I could have chosen any of the 408 photographs I took during a twilight Bateaux Mouches cruise in Paris. They certainly would have portrayed the awe factor with flood-lit buildings, sharper images, better depth of field and true to life colour. Yet I chose this true to life scene, a snippet of life in motion, [...]

I openly declare that I was a back seat driver. I was also a pedestrian, a keen observer, a commentator, photographer and note-scribbler. The idea of taking up the wheel behind a hire car in Sicily filled me with fear. Fortunately, our travel plans altered the last minute and we were no longer required us [...]

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson, New South Wales in 1788, commandeered by Captain Arthur Phillip. Our country only may be 222 years young but come January 26, we know how celebrate our heritage in true Aussie style. On this national public holiday, it’s our chance to fly the [...]

A reader living abroad asked where he could find the best chicken in Australia. I explained that the best chicken in the land of Oz comes from the Barossa Valley in the state of South Australia. The region is also renowned for producing some great wines such as the coveted Penfolds  Grange Hermitage, Grant Burge [...]

In the warm comfort of our Parisian hotel room, the day’s photos are downloading on to the laptop.  The music channel is humming tunes on French television. Then I hear a  voice, a phrase, a melody. The sounds intrigue me. I glance up at the screen. Who is this? is often my way of berating [...]

As a website grows and expands, it is important to review and reassess our needs as well as take into consideration the pattern of visitors to our site. As a result, we have implemented a number of changes to Gourmantic.com. Easier Navigation A sub-navigation bar now groups countries by geography for easier navigation. It also [...]

The mere mention of the name Hama, the Syrian town 140 km south of Aleppo, triggers images of giant waterwheels gently turning along the banks of a river. Most travellers drop in for a short visit on their way to the larger metropolises of Aleppo or Damascus. The city of Hama, or Hamat (means citadel [...]