We recently visited the stretch of northwest coastline, running from the Li Junchi beach in Badesi to Castelsardo. A few hours of driving in complete silence is the perfect antidote to a busy and stressful week. Greenery, serenity, cork trees, cows…lots of cows!

We stopped for photo ops in some of the small towns along the drive. Something so simple as a white granite place of worship nestled off the beaten path brought me such serenity and inner silence – and inspired a yoga pose or two!

Kilometres and kilometres of windy roads lined with bright yellow flowers (weeds never looked so beautiful!) was the perfect contrast to the bright blue sky. So many bright colours – and a reminder that spring is on its way.

We arrived in Castelsardo, a traditional medieval town that dominates the Golfo dell’Asinara, shortly before (a late) lunch. We took a brisk walk through the picturesque medieval old part of town, with its narrow streets and charming squares as far as the Castello dei Doria, the only fully intact castle in Sardinia and from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view towards Asinara.

After a mouth-watering seafood-inspired lunch, we headed to Badesi, stopping to admire the Roccia dell’Elefante (Elephant Rock), a large boulder of trachyte stone standing beside State Road 134, just outside Castelsardo. The origin of the rock is quite interesting: part of the rocky complex of Monte Casteddazzu broke off and rolled down the valley along the road. After years of erosion, the rock assumed the appearance of an elephant, with its trunk turned towards the road.

Our next, and last stop was Badesi, a small town along the coastline that welcomes thousands and thousands of tourists during the summer. We arrived just as the sun was setting along the horizon shining down on the calm sea along Li Junchi Beach.

We saw all of this in only one day, yet it felt like we were there for much longer. Time seemed to stand still, which often happens when immersed in the stunning nature of this island. Coincidentally, our cultural day trip was finished off with the perfect view of some nuraghe – just one of the thousands of neolithic stone formations that line the inlands and coastline all over Sardinia.

The post Day Trip to North West Sardinia appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

Early last week Sardinia saw its first major snowfall in over 30 years. It was a winter wonderland in Northern Sardinia – or shall I say it was snowmaggedon! People scrambled to the supermarkets to stock up on food and water, schools closed for the day, and the general consensus was to stay indoors. To say this was the snowfall of the century is an understatement. For most Sardinians – many of whom have never seen snow, this was a major event. For a born and raised Canadian like myself, this snowfall was far from the Canadian winters I’m used to, but still quite a surprise considering the anomaly of this event.

Albeit I’m no stranger to snow, there was something peculiar about waking up and stepping outside to see snow – in Sardinia. I’ve never been a fan of neither the cold nor the snow, but to my surprise that early morning crisp, cold air made me nostalgic. It reminded me of home. The home I miss every single day. Mother Nature gave me a gift, a small but significant reminder of home, a day to reminisce about winters in Canada, and a chance for the kids to enjoy the snow they left behind.

The snow fell and within a day the snow melted. But the memories were made – snow in Sardinia, after 30 years, the exact year we decided to move here. Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps it was Mother Nature’s way of sending us a little reminder of home.

The post Winter in Sardinia 2018 appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

What better way to enjoy the beautiful weather than with an afternoon trip to the beach. If you didn’t know, summer in Sardinia is beautiful – but it is also hectic as hoards and hoards of tourists take over the quaint ocean-lined towns and the glorious beaches. As much as I love summer and the daily beach life, now that I am a local I’m learning to appreciate the calm and silence of the beach during off season. I often bring the kids to the beach on these warm days and truly enjoy the quiet time that we spend together in nature. I also love coming on my own, relishing in a silent yoga practice in complete solitude. The bright sun, the warm breeze, the sound of the ocean – it’s literally impossible to not be inspired by it all!

The post Endless Summer Days in Sardinia appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

For me, mindfulness is a daily activity, a daily reminder to appreciate the small things in life, the obstacles that help us grow and learn life lessons, and the beauty in all those precious moments that pass us by so quickly. Since moving to Italy and becoming a yoga teacher, my daily life is a constant reminder to practice what I preach. Yoga inspires me to be my best, to discover and accept my true self and this journey called life, and compels me to share my knowledge and thoughts with my students.

These Top 10 Mindfulness Quotes will inspire and encourage you to be present, to let go, to follow your intuition, and to live life to its fullest!

The post Top 10 Mindfulness Quotes appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

As a child I spent many summers in Sardinia, and I have fond memories the Nuraghi. This past Sunday we decided to be tourists in our own town, taking the kids out and about, touring the Nuraghi of northern Sardinia. Our first stop was Arzachena’s train station turned local museum, which just happens to be minutes from our home. Our knowledgable guide explained how the ancient civilization lived day to day; how they dressed and prepared food, how they prepared paint to draw the peculiar shapes and symbolic images on the stone walls, and also how they died. Corpses were buried in the fetal position, as a symbol of rebirth, and buried with personal belongings to take with them to the other side.

We then took a short car ride to the first, and also most well-known site; ‘Tomba dei Giganti’, or Giant’s Grave. The Nuragic civilization built these megalithic graves as collective burial sites for the townspeople. Although the name invokes images of the burial of giant human beings, the tombs actually have nothing to do with the burial of giants at all. The Nuragic civilization constructed two distinct types of tombs. The “slab type” was constructed from giant stone slabs which were placed upright, and buried into the ground. The slabs were placed side by side in a long row. They are uniform in height except for the center slab, which rises up to 4 meters in height and has a doorway carved into its center.

Perfect location for an impromptu yoga pose photoshoot!

The second Nuragic site that we visited was La Prisgiona, located in Capichera, an area famous for its vineyards. This Nuraghe, which extends over five hectares, consists of a huge dolmen, or megalithic tomb in the center of the village, which is composed of about 100 huts, with many more still unearthed. Another main feature of the courtyard is a 7 meter deep well that still works!

The post Touring Nuraghi in Northern Sardinia appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

In my youth I was consumed by wanderlust, living day by day and enjoying every random and unplanned event in my life. Ten years and two kids later, I had grown content and comfortable in my life as a teacher, wife, and mother, living back home in Canada. Since my return to Canada I have spent every summer in Sardinia, and could never imagine not spending them in this beautiful tourist destination. Needless to say, when the opportunity arose to move back to Sardinia I was both excited and anxious. It took everything in my type-A brain to push aside my worries, anxiety, and fear of the unknown. People would describe me as a planner and a perfectionist, so one could imagine that the simple thought of ‘not knowing’ is genuinely difficult for someone like me to accept.

As if the preparation for our big move wasn’t enough stress, I had also decided to finally take that yoga instructor course I had been contemplating over the past few years. Completely coincidental, and in retrospect, completely timely. The ideals and concepts that are the foundation of yoga and mindfulness are the exact ones that prepared me for my big move. Every time I questioned my decision, every time I was consumed by ‘what if’s?’, I reminded myself about the importance of being in the present and living each day to its fullest. At first, I forced myself to think this way. Let’s be honest, a yoga teacher must practice what they preach! To my surprise, over time my change in mindset became more innate and automatic and ultimately it was my saving grace at a time when I would have normally succumbed to my stress. I’m still that perfectionist and planner, but I’ve learned to trust the universe and to leave some room for spontaneity in my life. It’s a constant battle, and sometimes the yogi in me loses but I’ve come to terms with it. It’s all part of the journey.

Summer is over and our habitual end of summer return will not happen this year. School has started back home, and I’m not there to welcome my students. But that’s okay. I am here in sunny Sardinia, and I feel blessed and grateful that I have been given the opportunity to put my yoga theory into practice. I’m still a teacher, but for now a yoga teacher! For the last 3 months I have been teaching yoga lessons at Tenuta Pilastru, a stunning rural hotel nestled in the Sardinian countryside. Not too shabby I’d say! Albeit the yoga community is still not as diffused and popular as it is in North America, I’m hopeful that the open-minded women that I am teaching are only the first of a long line of future yogis living in the area. There is always room for spiritual growth and mindfulness. I cannot foresee the future. I’ve always known that yet I’ve always attempted to challenge fate. So for now, I reside in sunny Sardinia teaching yoga lessons in a beautiful location, reminding myself every single day to trust the journey and un-become everything that doesn’t serve me.

The post Teaching Yoga in Costa Smeralda appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

This is the 4th annual event which takes place from September 1st to September 3rd in the town center, starting at via Ruzittu through corso Garibaldi and all the way up to Santa Lucia Church. One of the highlights for us was the family picnic event, complete with picnic basket and typical Sardinian delicacies, held in the central piazza which was transformed into urban woods.

The kids and I spent a relaxing morning perusing the kiosks, tasting local delicacies, and oohing and aahing over the intricate flora and fauna artworks created by local gardeners. We started our morning off with a typical Italian colazione at the local bar (caffe for us North Americans); cornetti, juice for the kids, and a nice strong espresso for me! The following day we attended the picnic event, complete with a picnic basket and authentic, locally produced Sardinian goods; pane carasau, local olives and cheese, Sospiri sweets, and almond cookies. I might be a city girl at heart, but I can say that I truly enjoy these events that focus on local products and local life, ones that bring locals, seasoned visitors to the area (like myself), and first-timers together to appreciate all that the local area has to offer.

The post Estate in Fiore 2017 appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

Before heading to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, or anytime of the year for that matter, check out these top 10 things to see and do in New Orleans to ensure you make the most of your experience.

THE FRENCH QUARTER

St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square
This majestic cathedral located in the heart of the French Quarter in Jackson Square is one of New Orleans’ most notable landmarks. It’s said to be haunted by Pierre Antoine, a priest whose body was buried in the church, and has been known to appear in the nearby alley named after him.

Haunted History Ghost Tours
When it comes to ghosts and hauntings, New Orleans is a city that few others can contend with. There are many local tour operators who specialize in historic walking tours of the French Quarter and The Garden District. Knowledgable guides take you on a walking tour around the paranormal homes and sites of the French Quarter and offer detailed and concise historic accounts of New Orlean’s ghost and voodoo culture.

Local Shops
The French Quarter provides an interesting mix of shops designed for the tourist, the connoisseur, the casual shopper, and everyone in between. Eclectic shops of all kinds line the streets with everything from cooking accessories and ingredients, to articles of clothing and house accessories.

Bourbon Street
The infamous street in the heart of the French Quarter is the top destination for tourists visiting New Orleans. Bourbon Street is known for its party atmosphere, but also boasts a variety of quaint cafes, local shops, and restaurants in every price range. If partying until the wee hours and collecting beaded necklaces is not your thing, you can still enjoy the eclectic, unique atmosphere that surrounds Bourbon Street.

Lafayette Cemetery No.1
Established in 1833, Lafayette Cemetery No.1 is a unique monument to a city which has known a tremendous amount of cultural diversity. One can spend hours in this eerie yet alluring landmark, exploring and delving into the rich history of New Orleans.

MARIGNY FAUBOURG DISTRICT

Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen Street, Bourbon’s trendier counterpart, is the perfect antidote for a busy, sometimes overwhelming French Quarter experience. Many locals head to this four-block stretch of live music, bars, restaurants, night clubs and art galleries. Here, it’s more likely that one will find fewer crowds, as well as cheaper eats, drinks, and better music.

LAFITTE, LOUISIANA

Swamp Tours
The swamps, marshes and bayous of New Orleans tell just as much about its history and heritage as its museums and famous landmarks. Swamp tours allow visitors to observe wildlife. Most companies offer combined tours of Lafitte and the nearby plantations, and one can opt for a traditional boat tour or (for the more adventurous traveler) an airboat.

Many swamp tour companies allow you to get really up close and personal with local wildlife!

Plantation Tour
South Louisiana is known for its beautiful architecture, and plantations tours give you the opportunity to admire it, as well learn about it rich, historic folklore.

The post Top 10 Things To See and Do in New Orleans appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

The food in New Orleans is like no other – a melting pot of Cajun, French, and Creole influences and flavours, and it is known to be one of the culinary capitals of America. Although I have no doubt that every single restaurant menu in New Orleans boasts amazingly delicious dishes, I can personally vouch for these 7 places to eat in New Orleans:

GW Fins (French Quarter)
If you’re looking for seafood, this upscale restaurant just off of Bourbon Street is the place to dine at. This relaxing refuge from the French Quarter’s crowds boasts a unique menu of mouth-watering meals and cocktails. Every dish and drink from the menu sounds divine – and I can attest to the fact that their Parmesan-crusted Sheepshead topped with crab meat, on a bed of roasted asparagus and capers was delicious. This was by far my favourite place to eat in New Orleans.

Cafe Beignet (French Quarter)
When in New Orleans, do as the locals do and eat beignets, the delectable deep-fried choux pastry topped with confectioner’s sugar. Although the famed Cafe du monde is the usual hotspot to nosh on beingets, my husband and I happened to stumble across this quaint cafe right on Bourbon Street returning to our hotel one rainy afternoon.  Cafe Beignet provides a grand cafe setting and a traditional menu, and more importantly their beignets are divine – and it’s void of lengthy lines like it’s better known counterpart Cafe du monde.

The Gumbo Shop (French Quarter)
One cannot visit New Orleans and return home without tasting gumbo! Better yet, eat it every single day – which is very probable considering they have so many different varieties, like chicken and andouille sausage, seafood, and file gumbo. The seafood gumbo at this well-known restaurant was so delicious the first time around that I had to go back a second time to try the other varieties. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and not to mention the service was unbelievably quick.

The Camellia Grill (French Quarter)
This casual family restaurant is reminiscent of a busy and energetic 1960’s cafe. The menu is simple and you can watch the chef prepare your meals on the grill as you sit on a stool around a communal table. The atmosphere is friendly and lively, the serving portions are abundant, and they have classic breakfast and lunch options, including the po’ boy, of course!

The Ruby Slipper (Frenchman Street)
If you want to leave the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter but still crave the traditional Cajun or Creole breakfast in a quaint, casual, and local atmosphere this is a great option. Nestled on a quiet street in the Marigny District, the Ruby Slipper is eclectic and vibrant, and the menu boasts vegetarian options and traditional fare.

Commander’s Palace (Garden District)
The blue Victorian facade of Commander’s Palace has been the site of five-star dining since 1880. This elegant restaurant combines modern Louisiana cooking and refined Creole fare with live jazz music in a chandelier-hung space. The menu is very unique and boasts traditional fare with an elegant, avant-garde touch. Lunch is less formal than dinner however, you’ll still want to dress on the formal side if you visit this iconic New Orleans restaurant for the jazz brunch events on Sundays.

Arana Taqueria Y Cantina (Garden District)
Authentic Mexican cuisine inspired by the culinary traditions of the Yucatan, this lively but quaint restaurant is located in the heart of the beautiful Garden District. The food is simple but so delicious. Their menu contains unique starters and mains and simple, traditional fare, like fresh guacamole, and tacos of every variety. My favourite were these vegetarian tacos, one of which was made with roasted mushrooms and potatoes, wilted spinach, and topped with a tangy avocado sauce.

Have you been to NOLA? What was your favourite restaurant? 

The post 7 Places To Eat In New Orleans appeared first on Bites for Foodies.

New York City, USA
Countless movies set in the Big Apple have given us a picture-perfect representation of Christmas in this lively city. Visit the world’s tallest Christmas tree at the Rockefeller, go skating on the renowned ice rink, and peruse the window displays in New York’s largest department stores.  A trip to New York isn’t complete without tickets for the New York Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker”.

Nuremberg, Germany
The atmosphere of the Old Town is magical, and the Nuremberg Christmas market that boasts incredible vendor displays, makes Christmas in Nuremberg unforgettable. Wander through the market and take in the aromas of mulled wine, gingerbread, sweet roasted almonds, and traditional sausage. Children – and kids at heart, will love the two-tiered carousel and the Toy Museum.

Bruges, Belgium
Bruges’ stunning medieval beauty truly comes alive in winter, with its center transformed into a Christmas parade, ice rink and all. Visitors can enjoy the unforgettable Snow and Ice Sculpture show.

Rovaniemi, Finland
“Europe’s Christmas capital”, and Santa Park are situated at the base of the Arctic Circle. Nothing embodies Christmas more than a bitter cold place surrounded by winter snow and reindeer-filled forests. Tour the two different Santa themed parks, which boast real reindeer, a tour of Santa’s workshop, and a meet n’ greet with the big guy himself.

Vatican City, Italy
There is no doubt that the spiritual heart of Catholicism knows how to celebrate Christmas. The Eternal City is magical at any time of year, but December is an even more magical time to visit. Tourists line the adorned streets, roasted chestnuts are sold on every corner, and the city is full of displayed presepi (nativity scenes). Midnight Mass in St Peter’s Basilica is the religious experience of a lifetime.

Vienna, Austria
Vienna boasts an authentic, old-fashioned Christmas, snow and all, where visitors can admire the Imperial architecture as they stroll through the three outdoor Christkindlmarkts. This magical city’s claim to fame is the Vienna Boys Choir and is a must-see on any Christmas traveler’s wish list.

Lucerne, Switzerland
This picturesque city becomes even more stunning during the holidays. The main square, Franziskanerplatz is transformed into a town in miniature and the decorated stalls along the Old Town offer a host of unique items. The Christmas carousel, located in the town center runs to seasonal music of choirs and brass ensembles.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
The Spanish colonial gem and culturally popular city is spectacular at Christmas, with theatrical processions around town, posadas reenactments, live music, fireworks, and dancing in the main square. Authentic Mexican fare, such as ponche, a warm fruit punch containing a spicy blend of seasonal fruits, cinnamon, and a shot of brandy or rum, and if you’re really adventurous, menudo, a traditional tripe and hominy soup.

Bondi Beach, Australia
Instead of hitting the slopes over the Christmas holidays, hit the beach in the antithesis of all things traditionally Christmas. There are no cliches here – snow, decorative lights, and hot chocolate, are replaced with the blistering sun, sand, and surf. Despite the lack of turkey and traditional fare, the festive atmosphere still prevails.

Santa Claus, Indiana
A city named after Santa Claus has a lot to live up to during the holidays, and this magical town definitely delivers. Christmas is a year-round experience in this town but during the season there are all sorts of Santa-themed shops, attractions, and events, including a group of volunteers called Santa’s Elves, who answer thousands of letters written to St. Nicholas.

Old Quebec, Quebec City
At Christmas the 400-year-old walled city turns into a village straight out of a Charles Dickens’ story. Visitors can peruse the festive shops along the lit-up cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops, and the more religiously inclined can wander through an exposition of nativity scenes from around the world.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico serves up a traditional Christmas under the sun. Festivities begin in early December and continue until Three Kings Day on January 6th. Lively carollers fill the streets, travelling from house to house. Enjoy a traditional feast of Puerto Rican food, including roast pig on Christmas Eve, followed by Midnight Mass.

Strasbourg, France
The oldest Christmas market in Europe, the Christkindelsmärik was first held in Strasbourg in 1570 and the authentic Alsatian tradition has been successfully conserved ever since. The spiritual traditions of Advent are prominent in Strasbourg, offering Advent concerts, a living nativity, as well as live music and cultural events.

Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik offers a beautiful Christmas, albeit with a few peculiarities. Among these, the 13 “Yuletide Lads” (scruffy Santas) who are said to bring gifts to nice children for the 13 nights leading to Christmas. Visit the rows of beautiful kiosks that make up the Yule Town Christmas market and be awestruck by the sight of the northern lights that add to Reykjavik’s festive feel.

Have you been to any of these top 14 Christmas destinations? Which ones would be on your travel bucket list?

The post Top 14 Christmas Destinations appeared first on Bites for Foodies.