorgeous and overall it was a really good trip. Having local guides made the trip unique and the leadership by Gabriella and Ragnar was consistently present and switched on."
Julie from Sydney NSW, Australia [2019]

Iceland Explorer [14 days] | Next from Reykjavik, Iceland: July 27 2021

Hotel Laxa Myvatn Iceland

Reynisfjara basalt columns

The Highlanders Trail

The long wait is over and our pre departure notes for The Highlanders Trail in Scotland are now available, it includes a 2-3 day autumn photo walk extension with photographer Tim Perceval.

Tim was born in London and is the grandson of Australian painter John Perceval and later Sir Sidney Nolan. Surrounded by art from such a young age he has developed a vison of the world around him through the eyes of a landscape painter.

As professional photographer for the past 20 years, he moved in 2015 from the South of France to Stirling, Scotland where he works directly with artists cataloguing their collections. He also runs landscape photography workshops around central Scotland and has found a home amongst the wild natural beauty of his ancient land.

Please let us know if you are interested to receive a copy of the photo walk program.

The Highlanders Trail [16 days] | Next dep. from Edinburg, Scotland: Sept 14 2021

West Highland, Scotland

Photographer Tim Perceval

Greenland Explorer

While on tour in Iceland, Gabriela and Ragnar had some time to make new plans for a tour in Greenland.

It is an expedition to this unfairly unheeded land, which will be another highlight of our summer tours in 2021 in the far north.

The first four days we will be based in Tasiilaq, from here we start our daily hikes.

Included in the tour is also a day trip by boat to the Knud Rasmussen Fjord and a helicopter ride, which brings us to our next accommodation in Kulusuk. A spectacular glacier walk is another highlight! The itinerary will be available soon.

Greenland Explorer [7 days] | Next from Reykjavik, Iceland: August 12 2021

Greenland

Tasiilaq Village

Back to the Douro Valley, Portugal

In-between tours Gabriela and Nastassja went to Portugal and checked out the new hotels in Lisbon and Porto.

There was also some time left to visit the beautiful Douro Valley and the magnificent Vintage House Hotel. It has been as stylish as ever and the new improvements are all wonderful.

A highlight was also to see so many familiar faces after all these years. We are looking forward to incorporating Portugal again into our Journey back in Time tour next year and are delighted to have the opportunity to discover the magnificent town of Porto at the end of the tour.

This was my second trip with WGA, the first one being Follow the Gourmet Trail in Italy in 2014. The Pilgrims Way surpassed all my expectations. The cuisine was wonderful, as was the accommodation in the historic Paradores of Spain. However, for me, the highlight of the trip was the chance to experience the Camino. Walking with, and chatting to the pilgrims who walk the whole 790kms was something I will never forget - and has in fact inspired me to perhaps give it a go one day. Graeme, our guide, was fantastic. His knowledge of the Camino and his ability to impart to us the significance of this walk for the pilgrims made such a difference. Thank you, WGA! I look forward to my next adventure."
Yvonne, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Guest from same region)

A Journey back in Time [18 days] | Next from Granada, Spain: April 1 2021

Gourmet dinner, Porto

Port tasting Vintage House Pinhao

Vintage Hotel Pinhao, Portugal

Yoga & Meditation in India

Yoga and meditation on our flavours of South India tour.

Truly believing in the benefits of a regular yoga and meditation practice, we are already looking forward to meeting Sreejith again in March and experience more of his empowering holistic yoga classes.

He must be considered to be a leader in his field. His passion to explore reflexology and yogic science took him to various masters across the world.

Some people claim that he is one of the world's most intuitive and experienced therapists in yoga... and after one session of reflexology with him you will come out feeling brand new!

My cousin and I had an absolutely wonderful time touring South India. We loved the adventure walks and really enjoyed the cooking classes - they were a highlight. Accommodation was first class and the Aleppy houseboat trip was fantastic. Such a brilliant way to see life in Kerala up close and personal. We were so lucky to enjoy the company of the other tour guests - such a great bunch of people and so much fun. The gentle and genuine warmth of the people we met all over Kerala was a sheer delight. Thank you for a wonderful trip!"
Victoria from Sydney, NSW, Australia [2019]

Flavours of South India [12 days] | Next from Cochin, India: March 3 2021

Hindu Festival Kerala India

Cooking class with Nimi, Munnar

Tiger Reserve, Thekkady Kerala

A day with the Huskies Myvatn North Iceland

A Winter tale in Iceland

Bergthora is one of our local guides in the North at Myvatn Lakes and together with Gabriela, they have worked on a new winter tour itinerary in this magnificent part of the country.

Apart from the natural wonders around Lake Mývatn there is a large range of other exciting activities we can pursue, depending on weather conditions.

With a snowmobile we can explore the Icelandic nature during the winter months in a different way. In Mývatn, snowmobiling is one of the local's favourite ways of travelling through the rough arctic conditions. Snowmobiling is a part of their lifestyle and they love to share their passion for snowmobiling with us.

Another thrill is to visit the Lofthellir Ice Cave inside a volcano. It is a permafrost Ice-Cave inside a Lava Tunnel, boosting incredible ice formations, some hundreds of years old.

A dog sledding tour on snow and a visit to the unchained Siberian Husky Kennel at Bergthora's home, the farm Heiði is another highlight. Here two guests and a musher from Snow Dogs share a wooden sled with 8-10 Siberian Huskies pulling you on a scenic trail of 6-10 km, taking approximately 45-70 minutes with picture stops.

Of course, we will go on winter walks and will give you the necessary equipment you need for a winter hike.

Another thrill on our winter tour is hunting for the Northern lights. It is thanks to the weaker magnetic field around the poles, that electrically charged particles from the sun can enter the earth's atmosphere here. But we don´t need to understand the physical part of it to enjoy amazing Northern lights shows in Iceland! When this "art of nature" illuminates the sky with spectacular displays of green, purple, pink, even red, our hearts jump with joy and it will be one of those experiences of a lifetime.

We have always enjoyed our visits to the Mývatn Nature Baths during summer, but it is even more special in winter. The nature bath was opened in 2004 and has proven to be one of the region's highlights for travellers. Based on a century's old tradition, the tastefully designed complex offers bathers a completely natural experience.

Begin with a relaxing dip in clouds of steam rising up from fissures deep in the earth's surface and end with a luxurious bath in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 metres. Containing a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms, the warm soothing waters of Mývatn Nature Baths benefit both skin and spirit alike.

The Sigurgeir's bird museum is the perfect solution for an unfavourable weather day and is on the farm Ytri-Neslönd beside Lake Myvatn. It was established following the pioneering work of Sigurgeir Stefansson who lived at the farm. Sigurgeir's bird museum is considered the largest known private bird collection in Iceland.

There are plenty of other activities that could be an option dependent on weather!

A Winter Tale in Iceland [8 days] | Next from Iceland: March 16 2021

Seljahjallagil Iceland

Northern lights Iceland

Myvatn Region North Iceland

Krafla area Iceland

Krafla Iceland

Iceland

Iceland water falls

A 5-day Parisian Getaway

Have you been daydreaming about finally taking that trip to Paris and uncovering all of its magic? Then, this is exactly what you might have been waiting for!

We are thrilled to introduce to you our new Parisian city tour where you will be immersed in art, delicious food and wine with French moments that will remain in your memory forever!

We shall explore the local Parisian street scenes of beautiful Iles St Louis, Saint Germain des Prés, Montmartre and the Marais neighbourhoods.

Learn about French cooking with a hands-on cooking class. Visit some superb art galleries, historic sites and enjoy the Parisian strolling scenes along the Seine and its charming parks.

If you are a European culture buff and like to eat and drink well, while being stimulated with art, culture and architecture then this is YOUR tour!

A Parisian Getaway [5 days] | Next from Paris, France: October 10 2021

Restaurant Saint Regis Paris

French Patisserie in Paris

Rejuvenative Health Retreat

Relax and unwind = rejuvenative health retreat in provence, is the ultimate introspective journey back to yourself.

We base ourselves in Résidence Castellane, our own charming apartments, in the peaceful setting of our hometown Forcalquier in Provence.

Here we shall bring you a unique retreat full of wellbeing and goodness to nurture your mind, body and soul.

Emphasis will be on fresh and healthy produce, daily meditation, yoga and healing techniques such as the Alexander technique, Life Alignment and Health coaching consultations - aiming at exploring and rebalancing your relationship with food on and off the plate.

The lavender fields will be in full bloom ready to greet you as we discover some of our favourite hidden corners of Provence.

We shall immerse ourselves in the fresh local food, which is available in abundance and learn lots of new healthy tips which you can then incorporate into your daily lives.

We hope you can join us on this special and transformational Retreat in Provence!

Rejuvenative Health Retreat in Provence [7 days] | Next departure: July 5 2021

Cherry and Strawberry Crumble

Lavender fields Provence

Forcalquier Market

Passion play in Oberammergau!

Nearly 400 years ago the history of the Passion Play began. The plague raged in many parts of Europe and did not spare Oberammergau either.

In 1633 the Oberammergau villagers promised to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every tenth year, in so far as no one was to die of the plague anymore. The villagers were answered by God and therefore in 1634 the first Passion Play took place.

The promise has been kept until today. From May 16th to October 4th, 2021, the 42nd Passion Play will take place in Oberammergau.

A great opportunity to see this incredible spectacle, which can be ideally added on or taken before the following tours:

Flavours of Bavaria [7 days] | Next dep. from Munich, Germany: June 26 2021

The Romantic Path [14 days] | Next dep. from Munich, Germany: Sept. 11 2021

Eastern Circuit [14 days] | Next dep. from Munich, Germany: Sept. 16 2021

It is advised to book the tickets directly through Passionsspiele Oberammergau - Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG Dorfstrasse 3 82487 Oberammergau | Tel +49 8822 83 59 33 0 | Fax +49 8822 949 88 56 - support@oberammergau.de

Walking Food tour french riviera

Romantic Path

Flavours of Bavaria

A Christmas in Provence

Christmas in Provence at residence Castellane... Rich in symbols, marked in beliefs and omens, the Christmas traditions are well-anchored in the hearts of the Provençal people.

During this festive season, called Calendale, villages throughout Provence host Christmas Markets, Santons Fairs, Lighting Festivals and Tours of Nativity Scenes leading up to Le Gros Souper on Christmas Eve and Les treize desserts.

Calendale is a wonderful, celebratory time in the south of France and a fantastic time to visit. Travel to Provence and stay with us at Residence Castellane in Forcalquier.

All our four apartments are located in one of the nicest streets in the old town, rue Saint Mary – a charming, cobblestoned street leading up to a hilltop park. One of the unique aspects of the location is the fact that rue Saint Mary is a "cul-de-sac" and is an extremely quiet street with no traffic noise. The main square with its lovely cafes and restaurants is just around the corner. It is certainly convenient to be able to wander down in the evening, have a lovely meal with a bottle of wine and not have to worry about who is driving!

The apartments have either one or two bedrooms with separate kitchen, lounge and bathroom. Three of the apartments can be connected into a four/five-bedroom house - perfect for a large family or a group of friends. They all have modern conveniences and have been beautifully decorated in a modern Provençal style. Three of the apartments have delightful terraces with stunning views of the old town and surrounding Provence countryside, while one apartment has the use of the courtyard. On top of the hill, overlooking the old town, is a 19th century chapel set in a wooded cemetery, marking the site of the former citadel.

In the past, Forcalquier was a favourite residence of the counts of Provence and an internationally renowned cultural, political and economic centre. Today, Forcalquier hosts one of the liveliest and most colourful markets in the region.

Here you will find all the produce of the season and artists selling their wares. Wander through the restored old town with its narrow streets, basking in the middle of rolling winter scenery and discover the many interesting near-by sites like the Verdon Gorge or the picturesque villages in the famous Luberon Valley. Enjoy delicious provençal cuisine from a variety of excellent local restaurants. The Christmas crib, or crèche, is an important part of the nativity scene in Provence, dating back to the 17th century.

It is also possible to arrange yoga, golf, art, language and cooking classes during your stay with us in Forcalquier - please ask for further details.

Forcalquier is almost in the heart of Provence and all major points of interest can be easily visited in a day. Travelling time to nearby cities - Nice 2½ hours, Aix-en-Provence 1 hour, Avignon, Marseille and French Alps 1½ hours.

You know when you search Airbnb for hours looking for the perfect one - this is one of those. The apartment is amazing, creative, cute, bright, unique... it has 2 perfect private porches and it sits right in the center of a wonderful old city that has character and feels real and lived in. I wish we could have stayed longer. Heads up if you don't want stairs - there are quite a few, but pretty standard for an old city. The check in was smooth and personal and we had a list of new restaraunts to visit (and we did they were great :) and events taking place. Definite recommendation."
Amie from Portland USA - 09/2019

Provence Holiday Apartments

Winter in Forcalquier

Kitchen and lounge Eleonore

Large bedroom, Sancie

Entrance staircase, Forcalquier

Roof top terrace, Blanche

Winter sunset Forcalquier

Upcoming Festivals for Foodies

There are plenty of events in Australia from Food & Fine Wine Festivals to Gastronomy Expos throughout the year. These Events bring together Australian and world-renowned winemakers, chefs and industry insiders to entertain, educate and inspire, you may also visit farm gates and cellar doors, meet with local producers, attend degustation dinners, taste regional products or even attend cooking classes! We have put a list of local and overseas gourmet events together, here is what's coming near you:

Australian events

18/10	The Orange Wine Festival [9 days]	Orange, NSW
20/10	Prahran Market Cheese Festival [1 day]	Prahran, VIC
25/10	Brisbane Good F&W Show [3 days]	Brisbane, QLD
26/10	UnWined Wine and Food Festival [2 days]	Subiaco, WA

Overseas events

18/10	Dartmouth Food Festival [2 days]	Dartmouth, UK
30/10	Le Salon du Chocolat [4 days]	Paris, France
01/11	Taste of Auckland [4 days]	Auckland, NZ
31/10	Ottawa Wine & Food Festival [3 days]	Ottawa, Canada
09/11	San Diego Bay Festival [7 days]	San Diego, USA
21/11	Niagara Food & Wine Expo [4 days]	Ontario, Canada

See all Gourmet events for 2019

Travel guestbook

If you haven't had a chance to do it after your tour last year, please tell us your thoughts, memories of little details that made your day and your personal highlights by signing our guestbook so we can continually improve our services for you.

Serjosha Clarke is still working on the new Walkabout Gourmet Adventures website which is coming closer to its completion while Gabriela, with the help of Serjosha has started working on the new 2021 brochure which will be in a similar style to our new website! We shall keep you posted on the progress!

We look forward to walking with you somewhere around the globe soon or welcoming you to our accommodations in Byron Bay or Provence.

Your Gypsetter and the Walkabout Team

PS: Remember that you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Entwined in the Valley

Brisbane Good Food & Wine Show

NY City Wine & Food Festiva

San Diego Bay Wine Food Festival

Quality holiday walks