Lovely Landsort, Öja Island, Sweden
The Stockholm Archipelago includes more than 25,000 islands and islets along the Swedish coast. All of them seem a world away from Stockholm. And, while many are only a quick ferry ride from the city, Read More …
Tag: food and dining
The Arizona Verde Valley wine region
The Verde Valley has long been loved by the hikers and new age seekers that flock to Sedona, as well as the weekend day-trippers that stream into antiques-filled Jerome, Now it is beginning to draw Read More …
Chasing summer in International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls, Minnesota, is probably best known for its winter weather. After all, Frostbite Falls is also famous for being the Icebox of the Nation! But all that focus on winter obscures the fact that Read More …
An introduction to Arizona wines at Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery
The fact that Arizona has a wine industry was news to us when we first stumbled across Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery in 2016. Tasting the wines at Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery Javelina Leap Read More …
An introduction to Strängnäs, Sweden
While Stockholm is the largest and most well-known of the towns linked together by Sweden’s Lake Mälaren, travelers would be wise to journey farther along the lake to discover its smaller and less-famous gems. The Read More …
Late lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market
Lunchtime at the Milwaukee Public Market Arriving in Milwaukee on a rainy afternoon, we knew exactly where to head for a late lunch: the Milwaukee Public Market. Located downtown in the city’s historic Third Ward, Read More …
Fabulous Fika at Café Grassagården, Strängnäs, Sweden
Once upon a time, beginning 500 years ago or so, castles in Sweden were surrounded by farms that produced the food needed for the inhabitants of the castle and for trade with other castles. Throughout Read More …
A brief tour of historic Gruene, Texas
The penultimate stop on our Texas Hill Country tour last year was the historic little town of Gruene, Texas. Settled in 1840, the town grew up around and in conjunction with the very successful cotton Read More …
Sampling the goods at Artichoke Pizza, NYC
While we were in New York City last September, we took walking tours of both Greenwich Village and the Chelsea/Meatpacking District/High Line area. On both walks our guides pointed out where we could get “the Read More …
Stepping into General George Washington’s NYC
Wandering the streets below Manhattan’s gleaming towers, it’s easy to believe that the city George Washington knew – the city that served (briefly) as the capitol of a fledgling nation – no longer exists. However, Read More …
Lunch at Ben Thanh Market, Saigon
Our guide in Saigon is a big fan of rolled steamed rice pancakes (Banh Cuon) and swears the best ones can be found at a specific stall in Ben Thanh Market. The fun thing about Read More …
Smoked fish market, Laos
The Nam Ngum dam is a big deal in Laos, as it produces most of the electricity used in the country and the flooded landscape has become a vast fishery. While our guide wasn’t inclined Read More …
Comfort, Texas, is closed today
Texas Hill Country is littered with historic towns of varying degrees of charm. A few of these (Fredericksburg and Gruene, among them) have become major tourist attractions – places where their considerable charm is diminished Read More …
State Fair teaser
Notice to the world beyond Minnesota: The Minnesota State Fair is happening right now and it is the place to be, especially on the midway after dark. But that’s tomorrow’s post . . . . Read More …
Cooper’s BBQ, Llano, Texas
Back in Minnesota after a spring visit to Hill Country, we were telling my mother about our trip. As with any discussion about Texas, BBQ came up. We told my mother that we had eaten Read More …
Get Off the Grid for great BBQ, St. Thomas USVI
Looking for lunch on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands? Head to Sapphire Beach, but skip the beach. (Or save the beach for later.) Instead, head up to the lookout above the beach. There Read More …
Happy Hour below the Seven Mile Bridges, Florida
The Florida Keys are linked by series of bridges, the longest of which is the Seven Mile Bridge between Vaca Key (Marathon) and Little Duck Key. There are actually two Seven Mile bridges, a modern Read More …
Antiques and More at Annabella’s, Bovey, Minnesota
Bovey, Minnesota, was once a booming mine town . . . or a teeming den of iniquity filled with bars and questionable hotels. Or both. It all depends on your perspective. A bit of Bovey Read More …
Lunch not too far from the beach in Akumal, Mexico
Driving from Cancun along Mexico’s Caribbean Coast isn’t difficult, but it isn’t very interesting either. It’s a modern highway with almost no development right along the road itself, leaving scrubby jungle and what seems like Read More …
Lunch on the Cliff in Tulum, Mexico
The patio at the restaurant at Zamas (where we are staying in Tulum) is lovely, but it offers a very limited view of the ocean due to the large rock cliff behind it. It does, Read More …
Pizza Shovel 14 at Microdwelling 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona
What’s the most unusual pizza place you’ve ever visited? Last year’s Microdwelling exhibit featured the most unusual pizza place I’ve ever visited: A repurposed Bay-City steam shovel from the early 1920s. I would never see Read More …
Bravo at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
Like many major museums, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts offers several dining options – the best (and most expensive) of which is Bravo, the museum’s fine-dining restaurant where a menu of interesting, elegant, and delicious Read More …
A Rainy Day at Pickity Place in New Hampshire
It was not raining in the morning – although rain appeared more likely than the weather forecast predicted – and our friend wants to give us at least a glimpse of the fall leaves while Read More …
After Dark at Mickey’s Dinner, Saint Paul, Minnesota
On one of the first warm evenings of spring, we took the convertible out and headed downtown to photograph the city at night. Despite gorgeous weather, the streets were nearly empty. There wasn’t a lot Read More …
At the Argan Cooperative, Morocco
The countryside west of Marrakech is known for its argan trees. These small scraggly trees produce seeds with an oil that is high in vitamin E, anti-oxidants, and essential fatty acids. It is touted as Read More …
Sunset from the Rooftop, Essaouira, Morocco
We scope out our dinner options as we explore the city, or rather, I looked up at some point, saw umbrella-topped tables perched at the edge of a roof, and decided that was where I Read More …
Exploring Toronto’s Distillery District
The Distillery District is currently one of Toronto’s new hip neighborhoods where bars, restaurants, and galleries line the streets and new housing is going up all around (everything in Toronto goes up, as the city Read More …
Need a Little Extra Space at the Bar? Toronto, Canada
Here’s the answer for all of you with limited counter space – suspend your bar from the ceiling! (Taken inside Brookfield Place in downtown Toronto.) This is my contribution to Travel Photo Thursday at Nancie’s Read More …
Bacon Tempura at Ki in Toronto, Canada
Ki is an upscale Japanese restaurant with several locations in Canada, including one in Brookfield Place in downtown Toronto. It’s hard to miss if you happen to be in the area: If you’re outside you’ll Read More …
Better than a Bacon Cheeseburger, Sauk Centre, Minnesota
The Palmer House is a historic hotel and restaurant in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Depending on your interests, the Palmer House is either famous as the model for the Minniemashie House in Sinclair Lewis’ Main Street Read More …
Wandering Toronto’s Distillery District
I fall in love with Toronto’s Distillery District the moment I spot it a few blocks ahead through the bus window.My new love doesn’t disappoint. We are greeted by interesting restored buildings – the remains Read More …
TBEX: Opening Night Party in Toronto, Canada
Friday evening – after the workshops and tours, but prior to the opening of main conference at TBEX – brings the always greatly anticipated opening party. It was held at Roy Thompson Hall, home to Read More …
America’s Taco Shop, Phoenix, Arizona
America’s Taco Shop (named for owner America Corrales), would be easy to drive right by – another taco place in a city filled with them. However, driving by would be a mistake, as the small Read More …
Wahoo!
We have moved one bay down, from Baie Ternay to Port Launay on Mahe in the Seychelles Islands. The sun is shining when we arrive – it’s a beautiful evening. Still, it’s time to think Read More …
Into the Wayback Machine: The Dari-ette in Saint Paul
An unexpected luncheon date at work this summer brought me to the Dari-ette in Saint Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. This is truly a Wayback Machine experience. I’m sure there were places like this when I Read More …
Best Freeway Bakery Stop: The Clearwater Travel Plaza
If you are heading west out of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota) on Interstate 94, make a stop at the Clearwater Travel Plaza. While it may look like just another overgrown highway Read More …
Planning a Lake Vermilion Vacation
Lake Vermilion is located in northeastern Minnesota, 4-5 hours north of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, roughly between the towns of Tower (on the east) and Cook (on the west). DNR Recreation Compass With about Read More …
Ski Tip Lodge in Keystone, Colorado
I didn’t make my lodging reservation in Keystone for the TBEX conference in a timely fashion. While TBEX was advertising a discount on conference lodging, I couldn’t figure out how to get the discount when Read More …
A Lift to Sunset at Keystone
I’m in Keystone, Colorado, for TBEX‘s new media travel writers (bloggers) conference. The conference starts off with a fancy function on the mountaintop – a destination that can only be reached via not one, but Read More …
Thursday Photo: Pomegranate Juice, Anyone?
Freshly squeezed fruit juice is available everywhere in Istanbul and vendors always prominently display the fruit they are using. Why buy a bottle of plain old water when you can have fresh pomegranate juice? Just Read More …
A Random Pastry Shop
Sweets are very popular in Turkey – and very beautiful. Next post: Chora Church Previous post: Kapalı Çarşı (The Grand Bazaar)
Morning in Duluth
It is a beautiful day to be heading up the shore, but first we stop at Amazing Grace for a little (or not so little) breakfast and some freshly baked goodies to take north with Read More …
Jaleo
After a little Christmas music (perfect for western swing dancing) at the Portrait Gallery’s courtyard jazz concert, we make a quick run through the adjacent Christmas Market. Then it’s time to get something to eat. Read More …
Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula, and the Wine Lands
We decided to take this trip in large part because it offered the opportunity to visit Cape Town. I had long wanted to visit this city of mountains, sea, penguins, culture, and history and had Read More …
The Road Between Johannesburg and Kruger
A friend had recently driven this route, so I thought I knew what to expect, knew that the last of the informal settlements and mountains of tailings piles would give way to miles and miles Read More …
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg is the financial heart of southern Africa. Located near South Africa’s administrative capital in Pretoria (South Africa has three capital cities, Pretoria is where the President and his cabinet are located); this is a Read More …
Photo Thursday: Where am I anyway?
Imagine my surprise upon entering a very large South African gas station/convenience store/restaurant complex with rhinos lolling about just beyond the parking lot and finding an American wild-west themed Spur Steak Ranch inside, complete with Read More …
Biltong
We’ve seen signs advertising biltong everywhere and even bought a little during one of our mega C-Store stops. (We tried it once, mind you.) When our tour guide headed into what appeared to be a Read More …
Mill City Market
I have a date to visit the Mill City Farmer’s Market in Minneapolis with a girlfriend this morning, which turns out to be a short bike ride from her house via the Stone Arch Bridge.I Read More …
Martinis for Dinner, Anyone?
We are meeting a friend for dinner in Duluth and don’t want to go to any of the usual places. She makes a couple recommendations and, even though they really don’t serve dinner (just appetizers), Read More …
Karrin Allyson at the Dakota
I’ve long had a love-hate relationship with the Dakota in Minneapolis: I love the music and intimate setting, but am put-off by the extremely short sets, relatively high ticket prices, and class priority for seating; Read More …
Thursday Photo – Dinner Reflections (Boston)
I thought I was done with the “reflections” theme, but when I started sorting my (very limited) pictures from Boston last weekend it was pretty clear that this should be the Thursday Photo: Temazcal Tequila Read More …
Seafood with a View in Boston
Boston has really revived its waterfront, increasingly turning it into a lively, vibrant place. One example of that is the new Legal Seafood Harborside where one can sit at the seafood bar and watch the Read More …
Denmark 2011 Travel Details
Denmark is a small country with a good road system, making it easy to get around by car or bike. A couple links for country-wide information: Danish tourist information Northeast Zealand interactive map Note that Read More …
Thursday Photo – Fast Food in Denmark
Quick bite anyone?Photo of the week is part of “Photo Thursday,” started by Nancie at the Budget Travelers Sandbox. Please visit her site for links to more great photos.
From Crayfish to Sushi in Copenhagen
We had “snacks” late in the day in a cozy courtyard in Nyhavn. By snacks, I really mean lunch. . .(They were delicious but there were a LOT of them.)I really shouldn’t need to eat Read More …
Getting Settled in Downtown Seattle
Previous post: There’s Almost a Light Rail Stop at the Airport Because I have friends here, in all my visits I’ve never stayed in a hotel here. I’ve been looking forward to staying downtown Read More …
Ristorante Il Secchio
Previous post: The Best Thing at JFK Since we haven’t really eaten anything for what seems like a very, very long time (breakfast on the plane was inedible), once we have settled into our room Read More …
At the 2010 Minnesota State Fair
Ah, once again it is State Fair season in Minnesota. the fair marks the start of my favorite time of year, when summer and fall are arguing over which season it should be. Maybe because Read More …
Lakeshore Dining (Hennington’s: The Finnish Edition)
Previous post: For lunch my cousins take us to a lakeside restaurant. It seems a very long way from anywhere and it is very quiet today. However, the food is excellent and they assure us Read More …
Food and Wine Tasting Hell in Minneapolis
I’ve become a fan of Groupon, although I tend to use it only to get discounts at places I either already know I like or have been waiting try. None-the-less, when discounted tickets for the Read More …
Izzy’s!
Previous post: Minnehaha Falls There’s nothing like having out-of-town guests to get one to finally get to the local hot spots that are otherwise too easy to save for some other day – like Izzy’s Read More …
Lunch at the Dakota
Previous post: The Guthrie (and Mill City Museum) It isn’t often I can get to Minneapolis for lunch, but when I do I usually head for the Dakota where former neighbor and chef extraordinaire Jack Read More …
Summer in the city (Minneapolis)
Michele and Norman are coming to visit!Norman is an architecture buff and Michele worked in downtown Minneapolis many years ago, so a tour of downtown might be a good place to start. We could start Read More …
Coffee Break north of St. Paul
I’m in training most of this week, a short jaunt north that winds between small lakes and wetlands interspersed with ugly suburban development. Mostly though, it is a pleasant trip and the weather is nice Read More …
Highway 30 and on to New Ulm
Previous post: Auction Day Despite the rain, it’s pleasant cruising through the bright green fields. (We’ve had a wet spring, so the fields are particularly lush.) Our plan is to do a little shopping (art Read More …
Portland details
Travel As usual, I flew Delta direct from Minneapolis. Although my frequent flier status yielded me a window seat in a substandard row (noticeably less pitch than other rows – I was in a middle Read More …
A Quick Trip to Paris for Lunch
Previous post: Portland Through My Window Usually I’m not a big fan of eating alone in a restaurant, but I’m hungry after a long, tedious, and slightly uncomfortable journey here, so a lovely lunch somewhere Read More …
New Mexico Details
Delta runs regular non-stop flights between the Twin Cities and Albuquerque. It’s one of the few routes where I almost always score an upgrade and the Albuquerque airport is a pleasant little spot with actual Read More …
Celebrating Inuit Art Along Lake Superior
Previous post: The Cross River at Highway 61We are actually up here not to enjoy early spring on the North Shore, but to take in Inuit art and culture at Sivertson’s Gallery in Grand Marais Read More …
Barranco
Previous post: Pachacamac Able has brought us to one of the places I most wanted to visit while in Lima, the funky Barranco neighborhood. This was a seaside resort catering to Lima’s aristocracy during Read More …
Dinner with David and Joe
Previous post: In the Air We are so lucky to arrive to LAX and find David and Joe waiting for us at the baggage carousel. I love you guys! Not only do they pick us Read More …