Pfunds Molkerei

Pfunds Molkerei: A Dresden Treasure

Dresden’s Neustadt neighborhood is an intersection of the bourgeoisie and the bohemian. There’s a distinct alternative scene with eccentric cafes and pubs, art galleries, small theaters and little shops. One of those shops in particular will surprise you. From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but open the door … Read more

Traveling for Chocolate

Traveling for Chocolate

Love and chocolate just seem to go together.  The love affair started more than 1500 years ago with the Maya and Aztec cultures.  Believing the cocoa bean was an aphrodisiac, the Aztec ruler, Montezuma, allegedly drank several cups of a strong and dark chocolate drink known as “xocoatl” before visiting … Read more

Grape leaf

Germany, The Wines of Saxony

An Intersection of Wine and History When one thinks about beverages in Germany, beer immediately comes to mind. Wine lovers will be happy to know that Germany isn’t just about beer. In fact, the State of Saxony in eastern Germany has an 850 year old wine-making history. I recently visited … Read more

Franklin County, Florida’s Culinary Scene

Nestled in Florida’s panhandle is a place seemingly untouched by time – a place where fishermen head out each day for the perfect catch and communities have country music worthy names like Apalachicola and Alligator Point. This is Franklin County, Florida’s forgotten coast, home of the world’s smallest police station, … Read more

Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pa. – Battles, Baseball and Bluegrass

In July 1863, over 170,000 soldiers converged on the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in a battle that changed both the course of the Civil War and ultimately the nation. Every kid in America studied the Battle of Gettysburg in history class and memorized at least a part of President … Read more

A Deliciously Decadent Chocolate Spa, Hershey, Pa.

The world is full of amazing destinations but one of the sweetest is right here in the good ole’ USA.  In Hershey, Pennsylvania the smell of chocolate permeates the air.   Avenues have names like Cocoa and Chocolate and street lamps shaped like Hershey’s Kisses light up the town.  This is … Read more

West Virginia

West Virginia – Wild and Wonderful

  Looking for a getaway this summer but don’t want to spring for high priced international flights?  Why not hang around in the good ole USA and try something different?  A trip to Southern West Virginia, perhaps. I realize the mention of West Virginia conjures up images of coal mines, … Read more

Rørosmartnan

Rørosmartnan – Norway’s Winter Festival

It’s been over 150 years since the King of Norway entered a proclamation declaring, “From 1854 onward a yearly market shall be held in Røros, commencing the second to last Tuesday in the month of February, and lasting until the following Friday.  When the King speaks, Norwegians listen. In February … Read more

Norway’s Aquavit Trail

Norway’s Aquavit Trail: Discovering a Liquid Treasure

In the early 14th century about the time Christianity was introduced in Norway, a number of monks around the country were mastering the art of distillation. I have no idea why monks were making spirits but their efforts produced one that would ultimately become one of Norway’s finest cultural treasures. … Read more