Originally Posted on USA Today Website May 2011 ~ Visiting Italy is always a thrill, no matter how many times you’ve strolled across the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, devoured a gelato in Sorrento, or tossed a coin into the magical Trevi fountain in Rome. But some of my recent trips have been even more memorable by...
The vineyard at Rutini Wines; by Marla Cimini Although Mendoza, Argentina, is off the tourism map compared to Buenos Aires –– its much bigger and more visited urban counterpart –– this small city is definitely ready for its close up. The capital of Argentina’s Mendoza province offers all the things I like about cities...
As more professional chefs are stepping out of the kitchen and into the spotlight, many have found themselves elevated into a lifestyle of celebrity status. Hotel chefs are major players in the restaurant world today, complete with admiring fans, packed schedules, and intense responsibilities to match their newly acquired fame. However, a chef who...
Similar to studying fine wine, the world of coffee is a blend of art and science. From bean (or rather, seed) selection to roasting, grinding, and brewing, coffee experts often spend yearsabsorbing the entire process, each developing complex philosophies and theories about how to procure, store, and serve this beloved brew. Travelers, too, apparently...
The art of lighting today combines cutting-edge technology with sophisticated design, allowing for unlimited possibilities that can achieve just about any desired ambiance within a hotel. With the recent advent of the mixed-use lobby, along with enhanced guestroom configuration, cosmic-inspired meeting spaces, and state-of-the-art entertainment facilities, lighting has become a vital, yet complex, component...
I don’t think it’s legal to visit Munich without spending at least a little time at the famous — or infamous, depending on your love of raucous beer halls — Hofbrauhaus. Or at least that’s what my husband, Chris, led me to believe.Our evening at the Hofbrauhaus provided some indelible travel memories of beer-soaked...
Most hotel companies do their best to properly prepare for disasters of all kinds. Whether they are natural or man-made, catastrophic events can impact even the most organized and well-equipped properties. From fires, floods, and hurricanes, to power outages, earthquakes—and even acts of terrorism—hotels must be ready for anything. General managers, along with the...
The Best of Dining – New Orleans If the sizzling restaurant scene in New Orleans, Louisiana accurately reflects the city’s tenacity and enduring spirit, then the Big Easy is most certainly back in the game, reinventing itself through ingenuity and culinary artistry. Vibrant menus infused with new savory delights speak volumes about this city’s...
If it weren’t for the swift action of the Slow Food movement, a little delicacy known as the Delaware Bay oyster might be only a sweet memory. Once consumed widely throughout the United States, by the 1990s this local oyster was considered an endangered seafood, but since 2003 it has made a comeback. The...
Amada Arrives: Is Philadelphia the new hotbed for Spanish cuisine? Just arriving home from an exciting and splendid trip to Barcelona, Spain this past Fall, my husband and I were compelled to search for an “authentic” tapas restaurant in Philadelphia. With the hope of re-capturing a sliver of our fantastic Spanish experience, we were...
