I just recently returned from a vacation to Iceland and Paris where my friend and I set out to see all the sights, walk all the places and eat all the things. I think we accomplished our goals!

Among the highlights:

A multi-course Icelandic Christmas meal on our first night (over 9 courses!)
The BEST fish & chips in downtown Reykjavik
Hot chocolate at Angelina in Paris - this stuff is so rich, it's a meal in itself
Beef Bourguignon and Tarte Tatin for Thanksgiving Dinner
Fresh pastries every morning for breakfast
And the wine...oh the wine...hot or cold, we drank it all!

See below for the culinary highlights of our trip!

First course: Creamed soup of parmesan with wild mushrooms and foie gras and homemade bread

Second course: Skyr-herring with bananas and homemade dandelion syrup with homemade hot spring cooked rye bread. (Note: skyr is a thick, traditional Icelandic yogurt)

Third Course: Twice smoked lamb with pickled red onions, candied nuts and white chocolate

Fourth Course: Hot smoked goose with brie and fresh raspberries

Fifth Course: Port glazed hot smoked salmon with fennel sesame seed salad

Sixth Course: Onto the main courses...Duck orange, parsnip puree and potato rosti

Seventh Course: Roasted pork belly with braised red cabbage and Icelandic wild herb sauce and new potatoes

Eighth Course: Turkey breast with stuffing, wild mushroom sauce and apple salad

Ninth Course: DESSERT!! First part, homemade Icelandic ice cream with granola and white chocolate accent

Ninth Course: Dessert Part 2 - a platter of assorted treats including creme brulee, chocolate dream cake and ris a la mande (traditional rice pudding with almonds) along with fresh strawberries and accents of white chocolate, caramel and milk chocolate mousse

Traditional home made hot spring rye bread - the bread is cooked right in the hot spring!

Icelandic Viking Beer - very tasty!

cooking our breakfast eggs in a hot spring

soft boiled eggs - fresh from the hot spring!

hot dogs from the famous little hot dog stand in downtown Reykjavic

last meal in Iceland was one of the best - fresh cod fish in the BEST fish and chips I've ever had. EVER.

first meal in paris...tfromage and jambon tartine (cheese & ham on bread) with frites and salad

the world's best hot chocolate from Angelina

the perfect cup of hot chocolate

St. Honore pastry at Angelina

first dinner in Paris...a simple spread of cheese, fruit, crackers and wine

croissant amande - one of the ways I started my morning every day

the "specialty" of Chartre...a gingerbread-shaped, chocolate-filled croissant

amazing buckwheat galette filled with cheese, white asparagus, creme fraiche and chives

and for dessert...a crepe with homemade caramel sauce, salted butter, bananas and whipped cream...divine!!

excuse me, waiter...there's a happy face in my cider! :o)

french onion soup for lunch...it hit the spot!

unfortunately, this wouldn't fit in any of the luggage i brought...if only

this chocolatier came highly recommended and they didn't disappoint. i selected a milk chocolate rocher - a crispy hazelnut flavored truffle. if you think ferrero rocher is delicious, this is 10 times better. worth every penny!