Soon after landing in Budapest, a friend and I were promptly held in one of several contiguous rooms. People from other flights kept arriving, ultimately packing us in like sardines. One of the more curious souls decided to go talk to the well-armed security guards. Apparently we were under a lockdown due to a bomb threat and we were being held until security until bomb sniffing dogs had made a careful assessment of the situation. After about … [Read more...]
Vino Voyage: A European Adventure
Before I left on my latest trip to Europe, I randomly sent a WhatsApp message to one of my travel blogger friends, Isabel from Bel Around the World. It turns out she was in London finishing up her travels in Europe before heading down to Thailand to speak at TBEX. She met my friend and I at LHR as soon as we landed - and then we were off on a whirlwind nearly 3-day road trip of the countryside outside of London. Our first stop was Wrotham, the … [Read more...]
One of the Planet’s Last Undiscovered Wine Regions, Serra Gaúcha Brazil
Contrary to what the title of this article suggests, Serra Gaúcha is the most well-known wine region within Brazil and produces approximately 80% of the country's wine. However, it not very well known by international wine enthusiasts; that needs to change - Garibaldi definitely deserves to be on your radar. Travelers can reach this part of Brazil using several in-country connecting flights to either Caxios do Sol (about a 45 minute drive) and … [Read more...]
Why you should hire a tour guide when visiting Athens
Traveling is a deeply personal experience, and no two journeys are exactly the same. Some travelers prefer to go it alone, relying on guidebooks or self-guided tours, while others may choose the efficiency of a bus tour. However, more and more visitors to Athens are discovering that hiring a private guide can transform their trip from ordinary to extraordinary. With their extensive local knowledge and personalized service, private guides offer a … [Read more...]
A Wine Focused Visit to France
One of the most memorable vineyards in all of my travels is the tiny vineyard at the Bordeaux Airport - because whenever I see this vineyard I know I'm within a short drive to some of the most coveted terroir on the planet. And in all my travels around the globe - its not like I've seen very many vineyards planted at airports! The few people on my flight scattered as soon as we landed; I took full advantage of a totally empty airport to … [Read more...]
The Most Unique Vineyard & Winery in the World
In 2002, Oenologue, Sébastien Thépénie responded to an ad to work at a winery in French Polynesia. Wait a minute. There is vineyard and a winery in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean? The answer is yes - on the remote Rangiroa atoll, one of the world's largest coral atolls. And certainly one of the most isolated vineyards on the planet. Today Sébastien oversees the viticulture and winemaking for Domaine Vin de Tahiti. This extremely unique … [Read more...]
Planning a Trip to Africa to see the Gorillas
I have been to Africa a number of times and always gravitate towards the sub-Saharan eastern part of the continent. One of the greatest thrills on the planet is to be on a big game safari in Africa. The wildlife is prolific at times from parts of Kenya down through South Africa but especially in the Serengeti - with herds of wildebeest, plenty of giraffe, elephants and other rarer sightings. But until now, a visit to see gorillas in the wild … [Read more...]
A Little Bit of Malta on my Mind
I proceeded to a tiny room at my hotel in central Valletta, oddly enough having to pass through the restaurant first. Many elderly ladies were absorbed in a riveting game of Bridge and I had to slink past their tables without bumping into them. Finding a balcony I stood overlooking the scenic water and Fort Saint Angelo in the distance while absorbing the smells of the salty water, the warmth of the Mediterranean sunshine and the tantalizing … [Read more...]
Exploring the Medieval Village of Viviers with Viking Cruises
One of the many advantages of taking a river cruise in Europe is immediate access to small off the beaten path villages and experiences. This was my second river cruise with Viking - on both cruises I've maintained a balance between participating in the offered group tours and taking time to explore on my own. Today I felt like exploring at my own pace simply letting the day unfold. Walking a dirt path on the way to town, I took delight for … [Read more...]
Sick in Scotland
With the early signs of Spring blossoming this time of year in many parts of the world, I thought I would find at least some signs of the lessening grip of winter that these warmer months bring. I was completely wrong. I arrived in Glasgow and it was gloomy, raining and frigid. I didn't even see the trees starting to push green buds. After I left the bus from the airport I didn't have much energy to look further - summoning the last bit of … [Read more...]
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