Dakar, Senegal Our shore excursion yesterday was a powerful reminder not to judge a destination by first impressions. As I […]
Halfway Through Our Grand Voyage: Highlights from 31 Days at Sea from Venice to Cape Town
Today, we’re in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, marking the halfway point of our incredible Grand Voyage, which began 31 days […]
Exploring the French Riviera Off-Season: Nice’s Elegance and Eze’s Magical Charm
Ah, the French Riviera – a sun-drenched escape for the rich and famous, from Zelda and Scott (Fitzgerald) to Jeff […]
Gaudí’s Vision: A Timeless Journey at the Sagrada Familia
For over a decade, Mary and I have watched Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia climb ever higher, gradually dominating Barcelona’s skyline. The […]
A Day of Triumph and Trials in Florence
It may be my last visit to Florence, Italy. The city was so crowded that it took a lot of […]
Exploring Malta’s Timeless Charm: Mdina’s Silent Streets and Valletta’s Majestic Coastline
Malta has always been one of our favorite Mediterranean ports, offering everything a traveler could ask for—fair weather, dramatic ancient […]
Exploring Contrasts in Corfu and Argostoli: Highlights from Greece’s Ionian Islands
Shared with Public We’re enjoying our first and last sea day on this leg of the cruise, as we […]
Top Ten Things to do in Cadiz Spain
Kotor and Our Lady of the Rocks
Our latest visit to Kotor featured a shore excursion that blended luxury, history, and local charm. We skipped the old […]
A Fun Night at the Stud Farm
We had a truly an Az-amazing Evening at the Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia! Having toured the farm on a […]
Great Roman Dining: With a Little Help From My Friends
We have many ways to choose restaurants when we travel. Typically, we rely on YouTube, TripAdvisor, and Google Maps for […]
A Very Roman Food Tour
We enjoyed an informative and mouth-watering food tour yesterday, exploring the flavors of Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, […]
From Fish Market to Mountaintop: A Perfect Day Exploring Bergen
Who knew the Norwegian city of Bergen would make our favorite city list? It was completely off our travelers’ radar […]
Madrid Cooking Class: Delicous Paella, Tapas and More
One of the great attractions for us in Spain, and in Madrid specifically, is the cuisine. And any chance we […]
Rosé Wine: A Versatile Culinary Companion
By Tom Gable Some wine drinkers dismiss Rosé as a sugary pop with few redeeming qualities and meant only for […]
Discovering Spanish Tapas
A tale of tapas in San Sebastian, Granada, and Madrid. Tapas, small plates of deliciousness, hold a prized place in […]
The Magnificent Alhambra
Yesterday, Mary and I made our third pilgrimage to The Alhambra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, looming over the ancient city of Granada. It is a stunning example of Islamic architecture and a symbol of Moorish power and the shifting tides of Christian rule in Spain. If anything, we were even more impressed this time as we learned new information about this sprawling complex and the people who lived there.
A Family Reunion in Toledo Spain
On Friday, we took a 35-minute train ride from Madrid to the ancient city of Toledo. Toledo’s rich 2000-year history, narrow medieval streets, and eclectic architecture left us amazed when we visited a few years ago. It was a Roman colony, Visigothic and Islamic Al-Andalus capital, and later, Castile’s political and military center. It was an amazingly tolerant place where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures flourished together.
TAPAS WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN
Saint Anthony Bourdain inspired our whirlwind of eating and drinking in Granada last week. We were determined to walk in his footsteps. The late great chef provocateur filmed an episode of “Parts Unknown” in 2013 featuring five tapas bars here. We planned to check out the same ones. But not all in one night, as Boudain and pals did. And not eating exactly everything he did. We’re no match for his try-anything appetite, stamina, or even his biting, irreverent prose. Who is?
Above and Beyond in Granada
We usually focus on food and drink when we do a restaurant post. This one isn’t necessarily about food, although […]
Basque Cooking School: San Sebastian
Most food lovers who pintxo crawl through San Sebastian’s old town are more than satisfied sampling these legendary Basque bites. […]
DEVOURING MADRID
A great food tour is a far cry from just eating and drinking. Food is intertwined with history and culture, so you won’t know Madrid, or any other destination, without knowing its food. Our guides were insiders who had a passion not only for food and drink but also for the history and lore of the place they call home. At each stop, they shared stories a casual diner would miss if wandering on their own. Like the nondescript door where nuns answer a bell and sell homemade cookies. Or the tapas bar Hemingway frequented. Or the reason squid sandwiches are a Madrid favorite.
The following are some highlights of our most excellent Devour Tours in Madrid.
THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY WIBKE CARTER “The mountains are calling and I must go” is what is written on a […]
The Grand Tetons
Grand Teton National Park is more accessible than Yellowstone, and even a little warmer, but winter shuts down many of the park’s roads. Temperatures hovered around 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit under a brilliant blue sky during our three-day stay, maybe breaking into the low 20s on one afternoon. That is perfect ski weather, but we weren’t there to ski. We were there to take in the Grand Tetons and see wildlife.
DUBROVNIK’S GAME OF THRONES
Often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik instantly transports you to a different era. Known to millions as King’s Landing from the popular TV series “Game of Thrones,” this Croatian city crowned with distinctive red-tiled roofs is a lively living museum. Each step within the historic walls of Old Town brings you in touch with the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.