CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Truth About Travel: You Can Still Come Home An Asshole Posted on October 29, 2018November 16, 2025 One of the most misguided opinions about travel is that it will change you. Especially solo travel. It’s a lie. Some travel is like a diet pill. Travel alone won’t change you simply because you do it; you have to put in some work. You can collect a thousand pretty… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES The Ultimate Guide to Wine Tasting on the Prosecco Road Posted on October 19, 2018December 20, 2025 Sparkling wines are delicious. And I’ve tasted them in wine regions all around the world. I’ve had them in beautiful places like Napa, New York, France, Italy and Germany. But few offer the stunning natural landscapes and level of hospitality like the Prosecco Wine Road Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Make the Most of a Layover: Road Trip to Chicago Navy Pier Posted on October 17, 2018February 26, 2026 I finally stepped outside O’Hare and spent a long layover at Chicago’s Navy Pier. We rode the Centennial Wheel, strolled the waterfront, ate deep-dish at Giordano’s, and took an architecture river cruise. It was simple, scenic, and worth it. Chicago proved it’s more than just an airport connection. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Traveling to Turkey? Don’t Miss These Powerful Local Essential Oils Posted on October 11, 2018December 20, 2025 There’s long standing history with aromatherapy and essential oils in Turkey– the practice of using extracted natural oils from the flowers, stems, leaves and roots of plants. Their ability to affect well-being can be both psychological and physical. Therefore, it makes perfect “scents” Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Where to Find The Most Scenic Views in Istanbul Posted on October 9, 2018July 24, 2026 The Best views of Istanbul include the iconic cityscape– mosques, palaces, minarets, and the boats skipping across the waves of the Bosphorus. Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here, making it world-class for history lovers. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Night Long Layover Night Tour in Istanbul from Turkish Airlines Posted on October 7, 2018July 24, 2026 We land at 4 pm— a half-hour past the free tour offered by Turkish Airlines. That sucks, I’ve taken one of those tours before, and they are pretty good. But we’re not out of luck. There is another night layover tour we’ll catch that’s not free. Watching Istanbul go from… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Wine Tasting in Sicily and Why Etna Wine is not Italian Wine Posted on October 3, 2018December 20, 2025 Unveiling Etna: A Unique Wine Legacy Beyond Italian Borders Italy’s Mount Etna is young by modern standards for such an old wine region. Bottled wines have only been produced here for a few short decades, yet the rapidly growing interest in the native varieties grown on the slopes of Europe’s… Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Turkish Airlines Long Layover Posted on October 3, 2018November 15, 2025 Free City Tour of Istanbul I love long layovers if it allows me to explore a new city. And Turkish Airlines offers a great perk if you have a long layover Istanbul. They offer ticket holders a free Istanbul tour. It’s a great option if you have at least a… Read more