Italy Destinations

Honey Rings were traditionally a Christmas treat. Today, they’re available all year round. Honey Rings origin story Honey Rings are a Maltese crunchy pastry filled with treacle (a kind of molasses that is a by-product of the sugar-making process). Spices like cinnamon, anise, clove, and citrus zest are added to the treacle to give a…

Brent kicks off his Italy roadtrip in the far southern tip of country with an amazing food crawl in Lecce. He samples a local pastry, a coffee unique to Lecce, and a savory bread born of poverty. Plus, homemade pasta and, of course, gelato! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_L9DmL7UDs&t=3s About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination…

To celebrate the 4th of July, Brent is in New York for the diverse and delicious dishes offered there. From the spicy food of Little Sri Lanka to the food carts of Queens as well as Polish bars in Brooklyn and memorable Italian meals in the city, we’re trying them all. Plus, there’s Tibetan, Colombian,…

I thought I’d never find the elusive cocktail, until I got a brilliant, and unnecessary, idea. Kinnie Spritz origin story Simonds Farsons Cisk, the same company that brews the local Maltese beer Cisk, makes the most popular soda in Malta. Kinnie gets it’s unique flavor from bittersweet oranges and wormwood, a medicinal herb. Its bittersweet flavor is…

Brent is in Northern Ireland on a day trip from Belfast to see the natural wonder known as the Giant’s Causeway, a rock formation with an incredible legend. Plus, a visit to Dark Hedges, made famous in Game of Thrones and now sadly suffering because of its popularity. And, there’s even some Led Zeppelin sites…

Aimee Maldonado calls herself an “Experience Curator.” She tells Brent what that means and how she tailors tours to people’s personality. Aimee talks about traveling the Camino de Santiago in a wheelchair and enjoying a second breakfast on the trail. Plus, the best gelato and wine in her second home of Florence and mom’s mole….

Brent visits the Principe Real neighborhood in Lisbon for incredible chocolate sorbert, a sandwich shop from a Michelin recognized chef, a DIY iced coffee, and a floral cocktail. Plus, some impromptu Led Zeppelin in a church! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYKIN0JmjM About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent…

Dr. CK is known in travel circles as Doctora the Explorer and is a cultural intelligence consultant with a doctor of management in global leadership. Dr. CK talks with Brent about her Beyond Borders podcast and the places she’s lived around the world. She’s sampled exploding dumplings, spicy food on a whole new level, and…

Lille delicious cheesy, beery dish actually originated in Wales. Welsh Rarebit In Wales, there is a famous dish called Welsh Rarebit. Created over 300 years ago, Welsh Rarebit is a dish served on toasted bread. But, you’d never be able to pick it up and eat it like a sandwich or bruschetta. That’s because topping…

Brent visits the Lisbon neighborhoods of Marques de Pombal and Parque. He enjoys a flat white at a 3rd wave coffee shop, a traditional Portuguese dish prepared in a new way, and a treat at a gorgeous cafe. Plus, a visit to the botanical garden and a palace converted into a library! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbi7PkypdZg About the…

Susan Schwartz is the host of the Lush Life podcast and guide based in London who takes thirsty visitors to some of SoHos most beautifully sophisticated bars with London Cocktail Tours. Susan and Brent talk about the recent explosion of cocktail culture, mini martinis, and why every good bar must have elevated non-alcoholic cocktails on…

The word Merveilleux translates to Marvelous in English. Never was there a more appropriate name for a pastry. Merveilleux Sampling a Merveilleux (photo: Karen L. Campopiano) Likely originating in Belgium, the Merveilleux is airy, whipped merengue with whipped cream and dusted with chocolate shavings. Pastry chef Frédéric Vaucamps took the traditional recipe and created a…

Brent is in Obidos, Portugal for the annual chocolate festival. He samples the latest social media chocolate sensation Dubai Chocolate, has sour cherry liqueur from a chocolate cup, and chocolate covered strawberries! Plus, chocolate sculptures and liqueur infused bon bons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI4ZkK1bvXs About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides…

We’re celebrating the start of summer with refreshing beers from Munich and Berlin in Germany as well as Santa Fe, New Mexico and Asheville, North Carolina. Brent samples suds from beer halls in Munich and craft beer brewers in Asheville. Plus spicy tacos with local beer, tropical IPA, an ale trail, and much more! [Ep…

I’d owned a car ever since I was 16 and my parents gave me a ’74 Plymouth Duster with a 3 on the tree manual transmission. That thing was a junker, but I was the only one of my friends with a car, so we drove it everywhere. Bus to Porto at the Lisbon Oriente…

Brent is in Lisbon to talk about why Portugal’s population is declining and what can be done about it. And, there’s some yummy food along the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlDAqAaB5is 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…

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch, aka 2foodtrippers, spent 3 years traveling the world and living out of a suitcase. Today, they make their home in Lisbon so they met Brent for a cup of coffee to talk about their foodie adventures around the world! Daryl & Mindi tell Brent about crispy pastries in Naples, pho at…

Brent takes a ferry to the island of Gozo in Malta for a day trip to the fortified citadel. Plus, delicious local pizza made in a tiny town town by two grandmas. Incredible sites and delicious food await! https://youtu.be/kT-ibf6n-1Q About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal,…

Joseph Rosendo is a travel and TV legend who has amassed countless accolades and awards during his career including Emmy’s and France’s Medal d’Or du Tourisme. He tells Brent about visiting Cuba and exploring his family’s heritage on the island. Joseph also talks about his love of Taiwan and seeing amazing wildlife in Tanzania. Plus,…

Waffles are one of the must-try foods on a visit to Belgium. And, there’s several kinds to sample. Waffle origin story The history of waffles date to the ancient Greeks who cooked a kind of cake batter between hot metal plates. Modern waffles evolved throughout the Middle Ages when the first real waffle iron was…

Brent is in the ancient city of Mdina (and Rabat) for a traditional Maltese pastry made from dates, Maltese bread called ftira, and a one-of-a-kind farm to table experience. Plus, he explores the catacombs of St. Paul and admires some beautiful artwork! There’s even some sites made famous by Game of Thrones! https://youtu.be/eGTYVB6goW0 About the…

Monica Cesarato is a native Venician who knows more about one of Europe’s most popular cities than anyone. She tells Brent about cocktails in Venice including the original spritz, a mixology renaissance, and cocktails that originated in Venice. Plus, the changes to the tourist tax in Venice and whether taking a gondola ride is worth…

Belgium is known as a beer lovers paradise, with hundreds, if not thousands, of delicious beers to sample. In Bruges, there’s a great beer with a Zot (crazy) story to go with it! Beer in Belgium Belgium is world renowned for its beer. But, even as much as Belgians love their beer (just look in…

Brent is in Malta to visit ruins from 5,000 years ago and a famous location from Game of Thrones! Plus, delicious Maltese food like honey rings, pastizzi, and a pistachio croissant. Yum! https://youtu.be/NPT_a_lhHME 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…

Ben Aitken is an award winning writer whose latest book, “Shitty Breaks” has him exploring the least-visited cities in the U.K. He tells Brent about the benefits of going in the wrong direction. And, there’s the food and drinks like a good drop in Wrexham, orange chips, and a dish called lobscouse. Plus, a quick…

Chocolate tasting is a highlight of any visit to Belgium. But, there’s another chocolate experience you can’t miss! Chocolate If you love chocolate like I do, Bruges, Belgium is definitely the city for you! They even have a chocolate festival in March sponsored by the Chocolate Guild. Speaking of the Chocolate Guild, this organization certifies…

Brent has been living in Portugal for 3½ years. He shares how he chose Portugal as their new place to live including criteria like ease of getting citizenship and personal safety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V72wpOYrXT0 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…

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo we’re sampling some of the best tacos in Texas including West Indian tacos in San Antonio, Baja tacos in Fort Worth, and puffy tacos. Plus, donuts with tacos and Taco Bell almost breaking up a marriage. [Ep 335] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jPKn5c7Qqw About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink….

The little cookie that you often get on plane flights has stirred up a controversy. Speculaas When I was a kid, my mom would sometimes buy us a package of windmill-shaped cookies. They were some of my favorites and I loved dunking them in a glass of milk. Archway’s version of Speculaas (image: biglots.com) What…

Brent is on the hunt for a unique cocktail made with a local soda. Plus, he tries a spirit made from prickly pears and a chocolate cocktail. There’s also a local beer, a gin cocktail made with lemongrass and lychee fruit, and a disappointing limoncello. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ctEnHmmuWs About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of…