Your friends have been raving about it. Every day there is a new headline about it. Cruise lines are seeing unprecedented demand for it. The question is: do river cruises live up to the hype? The answer is a resounding YES! River cruises are every food and wine lover’s dream. And lest you think that river cruises are only for retirees, read on. Here are my top reasons you absolutely must sail on a river cruise this year:
Read More
Michigan grows more fruit than any other state aside from California: peaches, cherries, apples - even grapes for Welch’s grape juice. Naturally, this means Michigan is well known for it’s u-pick farms, jams and sweet wines made from all sorts of fruit. But what about wines from grapes like Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon? Does Michigan have the climate, the soil and the talent to produce high quality European wines? And why would Conde Nast Traveler list Southwest Michigan as a must-visit in 2020? I hit the road to find out.
Read More
One of my most memorable experiences in the Champagne region was a visit to Champagne Roger Brun. Roger Brun is a family owned grower-producer, meaning that they grow their own grapes as well as produce their own wines. They also manage Krug’s vineyards in the village of Aÿ, as well as press grapes for many respected Champagne houses like Charles Heidsieck.
Read More
Paris is the gateway to French wine country. All of the major wine regions are easily accessible from Paris by train or even a leisurely drive. With so many nonstop flights to Paris, it is a no-brainer to spend a few days in the city before your wine country tour.
Read More
As I was about to place the deposit on our first ever family Disney cruise, a thought popped into my head: “Are we nuts?” Yes I was prepared for a boat load of kids and the occasional toddler tantrum, but what on earth will we eat?? Are we destined to the land of buffet mediocrity? Or can we piece together a fabulous foodie experience with the Mouse? The answer is yes, with some caveats...
Read More
I think we can all agree that packing is one of the least pleasant aspects of travel. What to pack and how to pack it takes practice to master. And how on earth can you travel in style without overpacking? I checked in with personal stylist Samantha Torkelson of Three Hangers to get the scoop on how to pack efficiently for your next trip.
Read More
Burgundy is a vast wine region - where is the ideal place to stay for wine lovers? My vote goes to the fabulous Hotel Le Cep in the town of Beaune. I had the pleasure of staying at Le Cep during my grand tour of Burgundy at La Grand Jours de Bourgogne wine industry event.
The charming city of Beaune is a perfect home base
Beaune is a wonderful base when exploring Burgundy. It’s central location as well as convenient train station allow for easy travels around the region. The town is a destination in itself, full of lovely shops, cafes, tasting rooms and restaurants. It oozes with charm amidst historic buildings and stone cobbled streets - you can just wander for hours. Beaune is also home to a myriad of cultural sites including the incredible Hospices de Beaune, one of France’s most prestigious historic buildings where the famous annual wine auction occurs. Beaune offers a great small city experience in the middle of rural France; a perfect compliment to touring in wine country.
Read More
Austrian Cuisine
One of the best parts of international travel is experiencing local cuisine. Lucky for us, Austrians take their food seriously. Fresh, local produce and high quality farm products are central to any Austrian dish. Many restaurants and local inns offer outstanding regional delicacies rarely found elsewhere. Viennese cuisine in particular offers many serious classics enjoying world recognition. One of the most traditional dishes is Wiener Schnitzel, typically made with veal scallops that are breaded and deep-fried in fresh oil. You also can find Wiener Schnitzel made with chicken or pork. Some other traditional favorites include Wiener Backhendl, the queen of fried chicken; Tafelspitz mit Kren, boiled beef fillet with horseradish; and Frankfurter sausages, which contrary to popular belief, originated in Vienna not Germany (who knew?!!). Add some sauerkraut and spaetzle, and you have a quintessential hearty meal.
Read More
How does tasting thousands of different wines over a span of five days sound?
I'm listening.....
And what if that tasting takes place in arguably the world's preeminent wine region?
Sold!!
I am excited to share my fabulous experience in Burgundy that will give you a great overview of the region. A few months back, I received an invitation to the Grand Jours de Bourgogne event in Burgundy, France. This trade event takes place every two years and showcases wines from every corner of Burgundy. It is an incredible opportunity to not just taste wines from various appellations and multiple vintages, but to meet the people behind the labels. The owners and winemakers personally attend the event and are eager to describe the wines, the terroir and their winemaking process. There is no substitute to meeting the people actually growing the grapes and making the wine - people whose families have been stewards of the land for generations. These conversations truly bring the wines to life.
Read More
The sun is shining. I’m sipping Champagne on a chaise lounge and sailing along the Danube River. Charming villages and medieval castles float by as we approach the steeply terraced vineyards of the Wachau Valley. I think I’m going to like my first river cruise...
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to sail aboard the new Crystal Cruises river vessel, the Crystal Ravel. River cruising is hotter than ever, and I quickly could see why: a river cruise is everything you could want in a vacation. With the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, river cruising is an effortless - and luxurious - way to enjoy iconic cities, quaint villages and scenic countryside on the most majestic rivers in the world.
Read More
