| Dear friends, We’re coming to the end of a brilliant year of travel and opportunities and are happy to report that across the 10 international and Australian tours we’ve hosted this year, we have 200 very happy travellers who have lived life to the full and explored with us, many forging new friendships in the places we visit and amongst the group. And as for our Sydney safaris, the number of happy souls is so much bigger…into the thousands which is humbling and wonderful at the same time. And new friendships forged here too.
The gift that keeps on giving Last weekend I was honoured to be invited to a get together lunch with the 2025 Greek travellers who have all kept in touch and who decided to get together at Debbie’s beautiful home with recipes learnt from our Greek Islands safari! Our teacher, cookbook author and friend Carolina Doriti who came to the island of Lemnos to cook with us for a couple of days will be absolutely tickled. Check out the luscious cake made with torn filo and fragrant oranges; the bougatsa sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar, and before I arrived, many more dishes including a slow-cooked lamb and incredible potatoes. Our guest Gia brought her briki to make Greek coffee to accompany dessert.
To meet new friends over food and wine in exotic places and then recreate the food – each person adding a dish – that makes me feel so pleased and proud. Not all the group were able to attend so I suspect there will be another get together soon. This is with guests flying in from around Australia and driving from the bush. And this is just one of the groups that come together. Other travellers will be coming together at our end of year lunch at Ammos in Brighton with a menu from chef Peter Conistis who highlights dishes from the islands that we visit on our Greek Island Safari – if you’d like to read more about this safari through 4 Greek islands, please click here.
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2027 Safaris |
| We’ve launched our new program of safaris for 2027 and its full of great experiences in the heartland across Sydney and a couple of new events including a Sardinian lunch to start to year at Pilu in Freshwater and a winter escape with truffles, red wine and roaring fires in the Southern Highlands. These are already or about to be on our website. Please follow us up with any questions you may have. February Sardinian Lunch Sardinian chef Giovanni Pilu is creating a special menu for us at his gorgeous beachside restaurant in Freshwater. If you’ve travelled with us in Sardinia, this will be a menu to touch your heart; and if you love our hosted banquets, this is a new offering that we know you’ll love. With wines from Pizzini Wines – one of our favourite wine families from the King Valley to match. Actually we bumped into winemaker Fred and Katrina Pizzini in Sardinia and invited them to join us when we explored Orgosolo – the village of political murals in the mountains of eastern Sardinia.
Through our long connection, we can enjoy Italian style wines made in Australia with Giovanni and team’s wonderful food. We have limited numbers for this lunch on Sunday 21st February to be held in the stunning Pavilion at Pilu at Freshwater with the beach and the waves just metres away. Giovanni will be speaking at this event with Maeve. Click here to book.
Truffle Day with Alex Olsson in the Southern Highlands We’ve been fortunate over the years to have filmed and spent time with Alex Olsson whose flakey salt is in every great restaurant and home. A passionate and knowledgeable food lover, Alex established a trufferie at her estate in Mittagong and offers a day of exploring the world of truffles with a luxurious lunch paired with local wines led by Anna, president of the Australian Truffle Association.
Numbers for this special day on Saturday 31st July are tight…a full day with comfortable bus transport from Sydney to the Southern Highlands (Note – you also have option to jump ship while you’re in the region – to organise your own stay for the weekend) Click here to read more. Please note – costing for this safari coming very soon.
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Sydney Safaris |
| People often ask “which is the best safari”? It’s like choosing a favourite child. They’re all rich and full and led by experienced guides.
Our Spice Safari is a clever combination of cuisines across Persian, Turkish, Lebanese, Indian and Sri Lankan. It’s a brilliant tour that wraps in so many favourite people showing off the spices and ingredients that make up their cuisines. In very few other cities on earth could you move between these cultures. The day includes generous tastings plus a cooking demonstration from top chef Kumar Mahadevan with a chicken korma and a dhal you will recreate often…plus a stylish tea tasting with three charming brothers who import the finest Ceylon and chai teas. Click here to book
Our Eastwood Chinese Safari is gathering accolades from guests who have experienced the delights of this vibrant suburb. We start with a breakfast from Guandong province and then taste and enjoy across a number of family businesses led by local food lover, photographer and author Lucy Leonardi who shares tips and recipes at each stop. We enjoy demonstrations of dumpling making and see Chinese crispy crepes come together, then gather around the best table in the best restaurant for tea and some regional specialties. Dessert is Taiwanese and one of the places gaining a loyal following. Click here to book.
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Australian and overseas safaris |
| Some of the Australian and International safaris in the first half of the year are full but please remember –It is always worth being on a wait list as spaces do come up and we can contact you direct and get you moving. So far, we have filled New Zealand Central Otago Safari in March; South Australia in March; our brand new French Safari in May; Sardinia and Corsica. Our Sicily, Malta and Gozo Safaris are booking well…our first Safari is full. We have a second Sicily, Malta and Gozo Safari from 29th June to 12th July with just 8 places available. Click here to read more or to make a booking This is a brilliant tour of the East coast of Sicily plus Malta and Gozo…all with visits to markets, restaurants you’ll savour and remember for years to come, visits to wineries and historic sites; beaches and secret coves. Plus a day on Mt Etna with a visit to a much awarded wine estate; a morning with a pistachio growing family (followed by the world’s best pistachio granita!) and our guide Nino’s family with a restaurant up high amongst the pine forests full of mushrooms.
We take the ferry across to Malta, arriving in the impressive Grand Harbour in Valletta full of honey sandstone just as the sun sets. In Malta we have time with families and passionate food producers; enjoy a Michelin star meal and stunning accommodation before visiting Gozo for more visits to artisan producers and some great experiences including cooking demonstrations and swimming in beautiful coves. |
Portugal and Spain Safari 2027 |
Our dates are 17th to 30th September – the best time of year to visit these countries. This year’s safari lead by Maeve with Fatima Nascimento in Portugal and chef Frank Camorra in Spain was absolutely phenomenal. If you feel the call of these countries, this is the way to immerse and enjoy – with locals opening up unique food adventures in places only locals know; plus curated visits to markets and private homes, producers and providores, flamenco bars and street food delights.
Click here to have a quick read of feedback – from a single word to a love letter dedicated to our experience, they are a great read. Click here for feedback on 2026 Safari |
Sydney Safaris spaces |
| ** Saturday 14th November – we have 5 spaces on our exceptional French safari with lunch and generous tastes right through the day. Click here to book. ** Sunday 15th November – 2 places have become available on our Vietnamese Walking tour of Cabramatta. Click here to book
Saturday 28th November – 4 places have just come free on our Lebanese Safari in Punchbowl. Click here to book
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Tasmania 2026 |
| Maeve is leading our annual Tasmanian tour starting this Saturday with some new additions to our itinerary as well as many favourite hosts and locations. Do follow along – on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maeveomeara/reels/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Maeve-OMearas-Gourmet-Safaris/100068064230254/
We look forward to seeing some of you at our Late Spring Lunch at Ammos – it’s truly an exceptional event and chef Peter Conistis has a menu especially crafted for our guests with wines from our friends at Miloway in Earlwood and Gapsted Prosecco to start. We will share pics in our next newsletter.
Best to you all,
Maeve and Suzy |
