I’ve not always been the confident and savvy tour leader I am today. There was a time when I relied on the “expertise and advice” of drivers and guides to lead me and my student groups around the sights of Europe. The trouble was that the bus drivers were always on the take, either for the young girls or for our tour dollars; and the guides were at least fifteen years younger than me with about half as many people skills. The only positive thing they had going was our ignorance and their knowledge of the tourist sights.
To make matters worse, these tours were promoted as providing breakfast and dinner everyday, but I always came home hungry! After those early trips to Europe our first stop, after arriving at our hometown airport, was for a thick and juicy steak! You see, we had been practically brainwashed into believing that everyone in Europe had a hard roll and jam for breakfast and a chicken or pork cutlet followed by a piece of fruit for dinner. No wonder my students craved a Big Mac!
What ever happened to that food Julia Child so eloquently described in her cookbooks? Finally, I took control. Never again was I going to be blindly led through the streets of Europe by a guide who was experiencing a sight for the first time just like me! Never again was a bus driver going to steal from me and my group and blame it on the locals, and never again was I going to come home from Europe craving American food!
It was the basement dining experience in Rome that did it. Earlier in the day our “walking tour” had taken us past outdoor cafes and garlicky smelling trattorie which just pleaded with my senses to come in for a taste. Finally, it was time for dinner and I was ready! But to my dismay, we were loaded onto our bus and transported to the outskirts of town. Here we got off the bus and went underground into a huge 400-seat cafeteria. I think all the student tour groups who visited Rome that day were scheduled to have dinner here. My group was hustled in and seated. We were fed pasta, an unknown cutlet, and a piece of fruit. Then we were hustled out so the next group could take our seats.
It took me a few years to get my act together, but never again will I come home hungry from a European tour. Our Exploring Europe tours are loaded with good food and gourmet meals. Don’t get the wrong impression, this does not necessarily mean “fine dining.” Our meals consist of the best of the local cuisine coupled with a unique and special dining experience. We eat fish by the seashore, pesto in Liguria, snails in Burgundy, sausage in Munich, and omelets in Normandy. Potatoes are a staple in Ireland, and you’ve got to have fish and chips in England. Pasta reigns supreme in Italy and crisp French fries, dipped in mayonnaise, are a delight in Belgium. In Holland you can try a salted herring, only if you like, and the spicy Indian cuisine of London is sure to put a sting to your taste buds. If you don’t like what you see (or smell), there is always another choice somewhere else. You’ll never go hungry on one of our tours! Happy Eating!
David
Food in Russia is less than desirable. A couple of our kids were smart and told the people they were rooming with they were alergic to fish, (which is mostly what is on the menu). The rest of us had to suffer through. When we were there the rationing was in effect and we had the pleasure of standing in a bread line with our hostess. When we got back to JAX the first thing we did was head for the nearest Dennys and order the biggest greasy hamburger on the menu!!
I concur. The “common food” of Europeans is superb. Especially if you get out of the mindset of eating like we do at home. Try it, not only will your palate be indulged, but you will feel full and have the energy to walk, walk, walk! Having 21 addresses in 31 years, I have lived all over the world and can attest to the diversity and wholesome nutritional value of “paisano” delicacies. David’s experience with avoiding “tourist” eateries is one of the main reasons why his tours are so enojoyable. The same thing can be said about the cuisine of Japan, China, Philippines, Korea and Vietnam.
I visited Scotland & Ireland with David McGuffin last July. Returned home to tell friends that I experienced the best food ever while on a tour! — and he offered us these experiences at a reasonable price, starting with a seafood platter in a tiny seaside restaurant in Oban, Scotland that was unbelievable our first night and ending in a typical pub in Doolin with fish & chips + local entertainment on our last evening.
Thanks for your “shopping around” for fine foods, David.
Meals are a high point when traveling with David! I had one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten in a small “Mom and Pop” restaurant in Paris named L’Auberge due Champs de Mars. And many of our other meals were high points of our trip. Not only the food, but the settings and company. Dave’s attention to dining is one reason we’ve asked him to customize our next tour (Belgium and France), so we’ll get a real taste of where we visit!
I can remember those early days before the well established David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe trips were born. He is so right about how other tour companies don’t feed you! I can remember an early band trip where we just about starved because the portions were so small. I can assure you that as one of David’s most frequent travelers you will never go hungry on one of his trips! He offers great suggestions on dining if it isn’t covered in the tour and the group dinners that are included are delicious!
I always came home hungry too!
We look forward to our first trip with David. This will be our 9th trip to Italy. We have taken several different land tour company vacations, a shore excursion, and self-run trips. David’s trip to Volterra is exactly what we want, as we have passed through there twice without being able to do and see enough there. Nowadays we also prefer a structured tour instead of having to make all decisions, and to own all problems that may come with self-run. His recent Paris tour notes reveal how helpful an experienced leader can be. We also love good Italian dining, so are glad he’s doing the scoping out for that, too. Volterra is not easy to get to on your own, so we are really grateful that he thinks so highly of it that he’s planned a tour centered there.
Typo: James, not Jaames
Hi James,
Thanks for the kind comments! We do like to eat well on our tours, and I enjoy researching and writing about our destinations. I look forward to hosting you in Volterra.
One of the best memories in visiting a destination is the local food and culture. I’ve only been to Europe one time and feel fortunate that I was apart of David’s tour. The steak in Florence, the small local shops and eatery in Volterra were so memorable. Can’t wait for Almafi!
Frank, You know the food was good on our Villa Tour a few years ago! Tuscany and Naples food differ, but oh, they are both wonderful! I’ll be interested in how you compare a New York/Philly pizza pie to a pizza margarita in Napoli.
My wife and I have traveled to Europe several times. On our first tour with David we learned so much about how to find places to eat or buy food to make sandwiches. We are excited to travel again with him in August of this year.
Thanks Lee for your comments. I am looking forward to doing Ireland with you in 2024. – David