“Arizona evokes a sense of timelessness, its landscapes whispering tales of centuries past.” – Barbara Kingsolver. In all my travels, I have to say it is hard to match the majesty and beauty of the desert Southwest and the red rocks of Sedona. Surrounded by vivid evidence of planet Earth’s layered millenia, you could spend months here exploring trails, taking...
“Since it is impossible to know what’s really happening, we Peruvians lie, invent, dream and take refuge in illusion. Because of these strange circumstances, Peruvian life, a life in which so few actually do read, has become literary.” — Mario Vargas Llosa Many Peruvian books are unsurprisingly about harrowing adventures, historical expeditions and cultural...
“You could make the argument that there is no better place to eat in Europe than the city of San Sebastian.” – Anthony Bourdain San Sebastian has been on my travel radar for literally decades. Having finally spent a few days there this summer, I can now confidently add it to the short list for a return visit asap. It’s a scenic, historic...
“For every person who loves Spain, there are a dozen who prefer books about her.” – Ernest Hemingway The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway – Classic “Lost Generation” novel set in Paris, Pamplona, Bayonne and San Sebastian. April in Spain, by John Banville – This installment of the Quirk mystery series from one of Ireland’s...
“I do not know a place more charming and magnificent. I only have one fear: that it will become fashionable.” — Victor Hugo There is something about Biarritz… In the heart of the Côte Basque, it has all the lovely aspects of Basque culture woven into the regional French ethos with undeniably delicious, elegant, and relaxing results. It is clean and refined but...
“Wine is bottled poetry.” – Robert Louis Stevenson I have been visiting my in-laws in Healdsburg, CA since forever ago (the 90s!), and despite some gentrification it has not lost a bit of its charm over the years. Instead of tour buses, saucy hen parties, and high end everything, it retains its small-town local vibe, but with a...
“For the traveler who comes in from the sea, Lisbon, even from afar, rises like a fair vision in a dream, clear-cut against a bright blue sky which the sun gladdens with its gold.” Fernando Pessoa TOURS: Definitely take a tuk tuk tour! They are super fun and whip up and down all the hills all around town, delivering you to the top sights and...
“Marrakech teaches color.” – Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech is a “must” destination in my opinion. Nowhere else on earth really approximates such intense immersion into living culture and history. It can be overwhelming, especially on your first visit. Your senses (not least your sense of direction!) will be bombarded at every turn. So...
“I didn’t know I didn’t know that.” – Jennifer Cline And I burst into tears. Twelve of us were on a van in the Sacred Valley of Peru, eagerly and maybe nervously poised to disembark into the local food market. The plan was to gather supplies which we would later haul on foot and small pack horses to over 12,500 feet elevation for families and elderly residents...
Lima positively sprawls. It’s huge, and as in other gargantuan cities, it’s the eclectic neighborhoods that make the urban scale palatable. If you are headed to Machu Picchu or any other Peruvian destination, chances are you will have to stop through Lima for at least a night if you’re flying from the US. What’s your hurry? Slow down for a couple...