John M. Edwards discovers New Orleans unique cuisine to be out of this world, not just Creole and Cajun clichés (“Gumbo” and “Jambalaya”), but also, well, nothing beats an Oyster Poboy! At the legendary Napoleon House in New Orleans, Lousiana, I found myself expectantly dreaming of a dressed “Oyster Poboy,” especially since they had not even one of them on their menus. (Hurricane Katrina had literally wiped out many of the oyster beds way back … [Read more...]
Touring Napa Valley: Tasting wine where it’s made
There’s something to be said for having an affordable bottle of rosé on a Friday night – particularly one that is low in calories but still tasty – Blossom Hill is a good example. But to learn more about appreciating wine, the best thing to do is visit the country where it was made – because like olives in Greece, biltong in South Africa or surf and turf in California – it just tastes better! Blossom Hill is made in California (and a bunch of … [Read more...]
Exploring Little Liechtenstein
We showed up in Vaduz (the capital city) - knowing little more about this small country - other than it was small and fairly mountainous and that there is a royal family. "Small Country Europe" was the latest self titled trip to the continent- we had already visited San Marino and Monaco and Lichtenstein certainly fit this "small" role. We drove up from Lago di Como in Italy ultimately passing through Logano. I have been to Switzerland several … [Read more...]
One girl’s adventures in the Valle de las Batuecas
I don't have a great track record with my attempts to visit prehistoric paintings. All my other travel plans seem to work out just fine, but not this one. My attempt to visit the Lascaux cave paintings in the Vezere Valley in France failed when I discovered that the Lascaux caves are not in fact in Lascaux, the tiny mist-shrouded village I was standing in, but are in fact over half an hour's drive away. Meaning on this particular occasion, I … [Read more...]
Bolongo Bay
Ever felt lost at a giant all-inclusive Caribbean resort? It’s not an unfamiliar feeling in a one-size-fits-all place with thousands of rooms and even more guests milling about where you’re a face in the crowd, a colored bracelet on your wrist. Not so at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas. This super-cozy, 62-room resort has been run by the Doumeng family for more than 40 years, where they know your name the instant you arrive and use it … [Read more...]
Picnicking in Istanbul
Picnicking in Istanbul. As the city heats up during the summer months, folks in Istanbul like going to green spaces for picnicking with family and friends. Turks, in fact, are quite the experts when it comes to laying out a really good picnic spread. It's something of a national obsession, and you'll find thousands of piknik yeri, or picnic grounds scattered across the country. Public spaces tend to cater to picnickers, with some riverside spots … [Read more...]
Bliss Unleashed: Barcelona – Catalan Food
If you follow the World's Healthiest Diet, a.k.a. the Mediterranean Plan, your bliss will be unleashed in Barcelona! Before expanding on Catalan's culinary delights, let's get the housekeeping issues out of our way. Prior to departure, look on the Internet and investigate affordable Barcelona apartments. Hotels in Barcelona are pricey. You'll be able to stash "food-money" in your pocket to capitalize your culinary experience. You will have … [Read more...]
2011 DietDetective.com Airline Food Investigation
NEW YORK, NY (NOVEMBER 22, 2011) According to Airline Transportation Association, there will between roughly 23 million passengers traveling over this Thanksgiving season. Knowing what are the "best" and "worst" choices is a valuable tool for any traveler, so DietDetective.com once again rated the best "Calorie Bargains" and "Calorie Rip-offs" at 35,000 feet. DietDetective.com issued the 2011 Airline Food Survey rating foods for eight … [Read more...]
Along the Dusty Trail
I was on a back road leaving a dust trail behind me that startled rope-pegged donkeys out of their sullen afternoon doze, the way before me stretching into the distance as infinite space. I had traversed miles of nowhere, taking in the lowland marshes of rice paddies where egrets strutted in measured steps collecting minnows for lunch, and the high mountain passes bordered by cliffs where only shaggy wild goats were sure-footed enough to clamber … [Read more...]
Still Alive
I'm learning to read his jaw. Sometimes I lose the language in his translations, but his jaw telegraphs the unspeakable. But, tonight, I can't see it. We're facing each other, squaring off in the shadows over outdoor vanilla sundaes laced with crisp kiwis and strawberries, arguing about whether I should accompany him to pick up his food rations from the United Nations. The UN had suspended food giveaways, and he finally has an appointment … [Read more...]