Author Archives: Vikki Moran

The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs

As the Adelphi Hotel’s motto states, “Embrace the Extraordinary,” the renovations to this iconic Saratoga Hotel before the Covid pandemic are indeed extraordinary. The grand boutique hotel of years past is brilliant again. Its present state, is once again the beautiful face of Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. The Adelphi was destined to live! With […]

Bucolic charms that heal the soul and revitalize the spirit in Cotswold, England

Travel to Great Britain should be much more than a sightseeing trip to London. While the Tower of London, Harrods, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace are all beautiful to experience, going out to the Cotswold cannot be missed. I would add that away from the summer tourist months and before the holiday season is prime. […]

Fit for a President; A merging of history and luxury at the newly remodeled Equinox Golf Resort & Sp

  When driving to Vermont this time of year, we’re most often on the hunt for yummy maple products, stellar leaf-peeping, or some major fall finds at those famous outlets. There is never a trip however, whether long or short, into Vermont when I fail to learn something interesting about the great state of Vermont. […]

Castles and Cobblestones

  Like turning the pages of a storybook with castles, forests, imaginary dragons, and of course the occasional damsel in distress, a river cruise through Germany sends your senses soaring. In my experience, the Moselle, Rhine, and Main rivers are the most consistently picturesque to enjoy via cruising. My traveling companion/husband and I recently sailed […]

The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York

As the Adelphi Hotel’s motto states, “Embrace the Extraordinary,” the renovations are indeed extraordinary. The grand boutique hotel of years past is brilliant in its present state and is once again the beautiful face of Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York. The Adelphi has proven that it is destined to persevere. With the many […]

Glimmerglass in Cooperstown has an outstanding 2018 calendar

THE GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2018 SEASON Festival Artists to Include Eric Owens, Thomas Hampson, Jamie Bernstein, Rosanne Cash, Margaret Atwood, Heidi Stober, Joshua Hopkins, James B. Stewart, Jeanine Tesori, Kevin Puts and more The Glimmerglass Festival has released the details of its 2018 schedule. For a second year, the Festival’s programming will explore themes of […]

Twin Farms: Spring get-away A place so special you won’t want to leave

Being lucky enough to travel and stay in some pretty remarkable properties through the world, I have truly loved many. Rarely do I feel like I just don’t want to leave even though I have enjoyed them. This was a different stay and I truly did not want to head home. Nestled about 15 minutes […]

The Baltimore Ivy

Baltimore is one of the great American cities to visit or to have a well-earned romantic get-away.  There is the Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, historic seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark of the city, is an ideal example for all cities about how to fashion a picture-perfect waterfront. The museums are classic, strolling to the many statues […]

Old Forge and Inlet NY nestled

Old Forge has long been considered “Adirondack Base Camp” for vacationers who wish to enjoy everything from tranquility to adventure. According to www.oldforge.com, the largest hamlet in the historic Town of Webb includes Eagle Bay, Big Moose and Stillwater. From there, you can explore the central Adirondack region and all of the Adirondack Park. Inlet […]

Zucchini Cookbook Treasure

There are two things in life that relax me more than anything else – perusing thrift and antique stores and reading old cookbooks. When I find some cookbook treasures that lovingly contain notes, comments and private family recipes scribbled throughout the book…well that’s the thrift store jackpot! I found one such culinary personal masterpiece in […]

The Little Town That Stole My Heart

Chances are if you are Italian American and live in Upstate, NY, you have roots in or near Cervinara Italy. Cervinara sits in the province of Avellino, located outside of Naples in the region of Campania, the second most populous region of Italy.  Located in the fertile plateau close to the Partenio Mountains, Cervinara  lies […]

Peeking into an Italian American’s Kitchen

If you had a Nona or Mama that taught you everything you know about cooking, or perhaps you are just a great cook who loves Italian food, I will bet your pantry and refrigerator looks like this… The pantry There are always at least two types of olive oil.  One for cooking, the other for […]

Italian Torta di Noci-Italian Walnut Cake recipe

Italian Torta di Noci 1/2 lb walnuts 8 tablespoons butter, room temperature 2/3 cup Sugar 1 Egg 2 tablespoons Rum, or or 1 teaspoon rum extract 2 teaspoons Lemon zest  1 cup Flour 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking powder Method Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes, taking care not […]

Dresdner Stollen German Fruitcake

Dresdner Stollen German Fruitcake This is one Fruit Cake worth the effort.  Great with a German hardy beer too! Raisins or currants — 1 cup Candied citrus peel — 1 cup Active dry yeast — 2 (1/4-ounce) packages Lukewarm (110°F) water — 1/2 cup Flour — 5 cups Milk — 1 cups Butter, room temperature […]

Buche de Noel-Traditional Christmas Yule log recipe

Buche de Noel  Une petite recette pour la bûche de Noël. Recipe for Traditional Christmas Yule log. Cake 1 cup white or cake flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 3 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup cocoa 1/3 cup water 1 tsp vanilla confectioner’s sugar Mocha Cream filling 1/2 pint whipping cream 1/4 […]

Wonderful Warm Cinnamon Wine from Austria

 Wonderful Warm Cinnamon Wine from Austria Ingredients: For 1 litre of wine: 1 l of dry red wine (quality) 3 sticks of cinnamon 5 cloves Zest of one orange Zest of one lemon Sugar according to taste Preparation: Heat slowly over 1 hour then let steep for at least another half-hour. Add sugar to your […]

Hudson Valley Foie Gras

I stopped by Hudson Valley Foie Gras to write about the award winning producers of Foie Gras as well as other amazing Duck products.  I was treated to an amazing tasting by Chef Jenny. Pictured: The Grateful Traveler and Jenny Chamberlain, Chef of Product Development, Hudson Valley Foie Gras —>Read what Anthony Bourdain had to say after […]

My Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka Tour

On a recent weekend in Sullivan County, I stopped by to taste a super-premium vodka, “Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka”.  Excellent!  Spoke to one of the owners about his business and his wonderful Vodka.  I also picked some up for a few special Christmas drinks! The tasting Room and Tour Hours: 12:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Sunday. Prohibition Distillery USA […]

A Photo Journey Through Ephratah, NY to Saltsman’s Hotel

On route to Saltman’s Hotel for dinner! Stone Arabia, New York and the Old Stone Church Our Dinner Destination! Saltsman’s Hotel Inside Saltsman’s Owners of Saltsman’s- Tammy and Jimmy Saltsman’s Dining Room Chicken Rice Soup. Fantastic! Along with everything else on the menu… Creamed Potatoes Mixed Berry Pie Made by Tammy Nunzio the Bartender Grape […]

Hungarian Mushroom Goulash

Hungarian Mushroom Goulash Ingredients: 1 lb. mushrooms 2 large onions 2 Tablespoon butter 1 cup water or vegetable broth (could use beef too) 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. Hungarian Paprika Directions: Sauté onions in butter for 2-4 minutes Add mushrooms and broth or water with seasonings and simmer for about 20 -30 minutes. Serve with […]

Sour Cherry Soup

This is a Sour Cherry Soup that I made in Budapest at ChefParade Cooking School. It’ a cold soup-perfect for Summer! Ingredients: 6 cups water 1 pound fresh sour cherries, pitted 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar   Preparation: large saucepan; cook cherries with water […]

What do American Girl Dolls and Aurora, New York have in common?; Aurora, New York

What do American Girl Dolls and Aurora, New York have in common?  The answer is Pleasant Rowland. The founder and original owner of the American Girl Company. Rowland donated $40 million to her alma mater, Wells College, to revitalize Aurora and thus help with college enrollment. The premise being, if you like an area you will […]

White Barn Inn & Spa; Maine

Gourmet Get – a- way. From the moment you step into this bastion of excellence to the moment you sigh and drive off the property, you can count on the most relaxing and tranquil of times away from home. The entire property seems to operate on a different time.  I am not speaking of East […]

The Inn at Stockbridge – Beauty in the Berkshires

In Western Massachusetts one finds the Berkshires – a resort center of mountains, beautiful vistas, cultural events, fine dining and of course, fine accommodations. The Inn at Stockbridge, a Fodor’s Choice selection, is one of those special places you visit that you will remember always. Innkeepers Alice & Len Schiller great guests year round at […]

Driving the California Coast

So many travelers each year fly from the east coast to San Francisco or San Diego or L.A. for business and/or pleasure.  They fly in, enjoy themselves and fly home, but I am here to point out how very short-sided that is! Would you intentionally miss Florence when traveling to Italy or Lyon when traveling […]

The Historic Asticou Inn; Northeast Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park is a National Park located in northern Maine. It reserves much of Mount Desert Island and smaller islands off the New England Atlantic coast. Northeast Harbor, Bar Harbor and Acadia are not quick jaunts from our area, but with so many great places to stop along the Maine seacoast as you travel north and east, it is a must-do for […]

Budapest, Hungary

Beautiful, inspiring and warm, Budapest, Hungary is certainly worth an investment of time and expense to visit. Hungary’s capital city is full of vast contradictions. Perhaps it comes from being split in half by a natural boundary (the Danube River) or perhaps it is because it has survived two brutal occupations, but for whatever reason, […]

Step Back in Time at Blantyre; The Berkshires

The list of accolades written on the wonderful Relais & Chateaux Berkshire country house/hotel could fill pages of this magazine, and it is worth every morsel of the praise. This beautiful establishment is impeccably staffed, maintained and decorated. It is a treasure located within an hour’s drive of the Capital Region, making it the perfect […]

Homemade Sangria

Ivo Tzankov’s Grandmother’s Homemade Sangria Recipe MS Beatrice Bartender, Danube River Cruise   Recipe for 1 Jug (approx. 2 Liter)   Ingredients: 1.5 liter expensive red wine 1 lime 1 orange 1 lemon 1 green apple Cinnamon (generous pinch) 1 shot limoncello or Amaretto (optional) Directions: • Cut the citrus fruits in small pieces. Place in […]

River Cruising on The Beautiful Danube

Last November, I wrote about a wonderful river cruise trip that did not cruise. With record rains in France affecting the medieval bridges on the Rhone River, the cruise was relegated to bus excursions throughout the South of France. You can read the story in its entirety in the February 2011 issue found on www.crlmag.com […]

The Vanderbilt Grace; Newport, Rhode Island

Someone recently asked me what season I thought was the best to visit Newport, Rhode Island. That is like asking a person which child they like better. Every day, every month and every season is a great one to visit this historical seaside city. Now where to stay…that is the real question to ask. With so […]

The Bee and Thistle Inn & Spa; Old Lyme, CT

Many ship captains built grand houses in Old Lyme, which is on the Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Connecticut River. The community hosted one of the nation’s first art colonies, from 1899 to 1937 and today, the town remains committed to supporting the arts and preserving its quiet charm. The Bee and […]

River Cruising on the Rhone in France

Waiting for my Cleopatra Moment I will openly admit to being fascinated by Cleopatra, her power, her reported beauty and her lifestyle. Having admitted this, you can understand that when I had the opportunity to travel to France for a Rhone River Cruise, the mental image of lying on a sumptuous bed, relaxing and watching […]