I love farmers markets! Whenever I travel to a new city, I make it a point to seek out the markets where locals go to grab fresh produce and crafts, shoot the breeze with local artisans, and connect directly with the people who make their food. Markets are an unfiltered window into local culture—you can tell a lot about a place’s fundamental identity by exploring the offerings at the local market.
In Italy, for example, the local obsession with seasonal produce and fresh fish takes center stage in the market displays. You can watch grannies haggle over the price of fresh fava beans and take in the spectacle of the porchetta man flirting with local beauties by way of free samples and suggestive chitchat. In Paris, different neighborhood markets take on unique identities based on the local demographics: North African vendors sell spices, herbs, olives, and lamb at the Marché Aligre, alongside baguettes and fromageries.
In Amsterdam, I devoured pickled herring and stroopwafels while admiring the exquisite flowers on sale.
Grabbing lunch at a market is my favorite way to get the flavor of a place—both literally and figuratively…