CULINARY TRAVEL Cafe Tims: The Heart of Suseong’s Vibrant Alpha City Posted on April 6, 2024September 12, 2024 Alpha City in Daegu, South Korea, is experiencing an exciting cafe boom. New cafes and restaurants are opening left and right, energizing the whole area. Swept up in the buzz, Steven and I just had to check out a cozy dessert cafe in this lively Suseong district. It was the perfect destination for this week’s cafe-hopping adventure. Read more
LIFESTYLE Running Together: Lessons from the Paris Marathon with My Husband Posted on April 5, 2024June 14, 2024 Military separations aren’t just about miles, but lost time and shared memories. Running the Paris Marathon was a chance to catch up on both. These times apart are challenging. They mean missing holidays, precious moments, and chances to grow together. To reconnect, we find shared goals. Running the Paris Marathon together was our way to catch up and grow closer. But it actually accomplished much, much more. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Inside Iowa’s Award-winning TYCOGA Winery & Distillery Posted on April 4, 2024June 18, 2024 At Tycoga Winery & Distillery, it’s more than just about the drinks; their pizza is pretty good, too. Thirty minutes from our door to theirs, we stepped into a place buzzing with life. Despite the crowd, the manager spotted us right away, treating us like VIPs and ushering us to the bar. That warm welcome set the stage for an experience we won’t forget, savoring standout pizza and wine in the heart of Iowa. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Great Meals: Our Octopus Dinner with Don Fernando Posted on April 3, 2024June 14, 2024 We both sat there staring at the plate placed before me. When I ordered a seafood salad, I figured I’d see a little crab and shrimp over some leafy greens with a splash of vinaigrette. I had no idea someone would go into the kitchen and out the back door to the canals beyond, scoop up whatever was unfortunate enough to swim into the net, and serve al fresco with a splash of olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper. We sat there, staring at the seafood salad I ordered. This is the story about My Octopus Dinner on the Venice Canals at Don Fernando’s in Treviso, Italy. Read more
PLACES Discovering Italian Medieval Towns: San Gimignano, Matera, and Ravello Posted on April 2, 2024August 12, 2024 Italy is home to countless historic towns and villages that have preserved their medieval charm through the centuries. This blog invites readers to step back in time and explore Italy’s lesser-known historic havens. From the fortified walls of San Gimignano to the ancient pathways of Matera, we’ll guide you through destinations where history is alive and well-preserved. Read more