I don’t know what it is with the Swedes but they seen to really get off on unique hotels. (See previous story on Saltmine Sleep overs.) Here’s another original Swedish overnight spot if you want to sleep with the fishies. Conceived by local artist Mikael Genberg as a chance to have the public interact with…
I just returned from a week-long Mexican Riviera cruise. In case I forget, would someone out there please remind me for the future, that I am NOT a cruise girl. I’ve decided that cruising is definitely a Love it or Hate it issue and I fall heavily into the latter camp. I had planned the…
Picture this…A single suite, 155m underground in historic Sala Silvermine, one of the world’s best preserved mine settings. (During its heyday, production amounted to more than 3 tons of silver a year, and a total of more than 400 tons of silver and about 40,000 tons of lead were extracted – completely by hand!) If…
How to Get There: Set the mood by flying Aer Lingus, Irelands #1 airline. The flight crew were pleasantly attentive and when I asked for a blanket, I actually got a smile and “I’ll bring it in a jiffy, luv.” The plane was clean and quite roomy, with individual tv’s, and the hours sped by…
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Our dinner at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud was all about luxury, starting from the moment we entered the elegant 18th century Georgian townhouse and were seated in the luxuriously appointed drawing room. A gracious spot to peruse the menu while sipping champagne and nibbling on complimentary but surprisingly plebian hot hors d’oerves. After…
While others are working on their New Year’s Resolutions, I’m busy writing my wish-list of places I’d like to explore. Topping my list this year is Namibia (first because I like saying it-don’t try if you’ve been drinking-but mostly because everyone who’s ever been lucky enough to travel there, absolutely RAVES about the country’s incredible…
After walking and tasting we had developed quite a thirst, just in time for a visit to the Guinness Storehouse – Ireland’s #1 tourist attraction. While touring the massive seven story glass and steel building, modeled after a giant pint glass, you’ll learn everything from the brewing and fermenting process to barrel crafting in the…
Winter in Napa wine country used to be considered the slow season, but the brilliant people who masterminded the Mustard Festival sixteen years ago, have put an end to that. From January 31 through March 28, 2009 you’ll be able to find a wide array of festivities with something for everyone to enjoy: wine tasting,…
Simply Fabulous Food Trails The next morning we met 2 Irish foodies, Eveleen Coyle, (author of the Irish Potato Cookbook) and her niece, Pamela, for a 2 hour cultural walking tour of Dublin food highlights. They run Fabulous Food Trails which offers Dublin Culinary walks, ethnic cooking classes as well as action-packed weekend culinary tours…
I was a bit surprised when I received my invitation to join a small group of food writers for a “Gourmet Tour” of Dublin and its environs because when I think of Irish food, the old joke came to mind: Q: What’s an Irish seven-course meal? A: A potato and a six pack Plus, after…
Andrew Freeman & Co. is a top San Francisco consulting agency specializing in hospitality and restaurant marketing. Every year Andrew comes out with his list of hotel & restaurant trends for the coming year. Here are his predictions for which food & drinks will be BIG in 2009. Hot List: Food Goat in the Dining…
Ok, so you’ve downloaded the list of participating restaurants and narrowed your choices to 20, but still haven’t been able to reach your goal of just one a day (which would make it 15 since this special deal runs only from Jan.15-30.) Q: What are you gonna do?? A: Try before you buy, have a…