The air in the waiting room at the Bilbao International Airport pressed against us, dank and heavy. A greasy stench rose from a counter loaded with plastic containers of Spanish omelets. “Where are they?” My voice sounded edgy. “I thought Brad told us he would be right under that Celular sign.” We scanned the room. In the far corner, a group of young men, all wearing identical yellow and black T-shirts displaying an image of a large soccer … [Read more...]
Search found 27 results for: Camino
Camino de Santiago, A Million Steps
A million is a rough estimate of the number of steps I took while walking the Camino de Santiago. I made the calculation on day 13 of my trek as I walked along a portion of the path that was parallel to a highway with kilometer markers. Over the course of a kilometer, I counted 1,153 steps. I did the math and discovered that I would take a total of 909,717 steps on the trail between St. Jean Pied-de-Port, where it began, and Santiago de … [Read more...]
!Salud! Raise a Glass to Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes, Mexico – Mexico may be best known for its spirits like tequila and mezcal, but Mexican wine is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. Within Mexico are several wine regions, many of which are becoming regular household names. Aguascalientes, while one of the smallest states in Mexico, is the fifth-largest wine-producing region in the country. With an average elevation of more than 6,500 feet above sea level, … [Read more...]
Oakland California Celebrates Local Spirits Heritage & Community in First Ever Cocktail Week, Sept: 15-23, 2018
Thousands of cocktail enthusiasts join local bars, restaurants and distilleries in celebrating the Town's unique cocktail culture past and present. OAKLAND, CA— Oakland will host the first ever Oakland Cocktail Week September 15-23, 2018 in celebration of the city's unique cocktail heritage as well as local spirits small businesses and employees. Participating bars and restaurants from Oakland, Alameda and Emeryville are challenged with … [Read more...]
Exploring the Douro with Viking River Cruises
Discovering treasures in every port Embarking in Portugal upon our first-ever cruise, my husband and I looked forward to the quality and service that have earned Viking River Cruises their outstanding reputation. There were many aspects of this river cruise that we loved, and having a wealth of compelling shore excursion opportunities was a big part of the experience for us. Portugal is known for its famous explorers of centuries past who … [Read more...]
Most Scenic Drive in the World? Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way!
This is a story about brilliant branding. It’s about Ireland, but it begins in Chile. In the early 90s one had to head to the far south of South America to sample the tasty, thick, snow-white fillets of a large, deep-water cod called the Patagonian toothfish . No eatery in the U.S. wanted to serve a fish with that name. But when marketers came up with the alluring but meaningless name, “Chilean sea bass,” the fish was on its way to … [Read more...]
Visit Paso Robles, California, (Before Everyone Else Does)
Rolling hills, gnarly oak trees, thermal spas, an innovative food scene, and some of the best wines produced in California (or anywhere) -- no I’m not talking about Napa Valley, or even Sonoma. Wine Enthusiast rated it a top destination in 2013. The Guardian calls it “the place to visit before everyone else does,” but the word is out - fine wine is being produced by boutique wineries in Paso Robles, California. Actually wine grapes have been … [Read more...]
Road trip to Lompoc … Discover what’s Around the Bend
Lompoc, CA – An emerging destination on Highway 1 along the California Central Coast, Lompoc blooms big in spring and summer with fields of flowers, vineyard vistas, and scenic backroads for visitors to explore. With premium quality wines, larger-than-life outdoor murals, an awe-inspiring mission, and festive seasonal events, Lompoc awaits, and is rolling out the welcome mat for travelers to discover the uniqueness of the Lompoc Valley and what’s … [Read more...]
Huatulco, Mexico, More than an Exotic Name!
When one mentions vacationing in Mexico, perhaps a few of the more well-known destinations such as Cancun, Los Cabos, or Acapulco come to mind. Every place has its own unique charm, but I often find myself yearning for a more remote and undiscovered destination. So when I received the invitation to visit Huatulco in Mexico, I was excited to have the opportunity to familiarize myself with this unknown location. The mere fact that I had never heard … [Read more...]
Stork Storm over Santiago de Compostela
Airmail from Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain) An American backpacker travels the 500-mile Christian pilgrimage route of “El Camino de Santiago de Compostela” (St. James Way)—only to end up surviving an aggro divebombing storm of storks! “Oh, look, the birds are so fonny!” said an olive-eyed senorita, a groovy Gallego art student with an auburn cloak from a nearby university. I didn’t agree. After all, birds are descended from the … [Read more...]