Travelocity Highlights 10 Delicious Destinations for Foodies in 2007

58 Percent of All U.S. Leisure Travelers Pick Trips with Culinary

Interests in Mind, Travelocity Names Favorite Gourmet Destinations

SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 15, 2007–No matter what
culinary indulgence you are searching for, it’s only a flight away.
According to a recent Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)
study, 58 percent of all U.S. leisure travelers say they are
somewhat/very interested in taking a trip to engage in culinary or
wine-related activities in the next year. With this in mind,
Travelocity’s editors scoured all corners of the globe with their
taste buds to highlight some unique foodie finds ranging from
destinations both old and new as well as a few that often get
overlooked.

While several destinations are determined to hang on to the foodie
population, newcomers are making their mark with new inventions,
combining design and dining or seafood and stellar Asian cuisine.
Based on extensive research combined with many first-hand accounts,
Travelocity’s favorite foodie list includes:

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona: This Spanish city started getting recognition just
within the last five years. Catalan influences dominate both the
culture and cuisine with French and Mediterranean inspired dishes more
prevalent than traditional Spanish fare. Catalan cuisine features a
unique combination of ingredients such as red meat and fish; poultry
and fruit; and pork sausage with white beans. Each dish is unique,
original and utterly impossible to put down.

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder: It’s no secret that Boulder is about as eco-friendly and
earthy as it gets, but what may come as a surprise is how the recent
addition of urban dwellers has led to a more sophisticated and
trend-setting approach to organic dining. Take The Kitchen Cafe for
example, which offers an eclectic menu with superior organic
ingredients, but moreover, is completely green-they even compost all
of the kitchen scraps and use wind power. On top of this green
approach, Boulderites have access to some of the country’s finest
boutique ingredients, such as hormone-free Colorado lamb, local
cheeses, and even organic microbrews.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston: Some may call it soul food, but in Charleston they
call it Low Country cuisine. Prevailing as the undisputed local
favorite, this culinary specialty infuses restaurant menus with dishes
such as Frogmore Stew, She-Crab Soup and Hoppin’ John. Rice, grits and
fresh, local produce play an integral role in the creation of these
truly Southern meals, and the waters that surround South Carolina’s
Low Country inspire local cooks more often than not with seafood
dishes found on just about every menu.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas: In the spirit of Liberace, Vegas’ recent restaurant
boom is completely over the top-and we mean that in the best possible
way. If you want your foie gras topped with shaved truffles and dusted
with gold, it’s a sure bet it can be found here. Top chefs from NYC,
Paris, and London are opening namesake outposts in hotels and casinos
with much fanfare, so keep an eye out for Emeril, Thomas Keller, and
Bobby Flay. Fortunately for our wallets, Vegas’ famous buffets are
still a beloved part of life on The Strip.

London, United Kingdom

London: London is shaking its reputation for having mediocre
cuisine (we think it was undeserved anyway!). Celebrity chefs like
Gordon Ramsey have built on the English penchant for exquisite service
and fine surroundings, and have made the current restaurant scene
world famous. All the while, specialty gourmet shops have continued
operations for nearly 300 years, as in the case of Fortnum & Mason,
known for its fine teas, and Paxton & Whitfield, cheesemonger to the
royal family. Choose from afternoon tea, Indian curries, and classic
pub fare, like shepherd’s pie-then wash it down with a black and tan
before hitting the museums.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal: Known ubiquitously for its French cuisine, the Montreal
culinary scene also boasts imaginative carte du jours from more than
80 countries. Dine at one of the city’s 5,000 restaurants, or spend
the day meandering through local markets in search of the same
culinary treasures used by Montreal chefs. While there, sample a
Montreal-style bagel topped with cream cheese or a smoked meat
sandwich, two local treats.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans: Many first time visitors head to New Orleans to
experience events such as Mardi Gras or JazzFest, but they return time
and time again for its food. NOLA’s most famous restaurants include
Emeril’s, Commander’s Palace and Antoine’s, but local favorites such
as Jacques-Imos and Port of Call deserve a spot on the map of culinary
treasures as well. Cajun and Creole dishes throughout the city tempt
the taste buds, and no visit to Crescent City is complete without
indulging in a beignet dusted with powdered sugar and a cup of cafe au
lait laced with chicory at Cafe Du Monde.

New York, New York

New York: Cabbies and billionaires alike clamor for the city’s
famous slices, pretzels with mustard, and roasted chestnuts in paper
bags, but beyond streetfood, NYC boasts more restaurants per capita
than any other American city. Whether one is looking for a
neighborhood Italian joint or sweeping views of Central Park at Per
Se, there’s something for everyone. The city is also home to some of
the best foodie souvenir shops around, including DiPalo’s homemade
mozzarella, the Doughnut Plant’s pistachio glazed version, and
Vintage’s Long Island wines.

Rome, Italy

Rome: Dining in this Italian capital is an experience that’s
arguably just as pleasurable as seeing the sites the city has to offer
and surprisingly, finding the best fare is as easy as pie. While
Northern Italy is famous for its pesto and truffles, Tuscany for its
olive oil and beans, Sicily for its sweets, and the south for its
seafood and spice, Roman cuisine boasts all of this and more. From
home-style Italian cooking in charming trattorias to innovative fare
in designer restaurants, the old streets of Rome will have you
savoring la dolce vita.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco: Alice Waters is credited with changing the way
Americans eat, and now her local, seasonal approach to cuisine is now
an integral part of San Francisco’s venerable restaurant scene. With
Wine Country vintages at hand, Bodega Bay oysters on the half-shell,
and Northern California’s bounty, visitors are able to try ingredients
they wouldn’t have access to at home. As if that weren’t enough, the
City by the Bay is a hotbed for artisanal products, such as Cowgirl
Creamery’s Mt. Tam cheese, McEvoy Ranch olive oil, and Scharfenberger
chocolates, all of which can be found at the foodie mecca known as the
Ferry Building.

About Travelocity

Travelocity(R) is committed to being the traveler’s champion —
before, during and after the trip – and is the only online travel
company that guarantees not just the price, but the entire travel
experience – see www.travelocity.com/guarantee for details. This
customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, great prices
and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the sixth
largest travel agency — booking $10.1 billion in travel worldwide in
2006. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates
Travelocity Business(R) for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a
leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific
online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation
(NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.

CONTACT: VOLLMER
Andrea Collins, 212-715-2222
andrea@vollmerpr.com
or
Amanda Borichevsky, 972-488-4790
amanda@vollmerpr.com

SOURCE: Travelocity