Travelling vegan in Macedonia

Travelling vegan in North Macedonia

Macedonia is not the most vegan-friendly of countries. Traditional Macedonian food involves quite a lot of meat, but also delicious salads.

If you are up to come up with your own quick vegan meal, some supermarkets have some choice of plant-based milk, nuts, crackers, fruits and veggies.

But there are also some dishes that are vegan in the traditional Macedonian cuisine. Just keep in mind that the word vegan or even vegetarian doesn’t mean much to the majority of people. Plus not all people speak English very well, and because I don’t speak Macedonian either, google translator was my way to go.

Traditional vegan Macedonian Food

While in Macedonia there are a few things that you can’t miss trying.

Ajvar is a spread made out of roasted peppers, aubergine, garlic and olive oil. It goes amazingly well with bread and vegetables. You can find Ajvar in all supermarket. Lutenica is similar to ajvar but has carrots, onion and tomatoes.

Gevrek is a circular bread ring covered in sesame seeds. It’s easily found on the street or in bakeries and is delicious on its own or with Ajvar.

Tavche Gravche is a traditional Macedonian dish that is vegan by default. Its a bean stew made with spices cooked in an earthenware pot. Sometimes it can contain sausage so just double-check before you ask for it. Most traditional restaurants serve this dish.

Polneti Piperki is a dish where peppers are usually stuffed with meat, but some restaurants will be happy to do it with rice and vegetables.

Travelling vegan in Skopje

Skopje the capital city of North Macedonia is probably the place where you will find more vegan option, but with that, I’m not saying that it is a well-spread concept or that it is super easy to find good vegan options.

The Juicy&Co makes a perfect stop for fresh juices, smoothies, fruit salads, muesli bowls and raw balls.

The green market, also known as Bit Pazar located in the heart of the Old Bazaar is the biggest market for fruit and vegetables, a great place to buy fresh produce.

Top 3 vegan places in Ohrid

Chances are, if you are travelling through north Macedonia, you will visit the charming Ohrid. That goes without saying that doesn’t have many options for you to choose from.

Sezers Food & Salads

Sezers serves delicious Turkish salads, soups, grilled vegetables, veggie spreads, and bean salads. It’s a perfect place to go for lunch or dinner. The food is fresh and tasty.

Dr.Falafel

As stated on the name, Dr. Falafel is a place specialized in falafel. Here you can have your falafel server on bread with hummus or you can have a falafel bun with carrot, cucumber, cauliflower and cabbage. Both options are delicious and filling.

Fruit Box

Fruit Box is a juice and smoothie bar that also serves vegan snacks, energy balls and raw cake. Everything I tried was incredible.

Have you been to North Macedonia? Do you know any other Macedonian dish that is vegan by default? ?

Vegan-Friendly Places to Eat in Cambridge

2013-05-14 00.24.53.jpegIf you are vegan or vegetarian you know that sometimes can be difficult to find a place to eat, but you don’t need to worry, Cambridge has plenty of options. As a vegan living in Cambridge for 4 years, I will give you an insight of the best places to eat while you are visiting this extraordinary city.

Stem + Glory, Chesterton Road or Kings street –  it’s a strict vegan place more suitable for breakfast, lunch or brunch.

Stir, Chesterton Road – Delicious coffees and cakes plus veggie brunches and lunches.

Rainbow Vegetarian Café, King’s Parade – this is a well-known multi-award winning veggie cafe and restaurant specializing in vegan and gluten-free food.

Arjuna Wholefoods, Mill Roadit’s a worker’s cooperative, and great to grab a snack or a vegan lunch.

Fudge KitchenKings Parade – they make artisan fudge and offer dairy-free fudge made with soy cream.

Curry King, Jordans Yard Bridge Street – it’s an Indian restaurant and almost all the menu can be served with vegetables instead of meat.

Espresso Library, East Road – This cafe has plenty of vegan options for breakfast and lunch.

Market HillMarket Square (10am-4pm) – this is the local market, not all vendors show up every day, so you never know exactly what you’ll find, but for sure you have a couple of options to choose from, like falafel, smoothies, breads, cakes, churros, noodles, cookies, muffins, flapjacks and, dumplings.

DopplegangerTrinity Street, delicious vegan burgers.

Cham Cafe, Mill Road, small place that serves vegan turkish food like meze platters, vegan Gózleme, vegan börek, soups and cakes.

Always check if there is a vegan market or the  Cambridge Vegan Fair happening while you are visiting the city. It’s an immense sea of stalls, serving a bit of literary everything.

If you are with friends that are not vegan, all restaurants (one better than others) will have options for you, even the pubs. If you don’t want to waste time and money, you can always grab a packed meal at one of the many small street shops.

photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha

Tips of what to visit in Cambridge  ◀︎

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Cambridge, where to go?

You have many reasons to visit this extraordinary university town. Cambridge has a unique vibe and will amaze you with its history, architecture, and natural beauty.

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When visiting Cambridge you can’t miss the colleges and it’s gardens, the riverside, all the green meadows surrounding the city and the Backs (gardens and parks line up beside the river behind the colleges).

Walking and cycling are the best ways to visit the city.

The town is full of cyclists, students and tourists, but still has a nice vibe and it’s far from being a big chaotic city.

The Colleges are truly amazing even if you only contemplate them from the outside.

Before your arrival, you should check on the internet if the King’s College Chapel or the Trinity College are hosting a concert during your visit. This is excellent way to visit both of this emblematic places (sometimes for free).

Most of the museums are free in Cambridge, if you have time you should visit them all, if not I recommend the fabulous Fitzwilliam Museum, the Kettle’s Yard and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

If you are a fan of Sir Isaac Newton, stop at Trinity College to see the famed apple tree where it was said to be the inspiration for his theory of gravity after being bopped on the head by one of the fallen fruits. 2015-01-09 23.58.30.jpg

If the weather invites for a picnic the Botanic Gardens are a must or a punting session through the river Cam.

It is always something happening in Cambridge, so make sure you do your research and don’t miss what this city has to offer.

If you visit cambridge be prepared to fall in love with this town.

Cambridge is very accessible by bus or train from London.

photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha 

? More about vegan food in Cambridge ?

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Vegan Portugal, where to eat (guide)

Being a vegetarian/vegan in Portugal is not easy, especially if you are traveling relying mostly on restaurants and cafes.

The restaurants have usually 4 main options in their menu (not very vegan-friendly): appetizers, fish, meat, and desserts. however in most places you w,ill find a friendly Portuguese that will try to help you, and will create something with the things they have in the kitchen, you just need to explain correctly what you eat and don’t eat, otherwise you will almost for sure be served an omelet or a lettuce salad 🙂

Veganism and vegetarianism has been growing in the country since the last decade, and lots of new restaurants and cafes are popping in from north to south. To make your life easier I will leave a list of great places that you should try if visiting Portugal:

(V) includes: vegan + vegetarian + ovo-lacto-vegetarian options

? NORTH

Oporto

Espinho

Matosinhos 

  • Da Terra -Rua Afonso Cordeiro, 71 Matosinhos (V)
  • Pé de arroz – Rua do Godinho, 866  4450-029 Matosinhos (V)

Aveiro 

  • Musgo – Rua Tenente Rezende, galerias do Rossio B, 3800 Aveiro (V)
  • Ki Macrobiotico-  R. Cap. Sousa Pizarro 15, 3810-164 Aveiro (V+ macrobiotic)

Guimarães 

Castelo Branco 

  • Namaste – Rua de S. Jorge, 21-23 Castelo Branco (V)

Braga

?CENTRE

Lisbon

  • Os Tibetanos- Rua do Salitre 117, 1250-198 Lisboa (V)
  •  PSI – Alameda Santo António dos Capuchos, 1150 Lisboa  (V )
  • Jardim doSentidos – R. da Mãe de Água 3, 1250-154 Lisboa (V)
  • 26 – Rua Vítor Cordon, 26, Chiado, Lisboa (V)
  • Vegana Burgers –  Saldanha Residence, Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo 42, 1050-010 Lisboa (Vegan)
  • Foodprintz – R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 82B, 1250-38 Lisboa (Vegan)
  • Terra Rua da Palmeira, 15, Príncipe Real, Lisboa (V)
  • Jardim das cerejas – Calçada Sacramento 36, 1200 Lisboa (V)
  • Oasis – R. Marquês Sá da Bandeira 76, 1050-099 Lisboa (V)
  • Tao – 1100 026, R. dos Douradores 10, Lisboa (V)
  •  Miss Saigon – Rua Cais das Naus, Lt. 4.01.01, Parque das Nações, Loja i, 1990-305 Lisboa (V)
  •  Bio – R. Francisco Sanches 39, 1170-140 Lisboa, (V)
  • Espaço da Rosa – R. Acácio de Paiva 11A, 1700-503 Lisboa (V)
  • Espiral – Praça Ilha do Faial 14 A, 1000-168 Lisboa (V)
  • The Food temple – Beco do Jasmim 18, Mouraria, Lisboa (V)
  • Princesa do Castelo – Rua do Salvador 64 A, Lisboa (V)
  • Pachamama – Boqueirão Douro n.46, 1200-163 Lisboa (with V options)
  • Água no bico – R. Gaivotas 8, 1200-066 Lisboa (V)
  • Veganeats–  Rua Cavaleiro de Oliveira, nº42 Lisboa (Vegan)
  • Paladar Zen – Av. Barbosa du Bocage, 107 C 1050-031 Lisboa (V)
  • Tamarind – Rua da Glória 43, 1250-115 Lisboa (with V options – Indian)
  • Cantina do templo Hindu – Alameda Mahatma Gandhi 1600-500 Paço do Lumiar, Lisboa (V)

Sintra

  • Espaço Edla –  R. Dr. Alfredo da Costa 52, 2710-523 Sintra (with V options)
  • Tinkly – Estr. do Rodízio 2, 2705-335 Colares (V)

Sesimbra 

  • Aloha Café – Rua Gil Vicente nº 30B, Cotovia, Sesimbra  (with V options)
  • XL da Carlota –  Rua Basilio Teles, nº 196, R/C – Quinta do Conde Sesimbra (V)

Coimbra

  • Cozinha consciente – Rua de Olivença, Galerias Topázio nº 9, 2º andar loja 35, 3000-306 Coimbra (V)
  • GreenSide – Celas, R. Parreiras 31, 3030 Coimbra (V)
  • CAFÉ SHANTY – Avenida Sá da Bandeira 33/35 2º andar, loja 230 Galerias Avenida, 3004-544 Coimbra (with V options)

,Cascais 

Oeiras 

  • Convicts –   Rua Desembargador Faria, n.º 31 Oeiras (V)

Almada 

  • Veg-e-tal – Av. D. Afonso Henriques 8A 2800-009 Almada (V)

?SOUTH

Évora 

  • Jardin do chá – Largo Mario Chico, 17, 7000 Évora.(with V options)
  • Salsa verde – Rua do Raimundo, 93 – A – Évora (V)
  • art cafe  – R. de Serpa Pinto 6, 7000-505 Évora (with V options)

Beja

Faro

Albufeira

Alvor

  • Azul Algarve – Rua do Rossio Grande Lt E/F Loja C Alvor, Faro, Portugal (V)

Portimão

  • Vegetarianus – R. da Quinta do Bpo. 17, 8500 Portimão (V)
  • Armazém integral – Rua das comunicações lj B, Ed. Casas do Rio (V) shop+caffe   
  • Mercearia Bio – Rua das Comunicações, Edifício Casa do Rio Loja C 8500-657 Portimão (Vshop+caffe   

?Islands:

Madeira

Azores 

  • Casa do Jardim – Rua do Marques, 110, Angra do Heroísmo, azores (V)

Notes:

*Most Portuguese soups are vegan and you can find them everywhere for about 1.50€ – 3.00€. They’re really delicious and always cooked freshly from scratch.

*The bread is great, make sure you try a good Broa de milho (Corn bread), or Pão Alentejano (a bread originally from the region of Alentejo)

  • If you are visiting Portugal during fall or winter time you’ll find street vendors  selling castanhas assadas (baked Chestnuts)

*While in the country, try a good olive oil, and olives.

*Don’t miss the opportunity to drink some Porto Wine, red and white wine, medronho (kind of fruit brandy, distilled from wild strawberry ), Ginja (sour cherry liqueur)

*seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables are great, find them in the open markets. All Portuguese towns have markets offering a daily show of fresh locally farmed fruit and vegetables.

*drink a Café (coffee)

Have fun, enjoy the country and the food!

?Let me know if is there any other place that you recommend 😀

??Get inspired by the photos

photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha

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Best places to visit in Edinburgh – Scotland (part II)

Located beyond the east end of Princes Street is the Calton Hill (UNESCO World Heritage Site), surrounded on three sides by Regent Terrace, Calton Terrace and Royal Terrace. At Calton Hill you’ll find various iconic monuments and some incredible views out over Edinburgh. Take a hike to the top of the hill, sit and relax in a quiet(ish) park-like setting.

The monuments on Calton Hill include the National Monument, which looks like Athens’ Parthenon; the obelisk-like Nelson Monument and the Dugald Stewart Monument.

The Victoria Street, is a very picturesque street, known for its unique and colourful shops.

The Arthur’s Seat was one of my favourite places, despite being a bit of a hike for my fitness level.. 🙂 It’s located about 1 mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle; and it’s the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park, formed by an extinct volcano. From the top you get the greatest panoramic views of Edinburgh’s stunning skyline of Victorian and Georgian architecture and the Firth of Forth (estuary) in the distance.

Was a tough hike and some of the parts are rather difficult (at least for me) depending on your aptitude, the walk to the top takes approximately one hour, but the views from the top are worth it though.

The old Calton burial Ground also known as the Old cemetery, dates back to the late 16th century, and despite not being as extraordinary has the Glasgow one, still worths a visit. Supposedly JK Rowling got a few ideas for names in the Harry Potter series here. And just because I’m already talking about graveyards, there’s another famous one, the Greyfriars Kirk, laying on the tale of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who supposedly sat upon the grave of its deceased owner for fourteen years following its masters death. The graveyard itself is quite beautiful and offers a nice view of the city.

The Museum of Edinburgh, offers a good view over the history of the city through a collection of artefacts, you can also dress up with replica costumes and have some fun 😉 the museum also has a great courtyard.

If you are on a tight budget walk and spend time at the parks, gardens, and museums,  almost all of these are free…

I will leave here a few more pictures of other corners of the city, hope you enjoy it..

Let me know if you have been to Edinburgh, and which are your favourite places..
Looking forward to hearing from you..

?  read part I ?

photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha

Best places to visit in Edinburgh – Scotland (part I)

While traveling across Scotland, we took a bus from Glasgow to Edinburgh. We quickly dumped our luggage in the room, and went out to explore the beautiful city with gorgeous historical and natural wonders. No matter where I am, I always feel that stroll around is the best way to properly experience a country/city, so is what I always do… is no surprise that I did around 90 miles in 4 days (by foot), my legs and feet always complain but my heart and soul just crave for it..

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Even having been walking endless miles, I still need to say that all the main attractions are quite close to each other, and despite the hills, Edinburgh is a great walking city, so walk is the best way to discover this beautiful historic city.

Edinburgh is split in two by the valley that separates the Old Town from the New Town. The Old Town of Edinburgh, dates back to Medieval times, and is where we found the oldest attractions. The Royal Mile, is undoubtedly the most touristic street and is packed with people, pubs, shops, restaurantes, and street performers; feels like theres is nothing that can’t be seen on this street. To be fair, this packed touristic places are not my cup of tea, so what I enjoyed the most here were the escapes to the many quirky streets going from there.

The St Giles Cathedral, located in this street, is covered in lovely details and has beautiful stained glass windows. Pop in to see the pretty blue ceiling, and the intricate Thistle Chapel.