What began as a trading port in the 15th – 19th century has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is exceptionally well-preserved.

The prized old town is made up of markets, alleyways and lantern clad streets which are easy to walk or cycle through. The ban of cars during certain hours adds to the city’s charm and will make draw you back for a 2nd and 3rd visit.

After 2 visits (so far!), here are the top 5 reasons I LOVE Hoi An:

1. Banh Mi

Hoi an is the home of Banh Mi – a quintessentially Vietnamese dish! A warmed baguette filled with pate (thanks to the French influence), delicious pork, pickled vegetables, chilli sauce and herbs.

These sandwiches are rich, spicy and just incredible! Don’t be afraid to order a second, my record is 3.5 over 24hours.

When it comes on where you should dine, there are two front runners:

Bánh Mì Phượng. My score: 7/10

Rising to fame after being featured on television series “No Reservations” by the late Anthony Bourdain, there is always a line out the door here.

Serving the traditional banh mi along with several variations, you should expect to enjoy this tasty roll on a table shared with backpackers and other travellers.

Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen. My score: 9.5/10

Being dubbed the “Queen” is a pretty good hint that these sandwiches are going to be good!

Madam Khanh has been selling street food for almost 50 years, with 30 of those at her Banh Mi store front. It’s a family affair here with her husband, daughter, granddaughter and sister in law all involved in the day to day workings of the business.

She’s a street food icon and welcomes the attention that comes with it! You’ll find the gracious Queen more than happy to pose for a photo, lovingly holding her sandwich.

Letters from previous travellers are displayed in a glass case behind her work station and help to create a much more humble feeling than the previously mentioned shop.

The menu is also a lot simpler here with only two options: traditional or vegetarian. With the addition of a fried egg standard in her sandwich, this is a great spot for brunch matched with a delicious iced coffee!

Other famous Hoi An dishes include “White Rose” (prawn dumplings) and “Cao Lau” (pork noodles).

2. Tailors

If you want any item of clothing (including shoes) made, Hoi An is your place!

With 400+ tailors it can seem quite overwhelming. They vary from high end boutiques with air conditioning, complimentary bottled water and comfortable seating to talk over your fabric choices, to an undercover market stall where you get changed behind a sheet!

Unsurprisingly, prices are charged accordingly.

Clothes are ready for their first fitting the following day, and if you’re on a tight schedule, you may even get a scooter ride back to your hotel!

3. Lanterns

Beautiful coloured lanterns are strung up high throughout the old town, zigzagging their way down the already picturesque streets.

But, it gets better!

After the sun sets, the temperate drops slightly and it’s time to prepare to be wowed by the river side! Vendors line the banks selling floating lanterns ready to join the hundreds already released – it is simply a beautiful sight.

Lantern shops come to life displaying their wares, and a simple stroll through the old town is instantly enthralling.

4. Cooking schools

With so many fantastic dishes to sample here, a visit to a cooking school to learn how to make them at home is a fantastic activity!

Classes start with a guided tour of the local market where you’re encouraged to ask questions, taste and take photos. This itself is an eye opening experience!

Once back in the classroom, traditional dishes such as rice paper rolls, papaya salad, grilled pork and prawn pancakes are created and eaten all together as a feast with your fellow chefs!

5. Bicycles

As the old town is closed to motorcycles and cars for the majority of the day, bicycles are the best way to get around! Not just practical, they’re also what create such a refreshingly relaxed feel in the town.

No hustle and bustle here!

Cycling tours are readily available and provide a great opportunity to explore the near by countryside with rice fields, farms and fishing ports.

Bikes are available for hire from most hotels in Hoi An, but if you’re not in the mood for a light work out, a cyclo taxi will is the perfect (and fun) alternative!

It was so hard to only list 5 reasons why I love Hoi An, and I’m sure that if you make the journey there yourself, it will be easy to see why!

To book a trip to Hoi An, call Rosie at Mosaic Travel on (03) 5275 4583

The post The top 5 reasons I keep coming back to Hoi An, Vietnam! appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Food plays such a huge part in Thai culture, it’s more than just a meal, it’s a time for friends and families to cook, eat and spend time together.

It provides a livelihood for so many:

Village famers

Cooks

Street food vendors

The lady on the foothpath selling bags of limes and chillies!

Street food can be found anywhere at any time on food carts, motorbike BBQ’s, smoothie stands, tropical fruit carts, ice cream bicycles, foot path restaurants… the list goes on!

All the food I’ve eaten from these places has been 100% safe to eat and more delicious than the hotel restaurant! (Sorry to my Doctor back home in Geelong!)

While having so many options may seem overwhelming, a lot of stall holders are able to tell you the English name of what they’re selling. If not, point, smile and enjoy what you’re served – it’s more than likely going to be delicious!

These are my top 5 street meals:

BBQ fish

Salt crusted fresh whole fish (similar to snapper) stuffed with herbs and BBQ’d to perfection!

These fish come with noodles, lettuce and a hot pungent sauce (think lime, fresh herbs, chilli and garlic).

Take a lettuce leaf in your hand to form a cup, fill with fish, noodles and sauce then roll – it can get messy.

Expect to pay up to $10 for 1 fish with all the accompaniments (pricey for street food, but worth it).

**Don’t be put off by the look of these fish, they are my absolute favourite! Please don’t be afraid to try it!!

Pork leg on rice

Pork is king in Thailand, and this simple dish is an absolute winner.

The pork has been slowly braised in a delicious broth (soy, garlic and herbs) until juicy and tender then is served on rice with fresh herbs.

A large pile of the stewed pork can be seen at the front of the shop to help you know you’ve found the right place – it’s a great reason to stop and have a quick plate!

This costs between $2 and $4 depending if your dish comes with boiled egg or not.

Mango Sticky Rice

Street dessert! Mango’s are abundant here and enjoyed in salads, smoothies or the classic “mango sticky rice”.

Rice cooked with sweetened coconut milk is matched with fresh mango, a creamy coconut/pandan sauce and crunchy mung beans (don’t be put off by the name, they’re just like crushed peanuts!).

This simple dessert is creamy, sweet and fresh and is a reason itself for coming to Thailand!

Chicken/pork skewers

After a quick snack? BBQ skewers can be easily found in stalls or on the back of a motorbike BBQ.

Sticky grilled pork or chicken with a soy based glaze are a delicious snack for $0.50C to $1 each.

Chicken noodle soup

Similar to “pho”, this delicious soup is a staple in a Thai and expat diet!

For $2, you get a bowl of noodles, tender chicken and broth made with daikon (Asian white radish) bought to your table. Also available with duck! Yum!

At the table, you can customise your bowl with a choice of fresh ingredients:

Thai basil

Bean shoots

Boiled eggs

Lotus root

Cabbage

Snake beans (Similar to green beans)

Then add your seasonings:

Fish sauce

Sugar

Peanuts

Chilli (in 3 different varieties: dry flakes, wet flakes and chilli vinegar)

If you’re not sure what to add, just watch a local!

This lunch follows the rule of thai cooking by including something sweet (sugar), salty (fish sauce) and hot (chilli).

It’s fresh, flavoursome and a steal at $2 per bowl.

Once you’ve enjoyed your street meal, leave your empty plate and cutlery (spoon and fork) on the table and let the cook know you enjoyed it by saying“aroy mak!” (arr-roy muck)– it gets a smile every time.

The post Bangkok Street Food – By Mosaic correspondent Holly Richardson appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

I’ve travelled a lot, and over the years, I think I’ve worked out the magic ingredients to the perfect travel destination.

• Small and authentic, with more locals than tourists
• A small, boutique hotel, with quirk, and views
• Local restaurants and no tourist traps
• A nice beach is a bonus

Who agrees with me?

Tiny little Vejer de la Frontera, in south-west Spain ticks all of these boxes!

Vejer de la Frontera, or simply Vejer (pronounced Be-hair), sits on top of a rocky hill just 10kms from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a typical Andalucian white village, with a labyrinth of tiny, winding streets, a distinct Moorish flavour, and a ruined castle dating back to the 10^th century.

Vejer’s size and location prohibits mass tourism. It is 50kms away from Cadiz, where the closest train station is, and only standard cars can get up the hill; no buses. Even if you do arrive by car, good luck trying to navigate the narrow one-way streets, and find a park!

There are only a handful of small hotels, all occupying authentic village houses, a fact which also limits the number of visitors the town can handle at once.

Casa Califa Hotel has to be seen to be believed. A union of ten houses, dating back to the tenth century, make up the hotel complex, each room with a unique design and blend of Moroccan and Andalucian style. It is a treasure trove.

Many of the rooms boast patios overlooking the straits of Morocco, or windows facing onto the lively square.

There is a large rooftop terrace bar, where they serve evening cocktails, and fresh mint tea.

One of the hotel’s best features is its restaurant. Set in a lush, palm-filled courtyard, the ‘Caliph’s Garden’ dishes up Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisine, in an exotic setting.

As well as the Caliph’s Garden, Vejer offers plenty of other delightful restaurants, all serving traditional and modern takes on local cuisine. There is also a small central market, where you can buy local cheeses, meats, fruit and vegies.

Vejer is home to a lovely mix of locals and expats. The type of expats who embrace the local culture, not those who try to impose mushy peas and Yorkshire pudding on the villagers. One of these expats is Annie, founder of a boutique cooking school in the village, which she runs from her typical village home. Owner of a successful catering company in the UK, Annie visited Vejer 15 years ago and fell in love with the place so much, she bought a house there, on the spot! Her rooftop terrace has 270 degree views over Vejer and the Straits of Gibraltar, with views of Morocco on a clear day.

Annie’s bubbly personality and passion for Andalucian cuisine and sherry, means she is a much-loved member of Vejer’s community.

Not all Spanish beaches are created equally. Head to the beach over near Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, and you’ll be jostling for an overpriced sun lounger on the beach with half of Britain. On the other had, head to El Palmar beach, just 14kms from Vejer de la Frontera, and you’ll be wondering why the word hasn’t got out about this place yet.

Miles and miles of white sand, and barely anyone there! There are a handful of laidback beach shacks dotted along the beach, offering simple food, drink and shelter should you so desire, otherwise, this is an unspoilt beach, popular with surfers. Note that this beach can get quite windy, in which case we recommend the nearby beach of Los Canos de Meca, which a bit more sheltered.

Get yourselves to Spain and become one of the privileged few to experience delightful Vejer de la Frontera, before it is ‘discovered.’

Fast Facts:

• Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and other reputable airlines fly in to Madrid, with good connections from Australia.
• Take the train from Madrid to Cadiz and hire a car from here
• Stay at La Casa Califa 2* Hotel – trust us when we say this hotel is worthy of at least 2 more stars!
• Do a cooking class with Annie at https://www.anniebspain.com
• While in Andalucia, check out other gorgeous destinations. You can get ideas here

The post Vejer de la Frontera – the ultimate travel destination? appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

For me, There isn’t anything much better than treating yourself to a meal in a foreign country. Perhaps ordering something you’ve read about in the guide books, or taking a local’s recommendation, or even just pointing to something at the menu and seeing what they bring to you!

Simple things seem to taste better as the quality of the ingredients are different to what we’re used to. I couldn’t believe how delicious a plain pesto pasta tasted in Italy! Other dishes are jam-packed full of intricate flavours that you know you’d never be able to recreate at home.

One other great thing about food overseas – you’ve (hopefully) left your diet behind because everyone knows calories don’t count while you’re overseas!

Here are my top 5 local foodie experiences I’ve had overseas:

Local pancakes, Hoi An, Vietnam

My sister and I were told about this ‘restaurant’ by our local Guide. When we sat down on our plastic chairs in a shabby courtyard, we were immediately handed food. As it turns out, they only offer one thing, a fixed menu, which is fantastic as it eliminates all decision-making! Piles and piles of food were placed in front of us – spring rolls, pork skewers, local savory pancakes, plus a mountain of crisp lettuce cups and fresh, fragrant herbs. We got through it all, washed down with a local beer, and as we finished, the waitress presented us with a chocolate ‘yogo’ each – dessert! It was daggy, cheap but absolutely delicious.

Peka, Croatia

On our Mosaic tours to Croatia, I take guests into the countryside on Hvar island for the day. After stopping to look at the picturesque vistas, the famous lavender, and wild herbs, we visit my friends the Dubocovic family, who own a small restaurant and winery in a village. Mr Dubocovic cooks the same thing each year for us, Peka. Peka in Croatian means ‘under the bell.’ It is slow-cooked lamb and potatoes cooked on a wood fire, covered with an iron ‘bell.’ We eat in their garden overlooking rolling hills, and tasting their home-made wine.
It’s so simple, but the quality of the ingredients, the surroundings and the friendliness of the Dubocovic family make it unforgettable!

Crickets, Cambodia

This one was a dare! Walking through the vibrant, colourful night markets of Siem Reap, I saw a cart selling deep-fried bugs. They offered everything, from garden-variety crickets, to cockroaches, small spiders to big, hairy tarantulas!
In order to prove myself an intrepid traveller, I bought a bag full of crickets to munch on. They were quite nice, crunchy and tasting of salt, oil and garlic. The only thing that stopped me eating more than one was the texture, and getting those long antennae stuck in your teeth!

Midye dolma, Turkey

The best ones are found by the Galata Bridge, and in ‘fish market street’ Beyoglu, both in Istanbul. They’re mussels stuffed with spiced rice. They’re plump, juicy, delicate and full of intricate flavour. The best way to eat them is straight from the shell, while standing up next to the midye dolma cart. When you’re finished, the midye dolmaci (the seller) will count your empty shells and charge you (about 50 cents per mussel) accordingly.

Portuguese Tart, Portugal

I wasn’t all that exciting about trying this custard delicacy when I visited Portugal the first time. But of course, being such a famous dessert, we were all given one by our tour guide after a morning walking tour of Lisbon. Wow! It was the smell that sucked me in first – still slightly warm, buttery, with a light hint of cinnamon. Then the first bite was magic. The pastry made a perfect ‘crunch’ sound like in the movies, and as you bit through the flakiness, you arrived the soft, sweet custard inside. Just heaven! (And remember, calories don’t count when you’re on holiday)

What’s your favourite local foodie experience?

The post My top 5 local foodie experiences overseas appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Question: What happens when you take nine women to Croatia for a three week holiday?

Answer: Lots of walking, laughing, wine-drinking, boating, some singing and dancing… and a lot of fun!!!

Mosaic Travel doesn’t specifically operate women-only tours yet this one just turned out this way, and what a hoot we had! Starting in Dubrovnik and ending in Venice, the tour lasted three weeks. Here are our highlights from the trip.

1. Walking through the Plitvice National Park

We changed the itinerary this year to avoid the tourist crush at the famous Plitvice Lakes, and we’re glad we did. Getting started early, we had the paths almost to ourselves and were treated with spectacular views of the lakes and waterfalls.

2. Pag Island

What a strange place! When we drove across the bridge to Pag, everyone was wondering why I was taking them here – it looked barren, dry and inhospitable! However the winery hotel where we spent two nights is like an oasis. Set amongst vineyards, with a pool, and not too far from a small beach, we enjoyed a very pleasant few days here. The food and wine at the on-site restaurant are top notch too.

3. Boating

A lot of people ask why this tour isn’t done by boat, and the reason is because we think it’s fantastic to enjoy different accommodation along the way, and have the freedom to explore local towns and villages on your own, rather than being stuck on a boat. Having said that, we certainly don’t miss out on boating, and spend plenty of time on the water!

Our favourite boating experience on the trip would have to be our day on the Elaphiti Islands with a huge wooden gulet which would hold 50 people, all to ourselves! We spent the morning exploring the small islands, before anchoring at a small but exquisite seafood restaurant for lunch with the Adriatic as our view.

On our last night in Croatia, we did a sunset cruise from Rovinj. We watched the spectacular sunset while tucking into a picnic feast, fresh from the markets. Now I’m not sure what was in the wine, but the evening ended in lots of dancing on the deck! A very quiet drive to Venice the following day, that’s for sure!

4. Food

If you’ve been on a Mosaic Tour, you know that food is a big part of our tours! Croatia is mostly on the coast so the seafood is fresh and abundant. They’re also well known for their cheese, cured meats (Istra ham) and truffles. Meal highlights would definitely include our 4 course truffle lunch near the Motovun truffle forest, and our Peka, meaning ‘cooked under the iron bell’ at Mr Dubokovic’s family home in Hvar. All washed down with local, light summer wines.

5. Dubrovnik

We start our tour in Dubrovnik, and yes, it is touristy, but it is very popular for a reason! Dubrovnik’s old town really is spectacular, with dramatic high walls surrounding it, the fortress looming overhead, and the narrow, cobbled laneways down below. We loved walking the city walls and exploring the back streets.

The tour this year was loved by all the women – you can read some of their reviews here . I will be leading this fabulous tour again in June and Sue will be leading it in September. Click here to check out the itinerary, or visit our tour page!

Rosie

The post Living the dream in Croatia! appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Dubrovnik, otherwise known as the real-life King’s Landing (for Game of Thrones fans!), sits at the southern end of country. As one of the main coastal cities, it’s full of stunning sights, fabulous fare and a beautiful waterfront, making it a popular destination for visitors every year. However, it’s also the ideal spot to explore the surrounding countryside, crossing borders and getting out onto the water. Here are Mosaic Travel’s top 5 day trips from Dubrovnik.

Looking back on Ston from our oyster boat!

Peljesac Peninsula

A long, narrow piece of land an hour from Dubrovnik, the Peljesac Peninsula is home to a number of vineyards, wineries and small cellar doors, clustered into small villages. The Plavac Mali grape is the most common, a variety closely related to Californian Zinfandel.

One of those villages is Ston, which holds an interesting history. There have been salt pans here since Roman times, and to protect them, Ston has 5 kilometres of stone walls; the 2nd longest in the world after China. It’s also home to some of the freshest oysters going round –hop on a boat and pluck them straight from the source! They’re best washed down with a glass of the local wine.

Lovely little Perast, Montenegro.

Lokrum Island

A short ferry trip away from Dubrovnik Harbour, Lokrum Island was previously the quarantine location for people before they were allowed to enter Dubrovnik. These days, you’ll find picturesque beaches, forests and a multitude of olive trees. The botanical gardens on site feature a large cacti section, while there’s also a ruined Medieval Benedictine monastery worth exploring. Removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger city, it’s a lovely spot to while away a lazy afternoon.

Clear water on Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik

Elaphiti Islands

Fancy getting out on the water for a day? You can do just this with a trip to Elaphiti Islands, a collection of 13 mostly uninhabited pieces of land. You’ll need to hire a boat or hop on a group tour to visit – there’s no regular ferry service. However, once you get here, expect to be rewarded with land dotted with pines, olive groves, fig and citrus trees and grape vines, as well as a few 16^th century churches. If you’ve brought your walking shoes, hike up to the Church of St Ivana – you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view.

After lots of swimming and a long, lazy lunch, a boat like this can cruise you back to Dubrovnik.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by Kolocep for lunch at Rosie’s favourite restaurant, Villa Ruza. Housed in a terrace built by a wealthy merchant as a symbol of love for his wife, it’s perched on the edge of the Adriatic and dishes up delectable seafood dishes.

Mostar, Bosnia

A world heritage-listed city, Mostar lies in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. You may recognise its most famous landmark, the arched Mostar bridge from which daring divers leap into the sea.

The gorgeous little town of Mostar, with it’s famous bridge.

The old bazaar and Turkish house are also worth seeing, while the craft shops selling artisan wares are likely to have something worth taking home. As one of the more recent sites of warfare, you can also learn about the after-effects of the Homeland War in the 1990s.

The best part about this collection of day trips is three out of the five are already part of the itinerary on Mosaic Travel’s Magnificent Croatia tour. With a flexible schedule and local tips and tricks, the other two also aren’t far off!

For more information about Mosaic Travel’s Croatia tours in June and September 2017, click here.

The post Our top 5 day trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

The inaugural Black Sea tour was such an adventure! Northern Turkey, along the Black Sea coast, and Georgia and Armenia – what a fascinating and undiscovered part of the world.

The walk from the ‘road’ to our alpine chalet accommodation high in the Kackar Mountains.

Incredible singing and dancing troupe showing us traditional dances and music in the heart of Georgia’s wine region.

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