Why I’m Taking a Break from Gourmet Wanderlust to Vlog My Way Through Greece and Italy

Founder of GourmetWanderlust.com.au, Alana Munro, shares why she’s stepping away from her gourmet food business to explore authentic food, culture and hidden gems across Greece and Italy — one travel vlog at a time.

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There comes a moment — usually sometime after your second coffee but before the first email panic attack — when you realise the daily routine just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Don’t get me wrong. I love running Gourmet Wanderlust — it’s fun discovering lovingly produced, artisan foods, and sharing my finds with you guys. It's sweet to hand over a hamper I've curated and see them smile.

But lately, something has been calling me. Something wild. The ache of wanting to feel alive. The desire to wander and explore before it's too late. The need to take in new sights, new tastes, new smells, new memories with my family.

Greece has an estimated 6,000 islands and islets scattered throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas. However, only about 227 of these islands are inhabited.

And so, I’ve decided to take a proper break from the day-to-day of my gourmet food business… to launch into the adventurous (and probably chaotic) world of travel vlogging across Greece and Italy.

Greece and Italy are calling. I’m seeking authentic European experiences — little-known tavernas, stray cats purring at my feet, and seaside towns where the menu changes depending on what the fisherman caught that morning.

This is me chasing my lifelong passion for travel, food and storytelling — not with a recipe blog this time, but with a vlogging camera and a wide-eyed sense of wonder.

Why Now?

Because I’m 44, and I’ve reached the glorious age where I finally understand that most people are too busy thinking about themselves to care if you quit your job, start a YouTube channel, or get lost in an olive grove.

This isn’t a midlife crisis. It’s more of a midlife recalibration. I’ve built something beautiful with Gourmet Wanderlust — and now I want to build something messier, less predictable.

Also, I want to drink amazing wine in Italy. For research purposes, obviously.

Puglia, Italy, is famous for its olive oil production, unique trulli houses, stunning Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, and delicious cuisine, particularly burrata and handmade orecchiette pasta. It's also known for its baroque architecture, particularly in Lecce, often called the 'Florence of the South'

Come Wander With Me

If you’ve been following Gourmet Wanderlust from the beginning — thank you. This next chapter is still part of the same story, just written from a different table (probably with a wine glass in shot).

I’ll be sharing all the travel vlogs, foodie finds, and adventures as they unfold. You’ll find updates on my business Facebook page, YouTube Channel (launching soon), and via email newsletters.

So stay tuned. Or better yet, subscribe, follow, and come wander with me through the flavours and warm embrace of Europe.

With love, Alana x