Napa Valley is the premier wine making region of California. The volcanic soil and moderate climate are ideal for growing grapes, and there are over 400 wineries in Napa Valley to prove it. With so many options, it can be daunting to choose which ones to visit. Then there’s the question of how to safely […]
Beer and Wine
36 Hours in Hobart, Tasmania
My introduction to Tasmania was altogether too brief. Due to a scheduling snafu and delayed flight, I had just 36 hours in Hobart, the capital of Australia’s southern island state. But, as ever, I was determined to make the most of my visit. While I didn’t climb to the top of Mount Wellington or go […]
Fun Things to Do, See, Eat, and Drink in Porto
Porto, or Oporto, is a city in northern Portugal, where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Porto’s 2000-year-old center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, notable for historic buildings of various architectural styles that showcase continuous growth and prosperity over the centuries. Porto’s prime location near sea trade routes ensured that the city’s port […]
15 Fun Things to Do in Riga, Latvia this Spring
Spring in Riga can feel a bit elusive. Winter starts in November and by the time March rolls around, it can be hard to remember that there are in fact other seasons throughout the year. Life slowly returns in April, when people once again venture outside and buds appear on the trees. Then after a […]
The Best Meals We Ate in Kyiv, Ukraine
Prior to my trip to Kyiv, the only Ukrainian dish I was remotely familiar with was Chicken Kiev. Or so I thought. As it turns out, Kyiv’s best restaurants offer a delightful mix of regional flavors, from Crimea to the Carpathians, and put their unique spin on a range of classic dishes including crispy potato pancakes, pillowy […]