Travel

a taste of The Land

Smell, sound and taste: our senses provide the impactful, long-lasting memories and unique money-can’t-buy experiences when travelling abroad. As the ‘Experience Economy’ is shifting to a ‘Transformational Economy’, travellers are increasingly looking for authentically local and immersive interactions that capture the essence of their vacation in a foreign land. No fine dining experience can compare to the feelings of warmth and generosity that a traveller gets when dining in a local’s home. Italian chef Alessandro Paiano is one of a growing number of farm-to-table hosts that now offers the guests of premium escorted journeys, like Insight Vacations, a taste of the true flavour of the destination they visit. “In summer, I’m up at 4:30am, out in the fields harvesting fresh vegetables before the trattoria opens each day,” says Chef Alessandro. “No pesticides, no chemicals, no preservatives, this celebrates the true taste and quality of fresh seasonal produce. This is the taste of Italy I want to share.” Housed in the conical stone “trulli” huts of Italy’s Apulian region, Alessandro’s restaurant celebrates family history and sustainable cuisine. The trattoria goes back to his Nonna’s house, where Chef Alessandro grew up eating the same seasonal dishes that he now offers in his restaurant. “Nonna is still a big part of my restaurant to this day” he continues. “She loves to meet the guests and even gives them a lesson on how to hand make Orecchiette pasta before joining us for a dinner that celebrates our family traditions.” Chef Alessandro wants visitors to understand that good Italian food takes time and patience. It’s meant to follow the seasons – zucchini in the summer, and turnip greens in the winter. He speaks passionately about the loss of these traditions due to corporate restaurants. “Our trattoria is meant to be small, to avoid having a big industrial kitchen and to ensure fresh plates and personal service for the select small groups we welcome every year” he concludes.

Don’t miss the Thornley and Turner Travel Associates Travel Info Evening to find out more about authentic travel experiences and dining in style with Insight Vacations, Trafalgar and Uniworld.