Late February is a fun time to think about travel. Whether you've followed, half-followed, or ignored your resolutions for 2018, you've cozied up to the new year and new (read: older, wiser) you. So now it's time to take that new you places. Maybe you've already got tickets for the places you'll be traveling this year, or maybe you've just set a dozen alerts on various websites for cheap flights. Besides a few friends' weddings, I'm in the latter camp. But while I don't have the vacation days, I do have a kitchen.
I asked a bunch of my coworkers where they're going (or hoping to go) this year, and gathered those places—and recipes for foods I might find there—below. No, it's not because I am a masochist, but because I think of it as a fun prompt to get me thinking about where I should plan my next trip, and what I should try my hand at cooking until then.
Might I suggest a potluck idea? Ask your friends to come over with a dish from a place they'd love to visit this year. Sure, it's no plane ticket, but it's fun, delicious, and an excuse to gather over an array of different cuisines. And it might just inspire you to stop dreaming and start planning.
Alik Barsoumian, Video Producer: I'm going to Japan in three weeks. I’ve always been intrigued by Japan: its rich culture, respect for traditions, and attention to detail. I find the conscious effort towards perfecting ancient crafts inspiring, and I hope to return with bits of wisdom on how to live a better life.
Katie Macdonald, Assistant Editor: I'm going on a road trip through parts of Europe (Rome/southern Germany/Amboise/Loire Valley/Paris) with my family this summer, and am super excited about it! It's been years since I've been abroad and I can't wait to see the all the châteaux.
Megan Güntaş, Digital Designer: Later this year I'll go to Turkey with my husband to visit his family, and will devour all the food I can possibly fit into my stomach.
Alex Burgos, Software Engineer: I'm going to Peru and Bolivia in April! I have family friends from Peru and, as a child, I would eat a fair amount of Peruvian dishes. I have also been really interested in South American history, architecture, and culture, so I'm really excited to eat authentic Chifa (Peruvian Chinese food) and go to the salt flats of Uyuni (fun fact: This is where they filmed this beautiful scene of The Last Jedi).
Valerio Farris, Staff Writer: So for a while now I've had my eyes set on Georgia (country, not the state). Once I worked at a restaurant with a bunch of young Georgians and they were so welcoming and fielded all my questions. Plus, they taught me how to make eggplants stuffed with crushed walnuts and since I tasted that, I've been pretty dead set.
Jamie Chen, Sample Assistant: Spain, to finally see Alcázar of Segovia, plus all that Segovia has to offer, and... that (famous badly reconstructed) Ecce Homo fresco.
Emma Laperruque, Writer & Recipe Developer: Portugal, for my honeymoon.
Sarah Yaffa, Data Analyst: Heading to Israel in less than two weeks, and will come home with insane amounts of pictures of food. Fiji in May! (Author's note: Bring back a recipe!)
Laura Wolfgang, Senior Product Manager: I'm going to Hawaii next Friday!
Gerard Coletta, Shop Editor: I'm casually planning a Toronto trip in the summer. I have a lot of friends up there, and last time I went, I had poutine for the first time, but I haven't even touched the overall food offerings—supposedly it's the most diverse city in North America, so there are a lot of possibilities.
Luz Ramirez, Marketing Manager: This summer, I hope to travel to Banff or some national park similar to that!
Zoe Paknad, Senior Account Executive: I'm heading Sayulita, Mexico in a few weeks, and I could not be more excited to leave all the concrete and grey behind for tons of color! And tacos. And mezcal. And surfing. And sun. So everything, essentially.
Jojo Feld, Director, Buying and Product Development: I'm taking a long weekend in Key West next month. Went last year for a quick break from work/life in N.Y.C., and loved it so much that I decided it had to be an annual trip. Queen Anne architecture; bike cruisers as the main means of transportation; swimming pools; drag shows; a butterfly conservatory; and a plethora of 11+ toed cats (spawned from Ernest Hemingway's 1930s collection down there). It is the best East Coast long weekend I've found yet.
Where are you going this year? Where would you like to go? Let us know in the comments!
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