Follow the ongoing adventures of food and travel writer Cinda Chavich as she savours the world. Find her published food, drink and travel stories, and regular blog here at TasteReport.com.

seen

Just in time for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler, I headed to northern British Columbia to explore the historic First Nations traditions of carving totem poles. While you will find authentic poles in museums throughout B.C., and around the world, it’s wonderful - and humbling - to see them standing, in situ, in the communities where they have served to mark land and property deeds, and tell family and clan stories,  for centuries.  Read my feature story that appeared in the Globe and Mail... and check out the on line photo gallery. There are places across the province to see the finest west coast First Nations art in parks, museums and galleries.  Check it out...

sipped

Canadian icewine is a product that’s known around to world, and thanks to a particularly chilly October and November, the 2009 Okanagan icewine harvest was a big success. Now Mission Hill Family Estate winery is celebrating the season by joining forces with Purdy’s Chocolates to create a line of icewine truffles, dark chocolate morsels infuses with Mission Hill’s Vidal icewine. These tasty and decadent bonbons are the perfect way to say I Love You this Valentine’s Day - or to serve to toast Canada’s gold medal Olympic athletes.

tasted

Vancouver and Whistler restaurants are legendary but during the 2010 Olympics you might need to find a hidden gem that’s fast, inexpensive, and off the beaten path, or at least close to the Olympic hockey or speed skating venues. I scoured the city to find Vancouver’s best hidden restaurants for great sushi, late night izakaya eating, big bowls of hearty stews and Chinese noodles, exotic curries and delis for picnic-style takeout, cheese, sandwiches and other easy meals to fuel your Olympic dreams on a budget. Read more ...

TASTE, n. & v. : flavor, morsel, relish, sip, savor, enjoy, learn, experience -  the ability to discern the best quality.

slept

Okay, I didn’t sleep on the beach, but you can see my room from here (and now that I’m home in the Great White North, I’m seriously trying to conjur this view as often as I can). That’s the bit of creamy white Maxwell Beach that’s out in front of the modest Sea Breeze Beach Hotel in Barbados, a funky little all-inclusive on the island’s southwest coast. I love the laid back atmosphere and the people - seemed like we were part of a little Bajan hotel family after a week of rum punch and warm turquoise blue water. Read my story about Bargain Barbados....

I’m just back from a trip to Britain where travel deals, from half-price theatre tickets and special menus at London’s Michelin-starred restaurants to bargain hotel packages, make this a great time to visit. I explored fashionable boutique hotels, like the brand new Missoni in Edinburgh, and locovore hideaways in the Highlands, and learned all about Scottish seafood.  And did I mention we had tea with Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace?

Listen to my first report on CBC radio’s Wild Rose, live from Scotland!