When learning a new language, why is it that we always seem to look up the curse words 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. After that, I tend to want to know the “dirty…
Monograms is a travel company hybrid that I didn’t know I needed. And now I don’t know how I’ll ever travel without them. Pete and I went on a Monograms curated trip to London, Paris, and Nice as part of a campaign with iAmbassador. And I gotta say, they truly are the travel industry’s best…
Located along the northeastern coast of Italy, Rimini is the perfect destination for travelers seeking a relaxing getaway without the crowds. Rimini is famous for colorful beach umbrellas and cabanas dotting the shore along the pristine Adriatic Sea. But there’s so much more to it than just a beach vacation. In addition to the beach, there’s…
This is perhaps my favorite, and one of my most memorable, afternoon teas – the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea London. A playful Alice In Wonderland theme will delight and surprise with every detail on the table. From the menus tucked inside vintage books, to sugar cubes stored in music boxes, and even marshmallows made in the…
The most memorable part of our trip to Paris was a day we spent on a self guided food tour, walking to historic places like the oldest cafe and oldest bakery in Paris. Nibbling our way though historic neighborhoods and markets was our idea of heaven. Paris is certainly famous for food; the macarons, the…
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…
Have you heard of San Marino? It’s a tiny country located in the northeastern part of Italy and is the third smallest country in Europe, and the fifth smallest in the world! The Republic of San Marino is just a little over 24 square miles, with winding roads leading to the capital city sitting high on…
This post about Vegan Hamburg is sponsored by and created in cooperation with Hamburg Tourism. Hamburg has an incredibly diverse food scene influenced by their historic port connected to the North Sea. It’s definitely Germany’s “Gateway to the World,” with everything from Nordic cuisine, to fine teas at the famously well-photographed Wasserschloss along the canals. But…
This post is sponsored by Avalon Waterways in collaboration with iAmbassador. However, all opinions are my own. When it comes to river cruising, what comes to mind? Personally, I love the luxury of unpacking only once and still getting to visit multiple cities. It’s the epitome of relaxation and slow travel. The first time I…
Going for afternoon tea in London is a must-do for when visiting 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 labeled, “drink me.” Or you could go for a…
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…
If you’re visiting Amsterdam or Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is a perfect day trip to see Holland’s windmills. Even though it seems touristy, personally 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…
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 see a lot in to a single vacation. So, if…
Food halls are trending, so it’s no surprise that one of the most delicious cities on earth has one you must visit — Mercato Centrale Rome. There’s so many artisanal delicacies all under one roof that a visit to Rome wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Mercato Centrale, especially for culinary souvenirs to take…
This post is sponsored by Avalon Waterways. All thoughts and opinions are my own. River cruises are not what they used to be. Gone are the days of meeting in port for stuffy tours on big busses with boring itineraries. Avalon Waterways has created something unique for a new generation of thoughtful travelers, their Active…
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…
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 Croatia? Here are 10 items you must taste when it comes to Croatian food. From cheese, to liquors, desserts, seafood, and more! You’ll find a lot of Italian influence, fine wines, and European cafe culture when visiting Croatia. Croatian Food: From Savory To Sweet, 14 Things You Must Taste When Visiting Croatia 1….
Before there were the bright colored Ladurée macarons (pronounced “ma-ka-roh”), or the coconut macaroon (pronounced “ma-ka-roon”), there was the original French macaron -a thin sweet almond wafers made my nuns in 17th century France. You can still find the original French macarons being made in a quaint medieval village of Saint Emilion, best known for its luscious…
We are hooked on Game of Thrones, and last year I had the opportunity to visit several of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland. I wrote about the whole Northern Ireland GoT Tour as soon as I got back, but here’s a condensed list of our favorite locations. Game Of Thrones: 7…
Despite being a small island nation, there is a lot to see in Malta. There’s azure blue grottoes, the island of Gozo, and stunning sailing opportunities. Malta has foods you’ve likely never before tried and fabulous wines unique to the island. There’s also historic landmarks older than Stone Henge and glorious palaces. It’s definitely a…
During my last trip to London doing research about British gin, I spent an evening exploring a new-to-me neighborhood on a Soho London Food Tour. Located in the heart of London’s West End, the streets here are full of theaters, pubs, and an incredible variety of international foods. Unlike New York’s SoHo, which is named for…
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…
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…
During a 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. During longer stays, I’ve enjoyed a whole week driving along the coast on a Game of Thrones Tour to visit the show’s filming…
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…
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…
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…
Traveling in Madrid or Barcelona and wondering what to eat in Spain? The list of delicious Spanish foods can be endless! And Spain is most definitely one of the top destinations in the world for culinary travel. The Costa Brava region is birthplace of modernist cuisine and the home to El Bulli and Cellar De…
Leeds instead of London? You bet. I know, you’re thinking, “where is Leeds?” And that is exactly the kind of question you want to be asking in this age of overtourism. For a truly unique experience, you’ve got to get away from the big cities and crowds! Don’t get me wrong, London is great, especially…
Pete and I visited Kitzbuhel, Austria, last fall for the Social Travel Summit conference and afterwards spent some time in the mountains for an Austrian Alps farm house stay. The surrounding Alps were the perfect setting for a such a meeting of minds — a physical manifestation of getting a birds eye view on life…
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 of…
Bologna is not as well known as some of Italy’s other famous cities. But, it is definitely the best place in Italy for food and one of my favorite culinary destinations! As the capitol of the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna has earned three nicknames throughout history. La Dotta, which means ‘the learned one’ – for Bologna’s…
When I heard there was a food theme park that opened in Bologna, I had to plan a visit just to see it. FICO Eataly World has over 100,000 square meters filled with food from every region in Italy — sounds a bit like heaven! I spent a full day at Eataly World and have all…
If there were ever a food tour that sounded like heaven, it would a Bologna gelato tour. We’ve put together a guide and map for you below so you can take a walk under the city’s historic porticoes to three artisanal gelato shops for an epic afternoon of gelato tasting. You’ll get to taste multiple…
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. t’s “piccolo, medio, and grande” instead of Tall, Grande, and Venti. And truly, I haven’t seen anything…
If you like to travel off the beaten path, Reggio Emilia is definitely for you. 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…
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, and even a restaurant that holds the world record for being the first vegetarian restaurant. I was quite impressed with the variety available, the gourmet coffee…
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…
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…
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 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…
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,…
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? Five home chefs that are fans of the Orlando’s Raglan Road Irish Pub and Chef Kevin Dundon’s PBS Show, Modern Irish Cooking, each submitted a winning video showcasing their recipe…
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 over 2,000 hotels in Paris, and with that many choices, how can…
Driving through the Scottish 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 set. You kind of expect knights on horseback to come thundering down one…
Do you know about the Krampus Christmas tradition? 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…
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…
Ever wonder what it’s like to spend the night in an old vintage jail cell? The Malmaison Oxford Hotel, otherwise known as Oxford Prison, offers a unique experience. 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…
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…
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…
Nantes (pronounced nahnt) is located near the western coast of France on the Loire River and is just a short 45 minute flight from Paris. With larger cities suffering from over-tourism, this quaint village with it’s perfect blend of history mixed with modern art and delicious food should be on your list of places to…
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 get a taste of Croatian food see what they’re best known for. Video: Croatian Food &…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Ever wonder what Dutch food is like? Admittedly, Holland is not really known for being a culinary destination. But there are a few treats you should look for besides Gouda cheese! If you’re visiting Amsterdam, or anywhere in the Netherlands, here’s a list of Dutch food to look for and taste for yourself. 1. Sprinkles…
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…
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…
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.