Here’s a journey for true tea aficionados: the Tea & Horse Caravan Road Trip next offered by WildChina from September 12 through 21, 2012.

It’s a small group (8-16 people) 10-day expedition led by Jeff Fuchs, the first westerner to have ever traveled the entire 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) historic route.

The trip travels an ancient caravan road linking the fertile region of Yunnan and Sichuan with the arid landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau that gives a chance to sample teas at their origin as well as look at the road’s impact on ethnic minority villagers.

It begins in China’s far southwest, in subtropical Xishuangbanna, the original source of all tea, before heading north to a former trading post, Shaxi, and then further north to Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, finally, ending in the mountainous Tibetan region of “Shangri-La.”

Along the way, there are hikes through tea tree forests, tea ceremonies and opportunities to converse with traders and villagers.

(Photo courtesy of WildChina)

Heading across the pond to take in the Olympics this summer, Road Trips Foodies?

What better way to celebrate the London 2012 Summer Olympics than by raising a gold “metal” martini in toast to the athletes.

The Lanesborough, a luxury hotel at Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, London, England, will be offering a gold “ring” to each thirsty, game-supporting guest. The new, limited-time “Gold Metal Martini” cocktail will be served up in a chilled crystal glass with a pure gold powdered rim in the hotel’s Library Bar.

The Gold Metal Martini boasts a sophisticated look but is simple to create, says its creator, Alexandre Caujolle, Food and Beverage Director at The Lanesborough.

The ingredients? Gin or vodka plus a touch of vermouth garnished with gold powder. (You do know, of course, that gold does not change the taste of the drink because it is biologically inert?)

The Gold Metal Martini will be available for order leading up to, and through the games starting next month.

(Photo courtesy of the Library Bar at the Lanesborough)

The annual Cotton Pickin’ BBQ Cook-Off and Festival in downtown Hartselle, Alabama, takes place this weekend, May 18 and 19, 2012.

This is the Alabama State Barbecue Cook-Off Championship, so, of course, it’s a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event.

Barbecue teams from throughout the United States will be competing amidst the live music and sales by other vendors.

To get an idea of the fun you’ll have, watch this video!

Heading to Switzerland this summer, Road Trips Foodies? You’ll want to schedule a stop in Zürich for “Il Tavolo”, Switzerland’s longest dining table.

The city is holding its first food festival from June 27 to July 1, 2012. Among the highlights is the Gala Night: participants will take a seat at the country’s longest table in the inner courtyard of the Swiss National Museum for a meal conjured up by chefs from throughout Switzerland.

Other mouthwatering events? The big Opening Night at the Park Hyatt Zurich; a meal that sees six chefs each preparing one course at six different venues, dashing from one kitchen to the next; a lunch cooked by children at the host hotels to benefit a children’s charity, and a big family breakfast in the inner courtyard of the Swiss National Museum.

Or you can, of course, savor the gastronomic treats at any of a range of selected restaurants in and around Zürich.

Make tracks for Alabama this weekend. The 11th annual Catfish Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19, 2012, in Jackson County Park, Scottsboro, Alabama (map).

If the fried catfish dinners served by the Shriners aren’t enough to tempt you, Road Trips Foodies, consider that they’re also offering homemade ice cream.

And, of course, there’s a catfish tournament for adults, a catfish rodeo for kids, plus an arts & crafts show; car, truck and motorcycle show, free concerts and even more food vendors.

(Image courtesy of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce)

Driving to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Road Trips Foodies? Be sure to stop by one of the city’s Farmers’ Markets during your visit. What better way to experience a city than through its locally grown ingredients?

Vancouver’s seasonal farmers’ markets – typically beginning mid-May and running through late October – are more than just a great place to shop; they’re also a terrific source of food education and a great way to meet the colorful characters of Vancouver’s vibrant food community. Here’s a list from Tourism Vancouver:

• Kitsilano Farmers’ Market: May 20 to October 21 (every Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
  
  With nearly 50 vendors offering an array of organic and conventional foods, shoppers can get their hands on Fraser Valley honey, organic coffee, gluten-free cakes and crackers, freshly baked breads, biodynamic berries and handmade crafts. It’s also the perfect spot to grab some goodies for a picnic on nearby Kitsilano Beach.
• West End Farmers’ Market: June 2 to October 20 (every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
  
  Located in the heart of Vancouver’s West End neighborhood (walking distance from a number of downtown Vancouver hotels), this quaint market offers high-quality produce, pastries, cheeses, honey and more. For a full day of fun, shoppers can combine a visit to this market with a round of shopping on Robson Street.
• Main Street Station Farmers’ Market: June 6 to October 3 (every Wednesday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
  
  Nearly 40 vendors line up alongside Thornton Park selling goods like pure maple syrup, natural sausages, wild-caught salmon and handmade soaps. Those who want to carry on their shopping streak can continue along Main Street and browse the area’s independent restaurants and trendy boutique shops.




• Granville Island Farmers’ Market: Beginning June 7 (every Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
  
  Celebrating more than 20 years, the Granville Island Farmers’ Market offers everything from hand-made artisan cheeses to all-natural gourmet sauces. After working up an appetite, shoppers can choose from more than 70 eateries scattered throughout the island or stop for mouthwatering fish and chips at False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Lonsdale Quay Artisans Farmers’ Market: May 5 to October 27 (every Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
  
  Located just 10 minutes away via SeaBus from Vancouver’s downtown core, the Lonsdale Quay Farmers’ Market brings together some of Vancouver’s best jam makers, honey gatherers, salsa mixers, bread bakers and crafters. It’s also the perfect pit stop for grabbing a snack en route to the North Shore’s Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain.

(Photo by frogbox.com courtesy of Tourism Vancouver)

More than 200 varieties from 40 different brewers showcasing “Belgian beer styles in all their variety and idiosyncracy” will be on offer during Beer Passion Weekend in Antwerp, Belgium.

This, the 13th edition, will be held June 29 through July 1, 2012, in Groenplaats (“Green Square”), the central square of Antwerp (map)

It’s sponsored by Bierpassie magazine/Bièrepassion Magazine . The host is Ben Viken, the magazine’s editor and publisher (and a Belgian Beer Sommelier).

(Photo courtesy of Bierpassie)

OK, Road Trips Foddies: this is a strawberry festival in an area that doesn’t grow strawberries.

Nonetheless, you can buy lots of berries at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival, to be held May 18 through 20, 2012, at the Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds (map).

They just don’t happen to be local. The organizers explain: “All of the berries sold here at the festival come from a produce company. We sell the big Driscoll’s $20 flat, can be bought by the flat, ½ flat, pint, chocolate-dipped. All strawberries are sold inside the gates.”

Insider tip: get there the first day if you want to see the “world’s largest” strawberry cake! It’ll be cut and sold by the slice beginning with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. May 18.

The fest is sponsored by the San Jacinto Day Foundation.

Head to the Depot Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 9 and 10, 2012, for Peppers on the Plaza.

Peppers on the Plaza is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and the Chili Appreciation Society International.

All the red chili, green chili and salsa is cooked from scratch on site the days of the cook-offs — and prepared in the open, with enough for both judging and tastings ($5 for all you can eat . . . at least until it runs out!).

This event’s co-hosted by the Cheyenne Lions Club, the Cheyenne Depot Museum Foundation and the Cheyenne Depot Museum.

Road Trips Foodies driving through Missouri on the first weekend in June can watch amateur and professional chefs try to “smoke” the competition and listen to some down-home blues during the first Lake of the Ozarks Blues and BBQ Weekend.

It’ll be held June 1 though 3, 2012, round about 4265 Bagnell Dam Boulevard, Lake Ozark, Missouri (map).

This festival has no admission charge and features a barbecue cook-off, live music, a vendor village with tons of Missouri products, winery displays, food (including barbecue and barbecue sauces) and local artisans.

Yes, the Kansas City BBQ Society sanctions this barbecue cook-off event that features competitive chefs cooking various meats to earn points toward competing in the national cook-off.

For more information on visiting the region, go online.

(Photo courtesy of Kate Krav)