Virtually every country that produces livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) also produces cheese. That is why there are so many varieties of cheeses around the world. May I suggest including cheese-tasting on your travels. There's nothing quite as authentic about experiencing a new venue than stopping at its local delicatessen or butcher shop for a hunk of cheese to go with local breads and wines. These are the foods that most often define a region or town in the Western Hemisphere.

And while cheese doesn't seem to have caught on in Asia, it is a staple in the Middle East. If you haven't tried cheese tasting, start today. I put Feta cheese on a salad this week for the first time...

And here's a hot tip: If you're in NYC, stop into Balducci's (lower Manhattan near Washington Square) where the cheese section is the grandest I've seen anywhere, with dozens of varieties of imported, authentic cheeses from around the world. Oh, yes -- they have the wines and breads to go with it!

Balducci's online
Igourmet: Awesome products
Ideal Cheese Shop: Very convenient and affordable.
Deli Meyer Cheese: Amazing assortment of international cheeses to select from.

By guest writer Kathleen A.