Places made memorable in 2018 by what we ate
I realize as I look back over this past year that food has played a role in my family’s most memorable experiences. Here are five stand-out food memories for 2018:
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Taking the Kids — gifts for your favorite travelers, include some that give back
I spent a few days perusing what’s new at the Outdoor Retailer show in Denver recently, chatting with passionate innovators, and came away with some ideas for your favorite travelers — kids, adults and even the four-legged ones
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In South Africa’s Winelands: Families welcomed to learn about biodiversity
Welcome to Boschendal, a historic winery in South Africa’s famous Winelands area less than an hour outside of Cape town that is embracing visiting families as well as couples and honeymooners
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Cape Town, South Africa: a sports and foodie place where kids are always welcome
Cape Town is South Africa’s second largest city with a population of nearly four million at the tip of Africa where foreign visitors like us have been coming since the 15thCentury.
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Aboard Celebrity Edge: a much-anticipated cruise ship
Step aboard the new Celebrity Edge, four years in the making and set to take its maiden voyage on Dec. 9. I was able to get a sneak peek recently on a two-day trip from Port Everglades to Nassau
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Eating your way through Italy
Food has become increasingly important to traveling families as kids have expanded their palates by first watching the Food Network and then trying new foods on vacation. I can’t think of a better way to experience a new culture than through food or a better place than Italy where it won’t take any coaxing to convince kids to “eat local.”
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Fun and festivals without the stress – holidays in Orlando
Welcome to the holidays—Orlando Style. The best part: You don’t have to wait until Christmas week to celebrate since Orlando’s seven famous theme parks and attractions celebrate for 59 days at 20 festive events
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On a river cruise designed for families
If you thought river cruises were only for seniors, think again. As the cruise industry reports rising interest in such trips, different lines are seeking ways to broaden their audience with more active excursions, an emphasis on food and wine and yoga and bikes onboard
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Little Taste of Italy – Part 2
Little Taste of Italy Part II starts at the Umbria Region farmhouse (viaumbria.com) in Canarra with tours of Perugia, Spello, Assissi and Gubbo, then moves to Bologna and Parma, where we observed the making of Parmaggiano Reggiano cheese.
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A Little Taste of Italy – Part 1
A Little Taste of Italy – October 2018 – Pt 1 – Starts in Milano with tour of Verona and Valpolicella Wine Region, followed by 6-day Uniworld River Cruise aboard the River Countess. Excursions to Ferrara, Padua, Chiccogia and Turano, with lots of time to explore Venice.
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Caribbean and Riviera Maya – Karisma Hotels & Resorts is Ready and Affordable
If you thought a winter Caribbean getaway was out of reach this winter, think again. The all-inclusive Karisma Hotels & Resorts, known for their Gourmet Inclusive Experience, not only can offer the luxe vacation you want but deals that are 45 percent off or more and in some cases, kids are free
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Ham and Cheese Production in Parma – unique craftsmanship
This region of northern Italy, Emilia-Romagna, extends from the Apennine Mountains to the Po River and is especially famous for its food and food industry, including Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
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Bologna in Bologna? Italy’s underrated food and art spot
We spent a day touring Bologna, Italy’s 7th largest city with a guide from Tours by Locals. Bologna is often overlooked by tourists more interested in Rome, Florence or Venice
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Timeout in Umbria – lunch at a wonderful winery
Not just any lunch but a parade of dishes all locally sourced of course paired with Dionigiwines that have been made by the same family since the end of the 19th Century
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In Umbria, Italy -Medieval machinations and countryside charm
We are in Perugia, the capital of Umbria, which incidentally is the only Italian region that borders neither the sea or another country. It is famous for its university, its historic center dating back to Medieval times, and chocolate
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Don’t touch the produce! At the Rialto Market in Venice, Italy
At Venice’s famous centuries-old Rialto Market, the purveyors ask you what you want, what you plan to cook — and then they choose for you
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Street and canal scenes in Burano Italy
On Day 6 of our Uniworld River Countess cruise in the lagoons around Venice Italy, we spent the day in Burano, a small island village famous for lace-making
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Where the food comes from — on a Uniworld River Cruise
We are cruising the Venice Lagoons after a morning spent in the fishing area of Chioggia, which has a larger wholesale fish market than Venice.
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On a Uniworld river cruise – Not just for families with kids
Look around this Uniworld river ship and you realize family travel isn’t just about two parents traveling with young kids. There are sisters traveling together; brothers and their wives; a mom and son, dad and daughters, a group of cousins… the list goes on
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A shore excursion like no other – St. Marks Basilica in Venice on a rainy night
St. Mark’s Basilica is dark and silent as we file in, drenched from the rain. The church is closed to visitors. We are here as an “exclusive” only for passengers of Uniworld Cruises’ River Countess
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At the Crested Butte Chili and Beer Festival, It’s Not About Winning or Losing
For my husband and daughter, it proved a fun shared experience—choosing the recipe, shopping for ingredients, and then two evenings cooking in our VRBO rental
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How to Compete in a Chili Cookoff? Vacation Rental of Course!
This is one of the best equipped rentals I’ve ever experienced not only with plenty of dishes, pots, pans and utensils but basic spices and even tin foil and zip lock bags.
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Taking the Kids — and meeting Swiss kids
“Kids should try the local food here,” says Noa Von Allmen, 12, who lives in the Swiss mountain town of Lauterbrunnen, considered the gateway to the famous Jungfrau mountain region
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Aspen’s Hotel Jerome: Historic, comfy, very pet-friendly!
Horses trotted through the lobby when Aspen’s Hotel Jerome opened in 1889. Today there are just happy guests, many with their dogs who are treated like royalty
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Last day in Switzerland – A ‘Sweet Tour’ of Zurich
It is interesting to consider that the Swiss have become so known for a product whose ingredients—cocoa and sugar—came from abroad
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In Zurich, a vegetarian restaurant like no other
The popular Haus Hiltl Zurich restaurant is run by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family and is open from morning until late evening
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Rainy in Zermatt? No worries – plenty to see, do and eat!
The clouds are low again. We can’t see much and I’m wondering why we came—And then we come upon a flock of the grazing black-nosed sheep near the top of the funicular. Wonderful!
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In the Swiss Alps — a cafe to remember
Café 3692 is named for the height (in meters) of the Wetterhorn Mountain, which looms over the town of Grindelwald along with the Eiger and other peaks in the Jungfrau
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Too much cheese in your fondue miss? No problem…
We are climbing along the base of the Mattenberg Mountain below the Grindelwald Glacier. It is beyond amazing
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Swiss hospitality – a kid’s perspective
Our waiter at the Hotel Silberhornin Lauterbrunnen isn’t old enough to shave but he really knows his job. Noa Von Allmen, 12, is the son of the owners
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DISNEYLAND: ALL ABOUT PIXAR- EVEN THE FOOD
At a time when travelers — kids as well as adults — consider what and where they eat a key part of their vacation experience, Disney Parks up their game.
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AN ESCAPADE IN ITALY (VIA MOSCOW)
Nine hours flew by, and the next thing I knew we were in Moscow, Russia. Yes, my flight to Rome included a plane change in Moscow!
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The happiest of hours – in Breckenridge CO
Breckenridge, the historic mining town popular with tourists who flock to Breckenridge Ski Resort in winter and summer, is known for its ever expanding culinary and spirits scene
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Denver’s Big Eat 2018 – Slow food for all tastes and sizes
There is almost too much to try at The Big Eat 2018, presented by Eat Denver and the kickoff to the Slow Food Nations Festival that draws tens of thousands to Denver. This year’s theme is “Food for Change”
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The Sonoma Serengeti: A Visit To Safari West In The Middle Of Wine Country
Set in the foothills of Santa Rosa’s Mountains, Safari West – which is better known as the Sonoma Serengeti to the locals – is home to 1,000 exotic animals and birds
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Visiting Wine Country In Sonoma County With The Kids
The rule of thumb when visiting wineries is to leave the kids at home. Luckily, on the West Coast and particularly in Sonoma County, California, that mentality is changing.
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Rebranded and Vibrant – Disney Springs!
The former Downtown Disney completed its multi-year transformation in 2016. Today, the rebranded Disney Springs has more than 150 shops, restaurants and other venues and is as popular with locals as for guests
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To Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation
“Many children were swept up in the drama of the American Revolution,” explained Dr. Elizabeth Grant, the director of education at the immersive the Museum of the American Revolution
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ADVENTURE IN MOROCCO 2018
On this trip in the Morrocan Desert, you go with your ideas and thoughts and you come back with a different perspective of life
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Family Destinations Where the Food Enhances the Sights
It isn’t always easy for parents traveling with children to find food options at popular destinations that cater to everyone’s taste. Sodexo changes that.
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To Vienna
After a morning bike ride on Danube Island where it seemed all of Vienna was out strolling and biking on this sunny weekend morning, we saw some of Vienna’s most notable sites
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The road trip: snacks and drinks for survival — and fun!
“How much longer???” “Can we stop for a snack and something to drink?” Those questions are as inevitable on road trips as scattered potato chips and melted crayons in the back seat
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Keystone’s Kidtopia: A Unique Culinary Experience for the Whole Family
We happened to be in Keystone during its inaugural Culinary Festival, which offers a line-up tailored for even the youngest of foodies, offering cooking demonstrations, chocolate fountains, and dessert specials. It was the perfect time to explore the savory side of Keystone.
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Snorkeling for our dinner
I wasn’t planning to swim while my husband fished for our supper, but I couldn’t resist the entreaties from Carlos Cordova, our 22-year-old guide, who urged us to join in on the conch and lobster hunt
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To Denver the Mile High City
Denver is a great bet for families, I discovered while writing my Kid’s Guide to Denver, Boulder and Colorado Ski Country. In fact, local families are perplexed that families visiting Colorado head straight to the mountains without first stopping in Denver
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Great eats in Denver, a new foodie paradise
Denver, famously “the Mile High” city because at the 13th step of the Colorado State Capitol you are exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, has become a true foodie destination for all ages, whether you want Mexican, Italian, burgers, micro brewery or food trucks.
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Downtown Denver — Calling All Hip Kids and Parents!
Hotels around the country that are aiming to attract the Millennial family market—remember they travel more and spend more than their peers without kids—should take a page from the year-old 172-room Maven Hotel two blocks from Denver’s Union Station
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Taking the Kids — to Berlin
There’s no better place to see reconciliation at work that than in Berlin where the Berlin Wall, as of last month, has been down longer than it was up
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On an adventure in Belize
Lucy and Mick Fleming, a young adventurous couple, spontaneously bought an overgrown 140-acre farm and citrus orchard on the Macal River in Belize after meeting the owner in a bar in Belize City, about a two-hour drive away
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Day One In Sydney, Australia: Luxury All The Way
Sydney is a long way from her home in NYC. When Alison Tibaldi’s daughter decided to spend a post-college year Down Under, it was time to undertake the journey.
