Europe is a very interesting continent. Despite being one of the smallest, there are 50 different countries, every one of them having a distinct culture, landscape and cuisine. Without knowing it, you could start in, say, Belgium and end up in Germany in the space of a couple of hours. With so many nations, there are different cuisines, but many Brits seem reluctant to try them on holiday.
A survey of British holidaymakers revealed that, when visiting a different country, nearly one in three refused to try the local cuisine. In the same survey, 48% stated that, at some point, they were able to eat food from their home country. What came as a complete surprise was that more than seven out of 10 said they described themselves as adventurous when it came to food!
Food is a big part of any holiday, but when is the right time to eat? Ideally, a meal should follow a long walk, especially around parkland, a city centre or perhaps a mountain range as it helps you to refuel. There are a number of European holiday destinations where a walk followed by food is an unrivalled experience. Here are just three European countries where it can’t be beaten:
Austria
The spine of the Alps, Europe’s biggest mountain range, lies mostly within Austria’s borders. In winter, they’re ideal for skiing, but when the snow melts, they’re wonderful for walking. A walking holiday in the Austrian Lake District, which lies near the city of Salzburg, would be the ideal way to explore the country, no matter what time of year you head there!
Austria is a country which is steeped in musical tradition. Many of the world’s greatest ever classical music composers including the legendary Wolfgang Mozart were from here, and many of their works are still performed here today. As for the food, the country’s signature dish is Wiener schnitzel, a breaded meat escalope which works well alongside a salad of boiled potatoes and sauerkraut.
The Netherlands
Here, the arts are appreciated just as much – a visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will prove that. Amsterdam itself is great for a stroll, whether you want to do a little shopping or visit a café. Meanwhile, the Netherlands is a great sporting nation – football and professional darts are the two most popular at the moment, and the canals of Amsterdam and Rotterdam are worth a look too.
In terms of food, Dutch cuisine isn’t quite as renowned as that of its European neighbours, but one thing you must try are the stroopwaffel – a waffle-shaped biscuit with a caramel-cinnamon filling. They go great with a cup of coffee. Also, some of the local beer is brilliant, particularly Bavaria lager, which is best served ice-cold.
Spain
Here, there are so many activities that are begging to be explored in between walks. Flamenco lessons are on offer around the country, while you could always head to a Plaza de Torros and watch some traditional Spanish bullfighting. As far as walking’s concerned, a trip to the Pyrenees on the border with France will keep you occupied, as well as providing you with spectacular views.
Spanish cuisine is pretty tasty, especially if you sample paella, the national dish. Just as famous is tapas, a series of hot and cold snacks which are consumed one at a time as part of a meal – they tend to vary from region to region, while for dessert, you could always have churros, which are elongated, stick-like donuts.
Photos by kevinpoh, Lies Thru a Lens & donjd2 via Flickr Creative Commons
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