Energising experiences ffo World Coffee Day globally
Coffee is globally recognised for its power to reenergise and rejuvenate, as well as its aromatic and varied flavours. Dating back to 800AD, coffee plays a different role with countries and cities adding their own touches to the creation process and the drinking ritual.
To ignite travellers’ senses, a selection of eight coffee experiences has been highlighted by travel promoter Hills Balfour to celebrate World Coffee Day, which falls on October 1.
People can indulge in Viennese coffee house culture, discover the harvest and roasting process in Colombia, and even relax in a coffee body wrap in Mauritius.
With Colombia widely known as the land of the coffee bean, for coffee-lovers a visit to the country’s magnificent Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, a proud UNESCO World Heritage site, is imperative.
Located at the foothills of the western and central ranges of the Cordillera de los Andes, the coffee region boasts spectacular scenery including mountains and coffee bean plantations. www.colombia.travel/en/ blog/coffee-cultural-landscape
Drinking coffee is woven into the fabric of Vienna’s daily life. So much so that in 2011, Vienna’s coffee houses were listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Today, traditional Viennese coffee houses are dotted all around the city where guests can feel history come alive. www.wien.info
Sample café con queso for an exotic mix of flavours in Puerto Rico.
Cheese in coffee may sound completely bizarre but it’s actually a traditional comforting combination in Puerto Rico.
For those who find themselves lucky enough to visit Puerto Rico, a coffee break at Café Bizcochos in the plaza of Cabo Rojo to sample this rare culinary delight is a must. www.discoverpuertorico.com
Coffee is an integral part of Arab culture and in Abu Dhabi serving Gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) to
guests is considered a sign of a warm welcome and an act of generosity. There is an elaborate process behind this coffee ritual. www.visitabudhabi.ae
Heralded as the Isle of Wight’s most successful specialty coffee company, Island Roasted is a family-run business from husband and wife duo, Dan and Viviana Burgess, who started out roasting their own coffee beans over 20 years ago. www. wightlink.co.uk
The world’s largest coffeehouse chain, Starbucks, opened its first store in Seattle, Washington, in March 1971. As Starbucks approaches its 50th anniversary in 2021 today the brand serves up nearly three billion cups of coffee each day in 80 countries around the world. www. visittheusa.co.uk
Often referred to as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’,
Rwanda’s lush landscapes and tropical climate make it the perfect place to cultivate coffee, all the way from crop to cup. The Coffee Experience Tour takes place along the shores of Lake Kivu, offering breath-taking views over the body of water. The tour starts with a paddle to Ile Nyamirundi. www. visitrwanda.com/interests/ coffee
Visitors to The Oberoi on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius can indulge in its signature coffee and mint body wrap.
The two-hour delicacy which starts with a walnut and marula shell exfoliating scrub to buff away skin which is followed by a coffee and mint applied as a wrap. This is claimed to revitalise the skin, helping to eliminate toxins and stimulate blood flow. www.tourism-mauritius.mu