“Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.”
ANTHONY BOURDAIN
Bringing Travel Cuisine and Culture Back Home
Food is an intricate part of the travel and cultural experience. People speak through their food, which is a window into their hearts, culture, and traditions. We need to take the time to listen to them and appreciate the story.
The highlight for many is the incredible cuisine they get to enjoy when traveling. One of the best parts is replicating some of the dishes we enjoyed during our travels when we return home. It is not only delicious but also evokes nostalgia. Next thing you know, you will be pulling up pictures on your phone and regaling those around you with stories of your travels.
Our goal with this page is to enable people to track all Wanderers Compass recipes in one place. Bookmark it and check back often.
Our Travel Philosophy
The core of most cultures’ lives is food; it is what family, friends, and communities gather around. As we, the traveler, enter their world, sharing that food shows respect for what is important to them. We are guests in their home at that moment, while there, we choose to be good. The value of that should never be diminished or dismissed.
We are firm believers in seeking off-the-beaten-path, authentic local cuisine. Whether a hole in the wall with three tables or an upscale restaurant, seek out the region’s cuisine.
Travel is the time to take your palate on an adventure. Why should it be only your eyes that experience adventure? The rewards and memories will be incredible. Heck, if you come home with a recipe, even better!
Want to maximize your dining experience when traveling? Check out our post on Dining Abroad.
Food and Roots
As some of our readers know, I am a first-generation American. I was born to French immigrant parents, and my first language was French. I spent many summers as a child visiting my family in France. Some of those trips as a child dragged on; we had many families to see in a short timeframe. Oh, the blindness of youth! I have always enjoyed the food and the many recipes I have collected over the years, thanks to the outstanding family meals in France.
When Passion for Cooking and Travel Meet
Growing up with a mom who prepared gourmet French food, I have always had a passion for cooking. As a result, I jumped at the chance when I was invited to join a local gourmet cooking club called Saute. It stuck, as I have been part of Saute for almost 25 years. We are 16 women who gather eight times a year to prepare delicious, elegant meals. Each meal has a theme, and most of our themes are around a specific international cuisine. The group’s caring community has been the highlight of this experience, and the second bonus is the fantastic recipes we collect after each meal. Over the years, I have had many binders full of our menus and recipes from each evening.
As we approached Saute’s 20th anniversary, we decided to celebrate in Italy. A week’s visit to Tuscany included cooking classes, vibrant markets, excellent local restaurants, and, of course, breathtaking views of Italy. On our 25th anniversary, we headed to captivating Provence, France, with its mind-blowing markets and exceptional cuisine. Our highlight was an extraordinary cooking class led by a Michelin-starred chef in his own Michelin-starred kitchen. Combining a passion for cooking with travel makes for a trip that will always hold a special place in your heart.
Inspiring Recipe Sharing
Growing up in a French household, I was deeply ingrained with the importance of carrying on traditions by my parents. Recipes are the glue that makes that possible. After those loved ones pass, those recipes help us feel closer to their memory. For me, many of those recipes were a result of my travels. As an adult, I try to recreate the many excellent dishes I enjoyed overseas. It brings those memories to life and motivates me to travel more to broaden my palate.
Some will be our creations inspired by the food we enjoyed while on the road. It might be French family recipes enjoyed at family gatherings in France or at my cooking club-themed dinners. If the recipe is not my own, I will, of course, give appropriate credit.
Recipes from our travels are about sharing and passing on something special to others. Recognize what you enjoy that is uniquely your own. What works for some may not work for others. There is no wrong recipe if, in the end, you enjoy it.
Any input or suggestions on the recipes posted are welcome. You can do so in the comments or email us at travel@wandererscompass.com.
If you have a recipe you adore from your travels, please email it, and we may try it. You never know; we may have been looking for that recipe ourselves.
Happy creating and Bon Appétit!
Wanderers Compass Recipes To Date: Newest to Oldest
© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved
Flights, Accommodations, and Everything You Need to Book in One Place
Are you planning a vacation this year? Start your research early to explore your options and find what fits your budget. By booking your own travel, you’ll uncover great deals and have complete control over your itinerary. The links below can be used for all elements of your trip, not just accommodations.
It is essential to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is a European company. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.
Our Top Recommended Travel Products
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We strongly advocate for comprehensive travel insurance, not only for minor inconveniences but also for major, unexpected events like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to resource is Squaremouth.com. which offers a user-friendly platform that connects you with top-rated, reputable insurance carriers. Plus, they’ll mediate on your behalf if you run into any issues.
To empower you as a consumer, we recommend you read our blog post on why travel insurance is essential and how to secure the best coverage from leading companies at an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
Medjet is a leading provider of global air medical transport. Unlike traditional travel insurance, which typically covers medical evacuation to the nearest facility, Medjet goes further by ensuring you’re transported back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you’re stable enough to fly. Medjet offers membership plans that focus on medical transport, while Medjet Horizon provides expanded coverage for broader protection. Individual trip policies start at just $99, and annual policies are available for around $300. Most policies have an age limit of 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to unforgettable experiences, a wide range of transportation options, and incredible places to stay—from homes to hotels and beyond. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces, it supports well-known brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. For its convenience, variety, and reliability, it’s our preferred booking platform.
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a U.S.-based company with a mission to make global travel accessible to everyone, everywhere. At Wanderers Compass, we embrace independent travel, and platforms like Expedia are essential to making that a reality. Expedia allows you to book every aspect of your trip—from flights and accommodations to rental cars, cruises, and activities—making it a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.
Transportation
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip provides an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers worldwide, and we absolutely love their service. It’s a cost-effective alternative to renting a car, providing comfortable, stress-free travel with the bonus of scenic stops along the way. For example, we used Daytrip for travel between Budapest and Vienna, enjoying some fantastic detours to local attractions. With professional drivers and customizable routes, Daytrip ensures a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and unique sights along your journey.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that travel is all about creating unforgettable memories. With over 300,000 experiences to choose from—ranging from simple tours to extreme adventures, plus a wide array of unique, niche activities—it’s never been easier to make lasting memories. We frequently use Viator during our travels and especially appreciate their flexible cancellation policy, which adds peace of mind to every booking.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM effortlessly connects travelers around the globe, eliminating the need to swap physical SIM cards or deal with surprise roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making your travel experience more convenient than ever. Plus, they offer a fantastic deal: a free 100 MB data plan with no credit card required. They are so confident that you will love their service!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10.
To learn more about how GigSky works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves
Amazon is one of the world’s most comprehensive online shopping platforms, offering lower prices, a wide selection, and fast delivery through teams worldwide.
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!
