Italian pasta. French wine. Spanish paella. German beer. English… fish and chips?
Okay, so maybe the last one wasn’t the best example. Regardless, Europe is rightly renowned for its wide variety of fine cuisines, most of which have by this point been exported all around the world. That said, Europe is very proud of its culinary traditions, which it still celebrates on a regular basis. If you’re looking for an excuse to travel while pigging out on some of the finest foods this world has to offer, then this list will probably be of interest to you–here are the fifteen best food festivals that take place across Europe:
www.visitwales.com
Great British Cheese Festival, United Kingdom
In order to apologize for our cheap shot at the U.K. in the introduction, we’d like to start off the list with a fine once-English, now-Welsh food festival. Since 2008, this celebration of all things cheese has been held on the scenic grounds of Cardiff Castle during the last weekend of September. Though now a biennial rather than an annual event, the Great British Cheese Festival offers visitors the chance to try nearly 500 different varieties of cheese, ranging from the most blandly traditional to the strangest and smelliest. And, if you yourself aren’t a big cheese fan, you can always join the festival’s “ice cream party.”
www.flipkey.com
Oktoberfest, Germany
Since 1810, the German city of Munich has been famous the world over for its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Held over 16 days from late September through the beginning of October, Oktoberfest draws over six million visitors annually and is certainly most famous for its beer, serving, on average, nearly seven million liters each festival. That said, the festivities aren’t all beer–traditional foods served include roast chicken and pork, sausages, pretzels, potato pancakes, red cabbage, and much more. If you’re looking for a “food festival” with the ulterior motive of partying, well… here you go!
www.germany.info
Weimar Onion Market, Germany
If you’re still hanging around in Germany after Oktoberfest ends, then the Weimar Onion Market might be a nice way to spend a few more days. “What’s so special about an onion market?” you might ask. Well let’s just say that the name is kind of underwhelming… For one weekend in October, vendors set up over 500 market stalls throughout the city of Weimar. But these onions aren’t just for eating–the multicolored bulbs are used in the most creative of ways, from home decor to apparel to… well, you name it! Add in plenty of other traditional German cuisine, carnival rides and games, and live entertainment, and you’ve got yourself an onion market.
europeupclose.com
Alba White Truffle Fair, Italy
“Cheese, beer, and onions? These are the European delicacies you’ve decided to highlight?” If you’ve found our list so far to be a bit too lowbrow for your refined tastes, thanks for your patience–this one might be more your speed. Alba, Italy is renowned worldwide for its production of such delicacies as peaches, fine wine, and of course, the elusive white truffle. “The diamonds of the kitchen,” truffles are some of the world’s most expensive cuisine–the white truffle has sold for up to some $14,000 per kilogram at times, depending on the state of the market. If your tastes fall into this budget, then good for you. Enjoy the truffle fair.
www.carjet.com
Slow Food Festival, Italy
The Slow Food movement, which has since spread all around the world, was officially founded in Italy during the 1980s as a protest against the opening of a McDonald’s in a historic neighborhood in Rome. Insulted by an apparent lack of respect for the city’s history, and sensing a global shift away from food as a cultural exercise and towards yet another bland commodity, it was decided that something must be done. Today there is an annual celebration of all things “slow food” held in Turin, Italy, where visitors can sample the wares of over 1,000 artisan food-makers, take cooking classes, and of course book reservations for delicious dinners of all kinds.
www.bordeaux-wine-festival.com
Bordeaux Wine Festival, France
If we wanted to, we could probably make a whole list of fifteen European wine festivals for you to visit (note to self–maybe write a list of European wine festivals). But because that’s not the purpose of this list, we’re going to leave it here. The Bordeaux region of France is probably the world’s most famous wine region, and this is most likely France’s most important festival celebrating all things wine. The festival draws more than 500,000 visitors to the banks of the Garonne River, which is converted into a 1.2 mile “wine road” featuring samples from over 80 local producers. Nights marked by live music and fireworks keep the fun going even after dark.
www.likecroatia.com
Dubrovnik Wine & Jazz Festival, Croatia
I know we said the last entry would be the only wine festival, but this is a wine and jazz festival. See the difference? Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, and in recent years it has become one of the Mediterranean’s prime tourist destinations. It’s also considered one of the best-preserved medieval cities found anywhere in Europe. Whether you come to enjoy fine Croatian wine, the live music from Croatian, expatriate, and international musicians, or just to take in one of the most exciting times of the year in one of Europe’s most beautiful locales, this festival on the Adriatic Sea is not to be missed.
www.rte.ie
Dingle Food Festival, Ireland
Ireland, it must be said, is not generally recognized as a premiere culinary destination. Though most understand it to be the land of potatoes and beer and not much else, you’d probably be surprised to learn about the exciting culinary undertakings currently going down on the island, incorporating both traditional Irish and international influences into something wholly new and exciting! The town of Dingle is widely recognized as Ireland’s premiere “foodie” destination, and every October the town comes fully alive to celebrate its status. Over 80 restaurants, pubs, galleries, and shops participate, each contributing something unique to what is most certainly Ireland’s best food festival.
international-club-copenhagen.blogspot.com
Copenhagen Cooking, Denmark
Billing itself as “Northern Europe’s leading food festival,” Copenhagen Cooking celebrates both traditional Nordic cooking and the region’s new-found use of and appreciation for its wide variety of seasonal ingredients. Since 2004, Copenhagen Cooking has attracted over 100,000 domestic and international visitors over the course of ten days in late August. From Michelin two star-rated Noma all the way to the city’s burgeoning street food culture, Copenhagen Cooking celebrates everything that has helped define this city as one of the new Meccas for foodies–you’ll have to come visit to see just what we’re talking about.
www.saporie.com
First of Italy Festival, Italy
In the Italian province of Perugia sits the ancient town of Foligno, home to the country’s First of Italy Festival. The festival celebrates many Italian culinary “firsts” that have since spread throughout the world–pastas, gnocchi, and a number of soups among them. Sounds tasty, right? Offering events ranging from food tastings and demonstrations to classes for beginners and advanced chefs to more eccentric happenings including pasta sculpting, the First of Italy Festival is both a celebration of the country’s proud culinary past as well as a great way to enjoy the country’s food scene in the present day.
www.neverstoptraveling.com
O Grove Seafood Festival, Spain
On a Galician peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean sits the town of O Grove, alternately known as Ogrobe. Popular year round as a tourist destination due to its beaches and beautiful oceanfront promenade, tourists are given yet another fantastic reason to visit when October rolls around–the O Grove Seafood Festival. Capitalizing on the town’s two main industries–fishing and tourism–the O Grove festival celebrates all things seafood–shrimps, clams, scallops, crabs, and the list goes on. Between the fantastic food, the traditional music and dancing, and the beautiful setting, this festival is sure to please most any visitor.
brooklynbrewery.com
Taste of Stockholm, Sweden
As the season changes from spring to summer, the people of Sweden gather in Stockholm’s King’s Garden Park for the country’s major annual culinary event–the Taste of Stockholm Festival. For three days, the park and public square is converted into one of the world’s premiere culinary destinations, as many of the city’s finest restaurants move their operations outside. International chefs are present as well, and besides simply eating festival-goers are offered the opportunity to take cooking classes and workshops as well. There’s live music–primarily jazz and soul–and a general festive atmosphere, the end result being a good time for all.
www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Nordic Championships in Oyster Opening, Sweden
If you’ve ever found yourself doubting that absolutely anything can be made into a competition, here’s your proof! Sticking in Sweden, the Nordic Championships in Oyster Opening seek to determine who is truly the best oyster shucker (is that a word?) in all the land–or at least Scandinavia. If you’ve still got a bit of practice to do before throwing your hat in the ring, don’t fret–there’s still plenty to do over the course of the championships in Grebbestad, famous for its delicious fresh seafood. From fine restaurants all the way to excursions with local fishermen, it’s a fine opportunity to immerse yourself in the local seafood culture.
www.britain-magazine.com
Whitstable Oyster Festival, United Kingdom
Simply can’t get enough oysters? We can’t blame you–and if you’re not ready for the oyster festivities to end you can head back to the U.K. to enjoy the Whitstable Oyster Festival. A bit grander in scope than its Swedish cousin, this festival might be a better option if your whole party isn’t as oyster-obsessed as you yourself are. Here, in addition to the food fair, you’ll find a street parade, outdoor movie screenings, a fireworks show, a treasure hunt for the kids, and much more. Still, the oyster is the heart of this festival, and you won’t find a much better opportunity to celebrate this delicacy anywhere else.
thehungrymuse.com
Naples Pizzafest, Italy
So what if it’s not the peak of culinary refinement–pizza is without a doubt one of the world’s most beloved foods, and Naples is rightly proud of its status as pizza’s birthplace. During Pizzafest, the entire city of Naples turns into a pizza-lover’s dream–they’re sold in restaurants, in marketplaces, and on street corners, nearly impossible to avoid. There are pizza-making competitions between restaurants, pizza-making workshops, and live music and dance all in celebration of fine dough, sauce, and cheese. So if you truly love pizza and you want to meet up with some like-minded folks, there’s no better place to do it than in Naples during Pizzafest.
Credit: http://www.traveltips4life.com/the-15-best-european-food-festivals/15/
No comments:
Post a Comment