Category Archives: Experiences

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]