Unseen Cities that you Must See

Ask any Slovenian beekeeper why the country’s honey is so good, and they’ll tell you about the indigenous Carniolan honeybees. (Fun fact: Slovenian apiarists lobbied the UN to commemorate World Bee Day, which was officially established in 2017.) Walk into a wine bar in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, and you’ll likely learn that orange (aka macerated) wine, now uber-popular worldwide, has been produced in Slovenia for thousands of years. Slovenia is a green country situated in the heart of Europe, with diverse geography and a long, rich history. It’s still considered an undiscovered destination in many parts of the world, and has earned a new important title: The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism named Slovenia Europe’s Official Region of Gastronomy for 2021. “The country isn’t very big, so everything you eat is local,” Virtuoso advisor Shelley Sistek says. “The geography creates opportunities to have access to world-renowned gourmet ingredients, s...

By Susan Hanson Zen of Tea Chanoyu , the Japanese tea ceremony, is as much about the aesthetics as the matcha. The elegant ritual, which plays a major role in Buddhist religious practices, is as choreographed as a Kabuki performance, using a series of precise, contemplative movements symbolizing wa , kei , sei , and jaku (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility). Secrets of the esoteric Way of Tea are revealed during a nine-day culinary journey to Japan with Access Culinary Trips. Additional insider experiences have travelers taking a soba-noodle-making class in Tokyo and dining on a traditional Buddhist vegetarian lunch at Kyoto’s Tenryu-ji Temple. More Zen-filled moments come in the form of serene garden strolls and onsen (hot spring) soaks. Departures: May 17 and September 13, 2019. London Food Fest Forage through Selfridges’ famous food hall and take a chocolate-fueled walking tour with a stop at Queen Elizabeth’s own chocolatier. They’re just two of the tasteful adventures...

By Becca Hensley Satisfy your sweet tooth with these ten delicious desserts from around the globe. Sacher Torte | Vienna Original Sachertorte chocolate cake at Cafe Sacher in Salzburg, Austria (Photo: STEFAN POLITI MARKOVINA/ALAMY) Befitting its regal past, penchant for Cinderella balls, and café culture, Austria’s imperial city gave the world this elegant chocolate torte with sponge cake, apricot jam, and a fudge fondant top. Sweet Spot: Try it at Hotel Sacher Wien’s Café Sacher, which claims to use Franz Sacher’s original, secret recipe, dating back to 1832.  (4 Philharmonikerstrasse) Beignets | New Orleans Coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans (Photo: JIM WEST/ALAMY). Bite into a hot, fried, chewy, pillow-shaped beignet and be immersed in the Big Easy’s French fusion past. Expect swirls of powdered sugar to settle on your face and clothing, but that’s nothing a napkin can’t remedy. Sweet Spot: Locals and tourists alike gather at storied Café Du Monde in the Fren...