A good old cuppa espresso and milk Italian style :)

So I thought to myself while travelling, "there's no way I cannot experience some sort of caffeinated goodness during my visit to Italy." So of course, I waited until I was sitting inside one of Italy's most historic buildings to fulfil that task - Castel St. Angelo.

This beautiful historic building where the Pope was hidden during much unrest, set the scene for my Italian espresso-tasting experience. Myself and my travel companions opted for a much-needed break after walking through this beauty and enjoyed a relaxing drink overlooking the Italian city.

The combination of the strong beans and frothy milk, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, truly hit the spot and definitely gave me the kick I needed to continue on my merry sightseeing way in the beautiful city of Rome.

Italian coffee really left a mark in my memory. It was deliciously aromatic, strong in taste and satisfying in every way. Should your travels lead you to the beautiful historic country of Italy, do not forget to stop and smell the coffee beans along the way. You will want that extra caffeinated kick while exploring the Castel St. Angelo, the Colosseum, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, just to name a few breathtaking landmarks :). Italy I love you! <3

Latte ~ cafe in Castel St. Angelo, Rome, Italy



 

The Pantheon

 

Colosseum :)

A Caffeinated buzz within the Rhine Valley!

Continuing along on my trip through Europe, the Rhine Valley in Germany, definitely prompted me to sample a beverage or two. The beautiful scenic views of castles on the hills and the water so calmly sitting beneath the charm of the architecture, set the scene to enjoy a coffee.

The group I travelled with ventured on a cruise along the river within St Goar, a quaint little German town within the Rhine Valley. Upon the cruise was a great crew and vast selection of snacks and enjoyable drinks to make the experience even more breathtaking than it already was.

The locals were charming and the coffee - splendid. I indulged in a Bailey's coffee supreme ~ a mixture of freshly ground Medium Roast coffee mixed with a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream liquor and topped with a dollop of whipped cream ~ divine! Definitely a highlight of my short, yet pleasant visit to this miniature version of larger German city such as Munich or Frankfurt.

Should you be fortunate to travel to Germany and get to walk along the streets and trails of this little beauty along the Rhine, don't hesitate to dabble in the coffeehouses and sample their speciality drinks. Not only will it satisfy that caffeine craving you'll desperately need from lack of sleep thanks to the excitement in exploring such a beautiful little scenic town, but it will also allow you to indulge in the beauty of such a great and flavorful cup of caffeinated goodness :).

Bailey's Coffee - Medium Roast Blend, Shot of Bailey's, Dollop of Whipped Cream ~ St. Goar, Germany



St. Goar, Germany - Rhine Valley, May 29, 2009



 

Taking in a little Viennese culture...and a little bit of Strudel...

In Europe I was quite fascinated by the number of cafes and coffee houses readily available for the avid tourist as myself to purchase a caffeine boost of a coffee or espresso. Everywhere I turned, there was some sort of place I could satisfy even the littlest cravings. Vienna, Austria was no exception.

My tour took me to Vienna, Austria, where many monuments, historic movements and famous people were discussed and noted. Heck, I even got the opportunity to stand in the actual room Mozart was discovered as a 5-year old prodigy.

As part of the historical and factual component to my day in Vienna, I was brought to the famous Sacher Hotel, where the famous Sacher torte and apple strudel both were served fresh daily and accompanied with a beverage of choice. Needless to say, my eyes opened wider at the idea of savouring a Viennese coffee coupled with a flaky serving of famous Viennese strudel.

Viennese coffee, brewed in a percolator and then served with a dollop of whipped cream on top. certainly sent me on my merry way with a nice pick-me-up in energy! The sweet whipped cream mixed with the strength of the shot of espresso within the cup was enough to handle the rest of my day of trying to read international maps.

The Sacher Hotel, in the heart of Vienna. A perfect place to experience and savour the famed Viennese coffee beverage many have grown to love and enjoy with any dessert available, or simply sip alone awaiting the adrenaline to kick in.

 





Beautiful Viennese Coffee coupled with Apple Strudel... Delicious at the Sacher Hotel~ Vienna, Austria



Exquisite Espresso Experience European Style ;)

Wow...Talk about alliteration in my title :)
It's no secret that Europe has many hidden gems when it comes to cafés and hot spots for a great coffee or cappuccino. So of course, when touring the continent, I decided to take in some of those commercialised and not-so obvious cafés to sample just what they had to offer.

Nice, France didn't disappoint. While my travel mate was resting and relaxing in the French Riviera basking by the waves of the Mediterranean sea, I strolled along the city streets with a fellow traveller in my group looking for a place to sample and savour a freshly brewed caffeinated creation.

Lo and behold, we find Le Victor Hugo café. Decked out with many homages to the film and his beloved story Les Misérables, the little coffee house showed a touch of creativity, diamond-in-the-rough charm, and of course, smelled like a giant coffee bean mixed with freshly baked baguettes. Perfect.

The cappuccino didn't disappoint. It definitely warranted a induction to my personal caffeinated beverage hall of fame. Check it out if you get the fortunate opportunity to head to the French Riviera on your next vacation :). Aurevoir :) x



Sampling the Cappuccino ~ May 2009.



Cappuccino ~ Victor Hugo Cafe, French Riviera,  Nice, France



Le Victor Hugo Cafe, French Riviera, Nice, France, May 2009





Hello Coffee lovers :)

The Coffee beverage, whether straight with zero enhancement, or sweetened to satisfy those with the inability to handle the strength of a bitter hot flavour on their palettes, has been enjoyed and savoured for centuries.

Being a great lover of caffeinated beverages, whether a frothy latte or cappuccino, or a sweetened mocha, spiked cup mixed with liquor such as Bailey's or Kahlua, or just a simple cup brewed to perfection mixed with my usual cream enhancement, I decided to take this fascination and seek varieties offered in various cafes, lounges and shops all over the world through my travels and in my own backyard of Ontario Canada.

I welcome your comments and photographs of your favourite coffee drinks experienced on your many adventures. Tell me about them!! Let's make this the best Coffee beverage blog out there!

Organic Regular Latte~ The Beet Organic Cafe, The Junction, Toronto, Ontario.