Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer is at the Mauritshuis, a museum located in The Hague, a city on the North Sea coast of the western Netherlands. The museum holds many of the world’s most precious Dutch and Flemish paintings from the seventeenth century. Built by order of Count Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen (1604–1679), the fine art institution has two locations: a city palace on the Plein and the Prince William V Gallery at the Buitenhof – both conveniently situated in the heart of the city.

Photo by C. McCain

Established in 1822, the Mauritshuis features prominent works from the Dutch Golden Age, a period from approximately 1585 to 1702, when Northern Netherlands experienced great advancements in painting, as well as science, architecture and engineering. With more than 800 pieces of art in its collection, the museum features paintings by Dutch Masters, such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, Paulus Potter, Frans Hals, Jocob van Ruisdael and Peter Paul Rubens, among others. Works include portraitures, historical paintings, landscapes, seascapes, genre scenes and still lifes.

Photo by C. McCain

Virtual Tour of the Mauritshuis

When visiting Holland is not possible, a virtual tour of the Mauritshuis is a great way to explore the museum. In fact, the Mauritshuis was the first museum in the world to fully digitize its collection using the Gigapixel format, which means that you can virtually walk around the galleries and see each work of art as if you were standing in front of it. Artwork is available in pin-sharp detail making it easy to examine paintings while learning more through text provided by the museum’s curatorial staff.

Photo by C. McCain

You can even book a digital tour at the Mauritshuis with one of their expert guides. Once signed up, you will receive a link that enables you to participate in real-time from your computer. The virtual tours are available in English and Dutch on iPads, iPhones, Androids and AppleTV.

Photo by C. McCain

Collection Highlights at the Mauritshuis

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer. Girl with a Pearl Earring. c. 1665. The Mauritshuis.

Where is the Girl with a Pearl Earring? Known by some as the “Mona Lisa of the North,” Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665), on view in Room 15, is one of the most famous paintings of the seventeenth century. It is one of 34 paintings firmly attributed to Johannes Vermeer and attracts visitors to The Hague from all over the world. Learn More

Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn. The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. c. 1632. The Mauritshuis.

On view in Room 9, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp is Rembrandt’s first group portrait painted in 1632 when he was only 25 years old. This oil painting on canvas is considered one of the artist’s early masterpieces and was commissioned for the anatomy lesson given by Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. Learn More

The Bull by Paulus Potter

Paulus Potter. The Bull. c. 1647. The Mauritshuis.

According to the Mauritshuis, The Bull is particularly special because it takes something as ordinary as a bull and presents it on a grand scale – something that had never been done before. It was painted in 1647, and it is considered the epitome of Dutch naturalistic painting. Learn More

The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius

Carel Fabritius. The Goldfinch. c. 1654. The Mauritshuis.

Fans of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt will be familiar with this little gem. On view in Room 14, The Goldfinch (1654) is one of the few surviving works by Fabritius, and it depicts a life-sized goldfinch using oil paint on a panel. Following Fabritius’ death in 1654, the painting was lost for more than two centuries before its rediscovery in Brussels in 1859. Learn More

Ice Scene by Hendrick Avercamp

Hendrick Avercamp. Ice Scene. c. 1610. The Mauritshuis.

On view in Room 16, Ice Scene feels uniquely Dutch as it depicts people enjoying a wintery day on a frozen canal. According to the Mauritshuis, Avercamp was the first painter in Northern Netherlands to specialize in winter landscapes. Painted in 1610, Ice Scene reflects an aerial perspective technique, which refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of a scene from a distance. Learn More

Virtual Tour of the Mauritshuis: Featured Online Programs

In addition to virtual tours, YouTube videos, workshops and children’s programs, the Mauritshuis website is a treasure trove of content that provides critical context for the museum and its collection. Featured online programs include the following websites, apps and videos.

Courtesy of the Mauritshuis

Girl with a Blog features Abbie Vandivere, a painting conservator at the Mauritshuis, who explores all aspects of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and its cultural significates through research, expert insights and activities, as well as behind-the-scenes photos and updates. You can learn all the mysteries behind this famous work of art, including details about its subject, worth, materials and more.

A virtual tour of the Mauritshuis also includes information about various aspects of Johan Maurits’ life. Particularly, his role as the governor of the colony Dutch Brazil (1636–1644) to which he was appointed by the Dutch West India Company. Learn more about Johan Maurits’ involvement in the lucrative sugar mills and sugar cane plantations, as well as his role in the transatlantic slave trade between West and Central Africa and Brazil – a part of the Mauritshuis story which is noted for being previously downplayed.

The online exhibition Facelifts & Makeovers offers a glimpse into the world of the museum’s conversation department through the eyes of staff members Carol Pottasch, Sabrina Meloni and Abbie Vandivere. Together, with their team of interns and external specialists, they explore the Mauritshuis collection. From researching materials to restoration techniques, you can learn more about how they keep the artwork in excellent condition.

Courtesy of the Mauritshuis

View the Mauritshuis with Your Ears is a music project featuring songs inspired by paintings in the collection. Videos feature a painting, performer and original song. Musicians include Spinvis, MEROL, Harrie Jekkers, Willie Wartaal and more.

Museum Information

The Mauritshuis
Website: https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/
Phone: +31 70 302 34 56
Email: mail@mauritshuis.nl
Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS The Hague, The Netherlands

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Virtual Tour of the Getty Villa

About the Getty Villa
In 1968, businessman and philanthropist J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) began plans to build a Roman-style villa near Malibu to serve as a museum. Six years later, the new museum opened to the public and quickly became a cultural landmark. The Getty Villa houses the J. Paul Getty Museum’s extensive collection of antiquities, including 44,000+ objects of which roughly 1,300 are on view. The museum has 27 galleries organized by time period from the Neolithic Era to the late Roman Empire (ca. 6,500 BC to 400 AD).

© J. Paul Getty Trust

Tablinum at the Getty Villa Photo: Elon Schoenholz © 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

© 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

Highlights from the permanent collection include Neolithic clay figurines dating back to the sixth millennium BC, marble vessels and figurines from the Cycladic Islands and Cyprus dating back to the Bronze Age and a group of frescoes from the Villa of Numerius Popidius Florus at Boscoreale near Pompeii dating back to the first century AD. Two galleries are devoted to Roman sculpture and feature a number of life-size and larger Roman works, including the Statue of a Female Figure, a life-size bronze eagle, several portrait busts and three cornice blocks from a first-century BC building in Rome.

© 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

© J. Paul Getty Trust

© J. Paul Getty Trust

The Etruscan gallery features sculptures, vases, bronze statuettes and carved amber. Additional galleries are devoted to Athenian pottery, a special strength of the collection, and Greek works from southern Italy and Sicily, including a remarkable terracotta group from 350–300 BC. The Getty’s collection of Roman gold and silver vessels, figurines and jewelry are displayed in the Roman Treasury, along with engraved gems and Roman gold coins on loan from private collections.

The Getty Villa underwent a major upgrade and reinstallation of its antiquities collection in 2017/18. The gallery space was increased by 3,000 square feet to accommodate a number of large objects previously kept in storage. The reinstallation featured a newly renovated gallery on the first floor dedicated to the age of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World (336–30 BC). The centerpiece of this installation is the Victorious Youth, also known as the Getty Bronze. Other notable objects of the same period and style accompany the statue, including a marble head of Alexander the Great.

© J. Paul Getty Trust

The museum’s grounds offer four gardens that blend together 300+ plant varieties, Roman architecture and open-air spaces. The largest garden, Outer Peristyle, is a replica of the one at the Villa dei Papiri with a long pool at the center. The landscaping features plants typically found near the Mediterranean, such as apricot trees, grapevines and lavender. Visitors can stroll around the fragrant gardens while enjoying mosaic floors and colorful trompe l’oeil walls. The grounds also include a dramatic 450-seat outdoor classical theater perfect for hosting open-air performances.

Photo by Tahnee L. Cracchiola © 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

Photo: Elon Schoenholz © 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

Outer Peristyle at the Getty Villa Photo: Elon Schoenholz © 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

Outdoor Theater at the Getty Villa Photo: Elon Schoenholz © 2018 J. Paul Getty Trust

Virtual Visit
From publications to audio tours, the Getty Center and Getty Villa offer plenty of online learning opportunities. Check out the museums’ highlights webpage for learning guides and the online library catalog for art history resources, including thousands of digitized works with detailed descriptions. The museums’ online offerings also include 350+ Getty Publications and 165,000+ art history books from libraries around the world. Many of the Getty Library’s rare books are accessible online featuring nearly 200 titles on alchemy and dozens of examples of some of the earliest photo books ever printed.

For more interactive programs, check out the Getty’s YouTube channels for access to hundreds of art history lectures, art-making activities and artist interviews. Popular videos include tutorials on how illuminated manuscripts are made, how tapestries are woven, how ancient Egyptians were mummified and how ancient sculptures are restored. The Getty’s two podcasts, Art & Ideas and Recording Artists: Radical Women, provide even more opportunities to learn about art and culture.

Contact Information
Address: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Website: http://www.getty.edu
Email: visitorservices@getty.edu
Phone: (310) 440-7300

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10 Books for People Who Love Italy

The Silver Spoon

The Silver Spoon is certainly one of the best books about Italy. It is the English edition of the bestselling Italian cookbook of the last fifty years, Il Cucchiaio d’Argento. With over 2,000 recipes, this cookbook features simple yet authentic Italian dishes for both new and experienced cooks. From spaghetti carbonara to baked sea bass, recipes offer a timeless taste of Italy. This revised edition is illustrated with new photography and chef-inspired menus. Buy Now

The Neapolitan Novels

The Neapolitan Novels boxed set includes four novels: My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay and The Story of the Lost Child. Written by Elena Ferrante, these books tell the story of two best friends, Elena and Lila, as they navigate the challenges of growing up in post-WWII Naples. This epic tale explores the beauty and pain found in love, family, community and culture. Buy Now

The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo’s Notebooks explores the world of Leonardo Da Vinci in his own words, connecting his intellectual and artistic journey with his writings, drawings and thoughts. From break-through inventions to engineering feats, this book features the work of a true Renaissance man, and it provides a fascinating look into Leonardo’s wide range of interests, such as human figures, light and shade, perspective and visual perception, anatomy, botany and landscape, geography, the physical sciences and astronomy, architecture and more. Buy Now

The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Talented Mr. Ripley is the first of a five-book series by Patricia Highsmith. The story is about Tom Ripley, a young man who leaves behind his past as an orphan to travel around Italy at the behest of a wealthy industrialist who hires him to bring his bohemian son back to New York City. Obsession turns to murder in this riveting page-turner.  Buy Now

La Vita è Dolce

La Vita è Dolce is about the art of Italian baking by food writer and pastry chef, Letitia Clark. Featuring over 80 Italian desserts, this cookbook showcases Letitia’s favorite puddings inspired by her time living in Sardinia. It also features anecdotes and location photography that provides interesting context for the recipes. From caramelized citrus tart to torta caprese, the recipes will bring a sweet slice of Italy into your home. Buy Now

Federico Fellini: Book of Dreams

Federico Fellini is one of Italy’s most celebrated directors. He was born in Rimini, a city on the Adriatic coast, in 1920. Book of Dreams explores Fellini’s journey into the world of filmmaking from the late 1960s until 1990. It also serves as Fellini’s diary, which represents his creative visions in the form of colorful drawings and notes. This new edition includes a critical introduction, as well as updated graphics. It was published in collaboration with the Municipality of Rimini, the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and the Cineteca di Bologna. Buy Now

Lonely Planet Italy

Lonely Planet Italy is the ultimate guide for travelers looking to plan an epic Italian adventure. It gives you a comprehensive overview of Italy’s 20 regions. With plenty of historic sites and hidden gems, it covers eating, sleeping, sightseeing and more. From the streets of Rome to the canals of Venice, Lonely Planet offers practical information for experiencing some of Italy’s most beautiful destinations. Buy Now

Uffizi Gallery: The Official Guide

Founded in 1581, Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is one of the most-visited museums in the world. The official museum guide explores its much-loved art collections, which include works ranging from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century – particularly art from the Renaissance. This illustrated guide shares expert insights and historical information about the work of many great artists, such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio, among many others. Buy Now

The Adventures of Pinocchio

First published in 1883, The Adventures of Pinocchio was written by Carlo Collodi and illustrated by Enrico Mazzanti. Set in Tuscany, this classic children’s tale is about a mischievous wooden puppet, or marionette, named Pinocchio, and his father, a woodcarver. It’s a delightful adventure story about the importance of honesty, and it can be enjoyed at any age. Buy Now

Modigliani

By Nancy Ireson and Simonetta Fraquelli, this definitive monograph on Modigliani incorporates new research into one of the most comprehensive surveys published on Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920), an Italian-born painter and sculpture considered to be one of the most important artists of the early twentieth century. This ambitious volume features 150 works from throughout Modigliani’s career, including iconic nudes and elongated figures, as well as six essays that explore various angles of his work and artistic pursuits. Buy Now

If you enjoyed 10 Books for People Who Love Italy, check out offer articles about travel-inspired books.

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10 Best Travel Books, Shows and Movies

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (2021–2022)

Searching for Italy Courtesy of CNN

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy is a six-part CNN Original Series that uncovers the tastes and smells of Italy’s most popular dishes. From Rome to Sardinia, Tucci talks to locals about their family recipes and why they are so important to the region’s culture. This show is sure to inspire a trip to Italy or at least a visit to your favorite Italian restaurant.

Lonely Planet’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe (2022) 

Lonely Planet’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe is the perfect book for those who want to learn more about the show travel movement. The guide provides detailed descriptions and itineraries to help plan a trip across Europe on rails. This hassle-free mode of transport is also eco-friendly, which makes it a win-win. Buy Now

The Trip (2010)

The Trip, 2010

Michael Winterbottom’s The Trip is a British show starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as fictionalized versions of themselves on a restaurant tour of the Lake District in northwest England. Also made into a feature-length film, The Trip captures plenty of improvised performances, including Coogan and Brydon’s celebrity impersonations of Michael Cain, Anthony Hopkins and Dustin Hoffman, among others. In addition to the restaurant tour, the film follows the two men as they walk in the footsteps of some of the great Romantic poets of the early nineteenth century. If you’re a fan, don’t miss The Trip to Italy (2014), The Trip to Spain (2016) and The Trip to Greece (2020).

Great Cities Through Travellers’ Eyes (2019)  

Great Cities Through Travellers’ Eyes by Peter Furtado is a must-read book for any armchair traveler. It offers fascinating observations made by travelers, writers and historical figures who have visited some of the world’s most dynamic cities, such as Alexandria, Beijing, Venice and Rio de Janeiro. Chapters feature a compilation of straightforward travel descriptions that read like diary entries written over centuries. Buy Now

36 Hours: World (2015)

36 Hours: World is the perfect coffee table book that includes the crème de la crème from the New York Times travel series. Editor Barbara Ireland curates 150 bite-sized itineraries into an A–Z showcase of the world’s most captivating cities, from Barcelona to Bogotá, New Delhi to New Orleans. The latest version features 26 new stories, including Amman and Nairobi. Contributors act as armchair guides, foreign correspondents, travel writers, food writers and photojournalists. The book brings together insider knowledge and in-depth research, which provides fresh insight into even the most popular destinations. Buy Now

La Dolce Vita (1960)

La Dolca Vita, 1960

Federico Fellini’s masterful film, La Dolce Vita, features a celebrity cast and an adoring yet critical eye toward Rome in the 1960s. Set over seven decadent days, the film follows Marcello Mastroianni’s character as a philandering journalist who is pursuing happiness that is always just out of reach. The iconic Trevi Fountain scene is as effective today as it was 60 years ago.

Frederico Fellini talking to Costanzo Costantini in Fellini on Fellini (Faber and Faber, 1994):

Costantini: [Actress Anita] Ekberg immersed herself in the Trevi Fountain without difficulty?
Fellini: Ekberg came from the North, she was young and as proud of her good health as a lioness. She was no trouble at all. She remained immersed in the basin for ages, motionless, impassive, as if the water didn’t cover her nor the cold affect her, even though it was March and the nights made one shiver. For Mastronianni it was a rather different story. He had to get undressed, put on a frogman’s suit and get dressed again. To combat the cold he polished off a bottle of vodka and when we shot the scene he was completely pissed.

Constantini: How long did you take to shoot that scene?
Fellini: It took eight or nine nights. Some of the owners of the surrounding houses would rent out their balconies and windows to the curious. At the end of each take the crowd would cheer. A show within a show. Every time I look at the picture of Ekberg in the Trevi Fountain, I have the sensation of reliving those magic moments, those sleepless nights, surrounded by the miaowing of cats and the crowd that gathered from every corner of the city.

Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Darjeeling Limited, 2007

Darjeeling Limited is a comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson. The film tells the story of three brothers, played by Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman, as they attempt to reconnect their family bonds while traveling by train through India. With much of the film shot in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, the distinct Indian landscape is expertly captured on film in Anderson’s signature style.

A Year in Provence (1989) 

A Year in Provence is a best-selling memoir by Peter Mayle (1939–2018) about his first year living in France. Mayle and his wife bought a two hundred-year-old farmhouse in the Lubéron Valley, and the book chronicles their forays into local gastronomy, regional customs and rural life. From mastering the local accent to discovering the finer points of boules, Provençal charm is captured with great ease in this accessible story about moving abroad. Buy Now

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013–2018)

Parts Unknown, Courtesy of CNN

When talking about the 10 best travel books, TV shows and movies, the list would not be complete without mentioning Parts Unknown. The CNN original series Parts Unknown follows Anthony Bourdain (1956–2018), world-renowned chef and bestselling author, as he travels the globe to uncover the little-known and seemingly-familiar parts of the world in a celebration of their diverse foods and culture. Known for his curiosity, candor, wit and cultural references, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations – including some war-torn parts of the world – and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles. He also makes a point to meet up with internationally lauded chefs along his journeys. Highlights from the twelve seasons include Bourdain eating noodles with President Obama in Hanoi, traveling by riverboat on the Congo and food tasting with legendary chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud in Lyon.

Motorcycle Diaries (2004) 

Motorcycle Diaries, 2004

Motorcycle Diaries is a biopic about 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara, who later become known as the Marxist guerrilla leader and revolutionary Che Guevara, and his friend Alberto Granado. The film recounts Guevara’s 1952 journey through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. Directed by Walter Salles, this coming-of-age story is the ultimate road trip film. The views of South America are sure to satisfy any armchair traveler.

The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims’ Progress (1869) 

“We bid it good-bye, now – possibly for all time. How surely, in some future day, when the memory of it shall have lost its vividness, shall we half believe we have seen it in a wonderful dream, but never with waking eyes!” – Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

The Innocents Abroad is a travel book that chronicles Mark Twain’s pleasure cruise on board the chartered vessel ‘Quaker City’ through Europe and the Holy Land with a group of religious pilgrims. Twain makes constant criticisms of various aspects of culture and society he meets while on his journey, some more serious than others, which gradually turn from witty and comedic to biting and bitter as he progresses closer to the Holy Land. Buy Now

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What do you think attracted Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the Isle of Wight?

The quiet and privacy of the Isle of Wight attracted Victoria and Albert. It was away from the official worries and cares of state that they had to deal with in London or Windsor. It was another world, somewhere apart. The development of the railways in the mid-nineteenth century meant that they could get to the island from London in about 4 hours. The use of their own private train and yacht did help to shorten the journey time … no boarding a public ferry for them!

Detail of Portrait of Queen Victoria on Papier Mâché Face Screen, 1840. Courtesy of Birmingham Museums Trust.

What makes Osborne House unique compared to other royal residences in the UK?

Osborne is unique as a royal residence because it was created from scratch by Victoria and Albert. It was the first home they made together, when they were both in their mid-twenties, already with a young, growing family. Victoria and Albert spent around 4 months a year at Osborne and it is a monument to their love, taste as collectors and a vibrant insight into their lives.

Courtesy of English Heritage

Can you describe Osborne House and its size?

Osborne was designed by Prince Albert and built by Thomas Cubitt. It is in the Italianate style and with its terraced, formal gardens, it takes advantage of a spectacular setting, overlooking the Solent. It has around 250 rooms and has four distinct, though connected, parts; the Pavilion in which Victoria and Albert had their own rooms; the Household Wing used by the member of the royal household who travelled with Victoria and Albert; the Main Wing where the royal children had their rooms; and the Durbar Wing which was a late addition to the house which was built to provide a large entertaining space. The outside of the house has two distinct towers, very much as one would see in any old public square in Italy, one for the clock and one for flying the royal standard. The Osborne estate was around 2,500 acres – it is now around 600 acres after parts of the estate were sold after Victoria’s death.

Courtesy of English Heritage

How much time did Queen Victoria and her family spend at Osborne House?

Queen Victoria and her family spent around 4 months of each year at Osborne. They always celebrated their birthdays at Osborne and after Prince Albert’s death in 1861, Victoria always went to Osborne for Christmas.

Can you describe design trends that influenced the style and evolution of Osborne House?

The Italianate style of architecture – a style inspired by the architecture of the classical world – was popular in the mid-nineteenth century and this was Albert’s choice.

Courtesy of English Heritage

Can you describe a few major changes made to Osborne House during Queen Victoria’s lifetime?

The most noticeable change was the addition of the Durbar Wing in the 1890s. This was built to provide Queen Victoria with a large dining/entertaining space as well as an apartment for her daughter Princess Beatrice, her husband and children. The size of the estate and the number of buildings (farm buildings, servants’ cottages, etc.) increased during Victoria’s time.

Courtesy of English Heritage

What is your favorite room at Osborne House? And, why?

My favourite room is the Queen’s Sitting Room with its floor to ceiling windows that open out onto a balcony where there are spectacular views across the terraced gardens, down to the private beach and over the Solent towards Portsmouth. It is quite a thought that in this modest room Queen Victoria and her ministers controlled a mighty empire.

Courtesy of English Heritage

How did Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their nine children prefer to pass the time at Osborne House?

The royal family preferred to spend as much of their time out of doors in the fresh air. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert swam off their private beach (Queen Victoria using her bathing machine which can still be seen on the beach today) and all their children were taught to swim in a large floating bath that Prince Albert designed. They walked and rode a lot around the estate and went on excursions on the water around the island on their yachts. Queen Victoria did a lot of painting in watercolours in the gardens and around Osborne, many of which are still in the Royal Collection.

Courtesy of English Heritage

What is your favorite piece of artwork on display at Osborne House? And, why?

My favourite art work is a life-size marble statue by J. Edgar Boehm of “Noble”, one of Queen Victoria’s favourite collie dogs. The sculpture was done when the dog was 14 years old and it sits in the Grand Corridor alongside many sculptures in the classical style. The fact that it is so prominently displayed shows Victoria’s great love of her pets. She commissioned many images of them, just as many in fact as she did of her family. A bronze cast of the marble sculpture at Osborne was put over Noble’s grave at Balmoral, Victoria’s home in Scotland.

Are there any items on display that offer clues about the royal couple’s relationship and/or parenting style?

By all accounts Victoria and Albert had a passionate relationship and many of the artworks at Osborne have an erotic charge. For example, the large painting by France Xaver Winterhalter that Victoria gave Albert as a birthday present one year shows an abundance of naked female flesh … and it hangs directly opposite their writing desks in Victoria’s sitting room. The bronze statue of Andromeda that stands in the middle of a fountain in the garden shows a beautiful young girl, in a very sensual pose, chained to a rock waiting to be rescued by Perseus. The statue was bought by Victoria and Albert at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and placed at Osborne soon afterward. Queen Victoria has a bad reputation as a mother but the fact that the nurseries at Osborne are immediately above her own rooms indicates that she wanted to have the children close by rather than pushed off into a completely separate part of the house. Although the children were in the care of staff nevertheless she and Prince Albert were able to see as much of their children when at Osborne as possible.

Courtesy of English Heritage

What might surprise visitors about Osborne House?

Visitors might be surprised by the intimate, family feeling that Osborne still has. The rooms are comparatively modest by royal standards. Unlike other residences associated with Victoria and Albert that are open, Osborne is the one that gives an intimate glimpse into their lives.

Have there been any recent updates to the visitor experience at Osborne House?

The most recent major addition to the visitor experience was the opening a few years ago of the private beach. There is also a recent exhibition about Victoria and Albert’s birthdays at Osborne and the gifts they gave to each other, many of which can be seen in the house.

Courtesy of English Heritage

Visitor Information
Click here for more information.

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Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Photo by C. McCain

About the Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection’s artwork was collected by the first four Marquesses of Hertford, as well as Sir Richard Wallace who was believed to have been the fourth Marquess’ illegitimate son. Sir Richard became the fourth Marquess’ secretary and agent and ultimately, inherited the house where the Wallace Collection resides today, as well as a truly remarkable art collection.

Bust of Sir Richard Wallace. Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Sir Richard Wallace died in 1890 and left everything to his wife, Julie Amelie Castelnau, otherwise known as Lady Wallace. Sir Richard had expressed the wish that his collection might become a museum after his death, but it was Lady Wallace who left almost all of the artwork to the nation as a museum when she died in 1897. Lady Wallace chose the name, The Wallace Collection, presumably as a fitting memorial to her late husband. The museum opened to the public in 1900. According to Lady Wallace’s will, no items are to be added to the collection or removed from it, so it has largely remained as Sir Richard left it.

The museum was closed and the artwork was evacuated during both world wars. In 1917, the air raids prompted the entire collection to be removed and stored at the Post Office tube at Paddington Station. On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, the entire collection was evacuated, this time to centers outside London. In May 1940, Sir Winston Churchill famously said of the nation’s art treasures: “Hide them in caves and cellars, but not one picture shall leave this island.” Thankfully, there was only minimal damage to the building when a high explosive bomb detonated in the front lawn during the air raids of September 1940. The works of art returned from the countryside in 1945, and the collection re-opened to the public in July of that year.

Highlights from the Wallace Collection

From landscapes to portraits, the Wallace Collection offers many excellent European paintings, including old master paintings from Titian, Rubens, Fragonard, Gainsborough and Canaletto, among others. Highlights from the painting collection include The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals, Titus, the Artist’s Son by Rembrandt and Lady with a Fan by Diego Velázquez. Many remarkable sculptures, ranging from c. 1200 to 1900, are also displayed throughout the museum. Highlights from the sculpture collection include eighteenth-century works by French artists, including Bertrand, Coysevox and Houdon, as well as works from the Renaissance by Italian artists, including Giambologna and Torrigiani.

Photo by C. McCain

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Frans Hals. The Laughing Cavalier. c. 1624. The Wallace Collection

In addition to paintings and sculptures, the museum has an outstanding collection of decorative arts. Many of the objects are from eighteenth-century France and the medieval and Renaissance periods. Each piece has a fascinating, and sometimes mysterious, story to tell, such as the chest-of-drawers delivered to Louis XV’s bedroom at Versailles and the Bell Shrine of St. Mura, which was said to have descended from heaven.

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Photo by C. McCain

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Photo by C. McCain

The museum also features princely arms and armour – many considered to be some of the finest works in the collection. Although some objects were meant for combat, many are beautiful examples of the armourer’s art and were made for rulers and nobles across the world, including Shah Jahan, Mughal Emperor and Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.

Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Virtual Tour of the Wallace Collection

From collection talks to musical performances, the Wallace Collection makes it easy for people to virtually experience the museum from the comfort of home. Through the museum’s website, online visitors can access free, family-friendly activities, high resolution images, tours, lectures, courses and more.

Check out the Wallace Collection’s blog featuring art and objects from throughout the museum, including paintings, furniture, ceramics, arms and armour. Articles explore the collection from a variety of perspectives with fun, interactive content. The blog also provides news and updates about the museum’s programs and events.

Don’t miss Meet the Expert, which features monthly, themed programs hosted by members of the museum’s curatorial department. Each month begins with a short, online Gallery Trail highlighting a handful of unmissable objects from the Wallace Collection. Works in Context is a longer article explaining the meaning of the featured objects within a larger social or historical context, and it sets the scene for Expert’s Choice, a short film that delves deeply into the story behind the art. The month-long program is then wrapped up with an online lecture available to the public for free on the third Thursday of each month.

Featured Online Programs at the Wallace Collection

–Inside the Museum: 45 Years in just 88 Minutes features a bespoke virtual tour of the Wallace Collection by David Edge, former Head of Conservation. The video includes unseen library and archive materials, as well as Edge’s favorite stories and anecdotes from working at the museum since 1975.

–Ada de Wit, Curator of Works of Art and Sculpture, looks at the concept of Kunstkammer (cabinet of curiosities) and how this Renaissance tradition of collecting exceptional treasures from around the world was interpreted in the late nineteenth century by collectors, such as Sir Richard Wallace. Learn more about Kunstkammer with a free, online lecture titled Collecting Treasures: Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden and the Wallace Collection.

–The Wallace Collection has one of the most important holdings of Riesener furniture in the world. Online resources provide details about the furniture at the Wallace Collection, revealing secrets about Riesener’s working methods, materials and techniques, as well as his life and his work for the royal French court.

–The Wallace Collection presents Forgotten Masters: Indian Painting for the East India Company, guest curated by writer and historian William Dalrymple. Online visitors can explore, room-by-room, works by Indian master painters commissioned by East India Company officials in the late eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

The Wallace Collection
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Website: https://www.wallacecollection.org/
Phone: +44 (0)207 563 9500
Email: enquiries@wallacecollection.org

If you enjoyed Where is the Wallace Collection, check out other art-related articles.

The post Where is the Wallace Collection | Virtual Tour first appeared on Travel Observed.

The post Where is the Wallace Collection | Virtual Tour appeared first on Travel Observed.

The Best Hawaiian Cookbooks

Cook Real Hawai’i: A Cookbook by Simeon Sheldon and Synder Garrett

Cook Real Hawai’i: A Cookbook tells the story of Hawaiian cooking through 100 recipes that embody the beautiful cross-cultural exchange of the islands. Simeon Sheldon, a two-time Top Chef finalist, explores the many cultures, including native Hawaiian traditions, as well as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Filipino influences, that have come together to create the cuisine of his beloved home. This cookbook features many tasty recipes, such as wok-fried poke, pork dumplings made with biscuit dough, cauliflower katsu and huli-huli chicken with a sweet-savory butter glaze. Buy Now

Aloha Kitchen by Alana Kysar

Aloha Kitchen is one of the best Polynesian cookbooks available, and it takes readers into the homes, restaurants and farms of Hawaiʻi. As a Maui native, Kysar is an expert in Hawaiʻi’s multiethnic culture and food history. In Aloha Kitchen, she shares recipes that Hawaiʻi locals have made their own, and she explores the cultural and agricultural influences that inspire local dishes, such as plate lunch and poke. Kysar also explores local Hawaiʻi staples, such as saimin, loco moco and shoyu chicken, and then traces their geographic origins on the islands. Buy Now

The Island Poké Cookbook by James Gould-Porter

The Island Poké Cookbook celebrates the joy of real Hawaiian food known for its delicious fusion of many cuisines, including food from Polynesia, Japan, China, South America, the Pacific Rim and Portugal. Poke means to slice or dice in Hawaiian, but it has evolved to become the Hawaiian staple of sliced raw fish served on rice with many condiments and toppings. Recipes include popular poke dishes, such as spicy ahi and golden beetroot with chili lime shoyu, and other favorites, such as sea bass crudo, teriyaki salmon chirashi and baja poke tostadas. Buy Now

The ‘Ohana Grill by Adrienne Robillard and Dawn Sakamoto Paiva

The ‘Ohana Grill features 50 delicious recipes made for entertaining with an outdoor grill. This unique island food guide focuses on mastering the best ingredients for grilling. The author and photography team, based in Hawai’i, share beautiful photos of their culinary creations and explore the diverse cultures and flavors that make up island grilling. Recipes include guava chicken, pulehu tri-tip, grilled mahi-mahi and adobo pork belly bao with slaw. Buy Now

Additional Polynesian Cookbooks for Travelers

Eat Up New Zealand by Al Brown

Eat Up New Zealand features recipes and stories about Kiwi classic dishes, such as roast lamb, pies, flounder, corned beef, cheese scones, tamarillo desserts and preserves. Al’s approach is to start with great seasonal produce, cook it simply and add a flavor punch, texture and garnish to take it to the next level. This cookbook offers refined yet accessible recipes that are inherently Kiwi. Buy Now

Easy Tiki by Chloe Frechette

Easy Tiki examines modern tiki revival with 60 recipes that re-jigger the classics with minimal ingredients, while still maintaining a delicious balance of spices and garnishes that define tiki cocktails. Classic drink recipes include the Beachcomber’s Gold and Fog Cutter, and modern cocktail recipes include Elusive Dreams and Paradise Lost. Easy Tiki also includes an overview of the origins of the tiki genre from Don the Beachcomber and the mid-century tiki craze to Trader Vic’s and more. Buy Now

Kusima Mada by Jason Allport and Dr. Sangeeta Mangubhai

Kusima Mada is the first cookbook of its kind in Fiji and is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society for its support of sustainable seafood. This cookbook was written in collaboration with Australian Chef, Jason Allport, who designed original recipes using a range of locally-sourced seafood and produce. From rivers to mangroves, from coral reefs to the open ocean, this cookbook features over 80 recipes organized by habitat. Buy Now

Polynesian Cuisine by JR Stevens

Polynesian Cuisine features classic dishes from many South Pacific islands, including Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and more. This cookbook offers savory recipes, such as luau ribs, grilled beef satay, stuffed shiitake mushrooms and coconut and sweet chili shrimp. For dessert, don’t miss its sweet recipes, such as guava cake, bread pudding with bananas foster sauce and upside down pineapple cupcakes. Buy Now

If you enjoyed The Best Polynesian Cookbooks for Travelers, check out other travel-inspired books and gifts.

The post The Best Polynesian Cookbooks for Travelers first appeared on Travel Observed.

The post The Best Polynesian Cookbooks for Travelers appeared first on Travel Observed.

Paris Opera Ballet

The Paris Opera Ballet, part of the Paris Opera, was founded in 1669 making it one of the oldest national ballet companies in the world. It has inspired the start of many other companies now located around the globe. Its repertoire embraces both romantic ballet and contemporary creations. In addition to their performances at the Palais Garnier and the Opéra Bastille, the Paris Opera Ballet also features digital performances on 3e Scène (3rd Stage). Highlights include:

• 3e Scène with original works by artists and creators
• Classic clips from the stage, including performances by Rudolf Noureev, William Forsythe, Mikhail Fokine and Jerome Robbins, among others
• World Ballet Day videos
• Training clips
• Performer interviews (available with English subtitles)
  Watch Now

American Ballet Theatre

Located in New York City, the American Ballet Theatre is revered as a living national treasure since its founding in 1939. It has commissioned works by many of the choreographic geniuses of the twentieth century, including George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp, among others. Each performance honors more than 80 years of innovation, diversity and dynamism in American ballet. Highlights include:

• Pas de Deux, a limited, four-episode documentary series, exploring the intersection of dance and other diverse art forms with two artists that delve into each other’s process in a conversation that culminates in new creations
• Back stage videos featuring a new generation of ballet dancers
• ABTKids Daily with videos and activities perfect for family-friendly audiences
• Moving Stories, the American Ballet Theatre’s first-ever film festival, hosted by principal dancer Misty Copeland and Emmy Award-winning producer Leyla Fayyaz, which features eight short films created by company artists
• ABT Us featuring a weekly dancer spotlight
• Virtual classes with ABT dancers and ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School faculty members
  Watch Now

Royal Ballet

Based at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, the Royal Ballet offers world-class dancers with an outstanding orchestra, as well as leading choreographers, composers, conductors, directors and creative teams. The company’s extensive repertory embraces nineteenth century classics, as well as a new canon of work from world renowned choreographers. During a typical season, the Royal Ballet welcomes more than one million people through its doors, and a further one million people enjoy their work in cinemas, at free screenings and through streamed and televised performances throughout the UK. Highlights include:

• Seasonal, full-length performances with free and ticketed options
• Classic footage from some of the best ballet performances staged in London
• World Ballet Day videos
• Rehearsal videos, including clips from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet and Sleeping Beauty
  Watch Now

Bolshoi Ballet

The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow has been operating for more than 200 years, and it is one of the largest ballet companies in the world. Its combines great classical traditions with ever-evolving styles. The Bolshoi Ballet celebrates its rich history with ballet legends, such as Galina Ulanova, Vladimir Vasiliev, Maya Plisetskaya and Ekaterina Maximova, and it is known for being the first ballet company to stage Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Minkus’ Don Quixote. Highlights include:

• Scenes from Ticket to the Bolshoi, a film dedicated to the celebration of 180 years since the birth of P.I. Tchaikovsky; the Bolshoi Ballet explores the role it played in the life of Tchaikovsky and its deep appreciation for his work through staff conversations (available with English subtitles)
• World Ballet Day videos
• Steps to Success capturing the soloist N.A. Elchin Azizov with trainees from the Bolshoi Theater Opera
• Exclusive interviews with artists, dancers, choreographers, directors and other theatrical figures
• Footage from Alexander Vetrov’s ballet class
• Clips from new ballet productions, as well as archival footage
  Watch Now

The Australian Ballet

For almost 60 years, the Australian Ballet has been inspiring, delighting and challenging audiences through the power of its performances. Based in Sydney, the Australian Ballet performs classical ballets and commissions new works annually. It typically presents more than 250 shows and 1,700 educational and audience engagement events each year. In addition to 80 dancers, the Australian Ballet employs master craftspeople and leaders in injury prevention, dance education, marketing and philanthropy, as well as an orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, with more than 60 musicians. This year is David Hallberg’s inaugural season as artistic director and will offer plenty of digital performances, including much-loved story ballets, twentieth century classics and exciting new works. They offer a new At Home with Ballet TV digital season, which features premium-quality productions online for free. Highlights include:

• Cinema-quality, full-length performances (each with a limited run)
• A New Era with 2021 season previews
• Dancing with David featuring ballet exercises with director David McAllister
• World Ballet Day videos
• Meet the Team with exclusive interviews
  Watch Now

Featured Image: Don Quixote at the Bolshoi Theatre. Maria Alexandrova as Kitri. Photo by Damir Yusupov.

If you enjoyed The Best YouTube Channels for Classical Ballet, check out other art-themed articles.

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The Best Travel-Themed Board Games

Ticket to Ride Europe

Ticket to Ride Europe takes players on an exciting train adventure through the great European cities of the turn-of-the-century. This is the second installment in Days of Wonder’s Ticket to Ride Series of train adventures. The latest version includes larger cards, new train station game pieces and an improved game board. Ticket to Ride Europe is guaranteed to offer hours of enjoyment, while offering the chance to explore Europe as an armchair traveler. Buy Now

Who Knows Where?

Who Knows Where? lets players race around the world by locating famous destinations on a map. This is one of the best travel-themed board games for adults with over 1,000 locations to guess from in five categories, including capitals, major cities and towns, events and facts, famous tourist sites and iconic landmarks. The beauty of this game is that everyone plays at the same time, so there’s no waiting around. Buy Now

Passport To Culture

From Andorra to Zimbabwe, this travel-inspired game tests players’ knowledge of world cultures with question and answer cards about every country in the world. Not just for world travelers, Passport To Culture® is the board game where players can discover their Cultural Intelligence™ with fascinating, fun-filled facts about people and places, food and drink, world treasures, greetings and gestures and customs and traditions. Buy Now

Murder Overboard

Murder Overboard is a murder mystery dinner party game. This version tells the story of Max who invites his old friends to join him on a luxurious motor yacht. The champagne corks pop and everyone raises a glass to the good old times. However, the trip takes a dramatic turn when Max learns that his wife has disappeared during the night. Everyone searches the ship looking for clues, such as the pool of blood on the deck. Until the emergency services arrive, participants have to try and solve the mystery. To add to the experience, this interactive game features suggested recipes, costume ideas and music recommendations, so players can really get into the story. Buy Now

Tabletopics Destination Anywhere

Tabletopics Destination Anyway encourages players to share their amazing travel experiences. This game features conversation starters that will get everyone talking about their favorite adventures. Tabletopics Destination Anyways is a great way to get to know the other players, while gathering ideas for the ultimate travel bucket list. Buy Now

London IQ

This one-of-a-kind travel-themed board game offers fans of London the chance to explore England’s capital city in a whole new way. London IQ includes multiple-choice questions that quiz players’ knowledge of London’s historic nooks and crannies, hotspots and favorite pastimes. Correct answers are awarded IQ points, and the team with the highest IQ wins. From the Tower of London to the Tube, London IQ promises hours of fun and entertainment. Buy Now

Backpacker

Backpacker is a portable travel card game that explores the fun and unpredictability of traveling the world. Players try to outwit their opponents to be the first to return home with the most photos. This game takes players to different countries and continents to experience beaches, wildlife and culture. In addition, Backpacker lets players meet other travelers and get questionable advice, while trying to avoid getting sick or missing a plane. To win the game, it’s important to have excellent planning skills and patience – both important things to master while traveling in real life. There are plenty of travel scenarios featured in the cards, so games are never the same. Backpacker is the first pocket-sized game about traveling the world. Buy Now

Trekking the National Parks

From Katmai National Park in Alaska to the Everglades in Florida, this travel-themed board game lets players experience some of America’s most exciting National Parks. Players compete for points by claiming National Park cards and collecting trail stones, while traveling across the game map. The second edition of Trekking the National Parks features a more accessible rulebook, simplified movement rules, new National Park locations and wooden campsites that award special abilities to players. Buy Now

Escape from the Grand Hotel

Escape from the Grand Hotel is for escape room and mind game enthusiasts. This game includes a puzzle, clues and nine mystery envelopes, each representing a room in the grand hotel. Players travel through the hotel attempting to solve a series of interactive puzzles to win the game. Buy Now

Where on Earth?

Where on Earth? is a travel-related trivia game. Players compete to answer their way around the world, while testing their geographical knowledge. The game includes 80 cards featuring 160 questions and a fold-out world map. This is the perfect gift for travel enthusiasts, geography fans and trivia buffs. Buy Now

If you enjoyed the Best Travel-Themed Board Games for Adults, check out other travel-themed books and gifts.

The post The Best Travel-Themed Board Games for Adults first appeared on Travel Observed.

The post The Best Travel-Themed Board Games for Adults appeared first on Travel Observed.

The Best European Cookbooks for Travelers

Catalan Food: Culture and Flavors from the Mediterranean

Enjoy a taste of Catalan with Catalan Food: Culture and Flavors from the Mediterranean, which features 80 recipes. From tapas to paella, authors Daniel Olivella and Caroline Wright share their favorite Spanish dishes – perfect for entertaining friends and family. Published in 2018, this cookbook explores Catalan culture through stories of food, people, history and heritage. Recipes include llom de porc canari (slow-roasted pork loin), tiradito amb escalivada (Spanish sashimi with roasted vegetable purees) and brandada de bacalla (pureed salt cod with mashed potatoes). Buy Now

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Julia Child, Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, is one of the best European cookbooks ever written. Published in 1961, it continues to inspire and delight a new generation of cooks and chefs after more than 50 years since its creation. This two-volume cookbook features recipes developed during the 1950s when the authors co-founded a Parisian cooking school called L’Ecole des Trois Gourmandes (The School of the Three Happy Eaters). With more than 500 recipes, this cookbook offers a comprehensive look at French cooking with classic favorites like vichyssoise, boeuf bourguignon and cheese soufflé. Buy Now

The Little Swedish Kitchen

The Little Swedish Kitchen is the sixth cookbook from Rachel Khoo, a British cook, writer and broadcaster. Published in 2018, this cookbook offers more than 100 recipes inspired by Swedish culture and landscape. Explore a simple and seasonal approach to cooking at home with dishes like Swedish meatballs with beanballs, smoked sausage stroganoff and plum tosca cake. These simple recipes look at Scandinavian cuisine from a fresh perspective. Buy Now

Alpine Cooking: Recipes and Stories from Europe’s Grand Mountaintops

Alpine Cooking: Recipes and Stories from Europe’s Grand Mountaintops, by Meredith Erickson, feels like a cookbook and travel guide – all in one. Published in 2019, this European cookbook includes 80 recipes inspired by the food serviced at hotels, chalets and mountain huts situated among the alpine peaks of Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France. It is not just about the cheese, although classic dishes like fondue and raclette can’t be ignored. Recipes include radicchio dumplings, Piedmontese-style agnolotti and goulash with speck dumplings – ideal dishes for pairing with wine and beer. This book also explores some of the most charming Alpine hotels, family-run inns and rifugios, so you can plan future travel plans around your food preferences. Buy Now

The Sicily Cookbook

Join cook, writer and photographer Cettina Vicenzino as she shares more than 70 authentic recipes from Sicily. Published in 2020, the Sicily Cookbook offers a unique look at Sicilian culture through local dishes featuring three strands of Sicilian cooking: cucina povera (peasant food), cibo di strada (street food) and cucina dei monsù (sophisticated food). Check out recipes like grilled octopus with ricotta humous, panelle and lemon couscous, angel hair pasta fritters with pecorino, spinach, date syrup and cinnamon and cannoli with artichoke cream. The unique flavor combinations found in this European cookbook celebrate authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The book also features profiles on Sicilian chefs and food producers as they explore local ingredients, such as citrus fruits, cheeses, olives, tomatoes, eggplants and seafood. Buy Now

The Turkish Cookbook

Published in 2019, the Turkish Cookbook features recipes by Musa Daĝdeviren, an Istanbul-based chef with three restaurants, including Çiya. The Turkish Cookbook includes more than 500 recipes, and includes classic dishes like kebab with aubergine, poached eggs with yogurt and baklava. This European cookbook offers healthy and fresh food options that honor Turkey’s vibrant culinary heritage. Buy Now

Dishoom: From Bombay with Love

This may not be a European cookbook, but it will inspire a trip to Europe. Now, travelers can enjoy dishes from the much-loved London-based Indian restaurant, Dishoom, from the comfort of home. With over 100 recipes, fascinating stories and beautiful photography, Dishoom: From Bombay with Love transports readers to India – perfect for the armchair traveler. Written by Shami Thakrar, Kavi Thakrar and Naved Nasir and published in 2019, this book features recipes like matter paneer, keema pau, chana chaat salad, house black daal and jackfruit biryani. Buy Now

If you enjoyed the Best European Cookbooks for Travelers, check out other food-related articles.

The post The Best European Cookbooks for Travelers first appeared on Travel Observed.

The post The Best European Cookbooks for Travelers appeared first on Travel Observed.