Utahtea, have you thought about writing a book? Seriously, that sounds neat. If you haven't been, you would love shopping at markets in Italy and France and parking your caravan amongst some of the most beautiful of the world's scenery while you eat the best food there too. Sigh.

UtahTea--We were backpacking last weekend, so our dinners were freeze dried meals. With the spectacular scenery, yes, even those were tasty, lol!

donco, you completely misinterpreted my post. I do not travel to places EVER for the food. I too go to Venice for the Grand Canal. But while in Venice I'd rather have liver (one of their great specialties) than order a pizza. I do enjoy finding what is good locally. I certainly didn't go to Alaska for the food. But when there I'd much rather be eating fresh halibut than stopping by a 7-11 for a frozen burrito. Why go to a mediocre place and order any old food, when you can go to a place and dine with a new experience? I too would be likely to ask a policeman or a local for a restaurant suggestion. That's often how we find those great meals I'm talking about. Great meals doesn't mean expensive either.

Incidentally, being a diabetic, I can't go for hours on a gelato. I wish I could, but I need real food.

Oh Patrick, I wish you hadn't mentioned the liver in Venice.
I love the liver in the region of Veneto. Now I want some!! Thanks so much for ruining my day, LOL.

I'm a visual person. Next in line is my need for good food and a great glass of wine. If I can combine the two, I'm as happy as a pig in er.... poo. My best memories of great meals always include the surroundings. Or maybe, for me, its the surroundings that influence my memory of the meal. Hum..

Beautiful surrondings, fantastic food and wonderful wine!!! That works for me. Oh, and a fun and pleasant dining companion. I have had the displeasure of having a few wonderful meals with someone who is a grouch and complains about everything. Not fun!!! I would rather dine solo.

Sorry...I forgot about the dinner companion. I guess I just assumed it would be my husband. Go figure.

Patrick, since my response was to Shane's question, with only compliments meant about the wonderful foods you named, perhaps you misinterpreted my post as well! Never mind! Oh, jersey, how could one forget the wine?! Whether it's to eat or to sight-see, let's go to Italy NOW!

Then there is cooking school in Italy-that sounds wonderful!

I certainly agree, but I would add that an intelligently chosen, reasonably priced wine list is important.
M

It depends. If we are staying in hotels and traveling almost daily, I do some research into good, but casual restaurants. We don't actually plan any trips based on food. If we are staying in a condo for several days, we usually cook because my husband is on a strict heart healthy diet and doesn't trust the ingredients in restaurant food. Consequently, I always travel with a couple of good kitchen knives and some condiments.