The Allure of the Ligurian Sea

The Ligurian Sea—the liquid azure arm of the Mediterranean caressing the northwestern rocky coastline of bella Italia. Its reach extends from the French/Italian border southeastward towards La Spezia, Pisa, and Livorno and forms a triangle to the northern tip of Corsica. The Torre Aurora stands watch over the azure waters of the Ligurian Sea. JustContinueContinue reading “The Allure of the Ligurian Sea”

Rome by the Dozen: 12 Images of The Eternal City

Anyone who’s ever been to Rome knows that it’s impossible to contain all of its magnificence in a handful of photos, but that doesn’t stop most travelers from trying. There are (quite literally) millennia of things to see, explore, taste, and experience in this city that was once the center of the largest empire inContinueContinue reading “Rome by the Dozen: 12 Images of The Eternal City”

Disneyland Haters: Maybe You’re Just Doing It Wrong

Have you ever met someone who’s repulsed by just the thought of going to Disneyland? “How can you stand it? The lines are ridiculous! It’s so fake! It’s too expensive! It’s so commercial! It’s so lame! Have you seen the kind of people that go there? They’re total Disney freaks!” As much as I loveContinueContinue reading “Disneyland Haters: Maybe You’re Just Doing It Wrong”

New York, NY Part 4: Good Eats

What’s your relationship with food? For some, food is a question of sustenance–keep it simple as long as it satisfies your hunger and the need for energy. For others, being a foodie is a badge they wear with a boy scout’s pride, having earned their status in countless restaurants and paying what amounts to theContinueContinue reading “New York, NY Part 4: Good Eats”

Hungry in Reykjavik

When you think of Iceland, you might think: cold, Leif Erickson, Nordic, thermal energy, big volcano with unpronounceable name, or Björk.  I’m not so sure that good food would be among the first things to pop into your head.  But perhaps it should be. It’s easy to find top-quality, innovative cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. ContinueContinue reading “Hungry in Reykjavik”

St. Petersburg Dining: From Bleak to Chic

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  It’s the way to mine, too.  So, when gearing up for our visit to St. Petersburg, the prospect of drab food options made my heart sigh a big meh.  I imagined dining exclusively on borscht (beets and my taste buds are mortalContinueContinue reading “St. Petersburg Dining: From Bleak to Chic”

“Freeky Fries” and Fancy Rest Stops

When I think back to road trips that I’ve taken in the U.S., I don’t fondly think of rest stops.  More often than not, I recall dimly lit parking lots, shady-looking characters lurking by a picnic bench taking drags off slinky cigarettes, seatless toilets in malodorous bathrooms, and–if you’re lucky–there’s toilet paper.  I once gotContinueContinue reading ““Freeky Fries” and Fancy Rest Stops”

Food, Friends, and Frankenfish on the Snake River

Living on the river for a few days sure can be rough…so I’ve heard.  Fortunately for me, Rick, and our fellow river rafters, we were living the river life pampered-style. When we would take a break on the shore for lunch or when we would make camp for the night, the crew of Winding Waters,ContinueContinue reading “Food, Friends, and Frankenfish on the Snake River”

I Wanna Be A Cowgirl

Before coming anywhere near a raging river, we got to see some raging bulls.  Well…docile, happy, and well-fed bulls and their lady cow friends.  The Plate & Pitchfork part of the experience incorporated a visit to two different cattle ranches.  Since steak would be on several of our gourmet menus during the trip, we gotContinueContinue reading “I Wanna Be A Cowgirl”

Whitewater And Food? Yes, Please!

I don’t know what’s been in the water that Rick and I have been drinking lately, but we cannot get enough of outdoorsy activities.   Maybe it’s a phase, but we’ve sure been bit by the adventure travel bug. Two of Rick’s guidebook-users, Paul and Penny, invited us to join their Winding Waters River Expeditions forContinueContinue reading “Whitewater And Food? Yes, Please!”