Binoy Nazareth and the Italian Connection

Are you consumed by the power of wanderlust which takes you to places unknown, where you immerse your soul in the ethereal fantasies of Nature and discover the art of passion? I was led by my intuitive sense of adventure which took me to seek the treasures of history, culture and revel in a journey of the most talked-about cuisines of the world. With all roads leading to Rome, I was captured by the spirit of wanderlust as I ventured into the realms of Rome to seek hidden treasures surrounded by myths, mystery and mesmerizing facts of the much-visited tourist destination of Italy.

I was totally overwhelmed by Rome which is the capital of Italy with a history of almost 3,000 years of art, architecture and a haunting background of the Roman Empire. As a much-anticipated trip and a dream vacation, I set out on my Italian Connection tour by taking the sights and sounds and sensations of Rome with St. Peter’s Basilica which was first on list followed by the eye-opening artistic Vatican Museums. The Sistine Chapel was a glorious entrée into the architecture of times gone by and an eternal ode to the celestial and captivating art of the 1400s. After a filling and satisfying ‘prima colazione’ which consisted of fette biscottate, caffè latte and cookies, I joined the merry band of adventurers to explore the treasures of Rome.

The City of Rome Makes an Offer You Can’t Refuse

I just loved the atmosphere and the warmth of the sun as it filtered through an ambience of immortality and filled the traveler’s soul with all things everlasting. I absorbed the Roman environment at the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Palace of Justice and the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II which reverberated with the culture of a charismatic time. I was just waiting to explore the taste of a Roman holiday and revel in the much-talked of Italian dishes. I enjoyed the famous Bruschetta which is a popular antipasto or appetizer, Supplì or fried rice croquettes stuffed with mozzarella and beef ragout and a pasta dish called Bucatini all'Amatriciana and of course, who could resist trying out the delicious gelato, Tiramisu and Panna Cotta?

While Rome had cast a spell over me, I was still raring to explore the romance and the dream-like sequence of gliding through the canals of Venice. Yes, I did try out the gorgeous gondola ride which was every bit like the guide books said they were. Being every traveler’s dream, Venice unrolled spectacular sights and experiences as I walked in awe through St. Mark's Cathedral, San Marco Square and the Doge Palace. The islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello held a special interest for me with their incredible glass making crafts while displaying the lifestyle of the Venetians. Fascinating and ethereal, the gorgeous canals of Venice rendered a surrealistic feeling and it was natural to try out flavors of seafood being surrounded by water. I relished the delicious Sarde in saor, a sweet sour dish with fried sardine fillets, Risotto al nero di sepia, a seafood based rice dish and Baccala mantecato or creamed dried cod including other fabulous specialties which consisted of game meats and the famous wines of Italy at the osterias and trattorias.

Delighting the Palate with the Flavors of Italy

Created for the fashionista, Milan as I expected was as fashionable as ever and chock full with famous boutiques and high-end designer outlets. I had read extensively about the historical sights of Milan and made it a point to visit the much-talked of grand Gothic Duomo. My gastronomic journey went on a flavorsome tour with Risotto alla Milanese textured to perfection, Cotoletta alla Milanese or veal cutlet, Cassouela made with pork and Savoy cabbage stew and many other delicacies.

I discovered tranquility and peace at the picturesque and picture perfect, Cinque Terre which means Five Villages and was transported into an ambience that was centuries old with colorful houses and vineyards clinging precariously to the sides of rugged cliffs. With harbors which were chock-a-bloc with fishing boats and trattorias with seafood cuisine, I marveled at the famous pesto which is a sauce from the Liguria region.

After visiting Pisa with its unique Leaning Tower which is also known as the Piazza dei Miracoli", or the "Square of Miracles", I traveled to explore the tourist destination of Sorrento, taste the famous Limoncello, relax at the  Marina Grande and absorb the bustling downtown which seemed like an everyday carnival. Being an adventurer at heart, I had decided to explore the ruins of Pompeii which had been destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Crafting the Art of an Italian Romance

Known as a popular backdrop for films and a great tourist destination, the Amalfi Coast delighted me with its pastel-colored fishing villages, sheer cliffs with lemon groves and dotted with appealing beaches which stretched across a rocky shoreline along the Tyrrhenian Sea. My taste buds were raring to go and I sat down to experience a combination of seafood and other great dishes with Scialatelli, a pasta in seafood sauce, ’Ndunderi, a type of pasta, Sarchiapone made with stuffed pumpkin, Pigniatello all’ amalfitana, a blend of seafood, Colatura di alici, a fermented fish sauce and a delicious dessert, Sfogliatella.

I just loved the dashing town of Positano with its dramatic yet luxurious ambience. Painting a picturesque sight with its cliff-side village which cascaded with terracotta and pastel colored houses, this great tourist destination displayed fabulous shopping outlets, hotels shaded with hanging wisteria and awesome restaurants. Bringing the rich harvest of the ocean to satisfy the taste buds, the restaurants in Positano served an amazing array of the local dishes and I reveled in a feast of seafood fit for Neptune. Delighting the palate with a wide range of both gourmet and local tastes, the cuisine of Positano ranged out mouth-watering Spaghetti with mussels, Boiled Octopus dishes, Tubetti with Totani which squid, Linguine with Fresh Prawns, ravioli, Gnocchi, pasta and spaghetti with flavors divine washed down with Chianti Classico, Rosso di Montalcino,  Falerno del massico and other great Campania wines. cheese and liquors.

As my Italian sojourn drew to a close, I was determined to bring alive the flavors of gorgeous Italy to tickle the taste buds which you will be delighted to read in my next adventure posting.

Binoy Nazareth Invites You to Delight the Taste Buds with the Flavors of Italy

Read More

Binoy Nazareth A Tryst with Nature at Outer Banks, North Carolina

Living a Fun-filled Lifestyle

The delightful pleasures derived from short getaways and escapades to new places are priceless. To those who are passionate about travel, every trip provides a fantastic opportunity to interact with new people & culture; and soak in the experience of something that they never experienced before. The fundamental joys of travel including anticipation and discovery, is nourished and nurtured by these short unplanned trips. This time I decided to brag about my sizzling experience of visiting some of the most elegant and naturally gifted places in North Carolina and its Outer Banks. Due to this being an unplanned trip I had to settle for only four, but four fun-filled days at some of the all-time favorite and untouched reserves of NC. The real pleasures of travel go far beyond the sights, and it’s in the anticipation & unexpected, that you get to live your life to the fullest. So go on and keep traveling, for traveling is bliss and there is no joy like being a wanderlust adventurer!

North Carolina known as NC is the 6th most visited state in US and is the 9th largest one in US with a mixture of scenic beauties and historical traits and this diversity makes NC a visitor’s paradise.  I hope this personal exploration and narration of my visit can be a guide to those who are on an unplanned trip with no pre-determined list of places to visit. At your fingertips will be the Outer banks of NC which is full of water sports and attractive tourist destinations which you should not miss when visiting OBX.

Wild and Wondrous Wanderlust

After reaching my destination from a daylong car ride, I took a long stride on a serene evening that took me to the lighthouse in OBX. The lighthouse of OBX which is a frequent target of professional photographers and has appeared in many magazines is one of the iconic landmarks and goes back in time among rest of the lighthouses in United States. After making myself comfortable on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, I started my adventurous journey by taking a ride on one of the wild mustang horses around the Outer Banks. These horses have been part and parcel of this picturesque environment which really appears to be totally magical and mesmerizing.

Followed by this, another wonderful and unique experience that I completely cherished is the visit to Elizabethan Garden in Outer Banks situated on Roanoke Island. This island boasts of the history of the first English settlers who landed here over 400 hundred years ago. In each season new wonders are brought to these amazing gardens, which is a must visit place in Outer banks. Being an avid lover of fishing, I can never miss an opportunity to go score some big ones, and this time I hopped on an OBX charter fishing trip, since Outer Banks is known for the various big water species. I came back empty handed, but that’s not the point here!

A Feast Fit for the Adventurous Palate

Later during the evening I joined for more fun and amusement in Bodies Island. The two light houses located there look spectacular and the island is the perfect beach to relax and forget your worries on the pristine sands. This is a true family paradise. Here I was on a unique travel which was fast transforming into a cadence of color, charisma and a carousel of all my favorite things…need I ask for more??!! I cruised through the Outer Banks activities and realized that I truly wanted to go on a journey of flavors, fragrances and food trails of far-flung places. Barely trying to keep the cravings of my palate under control, I ventured into one of the Corolla Seafood Restaurant which served up a feast for Neptune with every type of seafood which was a treat for my taste buds.

Wandering through a maze of tastes and tunnels of pure enjoyment, I skimmed through the water activities and was lost in the history where I discovered the treasures of the Outer Banks. Perfect for families who need a whimsical and wild break, the Outer Banks in North Carolina provided the magic of a natural world untouched by the busyness of modern-day trends. This was where I had my fill of every type of seafood which was mesmerizing and eventful for an aspiring chef like me. I satisfied the adventurous streak in me with pickled delicacies, nutty goat salad, fillet mignon fish kebabs, ravioli, prime rib eye, pork loin, seafood pasta and chowder. I indulged in a happening nightlife with karaoke, great music and intoxicating beverages while treating my palate to Sundogs, homemade ice-cream and other sweet treats. As days mingled with sizzling evenings, my tryst with Nature and delightful things to do completed a great holiday. I truly enjoyed the endless recreation blended with an infinite trail of gourmet delights.  

The great Corolla restaurants in Outer Bank NC serving BBQs and southern sea foods are things which are most wanted and craved for. One thing I must mention here is, at no point did I feel like a tourist here and it was almost like this place was my home. Great food, excellent sceneries, top-notch hospitality – that’s Outer Banks for you. Go on, be a wanderlust traveler and experience this place for yourself. I challenge you, it won’t be disappointing!

Binoy Nazareth Invites you to Revel in a Whimsical Adventure at Outer Banks, North Carolina

Read More

Binoy Nazareth Traverses Through the Cuisines, Culture and Curries of India

Unique. Unusual. Unforgettable.

Satisfying my wanderlust and the innate intrepid nature of an adventurer, I gave in to my passion of exploration and the excitement of sampling new and delectable cuisines. Traveling around to capture the essence of life and lifestyles, I took off on a tour that was an unusual but perfectly chosen whim that was just up my alley. Knowing my adventurous nature, it was just like me to choose a journey that combined cuisines, cultures and curries!

With my wanderlust for the unique and the unforgettable, my trip blended the quintessence of travel and though a long one, it was filled to the brim with lasting experiences for the explorer.

With adventure flowing in my veins and anticipating the thrill of discovering exotic cuisines and the perfect holiday destinations, I decided on a trip to India. I was thrilled to travel through the vast and diverse terrain of an exotic South Asian country which evolved over 5 millennia from the famous Himalayan Mountains to the Indian Ocean coastline. Surrounded by an exciting and exotic history, India is the second-most populous and the seventh-largest country with over 1.2 billion people.

And then…it was nostalgia time with a great trip to the Taj Mahal, Agra which is about 3.5 hours from Delhi. Inspiring me with its love story, the Taj Mahal or the Crown of the Palace spoke volumes with its passion. I was over-awed by the Mughal architecture and its spectacular features which was illuminated with the fact that this gesture of love was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. My journey through time began as I traversed the charisma and culture with historic sites which ranged over the Red Fort, the Qutb Minar, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s tomb and other wondrous sights of the city. Delhi took me on a voyage of culinary discoveries where I went on a long yet delightful culinary journey with the popular street food, Mughlai and Frontier cuisines.

Experiencing the Aromas of India

I looked forward to visiting Mumbai where I grew up playing gully cricket, eating world famous street food, indulging in Golgappes, Misal Pav, Dahi Misal and Pav Bhaji. I went through a much-needed culinary travel, tasting the delectable side of life with traditional Shahi Mughal dishes, Biryani, and Butter Chicken and innumerable fabulous, spicy dishes in Mumbai.

Bringing back memories of adolescent days, I escaped in to the landscape of ‘Mumbaiah’ cuisine and re-experienced delicious culinary delights. Taste bud tickling spicy Chaat snacks such as Vada Pav, Bhelpuri, Dahipuri, Panipuri,  Sevpuri,  Ragda Pattis, Kebabs, popular Mumbai Sandwiches including other local favorites were a source of authentic  gastronomic pleasures which recalled memorable times.  The Mumbai culinary scenario has constantly filled my soul with scrumptious and robust fare as I took off on a repertoire of Konkani coastal meals, South Indian meals and snacks, seafood, Bori Mohalla cuisine, Mangalore meals, North Indian dishes, Parsi food trails and other regional bests. My all-time favorite desserts were Kulfi, ice golas and incredible mouth-watering sweet concoctions.   

After buying a few mementos for my friends back in the USA at the Bombay Bazaar, I strolled down the Mumbai Marine Drive and watched the sunset throwing a beautiful aura of light on the great architecture of the Taj Palace. My enchanting and tasteful Mumbai diaries tripped on a delicious vegetarian sojourn at the famous Ram Naik Sadya House in Matunga which served South Indian Sadya or meals, flavored with coconut and authentic South Indian masalas, this great must-taste meal took my palate on a diverse travel.

With ‘Khau’ meaning good dish and ‘Galli’ or small lane, the Mumbai street food goes on a delectable journey with any number of food stalls displaying visual treats with multiple vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. The Khau Galli near Churchgate served up the sweet life with sandwiches, Pav Bhaji, strawberry juice, sugar cane juice, milkshakes and other great options for the sugar addicts. And what can I say about the humble yet rich in flavors Bade Miya behind the Taj Hotel which cooked up a storm with kebab and curry dishes which was a treat for the weary adventurer? This was total bliss which added a replete sense of fulfillment.

Relaxed and rejuvenated with a laid-back mode, I touched down in Goa as she beckoned with her lovely beaches, Goan concerts, incredible cuisine, sun, sea and sand. Combined with a bohemian lifestyle and a carefree frame of mind, I set off to enjoy the culture, the curries and the cuisines of Goa. Indulging in fish curry and rice along with other local seafood fare, I ventured into Portuguese flavors which involved Pork Vindaloo, Sorpotel, Calfreal and Beef Xacuti that took the palate to a pinnacle of delicious heights. Robust and satisfying, Britos in Calangute on the beach presented a charming environment with great seafood. While the Ritz punctuated my culinary voyage with prawns in Goan masala, crab cakes, pork vindaloo, chili pork and other supreme dishes, my flavorful journey was quenched with the local brews comprising of cashew and coconut feni. Peppers, Margoa sprinkled my encounters of the tasteful kind with traditional Goan seafood classics and a few global dishes while  I let my taste buds go on a sweet journey with Bebinca and other local treats. 

 

My diary of travel notes was burgeoning by the time I reached home which created a bubble of expectation and delight as I planned yet another exploration into the myriad colored world of travel.

Enchant the Taste Buds on an Exotic Travel of the Senses with Binoy Nazareth 

Read More