It may be hard to believe, but not far from Los Angeles (about an hour’s drive depending on traffic) are thousands of acres of avocado and lemon groves, fields of strawberries, raspberries, celery, tomatoes, peppers and cut flowers--not to mention a palm tree farm or two. Where is this place? It’s Ventura County, in particular, the three cities of Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura known as VenturaCountyWest. Because of its agricultural roots … [Read more...]
Gastronomical wonder at my fingertips
“Chicas! ¡venido a la cena!!!” Quima’s voice travelled through the corridor and my eyes sprung open! Thank goodness - dinner was served. I looked at my watch: 9:23 pm. We’re making progress, at least from the usual 10 o’clock. Sometimes I wondered how my gastric juices could hold out for so long, but maybe I was starting to get accustomed to Spanish standard time. Breakfast at eight AM, a snack at eleven, heavy lunch at two, Tapas or merienda … [Read more...]
February’s Sizzlin’ News from Hawai’i, The Big Island
Hawai'i Island (February 1, 2012) - Itʻs now February and that means...love is in the air! And whatʻs not to love about Hawai'i, the Big Island? With these new activities and specials, you too can enjoy a dream vacation that is simply irresistible! ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park presents "Become Inspired by the Authentic," with 93 park events slated for 2012. Visit the park in February for the … [Read more...]
7th Annual LA Travel & Adventure Show Packs Heat with an International Fiery Foods Challenge
New demos and competitions at the Culinary Stage announced LONG BEACH, CA - Any travel experience would be far from complete without exploring the destination's cuisine. Accordingly, the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show TM, taking place at the Long Beach Convention Center on January 14-15, will feature delicious, interactive demonstrations at the Culinary Stage. The International Fiery Foods Challenge invites guests to take their taste … [Read more...]
Cotton Tree: Year-Round Sketch Classes Draw Cultural Travelers
Experience the Art of Travel at Authentic Caribbean Outpost Grand Cayman - Experienced and beginning sketch artists will find artistic inspiration and the perfect way to relax at Cotton Tree, the Cayman Islands' first boutique cottage hotel, where on-site classes led by a local artist provide a picturesque instructional brush-up amid the beauty of Cotton Tree's lush gardens on the Caribbean Sea. Sketch classes at Cotton Tree include all … [Read more...]
Garden Pictures
This year our summer started on the first day of fall. When I'm not traveling I'm gardening. I've replaced nearly all the adobe soil in the garden with silt from a nearby river along with potting soil and other organic material I've composted in. Am using both beds in the ground and raised beds. Most people said they had terrible problems with growing tomatoes in this "arctic" summer we had this year but mine have done very well. The heirloom is … [Read more...]
SCOTTSDALE TRAVEL NEWS: June 2010
A monthly tourism news update from the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau LARGEST MALL IN SOUTHWEST OPENING FIVE NEW STORES Still hot off the opening of Barneys New York and 18 additional stores and restaurants such as Michael Stars, Forever 21, True Religion and the country's first Microsoft store, Scottsdale Fashion Square is raising the shopping bar with five new retailers making their Arizona debut. In April 2010, Tory Burch opened … [Read more...]
Summer Shangrila Santa Monica
Summer of Shangri-LA Begins with a Splash! Suite 700, The Courtyard and Ditch Day Fridays make their Debut at hotel Shangri-LA in Santa Monica Sweeping Ocean Views, Summery Cocktails, and Courtyard & Rooftop Dining Make Tamie Adaya's Hotel Shangri-La This Summer's Nexus of Fun. SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (April 2010) -- The Summer of Shangri-La is off to an early start, as the iconic Santa Monica Hotel Shangri-La launches Suite 700, The … [Read more...]
Pollo Campero
We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest. ~ Oscar Romero Pollo Campero Jackie, Trout, Molly, and I were on our way back from spending the week in Honduras and were physically and emotionally exhausted from our trip. We had … [Read more...]
BBQ Goat in Oaxaca: The Pomp, Ceremony and Tradition
Some say it's one of the oldest professions in Oaxaca, yet it garners little if any respect from most of the population notwithstanding the tradition and ceremony that has been its trademark for generations: the chivero, or slayer and preparer of goat, and its barbequing Some say it's one of the oldest professions in Oaxaca, yet it garners little if any respect in a clay, in-ground oven. There are a number of caprine cattle that are cooked in … [Read more...]