Paella and sangria may be the quintessential Spanish meal, but in one area of Spain, you’re more likely to be tucking into bean casserole and drinking cider. Asturias, a principality on Spain’s northern coast, is not somewhere widely known to tourists outside of Spain. While it has long been a summer retreat for Spanish monarchs, […]
Cider Houses & Tapas in Asturias, Spain Read More »
Like countless visitors to southern Spain before me, I stood next to the Alhambra, spread out on the plateau rising above the modern city of Granada, listening for whispers from the ghosts of centuries past. Â Looking out over the rooftops of the town, I could see the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance, still snowcapped
Granada: Echoes of the Moors Read More »
Traveling to another country is a chance to try a different cuisine. Sure, Starbucks, McDonald’s and KFC are almost everywhere around the globe, but where’s the fun in scarfing down a Big Mac in Turku when you can snack on a freshly baked karjalanpiirakka? Why settle for a Häagen-Dazs dessert in Helsinki when cloudberries are
Crawfish, Cloudberries and Karjalanpiirakka Read More »
Madrid’s Hotel Silken Puerta America is located in an Art Deco building about 15 minutes from the Madrid Barajas International Airport. The 12-story building of red, purple, yellow, and orange, is the only hotel of its kind in the world and an art lover’s paradise.  The exterior of the hotel was designed by the French
Every Room is Different at This Madrid Hotel Read More »
Is Belgium the chocolate capital of the world? Many say yes!  Last month on a trip to Brussels, Belgium I set out to find if that was true. After all, every time I head to Belgium someone reminds me that I must bring back chocolate of some kind. Belgium actually got its reputation for chocolate
What Makes Belgian Chocolate So Good? Read More »
I’m no cook and I will be the first to admit it. However, trying my hand at a cooking school in Brussels, Belgium, with a group of friends was too much to pass up. Keep in mind I am a person who can’t even boil water – but I was assured that by the end
Cooking Classes in Belgium Read More »
Faro is the southernmost city in the country of Portugal, and has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age. Because of this, Faro has been settled many times by different groups of people, meaning you can find both Arab and Roman ruins in the city. Even if you aren’t a history buff, you’ll appreciate the intricate art and
Take a Stroll through the Shadows Like many people, when I hear the phrase, “Italian food,” the first dishes to come to mind are pizza and pasta. Both are certainly Italian, but they are not the specialties for every region. For instance, while it’s possible to get pizza in Venice, the best is in southern
When in Venice, Eat as the Venetians Do Read More »
What is Limoncello? Limoncello (lee-moan-chello) is a popular after dinner digestive in southern Italy. When you visit Naples and other cities along the Amalfi Coast, such as Sorrento, Positano and Ravello, you will see this bright yellow liqueur in decorative bottles on display in shop windows everywhere you go. It’s not just for tourists, either.
Sipping Limoncello in Southern Italy Read More »
The Lake Maggiore Express offers one of the most delightful European excursions that can possibly exist: a train through exquisite Alpine countryside which takes you across the Italian border and into the Swiss town of Locarno, before a gentle return journey by boat. The day begins in Stresa, Italy, from where the first train
Lake Maggiore Express: Visiting Italy & Switzerland in a Day Read More »