EPCOT Food & Wine Festival - Disney World 2014

Last Saturday I ventured down to Orlando for the Food & Wine Festival!


For those who are unaware, Disney Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida throws an annual celebration at EPCOT park to celebrate the food and wine that represents the culture of dozens of countries around the world. 

EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is a park dedicated to Walt Disney's understanding of international contributions to the world as a whole.  The name EPCOT inspires the feeling of a futuristic world, and technically, it should.  But what's interesting about EPCOT is the park focuses less on the future, and more on the historical and cultural contributions of the main countries featured around the World Showcase:  Mexico, China, Norway, Germany, China, United States, Canada, France, Morocco, Italy, England, & Africa (the continent is represented in this case).

The festival runs from September 19th through November 10th.  Not only are all of these countries represented, but more countries are added for visitors to enjoy local cuisines.  This year, Greece, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Philippines, Poland are among the dozens of nations represented in custom food stands & booths around the park.

Thousands of people enjoy all of the food and wine they're willing to purchase.  Many people consider it a challenge and even go as far as making group t-shirts for "Eating & Drinking Around The World" and they check off the countries as they go.   It's really quite an experience and it is the perfect example of how Walt Disney World isn't just for kids.  In fact, EPCOT is the most adult-oriented theme park Disney has to offer.  Multiple 4 and 5 star restaurants represent the finer things in life for those adults looking for a nice escape from the daily hustle. 

My wife and I are annual Disney passholders and are certainly Disney "veterans".  The Food & Wine Festival is the highlight of our Disney trips and we are lucky to be able to experience it as often as we do.

-James

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain, lies the Balearic Islands.  The island chain is comprised of Mallorca (or Majorca), Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.

Palma is the capital city of the province on the island of Mallorca.  The city was originally founded in 123 BC by the Roman Empire and was a major shipping port for Carthage and Hispania. Today, Palma de Mallorca is a huge tourist destination for mainland Europe, more specifically Germany, Ireland, Poland, Netherlands, & United Kingdom. Being a tourist destination, there are many cruise ships and ferry's that visit the island. In fact, the Costa Concordia was pierside during my visit.  Quite spooky, actually.  Not long after leaving Palma, the Costa Concordia tragically sank and took lives with her.

The largest visible structure from downtown Palma is the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma.  A very beautiful Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral that was built between 1229-1601.  Renovation and restoration was between 1901-1914.

The city of Palma is very beautifully maintained.  Fall was also in the air, so the crisp, cool temperatures and clear blue sky really added to the magic of Palma de Mallorca.  I don't use the expression "magic" lightly.  I've been all around Europe Africa, and the Middle East, but Palma de Mallorca truly was magical.  I loved it!  I could not get over the wonderful people, the food, the Sangria (oh my God, the Sangria was life changing), and just the overall setting and vibe of the city.  I could live in Palma.  I'd love to live in Palma.

I had a great couple of days hanging with good friends, taking in the sights and sounds of Palma de Mallorca. I can see why this is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe.  Great beaches, great food, great night life, great culture, great history.  Palma de Mallorca is in my top 5 favorite places that I've visited. 

I'll end this post with a picture of me enjoying an amazing glass of Sangria and a good smoke, proudly representing Manchester United.  I'd revisit in a heartbeat.

-J