culinary travel

My husband likes to golf; I like to drink wine. But the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I originally wrote about some of the best golf and wine resorts for Orbitz, but I’m on the hunt to discover more. I’m happy to head off to the tasting room while he’s on the first tee, sprinkle in a few spa treatments, and then meet back up at the tasting room at the end of …

I get asked this a lot. “Where’s your favorite place?” “What’s the best place you’ve been?” So in today’s pandemic-fueled If you can’t look forward, look back world, I thought I’d tell you about the places I’ve been that left a lasting impression. That’s actually a bit misleading. I LOVE everywhere I go. Because I love to travel and I find something interesting or memorable in every destination. Even the bad experiences, of which there …

The coastal city of Oceanside, California is one of the best hidden gems you’ll find in the Golden State. This seaside village — which is located about 38 miles north of San Diego and 83 miles south of Los Angeles — is a throwback to beach towns of yesteryear that has managed to maintain its authenticity and charm. The Oceanside pier, Oceanside Beach, and these North County Beaches are the perfect vacation spot. If you’re …

Wineries of California’s Santa Maria Valley The Santa Maria Valley, just north of Santa Barbara, is known for two things – beef and wine – such a delicious combination. And I recently spent a few days there to find the best of the best of each. What is Santa Maria style barbecue Tri-tip steaks are the cornerstone of Santa Maria style barbecue. The tri-tip is bottom sirloin, cut into a triangular shape. Not surprisingly, it …

Last fall, I convinced my husband that he really needed to experience all of the beauty that Umbria, the lush, scenic region that borders Tuscany,  had to offer — including the picturesque rolling vineyards and incredible wine tasting experiences. I had traveled throughout the region when we lived in Italy, but he had never seen the true Italian countryside. So we set off to tour a few wineries in the region and received the VIP …

I’m an adventure traveler. Or I should say a foodie adventure traveler. I love exploring new places through the food. So when I was invited to spend a week in Burgundy France at a cooking school, I jumped at the opportunity. I’d be learning classic French cooking techniques, including all those classic French mother sauces, along with exploring the local foods and wines of the region. And in true empty nest style, my husband, a …