Georgia seemed to open the door and embrace us in one motion. As she hugged us, she called me and my sister by a Greek diminutive and asked, “your Yiyia called you that?” Once we assured her that Yiyia (our grandmother) had, she padded off down the hallway. Her kitchen and dining room look like that of any other elderly, …

This summer of 2018 the FIFA World Cup is headed to Russia. There will be games in the westernmost city of Kaliningrad and as far east as Yekaterinburg. These cities are over 2,000 miles apart. While it’s only a three-hour plane ride, many traveling through Russia opt for trains. Not only are trains less expensive, but they also carry a …

Every morning in Morocco starts with a hot cup of tea. At noon comes another, and a final glass (along with an assortment of treats) caps off the evening. This beverage is everywhere in Morocco. The most famous, and most popular kind is Moroccan mint tea. It is sweet and refreshing though always served hot. And bear in mind that …

Cyprus is located south of Turkey in the Mediterranean sea. This small island holds a long history. Since its settlement, Cyprus has served as the spot where empires meet; but this position is not without its challenges. Indeed, much of Cyprus’s political history involves conflict. This tension, however, does not tend to carry into the social culture anymore as much …

Moroccan food reflects the various cultures that influenced the country’s history, which is particularly true of the breakfasts. The various dishes that are eaten at the first meal of the day have diverse origins. Have you tried any of these traditional Moroccan breakfast foods? TAKEAWAY: In Arabic, Iftar means breakfast. During Ramadan, Iftar is still the first meal of the …

Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. The holiday has biblical origins, commemorating Queen Ester’s heroic acts in saving the Jews from persecution from the Persian vizier Haman. However, Purim is more of a celebration than a day of religious observance. The common saying for the day is “drink until you …

Markets are on any foodie’s travel list. They offer enticing sights and smells attracting tourists and locals alike. Since they are often the most crowded and loudest place in the city, it can help to go in with a goal. Even if this aim is vague (like finding the pastry shop), a target can help serve as a motivation to …

Traveling can be expensive. This is especially true in Israel, where the cost of living is very high. So, to save money, many travelers opt to cook a few meals at their temporary residence. Not only can eating at “home” be more cost-effective but if your group is prone to hunger, it can help keep everyone in good spirits. There …

Sorry Moscow, St. Petersburg was and is the cultural capital of Russia. You can’t beat the brilliant pink, yellow, and blue buildings that line every street in the center. On top of that, there are countless famous churches, canals, statues, museums, and literary spots scattered about. In contrast to all these famous, old sites, St. Petersburg has a vibrant hipster …

It is a shame that Eastern Europe is often overlooked when it comes to food. No one knows how to handle cold, dark, long winters quite like those from the harsh climate of North-Eastern Europe. Even if the weather isn’t freezing or snowy, winter can get very dark. So, there are many hot Eastern European foods to warm everyone up. All …