FOOD & CULTURE

TAKAYAMA, JAPAN CORNWALL, U.K.

Stroll along the old town streets, lined with traditional houses. Sannomachi street is popular, with shops, cafés and breweries – Takayama produces some of the best Japanese rice beverage. Interact with locals at the morning markets, located along the Miyagawa riverside and in front of Takayama Jinya, a former government office. They have stalls selling food and crafts; the ichii itto bori wood figurines are nice souvenirs and hand-crafted using local wood, which has distinctive colours and a unique lustre. Try out the Hida beef, which is served in a shabu-shabu or hotpot, steamed buns and dumplings. Pair it with hoba miso, a savoury local variety made with a mix of shiitake mushrooms and spring onions. The ramen here is well-known too. Hidagyu

Maruaki restaurant is popular and Suzuya serves halal options. Takayama has preserved houses from the Edo period at Hida no Sato or Hida Folk Village, which include the traditional Gasshostyle with steep roofs, resembling hands joined in prayer.

Cornwall is well-known for its sandy beaches, surfing and seaside resorts. However, it also has a rich culture and history. While it’s officially part of England, this place has preserved its Celtic heritage. Step into a fairytale at Pendennis Castle, with its winding stone staircases, gunrooms and turrets. The café here serves a selection of delicious Cornish fare. Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant is popular but don’t shy away from local food carts. St. Michael’s Mount, a castle on an island in the middle of a blue expanse, is a major tourist site. Stoop under ancient doorways, wander through centuries-old corridors and discover a gamut of artefacts from Queen Victoria’s sofa to Napoleon’s coat. Get a view of the Cornish countryside as you ride the award-winning Heslton Railway; advance booking is a must. Book a luxurious stay at Tregenna Castle Resort, an 18th-century hilltop fortress. Their afternoon tea experience, with Cornish clotted cream tea and scones, can’t be missed.

Italy has many tourist hubs but is also home to hidden gems such as Pitigliano. A picture-postcard town on the southern tip of Tuscany, it has a history rooted in the Etruscan era. Walk through the old town, featuring Mediaeval walls fitted with centuries-old gateways and an aqueduct with impressive archways, all signs of a rich past. Head to Piazza della Repubblica, a public square dotted with cafés, where you can enjoy sfratti, a short-crust pastry with a chewy toffee, honey, walnut and nutmeg filling. Piazza S. Gregorio VII also has restaurants and local handicraft shops. Sip on local grape varieties paired with rustic, home-style ragù and bread gnocchi. Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, in the same vicinity, exhibits baroque architecture, artistic interiors and a Mediaeval bell tower. The Palazzo Orsini or Orsini Palace houses an archeological museum, a museum of religious art, as well as paintings and sculptures.

Characterised by Mediaeval buildings, rustic canals and cobbled-stone streets, this picturesque city is thronged by tourists – a testament to its many offerings. Whether you’re a chocolate-lover or not, we recommend you book a workshop, where you can learn to make amazing, sweet confections and even try them. Bruges is home to several historic buildings with splendid architecture; the Church of Our Lady exhibits an impressive Gothic-style façade. Inside, the white marble Madonna and Child sculpture, a creation of Michelangelo, is a major attraction. Walk around Burg Square, the heart of the city, admiring more structures and soaking in the hustle and bustle. Stop for refreshments at Tanners Square and then, unwind on a boat ride along the canals. End the day sipping on local brew. De Halve Maan brewery is well-known. Don’t miss trying the revered Liège waffle at Chez Albert restaurant, which is known for its authentic flavours.