After arriving at San Jose we were wisked away to the nearby Doubletree, an oasis of calm in a congested city. An al fresco dinner was served and then Hector, guide extraordinaire and an encyclopedia of knowledge told us the schedule for the week. We left bright and early for a tour of San Jose,…
I arrived at the San Jose Doubletree today, the beginning of my Costa Rica exploration with Perillo Tours. This is a new destination for them and they promise to introduce us to an authentic experience while staying at iconic off-the-beaten-path hotels. I can’t wait to see what this week brings. I will bring you along…
Island of Crete Yoga Retreat with Marci Lew Rescheduled for May, 2014! This one of a kind retreat will provide a taste of the magical spirit of the island of Crete. From the charming “Venice of Greece” to the restored 17th century stone eco-lodge nestled in the mountains, you will experience the unique cultural, culinary,…
Historically, Charleston has a impressive cultural heritage. One of the best ways to learn about its colorful past and the part it played in the civil war is to take a carriage ride through the city. Stroll the gracious, residential streets of Church and Lagare, taking time to wander through the ancient cemeteries along the…
Charleston has it all; historic houses, a great civil war heritage, rivers and beaches for exploration and some of the best cuisine in the south. We stayed in a quaint little B&B near the market called the Palmer Pinckney Inn. Our room is cozy with a fireplace and whirlpool tub, perfect for a February stay.…
Our day in Turin began with a tour of La Venaria Reale, the royal palace of the Savoy Italian ruling family. Built to rival Versailles, there is a huge park behind the castle with biking and walking paths.The Royal Apartments of the Duchess and Duke Carlo Emanuele II are at the back of the park,…
One last delightful evening with our friends at Relais San Maurizio, our hosts for this journey through the Piedmont region of Italy. Imagine for a minute, that you are tasting these local wines and dishes created by The chefs at Guido’s. Fried egg with Piedmontese white truffle sauce Veal and foil gras Plin Agnolotti The…
Our excursion today was to Alba, the truffle capital of Italy, but also known for their wines and chocolate (Nutella is made here). The small streets dotted with towers were charming, and as we walked we learned about the fascinating world of truffles. Truffles are similar to mushrooms and are found underground beneath trees. During…
This morning we had the opportunity to make Plin ravioli, the typical dish from the Langhe region, with Luca, the head chef at Guido’s in the San Maurizio. He started with homemade pasta of course, and filling made with three roasted meats (pork, beef and rabbit) mixed with spinach and parmesan. These are pinched together…
The owner of The Conti Winery hosted us this evening in his incredible event space. Built within the vineyard, the modern structure edged with wine barrels was set up for our small group with sparkling wine, oysters, veal tartar and other tasty morsels. Then we enjoyed yet another amazing meal, and really enjoyed the unique…