I recently attended the launch of Norwegian Air's nonstop flight from Oakland to Copenhagen, Denmark at a chef's tasting prepared by Andreas Bagh, Executive Chef at Copenhagen's Michelin starred Marchal restaurant at the Hotel d'Angleterre. The event was hosted at the Cookhouse in North Beach, a lovely, intimate venue in a space next to the legendary Vesuvio Cafe in San Francisco. The evening was well attended by local journalists and … [Read more...]
Scandinavian Cruise to the Baltic Capitals
A Scandinavian cruise to the Baltic Capitals sat on our travel list for several years, while easier and less expensive trips took precedence. For us to set sail towards our Viking roots, we needed a big occasion—like a 50th birthday. I think of 50 as an easy going innocuous number. It’s neutral (fifty/fifty), romantic (Fifty First Dates), and even sexy (Fifty Shades of Grey). But for my husband, 50 conjured dark and disturbing … [Read more...]
Best Summer Festivals in Europe, and Where to Stay
PRAGUE United Islands Music Festival, June 22-25 This celebration of world music – now in its 11th year – features fresh names from the European and world club scene, and includes rock, pop, indie, electronic, world, folk and jazz, as well as new music trends and experiments. Held outdoors on Kampa, Prague’s biggest island, and on Střelecký and Slovanský islands, admission is free. The festival continues at night in selected clubs. … [Read more...]
Five Reasons to Visit Amsterdam with the I Amsterdam City Card
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 … [Read more...]
Lost to the charm of Seville
Sometimes it is better to travel and be surprised by a destination rather then trying to do research ahead of time. My time in Seville has given me a new perspective about this beautiful part of Spain and my trip here has been without any preconceived expectations. Previously I had only heard of Sevilla through an opera that was based on a story about a barber - other than this fragment of knowledge I knew nothing about this charming little town … [Read more...]
Suzhou, China’s floating city
Suzhou is often referred to as “the Venice of the East.” In a less ethnocentric world, we would perhaps call Venice “the Suzhou of the West.” The original canal city, Suzhou was already a over a thousand years old when Venice was founded (514 B.C.E. vs. 421 C.E.) It is also significantly larger than Venice, a full order of magnitude more, in fact. Its canal system is indescribably extensive and complex, spreading through a vast network of fields, … [Read more...]
Murano and Burano: Islands of Glass, Lace and Brightly Colored Houses
Fragile Art When people hear the word Murano, they immediately think of glass. Artfully blown glass consisting of a rainbow of colors in whimsical shapes of fish, horses, chickens, unicorns and other creatures. Everyday items like bowls and mugs and plates come alive with images and designs never seen or even imagined. Jewelry of every taste is also abundant in the many shops of Murano and Burano. As visitors pass through the various shops … [Read more...]
Suzhou, China: An Edible Garden of Eden
If I were a philosopher, my motto would be “I eat, therefore I travel.” My first step towards understanding a culture is through food. Taste is the silent thread that binds me to fellow gastronomes around the globe. This is especially true when I visit a country where I know not a soul nor a single word of the native language, my exact situation during my recent visit to Suzhou, China. As alien as I felt upon arrival, I correctly suspected that … [Read more...]
A Tranquil Respite in the Big Easy
A topless man wearing lipstick and a bright pink tutu prances by. Jazz is blaring at Legends Park. Drunken tourists stagger to their next girly joint. It’s Friday night on Bourbon Street, and this small town Texas boy needs a break. We all love a good party now and then, and New Orleans certainly knows how to party. But sometimes, we want a break from the frenetic energy and craziness of the nonstop Mardi Gras party atmosphere - but where … [Read more...]
Small-town Travels in France’s Alsace Region
France’s oft-neglected eastern border is notable for a few things: lush countryside, Germanic architecture, and storybook charm. There’s nowhere in the world that sings to the heart like Alsace; somehow, its cobbled streets create the desire to get lost in back alleys with a pastry or two. Alsace is a fairly small section of France, with just under two million people calling it home. Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament and capital of … [Read more...]
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