In Praise of the Picnic

Very often while traveling, we'll stop for something to eat. After finishing, we'll comment on how bad the food was and how expensive it was. But that's your option when traveling, right, rubbishy roadside food?

I noticed something different when traveling through Europe, people pulled off in laybys / rest areas and having a picnic. My family used to have picnics when I was a child (probably driven by the cost efficiencies necessary with five kids!) and they were great fun! The blanket spread out on the grass on a summer's day, the cold lemonade, hearty sandwiches and some fruit for dessert. A relaxing rest, a meal in a beautiful spot, a bit of a rest and then we were back on our way - delightful!

Compare that to battling your way to the counter at the typical road side fast food option to get a meal which seldom resembles anything good for you, never mind delightful. If you can get away with spending less than $20, you're pretty lucky (or feeding just one).

After seeing all the picnics along the way and being in thrifty mode, Steve and I decided to try them again and found them to be both gourmet and cheap, two words not commonly found together! On a day trip in the car, we replicate my mom's approach and pack big sandwiches, fruit and a flask of tea. On a walk, we'll pack crusty bread, some lovely French cheese, an Italian sausage, sometimes a flask of tea or if we're being really naughty a bottle of cold white wine.

Total outlay for such a lavish spread? Usually less than $5, with a bottle of wine less than $10. And it's certainly a bit more enjoyable than a burger, fries and a coke!