Venice, an ornate maze
Capital of the Veneto region of Italy, Venice is an enchanting and radiant city. Full of color, picturesque canals, and choicest people watching, this city can also make one feel like a mouse in a maze. Stepping out of the train station for the first time in Venice can be confusing and distracting. Water canals filled with taxi boats, gondolas, and delivery barges fill the … Continue reading Venice, an ornate maze
Bologna: True Foodie Heaven
Magical Christmas Market: Nuremberg, Germany
The Nuremberg Christmas market opens around December 1st (the Friday preceding the first Sunday in Advent) and is one of the most well-known Christmas markets in Europe. The atmosphere of any Christmas market is a warming experience surrounded by smells of roasted nuts, sights of shiny Christmas decorations, and sips of mulled wine. It is the epitome of Christmastime – and quite a magical place. … Continue reading Magical Christmas Market: Nuremberg, Germany
Three Days in Dublin
I’ve never been to Seattle, but Dublin’s weather immediately reminded me of this grungy, dreary city when we arrived. It was October when we visited, and the weather was in full Autumn mode. It rained/misted almost everyday and there was always a gloom over the city. We found a room at the Grafton Guesthouse and the location could not have been better. The city is extremely walk-able … Continue reading Three Days in Dublin
Edinburgh: Castles, Whisky, Ales, and Ancestry
We arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland on a Friday afternoon ready for whisky tasting, castle exploring, and digging in to our family roots. It immediately reminded me of London. The sky was overcast with misting rain, everyone spoke English (some signs were in Scottish Gaelic), and older men were already past their limit in the pubs as we made our way to our hotel. We traveled … Continue reading Edinburgh: Castles, Whisky, Ales, and Ancestry
Dining at a Top 50 Restaurant
Le Calandre– A true dining experience. In 2008, Le Calandre (aka “Max Alajmo’s culinary playground”) was rated the 36th best restaurant in the world. Now in 2017, it has jumped up to the 29th best restaurant in the world. The Italian eatery is located in Rubano, about a 45 minute drive west of Venice. The restaurant is one of eight in all of Italy to … Continue reading Dining at a Top 50 Restaurant
Quiet Spanish Island of Menorca
When trying to choose which Spanish island to visit, I knew I wanted somewhere quiet, versus the party-known atmosphere of Ibiza. Menorca is the second largest Balearic Island of Spain and the beaches of this island outnumber those of Mallorca and Ibiza combined, which made it the perfect pick for a peaceful beach break. The island is also designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. … Continue reading Quiet Spanish Island of Menorca
Chemex Brewing Guide
The best coffee I’ve ever tasted was brewed by using the Chemex method in one of my favorite coffee shops years ago. This cup of coffee was so delightful and inspiring that I now incorporate Chemex brewed coffee into my morning routine a few days a week. To get started you’ll need a few items. A pour over coffee maker – I have and highly … Continue reading Chemex Brewing Guide
A place to level out: 10 Things to Remember
10 Things Helping Me To Be Me 1 Persistence: It has never failed and will always pay off. Paitence and persistence. 2 Inspiration: Through anything I hear, see, and read throughout the day. 3 Change: It’s invigorating and exciting. Life was not made to be permanent and routine. 4 Remembering that life is short and to overall, just have fun and laugh. 5 Investment in … Continue reading A place to level out: 10 Things to Remember
Easy & Delicious: Cook a Whole Fish
I’ve always been intimidated by cooking a whole fish. I imagined it being a complicated and long process. But surprisingly, this is one of the easiest dishes to cook. It’s a fast, healthy, and delicious dinner. Ingredients: Fish – I used Branzino, but any whole, white fish would work. Such as Turbot, Tilapia, Sea Bass, Sole, Halibut, Cod, or Haddock. Lemons Onion Cherry Tomatoes Fresh Parsley … Continue reading Easy & Delicious: Cook a Whole Fish
Adventure & Sprtiz 