During my latest visit to Reims I stopped by Taittinger to see their historic caves and imbibe in some delicious Champagne including the latest release of their flagship bottling, Comtes de Champagne. The history of this site is overwhelming. Saint-Nicaise, the bishop of Reims was killed in the 5th century and was buried here. In 1229 an abbey was built by the Benedictine monks over Saint-Nicaise’s gravesite and to house his relics. The abbey was sold during the French Revolution (1789 to 1799) and over time was dismantled for its […]

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I caught a red eye from California to JFK in New York but before I left, our flight was delayed 90 minutes due to crew who had not yet arrived at the airport. This and other delays have plagued nearly most of my flights this year – although this wasn’t as bad as sitting on the tarmac in Germany earlier in the year for nearly 6 hours for maintenance issues and then having to go back to the gate because the flight was ultimately canceled. And having to catch another […]

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The Caribbean is one of my favorite regions on the planet to travel; the best trip to this part of the world is one where your pace is slowed considerably and your time is spent in the moment. On more than one occasion, regardless of the country, I heard the phrase, ‘island time’; this lifestyle ethos is built around a no-hurry vibe and a pace focused on relaxation. And in addition, the region is known for its spectacular beaches, diversity of cuisine focused around seafood and outdoor activities. I’ve been […]

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Finding ourselves in Seattle midweek, we opted for two distinctly Seattle and Washington activities; a Harbor Cruise in Seattle on Argosy Cruises and blueberry picking (and grazing) at several U-pick blueberry farms near Everitt. Departures for the Argosy cruises are from Pier 54 along Seattle’s waterfront. You will want to arrive at least 30 minutes early to guarantee a good seat, weather permitting on the top deck. As you board, you will pass a number of signed trivia questions about Seattle, such as what movie featured Tom Hanks and Meg […]

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My friend dropped me off at the base of Penang Hill. He had strongly recommended I climb this in the early morning, but the night before we were out until nearly midnight enjoying the Chinese New Year festivities. Borrowing his umbrella, a lifesaver from the hot tropical sunshine, I set out on the Heritage Trail. This path, founded in 1890, led nearly straight up the mountain, climbing some nearly 800 meters to the top. It followed the funicular which whisks visitors up in less than 10 minutes. The first half […]

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Cradled in the heart of the Rockies, Vail is a high-altitude playground, an alpine escape where mountain adventure meets refined mountain charm. Within a long weekend, the temptation to do as much as possible is great, so I opted to find the right balance between adrenaline and après; this included indulging in a diversity of wonderful restaurants, outdoor experiences and time for relaxation. You will want to fly fish, do a bit of hiking, explore Vail Mountain, slowly walk the streets of Vail Village while both shopping and people watching, […]

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The Marshall Islands are one of the planet’s most remote island countries, but even within ‘remote’ one can find places even further removed from people. And Eneko Island is the perfect example. For reference the Marshall Islands are closer to Papua New Guinea than Hawaii, are slightly north of the equator and are located west of the international date line. Nonstop flights are available from Honolulu, Guam and Kiribati. Unless you live in these places, there are no other non-stop flights. Conveniently, the owners of Eneko Island also own Robert […]

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We landed in Albuquerque (one of the more difficult to spell U.S. cities), New Mexico. The last time I was here was by car and the entire city was a ghost town; I recall it was difficult to find any open restaurants and we ended up eating from a fast-food cart parked across from the downtown Rail Runner Train Station. This time we rented a car and immediately headed up to Santa Fe. We stopped at St. John’s College, loaded up on fresh ripe apricots from a tree on campus […]

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When I told my brother in law that we were visiting Nashik in India to try their wines, his response was something like, “when I was growing up in Chennai, Indian wines were not considered very good”. That was in the 1970s and 1980s. Things have changed in this regard with a select number of Indian wineries having elevated viticulture practices and winemaking, Chandon India being on the forefront of doing so. I arrived in Mumbai from Bangkok; the Mumbai airport appeared to be located in the center of the […]

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Waiting until the last minute and short on some upcoming vacation time, I scored what I thought was a bargain, at a room located next to the beach on Ko Lan. This was the last budget option I saw listed through various booking sites. And only a few other resorts had rooms, all of which were extremely expensive. Satisfied, I pulled a Spy wine cooler out of the fridge, grabbed a book and hit the hammock for the next few hours. The next morning I received an email that my […]

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The city was eerily ghost-town like, or at least as close as a major city like Los Angeles can be. Although it wasn’t nearly as empty as when we had LA and other freeways to ourselves during March through June of 2020, when we took full advantage of shelter in place policies, no traffic and cheap gas to explore this great country. The second to last week of the year is always one of our favorite times to explore Los Angeles because there’s very little traffic in comparison to the […]

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Contrary to what the title of this article suggests, Serra Gaúcha is the most well-known wine region within Brazil and produces approximately 80% of the country’s wine. However, it not very well known by international wine enthusiasts; that needs to change – Garibaldi definitely deserves to be on your radar. Travelers can reach this part of Brazil using several in-country connecting flights to either Caxios do Sol (about a 45 minute drive) and Porto Alegre (about a 90 minute drive). Uber mostly works although we ended up waiting a bit […]

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Introduction Greece, a captivating European country steeped in ancient history and myth, consistently ranks as a great destination for discerning travelers. From the iconic ruins left behind by the ancient Greeks to the idyllic islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, a journey to Greece offers a remarkable tapestry of experiences. Top Reasons to Visit Greece Soon! Greece stands as a timeless destination, beckoning travelers with its diverse offerings and captivating allure. With its breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear waters, a journey to Greece promises an unforgettable escape. This enchanting […]

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Traveling is a deeply personal experience, and no two journeys are exactly the same. Some travelers prefer to go it alone, relying on guidebooks or self-guided tours, while others may choose the efficiency of a bus tour. However, more and more visitors to Athens are discovering that hiring a private guide can transform their trip from ordinary to extraordinary. With their extensive local knowledge and personalized service, private guides offer a rich and immersive experience that no other form of touring can match. Here’s why hiring a private guide in […]

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