Hungarians love eating and are known the world-over for their hearty meals, but traditional Hungarian food goes well beyond classic favorites like "goulash." While Hungarian cuisine has Austrian, Slavic and Turkish influences (among others) the foods that make up Hungarian menu form a long list.
During a visit to Hungary - or a Hungarian family - there are many types of traditional foods you must try! Until you travel to Hungary in person, for your pleasure we have the Palocleves (Lamb soup with sour cream) recipe for you to try.
A warm and hearty soup to comfort the soul as winter comes rolling in. This soup is broth with lamb and green beans, finished with sour cream. A pro tip: mix sour cream with flour before adding it to this paprika-spiced lamb and vegetable soup. It thickens the soup and prevents the cream from curdling.
Ingredients
1⁄3 cup canola oil
10 ounces lamb shoulder, cut into ½″ cubes
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoon Hungarian hot paprika
4 ounces russet potato, peeled and cut into ½″ cubes
4 ounces yellow snap beans, cut into 1″ pieces
3⁄4 cup sour cream, plus more to garnish
2 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon roughly chopped dill
Directions
Heat oil in a 6-quart. saucepan over medium-high heat; add lamb, and cook, stirring, until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer lamb to a plate; set aside.
Add garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, and pepper to pot, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 15 minutes. Add lamb, paprika, and 4 cups water; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, covered and stirring occasionally, until lamb is barely tender, about 20 minutes.
Add potatoes and beans, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lamb and vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and flour until smooth; add to soup, and stir until smooth and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
To serve, ladle soup into 4 serving bowls, swirl with more sour cream, if you like, and garnish with dill. Need more information? Give us a call and we will help you have a holiday to remember.
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
This holiday season, wrap up the year with a vacation cruising down a European river and exploring fabulous destinations. With itineraries in Europe, as well as China and Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Cambodia and Vietnam, Viking River Cruises is the world's largest river cruise line. Travelers appreciate the small-size ships, spacious river-view staterooms and gourmet, on-board meals. Today, the company boasts the world's largest fleet of deluxe river cruisers, including the newest and most luxurious ships on China's Yangtze River. The company is a multi-year recipient of Travel+Leisure's "World Best" award, and has been named to Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" multiple times.
Europe River Cruises
Viking has many itineraries on many different rivers. The following are famous rivers you have undoubtedly heard of. Here is your chance to explore them and the countries that surround these magnificent rivers. The following is a small sampling of the many great itineraries you can choose from.
Danube
Romantic Danube - Sail to charming cities & villages
During this 8-day journey, encounter the grand cities and quaint villages along the celebrated Danube River. Explore both sides of Hungary’s capital, traditional, hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest. Witness Vienna’s imperial architecture and tour medieval towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends and understand why Strauss immortalized the “Blue Danube” in his waltz.
Danube Waltz - Cruise to enchanting destinations
Sail through Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Explore Budapest’s imperial delights, take in Bratislava’s baroque wonders and admire Passau’s ancient fortress. Discover why Austria’s Vienna is the “Waltz Capital” and the spectacular Wachau Valley is a wine lover’s dream. You’ll enjoy an included visit to magnificent Melk Abbey and an included full-day excursion to picturesque Český Krumlov.
Rhine
Explore castles & cathedrals on the "Rhine getaway" itinerary
Experience the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 8 days. In Germany, sail past castles commanding the riverbanks, and tour both Marksburg Castle and the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Admire Cologne, the jewel of the Rhine, with its awe-inspiring Dom, and witness the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks, and encounter multicultural Strasbourg in France.
Or you can enhance your Rhine Getaway river cruise with two nights each in Belgium and Holland on the Rhineland Discovery package. You’ll explore 5 countries in 12 days, strolling the medieval cobblestone lanes of Bruges and Ghent and discovering the charms of Amsterdam. Tour the windmills of Kinderdijk and the castle of Heidelberg, marvel at cathedrals and admire the lush pastoral landscapes of Germany’s fabled Black Forest.
Need more information? Give us a call and we will help you have a holiday to remember.
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
You can see that our little Holiday Tree is decorated for the ending of fall and the Thanksgiving celebration. We are gearing up for the fun family holiday travel that is coming up quickly. Are you ready? Well we can help and are as close as your phone.
Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little else. Those sites can't match our years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.
We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can arrange the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.
Are your business travel plans always up in the air, so to speak. We have many years under our collective belts and know all the secrets of the travel industry to make sure your business travel is as easy as possible. We look forward to solving your business travel issues so you don't feel overwhelmed with problems. Have you visited our office?
Speaking about our offices, we invite you to visit anytime and see our year round western decor. We decorate differently so you know we are a better place to book your travel.
Rawhide Travel and Tours hopes you have a Thankful Day!
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
To outsiders, the sight of a troupe of dancing bears, decked out in blood-red tassels, stomping through the snowy streets of a small Romanian town might be a strange and perplexing sight. But for those who live in Romania's eastern Moldova region, the arrival of the bears -- actually locals wearing real bearskins is a time of celebration. The event takes place annually between Christmas and New Year's.
It's a tradition that, until recently, few beyond the tight-knit rural communities of the Trotus Valley have witnessed.
Bear Tamer
Men and women in full bear costume parade through the streets in and around Moinesti. They're accompanied by drummers and a singing "bear tamer." The bear dancing is meant to drive away evil spirits. It owes its origins to the time when local Gypsies, also known as Roma, would descend into towns from the forests in which they lived, bringing with them real bears.
Townsfolk would even pay the Gypsies to allow bear cubs to walk up and down their backs, which was thought to be a cure for a backache.
Older bears would be made to "dance" by being placed on hot metal plates that would make them hop up and down. This more harmful tradition was stopped around the 1930s.
Some of the older generations can still recall seeing Roma leading bears on leashes down from the forest when they were very young.
Unfortunately knowledge of the tradition is very limited because Roma don't write their history down. No one is quite sure how and when the Roma went from live bears walking on people's backs to people dressed as bears. However, the costumes that are used in the dance are actual bearskins.
Economic Hard Times
While bear dancing was once an exclusively Roma activity, a ban on bear hunting has escalated the price of the skins up to $2,200 and most Roma, have sold their skins and can't afford new ones. Hard economic times following the collapse of communism meant an end to the days when crowds of bear troupes were welcomed in every house with food, drink and money. Some groups make prearranged stops at the homes of community figures or restaurants, where they can pick up tips of up to $100. In recent times, some have been able to make more money traveling to bigger cities like Bucharest to perform for wealthy clients.
Unfortunately, though the tradition is still cherished by locals, it is in danger of dying out as local cultures are diluted by Western influences and many people leave home.
Outside knowledge and Tourism might be able to save this local tradition, or it could erase it completely.
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
Austria is an exceptionally popular tourist area, so getting away from the crowds can seem to be a bit of a trying task. Consider these alternatives if you desire a less crowded excursion.
The Hofmobiliendepot (Court Furniture Depot)
Exhibits of original Habsburg furniture - much of it is in the Biedermeier style.
Few realize that the Habsburg rulers had so many palaces and castles that it was impossible to adequately furnish them all. Until the mid 1800s, the depot was used as the central storage place for royal furniture.
When the family was to travel somewhere- the depot was called upon to supply all the furniture needed for the visit.
Thus, the furniture was shipped and then setup to provide good living conditions for the family when they arrived.
There are two buildings to visit that have nice exhibits. Furniture from the depot is still used today in government offices and the Hofburg. Austrian embassies and diplomats also use the extensive collection.
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (The Military Museum)
The museum is located at the Armory- not far from the end of streetcar "D" at the Sudbahnhof.
This is a must see for military history buffs or anyone with an interest in history. The museum is open every day, except Fridays, from 9 am until 5 pm. The building itself is worth a visit- An arsenal and military barracks and there are many fine statues. Military exhibits outlining from 17th century Turkish tents and other items from the sieges of Vienna. The car that Archduke Ferdinand was riding in when shot and killed - the event that led to World War 1. There are many weapons and military paraphernalia. Many do not know that this building was the site of the last official visit of Crown Prince Rudolph before his trip to Mayerling and suicide. His signature is in the Guest book there.
The Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery)
Better known but often missed by visitors, it can be reached by subway U-6 to end station Simmering -then streetcar 71 to the cemetery. This cemetery is so big it has 3 stops on the streetcar line and an internal bus line.
Best stop is most likely the second stop. Many famous composers are buried here together in a nice area - Schubert, Brahms, Beethoven, Strauss - father and son. Mozart is not buried here and there are some questions about his actual burial place, but it is presumed to be in St Marxer Friedhof in a communal, unmarked grave. The cemetery was also the site of several scenes in the film classic "The Third Man".
A visit offers an insight into the Culture of Death in Vienna with many magnificent monuments. The neglected Jewish area is a poignant reminder of the loss of most of Vienna's Jewish Community before and during the Second World War. November 1 finds almost all graves with flowers and candles for a religious Holiday.
Cooking Classes
There is an Austrian Chef offering half day cooking classes on traditional Austrian cooking. The class includes a trip to the open air produce market Vienna Naschmarkt. Classes are all year round at the adult education center in Hietzing (13th district.) There has been some press coverage (though German only) and the adult education center's homepage promotes the classes too.
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
One of the best known Austrian deserts known in neighboring countries by many names, including, Lo strudel, štrudl, štrudla and štrukli, is a sweet dream of light pastry and juicy filling. But in English, the only word which has made it into common use is the German “Strudel”. That shows just how famous the Viennese Apfelstrudel has become. But it’s all too easily forgotten that this fine pastry once traveled an extensive route from Arabia via the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, before becoming resident in Vienna. However, the long journey was worth it!
Ingredients:
Strudel dough or puff pastry
Approx. 3.5 pounds of apples
3.5 ounces of sugar, as required
4 tablespoons raisins
Rum
Lemon juice
Cinnamon
Powdered cloves
Icing sugar for dusting
Plenty of melted butter or possibly 1 egg for coating
For the nutty breadcrumbs:
3.5 ounces breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons grated hazelnuts
Directions:
Prepare the dough yourself, or have the shop-bought dough to hand. Steep the raisins in the rum and leave to soak.
To prepare the nutty breadcrumbs, heat the butter in a pan until it bubbles up. Add the breadcrumbs and fry slowly over a moderate heat until golden brown. Towards the end, stir in the grated nuts, cook through quickly and remove from the heat.
Peel the apples, cut into slices and quickly sprinkle with lemon juice. Then, depending on the acidity of the apples, add a suitable amount of sugar and powdered cloves, and mix in a generous pinch of cinnamon. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a suitable baking tin with butter.
Ideally, prepare the strudel dough in such a way that the strudel ends up laid onto a sheet of baking paper. Distribute the nutty breadcrumbs over around half of the dough. Scatter the apples and raisins over it. Coat the remaining surface of the dough generously with melted butter, fold in the edges at the sides and roll up the strudel. Seal the ends well and lift the strudel into the baking tin using the baking paper (if using puff pastry, apply the apple filling in the center, fold up the sides and edges towards the middle and press the sealing edges together firmly).
Depending on the dough, coat with melted butter (for strudel dough) or egg (puff pastry) and bake for 40 – 50 minutes until golden brown (bake puff pastry for slightly less time). Remove the finished strudel, leave to cool down and sprinkle with icing sugar.
Serve cool or cold.
Baking time: 40–50 minutes (slightly less for puff pastry)
Guten Appetit!
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
Photo Credit: "Strudel". Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strudel.jpg#/media/File:Strudel.jpg
The holidays are hectic and somewhat stressful, why not skip the stress this year and take a trip. Celebrate Christmas in style with a relaxing break to Europe. You'll get a taste of how Christmas is celebrated in other countries as well as enjoying everything you love about Christmas - including a traditional festive dinner on Christmas Day.
Take your pick from a wide range of destinations including Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and more! Choose what is called a coach holiday, which means traveling by bus, you can travel overnight by express coach or take your time and stay in a hotel en-route.
Depending on the company you book with, Christmas Breaks typically include:
Coach travel
Hand-picked hotel accommodation
Included excursions to local sights
Meals including a festive meal on Christmas Day
Take the guess work out of trip planning and go with a pre planned coach tour. Many of these Tours are between 6 to 8 days making them easy to plan during holiday breaks. Some of the amazing places to choose from are as follows:
Austria
Enjoy a relaxing Christmas break in the heart of the Tyrol, with a traditional village atmosphere, breathtaking mountain scenery and picturesque snow-capped mountains. Enjoy the magical winter landscapes at the heart of the Austrian Tyrol, in a welcoming family run hotel in Fieberbrunn. Make the most of the Austrian scenery, and enjoy the delightful Austrian culture and customs that you'll encounter on your superb break.
Or you can spend your Christmas holiday discovering Austria’s beautiful scenery, staying in the picturesque town of Werfenweng, in Austria’s Salzkammergut region, for a fantastic break. You’ll be treated to mulled wine and cookies on Christmas Eve, as well as a sumptuous lunch on Christmas Day, a trip to Salzburg and journey to discover Austria’s stunning lakes.
Some excursions might include a festive carriage or sleigh ride, as well as visiting Salzburg, Innsbruck and Rattenberg.
France
Treat yourself to a very special Christmas this year, celebrating in style on a relaxing pre -planned break to France. Staying in Neuville-en-Ferrain, where you'll have plenty of excursions to look forward to, with tours to battlefields, a trip to beautiful Bruges and time spent in lovely Lille, as well as delicious food and exciting celebrations to be had at your hotel.
For a truly enchanting Christmas holiday, why not explore Paris, with its astounding architecture and culture, as well as taking a trip to the beautiful Chantilly Chateau. Then spend a day in the iconic city of Versailles.
Italy
Go visit Como this Christmas, and enjoy a festive celebration on the shore of this amazing lake. Staying in Cadenabbia, you can discover all this charming town has to offer at leisure. This town offers up an amazing location in which to enjoy Lake Como, as Cadenabbia is situated on the west shore of the lake.
Many coach tour companies have fantastic included excursions to enjoy, like a trip to cosmopolitan Milan, famous for being one of the world’s fashion capitals and with superb attractions to tour. Or visit beautiful St Moritz and take an unforgettable ride on the Bernina Railway. This incredible train journey takes you through stunning Alpine scenery, so you can soak up the superb views in this part of the world, while relaxing on-board.
All of this will be possible while celebrating Christmas, and you can look forward to a delicious Christmas Day feast.
Let us help you plan for unforgettable Christmas Travel!
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
