To travel is to yearn for new experiences, previously unseen sights and unheard-of tales — of ancient architecture that created the skeletal structures of cities and their civilisations — and for the tastes that linger long after the meal. Your account manager at Conte, a luxury travel designer, can recommend destinations that fit your aspirations for your holiday, itineraries which include an element catering to every member of the group's interests, or meals that will stay with you years down the line.
Fresh Seafood in Portugal: A Luxury Travel Advisor's Recommendations
For instance, in the popular destination of Portugal, enjoy tasing the local oyster Crassostrea angulata, similar to the Pacific oyster and thought to have been brought over by trading ships from the Pacific coast of Asia in the 16th century. Hidden in plain sight along the coast of Setúbal, these oysters are plucked from the waters only a few times a year, their farming still an art passed down through generations. For travellers looking to experience the varying regional influences in Portuguese cuisine, Conte would invite you to travel not only to Lisbon but to Setúbal, Porto, the Beiras region and beyond. For those looking for broader culinary experiences, discover the umami flavours of garum, a centuries-old fermented fish sauce locally made in Troia or the unique Moorish flavours found in the Southern Alentejo and Algarve regions.
Dinner can be as simple or informative as you wish - an experiential evening or a moment to relax. You could find yourself in the kitchens of Ana Roš, the self-taught Slovenian chef whose cuisine is both innovative and critically acclaimed. At the famed Hiša Franko, her restaurant awarded three Michelin stars and nestled in the quiet town of Kobarid, Conte might arrange for you to dine on creations such as her iconic charcuterie dish made from aged bear meat. A delicacy that both speaks to old traditions and slow alpine winters and simultaneously the kind of patience in the culinary spheres most have forgotten. This is food that tells a story, not just of Slovenia, but of a chef and her journey, from a trained Alpine skier representing the Yugoslavian national team to a celebrated culinary genius.
When considering the importance of dining within travel and bespoke itineraries, Conte is often reminded of an anecdote about M.F.K. Fisher, the esteemed American food writer, whose work brought depth and beauty to the simple act of eating, and the intimacy that sharing food with others brings us. Fisher once reflected that a meal wasn’t truly fulfilling without a shared sense of connection, even in silence. Whether in her travels of the globe, her reflections on international cuisines, dining culture and knowledge, or in her charming writing style which one could not help but admire for its ability to capture and elate; the ability of food to connect individuals with the destinations they visit was always present.
This is one benefit of travelling with a luxury travel advisor, amongst countless others. In the realm of bespoke culinary adventures, Conte travel designers do not aim to inundate you with lists of famous eateries or to fill your plate with the expected. Rather, they curate experiences that allow food to be a portal into the heart of a place, where you don’t simply eat but partake in an ongoing journey that spans generations. From a small farm in Portugal to the high kitchens of Slovenia, and to the monastic quiet of Bhutan, to the kitchen-style, rustic eateries of Provence, they offer not just sustenance, but connection—to land, to people, and ultimately, to yourself and those you travel with.