As a holiday destination in Europe, Slovenia is often overlooked in favor of Italy to the north or Croatia to the south. But for such a small country, Slovenia holds its own. You can find well-preserved history, fairy-tale architecture, alpine mountains and deep crystal-blue lakes, untapped wine regions, and Adriatic coastline all often within an …
I was 18 the first time I went to Europe. A graduation present from my parents, that week spent in Rome with my mother was a revelation.
Traveling to Europe is always an experience but autumn could be the best time to travel – it means fewer crowds, shorter lines, reservations at some of the best restaurants and often quite idyllic weather – along with some of the most spectacular displays of fall foliage. Visiting parts of Europe during the summer sometimes …
Matera and Puglia have been conquered and re-conquered over the centuries by the Lombards, Byzantines, Normans, Romans, Greeks, and the Aragonese. The food and culture have been influenced by these invasions and by trade with Sicily, the Arab World, Africa, and Europe. This historical melting pot makes for unique and stunning architecture, a fusion of …
One of the things we enjoy most when traveling is the food – and the drinks! Visiting a French or Italian vineyard and sipping on limoncello on the Mediterranean is a bucket list experience, but every region has special liqueurs that speak to their history and resources. One of our favorites is pastis, an anise-flavored …
There are many sights in Europe that take your breath away: the Coliseum, the snow-crested Alps, the beaches of Normandy, or the small villages of Cinque Terre set into the cliffs. You want to pinch yourself to make sure it’s real! There is another man-made marvel, which has remained somewhat off the main tourist trail, …
Trulli a Treasure in Puglia Italy Beautiful outside, fresh inside! The Trulli houses make up major part of the face of the region of Puglia (Apulia). Today, one of the main functions of most buildings – whether offices, restaurants or residences – is protection from the elements. This had long been the case in areas …
Basque Pintxos: Bite Size Culinary Treasures One of the gastronomic treasures of San Sebastián is its famous tapas (or pintxos, to use the Basque term), culinary miniatures which range anywhere from a simple piece of bread covered with food, as in its origins, to the tiny culinary creations of the master chef. Originally, the pintxo …
Tuscany: The Country of Brunello di Montalcino The first record of red wines from Montalcino dates back to the early 14th century, but the all-Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino style we know today did not emerge until the 1870s, just after Il Risorgimento (the unification of the Italian regions into a single state). Its evolution was …
Pack your suitcases! If you’ve been thinking about travel to Europe in 2015 (or maybe it just came to you?), wait no longer for your chance to join a small group guided tour to France, Italy and Prague. The following guided travel tours to Europe are guaranteed for Spring 2015: Loire Valley Culinary Tour (May 1-10) …