This new hotel being launched by Francis Ford Coppola in the lesser-traveled region of southern Italy comes across romantic, eclectic (mix of modern design, craftsmanship and non-Italian elements), and intimate – all attributes I love in a hotel:
Palazzo Margherita (not yet opened, but worth bookmarking)
These articles provide you with a nice sense of what to expect:
Posted in Europe, Travel | Tagged Francis Ford Coppola, italy, Palazzo Margherita, Sophia Coppola, Southern Italy, Wall Street Journal | Leave a Comment »
The following NBC Today Show interview of Matthew Upchurch (Virtuoso CEO) reinforces why many people find it useful to have a trusted travel advisor and it is certainly in sync with feedback I receive from clients:
Posted in Travel | Tagged NBC, Travel Advisor, Travel Agent, Value of Travel Agent, Virtuoso | Leave a Comment »
Lisbon
Prior to leaving for my 7-day trip with fellow Virtuoso Travel Advisors, I wondered why more people do not travel to Portugal. Unfortunately, I did not come back with the answer. What I did come back with was continued awe that this country is not swarming with tourists. There are so many intriguing reasons to visit, so here is my attempt to put them into a couple of simple themes:
Excellent Value: Euro-for-Euro, you get more hotel, quality food and unique experiences compared to most places in Western Europe. In time, this will change, so I would recommend visiting sooner-than-later.
Historical Relevance: Portugal was one of the wealthiest kingdoms for centuries. Being the cross-roads for many cultures during this era has left the country with a variety of architecture, religious influences, and sense of history. Which brings me to the next point.
Gorgeous Architecture: One of the key results this history has stamped on Portugal is reflected in its architecture. The element seen most prolifically throughout the country is the influence of Moorish architecture in the form of tiles … everywhere.
Sintra: Pena Palace
Exotic Feeling: Portugal somehow feels less familiar and more off-the-beaten-track. From its language (Portuguese) to its music (Fado), to its storytelling (they love their fables and folklore), each of these traits make it unique.
Bucolic Countryside: There is an exciting variety of beautiful terrain to enjoy – Mountains, Seaside, Farms, Fields of Oak / Vineyards, Valleys, and Rivers. I never got tired of what surrounded us in our travels up and down Portugal. This coming from someone who lives in Northern California (confession: Portugal reminded me a lot of home; particularly flying into Lisbon which could easily be San Francisco, or traveling through the Douro Valley which is reminiscent of Sonoma or Napa Valley).
Locally Produced Food, Wine & Port: Being someone who greatly appreciates regional foods, there was a wonderful variety of locally-sourced culinary delights such as seafood, river fish, pork (the Black Pig was particularly decadent), soups (hot and cold), cheese, fruits, vegetables, pastries (my favorite: Pastel de Nata), wine and port (Douro Valley was particularly scenic). Like the architecture, cuisine has been heavily influenced by the different cultures which have passed through and lived in Portugal.
Douro Valley
Easy to Get Around: People are friendly and for the most part, speak English. Public Transit is very good within the cities and between the larger cities. Would otherwise recommend renting a car (with GPS) and be prepared for getting a bit lost on their excellent roads (the traffic was very manageable outside of the cities).
Embrace Health & Well Being: There are excellent health and well being facilities throughout Portugal. Simple spa treatments (facials, massages) to medical treatments (weight loss, liposuction) can be found in charming family-owned Pousadas to luxury hotels such as the Lisbon Four Seasons Hotel Ritz.
Off the Beaten Track: Portugal is not as touristic as Italy and France, but it has many of the same experiences to offer.
The Unexpected: Highlights, in addition to those mentioned above, would be wonderful Graffiti Art in Lisbon, Cooking School in Alentejo, Yurts in Brejeira (Algarve), and a scattering of World Heritage Sites (13 at last count).
Here is a collage of sites we visited during our 7-day visit:
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For a flavor of a modern version of FADO check out this YouTube video:
Posted in Portugal, Spa, Travel | Tagged Alentejo, Algarve, Coimbra, culinary, Douro Valley, Evora, fado, Fatima, Four Seasons Lisbon, Health & Wellbeing, Iberian Black Pig, Lisbon, Lisbon Graffiti Art, Pastel de Nata, Port, Portugal, Portugese Tiles, Pousadas, Sintra, Spa, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Yurts | Leave a Comment »
Ever wanted to show off your city? The New York Times has not only been asking people to do just that, they are giving you some great pointers on how to do it effectively. Check this out: http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/show-us-your-city/
I would love to hear when you have posted something. Come back and share!
Posted in Travel | Tagged City Videos, New York Times, Travelogs | Leave a Comment »
I have to admit, one of my favorite meals in Berlin is Currywurst. Instead of my regurgitating (sorry) the specifics, check out this NYT video and article. Says it all:
Video: http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/01/26/world/1248069590973/currywurst-on-the-street.html
Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/world/europe/27berlin.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
Posted in Culinary Tourism, Travel | Tagged berlin, Currywurst, New York Times | Leave a Comment »
Are wine, local cuisine, culture and discovering new places “your thing”? Take a look at this small group (no more than 12 people) food & wine tour in Chile / Argentina coming up in late April 2011 (their harvest time): http://www.ladatco.com/ec-Liz%20Caskey%20Itinerary.htm
Let me know if I can help get you into this unique trip. With only 12 slots, it will fill up quickly.
Posted in Culinary Tourism, Latin America | Leave a Comment »
January can be a quiet and beautiful time in Napa Valley. For an easy pick-me-up, plan to visit a spa or savor the abundance of food offerings (or better yet, do both!). Here’s a great way to get started – January is Napa Valley Restaurant Month:
Posted in Napa Valley, Spa | Leave a Comment »
Burgenland: Typical Scenery
The final leg of my 6-day Austrian Destination Summit was dedicated to a seldom visited region in Austria – Burgenland. This area, located in the eastern-most part of Austria, is coveted for its culinary, wine, musical and outdoor activities. Bordered by Hungary and populated since WWII by people from formerly eastern block countries, Burgenland is relatively new to tourism from english-speaking regions, and is a wonderful mix of cultures. This is definitely part of the charm.
As we traveled through Burgenland, I could not stop thinking about how it reminded me pre-1990′s Sonoma Valley, CA. The scenery, food, wine and family-run businesses were all familiar sites:
Deutschkreutz: Winery Igler/Schaflerhof
Deutschkreutz: Well respected for its red and full-bodied white wines, we stopped at a winery for a lovely three-course wine pairing lunch. Like many wineries in the region, Winery Igler/Schaflerhof is family-owned, friendly, uber-modern and sits within the Pannonian basin.
Need proof of the region’s wine quailty? Check out Robert Parker Wine Advocate which awarded a 2009 Blaufrankisch 95 points.
Also keep an eye open for a new-comer in the wine scene: Gruner Veltliner (originated in Austria, but is now grown by U.S. wineries as well). If you live in the San Francisco area, check out The Slanted Door (Ferry Building). They have an impressive wine list which pairs perfectly with their flavorful dishes (and notice the nice selection of Austrian wines).
Rust: Steppe Lake
Raiding: This town is the birthplace of Franz Liszt and houses a museum and new concert hall in his name. The curator of the museum provided us with a brief history lesson of this child prodigy (and apparent sex symbol of his time). This was followed by a mini-concert in their new concert hall. For Liszt fans, 2011 represents the 200th anniversary of his birth, so there will be many exciting events taking place in Raiding.
Stekovic Family Farm: Coming from Northern California, I really enjoy artisanal foods. So this family farm really hit the spot for me – homegrown tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers turned into yummy snacks. Not only did we get to knosh on the product, we received a bit of a lesson in how to best grow tomatoes (hint: do not water them). By the way, I shared these goods with friends over Christmas, and they absolutely loved their beauty and unique flavors.
Rust: This 16th century village is well known for its stork nests on the chimneys. Not only that, it is full of incredibly colorful townhouses with Baroque and Renaissance facades. After a brief walking tour, we had a fabulous wine pairing lunch at family-run Restaurant Hofgassl (be sure to check out the video). Housed in a 17th-century building, this culinary experience was capped off by a visit from the award-winning Feiler-Artinger Winery owner (who happens to live next door).
Eisenstadt Highlights
Eisenstadt: This charming little town (and capital of Burgenland) would be a good place to stay for a couple of nights while you go visit the surrounding countryside or partake in one of the many music festivals. During our brief stay, we enjoyed a fun tour of Schloss Esterhazy. Joseph Haydn was prince Esterhazy’s music director for over 40 years, so his presence is strongly felt in this palace. The entrance of Schloss Esterhazy epitomizes Austria: Traditional setting, injected with interesting modern elements. We ended our Eisenstadt tour at the beautiful and incredibly unique baroque Bergkirche, where Haydn’s mausoleum can be found.
Neusiedl: Our final dinner was at the authentic family-run restaurant, Restaurant Nyikospark, known for its excellent seasonal and local food. They also own a small hotel which offers lovely simple (and cheerfully bright) rooms and for those so inclined, cooking classes. Best yet: You first go visit local farms to source your menu!
Frauenkirchen: St. Martin's Therme & Lodge
The Burgenland region is made for the outdoor enthusiast as much as the food / wine / music enthusiast. In addition to swimming, biking, hiking and sailing, you can take the thermal waters (again, just like Sonoma Valley). An outstanding place for this is St. Martin’s Therme & Lodge. Here you can enjoy numerous spa treatments, go on a Night Discovery Tour in the National Park (animal tracking or star gazing) or just enjoy the array of birds which stop here on their way to or from the Serengeti in Africa. I really enjoyed the modern touches of this place and loved the various thermal water areas (particularly sitting outside at night with the color of the water changing around me and the full-moon shining above).
A friend of mine recently told me she and her husband are going to participate in the Ironman Race in Klagenfurt Austria (July 3, 2011). As an Austria specialist, I can make putting together a trip around an event like this seamless, enjoyable and unique. Let me know if I can be of assistance!
Rust: Storks
Eisenstadt: Schloss Esterhazy
Deutschkreutz: Winehostel Moritz /Wine Inn Moritz
Posted in Austria, Europe, Travel | Tagged austria, Burgenland, Deutschkreutz, Eisenstadt, Esterhazy, Feiler-Artinger Winery, Franz Liszt, Franz Liszt 200th birthday, Ironman, Ironman Klagenfurt, Joseph Haydn, Neusiedl, Pannonian basin, Raiding, Robert Parker, Rust, Schloss Esterhazy, St. Martin's Therme & Lodge, Stekovic Family Farm, The Slanted Door, Winery Igler/Schaflerhof | Leave a Comment »
So why am I focused on Graz, a city which was Europe’s Cultural Capital in 2003? Because it is relatively unknown and is a great “off-the-beaten-track” destination for people who love food, wine, music and other cultural experiences. I recently came back from an Austrian Destination Summit (developed by the Austrian Tourism Board) and had the opportunity to visit this very unique city in southern Austria. Graz is only about 2.5 hours from Vienna (car or train). Whichever way you enter the city, do not let your initial impressions lead to disappointment. Your patience will be paid off once you reach the historic center and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Graz Old Town
The historic center is not only comprised of many different architectural styles, it is packed with wonderful sensory experiences such as farmers markets, bakeries, boutiques and museums. Our group got to know Graz via a 3-hour walking food and wine tour:
The day ended with window shopping through the old town and a Styrian Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Landhauskeller. This was a particularly interesting experience considering the historic setting, old Styrian recipes and a wine sommelier who explained each of the wines we were pairing with our dishes.
Our final stop the next morning was to visit the unique and world-renowned Landeszeughaus Graz (Armoury Museum).
Here are some visual highlights from our day+ in Graz:
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Final Note: If you are a foodie who is looking for a new cultural experience, let me know so I can introduce you to Graz’s exclusive hit event – The Long Table – which takes place in the summer and highlights their culinary offerings in an al fresco, white table cloth setting right in the center of old town.
Posted in Austria, Europe, Travel | Tagged Armoury Museum, austria, Austrian Destination Summit, Austrian Tourism Board, Cultural Capital, Graz, Graz Kuntshaus, Hotel Schlossberg, Styria, UNESCO World Heritage Site | Leave a Comment »
There are so many reasons people like to travel, but I think one of the basic reasons is to connect with others. Greg Mortenson, the co-author of Three Cups of Tea, optimizes this notion. The premise of this touching story is that we all have the ability to make a difference. I know, blah, blah, blah; everyone says this. Well, Greg Mortenson actually does it. I for one am not going to Pakistan or Afghanistan any time soon, but fortunately there is someone with the drive and desire to actually do something which feeds peace rather than hatred and fear. Which gets back to my personal #1 reason to travel – to connect with others in this world (and ultimately see it through a different lens). So go take a closer look at the above website to see what exactly this incredible man has done!
Three Cups of Tea: Book Cover
Posted in Philanthropy, Travel | Tagged connect with others, Greg Mortenson, Three Cups of Tea | Leave a Comment »
Hello, and welcome to my travel blog. Get ready to start dreaming about your own travel. I am here to help hone those dreams and turn them into reality!
