Cape Town - Food enables you to explore and savour the rich diversity of Europe and with Trafalgar’s exceptional dining experiences travellers will taste and uncover real local culture on all their trips.
“One of life’s greatest joys is sitting down to enjoy a delicious meal prepared with love. And to share this experience with friends and family only adds to the enjoyment,” says Theresa Szejwallo, managing director of Trafalgar, “our 2016 range of Be My Guest dining experiences are sure to delight all our guests.”
Enjoy great dining experiences and lots of regional flavours across the length and breadth of Europe.
Get your fill of Ireland’s literary hero. Dine at the house of author James Joyce in Dublin and discover more about his novel The Dead from the 1914 ‘Dubliners' collection. On this exceptional evening you’ll not only dine on traditional Irish fare in the company of your fellow travellers, but you’ll also learn more about James Joyce. Born James Augustine Aloysius Joyce on February 2, 1882 in Dublin, Ireland. Joyce was one of the most revered writers of the 20th century, whose landmark book, Ulysses, is often hailed as one of the finest novels ever written.
From an early age, James Joyce showed not only exceeding intelligence but also a gift for writing and a passion for literature. He taught himself Norwegian so he could read Henrik Ibsen's plays in the language they'd been written and could speak no less than 17 languages.
Cornish pasties and Sheepdogs in action
Join Gemma Kempthorne and her family on their farm for a typically Cornish meal of pasties, salads, scones with clotted cream and home-made jams in Rosehip Barn. The Barn is a part of Trefranck Farm which has been farmed by the same family since 1703. The original features of the Barn such as the stone walls have been kept; other objects from the barn such as mill cogs, hay racks and a wagon wheel have been used in innovative and creative ways to make a unique place full of character, charm and historic insight.
Apart from meeting Gemma and her family, guests also meet the farm animals (sheep, poultry, miniature ponies, and cats) and watch the resident sheepdogs working before joining the family for a traditional lunch.
Enjoy horsing around in Portugal
On this stunning Be My Guest travellers visit the Yeguado Montenegro stud farm en-route to Vilamoura. The stud farm was founded hundreds of years ago in 1778 when the King of Portugal, Don Joao VI gave, Jacinto Paes de Matos, the ancestor of today’s owners, the rights to raise horses here. These horses were to be bred as robust and useful creatures to fight in the wars against the French in the 18th century.
When the King visited the stud with his wife, the queen, Don Jacinto fell hopelessly in love with her and, as this was an impossible union, he vowed never to love anyone else, and never to cut his beard! He thus aged into a distinguished-looking elderly gentleman with an extremely long beard – rather Merlin-like!
When he died, - alone, at the age of 79- his nephews took over the stud, - and Vera and Tiago, who are the hosts – are the descendants of these nephews.
After watching the Lusitanian horses perform guest will enjoy a lunch will be prepared from locally sourced ingredients. In keeping with Portuguese cuisine guests will dine on this delightful fare.
Pirates Ahoy on Lake Maggiore
This superb Be My Guest takes guests to a pretty island in the middle of Lake Maggiore by private boat to the La Piratera restaurant that is run and managed by Pierluca Telli and his family.
The tower on the island has a curious history having been a lookout post in the 13th century; it has also been a watermill, a wood store, a manger and shelter for deer and the pirate hideaway for the future prince Vitaliano Borromeo X and his brother.
In 1949 Pierluca’s grandmother, who was a friend of the prince agreed to open a restaurant for VIP visitors to the area and the business has been family run since then. The current Telli family members will welcome Trafalgar’s guests at the jetty on Isola Madre and then it’s on to an exclusive dinner of the local Piedmontese cuisine.
Trafalgar’s guests will have exclusive, private access to the island and the restaurant.
For more details or to book your next Trafalgar guided holiday contact your local travel agent or visit www.trafalgar.com Follow them on Twitter at @TrafalgarSA and Facebook.
Adapted from a press release for IOL