Celebrating Pongal in Tamil Nadu, India
“Please join us!” the woman in a gold-trimmed green sari exclaimed, waving a wooden spoon in our direction. Sweet smoke wafted from hundreds of...
In Basel, Switzerland, the antics of Vogel Gryff
A resounding boom from a raft on the Rhine, and the “only in (Klein)basel” ritual known as Vogel Gryff is underway. When Tom and...
Tamil Nadu’s kolam art tradition
One of India’s most distinctive art forms is that of rangoli, in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground using materials...
In Cartoceto, Italy, the masterful cheeses of Vittorio Beltrami
We walked past Gastronomia Beltrami—twice—before we spotted the entrance, partially hidden behind a leafy tree. Inside, a heady aroma of cheese greeted us,...
Educating girls in Solukhumbu, Nepal
The young girl appeared as if in a dream, walking uphill through dense fog. She stopped to watch as our group made its slow...
Ascona, Switzerland celebrates the chestnut
I love one-trick food festivals. They bring out my penchant for taking a single food ingredient to levels I would never envision on my...
Tasting sparkling wine in Fabriano, Italy
When we were invited to visit the Sbaffi winery near Fabriano, Italy, Tom and I knew only that the winery produces a range of...
In Porto, “The story of Portugal in 5 glasses”
Clérigos Tower: Two hundred forty steps to the top…and a classy backdrop to relaxation on the lawn of Jardim das Oliveiras, in the heart...
Behind the scenes in Sassoferrato, Italy
Pick a town in Italy’s Le Marche region, just about any town, and you’ll find a castle and a piazza or two for enjoying...
Culinary walks with Taste Porto Food Tours
Touring a new city on foot always brings the place into focus, and a good food tour adds an element I especially enjoy. A...
