What do Italy, Argentina and San Francisco have in common? Their love of Fernet! But what is it about this curious concoction that has global appeal (or abhor)? We sent Intrepid’s Jacqueline Donaldson to find out more about this distinctly different beverage…
“This dark, bitter, aromatic liqueur is a grape-based digestive, that was first promoted as a tonic in Milan in 1845 by the self-taught apothecary, Bernardino Branca. While the recipe is a closely guarded secret, some of the 40 herbs, spices, resins and fungi include myrrh, chamomile, saffron, aloe, rhubarb and cardamom.
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Where better to get to the heart of a city than in its markets? Intrepid’s Jacqueline Donaldson discovers in Spain that amidst the frenzy of buying and selling activity, this is where you can instantly get to know the locals and enjoy many regional delicacies…
“I thought the farmers’ markets in my hometown of Melbourne were fantastic for local produce and delicious creations (they are), but when I walked into Barcelona’s La Boqueria market, I think I died and went to heaven. The market has been operational since the 1200s, so you know they’re doing something right, and the sheer variety of ingredients – much of it sourced locally – is a food-lover’s dream.
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Fantastic news from our friends at Amnesty International. After twenty years of campaigning, millions of actions and thousands of hours speaking to politicians, at last we have an international Arms Trade Treaty. This treaty literally has the power to save millions of lives! Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, shares news with us of this huge human rights victory…
“After decades of planning, strategizing, drafting treaty language, intensive research, advocacy and campaigning, Amnesty International is celebrating the adoption of a global Arms Trade Treaty by the UN General Assembly. 154 states voted in favour of the treaty; 3 states (Iran, North Korea and Syria) voted against and 23 states abstained. While many individuals and NGOs played an important role in ensuring its passage, I can also say proudly and unequivocally that the Arms Trade Treaty adopted on April 2, is a testament to Amnesty International’s singular global reach, tenacity, and ability to focus on making long-term, lasting change.
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They are the thriving hub of villages, town or cities. They are where people come from miles around to trade their wares or take home a bargain, and they are where visitors get to see the local community in action. Even if you’re not a shopper, there’s so much to love about markets. Here’s a few favourite places to enjoy the local flavours and hone your haggling skills…
Djemaa el-Fna:
During the day the Marrakech main square is full of touts, performers, snake charmers and more, then at night it transforms into an outdoor food festival. The square is surrounded by souks, otherwise known as local markets, selling everything from brass pots and pans, to linens, antiques, colourful spices, local dresses, leather slippers and delicious Moroccan food.
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In its April 2013 edition, the influential New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine, which boasts a monthly readership in excess of 4.5 million, has listed the Hanoi Cooking Centre as one of the best cooking schools in the world.
Founded in 2009 by our very own Intrepid Foodie, Melbourne chef and cookbook author, Tracey Lister, the Hanoi Cooking Centre was one of only four schools in Asia to make the list of 27, which includes the likes of internationally acclaimed Culinary Institute of America (CIA).
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Where to next? The one thing all real Intrepid travellers know, is that the more places you visit, the more exciting new destinations you want to explore. So how do you narrow down your options and decide your next adventure? Intrepid’s Ella Benjamin has 6 great tips for making your own travel wish list…
“With airfares getting cheaper and destinations that were once considered obscure becoming increasingly accessible, I find that my travel must-do list is forever being added to. While this allows for enjoyable travel daydreaming, it means that setting out your travel priorities is becoming more difficult. You know life is hard when your biggest problem is working out what is higher on your travel agenda – scuba diving in Indonesia or trekking in Nepal?
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No doubt about it. The sheer abundance of wildlife in the Galapagos is enough to overwhelm even the most ardent nature fan. From sea lions to tortoises, to blue-footed boobies and rare iguanas, you’ll quickly lose yourself in the many wonders of these incredible islands. For most of us it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so you want to make sure you cover off all the highlights and then some. Here, travel bloggers and possibly the most adventurous couple we know, The Planet D, nominate their must-see experiences on a tour of the Galapagos…
“Straddling the Equator 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador is a magical archipelago of volcanic islands known as the Galapagos. It is here you will find one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, housing species endemic only this South American Environment.
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Central and South America will whet any traveller’s appetite for real adventure with its jungle-clad ruins, steamy rainforests and wildly rugged landscapes. It’s the ultimate destination for the curious and daring, so we’ve tracked down the most intriguing lost cities of this legend-fuelled land…
5. The City of Caesars
Thousands of kilometers of uncharted plains, lonely lakes and ancient forests that were once roamed by dinosaurs – if you were looking to hide a lost city, Patagonia would be the place to do it. But if you’re lucky enough to find yourself exploring this pristine wilderness, chances are you’ve heard the words ‘City of Caesars’ echoing through Patagonia’s glacier filled passes. Typically, the legend speaks of a remote fort filled with unimaginable treasures hidden deep within the Andes.
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Affectionately known as ‘KL’, this cosmopolitan city is a melting pot of cultures: Malay, Indian, Chinese and Western. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the variety of cafes, restaurants and impromptu stalls all over town, dishing out foods formed from some 150 years of fusion.
Forget cereal, toast and eggs at home – do like the locals do and eat out! Intrepid traveller Kelly Law lists her Top 5 dishes to try while you’re in Malaysia…
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