When I travel it’s not the touristy areas lined with the big brand chain stores that make my trip memorable; rather its the neighborhoods that are slightly off the beaten track, the places where people work and live that really are the soul of the city. I look for the farmers markets, artisans and independent shops; these are the people that love where they live and love what they do. In my opinion one of the best ways to to explore a destination is through its flavors. My pantry is lined with edible souvenirs I’ve brought back from my travels; the smoked paprika from Sevilla that adds the right kick to my paella, the eiderflower vinegar from Copenhagen that gives a floral note to my homemade balsamic vinaigrette; and the wild blueberry jam that transports me right back to the coast of Maine.
When I was approached by the folks at Hole in Wall Box about trying their latest gift box I was thrilled to check it out. Featuring items from Seattle, one of my favorite cities that also happens to be known for its independent streak and creative farm-to-table food scene,I was excited to get a taste of the Emerald City sent right to my mailbox.
Hole in Wall Box is a bi-monthly subscription service that sends goodies from a featured destination directly to your door. As travel lovers themselves, the people at Hole in Wall Box aim to give you an in-depth local experience from cities around the world. They scour the farmer’s markets, seek out unique goodies from mom-and-pop shops and gourmet treats from each destination they visit, curating the best items that only locals know about bringing some of the world’s best cities straight to you. Subscriptions start at $35 for one month, $32.50 per box for 3 months and $30 per box for 6 months (with the latter two delivered bi-monthly). Having already featured treats from San Diego and Seattle, the next destination is one I recently fell in love with-Quebec City! I’m secretly hoping the next box will have some goodies featuring Canada’s greatest contribution to the culinary world, maple syrup.
So what goodies did I get in my Seattle Hole in Wall Box? Let’s take a look.
- Holmquist Orange Honey Hazelnuts- think hazelnuts couldn’t get any better? Think again. Slightly sweetened with golden honey and orange these hazelnuts are highly addictive.
- Boehm’s Chocolate Bar- You can never go wrong with chocolate, especially creamy milk chocolate crafted in Seattle.
- Chukar Cherries- dried Washinton state cherries coated in a pinot noir dark chocolate. Need I say more?
- Moon Valley Organics Vanilla Lemon Lip Balm- a hint of citrus and vanilla makes this lip balm a tasty way to ward off chapped lips.
- The Fay Farm Healing Hemp Lotion- a soothing hand lotion featuring hemp and other essential oils
- Herbn’ Farms NW Seattle salt-a blend of kosher salt, lavender, sage and thyme that lends an herbal note to everything from scrambled eggs to Pacific cod.
- Tiny’s Organic Dried Bosc Pears- slow dried Washington grown pears are a great healthy on-the-go snack.
- Jonboy Whiskey & Smoked Salt Caramels- these hand wrapped caramels made with Samish Bay Whiskey and Yakima applewood smoked salt are even better than you think they are.
Win your own Hole in Wall Box from the next featured destination- Quebec City!
One lucky winner will receive their own Hole in Wall subscription box featuring items from Quebec City . Entry is simple.
- REQUIRED: Follow @HoleInWallBox and @CasualTravelist on Instagram.
- Extra entries: Follow @CasualTravelist on Twitter and/or Visit @HoleInWallBox and @CasualTravelist on Facebook.
- Make sure to use the Rafflecopter entry form so we can track your entries. If you don’t fill it out, you can’t win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This prize is open to those 18 or older, and can be shipped anywhere in the USA and Canada. Good luck!
What city would you like to see featured next by Hole in Wall Box? Please let me know below in the comments!
This post was sponsored by Hole in Wall Box , but as always all opinions remain my own.
Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate says
Love this!
Brianna says
Thanks Kristin!
Stephen Garone says
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely going to check out this one.
Critic In Transit says
Sounds great, and tasty. Though admittedly, the first thing I think of when I read about “hole in the wall” and “taste,” is something dirty.
Brianna says
Oh my…
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
ANYTHING to bring the world of travel to me when I can’t be traveling myself is brilliant, in my opinion; especially when it involves the culinary world! Love this idea!
Brianna says
How can you not love gourmet treats from around the world that come straight to you?
Lisa says
Are most of the cities in North America? Or will some be from other continents?
Brianna says
Right now the cities are in North America but they will expand soon.
Dana says
Austin or Nashville would be great
Brianna says
Oooh, I like both of those ideas!
Mellissa Williams says
I love the idea of this – local speciality food – delivered to your door. Do they deliver internationally? I live in the UK
mark says
sounds like a great concept that they have going here. I am not sure if there is anything like this in Australia for me to try. But I fully here you about bringing food home, I am still using the paprika i bought back from Budapest 10 years and when i go to Germany I bring back mustard and mango curry sauce that u can not find in OZ. I would love to try the whisky smoked caramels yummo.
Brianna says
Germany has the best mustard hands down!
Carol Colborn says
I have been sent emails about this. Now you have explained what it is! What a wonderful thing to get as a gift. It would be the best way to market it, I think!
Brianna says
Who wouldn’t love getting one of these boxes as a gift?
Christina says
Neat idea! I also purchase edibles from our trips. One of our best buys were spices from Granada. Just can’t beat getting it right from the source.
Brianna says
I bet the cinnamon and nutmeg is amazing!
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
Bummer I live in Australia, such a wonderful box full of foodie delights. That is the kind of subscription I would go for. Regarding your pantry filled with edible treats from your travels. Oh yeah, I can relate to that. Being able to reach for those items brings me so much joy 🙂
Brianna says
Hopefully Hole in Wall Box will soon come to Oz.
Dana says
I think a next box from Quebec City would be awesome! I haven’t been to Canada, so getting local specialties from the area would be perfect for me. Other ideas from North America would be Texas or Maine.
Brianna says
Maine is a fabulous idea!
Natasha Amar says
Such a brilliant concept- imagine having marmalade from a Spanish farm delivered right to your door. I’m curious- would that really be possible or are they only working with North American locations at the moment?
Brianna says
North America only for now but they are expanding fast!
Valerie says
I always try those hazelnuts when we go to Pike Place Market! They have a lot of different flavors. I love that the boxes includes things other than food too, like the lip balm and lotion.
Brianna says
Those hazelnuts are addictive!
Fiona Maclean says
LOL I wish I was in the US or Canada!
Strangely I’ve just reviewed the UK equivalent – a ‘Borough Box’ featuring things from Borough Market. Perhaps the two businesses should get together and do the occasional international swap!
Brianna says
I loved exploring the Borough Market and would love to recieve some goodies from London.
MariaAbroad says
I absolutely agree with you, the best places are the family owned shops and restaurants. This box looks like a great way to explore a new place without the cost of jumping in an airplane. What a great idea, I love it.
Brianna says
I can’t wait to see what’s in the Quebec box!
Kevin Wagar says
Fun idea! I like how they change the featured city so you get new things each time!
Brianna says
Isn’t it a great idea?
Curious Claire says
I’m the same as you, I love the places that are just outside the main cities. I’ve heard about the Hole in the Wall box before and I’ve been tempted. Maybe I need to find out if they deliver to England 😉
Brianna says
Not yet but soon hopefully.
SHRADDHA GUPTA says
Great idea! Being both a foodie and a traveler, I know how much I travel for food, to places which are famous for cuisines, and local culture. And also I think the idea of subscription boxes is a lot of fun, as I already have a few, all on different concepts. I am sure trying this one out too! Thanks for the post.
Brianna says
I love trying out different treats.
Lies says
I would love to subscribe to a box like this, it looks great! I might sign up cause it looks like they ship to Canada 🙂