Food is one of the reasons we’re back in Bali for another extended stay. Ubud is one of the most vegetarian-friendly places in the world with many affordable restaurants serving delicious, healthy (and not so healthy), plant-based local and international cuisine. And this vegan heaven just keeps getting better.
Franschhoek is a gorgeous village in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, just an hour from Cape Town. Despite its tiny size, it’s a foodie town with a remarkable number of fine dining restaurants in the village and on nearby wine estates. Most Franschhoek restaurants take advantage of the bountiful local produce with creative, seasonal menus.
Barolo is a small wine region in the Langhe area of Piemonte in northern Italy. Of course, people come here for the wine, but there are many more reasons to visit including the delicious food. The Slow Food movement originated nearby and this is a region that takes its food seriously. Expect to spend hours savouring multiple courses of rich dishes featuring fresh truffles, egg pasta, delicious cheeses, and local hazelnuts, all accompanied by glasses of the superb wines.
Varenna is one of the prettiest towns on Lake Como in Italy. Its colourful houses tumble down the mountainside and the streets are narrow cobbled staircases that lead to the lake. We had heard that Varenna was a quieter alternative to popular Bellagio across the lake, but on the first weekend in September, tiny Varenna was crowded with visitors during the day (the mornings and evenings are quieter).
Unlike the rest of Spain, Barcelona is a very vegetarian-friendly city. More vegetarian and vegan restaurants are opening up all the time, and even the average tapas bar has a number of tasty options.
