I’d been on the road for a week when I woke up in Itajaí, my last full day in Santa Catarina. The storm clouds had cleared and there were people getting in their morning exercise along the dishwater gray beach. An old couple sat on a park bench holding hands. I was on my way back to Luis Alvez to take a look at the fermentation and distillation processes. It was rush hour when I left. The city moved languidly around me as I maneuvered over … [Read more...]
Wines Deep in the Heart of Texas from Becker and Fall Creek Vineyards
Becker Vineyards It all began when the Becker family began searching for a log cabin to renovate for their Texas Hill Country get away from their main residence in San Antonio. Inspired by travels abroad where they developed a passion for wines, the Beckers felt that central Texas was ripe for supporting more top quality vineyards. They purchased a cabin in 1990 on 46 acres of raw land and quickly discovered that native mustang grapes left over … [Read more...]
Brazilian Cachaça trip, Days 5 and 6: Florianopolis, Itajai, Luis Alves, Santa Catarina
I departed Nova Petropolis at 6:30 am. There were so many more things to see in Rio Grande do Sul, of that I was sure. But I had to get on the road, appreciate the tight curves and tailgaters for one last time. The nearly two hour drive back to the airport in Porto Alegre was relatively uneventful, fortunately. I’d chosen to fly with Gol for my entire trip, though I realized after I bought my tickets that it might have been better to mix up my … [Read more...]
A List of Important Places To Visit In Leh-Ladakh: The Land of High Passes
The valley of Ladakh is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The valley is famous for its pristine landscape and snow-capped mountains, and at the same time, it is one of the highest inhabited regions of the world. The Ladakh valley is blessed with two mountain ranges running through its boundaries, namely the Himalayan Mountain Range and the Karakoram Mountain Range. In the last decade, the area has seen a high influx of … [Read more...]
Top Water Sports to Enjoy While on the Road
Some of my favorite activities while traveling are participating in a variety of water sports. Over the years I've often traveled to islands (especially in the Caribbean) where water sports are a part of the culture and often a part of people's daily lives. I've participated in the following water sports ... and you can to :) Stand up Paddle Board - my first introduction to stand up paddle boarding was a few years ago in Bermuda. During my … [Read more...]
10 Best Things to do in Jaisalmer: A Golden Oasis in the Thar Desert
The westernmost tourist hot-spot in India, is the Golden City of Jaisalmer. A majestic city with its citadel- the Golden Fort standing in the middle of the city, with each house crafted with yellow sandstone is nothing short of an oasis in the desert. The views of the mighty desert, the architecture of the marvelous Havelis, the vibrancy of the colorful markets and the culture of the historical city ensures an exalted experience for every … [Read more...]
Exploring the Island of Efate, Vanuatu
Circling the island of Efate by vehicle takes about 2 hours without stopping. I wanted a more in depth experience so I joined a small tour hosted by Atmosphere Tours, based in Port Vila. As we left Port Vila on the only road that circles the island (built by the Americans) our guide duly pointed out the last electrical pole some few clicks outside of the city. Beyond that, the villages do not have government provided electricity and if they have … [Read more...]
How to Choose Eyeglasses for a Big Trek
Whether you are climbing Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu or the Pays Dogon in Mali, having the right eyewear is essential. Firstly, being able to see the nature surrounding you is paramount to your experience. Even for someone with the slightest deficiency in their eyesight could be missing the details of trees, wildlife, and mountains which make the trek worth the long hard days of climbing. Your glasses also need to stay on … [Read more...]
A Dazzling Display of Verdicchio by Italy’s Garofoli Winery
Garofoli Winery, one of the oldest family-owned winemakers in Italy's Marche region, dates back to 1871 and still specializes in 100% single vineyard Verdicchio, a drier white varietal ranging from still to sparkling renowned for distinctive purity and verve. Way before the Garofolis' took over, the winery's origins are rooted in the Middle Ages catering to local pilgrims streaming into the nearby Basilica della Santa Casa. The Bascillica still … [Read more...]
Getting Around Aswan Without Getting Fleeced
My trip to Aswan, Egypt to see the ancient Temple of Isis at Philae was a good reminder to always look on the positive side, even when you feel like you are being taken advantage of by locals. The temple itself is magnificent and dramatically situated on an island in the middle of a lake. Because the vast majority of visitors to Aswan go as part of an organized and guided tour, there is scant information available for the independent, … [Read more...]
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