Mayakoba: So Much More than Its Cuisine

Mayakoba: So Much More than Its Cuisine

  “Casual dining by the sea” is how the concierge described Punta Bonita Restaurante, located on the pristine beaches of the Riviera Maya. That description didn’t even come close to capturing the essence of our visit to Mayakoba or our exquisite, memorable...
The Vatican’s Brand New Tourist Attraction

The Vatican’s Brand New Tourist Attraction

By now everyone knows that Pope Francis lives simply in the Casa Marta guesthouse and not in the elegant Papal Apartments overlooking St. Peter’s Square where he does, however, receive important guests and bless the crowd below during the Angelus on Sundays at noon....
Traveling in Italy, Crowd-Free

Traveling in Italy, Crowd-Free

    You’ve wanted to go to Italy your whole life, and now the dream is coming true. You can already taste the fresh mozzarella in Rome and hear the soft, rhythmic splash of the gondolier’s oar as it slowly propels you through the quiet, moonlit canals of...
FIKA

FIKA

  Every so often one stumbles upon a culinary gem in the most unexpected place, as happened to me recently on a visit to the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Even without the restaurant, a visit to the institute would be worth a side trip if...
Napa and San Francisco on a Budget

Napa and San Francisco on a Budget

While every state now has a winery, when one hears the term “wine country,” I’d bet the farm that California is the first thought that comes to mind. Each of California’s wine regions has its charms, and you really can’t go wrong in visiting any of them.  ...
Why Stay at a Bed and Breakfast?

Why Stay at a Bed and Breakfast?

Hotels of all shapes, sizes, and price ranges exist all over the world and you can have privacy, room service, an amazing array of amenities, and the convenience of never having to clean the room yourself. Restaurants, shops, tours, transportation are all available...
That Sinking Feeling

That Sinking Feeling

In which our Far-Flung Correspondent heads for Venice for the world’s greatest muscle-powered nautical event: the Vogalonga.   Four decades ago in a galaxy far, far away—that is to say, Venice, which is, yes, in Italy, but no, not of this world—Toni Rosa Salva...
Simply Seggiano

Simply Seggiano

The little red Fiat took the curves and inclines in 360 degrees of glorious countryside and tiny villages on the Cassia from Firenze.  Spring showed its presence in wildflowers, mustard, shocks of wisteria, roses, supernatural  green quilted fields, and hints of...