Italy Destinations

Scott Weiner is the founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours and owner of the Guiness World Record largest pizza box collection. Scott recently returned from the birthplace of pizza, Naples, Italy, where he judged an international pizza contest. Scott tells Brent about the different pizzas he sampled, teaching baby to love pizza, and some recommendations for…

Ovos Moles may be tiny, but they’re delicious! And, they have a tie to Portuguese royalty. Ovos Moles origin story The sweet little treats called Ovos Moles were invented by the nuns of the Mosteiro de Jesus in Aveiro, a Dominican convent built in 1461 by Papal decree. The monastery is famous because this is…

Brent visits several incredible markets in Lisbon. From organic markets to covered food halls to Lisbon’s best wine & cheese shop it’s foodie heaven! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa4yWKSwTPo About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short…

Mohamed is a photographer and foodie travel guide in Morocco. His company Moroccan Food Tour takes curious travelers to see and taste everything his country has to offer. Brent talks with Mohamed about the unique spices of Morocco and the many different markets of Marrakech. Plus, Mohamed’s favorite dishes to make at home, different kinds…

Brent talks about people threatening to leave the United States after the most recent election results and why most will never do it. He outlines some of the reasons people say they are leaving and how Portugal compares to the U.S. on those issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsxor0BXCI About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination…

Lucian Reed-Drake first visited Bangkok as a teenage backpacker. Today, he calls the bustling city his home. He tells Brent about co-founding his tour company A Chef’s Tour and the best things to eat and drink in Bangkok including mango sticky rice, miang kham, and khanom tuay. Plus, the story of a Portuguese woman who’s…

The vast majority of visitors to Mafra come for one reason: The Mafra National Palace. And, for good reason. It’s spectacular! Mafra National Palace origin story The king of Portugal, João V, made a promise that if his wife produced an heir, he would build a magnificent convent. When Maria Bárbara (the future Queen of…

In the U.S., November 11th is Veteran’s Day. But, in Portugal and much of Europe, it’s St. Martin’s Day. Serving roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes at St. Martin fest in Setubal, Portugal (photo: Brent Petersen) November 11th is St. Martin’s Day, a feast day celebrated throughout Europe to commemorate Saint Martin of Tours, a Roman…

Brent visits one of his favorite cafes in Lisbon to talk about the difference between Immigrants and Expats. Which one is the correct descriptor? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMa7Axf8yXI&t=337s About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat  Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story…

Brent explores some of the best coffee from around the world including Colombia and Vietnam. Plus, great coffee recommendations in the birthplace of Starbuck, Seattle, and 3rd wave shops in New York City. [Ep 309] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksZHvANLHdQ About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent…

Maria is in Lisbon and meets Brent for an episode of the podcast. She tells Brent about her first trip to mainland Portugal, her love of the city of Guimarães, The Douro Valley, and a scary escape from the Portuguese wildfires. Maria also talks about her new cookbook and some of her family recipes. Plus,…

San Sebastián (also known by its Basque name, Donostia) is one of the most famous foodie cities in the world, boasting their delicious take on Tapas called Pintxos and Txokos gastronomy clubs. But, for me, Basque Cheesecake is reason enough to visit San Sebastián. Basque Cheesecake at La Viña (image: Brent Petersen) Basque Cheesecake origin story…

Brent takes a boat ride to stunning Berlenga Island, off the coast of Peniche, Portugal. He marvels at the views of the island’s castle and 19th century lighthouse. Plus, there’s the incredible caves and rock formations! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzbQnj1gV5U&t=3s About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat  Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent…

Jian Tayaban is an expert on the food and culture of Manila. He shares the best dishes to try in his city in off the beaten track neighborhoods. Jian tells Brent about Manila’s street food and dishes called Dynamite and Lumpia as well as a Dim Sum tour in the world’s oldest Chinatown. Plus, ordering…

Brent takes a day and visits the beautiful Arrabida Nature Park. He dangles from a cliff (not really), explores a centuries old convent, finds a shrine in a cave, visits an abandoned military battery, and has lunch on the water. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG61Uv6Bkpc Convento de Nossa Senhora da Arrábida https://www.foriente.pt/a-fundacao/co… Galeão   / o-gale%c3%a3o-100057097764145   About the Author Brent Petersen…

Aveiro is called the Venice of Portugal, but that might be unfair to Aveiro. The city has so much to offer besides just being compared to the Italian city. Yes, there are canals and cool boats, but there’s also great food like a local pastry and a delicious treat named after pig innards (yes, really)….

Far and away the most popular attraction in the Basque region (and the 10th most visited in Spain) is the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao. Guggenheim Museum and Jeff Koons’ “Puppy” (photo: Brent Petersen) Guggenheim Museum origin story The Guggenheim Foundation was looking for a city to build an museum to display modern masterpieces. Famous tourist…

Susan & Tim Darcy have been living in Portugal for 6 years. They talk about why they chose Portugal as their new home, the cost of living, why they eat out all the time, and the “little victories’ of life in Portugal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7j4R48-yho About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat  Drink. He…

Everyone loves pizza and we’re trying different kinds of pizza in Italy and NYC. Katie Parla talks about the styles of pizza in Rome and why Double Zero flour is a marketing scam. Then, Marco Scapagnini tells Brent about the unique pizza of Sicily. And, Scott Weiner shares why there is no true NY style…

Kalimotxo is a popular drink all over the Basque region of Spain, but tell Americans about it and Kalimotxo becomes very divisive. Enjoying a Kalimotxo (photo: Karen L. Campopiano) Kalimotxo origin story Red wine and cola were first combined in Spain about 100 years ago. But, since there was no Coca-Cola in Spain until the…

Brent is in the “Venice of Portugal,” Aveiro to take a ride on the characteristic boats of the city. Plus, he looks for the best Ovos Moles and has a great vegan meal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d3p9EDJTRQ&t=938s About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat  Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the…

Tommo from Eat This! Food & Wine Tours and Megsy from Food Fun Travel are back on the podcast to talk about the 8,000 year history of wine from the country of Georgia! Tommo and Megsy tell Brent about some of the unique wine regions of Georgia, aging wine in clay pots, and a monastery…

Logroño, in the Rioja region of Spain has turned into a foodie hotspot because of the iconic tapas streets of Calle del Laurel and Calle de San Juan. Tapa street art (photo: Brent Petersen) Calle de Laurel Calle de Laurel is definitely the more popular of the two streets, likely due to recent posts on…

Tommo and Megsy are world travelers who have visited almost100 countries. But, several years ago, they set down roots in the country of Georgia and that’s where they’re raising their family and working on spreading the world about the beautiful and fascinating country they call home. They tell Brent about an amazing feast called a…

Maybe the small painting discreetly displayed in a church in Logroño is by the master. Then again, maybe not. Concathedral of Saint Mary Concathedral of Saint Mary (photo: Brent Petersen) The Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda de Logroño is unusual in that it is one of three co-cathedrals in Logroño (Calahorra and Santo Domingo de…

Brent visits the World Surf Reserve city of Ericeira, Portugal to check out the waves and sample some local food like a delicious pastry and some healthy snacks. Plus, an abandoned fort and the spot where the Portuguese royal family fled after the revolution. https://youtu.be/qXZcMXlVxXk About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination…

We’re discovering some of the best markets in the world as we visit Bordeaux, France in a motorcycle sidecar, find the best pickles in Seville, Spain, the king of fruit in the Saigon market, and get Chinese veggies at a market in Melbourne, Australia. [Ep 301] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-Oex2UDzp0 Show Notes: Darley Newman’s websiteRetro Sidecar TourPilar Rubio’s Instagram and alsoMercado de…

For a city whose cuisine is so closely identified with fish (Bacalhau) and eggs (Pastel de Nata), visitors might be surprised at the amazing vegan options in Lisbon. This isn’t a definitive list of all the vegan restaurants in Lisbon. Feel free to consult a resource like Happy Cow for that. Instead, I’m presenting some…

Brent talks with Lorraine, a Canadian who moved to Portugal on a D7 visa. She talks about why she moved to Portugal, adapting to life in a new country, the cost of living, and why it’s hard to get veggies in a restaurant. Plus, Lorraine gives advice for anyone thinking of making the move to…

Vincent Marcus is a foodie tour guide for Food Tours Stockholm as well as a sommelier and an advanced degree student studying marine food systems. He talks with Brent about marine food sustainability, new Nordic cuisine, coffee culture, and the surprising wine culture of Sweden. Plus, there’s pickled herring and Swedish drinking songs [Ep 300]…