Stollen is thought to have originated in Dresden, Germany in the 1400s. But at that time, the Catholic Church prohibited the consumption of butter milk during Advent as part of the fasting guidelines leading up to Christmas. As a result, the medieval Stollen was a somewhat bland pastry.
Ernst of Saxony and his brother Albrecht petitioned the Pope in 1650 to lift the then-current "butter ban." After performing the "appropriate penance," the Holy Father finally bowed to their demands and said (in what became known as the "Bufferbrief") that milk and butter might be used to bake the stollen with a "clear conscience and with God's blessing.".
This historic decision began a time-honored tradition where Stollen-bakers delivered one or two Christmas Stollen each year with a total weight of 36 pounds to the king of Saxony for the holy celebration. Eight master bakers and eight apprentices carried it in a procession to the castle. In 1730 “August the Strong”, elector Lord of Saxony, commanded the bakery gild of Dresden to make a huge Stollen with a weight of 1.8 tons! To commemorate that event, a similar Stollen is baked every year at the annual Dresden Stollen Festival on the Saturday before the Second Advent.

​Steps to Prepare:
Step 1: Soak the dried fruit in 1/2 cup of hot water. Gently warm the apple juice for a few mins in a pan, then add the yeast and leave to activate for 10-15 mins (it will start to bubble).
Step 2: Put the flour in a bowl. Stir in the yeast and apple juice mixture to form a smooth dough, then cover and leave to prove somewhere warm until roughly doubled in size, about 1-2 hrs. 
Step 3: Drain the fruit and add to the dough along with the nuts, spices and marzipan. Squish everything together, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until the fruit stays in the dough.
Step 4: Shape the dough into a sausage shape and put it on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to proof somewhere warm for 30 mins–1 hr. until the dough has risen by about a quarter.
Step 5: Heat oven to 350F. Bake the stollen for 20 mins, then reduce oven temperature to 300F and bake for 25-30 minutes more until golden-brown and firm to the touch.
Step 6: Remove the stollen from the oven and brush all over with the melted butter. Dust generously with the icing sugar and leave to cool completely before slicing. Store any remaining stollen, well wrapped, in an airtight container.
Best served at a table with loved ones. Enjoy!

​Adventure travel destinations aren't for thrill-seekers alone. They're an excellent opportunity for exploration, embracing the outdoors, seeing wildlife, and more. Dive into the realm of adventure travel, exploring the top ten destinations that are a playground for adrenaline enthusiasts and wanderlust seekers. Join us on a virtual expedition as we unravel the allure of adventure travel and ignite your sense of exploration. 

​Namibia: A Spectacular Introduction to the African Continent
Prepare to be mesmerized as you set foot in Namibia, a country that offers a truly awe-inspiring and extraordinary experience. From the towering dunes of the oldest desert to the untamed beauty of the Skeleton Coast, from breathtaking canyons to wildlife-rich national parks, Namibia is a destination that combines adventure, culture, and unrivaled wildlife encounters.

If you’re looking for a vacation close to home, Bermuda is an excellent choice. With stunning beaches, deep turquoise waters, and a rich history, there’s plenty to see and do one a trip to Bermuda – whether it’s for a 3-day weekend getaway or a longer, relaxing vacation. Here’s what’s at the top of our list for any stay in Bermuda:

With its breathtaking landscapes, stunning beaches, cultural centers and rich history, it’s no wonder Spain is one of the top European vacation destinations. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the country’s history, relax on the beach, have an outdoor adventure, or just explore the bustling cities of Spain, there’s something for everyone. Here is just a small glimpse of the best places to visit on your next trip to Spain:

Just a hop, skip and a jump across the Pacific sits the beautiful country of New Zealand, known for its rich landscapes, and diverse culture and history. Whether you are ready for an adventure-filled vacation or just want a leisurely trip through the countryside, there is something for everyone in New Zealand. Here are our must-see stops:

Portugal is one of the most-visited countries in Europe – and for good reason. It’s ideal climate, beautiful countryside and rich history make it a perfect vacation destination for everyone. Here’s our list of the best places to visit on your trip to Portugal:

Whether we tune in to watch the ball fall on Times Square or spend the day with friends and family, we all have our traditions on how to ring in the new year. As we turn the page on 2020, let’s take a look at some of the more unique ways people celebrate the New Year around the world:

Russia. For over 25 years, two divers who represent Father Frost and the Ice Maiden plunge into the frozen waters of Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake, with a decorated New Year’s Tree and take it down more than 100 feet and leave it there. This event draws tourists from all over the world.

Brazil. In Brazil, you will find that on New Year’s Eve everyone dressed in white and headed to the beach. White represents luck and prosperity, and is meant to ward off evil spirits. At the beach, they’ll jump seven waves (a lucky number in Brazilian culture) for good fortune, and then throw white flowers and candles into the water to ask Lemanjá, the goddess of the seas, for her blessing on the new year.

Japan. The Japanese welcome the new year with a bowl of soba noodles in a tradition known as toshikoshi soba, or year-crossing noodles. No one is quite sure how the tradition started, but it is thought that the long, thin soba noodles represent a long and healthy life, and the buckwheat they are made from represents their strength and resiliency.

Greece. The pomegranate symbolized fertility, life, and abundance in Greek mythology, and has come to represent good fortune to Greeks today. Just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, you’ll find Greeks smashing a pomegranate against the door of their house, and according to tradition the number of seeds scattered is directly related to the amount of good luck to come in the new year.

Turkey. As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s, it is considered good luck to sprinkle salt on your doorstep in Turkey. As with many traditions around the world, this is meant to promote peace and prosperity in the new year.

Switzerland. For good luck, wealth and abundance, the Swiss drop a dollop of ice cream on the floor at midnight on New Year’s.

Bolivia. Bolivians use the age-old festive tradition of baking pennies into their desserts on New Year's. Whoever finds the coin has luck for the year ahead!

If you are looking forward to a new year filled with travel and adventure, Luxury Destinations Concierge can help!  Give us a call at (805) 236-4437 to start planning your dream vacation today.

If you think about it, most of us associate special foods with the holidays. Whether it’s the candy canes, gingerbread houses or grandma’s Christmas dinner, we all have fond memories of gathering around the table to share a meal or two. Here are some of the more unique foods that people around the world eat at the holidays: