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Bedside Reading: Travel the World without Leaving Your Chair

I traveled extensively throughout the world when I was six. I was an armchair traveler and my vehicle was Time-Life's Foods of The World cookbook series. Today's indoor adventure? Armchair traveling!
 
A Culinary Tour of Europe
 
Now for this indoor adventure, armchair traveling, you don't have to own regional cookbooks or travel guides, you just need access to your local library or the Internet. The San Francisco Public Library system actually has most of Time-Life's series in its stacks. If you'd rather have your own copy, visit a local used bookstore or head to eBay or Etsy where you can find a volume or two for under $10.
 
A Cook's Tour of Rome
 
This adventure is good for all ages, and the best part? If you don't know how to cook you can still participate.
 
These first few steps apply to both adventures:
Thailand via Pan Am Rainbow Service
 
For those who really want to explore a country and its cuisine, here's the part that requires the most upfront time commitment.
  • Select a few recipes that represent famous regional dishes from your cookbook. I've included two sample recipes from Japan and Thailand to get you started: Teriyaki and Mee Krop, respectively.
  • Find and order any exotic ingredients specified in the recipes or modify the recipes to work with available ingredients.
  • Cook.
Mee Krob Recipe
 
For those who want a simple, no fuss activity to change up a night in, look up a restaurant in GrubHub, Waiters on Wheels, or your local delivery service, and order in.
 
Japan via Pan Am Late 1960s
 
Where should we travel for the first Family Dinner at The Station?
Europe | Japan | Thailand
 
Share your pick in the comments below, or check out Seesaw and vote there. I'll share the trial run of the armchair adventure here on the blog on February 28th.
 
Until then, safe travels!
Eden!
 
Credits: All layouts designed by and images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life.

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( updated 02/24/2022 ) Welcome! Nice to meet you!   I’m Eden, a fourth-generation Californian. Together my husband, 9.75 year old daughter, and Maine Coon/Ragamuffin rescue cat are in the process of unpacking and nesting in our new 100+ year old Craftsman in Berkeley, CA (until this past December we called a 100-year old, a 847 sq ft Edwardian flat in San Francisco home). We define The Good Life with haves not wants and experiences not things.     What's your story?