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Do you have favourite memorable European breakfast experiences?
Breakfast is crucial to me - I cannot go without. Breakfasts in Europe can be wonderful experiences and I have fortunately had many. However, the two that immediately pop into my mind are:
1. Istria, Croatia. We stayed at a private villa (owners live about 30 minutes away). Although it was self-catering they of course left us the staples. What made it great was the fact that we were isolated, surrounded by gobsmackingly gorgeous views and were given access to the gardens and fruit trees for food. At a rustic wooden table under a gigantic walnut tree we ate their fresh grapes, pears, figs, tomatoes (on fresh bread drizzled with fresh local olive oil) and fresh local cheese. It was just heavenly - we loved it so much that we decided to stay there 5 nights instead of 3. So very tranquil and perfect. The only sounds we heard were birds. 2. Scotland (Trossachs) - about 90% of the time we stay in rural locations. This was a small B&B that served a gigantic (even bigger than the usual Scottish/English/Welsh full breakfasts). It was four courses and included Scottish pancakes and maple syrup, fresh fruit salad, smoked kippers, eggs, ham, baked beans, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, fresh breads, preserves and cheese. And tattie scones. We had to say no to the toast. I felt more of a pig than usual! The sheer enormity of it in addition to eating in lovely surroundings makes it to my list. The proprietors took a particular liking to us (we are so obsessed and passionate about Scotland that we gush) so we had a lovely visit. They sent us away with extra tattie scones for a snack later. What are your most memorable breakfast experiences in Europe? |
1. Germany hosts its Sportler des Jahres (athletes/sports personalities of the year) gala in December in Baden-Baden. The Dorint/Sofitel is the host hotel for the event.
We happened to be at the hotel over several days for the 2006 gala and ended up sharing breakfast tables (and meeting up later in the piano bar) with German TV presenters and athletes I'd last seen on TV getting Olympic medals. The piano bar was closed off to everyone except the Gala attendees and hotel guests, so it became like a big house party there for a few nights. 2. DH and I took our English cocker to spaniel training camp in the Austrian countryside a couple of summers in a row, staying in the picturesque chocolate-box village of Seckau at the delightful Hofwirt Hotel (www.hofwirt.at). We'd enjoy our morning coffee under the trees while the cocker relaxed at our feet or mingled with the other guests and their cockers in for the same program. Seckau is a gorgeous, non-touristy village, with a handsome abbey. It's surrounded by beautiful countryside with lakes, mountain hiking trails, farms, etc. http://www.culturelounge.at/1519.htm |
Sitting in a little cafe outside the Hotel du Louvre (my first Paris cafe on my first morning in Paris), and eating my simple little baguette with jam, enjoying my hot tea, and watching the people walk by.
I was in paradise! |
The first that comes to mind is sitting on the balcony of the Hotel Poseidon in Positano, drinking the best cappucino, blood orange juice, and tiny, tender, little sfogliatelle.
Another was arriving in Paris after a long hard haul in cattle class from Pittsburg > PHL > CDG. Then a shuttle to hotel. Dragging in, too early for check-in, and having a lovely maid grab us, sit us down, and serve us breakfast at the Hotel de la Bretonnerie. One more: Finding the very hip (at the time) Rouge et Noir on the Brompton Road, and having our first English breakfast. |
We prefer apartments and tend to make our own breakfasts usually fresh bread, croissants, fruit and juice or coffee.
Most memorable breakfasts (not all European) 1. Staying with friends who have their own honey (hear the bees buzzing outside!)and bake their own bread. 2. Art and Orchids B&B on Big Island, Hawaii for the home grown coffee, fruits home baked goods..delicious 3. Picking apricots off the trees in Capitol Reef National Park 4. An hotel in Crete where the breakfast buffet was extensive and delicious especially the honey, yoghurt, olives and bread which were locally produced. 5. On our own balcony in St.Kitts eating mangoes under an avocado tree with ocean views. |
Noordwijk, Netherlands.
A friend and I were backpacking at the time and had spent several days in Amsterdam before a side trip to this beach town. We stayed at a small bed and breakfast (I'd have to dig back from my journal to remember the name). I just remember being the only two people there for breakfast on the first morning. We sat down not knowing what to expect and each received a very full plate of various meats. Thick sausages and coldcuts... I remember feeling ill just looking at it---but I was starved and did eat up. It was delicious though and the rest of the trip I was on the lookout for similar hearty breakfasts. Paris, France. My trip to Paris was full of only supreme croissant experiences; enjoyed on most days sitting outside at a cafe drinking coffee. |
<supreme croissant experiences>
That made me laugh. That pretty much sums up my culinary hopes for my Paris trip! :) |
I will never forget our first morning in Venice. We had breakfast outdoors on a sunny am on the rooftop of the Bauer Il Palazzo hotel overlooking the Grand Canal.
Magical! |
Cafe Einstein on Berlin's Unter der Linden. Fantastic cafe with waiting staff in pristine uniforms.
A breakfast platter for two at 13E, that would have fed the 5000, and coffee which still lingers in the memory. Superb experience and highlight of a four day stay that was full of highlights. |
...moving to the south, not European, but neverthless exceptionally memorable. Breakfast on the rooftop terrace of the charming Villa Maroc...overlooking the Atlantic and the little port of Essaouira. Of course, the obligatory couscous-in-broth was there, along with a full, tasty Moroccan breakfast. Unforgettable.
stu t. http://www.villa-maroc.com/en/ |
Munich- despite the fact that our hotel (The Cortiina) had a fabulous breakfast spread of fresh breads, meats, fruits, juices, etc, one morning we woke up a bit late for breakfast (after a night out on the town :-)); thus, we walked over to the viktualienmarkt and had a wonderful, albeit random, breakfast of fresh fruit dipped in chocolate, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and basil with fresh bread, and sausages... my SO and I just walked around, eating- ordering a taste of whatever looked good- exploring and people watching on a sunny, winter morning...
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Many farms offer August 1 brunches to celebrate Switzerland's National Day. Beautiful buffets are set up in immaculate barns presenting homemade bread, cakes, jams, dried meat, etc. It's an all-you-can-eat event that tries to bring farmers closer to city folk.
After your meal, you can wander around the farm, which is quite often set majestically in the mountains, or listen to local music. The brunch is inexpensive but reservations are a must. If you are in the vicinity of Switzerland on Aug. 1, consider going to one of these brunches for a real special Swiss treat. link: (French and German only) http://www.brunch.ch/DesktopDefault....1&langid=1 |
Sitting at the bar in a French cafe drinking my hot chocolate and melt-in-your-mouth butter croissants. Delicious.
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Two experiences come to mind - my first trip to Paris and the croissant I purchased our first morning there. It was SO good.
The other was at a hotel in Crete that offered a pretty extensive breakfast buffet. It was the first time I had tried Greek yogurt and honey - it was delicious. |
10 years ago our family of four shared a large farmhouse (mas) in Provence with another family of five. I usually got up early and drove into town to pick up the baguettes and/or pastries for the day at the local bakery.
We ate breakfast (and other meals) out on the terrace with plenty of local fruits and good coffee. The kids could sleep in late or run around in the yard, get the swimming pool uncovered for the day, etc while the adults enjoyed a leisurely meal and planned the day's outing. |
<b>Zürich Marriott.</b>
Probably about 300 meats, fruits, vegetables cheeses, breads, juices, and cereals to choose from. Any number of eggs, cooked any style, with any of the above goodies chopped into an omelet. Free with superior class room. 15€ for tourist IIRC. <b>Venusberg (Bonn) Dorint Sofitel.</b> Lavish buffet, somewhat smaller than the Marriott. 8€. <b>Arthur Frommer Inn København.</b> Spendid smørrebrød table, where you build a sandwich from fish, veggies, meats. Get the picture at tinyurl.com/2skeg7 Free IIRC. |
* Breakfast served on the balcony of our room at the Capotaormina Resort in Taormina. It was so warm that I wore my swimsuit and so early that we could hear the local fishermen calling to each other from their boats.
* Any breakfast in Paris that consists of croissants or beignets! |
After posting I remembered yet another favourite. My husband and I were renting a gorgeous rural villa near Montepulciano, Tuscany. We had a huge terrace overlooking the hills, vineyards, olive groves and town. We had mentioned to the owner when we booked that we would be celebrating our 10th anniversary there. They remembered and unexpectedly brought us breakfast that consisted of fresh cheese, bread, coissants, juices, etc. The food was simple, the views and atmosphere divine. Later on that day a wine bottle was left at our door. Lovely, lovely place.
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Ascot airport hotel outside Stuttgart airport.
Inexpensive commercial traveler's hotel. Dinner was very blah. Bkfst: Bacon and eggs (scrambled or boiled) Fruits 8-10 kinds of deli meats 8-10 kinds of cheeses about a dozen kinds of breads 6-8 kinds of rolls Assorted pastries yoghurts, cereals All very good and very unexpected. Moulin du Cambelong - outside Conques Excellent bkfst of fruits, yoghurts, pastries, croissants and other breads, hot and cold cereals, lovely coffee in big bowls (very French). All wonderfully fresh off the farm and/or freshly baked. ((I)) |
I've traveled throughout the Continent for over 20 years and every Pension, Zimmer Frei, Gasthof, Inn, Hotel and Hotel Garni in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg has served me what I consider a favorite breakfast. And as far as I can recall every place we've stayed included breakfast in the room rate.
Finally I took a trip to Ireland. I had my two kids who were 14 and 9 with me while my wife was conducting business elsewhere. The kids and I were on our own the first night until the wife would be able to meet us at Shannon. I found a great deal at a nice hotel in Limerick. Somehow we got there, had a nice sleep then headed down to breakfast the next morning. We were astounded by the huge variety of foods in the breakfast room: three different kinds of eggs, ham, bacon, fried sausages, boiled sausages, cold cuts, cheeses, yoghurts, every cereal conceivable, 5 different juices, many choices of potatoes and fresh fruits. We tucked in and proceeded to stuff ourselves. I was so proud of myself for "discovering" this great deal on the internet. Imagine my surprise as we headed out of the breakfast room and a waiter came running over with the check! My "inclusive breakfast" cost us close to $60! Now I'm finally aware that those free Fruhstucks are unique to the Germanic nations. And sadly, that custom is slowly disappearing. |
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