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Chilliwack Sunflower Festival Brings Colours and Smiles
2020-08-12 07:00 - 2020-09-07 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | British Columbia
Third annual Chilliwack Sunflower Festival in the Fraser Valley brings more colours to brighten life in the COVID era
Explosion of Colours
The Chilliwack Sunflower Festival is a well-being booster. Walk through a 10-acres field flourishing with georgous Sunrich orange sunflowers, giant sunflowers and two picturesque display gardens. It’s a feast for the eyes and promotes positive energy with the explosion of radiant colours from yellow, gold, orange to even red and purple.
Visitors can also bask in a rainbow of over 50 varieties of dahlia blooms, and six varieties of gladiolas while strolling along the extra wide pathways.
The Farm’s gift shop offers freshly cut flowers and some spring bulbs. After working up an appetite, savour a taste of the Netherlands from the Dutchlicious food truck set up at the farm’s parking lot.
Related: Day at the Farm: Connect with Real Farmers and Eat Real Food
Enjoy some fresh air and exercise. Rejuvenate your mental well-being and inject some sunshine into your life.
Advance online ticket purchase is required and tickets are non-refundable. Ticket prices vary between $6 to $20. General admission and ticket details.

Putnam County Wine and Food Fest Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
2020-08-08 11:00 - 2020-08-09 17:00 (America/New_York) | Mayor’s Park, 61 Fair Street, Cold Spring, NY, 10516, United States
Putnam County Wine and Food Fest is celebrating its 10th anniversary on August 8 and 9 with plenty of fun, food, drinks, music and more
The fun and family friendly festival located in the Hudson Valley supports the region’s agri-business and features:

Regional food, wine and spirits
Arts and crafts
Food vendors
Cooking and mixologist demonstrations
Children activities and live music

“Its goal is to give back to the community while partnering with local charities…,” cited putnamcountywinefest.com.
This festival is ideal for those who love to

Experience farm to table, artisanal and country lifestyle
Sample beer, wine, spirits and ciders
Listen to live music
Shop for locally produced honey, olive oil, fine crafts, specialty foods and more

Putnam County Wine and Food Fest opening hours:
Saturday, August 8 – 11 am to 6 pm
Sunday, August 9 – 11 am to 5 pm
Discover: 10 Spritz Recipes for Hot Summer Days
Admission
Free admission for children age 12 and under. For regular ticket price, please go to festival website. Food and beer are not included in the admission price.
Putnam County is a short drive north of New York City. The county sits on the eastern bank of the Hudson River . Its landscape is dotted with beautiful lakes, farmland, charming villages and protected heritage sites.
Reduce your carbon footprint. Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Cold Spring Station, and take a short stroll to the festival site.

Good France
2020-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | British Columbia
Updated: January 06, 2020

Celebrate Good France in Vancouver on April 16. Find out where you can savour the best of French cuisine this Spring.
French food lovers rejoice. Good France (or in French, Goût de France) will return to Vancouver for its sixth edition on April 16.
Good France is an international dining event where French and French-influenced restaurants around the world serve meals in celebration of French gastronomy.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and renowned French chef Alain Ducasse founded the culinary event in 2015. It was established in response to the French gastronomy’s addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Goût de France is an annual dining event that toasts to French cooking and the joie de vivre (joy of living) that comes with it.
This year’s theme focuses on socially and environmentally responsible cuisine from the Loire Valley region. Chefs around the world will work to develop a French-style dinner based responsible cooking.
Dishes will have reduced levels of fat, sugar and salt, promotes healthy eating and the environment, and features vegetables and grains, cited the French Embassy in Canada website.
In France, dining is a moment of conviviality where people gather at the table to interact and have a good time with good food, said Ambassador N. Chapius (F.Olliver/Avignon Tourisme)

Participating Vancouver restaurants for 2020 to be announced later. Below are participating restaurants for 2019.

Tableau Bar Bistro (1181 Melville Street)
Provence Marinaside (1177 Marinaside Crescent)
Le Crocodile (100–909 Burrard Street)
Bistro 41 by Faubourg (2156 West 41st Avenue)
Origo Club ( 6888 River Rd #110, Richmond)
Verre (550 Denman St.)
Bouchon Bistro (1180 Sunset Dr., Kelowna)
St. Lawrence (269 Powell St)

Click here for the full menu of each 2019 participating restaurant. Reservations can be made by phone or through the individual restaurant’s website.
Related: Provence-Sought After Treasures: Why They Are a Magnetic Allure
Spring forward into the Joy of Living with French cuisine. Come share our Joie de vivre on April 16!

Destination Indonesia: Enjoy the Best of Food, Music, Dance and More...
2019-09-21 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nikkei Centre, 6688 South Oak Crescent, Burnaby, BC, V5E 4M7, Canada
Destination Indonesia: The annual festival is organized by the Consulate General of Indonesia in Vancouver.

Updated: September 05, 2019

Discover Indonesian Cultures at the Indonesia Festival this September 21 at Nikkei National Museum in Burnaby
The cultural event is designed to enhance ties between Indonesia, Canada and Vancouver’s international community.
The festival highlights the nation’s rich and colourful heritage through its delicious gastronomy, performing arts, and crafts.
Event Highlights

Watch rhythmic dances from Central Java, Bali, Sulawesi and Kalimantan and enjoy rarely seen West Javanese music and dances
Sway to the classic sound of the Javanese Gamelan and Angklung music
Savour authentic Indonesian food and drink, from instant noodles, tempeh, peanut sauce to kolang-kaling (arenga fruit)
Sip some of the world’s most exquisite coffee from various Indonesia islands
Shop for unique Indonesian wood-carvings, furniture, apparels, gifts and crafts including gorgeous batik and weavings
Workshops: Angklung music and batik making. Bring home your batik souvenir

Angklung music is designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Indonesian Angklung is a musical instrument crafted by suspending two to four bamboo tubes in a bamboo frame, bound with rattan cords. The tone resonate those of the American hand bells.

Indonesian Angklung – a traditional bamboo musical instrument from West Java. (Nikao Media)

Did You Know That INDONESIA Is The World’s

Largest archipelago to form a single country
Second (2nd) most bio-diverse country, after Brazil
Fourth (4th) most populous country

The country’s archipelago spans two oceans—the Pacific and the Indian. Of the 17,508 to 18,306 islands that formed the archipelago, only 8,844 have names, and 922 are permanently inhabited.
Indonesia is home to the Komodo Dragons, the world’s largest living lizard. Explore this fascinating country at Destination Indonesia.
Link
Indonesia Travel

European Christmas Market Coming to Vancouver's Historic Stanley Park Pavilion
2018-11-17 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Stanley Park Pavilion, 610 Pipeline Rd, Vancouver, BC, V6G 1Z4, Canada
Eurofest BC Society brings the first European Christmas Market to Vancouver’s historic Stanley Park Pavilion on Saturday, November 17 2018.
The cherished holiday event offers visitors an authentic European experience. Meet the artisans, enjoy delicious foods, shop for unique arts and craft products you may not be able to find in the stores.
Highlights include:

Contemporary music and cultural dance performances
Cultural exhibits
Christmas marketplace
Fun activities for kids

Kick start your holiday season. Bring along your families and friends to this FREE event.
Related: West Coast Christmas Show: Merry with a Load of Gifts and Inspirational Ideas

5th Thai Festival Returns This July 21 and 22 with More Delicious Food and Live Entertainment
2018-07-21 10:30 - 2018-07-22 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Watch spectacular Thai Dancers perform at 5th Thai Festival in Vancouver. (Nikao Media)

Updated: July 20, 2018
5th Thai Festival returns with more entertaining activities to wow visitors. Find out what’s cooking, why you and your family should not miss out on this fun-filled weekend.
Gear up for a weekend of food, fun and live entertainment at the 5th Thai Festival, Western Canada’s largest Thai event taking place this July 21 and 22 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, North Plaza.
Organized by the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Vancouver, the annual cultural festival showcases the nation’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage through its tasty gastronomy, performing arts and crafts.
The free family-friendly festival also features traditional and contemporary fashions, digital technology, Thai boxing, Thai massage and spa services plus plenty of prize draws.
Discover and taste delicious Thai fruits and dishes including Massaman Curry, Tom Yum and Pad Thai at the 5th Thai Festival. No food has been associated with Thailand more than Pad Thai – the country’s signature rice noodle dish.
Related: Simply Irresistible Thai Food
Chefs from Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, a popular Bangkok based culinary art school will demonstrate the art of fruit and vegetable carving and cooking modern Thai cuisine at the culinary tent.
Learn how Eastern and Western ingredients are harmoniously blended into five Thai flavours: sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy.

Savour delicious Thai food at the food fair. (Nikao Media)

To add to the party atmosphere, festival goers will be entertained to traditional and contemporary music and dance performances by local artists and bands.
With support from the Thailand Ministry of Culture, Bangkok-based Phattayakul Thai Music and Drama School performers will be back this year with their vibrant and captivating dances.
What’s New
The technology and fashion runaway are new feature areas. Techies would want to test their skills on the latest Thai video games at the Innovation booth hosted by the Thai Game Software Industry Association.
Thai silk is one of the world’s most coveted fabrics. On Saturday, July 21 models dressed in exquisite traditional Thai costumes will be parading the runway. Vancouver artist and designer Terry Sasaki will be showcasing for the first time with his ready-to-wear cotton and silk collections on Sunday, July 22.

5thThai Festival, Vancouver Poster. (Royal Thai Consulate-General, Vancouver)

Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a national combat sport that is becoming increasingly popular in the martial arts world. Watch how this sport is played out by experts from DCS Combat Sports and Fitness.
Marketplace
Savour delectable bite offers by Vancouver’s popular Thai restaurants including Salathai Thai, Patsara Thai, U & I Thai and Wow Thai Food.
Browse the many vendor stalls offering tasty products and shop for unique and beautifully made arts and crafts.
Vendors include Asia Market, a local supplier of fresh vegetables and fruits from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
There is also Doi Chaang Coffee who markets award winning organic coffee grown in the hills of northeastern Thailand. Best Brand Marketing, popularly known for their King Island coconut water, chips and syrup.
Siamurai Apparel offers uniquely designed clothing to fit your simple and relaxing lifestyle. Their tribal design apparels would embrace the eclectic rebel inside of you.
Or simply, relax and be pampered to an authentic and inexpensive Thai massage at Sabai Thai Spa.
Planning a trip to Thailand?
Thai Tourism Authority can assist you to discover the country’s amazing travel attractions including beautiful beaches, historic sites, fascinating wildlife at the Thai Tourism booth.
Find out the fabulous shopping and food places that dots the country’s landscape.
PRIZE GIVEAWAYS

Thai Airways Ticket for two to fly to Asia
Delicious Silk Road Goodie Baskets
Vouchers to dine in Vancouver’s popular Thai Restaurants, relax in Thai spas and more…

Feature Area Activities at a Glance
Culinary

Discover and taste delicious Thai fruits and dishes including Massaman Curry, Tom Yum and Pad Thai.
Learn about modern Thai cuisine: how Eastern and Western ingredients are harmoniously blended into five Thai flavours: sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy.
See skillful artisans carve stunning designs with fruits and vegetables.

Entertainment Stage
The performance lineup includes:

Classical Thai music
Contemporary Thai and mainstream music by local bands (new)
Cultural dances by Phattayakul Thai Music and Drama School
Prize draws and more…

Fashion Runway (new)
Not to miss are the fashion shows:

Saturday, July 21 – Traditional royal and everyday Thai costumes
Sunday, July 22 – Cotton and silk apparel collection by Vancouver artist and designer Terry Sasaki

Innovation (new)

Thai video game demonstrations hosted by the Thai Game Software Industry Association.
Explore and play free video games

Arts and Crafts

Demonstrations
Learn how to make simple Thai crafts
Traditional Thai musical instrumental presentation

Thai Boxing

Watch live Muay Thai boxing by DCS Combat Sports and Fitness

Vendor Marketplace

Food and beverage tasting: savour delicious bites sold by some of Vancouver’s renowned Thai restaurants
Shopping
Massage and Spa services
Expert advice on travel to Thailand

Bring your family and friends. Experience the flavours of Thailand at the 5th Thai Festival right in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

Madrid Fusion Manila 2018: Innovating Tradition
2018-04-19 10:00 - 2018-04-21 18:00 (Asia/Manila) | SMX Convention Center, Seashell Ln, Pasay City, Metro Manila, 1300, Philippines
A Showcase of Philippine and International Cuisines (Philippines Department of Tourism)

Updated: January 26, 2018

The annual Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) will return to SMX Convention Centre again in April 2018. Find out the chef line-up for the International Gastronomy Congress.
The ‘First Asian’ edition of Madrid Fusion began in 2015, with the aim to foster cultural and gastronomic exchange between East and West through the historic bonds between the Philippines and Spain.
Related: Madrid Fusion Manila 2016: The Manila Galleon Connection
After a third successful year, MFM is returning to SMX Convention Centre again in April 2018 with the theme, Innovating Tradition.

The trade expo is great venue to sample authentic regional Filipino cuisine. (Nikao Media)

Chef Lineup for 2018
According to Philippine publication, BusinessMirror: September 18, 2017 news – Michelin-starred chefs presenting at the 2018 Congress include Mexico’s Roberto Ruiz, Pepe Solla, Diego Gallegos; South Korea’s Mingoo Kang; Singapore’s LG Han; Aito Jeronimo Orive; Japan’s Hajime Yoneda; and Chicago’s Curtis Duffy.

Thai Riceberry Tasting Week Starts May 15 in Vancouver
2017-05-15 11:00 - 2017-05-21 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Greater Vancouver Location (see restaurants listed on page), 1009-1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E1A5, Canada
Thai Riceberry Tasting Week is organized by the Thai Trade Centre in Vancouver.
Why Riceberry is making its mark on the superfood list. Where to enjoy a Free Sample of this delicious nutrient-packed rice?
Boost your health with Thai riceberry at any of nine “Thai Select” restaurants in Greater Vancouver this May 15 – 21.
Nutty in flavour and fragrant, this purple-pigmented rice is packed with antioxidants such as carotenoid, gamma oryzanol and Vitamin E. Its chewy texture is akin to that of brown rice.

Riceberry is Non-GMO and Gluten Free

Riceberry (Oryza sativa) has potential as an effective agent for neurodegeneration and memory impairment in Alzheimer’s disease, suggested a study published in the Journal Medical Food.
Its nutrition is concentrated in the bran. Riceberry is a cross-breed between Jao Hom Nin (JHN), the local non-glutinous purple rice and Khoa Dawk Mali 105, the renowned Thai Hom Mali variety or better known as Jasmine rice.
The new brown rice variety is a creation of Thailand’s Kasetsart University Rice Science Center.
Riceberry Benefits

Rich in Antioxidants and 0mega-3
High in Fibre and Bran Oil
Help Lower Risk of Diabetes

Learn more about Thai rice at Hot Thai Kitchen.
Riceberry is available for purchase at PriceSmart Food, and in some of Vancouver’s Asian grocery stores.
Enjoy a Free Sample of riceberry starting May 15. Riceberry supplies are limited, so visit the nearest Thai restaurant listed below soon.
VANCOUVER
Sala thai
102-888 Burrard St,
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1X9
Tel: (604) 683-7999
Sawasdee Thai
4250 Main St.
Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9
Tel: (604) 876-4030
Take Thai Home Restaurant
1736 Commercial Dr.
Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y3
Tel : (604) 253-8424
Thida Thai Restaurant
1193 Davie St.
Vancouver, BC V6E 1N2
Tel: (604) 669-3588
U & I Thai
3364 Cambie St.
Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W5
Tel: (604) 875-6999
Urban Thai Bistro
1119 Hamilton St,
Vancouver, BC V6B 5P6
Tel: (604) 408-7788
LANGLEY
Ban Chok Dee Thai Cuisine
20563 Douglas Crescent
Langley, BC V3A 4B6
Tel: (778) 278-3088
NEW WESTMINSTER
Thai Box 2Go
110-418 6th St.
New Westminster, BC V3L 3B1
Tel: (604) 521-3333
SURREY
Sabai Thai
10391-150th St.
Surrey, BC V3R 4B1
Tel: (604) 588-9819

Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting
2016-12-03 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Adams St. Connector to City Hall, Downtown Milwaukie, Milwaukie, OR, United States
An annual fun and colour event celebrating the holiday tradition.(City of Milwaukie, Oregon)

Kick start your holiday season. Bundle up, bring out your umbrellas and cameras for the fun and colourful Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration this December 3rd.
The Parade
The event will commence at 3:30 p.m. with a parade of decorated umbrellas through downtown Milwaukie and ending with the lighting of the tree at City Hall. Santa Claus will be waiting for kids at City Hall. Spectators will be treated to cookies and hot cocoa while enjoying the thousands of dazzling lights that illuminate the city’s conifer.
Best Decorated Umbrella Awards
Put on your creative hat for a chance to win awards in three decorated umbrella categories, namely: Most Creative, Most Festive and Most “Milwaukie”. Each category includes prizes for both adults and children. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Adams Street Connector, next to the Main St. light rail platform.
Milwaukie – Dogwood City of the West
A suburb of Portland, the city of Milwaukie was named after Milwaukee in Wisconsin by Lot Whitcomb – the city founder and one of the early settlers in the Clackamas County. Nestled on the shores of the Willamette River, Milwaukie was at one time reported to be home to the oldest and largest Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) tree in the world, thus the nickname, “Dogwood City of the West”. The city boost the longest operating Sunday Farmers’ Market in Oregon.
Birthplace of Bing Cherries
Did you know those sweet, succulent, dark-red Bing cherries we enjoy in the summer originated from Milwaukie? Bing is a cultivar of the wild cherry, Prunus avium. It was developed in 1875 by Oregon horticulturist Seth Lewelling and his Chinese orchard foreman, Ah Bing, for whom the variety is named after.
To celebrate the holiday tradition, Bob’s Red Mill has donated cookies for everyone to enjoy. A visit to the famous mill is a must on any Milwaukie itinerary. Read Why Bob Moore, the Founder gave away his multi-million dollar company to his employees.
For a list of things to do before you travel, Click Checklist.
An easy way to get from Portland to Milwaukie is by train. Trimet, the Oregon mass transit authority recently launched the MAX Orange light rail service which connects Milwaukie to Portland City Center. The half hour rail ride allows visitors to also make stops at Portland State University and SE Portland. More information on how to get to Milwaukie is available at the travel links listed below.
Links:
Travel Oregon
Mt Hood Territory
Photo Credit: City of Milwaukie, Oregon

Discover Malaysia Through Batik Art: Expressions of Identities
2016-10-30 12:00 - 2016-12-09 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, 555 Columbia St., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4H5, Canada
Batik Making at Noor Arfa Batik, Trengganu (Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board)

Discover the beauty of Malaysia through Batik Art this October 30 through December 9th at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver.

The exhibition tells the story of the emergence of batik textiles in Malaysia, how the traditional and design forms have evolved from the 1960s to the present day. Batik is woven into the cultural identity of the Malaysian people.
What is Batik?
A resist dyeing process in which hot molten wax or rice paste is applied to the surface of fabric as a resist to dyes to form undyed areas of pattern.
This resist is removed by boiling, melting or scraping after dyeing thus creating intricate patterns and designs. Amongst the popular batik are batik canting (hand drawn), batik cap (wax-stamping) and batik sutera saring (silk screen).

Batik – A quintessential piece of the Malaysian cultural identity. (Canadian Society for Asian Arts)

Malaysia’s batik production has developed from the traditional method of using the block technique to that of using machines, known as the Integrated Computer Aided Tint System (I.C.A.T.S), alongside the introduction of chemical colouring. Modern technology has enabled more efficient batik production of lasting quality, and has turned batik into one of Malaysia’s more viable commercialized products.
History of Batik in Malaysia
The development of batik in this country originated from the period of the Srivijaya kingdom in the 15th century. During the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin II, the third Sultan of Terengganu, a royal weaver named Minah Pelangi had produced the kain pelangi sometimes referred to as batik pelangi, using the tie-dye method which is a non-wax-resist process influenced to some degree by the Indian trade textile, the bandhana.
This is followed by the patterned textile, such as the Kedah Batik and Kotak Batik, brought into the country by Indian traders. Both were the same cloth and shared the same technique of production, that of using a wooden block as the printing tool. This wooden block is known as sarang bunga (floral nest) or sarang kayu berukir (engraved wooden nest).
Today, batik is generally regarded as a symbol of national identity. Producers are conscious of the fact that Malaysians are better informed about batik, appreciate good design, quality, colour combinations and the craftsmanship that distinguishes it, as a truly handcrafted Made-In-Malaysia product. Batik Malaysia has evolved being a traditional folk art form to a contemporary batik textile and visual art.
Admission is by Donation.
Link
Travel Malaysia
Batik Tour

Flavours of Italy: A Food and Wine Tasting Affair
2016-06-23 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St., Vancouver, BC, V5M 3E4, Canada
Farmer Flavio Gorni proudly showing his premium handmade jams from Liguria. (Nikao Media)

Posted: June 12, 2016 | Updated: June 22, 2016
Looking for authentic Italian bites and a sip of Italy? Join food and wine aficionado this June 23rd for Flavours of Italy at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver.
In Italy, eating is a family affair. Italians take their food seriously. Did you know that Italian cuisine is region-focused? Flavours vary from north to south, each offering their own specialties.

Italian DOP certified products: Seborga Farm Jams, Prosecco Sparkling Wines and Pasta from Stingi Organic Farms. (Nikao Media)

What is Italian Food?
Unlike French cuisine, Italian food tastes lighter with more emphases placed on the ingredients rather than the cooking technique. They emulate the Mediterranean style diet using simple, natural ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, herbs, artichokes, dark greens and generous use of olive oil.

Sicilian “Volcanic” Pistachios, the region’s “Green Gold”, emerald-green in colour and intensely aromatic. (Nikao Media)

Direct from Italy
Learn more about Italian food at Flavours of Italy: food fair, food and wine tasting. Members of the Italian Farmers Confederation (CIA) from eight Italian regions will be showcasing their specialty foods – both sweet and savoury as well as delicious wines to tempt your taste buds.
What’s Delicious?
All products showcased are DOP certified, that means, they have a guaranteed, controlled designation of origin. Below are some featured products.

Delicious Red Wine Infused Cheese (Nikao Media)

Calabria: Wines (featured for the first time in Vancouver), cheeses, tasty dried tomatoes and legumes. Taste the delicious wine and pepper infused cheeses.
Campania and Toscana: Wines and olive oil.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Saffron and spices like cinnamon as well as wines and olive oil.

Saffron is a spice derived from the Crocus sativus flower. (Nikao Media)

Veneto: Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine from the Prosecco in northeast Italy.
Liguria: Prized jams made from walnuts, lemon, peaches and different types of fruits grown along the Mediterranean coast. A must try is the Seborga Farm jams, in particular, the strawberry mint jam.

Flavours of Italy, Vancouver – 2016 Program (Pugliese Association of BC)

Puglia: The addictive Taralli, a popular sweet, savoury southern Italian pretzel-like breadstick. Tasty and hardy Altumura bread, a time-honoured Apulian artisan bread made with durum flour and baked in wood-fired oven. Fig (fioroni) preserves and jam made with prized railway cherries (l’oro rosso – red gold variety) from Conversano.
Of course, no Italian event is complete without entertainment. The event will also feature an Italian pop and folk musical concert. Admission is free. Bring your family and friends along for an evening of fun and learning.

Vito Bruno, President of Pugliese Assoc. of BC and Antonio Dosi, National VP, Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori showcasing Italian Olive Oil. (Nikao Media)

Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey
2016-04-23 09:00 - 2016-10-30 17:00 (Europe/Istanbul) | Expo 2016, Aksu, Antalya, Turkey
In April 2016, Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey will open its door to welcome the world. Find out what’s happening at the expo and on the streets of Antalya.
For six months, starting April 2016, the city will play host to Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey, which will be the first World Fair to be ever held on Turkish soil. Where is Antalya?
Sounds exotic! Indeed, the name is as exotic as the place itself. It’s the ‘heaven on earth’ as some visitors may call it. Antalya is sits right along the Maritime Silk Route, set against the majestic backdrop of the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

The port of Antalya is a popular stop for cruise ships. (EwaStudio/Envato)

Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey’s theme is Flowers and Children with the slogan, A Green Life for Future Generations. History, bio-diversity, sustainability and green cities are the key sub themes. The main exhibit area will showcase the garden cultures of different countries. Standing tall will be the Expo Tower representing the historical Hadrian’s Gate from the Roman era, an important Antalya icon.
Within the 112 hectares site in Aksu is also an agriculture and biodiversity museum, a children’s island featuring learning and entertaining activities for kids, a children science and technology world, and several other structures and facilities. Over 100 countries and 30 international corporations are anticipated to take part in the horticultural exposition. According to the organiser, Expo 2016 Antalya Agency, over eight million local and foreign visitors are expected during the six months expo.
Beyond the Expo
Besides the exposition, visitors can explore the old city district of Kaleiçi, the historical treasures of the Byzantine and later empires at Aperlai’s Ancient City. Be awed by the ancient port of Patara, the sunken city at Kekova Island, and more. Rejuvenate with a Turkish bath at one of the many wellness spas that dot the city’s coastline or golf at the world-class greenways of this Turkish Rivera.

A traditional Turkish breakfast spread. (esindeniz/Envato)

Savouring Turkish Cuisine
Savouring exquisite local fare is a must. Turkish cooking is among the world’s top cuisines, rich and savoury with ample use of vegetables. It’s a legacy of the Ottoman cuisine or better known as palace food. Full of irresistible flavours – tangy, spicy, sweet and sour, similar to Thai cuisine, except it’s more labour intensive to prepare.
Turkish breakfast or Kahvalti (before coffee) starts with a well-stepped cup of tea. The breakfast spread includes cheeses like feta, black and green olives, slices of tomatoes and cucumbers, eggs, sucuk (dry, spicy sausage), bread, honey, butter, and a selection of jams – which Antalya is known for. Popular lunch dishes include kebabs, pitas, meatballs and lahmacun (Turkish pizza), downed with a cup of ayran (salty yogurt drink).

Turkish cooking is among the world’s top cuisines

A platter of cold and hot mezes (appetizers) opens dinner. Mezes range from dolmas (vegetable with meat wrapped and cooked in vine leaves) to hummus, borek (phyllo pastry stuffed with meat, cheese or spinach) and a selection of stuffed vegetables. The meal continues with a selection of entrées, desserts and finishing with a strong cup of Turkish coffee.
Antalya Specialties
In Antalya, a meze platter often features salads like the toros salatasi (Taurus salad) and antalya piyaz (bean salad with tahini). The mild, sunny Mediterranean climate coupled with rich coastal soil makes Antalya’s homegrown produce taste extra delicious.
The regional cuisine is an eclectic mix of Arabic and Mediterranean influences with specialties like tarhana corbasi (vegetable soup), tavuk guveci (baked chicken), yoruk kebabi (nomad stew) and the decadent Fimali baklava. Food critics voted 7 Mehmet Restaurant, the city’s oldest restaurant one of the places to enjoy traditional Antalya cuisine.
Antalya is an hour’s flight away from Istanbul and Ankara, and about four hours flight from major European and Middle Eastern countries. To learn more about Expo 2016 Antalya, the regional attractions and how to get there, click on Expo 2016 Antalya and Tourism Turkey
Published: December 12, 2015 | Images Updated: January 09, 2025
