Celebrity Travel Addicts: Katy Clarke of Untold Morsels

In this edition of Celebrity Travel Addicts, we speak with Katy Clarke, the mum and Melbourne-based Aussie travel blogger behind Untold Morsels and Untold Italy. We chat with Katy about what sets Untold Morsels apart from other travel content, her favorite travel destinations, what makes Melbourne such a great place for travelers to visit and much more. Check out her favorite things to do in one of Italy’s most famous cities and find out where she’s headed next!

How did your passion for travel get started?

My parents took our family to Indonesia for our first trip abroad when I was a teenager. I loved the sights, smells and sounds of a culture and landscape so different to our own. Most of all I was transfixed by the ancient and  incredible Borobodur and Prambanan temples.

After that trip there was no stopping me. I left home in Australia as soon as I finished school and moved to the UK where I began my adventures in Europe.

How many days/weeks are you traveling in any given year? What are the types of places you like to visit?

We recently moved back to Australia from London where we were traveling every few weeks.  Now we travel abroad a couple of times a year and spend a lot more time exploring our own country/continent. It takes a long time to get anywhere from Australia and there is so much to see.

We like to visit destinations with a strong food and cultural heritage. Luckily that applies to pretty much everywhere! You’ll usually see me checking out the local markets, trying the produce. And we’ll usually choose to visit temples and museums over lazy days on the beach – but we do love those too!

Can you tell us a little about your travel blog and YouTube channel, Untold Morsels? What sets it apart from the other travel content out there?

We are a travel blog with family, food and culture in mind. These are my passions (along with travel) so the content on our blog focuses on uncovering cultural and culinary experiences that make travel memorable and fun for the whole family.

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Though I have traveled solo many times, it is an absolute joy to to share my travels with my family, partner and friends. On Untold Morsels we share those experiences that make our travels memorable and hope to inspire others to try them and create their own shared memories.

You currently live in Melbourne, Australia, with your husband and two children. What makes Melbourne such an exciting tourist destination? What should travelers do there when they visit?

Melbourne has often been voted the most liveable city in the world – thanks to all its green spaces, arts and sporting events, cafes and restaurants and incredible coffee. This also makes our city a great place to visit. We always suggest people explore our urban laneways in search of street art, fun fashion and funky cafes and bars. Our food scene is world class we are very proud that you could east almost any cuisine you could think of in our  city.

It is also a good idea to check what’s on when you’re visiting as there is a usually an arts or cultural festival happening. My favourites are the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Comedy Festival. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, take a bike ride or stroll along the Yarra River or a tram out to beachside St Kilda.

Travel is all about experiences. Can you please share an experience you’ve had while traveling that was particularly special or memorable to you?

A couple of years ago we took a day trip to Capri (Italy) on a small boat from Sorrento. It was April and the sun was shining down on the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. Our boat cruised around the island and in and out of grottoes before speeding through the Faraglioni rocks. We eventually docked in Marina Grande and took the funicular up to the town of Capri. Here we wandered with gelato and enjoyed some of the most gorgeous views in the world. On the way back to Sorrento our kids fell asleep in our laps as we gazed back at Capri, the sea breezes tickling our noses. We all slept soundly that night, dreaming of Capri!

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What do you want audiences to gain and learn from your work?

I hope our readers and followers are inspired to seek out experiences on their travels, rather than ticking off a list of sights. Whether that be discovering a new food, a secret beach or a lesser known town, it’s my dream that people open their eyes to new possibilities on their travels.

What are the top three destinations you’ve visited?

Venice, Italy;  Japan in general, south west France – all with strong food and cultural traditions

Give us your ‘Top 5’ list for one of your top 3 destinations. Like a mini-guide or a to-do list of sorts. It can be anything from your favorite hotel, best place to have lunch, best sightseeing, etc.

Top 5 things to do in Venice, Italy

  1. Take in the views of the Grand Canal, the lagoon, San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale from the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore
  2. Go on a food tour or bacari (bar) crawl and discover the local bar snacks called cicchetti. Make sure to visit Al Squero where you can munch on your snacks and watch the skilled artisans resore the city’s beautiful gondolas
  3. Take a water taxi from the airport to your hotel. There is no more incredible arrival than speeding down the Grand Canal in those stylish wooden speedboats
  4. Enjoy a coffee at Rosa Salva – one of the oldest cafes in the city
  5. Take a kayak or eco boat canoe of the outer lagoon. You might even see the resident flamingoes!

How many countries have you visited so far?

35 and counting

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What are your top 3 favorite cuisines?

Ah that’s easy! Italian, Japanese and French. I love the seasonality and regional variances of all these cuisines. I’m also going to sneak in a fourth. Vietnamese food is so fresh and flavorful. I really missed slurping a decent pho when we lived in London.

What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What dish do you recommend there?

My husband and I still talk about the meal we had at Tetsuyas in Sydney. The degustation menu always includes the signature confit ocean trout dish which just melts in your mouth. That’s a bit of a splurge so for something a little more budget friendly I like the pan Asian flavours at Lucy Liu in Melbourne. Their soft shell crab pancake rolls are amazing.

What is your favorite travel movie?

A Room with a View – this gorgeous Merchant Ivory production of Henry James’ classic novel about a young woman’s journey of self discovery on a trip to Italy makes me want to get on a plane to Florence immediately.

What is your favorite international airport?

Singapore’s Changi airport is more like a destination than an airport. Plus you’re usually out of there within half an hour of landing. Bliss!

Which city had the friendliest people?

This may surprise many people but Tokyo was amazing. Old ladies made origami animals for our kids on trains and everyone wanted to help us get around.

Who is your favorite travel companion?

I have 3! My husband and twin 5 year olds. Their observations on the world never get old.

What is the best way to kill time while traveling?

If I am on a plane I have my iPad loaded with books and movies I want to catch up on. When waiting for transport or activities at our destination I just love relaxing at a café watching the world go by.

What is the most exotic place your career has taken you?

I visited Banda Aceh in 2005 where my brother was helping the rebuild effort after the tsunami the previous year. This remote and beautiful island paradise had been utterly decimated but was rebuilding quickly. It was very confronting to see the devastation among the tropical forest and white sand beaches.

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What is your best bit of travel advice for someone who wants to, or is about to, embark on a life of travel?

Go with the flow and stay positive. The unexpected will happen and many things will be out of your control. This is all part of the experience and you’ll have so many stories to share as a result.

What are 4 things you could never travel without?

My family, passport, iPad and sense of humour. Something is bound to go wrong when you travel but there’s very little a lovely glass of wine can’t fix.

What is your ultimate dream destination?

It’s always Italy – I’ve still got so much to explore! But other than that I’d love to spend a few months exploring central and South America.

What is your favorite travel quote?

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” — Henry Miller

Where are you headed next?

Back to Bali, Indonesia for a family holiday. I cant wait for those perfect sunsets and delicious seafood feasts on the beach.

Bio

Wanderlust struck Katy hard as a teenager and she’s found a way to travel the world ever since. She started her travel blog Untold Morsels to inspire others to take food and cultural adventures around the world with their family and friends. Katy’s all time favourite country is Italy and she never needs a reason or excuse to return. She recently started travel site Untold Italy dedicated to helping people plan their trips to Italy full of the best views, vino and gelato.

Learn more about Katy Clarke and follow her travels on her blogs Untold Morsels and Untold Italy, as well as her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!

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  1. katy@untoldmorsels says:

    Thansk so much for having me! Loved answering your questions

    • Brandon Moore says:

      You’re welcome, Katy! It was our pleasure.

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