Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture

Clan & Tartan: Researching Scottish Ancestry

Born of Scottish ancestors, we were eager to research the origins of ancient family members in Scotland.  Armed with just enough information to be dangerous we set about

Jun 28, 2012

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture

Beauty of Scotland’s Links

You can’t help but to love the natural beauty of Scotland’s links courses.  As a non-golfer I thoroughly enjoyed walking the courses from a photographer’s

Jun 28, 2012

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Multi-Generational

Guest Story: An Unforgettable Visit to Gavi di Gavi Ground Zero

One of the top priorities for my dad during the 25-day wine hunt through Lombardy, Piemont, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna was to journey into the Apennines mountains to visit the

Oct 17, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Multi-Generational

On Omaha Beach in Normandy

In the early morning hours on June 6th more than 156,115 American, British, and Canadian troops stormed 50 miles of the Normandy coast.  The assault included 6,939 ships and

Oct 14, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Multi-Generational

Guest Story: An Unforgettable Visit to Avignonesi & the Vin Santo Drying Racks

Established in the mid-16th century, Avignonesi is one of the oldest wineries in Italy and its history parallels the history of the Catholic Church. When Pope Gregory XI moved

Oct 8, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Multi-Generational

A Day Exploring Montalcino Wine & Food

Luigi shows up promptly at 9AM to load us up for the 1-hour drive to Montalcino and our exploration of its wine. Brunello di Montalcino, by law, may only be made of 100%

Oct 8, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Multi-Generational

A Day Exploring the Vineyards and Food of the Montepulciano Area

After breakfast, Luigi picked us up for the 10-minute drive to the Boscarelli Vineyard for our tour and tasting. Founded in 1962 by Egidio Corradi, when he purchased two

Oct 8, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Other Resources

Planning a Trip to the Greek Isles

Whenever I visit a place for the first time I try to see as much as I can in order to determine where I would want to spend more time.  The challenge of visiting the Greek

May 24, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture

Purchasing Oushak Rugs Near the Grand Bazaar

In the late 15th century, Oushak, a village south of Istanbul began producing rugs utilizing local  wool and natural dyes. The designs of Oushak rugs are considered to be

May 24, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture, Itineraries

13-Day Itinerary Athens, Rhodes, Crete, Istanbul

Purpose: Cuisine & Culture Stops Along the Way: Athens, Old Town Rhodes, Lindos, Elounda, Santorini, Plaka, Agios Nikolaus, IstanbulDescription: Moderate price

May 23, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture

The Mosques of Istanbul

Our first night in Istanbul, we sat on the rooftop bar overlooking the Blue Mosque, its five domes and six minarets bathed in blue light.  The soft breeze off of the

May 18, 2010

Bucket List, Cuisine & Culture

Yachting on the Bosphorus

People have lived in Istanbul (i.e., Constantinople) and its surrounding area since 6,700 BC.  During this time, it has been controlled by the Greeks, Romans, and Ottoman

May 18, 2010