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British-born Vicky Hampton has been working as a writer in the Netherlands for six years. Author of restaurant review and food news site amsterdamfoodie.nl, Vicky has also written for various publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time Out, Eyewitness Guide and Michelin Guide. She is currently in the process of publishing her first cookbook, Vicky Hampton’s Working Lunch.

Cheapflights: What’s the most exciting food you’ve discovered while traveling?

Vicky Hampton: I’m quite a fan of weird bits of animals: pigs’ ears, cods’ cheeks, chickens’ feet, ducks’ tongues… the kind of stuff you don’t come across too readily in northern Europe.

CF: How do you find lesser-known restaurants?

VH: Mainly through blogs and recommendations from friends who have traveled. That and just wandering through back streets looking for off-the-beaten track foodie finds.

CF: How much of a factor is food when determining where you visit?

VH: A huge factor! In fact, most of the destinations on my holiday wish list start with the words: “I’ve heard great things about the food in X…”

CF: Do you prefer sticking to a predetermined itinerary, or going with a more spontaneous approach?

VH: I like to know where I’m starting and where I’m finishing, and possibly a couple of must-sees in between. Other than that I’m happy to see where the mood takes me.

CF: Do you visit the high-end or celebrity-chef-run restaurants at a particular destination?

VH: Occasionally. In San Sebastian, for instance, I went to Michelin 3-star restaurant Akelaŕe – which was every bit as fabulous as you’d expect. But that was an exception based on the fact that San Sebastian has more Michelin stars per head of the population than anywhere else in the world, so it would have been rude not to taste some of them. Usually, though, I favor street food places and small, family-run, local restaurants.

CF: What is an absolute must on your packing list?

VH: A notebook and pen, so I can write down my culinary experiences. And probably a camera too, although I’m a terrible photographer.

CF: What’s your routine before you fly?

VH: Nothing out of the ordinary: panicking about missing my flight, setting off far too early, ending up bored in the airport drinking coffee for an hour or so…

CF: Any tips on researching a new destination before taking off?

VH: As a blogger, a lot of people contact me asking for recommendations of places to eat, drink or see in Amsterdam. I would say: don’t be afraid to use the local knowledge of bloggers – look at their websites, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask them.

CF: Do you have a routine for staying healthy when you travel?

VH: I drink gallons of water, especially when I fly. I also try to fit in a fruit salad or a fruit smoothie most days during my trips.

CF: Is there a destination that without fail (barring floods and famine) you visit regularly?

VH: London – but that’s mainly because it’s where I’m from, so family and friends are always keen for me to visit! Other than that, even when I fall in love with a destination, I tend to try and visit new places rather than returning to old favorites…

Cheapflights is proud to have guest voices express their opinions. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cheapflights Media (USA) Inc.

(Image: Joao Maximo)

About the author

Pleasance CoddingtonPleasance is a British travel writer and online content specialist in travel. She has written for numerous publications and sites including Wired, Lucky, Rough Guides and Yahoo! Travel. After working for six years on content and social media at VisitBritain, she is now the Global Content and Social Media Manager for Cheapflights.

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