Could Madeira be the next best undiscovered culinary destination?
Apr 22, 2024
Europe's Best Island Destination Hides Culinary Riches
Madeira, a Portuguese treasure in the middle of the Atlantic, has just been recognized by the World Travel Awards
as the best island destination in Europe. This archipelago, enticing with its pleasant climate and warm hospitality, hides an unmatched culinary heritage among its dramatic valleys and imposing cliffs. In this journey through Madeira's cuisine, we will explore everything from its iconic wines to the authentic local kitchen with the food experts from Eat & Walkabout. Of course, not overlooking the beauty of its capital, Funchal, and the natural charm of Porto Moniz. Are you drooling yet to visit Madeira? You’ll only get to experience the real Madeiran delights if you go on tour with someone who knows where to find those hidden gems.
Dive into the local gastronomy with professionals
Wine tastings in Madeira are another facet of the island's rich gastronomic traditions. Beyond simply visiting Blandy's Wine Lodge, taste the best Madeirense DOP (officially recognized and registered) wines with an expert local guide. If you prefer cider or rum, you could participate in a tasting in the village of Camacha or in a local distillery. As always, tasty morsels are not far away from your wine or beverage tastings!
What to do in Madeira: Culture, history, nature, and more
Beyond food and drink, the archipelago has much more to offer. First, Funchal, the picturesque capital of Madeira, is a melting pot of culture, history, and nature. Its streets, with their botanical gardens and terrace cafes, invite you to wander around the city.
A must-visit in Funchal is the Zona Velha, the historical heart of the city, where street art and restaurants create a bohemian atmosphere. Here, you can taste typical dishes in quaint restaurants or explore local art galleries. Why not start your tour with an incredible rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city? Funchal is easily reachable with a 90-minute flight through Lisbon.
Are you interested in discovering the secrets of Madeiran cuisine? Then indulge in the 7-day tour "The True Flavours & Nature of the Madeira Islands" organised by Eat & Walkabout, a premier culinary tour operator in Spain and Portugal. The next departure is November 8-14, 2024. Our blog readers can enjoy a 5% discount using code WFTA2024. With this immersive experience, you'll learn to prepare traditional dishes with chef Filipe Janeiro and understand the philosophy behind the simplicity and taste of Madeira's cuisine after visiting the Farmers' Market (Mercado dos Lavradores).
Learn more about Madeira here. Or click here
if you prefer to watch a video of Madeira.
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A short audio interview with Sonia Seivwright, a member of the World Food Travel Association's Emerging Leaders Council
News announcement about new partnership between the Culinary Heritage Network and the World Food Travel Association.
The World Food Travel Association's 2024 State of the Food & Beverage Tourism Industry report is available as a free download in 5 languages.
Press release about Cuenca, Ecuador joining the Culinary Capitals program.
In this episode, number 68, of The Business of Food Travel podcast, we speak with Fred Lizée. Fred is a tourism industry professional from France. He has been working in responsible adventure travel for 15 years, with professional experiences in Europe, Asia and Australia. He is passionate about outdoor expeditions, community travel and disruptive tourism projects. To that end, he created his own competition called the New Explorer Challenge to help train international students on the subject of sustainable adventure tourism. As you probably have guessed, Fred loves to travel and has visited 72 countries already.
In this episode number 67 of The Business of Food Travel podcast, we speak with Rico Mandel. In 2001, when the dotcom bubble burst and then September 11 hit, Rico's marketing business collapsed. After some soul searching, he decided to enroll in culinary school, an experience that changed his life. He worked in restaurants and catering, while building his contact networks and continuing marketing work in the hospitality industry. This eventually led him to create Miz En Place, an ecommerce platform that delves into the world of gastronomy through artisanal food and beverage products, experiences, and stories.
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