Play gourmet while winter whistles

February 05, 2006|Real Deals, Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Correspondent

There are all kinds of travelers -- young, old, adventurous, and sedate -- but chances are they have one thing in common: the desire to eat and drink well on the trip. Fortunately, it is easy to quench that desire with offerings like the following:

A significant part of the Montreal High Lights Festival, Feb. 16-26, is its cuisine. In addition to performing arts and a celebration of light, the festival will have several food-related events at various locations, with nearly 50 chefs coming to town to present special menus. Participating restaurants will also feature the creations of the guest chefs. Many restaurants will also be participating in a prix fixe lunch program where you can dine on exotic food for $11.95. For cheese lovers, the Fête des fromages d'ici, Feb. 23-25 in the Grande-Place of the Complexe Desjardins will let you savor several styles.

For details, visit www.montrealhighlights.com, click on your choice of language, and then The Wine and Dine Experience.

The Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring Center in Intervale, N.H., goes crazy for cocoa during the annual Chocolate Festival, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Participants cross-country ski, snowshoe, drive, or even walk from inn to inn along groomed trails, indulging in hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, chocolate truffle cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pretzels, hot cocoa, and many more delights. Festival passes are $20 and include a trail pass, event admission, and a button for admission to the Winter Carnival events.

Call 603-356-9920 or visit www.crosscountryskinh.com/chocolate.html.

For residents and visitors alike, the first BostonUSA Winter Restaurant Week will be March 5-10. More than 90 dining spots will offer three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.06 and three-course dinners for $30.06. Other culinary events include the Boston Wine Festival at the Boston Harbor Hotel, with wine-themed dinners and seminars through April, with events costing $70-$295; and the seventh Old Town Trolley Boston Chocolate Tour Saturdays and Sundays through April for $65 a person, highlighted by a visit to the Chocolate Bar Buffet at the Langham Hotel Boston.

You can link to any of the above events by visiting www.bostonusa.com. For information on a Chocolate Experience package at the Langham that includes an overnight stay and begins at $280 a room, call 800-791-7764 or visit www.langhamhotels.com/langham/boston and click on Special Packages.