After writing this second Rome synopsis post, I realized just how much we saw and did (and ate)! We tried our best to scout out as many neighborhoods and treasures as possible, and we certainly discovered some little gems along the way. I’ve included an asterisk (*) next to my absolute favorite establishments in case […]
Tag: wine
Enjoying Low Season on the Bay of Naples
The most popular times to visit Italy are summer and early fall. The weather is lovely, all the restaurants and sites are open, and the fresh produce is at its prime. You can hop from beach to ancient city to airy terrace all in a day’s work. But we’re discovering the benefits – and, indeed, […]
A Nearly Perfect Saturday in Rome
When you think about a perfect day, what comes to mind? Perhaps it involves a road trip or a visit to a local museum. Maybe you like to hop from restaurant to pub and back again. And I bet some of you would prefer to stay in your pjs, curl up on your couch, and […]
Ah, Florence! Land of Tiny Wine Bars and Gigantic Churches
I have visited Italy several times, but I’ve never been north of Rome. Many of the country’s most famous cities and sights lie north of the capital. So Joe and I planned a long Thanksgiving weekend trip that started in the beautiful metropolis of Florence. While there, we visited many churches, drank lots of wine, […]
How to Enjoy 48 Jam-Packed Hours in Venice
Sometimes I wish this whole year was one big vacation. We would be able to see and experience everything we wanted, and could spend days or weeks in particularly fascinating places. Alas, we’re not on perpetual holiday. But when we do get a few days off, we try to pack in as much fun and […]
Sofia Retrospective: Some Favorites and Some Funny Things
Our time in Sofia flew by, as I expected it would. After all, we were only there for 16 days. For “normal” travelers, that might seem like an eternity – but for us, it was just enough time to explore a bit of the city and discover a number of strange and funny features that […]
Berlin Retrospective: 550 Square Miles and Too Much to See
Berlin is a truly huge city. And I’m not really talking about population – although 3.47 million is nothing to scoff at. I’m talking about its actual size. It covers 550 square miles. To put that in perspective, realize that all of New York City – all five boroughs, with a population well over 8 […]
A Magical and Surprising Night at ernst Berlin
Sometimes you need to indulge in a special meal. Let your senses run free and dive into some imaginative chef’s whimsical world. Joe and I have made it a point to discover at least one spectacular dining experience per country. Something a bit (or a lot) over the top but completely worth it. And we […]
A Beautiful, Art-filled Day in East Berlin
When you live in a city, it’s easy to get stuck in your neighborhood. Especially if it’s a really lively, interesting, great neighborhood like ours here in Berlin. Mitte is full of adorable, cozy restaurants, inviting bars, tempting boutique shops, and intriguing courtyards. Why would we ever leave? Because Berlin is full of other such […]
How to Conquer the Cannstatter Volksfest
If you love beer and aren’t opposed to travel, chances are you’ve considered attending Germany’s famous Oktoberfest celebrations. Many enthusiasts head straight for Munich’s official Oktoberfest, which welcomes around 6 million people each year. While there’s nothing like chugging steins of Hofbrau with millions of your new closest friends, there are other options.
Croatia Retrospective: Eat, Drink, Explore, and Be Merry!
As promised, here is the follow-up to my Zagreb Retrospective. We’ve spent the last 10 days in Dalmatia, the region of southern Croatia, and there is so much to see and do. I’ll also quickly review highlights from our time in Istria just to round it all out. If you get the chance to visit […]
Three Spots to Drink Excellent Wine in Istria
Joe and I really enjoy sampling local wines wherever we go. When you visit a winery, you learn so much about the history of the place. You get a better feel for the people, their stories, and how they live their lives. When I Googled “wine in Croatia,” I was amazed at the results. One […]
Road Tripping Through Beautiful Istria
When we travel, Joe and I try to see and experience something new everywhere we go. Even if we’ve visited a place before, we add a new town or region to our list. Our sense of adventure has become a part of us. Exploring back country roads in a little rental car is often a […]
Exploring Zagreb: Let the City Find You
What enters your mind when you think of Croatia? For many of you, it will be Game of Thrones. For others, it will be crystal clear waters and pebble beaches. Still others will conjure images of Roman ruins and excellent wine. When I think about Croatia, my mind returns to my last visit here nine […]
Romania Retrospective: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore
Our trip to Romania was unexpected. We had our whole year planned out, but learned belatedly that we’d have to make some changes. While searching for places outside the Schengen Zone (more on that another time) but not halfway across the world, we inevitably found our way to Eastern Europe. There was Romania, beckoning to […]
Discovering Romania’s Wine Scene
It’s always nice to be pleasantly surprised when traveling. We embrace being surrounded by the unfamiliar – it’s one of the reasons we love to explore! – and finding hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path treasures brings true pleasure. One of our favorite ways to discover new places is through wine tasting. When I mentioned Romania’s blossoming […]
Highlights of Porto: Tasting Our Way Around
Ever since we decided to spend time in Spain, I knew we needed to visit nearby Portugal as well. I’d heard tantalizing stories about the coastal cities, tiled buildings, eclectic architecture and valleys packed full with terraced grapes that produced unparalleled port wines…sounded like a dream destination to me!
Mas Vino, Por Favor! Fun Facts about Spanish Wines.
While reading today, I came across a site called The Local, which shares Spain’s news in English. A wine blogger, Timmer Brown (@catalunyawine), had posted some interesting articles about Spanish wine, which intrigued me immediately. After reading about some of the best wine bars in Barcelona (I’ll be visiting every single one, thankyouverymuch), I found […]
Heaven on Earth: the 2017 Oregon Cheese Festival
Imagine a wonderful place full of tables laden with many types of cheeses, truffles, chocolates, jams and jellies, pickled delicacies and baked goods, all overflowing from their displays. And almost more abundant than the tasty treats are the breweries, wineries and distilleries whose bold, delicate, earthy and even naughty beverages beckon to visitors and help wash […]
