I scanned the equipment on the table in front of me with more than a little trepidation. Slicers, dicers, chef’s knives, and immersion blenders waited patiently to be placed in the hands of the talented cooks who had gathered at Palazzo Donati to learn about vegan cooking. Anyone who knows me will shake their head … Read more
The deep-throated cooing of pigeons in the rafters roused me from a delicious sleep. I stretched and yawned before climbing out of bed to watch the sunrise. As the sky blushed deep orange, lights winked on across the valley, marking tiny hilltop towns that are invisible during daylight hours. I glanced at the clock and … Read more
Alessandro greeted me with a huge smile. ” Hello! Welcome to al Bricco D’Oro.” I laughed and smiled back. “How did you know to speak to me in English? I asked. “From the way you look,” he said. “It is our business to know.” I had arrived in Bologna just a few hours earlier, exhausted … Read more
My original visit to the island-state of Penang, Malaysia, was one of the most culturally rewarding experiences in all of my travels. The architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage capital city of George Town was simply stunning. Even more fascinating were the traditional artisans of George Town, who continue to make beaded shoes, Songkok hats, … Read more
I was completely and utterly exhausted. A couple of months earlier, my right hip and knee had begun to ache constantly and walking long distances was becoming increasingly difficult. I booted up the laptop, opened my calendar, and began counting. It was mid-October, 2016, and I’d visited 23 countries so far that year, some of … Read more
