True Italian coffee is nothing like what we see in the United States. The menu looks totally different and you almost need a seperate guide to ordering coffee in Italy. First of all, Starbucks has it all wrong. It’s “piccolo, medio, and grande” instead of Tall, Grande, and Venti. And truly, I haven’t seen anything…
While there are many cities in Italy I’d recommend visiting, Reggio Emilia is one where I’d also recommend living. After just spending a day here I was ready to pack my bags and start apartment hunting. It’s quaint, stylish, and sophisticated yet also very welcoming. (And how could it not be, it’s the home of…
Whether you’re visiting for business or for pleasure, there are are ton of delicious Zurich restaurants to try. From lakefront dining with a view, to traditional Swiss comfort foods, to a place that holds the world record for being the first vegetarian restaurant ever. I was quite impressed with the variety of dining spots available,…
There are so many delicious journey’s to take through Italy! Having traveled through the Emilia Romagna region and Tuscany multiple times, we were so glad to finally make it down to Sicily and Southern Italy while working with EF Go Ahead Tours to highlight their southern Italy food tour. While we anticipated indulging in amazing food, there…
The holidays are not only the season of giving, it’s also the season of eating! The Christmas Markets in Europe have so many delicious treats to indulge in this time of year. Here’s a list of our favorite Christmas Market foods. 7 European Christmas Market Foods To Try Raclette Raclette is a swiss cheese that’s melted over…
There are places in this world that magnify the magical feeling of the holiday season, especially in Europe. Half-timbered houses dusted in snow, giant fir trees in every town square, and garland strung with lights around pop up shops certainly set the mood. But the best Christmas markets in Europe will have you believing that…
With the next season of Game of Thrones about to launch this weekend, I’m just a wee bit excited! We are hooked on the show, and last year I had the opportunity to visit several of the filming locations in Northern Ireland. I wrote about the whole Northern Ireland GoT Tour as soon as I…
People often ask me, “out of everywhere you’ve been, which country is your favorite?” This is always tough to answer, as I love a lot of places for different reasons. But one destination that is consistently in my top five is Croatia. It has such a great mix of interesting history and architecture, jaw-dropping coastlines, and…
We posted a round-up of our delicious tour of Spain, but there were SO MANY PHOTOS I wanted to share, I decided to make a gallery so the story and information wouldn’t get lost in the scroll. These pictures of Spain cover our trip from Barcelona, to San Sebastian, to Pamplona, through the winelands of Rioja and Ribera del…
Pete and I recently went on a culinary trip to Spain while working with Go Ahead Tours. It was Pete’s first visit to Spain, and my second as I’ve visited the Costa Brava region on a previous food-focused trip. Our itinerary went from Barcelona to San Sebastian, and back down to Madrid, so I was really…
If you’re a big fan of Game of Thrones, then like us, you’ve probably admired the beautiful landscapes in the background of those dramatic scenes and wondered, “Where is Game Of Thrones filmed? I’ve got to see it!” Game of Thrones has filmed on location in places around the world known for having epic coastlines and ancient…
Ever wonder, “Where is Wales?” You’ve heard of it. But when you look at a map and see the big island of Ireland right next to Great Britain with Scotland to the north and England to the south, you still might wonder, “where exactly is Wales?” I confess, during my visit there, I arrived at Manchester Airport (in…
During my last trip to London doing research about British gin, I spent an evening exploring a new-to-me neighborhood — Soho London. Located in the heart of London’s West End, the streets here are full of theatres, pubs, and an incredible variety of international foods. Unlike New York’s SoHo, which is named for its location (So)uth of…
Binge watching a marathon weekend of Downton Abbey? I’ve got your snacks covered. One of my favorite shows of all time is in it’s final season, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to throw your own Downton Abbey Party. Whether you want to host a tea party worthy of Lady Mary, or just create…
When it comes to natural beauty, Scotland has miles upon miles of lush landscape just waiting to be explored. From its intimidating highlands to the elusive lochs, adventure awaits anyone who travels to this rugged corner of the world. Whether you fancy hitting the water in a sea kayak or exploring the iconic castles on…
During my last visit to London, I had the pleasure of staying at St. Ermin’s Hotel. There’s so many things I love about St. Ermin’s, starting with their central location as I was able to easily walk to visit so many sights including, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and St. James Street. Not only are they comfortably…
This is perhaps my favorite, and one of my most memorable, afternoon teas – the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at Sanderson London. With a playful Alice In Wonderland theme, every last detail on the table is meant to delight and surprise. From the menus tucked inside vintage books, to sugar cubes stored in music boxes, and even…
Going for tea in London is a must-do for first time visitors to the city, but it doesn’t all have to be prim and proper with pinkies up. You can have tea in a trippy Alice-In-Wonderland style complete with magic marshmallow mushrooms and small glass bottles of a sweet elixir labeld, “drink me.” Or you could go for…
When I took my mom to France for the first time, which was also her first Transatlantic flight, I upgraded us to Air France Premium Economy so she’d have a comfortable experience. Plus, it was her birthday so I didn’t mind the splurge. Overall, the slight increase in the fare (around $200) was well worth the…
Before there were the bright colored Ladurée macarons (pronounced “ma-ka-roh”), or the coconut macaroon (pronounced “ma-ka-roon”), there were the original French macarons – thin sweet almond wafers made my nuns in 17th century France. Today, you can still find the original French macarons being made in a quaint medieval village best known for it’s lucious wines produced…
Wales might be shadowed by the more frequently visited England and Scotland, but for travelers with an appreciation for food, culture, and epic landscapes, Wales is a must-visit. It’s the land of dragons and castles, rolling green hills dotted with sheep, and a fun celtic language of double L’s, and tongue-twisting W’s as vowels. The people are…
During my recent trip to Great Britain, I had the opportunity to fly up to Northern Ireland and spend a day visiting Belfast and Giant’s Causeway. Admittedly, this was too short at time and I wish I had a whole week to explore this beautiful country. But my guide, Billy Scott, did a superb job…
There are a few natural landscapes in this world that are on my bucket list, and Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is one of them. When I had the opportunity to spend 24 hours in Belfast during my last trip to Great Britain, I couldn’t resist taking a short road trip up to the coast to…
In my experience, people who love food are always the best people, sharing their passion for a particular region or ingredient with the same level of excitement as a child on Christmas morning. And when it comes to milestone celebrations, some foodies say to ‘Go Big Or Go Home.’ For Raglan Road Irish Pub in Orlando,…
Looking for a hotel in Zurich? I highly recommend Hotel Ambassador, a boutique luxury hotel ideally located by the lake and walking distance to unique shops and restaurants in the historic district. If you’re an active traveler, you’ll especially love their guided lakeside trail maps for running a walking. Plus, they provide yoga mats and…
Spending a week in the Bordeaux region over the summer was a dream trip come true for me — exploring history, driving through vineyards, and (of course) tasting wine. Since then, one of the questions I’m most often asked is, “what recommendations do you have on where to stay in Bordeaux?” I’ve got quite a…
Did you happen to follow along on Twitter during my trip to Wales? I went on a delicious road trip from Anglesey to Cardiff with Sian Roberts of LovingWelshFood.com and Cambria Tours as my guide. We slept in castles, ate glitter and gem filled ice cream, spotted dragons, went on a highland safari, visited a village of ancient…
I’m so excited to be headed back to Switzerland, this time to visit Zurich on a press trip with a great group of bloggers. It got me thinking about my last trip to Switzerland, visiting friends in Geneva and taking a road trip around Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). I remember the scenery being breathtaking, just beckoning…
I’m packing this week to head out on the most exquisite summer adventure, traveling to the most famous wine region in the world — Bordeaux! I’ll be traveling through the south of France in Aquitaine’s vineyards Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion, Sauternes & Grave, and Bergerac. Never has an itinerary sounded more delicious! I’m excited to work with…
Ever wonder what it was like to win a big travel or food contest? How about visiting the filming location of one of your favorite cooking shows? This week, I’ll be giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes of both. All you need to do is search for the hashtag #RaglanRoadTrip on Twitter and Instagram. Ragland…
From bustling city life full of history and exciting events, to rolling green highlands dotted with castles and picturesque country drives perfect for leisurely road trips — there’s plenty to see in Scotland. What’s even better is that it’s easy to navigate and small enough that you can easily fit a lot in to a single vacation. So, if…
I was recently asked what were my favorite things to do in Porto. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world and if you’re a foodie or history buff, there’s definitely a few key places you want to add to your itinerary. From gilded coffee houses, to intriguing vintage bookshops, and countless wine cellars tucked away…
Traveling to Paris is a bucket list dream for many, but when you finally get down to planning your trip and start searching for Paris hotels, the sheer amount of places available within all the different neighborhoods throughout the city can be a bit overwhelming. There’s well over 2,000 hotels in Paris, and with that many choices, how can…
When it comes to things to do in Scotland, I think of history, Scotch, and afternoon tea with shortbread. I also imagine kilts, haggis, and the sound of bagpipes. But, as with every country I visit, I discover there’s so much more than the stereotype. I didn’t expect the genuine friendliness of every cab driver I met…
Last fall, I had the opportunity to visit Scotland’s countryside. I have to say, driving through the highlands on winding narrow streets, with each bend in the road revealing another jaw-dropping view of swift moving clouds rolling over green pastures dotted with sheep and the ancient remains of castles– it’s like driving through a movie…
While visiting Prague with my mom in November, we noticed something a little unusual when we popped into a local market to grab a few things — a big display of foil-wrapped chocolate devils. Seriously. Right next to the Santas, a bunch of these little devils with their wicked little tongues sticking out … At…
The latest video released in our Hotels Unstaged series! These are just quick videos done in one take when we check in to a hotel in order to give you a feel of the room, what amenities are included, and an unfiltered look at what the hotel is like. We’ll have a new release each…
Whisky with breakfast, a falconry lesson, castles and battlefields, coffee and shortbread in a cafe that J.K. Rowling used to write in … I’d say I made the most of my last day in Scotland. Had the opportunity to take a falconry lesson this morning at @CromlixHouse and spend some time with two very majestic…
A road trip through the highlands with Ken of Small World Tours, coming face-to-face with a red deer, a visit to Highland Safaris, a proper Scottish cheese toastie for lunch, and ending the day with a rose infused gin by the fireplace at Cromlix House. This is a social wrap up of my day in…
I’m a wee bit behind in my daily wrap ups. After a couple of days out in the countryside with all that fresh air and activity followed up with a plush cloud-like bed right next to a fireplace in a country estate … I chose sleep over the internet. Ha! If you were following along…
Before heading out to Loch Lomond (where I am currently), I had an additional half day in Edinburgh where I discovered a bit of countryside in the city at Holyrood Park. I could spend a whole day hiking those trails! Definitely an unexpected find. Yesterday’s theme seem to be all about natural wonders and architectural…
Yesterday was all planes, trains, and automobiles! A quick early morning ride on the Heathrow Express, a swift Little Red Flight to Edinburgh, and a taxi ride to my hotel with a driver that was practically a tour guide. All-in-all, it took me only about two hours to get from London to Edinburgh. I spend…
Have you been following #UnexpectedGB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook? We’ve been busy little bees! There’s a lot of conversations going on in the social sphere, so I thought I’d do a daily wrap up of pics while I’m on the go. I plan to share more in-depth posts once I have some time at…
I never thought I’d spend the night in jail. After all, I’m a law abiding, cautious citizen-of-the-world that errs more of the side of being a goody-two-shoes than a big risk taker. But I did spend a night in jail last time I was in Britain. Granted, it was pretty posh. And, I wasn’t locked…
Tonight I’m hopping on a flight to visit Great Britain for the second time this year and I can’t wait! We’ll have a brief stop in London where I’m hoping to have the opportunity to see the red poppy exhibition at Tower Bridge and then it’s off to Scotland to stay in castles, go for…
It’s the final day of our tour! Our moments under the glittering Eiffel Tower in Paris feel like it was ages ago. Time seems to evaporate when you’re having fun. Today’s adventure was a guided tour around the city of Prague. We drove up to Prague Castle, watched the changing of the guard, and listened…
From the dark history of Nazi Germany, to a lighthearted afternoon of pretzels and a fairytale-like castle, and finally ending the evening in an elegant city of music and fashion. It’s been a full day. We’ve sipped schnapps, tried Prague’s goulash, and listened to an impromptu symphony on the street (video of that later when…
With two extra days in Paris, we’ve been sight-seeing for nearly two weeks straight. It was time for a rest since we take a drive into Prague tomorrow so we just enjoyed our stateroom on Viking Odin, binge-watching Downton Abby, going through photos from our trip, and drinking endless cups of tea and coffee while…
It’s the birthday girl’s big day! My mom’s birthday began with an unexpected surprise. After breakfast, we returned to our cabin to find a fun cruise “towel” cake and confetti and balloons. It was so thoughtful of the Viking Odin team to coordinate something special to start our day. Today we found ourselves in Würzburg…
It’s been a long day, so a photo essay will have to suffice. I do have to say, though, sometimes an adventure happens when you least expect it. We discovered today that the excitement of driving in Germany isn’t on the autobahn, it’s a fleet of Viking buses squeezing through a tiny village and navigating…
Late yesterday evening we crossed over the the Mosel to the Rhine, passing the German Corner in Koblenz at sunset. We must be going against the current now because whenever I look down at the water it seems we’ve picked up a speedy pace, and then I look up at the shore line to see…
Notes from the cruise today: It was drizzly and wet, but far from gloomy as we visited another quaint riverfront village, Cochem, where walked through ancient dining halls and peeked into the hidden passage ways of a real life castle. In fact, I’d say the grey weather added a bit to the ambiance of meandering…
This morning we woke up in Trier, Germany’s oldest city. The air was damp and cool, the surrounding vineyards covered in a misty fog, and the town was quiet except for the occasional church bells and a lone clarinet player in the town square playing a tune that echoed off the ancient walls and made…
It’s our first evening on the boat and I gotta say, it’s lovely. Very luxurious, clean, and modern. The rooms are spacious with lots of drawers and closet space for getting organized. The bathroom is stocked with L’Occitane and the floor is heated. And there’s a balcony! I’m sure my Mom and I will share…
Our first full day with Viking Cruises in Paris and we’ve had a great mix of tours and free time. After some coffee and a quick breakfast (does anyone know what these pastries are called …) Foodie friends, what are these cinnamon-y pastries called? I’ve seen them a lot during this visit to France! #TBonViking…
I’m so excited to be heading to Europe this week! My mom and I are sailing away on Viking Cruises City Of Lights Tour and, get this, it’s her very first time overseas! Gah! I can’t wait to see Europe through her eyes and experience her first-timers excitement. Plus, I have the Viking Cruises commercial…
1. You Don’t Need A Map One of the challenges in any new city for a visitor is finding your way around. Rather than walking through the streets as confident as a local, taking in the fresh air and scenery, we sometimes find ourselves with our face pointed at a map. This is especially true…
While staying in Malta this spring, I had the opportunity to take a day trip up to the island of Gozo. Even though the country of Malta may seem small, there is quite a bit of ground to cover and it’s nearly impossible to see it all in a week, let alone one island in a…
In order to understand Malta, you really need to see it. So, I’ve designed this post to be more of a photo essay to really share the essence of this gorgeous little country. There’s some brief commentary in between highlighting all the main reasons I think traveling there would be worth your while and if…
I confess, before attending the TBU Conference, I had never heard of Nantes. I didn’t even know how to pronounce it and was saying it in a way that rhymes “ants.” Nantes (pronounced nahnt) is located near the western coast of France on the Loire River and is just a short 45 minute flight from…
If you’ve ever wanted to travel through a wine region with rolling green hills along a riverbank and quaint storybook villages surrounding ancient churches and castles, then Germany’s Rheingau wine region is for you. While wine production here is small, you’ll discover some of Germany’s most historically important wine makers along the Rhine River. There…
Croatia is not typically a country that comes to mind when people think of food and wine, but it should be. This emerging destination should be at the top of every culinary traveler’s list. Watch the video below to see what they’re best known for.
I have waited entirely too long to post this. As I read my notes for German travel tips and edit photos this week from my trip to Germany this past spring, I confess, I’m drooling all over my computer. I mean, just look at these! I found myself thumbing through my iPhone menu photos and…
If you’ve ever wanted to travel through a wine region with rolling green hills along a riverbank and quaint storybook villages surrounding ancient churches and castles, then Germany’s Rheingau wine region is for you. While wine production here is small, you’ll discover some of Germany’s most historically important wine makers along the Rhine River as…
I love Twitter. Last week, I tweeted that I’d be visiting Europe this fall and wanted to know if anyone had any tips and must-visit places for Prague. To my surprise, I found the most heartfelt and genuine email from a Twitter friend that spent a year living in “the golden city.” It was so…
While visiting Germany this spring, I had the opportunity to visit a few places that were a bit off the beaten path, yet a perfect day-trip from Berlin. One such city, Dresden, is the capital of the German state of Saxony and I loved it so much that I ended up staying for an extended…
Despite being a small island nation, there is a lot to see in Malta. There’s azure blue grottoes and stunning sailing opportunities; foods I’ve never before tried and fabulous wines unique to the island; historic landmarks older than Stone Henge and glorious palaces — and that’s just scratching the surface. It’s definitely a week-long destination…
Planning a romantic summer getaway or honeymoon and looking for the perfect place? I was recently asked what destinations I thought were the most romantic, and these are the top five that really made an impression on me. 1 – Hermanus, South Africa Why it’s romantic — Along the coast there is a cliffside pathway…
If you’re like me, then you squee when you hear this song and rush to the couch for a riveting hour of drama and laughter with Downton Abbey. We all have our favorite characters and quotes (personally, I can’t get enough of the Dowager), and any Downton fan headed to England certainly has seeing Downton…
Having a pint at a pub in London is a must-do with any trip to this historic city. While there’s plenty of pubs choose from, I highly recommend visiting one of the London’s oldest pubs, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It was rebuilt in 1667 after the great fire and has had some pretty famous “regulars” including…
Ever want to go behind the scenes in all of Britain’s fantastic movie and television sets? There’s so many great films and shows created there, the difficult choice is in deciding which location to visit first. I don’t know about you, but I’m a HUGE Downton Abbey fan. Here in the states we’re right smack…
During my around-the-world trip with the Four Seasons, our tour was coming to an end and I had just a day to explore the city of Budapest. Now, Budapest possesses some of the best coffee houses in Europe and with the gray skies and November chill in the air there is nothing else I wanted…
Italy, better known to foodies at eat-ily, has unarguably most popular food on the planet. With it’s savory pastas and delicious wines, Italian food pleases almost every picky palate and can be found offered on almost every menu around the world. But, there are quite a few “Italian” foods that aren’t actually Italian at all. …
Curious about how cheese is made? Want to learn more about one of the most famous cheeses in the world? During #Blogville we headed up to Parma, Italy, to get a behind-the-scenes look at Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
I may have learned how to pick out good gelato from “fake” gelato while on a food tour in Rome, but I learned the art of tasting gelati and discovering new Italian gelato flavors while spending a summer in Bologna. Thankfully, Italian portions are small compared to the melon-sized scoops of ice cream you get…
I’ve been in Bologna for a week now and I’m absolutely enamored with the city. I’d never considered traveling to Bologna before coming here for this Blogville project, as Rome and Italy’s other famous cities steal the spotlight. But the one thing I’d heard about was Bologna’s porticoes. I had seen photos and read posts…
If you’ve ever seen a motivational wall calendar or artwork with dream-like waterfalls cascading through lush greenery into pools the color of turquoise gems, you’ve seen Plitvice Lakes. Pronounced “plit-veet-se,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site is quite captivating and is a must-see for any visit to Croatia. These 16 lakes with mineral-rich water in vibrant…
As a wine and food enthusiast, I’ve learned so much from attending wine pairing dinners and they’ve deepened my appreciation for the complexity of flavors a wine can offer. But when I sit and listen as a sommelier describes the precious grapes and how the morning dew clings to their skin, how the sunrise crawls…
I ate my way through Croatia. Really, I did. The waistline in most of my shorts now squeezes my midsection as a reminder of all the Pag cheese, risotto, and other delicious things I consumed. I even wrote a list of “must tries in croatia” that I drool over frequently. But there was just…
1. Sprinkles on toast, or “Hagelslag” It’s like a celebration every morning, and it’s not just for kids. Fruity (or chocolatey) sprinkles on toast is the preferred breakfast of champions in the Netherlands. Their version of sprinkles doesn’t taste like the bland, waxy version of sprinkles you get on ice cream in the USA. Nope. …
Traveling to Croatia? Here are 10 items you must taste when it comes to authentic Croatian food. From cheese, to liquors, desserts, and seafood, you’ll find a lot of Italian influence, fine wines, and European cafe culture when visiting Croatia. 1. Pag Cheese Pag is an island in Croatia that looks a lot like the…
“Where is Croatia?” “Is it safe?” “What is there to see?” These are just some of the questions I was asked earlier this month as I prepared for my trip to this overlooked destination. For those that are wondering, Croatia is east of Italy across the Adriatic Sea and is sort of the shape of…
I know it seems like a sort of cliche tourist thing to do, but I couldn’t wait to find out where to see a windmill in Holland. Driving from the airport in Amsterdam to Rotterdam, we spotted a few of the historic windmills along with the majestic modern ones of today, but none were really…
As the College of Cardinals gather inside the Sistine Chapel today while Catholics around the world wait in anticipation for the tell tale sign of white smoke to signify a new Pope, I can’t help but think back to my visit to the Vatican. I remember being absolutely spent at the end of the day…
It’s only been 24 hours since I arrived in Porto, Portugal, and I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite cities. It has all the charm (and wine!) of Europe without the hustle and stress of bigger metropolitan areas such as Paris or Rome. There is a certain sense of…
If there were an Olympics for food, Spain would definitely take the gold medal. Since everyone raves about French food, and Italian, and Greek (myself included), Spain really took me by surprise. Unfortunately, in the States the closest we get to Spanish foods are spicy Tex-Mex and traditional Cuban. However, I think that’s all about…
A meal here is like a slow and sensual seduction of all the senses. Sight, sound, touch, scents, and finally … taste. It felt visceral, yet innocently fun. Like being on a first date and the excitement of discovering someone for the first time. Except, I was rediscovering my own palate during a multi-sensory food adventure.
Even though I’m a food and travel enthusiast … I don’t even know where to begin to chronicle this experience. Delicious? Amazing? Heavenly? There aren’t enough positive adjectives to describe this Rome tour. Though, I can tell you it was EXACTLY the experience I hoped to find. Imagine walking through a quaint Roman neighborhood, and…
Of all museums throughout the world, the Louvre is on the top of my list of museums worth traveling to see. Besides that fact that it’s in Paris, it was also once a fortress and residence of kings, and there are over 650,000 square feet of exquisite exhibits to get lost in. Not only is…
Learning a new language is sort of a funny thing. First, I typically start with helpful phrases such as asking where the bathroom is located, ordering a glass of wine, and basic counting from 1 to 10. Inevitably, after that, I tend to want to know the “dirty words.” (Don’t we all?) What is it…
The Amalfi Coast is often described as breathtaking. Now, having been there, I could argue that it’s not the scenery that takes your breath away, but the insane way that Italians drive while ignoring any form of lane boundaries and taking cliff-side curves at high speeds. It’s enough to turn your hair white.
A guest post by Peter Dudley: Now that winter is on its way out and the good weather is just around the corner, many people are starting to think about their summer holidays. For some people, that means cottage country, for others it means cultural or sports events or outdoor music festivals. Many people just want to flock to the beach and get a tan.
For my wife and I, we literally head for the hills.