The Trekking Pawns' Diary

Louisiana cooking is legendary—a delicious melting pot of cultures and culinary influences that has made the Pelican State a global gathering place for fine dining and enchanting flavors. Few states can claim even one instantly recognizable regional cuisine, let alone two. That’s what makes Louisiana such an incredible place to eat: both Creole and Cajun food are world-renowned. And that’s not all—this southern gem is also home to outstanding Italian cuisine, Jewish delis, and soulful Southern comfort food. (Photo from  Amazon ) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) For those of us not lucky enough to live at the lower end of the Mississippi River , it can be hard to tell the difference between Creole and Cajun cuisine. There’s definitely some overlap—gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish pie, for example, are staples in both (and are even immortali...

We love to eat—and trying new foods is one of our favorite parts of traveling! So, when we stumbled upon the book 50 States, 1,000 Eats by National Geographic , we knew it was the perfect companion for our adventures. This beautifully illustrated guide features 1,000 must-try dishes and drinks across all 50 states and Canada, complete with travel tips and mouthwatering images. From diner breakfasts and food trucks to fine dining and U-pick farms, it’s a foodie road trip dream! (Photo from Amazon ) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) Naturally, since we’re heading to New Orleans , we flipped straight to Louisiana to see what made the cut. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot to explore, so we’ve got some research to do over the next few days. But let’s start with the big picture: Founded in 1812, Louisiana is home to 4.59 million people and a rich c...

  While planning our upcoming trip to New Orleans , there’s one thing we’ve already decided on: we’re going all in on beignets . The very moment we started talking to people about our trip, three separate conversations began with, “You HAVE to try the beignets.” Without even asking for recommendations, this fried, powdered-sugar-dusted treat was at the top of everyone’s must-try list. (Image: AI generated. Real pictures to come when we go!) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) We’ll admit, we’ve never had a beignet before. We’ve had donuts—plenty of donuts—but from what we’ve heard, beignets are something else entirely. Curious, we dug into their history via the Food Network (recipies can also be found here ). Beignets, as we learned, are square, puffy pastries made with a less-sweet dough and fried to golden perfection before being bu...

  Our planned walking path to see the most and eat the most. New Orleans is a feast for the senses and a paradise for food lovers. With a cuisine rooted in Creole traditions, a vibrant history of cultural blending, and a wave of international influences, the Crescent City is a culinary playground unlike any other. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, rich flavors, or innovative spins on classic dishes, here are the must-visit spots to savor the essence of New Orleans. Our walking path was inspired by the Lonely Planet and mapped for maximum flavor and time to digest while sightseeing. Another option is to book a lovely food tour! Saba , 5757 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Mister Mao , 4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Pascal's Manale by Dickie Brennan & Co., 1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115 Lucy Boone Ice Cream , 3918 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Stein's Market and Deli , 2207 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Parkway Bakery & Tavern...

Exploring the local markets in Nice has been one of the highlights of our time here! There are specific spots throughout the city set up for daily markets, and let me tell you, we are hooked. These markets are where locals get their groceries and seafood, and they feel worlds away from the markets we’re used to back in America. One of our favorite spots so far has been the market at the Liberation tram stop, thus known as the Libération market . It’s at this bustling intersection with the train station just a block away, Tram Line 1 zooming by, La Gare du Sud looming nearby (more on that later!), and several bus lines converging. But the real star of this area is the massive open-air market—it’s the kind of place you imagine when you think of a traditional European market. Pedestrian streets filled with stall after stall, all selling the freshest vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat. No clothes, no knick-knacks, and no trendy cafés trying to sell you pre-made sandwiches—just pure, local ...

 We are so excited!! Choosing EF for our French language journey was an easy decision for us, and here’s why. French isn’t just a beautiful language; it’s one of the most important languages in the world. From the United Nations to the International Olympic Committee and the Red Cross, French is a key language in international relations, business, and humanitarian work. It’s spoken across continents, from Canada to Haiti and North Africa, making it truly global. We wanted to learn a language that would not only enrich our travels but also open doors to new cultures and connections around the world. When it came to choosing where to study, EF offered us the perfect options: Paris or Nice. Both cities are incredible, but we decided to immerse ourselves in Nice. Picture this—learning French in a place where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Alpine foothills. Our days are filled with intensive French courses that build a solid foundation, but we also get to practice our French in real-w...