#touringcook

A chef on tour with a mission to find out what real people around the world cook with the fresh local ingredients available to them

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The Sahara in Morocco - Merzouga vs M'Hamid 

The Moroccan Sahara Experience Many people have an idea of what the Sahara desert should look like. They imagine endless golden dunes, the feeling of the sand between their toes, and the sound of the wind gently shifting the grains of sand. It’s a place of stunning sunsets and endless stars in the clear night skies, where one can be alone with their innermost self. The Sahara Desert is vast and…

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Tafraoute

During our 6 month tour of Morocco, there was only one place we seemed to keep returning to – Tafraoute. There was just something about the town which kept us coming back. Maybe it’s the scenery, the laid-back vibe, and the people. Whatever it is we love it there – our favourite town in Morocco. To quote Wikipedia,  Tafraout, also Tafraoute is a town in Tiznit Province, Souss-Massa region,…

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Gorges of Morocco

Todra Gorges, Lake Tislet and the Gorges du Dades  Two of the best-known and most visited gorges in Morocco are the Todra Gorge and the Gorges du Dades. It is possible to drive up into the mountains through one and then return down through the other, although a 20km section of the road is high altitude piste. So that’s what we did, driving through the Todra Gorge, on the N12, and continuing on to…

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The Black Desert

The Sahara may be the largest hot desert in the world, but it isn’t wholly composed of beautiful golden dunes. There are several distinct ecological regions, and even the central arid part of the desert isn’t totally covered in sand dunes. Vast areas of stone plateaus, gravel plains, dry valleys, and salt flats are common. The black desert is so called because of the rocky black schist covering…

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Family Bouaid

Close to M’ssici is the small farm owned by the Bouaid family. Set back from the road a couple of hundred meters or so, accessed by a rough dirt track. Here the family eke out a living from the unforgiving desert. A couple of goats and sheep, half a dozen chickens running around freely. Part of the land tilled by hand to grow vegetables and feed for the animals, irrigated with the meagre supply…

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Harira

Morocco Collection Harira Harira, this one was in the Ziz Valley Harira is a hearty tomato-based soup made with lentils and chickpeas, fresh herbs, and warm spices such as turmeric, cumin and cinnamon. It is typically thickened with broken vermicelli, pasta or rice. The Ubiquitous Soup of Morocco Harira is a warm and hearty soup traditionally made with a base of ripe, juicy tomatoes and various…

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Kefta Moroccan Sytle

Morocco Collection Kefta Kefta, cooked in the tagine in a spicy tomato sauce. Kefta is a mix of minced meat, usually beef or lamb, or a mixture of the two, heavily spiced with traditional spices and fresh herbs. A popular Street Food in Morocco Kefta can be found all over Morocco. It is a hugely popular Street Food. It can be used in several ways. Most commonly, it is simply formed into tiny…

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Moroccan Mint Tea

Morocco Collection Mint Tea Also known as Berber Whiskey, or Moroccan Whiskey, mint tea is an important part of everyday life in Morocco. Its not just tea Mint tea in Morocco is not just a refreshing drink. Its a way of life. The ritual of making and serving it has great importance to the Moroccans. Once the tea is ready to serve, it is poured into the glasses it is served in. It is then poured…

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Makrinitsa and Portaria

Makrinitsa, known as the “bаlcоny οf Mount Pеliоn”, is a traditional mountain villagе with spectacular views over the Gulf of Volos. To quote Wikipedia,  Makrinitsa, nicknamed “balcony of Mt. Pelion,” is a village and a former community in Magnesia, Thessaly, Greece. It is situated in the northwestern part of the Pelion mountains, 6 km northeast of Volos. One of the most characteristic…

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Litochoro

Litochoro is known primarily as a destination for those wishing to climb Mount Olympus. There is, however, much more to it as we found out. To quote Wikipedia,  Litochoro is a town and a former municipality in the southern part of the Pieria regional unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been part of the Dio-Olympos municipality, of which it is the seat and a municipal…

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Komarno

Komarno is a medieval town built on an island where the Vah and Nitra rivers meet the Danube. It is Slovakia’s principal port on the Danube and home to the fort of Komárno, the largest bastion fortification in Central Europe. We visited the town in February 2023 whilst travelling through central Europe on our way to Greece. Never having visited Slovakia before we had no idea what to expect. I…

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Horn

Horn in Austria, close to the border with the Czech Republic. We visited on our way to Greece. With its imposing buildings, city walls, museum, and castle it is a charming town to explore. To quote Wikipedia,  Horn is a small town in the Waldviertel in Lower Austria, Austria, and the capital of the district of the same name. Horn I’ll admit that we didn’t set out with the intention of stopping at…

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Schengen

Many people associate Schengen with the now familiar borderless travel within Europe. Many don’t realise that Schengen is actually a small village in the southeast of Luxembourg. Just 1 km from the German border and 2 km from the French. Because of this we felt compelled to visit as we were nearby and the Schengen rules have taken on much more significance since we left the EU. But as it turns…

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Esch-sur-Sure

Eshe-sur-Sure is a beautiful little village in the North West of Luxembourg, nestled in a horseshoe of the river Sure, overlooked by the ruins of a small castle. We visited earlier this year whilst on our way to Greece on a crisp winter morning with a dusting of snow on the ground. It really a charming little village, and one of our favourite places that we have visited so far in Luxembourg. To…

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Alsace and the journey home - June 2023

During the final leg of our adventure, we explore some of the Alsace before heading up Eastern France towards home. Disclosure: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The Detail: Distance Covered:…

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Bouillon

Bouillon, best known for the majestic Chateau de Bouillon which stands over the town, is an absolutely charming place to visit. Disclosure: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To quote…

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Bruges

No visit to Belgium would be complete without a visit to the beautiful medieval city of Bruges. With its canals and waterways, Flemish architecture, and cobbled streets it truly is a delightful city. Disclosure: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. In addition, as an…

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