Live to Eat. Love to Travel. Hungry for more.
All in Travel
“Some trips we take to reach a destination, others we take for the pleasure of the journey itself. Peru’s Inca Trail is perhaps the world’s greatest hike because it combines the best of both types of travel: a four day walk to the spectacular lost city of Machu Picchu that winds through the zone where the snowcapped Andes Mountains crash into the lush Amazon jungle, creating some of the world’s most dramatic and beautiful terrain.” – Mark Adams
Cava Codorniu is the oldest cava producer in Spain, and one of the biggest sellers too. Located in the town of Sant Sadurni just a few minutes outside Barcelona, it is very well known for its modernist architecture and sprawling grounds.
How to get there: As I mentioned in my earlier post, you can take the train and then stroll over or take a cab to the winery. Codorniu also has a bus service from Barcelona, that picks up at a couple of stops and bring you to the winery – a good option for larger groups, or if the train is too much hassle.
One of my favorite things about Spain is the number of local food markets in the cities. When you want a change from the restaurant/café scene, a visit to a local market is perfect. I truly believe that one of the best ways to experience a local food culture is by going to the local markets.
Of course, the famous La Boqueria food market is on everyone’s list, including ours, but for a truly local version (read: way less touristy), visit the Mercat Santa Caterina. Set in the beautiful and trendy El born district of Barcelona, it is only a short 15 minute walk from the Las Ramblas neighborhood.
Charleston, South Carolina, has always been known for its Southern charm, but over the last few years has also become one of the top food destinations in the country. My friend and I had been planning a weekend foodie trip to Charleston for a while, and we finally got around to doing it. We basically spent the weekend eating and walking around the beautiful city.
After a long day of whitewater rafting, our agenda for the evening was to enjoy a farm to table dinner at The Shawnee Craft Brewery at The Shawnee Inn. The brewery is on the Shawnee Inn premises, which also houses the Shawnee Island Farm where a lot of the produce and herbs are grown.
Chef Tallada prepared a special 4 course menu for us, comprised of all locally sourced ingredients, many of which came from the Shawnee Island Farm. Each of the courses was paired with one of their beers. It was also lovely to have some of the farmers and local vendors join us for dinner and share their stories.
Anyone who knows me will certify that I am petrified of open water. I am a decent swimmer in the pool, but open water scares the living daylights out of me. So when I found out that I’d be spending an entire day on the water during the DC Travel Blogger trip to the Pocono Mountains, and whitewater rafting none the less – GULP!
The Pocono Mountains, more commonly referred to as the Poconos, are a large area of 2400 square miles, with mountains, lakes (over 150!), and valleys. Needless to say, that makes it an attractive destination for outdoor activities all seasons.
It is only a couple of hours away from NYC and Philadelphia, and just under 4 hours from the DC area, which makes it an easy weekend getaway. I enjoyed a fabulous 48 hours in the Pocono Mountains with the DC Travel Blogger group, but it has so much to offer, whether for a weekend getaway or a longer time
Where I choose to stay plays a big part of my experience in a city, and I much prefer hotels with character and a story to tell, hotels with an endearing but idiosyncratic nature. When I travel, I tend to pick hotels that offer something unique, while still providing the basic conveniences – a central location, clean rooms, good service. And coffee.
A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to experience a mini staycation DC at The Quincy DC.
Albuquerque is mostly known for its International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place early October, or for the TV show Breaking Bad, which has a cult following. Whether or not you happen to be in ABQ during the fiesta, or are a Breaking Bad fan, there’s still a lot to do in the city.
We did a lot in 3 days in Albuquerque, and really got a taste for the city. I had no idea what to expect before I went there, and came away with a great impression of the eclectic mix of activities, food, drink and culture that the city provides
The Albuquerque (ABQ) beer scene has really thrived in recent years, something I realized only when we started planning our trip. There’s a growing list of local emerging breweries, and on our visit there, we chose 4 breweries to try.
Tractor was one of our first stops. It’s a great place in the Nob Hill neighborhood to sit back and enjoy a few beers. It has a tractor out front so you won’t miss it, and the inside bar and patio is a good size. They did not have any food, but there were a couple of food trucks outside (turns out there usually are a few there), and many restaurants also deliver directly to their patio! Decent beer selection, nice patio, food trucks…what more can a girl ask for? Oh, and their tagline – Get Plowed!
