Gastronomy – Travel – Culture
Alcatraz Island, AKA "The Rock", has seen several incarnations and has been reinvented over the last two centuries. This small island located in the bay of San Francisco was initially developed with a lighthouse, which is considered the oldest lighthouse on the west coast. It was also a military fortification and a military prison, from the… Continue reading “The Rock” Alcatraz Island – San Francisco | Exploring, California
The first time I read about Watts Towers I was in grade school and living in Glendale, which is a suburb of Los Angeles. Even at a young age, I was intrigued by this public art work display and the artist behind it, Simon Rodia. Although I am not an artist, I have always had… Continue reading The Watts Towers of Simon Rodia – State Historic Park | Exploring Los Angeles, California
Located on the small Florida island of Key West, the Hemingway house and museum is the most popular tourist attraction on the island. This French Colonial home was the residence of Ernest and Pauline Hemingway during their marriage in the 1930s. After their divorce in 1940, Pauline lived here until her death in 1951. It… Continue reading The Ernest Hemingway House & Museum – Key West, Florida | A U.S. National Historical Landmark
Living in Las Vegas has given me great opportunities to visit many national parks. We are a few hours from the magnificent parks in Utah and less than two hours away from Death Valley National Park in California. Over the past decade, I have taken various road trips visiting many of the wonderous natural sites… Continue reading Death Valley National Park | Exploring California
Scotty's Castle in Death Valley, California is an intriguing look into the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy during the roaring 20's. What is even more intriguing is the story behind this classic Mission Revival style home in the midst of nowhere. It was the secluded winter hideaway for Chicago millionaires Albert and Bessie Johnson, from… Continue reading Scotty’s Castle – Death Valley National Park | Exploring California
It was not until I moved out of Los Angeles later in life, that I learned the only people who call Tijuana, "TJ", are those who grew up in California. When people asked me if I had ever been to Mexico, I would say "Yeah, TJ" and no one knew what I was saying. Not… Continue reading Tijuana “TJ”, Mexico | A Quick Trip Over the Border
Bodie, California- When I say the words "Ghost Town", what thoughts come into your mind? A piece of the American Old West that sits in decay, barren and dilapidated. A once thriving mining community with gun fights, bar brawls and brothels that now sits idle in the middle of nowhere, with an occasional tumble weed… Continue reading Bodie State Historic Park | America’s Best Ghost Town
The majestic and magical city of Edinburgh has been a favorite of mine for several years. Old Town was just as I had pictured it, the alluring medieval buildings paired with the haunting vibe of the Royal Mile, created many stirring stores in my mind. It was no wonder that Edinburgh became the "Birthplace" of… Continue reading Lunch Break at Harry Potter’s “Birthplace” | The Elephant House in Edinburgh, Scotland
There were many moments when I traveled to a country or dined at a notable restaurant, and I made it just in time. I had either missed a natural disaster, an act of violence, or in this case the closure of a legendary restaurant prior to the pandemic. My father and others who know me,… Continue reading Farewell to the long running 21 Club | Manhattan, New York
New Mexico is one of my favorite Southwestern states to road trip through and I have done it many times in the last twenty years. Main Street America aka Highway 40 goes right though New Mexico, and parts of old Route 66 still exist in this state. The food scene in New Mexico is very… Continue reading What I ate in NEW MEXICO | A Food Journal
Regensburg, Germany - I am a full fledged jetsetting gastronome and will travel for food. I must confess that I decided to take a day trip to Regensburg just so I could eat at one of the world's oldest restaurants, The Historic Sausage Kitchen. I was not expecting this old world Bavarian town to be… Continue reading Historische Wurstküche zu Regensburg | The World’s Oldest Sausage House
Over the couple decades of my gastronomical travels, I have been to many of the oldest eateries in Europe and the UK, including Rules of London, the Historic Sausage House in Regensburg and Botin in Madrid. All have been unique dining experiences, considering they were all the oldest in one way or another. On my… Continue reading Zur Letzten Instanz | Berlin’s Oldest Restaurant
There are many wonderous layers of Egypt to explore and one visit to this North African country was not enough, I know it was not for me. First, you have the Pyramdis of Giza and all the historic temples of ancient Egypt that run along the Nile River. Then you have another layer of Egyptian… Continue reading Exploring Old Islamic Cairo | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The magnificent Mosque - Madrasa of Sultan Hasan is located in the heart of Old Islamic Cairo, which is also referred to as "Historic Cairo". In 1979, UNESCO had designated this specific area of Cairo as a World Heritage Site. There are over 600 structures of cultural importance in Historic Cairo and it is an… Continue reading The Mosque – Madrasa of Sultan Hasan | Old Islamic Cairo, Egypt
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is a must see for those who are visiting Egypt. It is considered the oldest mosque in Egypt as well as all of Africa, and it was built between AD 876 and 879, by Ahmed Ibn Tulun. Over the centuries it has miraculously survived and kept its original form. This… Continue reading The Mosque of Ibn Tulun | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
If you are looking to cruise the Nile River in Egypt from Aswan to Luxor, I highly recommend the experience. Deciding on a boat cruise aboard a mid-size luxury liner is an extraordinary way to see the riverways of Egypt, as well as many of the important temples in Upper Egypt. After doing a little… Continue reading Cruising Up the Nile – From Aswan to Luxor, Egypt
Vilnius, the charming and historic capital of Lithuania, is a captivating city with a myriad of architectural styles and cobble stone streets, but with a youthful and bright disposition. Shortly after the fall of communism in the region, Vilnius was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, specifically the Historic Centre. Political centre… Continue reading Restoranas Lokys | The Forrest Food House in Vilnius, Lithuania
If someone told me 35 years ago that I would be traveling to Egypt with two people whom I have known since grade school, I would have told this person they were nuts. It did happen though and I will say that I love how the universe puts together these memorable rondevous with others. We… Continue reading An evening at the Old Cataract Hotel | Aswan, Egypt
