As many of you know, food has long been one of my passions. When I travel, I love to try local dishes, go to local spots, and really get a feel for what makes a particular food culture unique. Some places have the reputation for being specific foodie destinations - Italy and France jump quickly…
Porto is sometimes called Portugal's "second city," referring to it being second in both size and importance to the capital, Lisbon. But when it comes to exploration for a traveler, Porto is second to none. While it may not have the historic significance or cultural hubs of its larger cousin to the south, Porto is…
Portugal's namesake beverage from its namesake city - it seems of the utmost importance to have this experience in order to truly get a flavor for the country. But what exactly is port? What makes it different from other wine? Is it even good? Let's start with a couple of caveats. One, as many of…
The sun is shining, and the wide boulevards are full of people. They walk slowly, smiling, never seeming to be in a hurry. I stroll past beautiful stone buildings, pausing to admire them, stopping here and there to watch the joggers, the skateboarders, the picnickers. The river moves past as slowly as the Bordelais themselves.…
Bordeaux is a wonderful city. It has broad boulevards lined with trees, charming eighteenth century architecture, a wealth of tasty restaurants and wine bars, and cute parks and squares to lose oneself to one's thoughts. I love it here. And yet, there is so much to do just outside the city boundaries, as well, and…
When most people think of St. Louis, they think of the Gateway Arch. And as well they should; the 630 foot stainless steel monolith towers over the city. (It is in fact the tallest structure in the metro area.) But while the Gateway Arch is spectacular in its own right, especially in context to the…
It is about 10:45 in the morning on a Saturday, and I walk through the front door of Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. There is already a crowd, both inside at the bar and tables, and outside, drinking beer along the jogging path that goes by the riverside. Beer is flowing, tour groups are forming, and…
I had never been to Milwaukee until Saturday. Heck, I had never wanted to visit Milwaukee until this trip. I imagined it to be drab, industrial, gray. I imagined the population to be older, more serious. I was wrong. Milwaukee has a lot going for it. A city of nearly 700,000 (I know, it surprised…