Thanks to everyone that contributed to the meal tonight. I appreciate all the help. It was fun to talk with everyone and I loved seeing the travelers already getting along so well.
While I'm on the topic of eating lets talk about meals on the trip. Large group travel is different than what you've experienced before. Restaurants don't have the time to prep individual meals for everyone in our group. Breakfast is usually rolls and juice. If we're lucky there will be some yogurt and cereal. Beware! Milk is usually warm, check before you pour on your cereal.
Dinner is designed to give you a taste of the local flavor but the only way a restaurant can deal with groups our size is by one meal serves all. You will be served whatever the restaurant decides to cook for us. There is no ordering. If you have a dietary need please let me know ASAP. They will need to notify restaurants about vegetarian or gluten free meals right away.
Drinks are not included with meals and usually cost 2-3 Euro or more. Refills are never free. You even need to be careful asking for water. If you don't specify that you want tap water they will bring you bottled and charge you for it. This will be true of any restaurant you visit. Oh, in Europe they love their mineral water. It's fizzy and salty and is usually an acquired taste. If you want regular water ask/look for natural, no gas or flat.
Lunch is where you can really explore. You get to find your own spots to eat. I know its tempting to find the fast and familiar but try to avoid places like McDonalds. You can get that at home. Find little family owned places away from tourist sites that are full of locals. That usually means good food at good prices. I like to hit up the market and buy fresh produce and cheese. It makes a great meal and doesn't cost much, and the market is a great place to see what life in that community is really like. My son Stephen says eat the craziest stuff you can find, he regrets not trying a few things. I don't know if I'd go that far but at least try some of the local specialties. I've found favorite things in every place I visit. Bon Appitit!
While I'm on the topic of eating lets talk about meals on the trip. Large group travel is different than what you've experienced before. Restaurants don't have the time to prep individual meals for everyone in our group. Breakfast is usually rolls and juice. If we're lucky there will be some yogurt and cereal. Beware! Milk is usually warm, check before you pour on your cereal.
Dinner is designed to give you a taste of the local flavor but the only way a restaurant can deal with groups our size is by one meal serves all. You will be served whatever the restaurant decides to cook for us. There is no ordering. If you have a dietary need please let me know ASAP. They will need to notify restaurants about vegetarian or gluten free meals right away.
Drinks are not included with meals and usually cost 2-3 Euro or more. Refills are never free. You even need to be careful asking for water. If you don't specify that you want tap water they will bring you bottled and charge you for it. This will be true of any restaurant you visit. Oh, in Europe they love their mineral water. It's fizzy and salty and is usually an acquired taste. If you want regular water ask/look for natural, no gas or flat.
Lunch is where you can really explore. You get to find your own spots to eat. I know its tempting to find the fast and familiar but try to avoid places like McDonalds. You can get that at home. Find little family owned places away from tourist sites that are full of locals. That usually means good food at good prices. I like to hit up the market and buy fresh produce and cheese. It makes a great meal and doesn't cost much, and the market is a great place to see what life in that community is really like. My son Stephen says eat the craziest stuff you can find, he regrets not trying a few things. I don't know if I'd go that far but at least try some of the local specialties. I've found favorite things in every place I visit. Bon Appitit!
No comments:
Post a Comment