Vintage Holiday Blog

France is a country of stunningly diverse landscapes. Its beauty is propelled into the hearts of its visitors with one of its greatest pleasures being the many impressive and imposing rivers the country proudly boasts. Like the country’s picturesque, well-maintained and relatively empty roads provide for a cyclist’s rapture, France’s great rivers entice a fisherman like the bait he is offering the fish.

Being named after the great river Dordogne that runs through it, the particularly beautiful Dordogne is home to some of the most remarkable rivers in France and consequently proves to be a fisherman’s paradise.

Fishing in the River Dordogne is a real treat for fishermen

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A legacy of long and idle afternoons dreamily dozing the day away after a heavy lunch and too much wine has been part of the Spanish culture for many, many years. Time does seem to move at a different speed in Spain, and for those visiting the country who are used to a faster “9 to 5” lifestyle, the days can seem interminably longer.

The traditional Spanish siesta

In the summer months, when temperatures soar relentlessly, Spain’s afternoon standstill makes the baking days more bearable and, instead of cursing the Spanish for everywhere being shut, citizens and visitors alike really appreciate the value of the Spanish siesta.  Continue reading

Today, the Catalan parliament today approved a ban on bullfighting that is due to come into force on 1^st January 2012. It was deemed cruel by the parliament, 68 of whom were in favour of the ban and 55 against.

If you are not aware of what bullfighting is, it’s when a matador (or bullfighter) and his entourage use capes, lances and darts to subdue the bull which is killed at close quarters with a sword. The fight often lasts 10 minutes or so until the bull is exhausted, then the matador puts it out of its misery with a final thrust of the sword into its heart.

For the first time in over 1200 years, Bullfighting sees a ban in mainland Spain

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I’m sure you’d agree that it’s perhaps a little odd to be eating salami for dessert, however this little Le Marche delicacy, taste sensation is a little deceiving. Yes its housed in a traditional salami sleeve, but the filling is actually  dried figs flavoured with anisette, rum, and the traditional Sapa. Il tutto viene poi macinato aggiungendo noci e mandorle.

Lonza Di Fico or Salame Di Fico

This is a true Le Marche delicacy that takes months to age to the best taste – it is in fact prepared in October and ready to eat from March onwards the following year. Our tip is to serve it with some of the Le Marche’s delicious mature pecorino ewe’s milk cheese and a glass of dessert wine. It’s made in Ancona province but on sale throughout the region.

What’s the history behind it?

The Salame Di Fico was originally shaped like a snake and given to people after religious confirmation as it represented the ‘original sin’ from the temptation of Eve. It was eaten on the day of the confirmation or on Christmas Day so as to exercise the sin-related origin of man.

If you’re in Le Marche anytime soon be sure to keep your eye out for Salame Di Fico, it’s absolutely delicious!

When you visit Kas (KAHSH) it’s easy to see why it draws so many people to its unspoilt shores. Once a quaint fishing village, Kas has grown into a bustling seaside town on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. There’s a certain elegance and charm to this town, similar to that of Essaouira in Morocco… it’s incredibly laid back and has a dramatic setting at the foot of a wall of mountains.

Explore Kas' Sunken City

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