Travel

Located 40 minutes south of Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region, is the town of Pavia, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (1361). And, just across the river from Pavia sits the region of Oltrepò Pavese, which means just that. It is “on the other side of the Po River from Pavia”. Because of its rolling hills, it is frequently called the “Tuscany of the North” but although the Oltrepò Pavese is one of the largest wine producing regions in all of Italy, it is still fairly unknown, which makes it a great "off-the-beaten" path place to visit.
22 November, 2013
Milan, in the north of Italy, is famous for its fashion.  But, most people I know don’t see the point in visiting the city. I disagree.  On almost every trip I take to Italy, I find myself spending a day, or two, in this large beautiful city where I do a little shopping, of course, but also some exploring. Flying into Milan’s Malpensa airport, the Malpensa Express is a 29 minute train that costs only 11 Euro into the heart of Milan (Milano Cadorna station). Quick, easy and inexpensive, this is the best way to get to/from the airport. The next challenge is finding accommodations.  While there are many hotels in Milan, finding something central that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but still has charm, can be a challenge. Instead of a hotel, renting an apartment or villa for a few days makes you feel like a local. Check out NovecentoCase, an agency specialized in renting apartments in city center, who partners with 5 Star Service run by Alejandro Mazza and Emotionphy Communication. They focus on finding private luxury villas that sleep between 1-6 people and include hotel amenities such as toiletries, robes and a concierge.
13 November, 2013
While in Portland for Portland Cocktail Week, we tried to hit a few bars in between the classes, parties and other events. In addition to the brand new Multnomah Whisk(e)y Library that is a definite must, here are a few other bars worth a visit: The Rookery at Raven & Rose 1331 SW Broadway., Portland, OR 97201 (503) 222-7673 In Portland’s historic Ladd Carriage House, you will find the English countryside inspired farmhouse, Raven and Rose. Inspired by Irish and British dining, the ingredients are simple, yet their attention to detail is flawless. Aside from a great meal, the environment provides a cozy haven that welcomes locals and visitors alike to dine in and enjoy their historical cocktail menu. 20131022_175019
06 November, 2013

Located 40 minutes south of Milan in the Lombardy region of Italy and across the river from Pavia sits the region of Oltrepò Pavese, which means “on...

23 October, 2013
San Francisco is filled with great cocktail bars and talented bartenders. As work takes me to San Francisco on a regular basis, I get to try new places, and re-visit others, all the time.  But, on one particular weekend, we went on a “bar tour” and here is what we managed to cover in 2 days! The Buena Vista 2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Located at the end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this bar has a menu that will please anyone looking for a refreshing cocktail or a boost of caffeine. With a number of specialty drinks ranging from Irish Coffee to Bull Shots, you are sure to get your fix of liquid courage. The Buena Vista also has a full beer menu, including their very own Buena Vista Café Pilsner. This bar has sought to recreate a classic Irish Coffee menu in addition to other spirited cocktail offerings.
27 August, 2013
As the saying goes, big things do come in small packages-and this is certainly true in regards to one of the densest of small cities. Made up of approximately 7 x 7 square miles, the city of San Francisco is home to a number of distinctively diverse districts, landmarks and some of California’s best real estate. If the vibrant Golden Gate doesn’t lure you in, then maybe its array of food and culture will, as we can all agree that San Francisco has some of the best food Northern California has to offer. Repeated visits to San Francisco has enabled me to try new restaurants each visit.  Here are some of the top stops from the past few months. Hog Island Oyster Bar The Ferry Building Marketplace, One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111  
27 August, 2013
The cocktail scene in Washington DC is one of the best in the country. With names like Derek Brown and Todd Thrasher who led the charge, there is so much talent in the city today. On a recent visit to DC, my cocktail guide, and local bartender, Rico Wisner led me from bar to bar as we drank our way through the city. Here are some of the highlights (although this is just a short list of some of the best bars): Barmini  855 E St NW (between N 9th St & N 8th St), Washington, DC 20004   Barmini is Chef José's Andres’ culinary cocktail lab in the space adjoining his restaurant Minibar. More than one hundred artisan cocktails are crafted and served with the same care and attention to detail as the dishes at minibar. Like all of Jose Andres’ creations, barmini is like nothing you’ve seen before and each cocktail is a work of art. Barmini has set the bar high for avant-garde cocktails.
24 August, 2013
It’s no secret that Santa Barbara Wine Country is home to some of the best wineries on the coast of California. With so many to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in all the wine. But if you're planning a trip to Santa Barbara wine country, there is one destination you can’t miss out on – the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Lompoc Wine Ghetto is definitely the perfect destination for those looking to get the most out of their time. Lompoc is located northwest of Santa Barbara near the Highway 1 and 246 intersection. Lompoc has 18 tasting rooms featuring some renowned wines and vineyards. It is recommended to spend more than one day here but you can get alot covered in one day. The tasting rooms are generally open Thursday through Sunday, starting at 11:00 am, with a few rooms open on Mondays.
22 August, 2013
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