Morning in Rabat, busy due to King Mohammed VI visit with the Parliament tomorrow. Flags flying, cobblestones washed in the square of the Royal Palace. Morocco is a Parliamentary Monarchy, emphasis on monarchy and HE’s coming tomorrow! The air is electric. Today’s itinerary and then the eloquence of pictures. After breakfast, a tour the capitol […]
Astonishing Rabat: Kings, Kasbahs and a Pink Lamborghini Read More »
Casablanca is a brief 7 hours from JFK, then an hour and a half to Rabat but for the moment, close your eyes and breathe in the pungent spices of North Africa, intersection of vibrant trade routes from all over the world. An agreeable climate, expansive coasts, red deserts and imposing Atlas mountains. African, Arab,
Next Stop Morocco: Kingdom of Light and That One Bar in the World Read More »
It was an afterthought, a stop on the way from Madrid by way of Segovia and Avila to Salamanca. Easy to miss if you weren’t looking for the signpost at the end of a long driveway, mid-vineyard, bathed in a golden Spanish sunset. Had I known more about this little gem, I would have booked
Visit Salamanca’s Whispered Luxury at Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel Read More »
Most travel “bucket lists” lead with an African Safari. Or at least rank as a top three destination experience. The movie, “Out of Africa” and the works of Isak Dinesen were all I needed. Meryl Streep’s rhapsodic soliloquy in the film’s opening scenes, “I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong
A Balloon Ride in Kenya: See Maasai Mara’s Majesty Read More »
There are more famous residents of Malaga, Spain. Picasso for example. For art lovers, put the Picasso Museum Málaga on your must-see list. Several of his works are on display and there are art history and ceramic workshops. The great man is dutifully honored in the city park and you can take the requisite pics
Antonio Banderas’ El Pimpi and the Amazing Anchovies of Malaga Read More »
Clos de Chillon The Castle has its own vineyard spread along the shores of Lake Geneva, just 10 minutes walk from the castle. Each year, its grapes produce a Grand Cru known as the Clos de Chillon. The white wine is made using the chasselas variety, and the red from a blend of the gamaret,
Stunning Views and Palace Intrigue: Princesses of Chateau de Chillon Read More »
With travel to Russia prohibited for the foreseeable future, I’ve been reflecting on my own experiences in this most culturally diverse, complex, fascinating and unique collection of countries. Russia is just that: a collection of regions, towns and cities. Each with its own language, foods, traditions and sadly united under another despot. With singular devotion
Remembering Russia’s Most Beautiful and Majestic Monastery Read More »
The Eagle’s Nest, or as it is known in German, the Kehlsteinhaus, was commissioned in 1937 by one of Adolf Hitler’s closest lieutenants, Martin Bormann. It was built as a fiftieth birthday present for Hitler. The spectacular mountain eyrie, perched at the summit of the Kehlstein mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps, has become one of the most
The Eagle’s Nest: Visit Bavaria’s Most Beautiful Eyrie Read More »
As a university student, I lived in nearby Fribourg and often visited this city and returned a few months ago. The Bernese are proud, enlightened and open-minded. Bern is the de facto capital city, political seat and gateway to the Alps. The city is built around a bend in the Aare River and traces its
Really Unique Sights Not to Miss in Bern Switzerland Read More »
You’ll never open another bottle of wine or champagne again without thinking of this. Cork is one of Portugal’s biggest and most important exports. In fact, Portugal is the biggest cork producer in the world and produces more than 50% of the world’s cork supply. The vast majority of this is made into those forgettable
It’s Fun to Pop A Cork in Azaruja Portugal! Read More »