Archives December 2018

New Years Resolutions: Let’s Get Back to Nature in 2019

We are always encouraging people to get back to nature and there is no better time than today. Start planning your green adventure for 2019. We can help you along the way. There is no better way to experience a new place than by giving back to the community and learning ancient traditions of a region. On our fruit filled experiences you will have the chance to speak with the experts, taste local product and get to know the food production methods before they reach the supermarket shelves. Here are some nature tours that will inspire you to go green for 2019:

1. Visit the organic vineyards of Italy
2. Get to know the grape filled fields of France
3. Learn about the delicious local produce in Portugal
4. Go on an Olive Adventure in Greece
5. Discover the orchards of Northern Spain
6. Join others on the fruit trail of Normandy

For more details about any of our fruit and foraging tours please contact one of our travel team.

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Go Green for 2019! 10 Ways I can be more Eco-friendly

It is our mission to go green for 2019. We want the world to be more eco-friendly so we can start with a few ideas to help you be more sustainable this year:

Cut down on meat

Did you know that we can reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases by cutting back on our meat consumption. If everyone actively tried to eat less meat we would be giving back to the environment.

Plant a tree

Our friends at Mossy Earth are changing the world one tree at a time. Now you can support their cause. They are some of the most proactive, eco-friendly people we know. They know the trees, get to know the land and invest their time and energy in every forest that they create. In 2018 they planted over 4,000 trees across different regions of Europe. In 2019 we can help them to achieve higher goals and reforest areas devastated by wildfires and badly in need to native tree reforestation.

Reduce Fruit Waste

We talk about this all of time and in 2019 it will be our mission to bring tips for reducing fruit waste to the masses. Follow the simple tips here to reduce your fruit waste at home.

Invest in a Keep Cup

An easy way that you can have a small positive impact on the environment is by investing in a keep cup. By using the same coffee mug each day you are reducing your carbon footprint and reducing our reliance on single use plastics.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Walk instead of taking the car. This little tip applies whether you are at home or abroad. Many of us will opt to take taxis but check out google maps to see how far you are from your destination. If you are planning an outing to a local restaurant maybe it is in walking distance?

Be a responsible traveler

Take action into your own hands and become a responsible tourist. What can you do? Lots really! Responsible travel is all about being aware of the landscape and people around you. Respect local culture, make an effort to speak the local language, don’t damage the landscape, reuse your bathroom towels and be conscious of pollution (both litter and noise) as you go.

Buy fairtrade goods

Always check the label. In Europe we have a fairtrade label that is placed on goods when a farm or production process has been inspected for good standards of environmentally friendly goods and fair employment. Make sure you buy at least some fairtrade items when you are doing your weekly shop.
This will give you a better idea of where your food is coming from and how the people preparing your food are treated.

Check out your local organic fruit store

Organic food stores can be a great source of inspiration. The shelves are packed full of colourful goods and fresh produce for you to enjoy. We also like to promote using the leftovers. We build up so much fruit waste each year that can be put to better use by simply giving it away to others, getting creative with your shopping habits and staying informed about the harvest season.

Ask more questions

Don’t take our word for it. Be inquisitive and ask about the products and services that you plan to use. Getting a bit of background information can give you more insights into the quality of the products and the environment in which they are produced.

Spread the word

Last but not least spread the word about these positive contributions that you can be making to the environment around you. It is easy to adopt one eco-friendly habit but if you tell five friends about this habit than you are making a longer positive impact on the overall environment.

If you have some eco-friendly tips or advice we would love to hear from you. For more information about any of our fruit & foraging tours please get in touch with one of our travel team anytime.

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5 Unique Ways to Use Cranberries at Christmas Time

Like no other fruit cranberries are a symbol of Christmas time. The red berries matching perfectly with the warm glow of heat from the first, the neatly hung Christmas stockings and of course Santa’s red outfit. No other fruit will do at this time of the year.

Do you have cranberry sauce with your turkey at dinner time? Everyone knows that turkey meat is dry so the cranberry jazzes it up and brings a little fruity flavour to the Christmas dinner table.

Cranberries aren’t just a symbol of Christmas, they represent the cosy atmosphere we yearn for in the winter months. Besides the worshipped cranberry sauce there are so many things we can do with this tarty fruit during the holiday season. Here are a few of our favourite ways to use cranberries:

1. A Cranberry Christmas cocktail
Vodka and cranberries go hand in hand. This is so simple and so tasty. Take one shot of cranberry, crush 3 – 4 ice cubes, add fresh cranberry juice, a slice of lime and a few mint leaves. Voila, you have yourself a festive cocktail for visitors during the holiday season.

2. A slice of warm cranberry pie is the perfect way to finish off your Christmas feast. Check out this great easy cranberry pie recipe on the Country Living magazine.

3. Homemade Cranberry Body Scrub
Three ingredients will give you a fruitful cranberry scrub that acts as an exfoliant for up to a month. Simply blend cranberries, coconut oil and sugar into a jar and store in the fridge when you are not using it.

4. Cranberry decorated candles and centre pieces
Wer love these unique ways to decorate your Christmas table with cranberries from Berry World. A little bit of holly, a handful of carnberries and a lot of love will give you a fruitful table for all to enjoy.

5. Cranberry Muffins for Breakfast

Last but not least the humble cranberry muffin (best served with a large spoonful of freshly whipped cream). This is a tasty treat morning, noon or night. A soft bun with sprinkles of cranberries and lots of sugar goodness. What’s not to love. For an easy follow cranberry muffin recipe you can check out A Taste of Home.

For more fruit filled recipes and to enquire about our fruit picking tours please contact one of our travel team.

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Fruit Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Orange Peels

This Chocolate dipped orange peel recipe is inspired by Spain and it has to be the perfect party snack for fruit and nature fans. In addition to being super delicious orange peels are the perfect healthy snack.

We stumbled upon this sweet treat in the beautiful spanish town of Sevilla. Famous for it’s juicy oranges and groves dotted throughout the landscape. This region of Spain forces you to reconnect with the produce around you. In cobbled streets and buzzing restaurants you will find local foods, freshly grown from the nearby fields.

Now for our super simple orange peel recipe that not only delights your guests but save you throwing away the peels too.

INGREDIENTS

  • Seville oranges 450g
  • Chocolate (plain or dark will do) 200g
  • Sugar 250g
  • Water 125ml

INSTRUCTIONS

Slice the peel from the flesh, being sure to keep as much of the pith as possible. Slice it into strips. Put in a saucepan of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and repeat.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over the hot bowl of boiling water.

Dissolve the sugar in water over a low heat.

Mix the syrup and the chocolate together gently and add the peel.

Cook and stir gently for around 30 minutes or until the syrup is mostly absorbed.

Decorate them with zigzags and drippings of the chocolate for an extra touch of party-time.

ADULTS ONLY: Add a splash or two of rum to the syrup mixture to give it an alcoholic kick.

Pick the pieces out with tongs and drain on a rack over a dish. Don’t throw away the remaining syrup.

This tasty easy orange peel recipe will impress friends and give you a fun weekend activity in the kitchen.

Enjoy!

So, why are orange peels good for you? The peel is said to contain Vitamins A, B and C as well as plenty of calcium and iron that we can stock up on for winter. Also, citrus peels contain Limonene which can be found to reduce the skin cancer. A study published by Nutrition and Cancer in 2000 found that people without skin cancer consumed significantly more citrus fruits. However, we must be mindful when eating any fruit and choose organic fruit as much as possible. Fruit that isn’t labelled organic may be grown with chemicals that can have a negative effect. For the most health benefits always choose to buy organic.

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3 Amazing adventures for Food Lovers

The days are long, the nights are lively and the locals are waiting to give you a taste of everything on offer with our taste trails in Europe. We have selected some of our top taste trails for food lovers to inspire your imagination. Each trail offers the chance to taste the freshest local produce, explore vineyards, meet the producers and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. Get back to the land this year with these three amazing taste tours:

Stunning vineyard views on the Tuscany Taste Trail

Tuscany is world renowned for it’s natural beauty and a top destination in Europe for good reasons. This trail will take you along the most spectacular landscapes in Italy and alongside world class vineyards. Staying in charming medieval villages like San Miniato you can bask in the laid back restaurants, sampling oven baked pizzas and sipping on delcious local wines. As food lovers this is the perfect combination of adventure, food and fun. An extra treat involves a truffle hunting excursion in the hills of Tuscany. This is a truly unforgettable experience.

For more details and to book a tour go to: Tuscany Taste Trail

Go with the flow in chilled out Portugal

From the valleys in the Douro region to the harbour side UNESCO listed town of Porto, a taste trail in Northern Portugal will force you to chill out and enjoy the slower pace of life.

This tour is perfect for food lovers who enjoy a little bit of sunshine mixed in with a whole lot of culture. The town of Porto in Northern Portugal is full of foodie delights. From fresh fish to the famous Pastel de Nata dessert, you will leave this historic town with lifelong foodie memories. Enjoy strolling through the cobbled streets, tasting the local dishes and learning about the grapes in the nearby Douro Valley. 

In addition to the food, everywhere you turn on this taste trail has something unique to see or learn about. Be inspired, like J.K. Rowling was, by this enchanting town that provides a glimpse into the spirit of Portuguese people. 

For more details and to book a tour go to: Douro Valley Taste Trail

Enjoy the best of french cuisine on the Normandy Fruit Trail

France is stunning any time of the year but Spring and Summer are extra special giving visitors an opportunity to experience its full beauty and charm at a slower pace. It’s time to take to the trails!

There are many food trails in France but we’ll pick our two favourites: the never ending beauty of the landscape and the luxury of having a vineyard tour in the heart of stunning French villages. 

There are endless fruit blossom in springtime and in the summer these transform into delicious cherries in the summer months. From May onwards you will find plums, Strawberries and raspberries all along the trail. These homegrown fruits are just what you need after a day on the trails, bringing colour and a welcome boost of energy. Enjoy chatting with the producers, tasting the fruits and getting a true taste of the french countryside.

For more details and to book a tour go to: Following the Normandy Fruit Trail

For more information about more beautiful taste trails in Europe or to book your next tour please contact one of our travel specialists.

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