Oslo The mountains and fjords of the dramatic Norwegian landscape even find their way onto your plate in Norway. Freshly-caught seafood, rich game and juicy berries are staples of the delicious Norwegian cuisine, where unspoiled nature serves up a feast. Try elk, venison and reindeer with tangy lingonberry sauce, or find yourself spoiled for choice at one of Oslo’s many seafood restaurants – salmon, trout, cod and lobster are among the favourites. With more than 2,500km of coastline, the Norwegians have become masters of preparing fish. Take a tour through taste with a salmon platter – fish smoked, cured or marinated in Akevitt – Norway’s eau de vie. Or try the famous fermented Rakfish – served on flatbread with onions, potatoes and sour cream. You’ll find it all down on the seafront at Aker Brygge – a former shipyard transformed into a futuristic hub for eating and entertaining – it has the biggest concentration of restaurants in the city, and with fabulous harbour views you’ll be able to watch your dinner coming in. airBaltic flies to Oslo twice a day (except Saturdays) from Riga and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from Vilnius. Milan  The Italian, even global capital of luxury, Milan is all about indulgence. From fine art to high fashion, this city has it all – and knows how to flaunt it. The Milanese passion for great food is no exception - the Lombardy region, of which it is the capital, is famous for rich dishes – from intense Gorgonzola cheese, to the sweetest dessert wines and the classic golden ‘Risotto alla Milanese’ – saffron-scented rice with buttery bone marrow. After designer window-shopping you can stay in style at the Gucci Café, Armani Restaurant or Dolce & Gabbana Bar. But Milan’s not just about big names – turn almost any corner, especially in the Brera district or around the Central Station, and you’ll find a mouthwatering spot. Supper continues late into the evening, so whet your appetite first with an aperitif – a glass of the local Prosecco, or a Negroni, the city’s favourite cocktail – most Milanese bars serve delicious antipasti free if you buy a drink. For a table by the water, head to the fashionable Navigli area, which is bustling all night – and admire an old master – the canals here were designed by Leonardo da Vinci!
airBaltic flies to Milan from Riga daily and from Vilnius on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Paris  French cuisine is the epitome of everything good food is about – the best ingredients assembled with love, and every morsel savoured as it’s eaten. In many cities you’ll only find that in expensive restaurants, but in Paris it’s part of every day life – from the melting pastry of your morning croissant to the pleasure of choosing the perfect wine to go with your evening meal. Parisians don’t just love to eat, they love food and cooking, so in every arrondissement you’ll find a market selling fresh local produce, with traders keen to explain exactly which cheese, fish or variety of apples is the best for that particular day – sometimes even for a particular hour! Try the original Parisian market – the ‘Marche des Enfants Rouges’ in the chic northern Marais district – it’s been going since 1615, and you’ll even find live snails for sale. If you’re not so sure of your culinary skills, pop in to the ‘Atelier des Chefs’ (there are several across the city). They run lunchtime cours es, where within 30 minutes you can discover your inner Cordon Bleu chef, and make yourself a tasty lunch into the bargain.
airBaltic flies to Paris from Riga on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and commences a service from Vilnius to Paris at the end of March on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Brussels  The Belgians chose well when they picked their specialities – chocolate, beer, waffles and mussels – doesn’t it make your mouth water? Follow your nose around Brussels, sampling chocolates in gem-like boutiques (try the original and most famous – Neuhaus, or the hot new tip – chocolatier Pierre Marcolini), and titillate your taste buds with speciality beers. Belgium has had an unparalleled reputation for speciality brewing since the Middle Ages, now so specialised that each brew is best savoured in its own specific glass. You can watch history in action at the Cantillon Brewery, or simply enjoy the fruits of their labour at ’Beermania‘, which serves a world record 2,000 different beers – more than 400 of them from Belgium alone. After snacking and sipping, you’ll be ready for a real meal, so head to Sainte Catherine – the old fish market district – where you’ll find an astonishing array of seafood. If you’re having trouble choosing, stick with the old Brussels favourite – fresh North Sea mussels served with mayonnaise and crispy pommes frites. Delicious and simple – and you may even have space for a caramel-scented Belgian waffle to top off your day.
airBaltic flies to Brussels from Riga and Vilnius daily except Saturdays. Tbilisi Georgian food is legendary – based on the abundance of produce its lands bring forth. The full-flavoured spiciness of Georgian dishes reflects the warmth and hospitality of the people who make it – a taste of Georgia will live long in the memory. Rich in walnuts, herbs and garlic – try Khinkali – fig-shaped dumplings filled with spiced meat and broth, Khatchapuri – diamond-shaped cheese-filled bread that varies by region (the most famous, from Ajara is served with an egg), and Matsony – homemade yoghurt said to be the secret of Georgian longevity! Wash it all down with a local wine – with up to a thousand varieties – each village here is proud to make its own. In Georgia, how you eat is just as important as what you eat, tables groan at traditional feasts (called ‘Supra’) which are overlooked by a toastmaster, or Tamada, whose art – as a poet, wit, singer and speechmaker – is to ensure his honoured guests enjoy themselves to the full. With such a tradition, Tbilisi is packed with delicious restaurants, but as a starting place, try the city’s Old Town, whose charming cobbled streets, overhung with carved wooden balconies, become an outdoor restaurant in spring – here you can really enjoy the atmosphere – immersed in the scents and sounds of good company enjoying delicious food. airBaltic flies from Riga to Tbilisi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and back from Tbilisi to Riga on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. |
