You don’t have to be a sommelier to know that wines from Burgundy have a certain prestige in the wine world.  Peruse a restaurant wine list, and you’ll notice that some of the featured wines or top shelf offerings are Pinot Noir or Chardonnay from Bourgogne, or Burgundy. Wine is grown worldwide, so what is it that makes Burgundy so revered amongst the well studied and introductory wine drinkers? Origins Winemaking in Burgundy can be attributed to the Romans! They brought the vines to Gaul, present day France, and taught […]

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For people who are lucky enough to live on a coast, maybe Northern Michigan doesn’t have the same appeal as it does for those of us who live in the Midwest.  There may not be any direct flights, unless you’re coming from Detroit, but it is worth the connecting flight.  What makes Petoskey, Michigan so special?  I’ll give you 25 reasons to visit Petoskey Michigan. Petoskey has been known as, “the land of million dollar sunsets,” ever since 1873. Petoskey is located on Lake Michigan, along Little Traverse Bay. The […]

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When you think of a romantic vacation to wine country, you probably envision a scene of endless vineyards in California, Italy, or France. Those, of course, are the most romantic, and the three most popular wine destinations for Americans.  The idea of traveling to Idaho to explore its multiple American Viticultural Areas (AVA) may seem bizarre, but trust me.  Exploring the Idaho wine regions will surprise you in the most delightful ways. Idaho Wine Country: Not a New Kid on the Block Did you know that every single state in […]

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I visited the Alsace region of France for a quick weekend over the American Thanksgiving holiday.  I flew into Geneva, Switzerland and then took a train to Basel before transferring to a local train to Colmar, France.  On quick trips such as this, I avoid car rentals.  I prefer to take advantage of public transportation and the deluge of culture that accompanies it.  On this particular trip, I was really looking forward to trying the food and wine of Alsace.  Today, it is a region of France.  In the past, […]

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Growing up in the Midwest, it is a rite of passage to fall victim to winter weight gain.  With shorter days and frigid temperatures, leisurely strolls to the store turn into short sprints to the bus.  Daily activities that help you stay slender tend to hibernate as the common Midwesterner slips into a more sedentary lifestyle.  While some people seek relief by flying to warm weather destinations for extended weekend trips, for many people, that’s not an option.  If you are stuck in the cold Midwest, a great way to […]

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Chicago is Bon Appetit’s 2017 Restaurant City of the Year.  While the magazine gives a list of multiple restaurants worth visiting, it makes no mention of cocktails or drinks.  Perhaps it is because I live here and am spoiled by the great food, but I am always on the hunt for a well-priced wine or cocktail bar.  For people like Dave who is trying to visit every winery in the world famous Napa Valley, finding a decent wine tasting is not a difficult task.  For those of us in the Midwest […]

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If you’ve never been on a beach vacation in Alabama, you are missing out. I had the opportunity to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama recently and what a treat it was.  From the white sugar sand beaches to the deep sea fishing, the Alabama coast has it all.  To me, the Alabama coast was a great beach vacation without the pretense of some other popular beach locations in the U.S. When you don’t want to “keep up with the joneses” and just relax, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores […]

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Last November, I took a leap of faith and booked my first solo trip abroad. I headed to the Netherlands.  Having never traveled alone before, I needed to be safe, smart, and strict about my spending.  I enjoy comfort and privacy, so costs add up quickly with both an international hotel and a flight. Through my research, there appeared to be five reasons why the I Amsterdam City Card was the best option.  It allowed me to be smart about my spending, my time, and my safety. 1.) Free Entrance to […]

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Books and authors have an incredible ability to direct travel trends.  UK based tours around Harry Potter are the most obvious example, but less ambitious tomes often speak to readers.  I can remember when I first encountered Kurt Vonnegut.  My high school American literature seminar required reading from a selected list of contemporary writers.  Where others reached for The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, I ended up with Cat’s Cradle. It was 2002 and people were just starting to get cell phones.  Not glued-to-your-hand cell phones, but the kind that you were required […]

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It seems like U.S. tourists discovered Portugal in the last year.  No matter what social media platform you use, you probably saw an explosion of coverage for this majestic land. The capital city of Lisbon provides a great introduction to the country, with a manageable population of 600,000 people in the city proper.  Beautifully tiled buildings, rolling hills, and delicious custard tarts are on every corner. The people are warm and friendly, and often speak 4 languages, including English.  If you are planning a visit to this great city, you are most likely preparing for […]

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Name the group of nine European islands merely four-and-a-half hours from Boston Logan Airport. Stumped? You are not alone.  Most of America has never heard of the Azores, couldn’t locate them on a map, and wouldn’t know what part of Europe claims them as countrymen.  For the few who do know of the Atlantic eden 900 miles west of Portugal, this Zion is a cherished gift and a dichotomous burden.  On one hand, the beauty and virginal nature of the islands are a discovery that one wants to shout from the rooftops.  On the other, these quiet and […]

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