I miss traveling. The anticipation when planning a trip, foreign foods, experiencing new places, meeting people around the world. I miss it all. Undoubtedly, you do too. While countries outside the United States may be closed for now, we can still create our own foreign getaway at home. A few years ago I spent the summer in Paris. The City of Light is known for its fashion, cosmopolitan vibrancy, and delicious food! While there, I learned how the Parisians entertain. It’s easy! So, if we can’t go to Paris, let’s bring Paris to us! Call a few friends to join you for a Parisian evening. There are a few basic customs and items you’ll need to add oh la la to your fun party! I’ve included links to help you find pieces that will make your gathering truly French. Here are tips on how you can host a French themed dinner party! Dinner Party Ambiance ~ Lighting, Music and Flowers The French are masters of presentation. They take a simple gesture and make it spectacular. Candlelight is a must on any table. Turn down the lights and place a few candles down the center. Voluspa suede blanc candle ~This beauty has a subtle scent and gorgeous packaging. Burn time is 100 hours, so you’ll have it for many different occasions. Voluspa Goji & Taracco candle in a red jar ~The crimson color will add a pop of color to your table. Taper candle holder set ~A classic set of white taper candleholders are truly elegant. Music playing softly in the background sets the mood at a dinner party. Whether you use a streaming audio service or old fashion CD’s, choose a genre that evokes an evening in Paris. Two of my favorite are: Karrin Allyson ~ From Paris to Rio ~Multilingual
I miss traveling. The anticipation when planning a trip, foreign foods, experiencing new places, meeting people around the world. I miss it all. Undoubtedly, you do too. While countries outside the United States may be closed for now, we can still create our own foreign getaway at home. A few years ago I spent the
Ireland is a must-visit destination in Europe! On a recent trip to Southern Ireland I was amazed at the kindness of locals, the jaw-dropping natural beauty and the centuries-old castles dotting the countryside. Planning ahead allows you to make the most of your vacation. Certain tips save time and money while you're exploring the Emerald Isle. Here are 10 tips when planning your trip to Ireland! Check Your Passport to Make Sure It’s Not Expiring Within the Next Six Months Most countries require your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond completion of your trip. Some in the EU require only 3 months, others none. It’s better to err on the side of keeping your passport within six months to a year of expiration. That way there are no disappointments when arriving at the airport without the proper validity. With a valid US passport, you can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any six month period. Click here for up to date passport information to Ireland. Take an International Adaptor With Numerous Plugs The United States uses two plug types — types A and B. Plug A is the standard two flat prong device. Type B has three prongs; two flat and one grounding. While most of Europe uses type C, Ireland uses type G. As you can tell, this becomes confusing determining which country uses which plug. For this reason I purchased a universal travel adaptor. The one device converts USA plugs to UK, EU, and Australian outlets. It came in handy as I traveled through Ireland, Greece and Croatia. The universal adapter saves you from needing to purchase multiple adapters. Click here to shop the adaptor. If you use a hairdryer and hot tools, you’ll need a converter, as well. I found this
Ireland is a must-visit destination in Europe! On a recent trip to Southern Ireland I was amazed at the kindness of locals, the jaw-dropping natural beauty and the centuries-old castles dotting the countryside. Planning ahead allows you to make the most of your vacation. Certain tips save time and money while you’re exploring the Emerald
Ireland is even more awe-inspiring in person. Recently, I traveled throughout the country's southern part — the Republic of Ireland. Verdant pastures, historic estates, and grazing livestock provided picture-postcard scenery around every corner. Gazing at the Cliffs of Moher will leave you awestruck. The bluffs tower 702-feet over Clare coast and stretch five miles. They've been featured in movies including Harry Potter and The Princess Bride. It's only one of the natural beauties along the 1,500 mile Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland's west coast. Castles dating back hundreds of years dot the landscape. Blarney Castle in Cork County was constructed in 1446! Climbing the stone stairs to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, you imagine those who lived in the castle during the middle ages. The surrounding, award winning 60 acres of gardens add to the spectacle. Ashford Castle in Cong was built 800-years ago by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family. After numerous iterations, including home of the Guinness family, it became the five-star luxury hotel it is today. The owners painstakingly restored it back to the original grandeur while incorporating modern day amenities. A one night stay in this majestic manor is highly recommended. Ireland and sheep go hand-in-hand. If census numbers are correct, there are over five million sheep on the Emerald Isle! The fluffy bovidae are ubiquitous and add charm to the roadside meadows. Another quintessential animal throughout the country are Irish Wolfhound dogs. They were bred in Ireland to hunt wolfs, hence the name. Their substantial size is menacing. But, when I participated in an organized walk with four wolfhounds, I found them to be docile and sweet with people. The following photos are a snippet of the charm that makes Ireland a destination to put on your bucket list. Here are 10 photos to inspire you
Ireland is even more awe-inspiring in person. Recently, I traveled throughout the country’s southern part — the Republic of Ireland. Verdant pastures, historic estates, and grazing livestock provided picture-postcard scenery around every corner. Gazing at the Cliffs of Moher will leave you awestruck. The bluffs tower 702-feet over Clare coast and stretch five miles. They’ve
Irish brown soda bread is served in homes and restaurants throughout Ireland. Its rustic, nutty flavor are the perfect addition to a meal. This bread is savory, not sweet. Traditionally served warm with salted butter alongside hearty stews, citrus jellies on top are another favorite spread for breakfast with a pot of tea. Most families have their own Irish brown soda bread recipe passed down through the generations. It's an integral part of daily life. Baking techniques vary. Northern Ireland regions divide the dough into quarters and cook the sections on a griddle. The south's Republic of Ireland bakes loaves in a round pan and cuts a cross on top of the dough prior to placing it in the oven. Modern versions of the staple include raisins, seeds, honey, even Guinness. But the classic Irish brown soda bread sticks to the basics such as the following recipe. Enjoy! Ingredients: ● 2 cups whole wheat flour ● 1 cup bran flour ● 1/4 cup wheat germ (the center of the wheat kernel) ● 1 cup All-purpose flour ● 2 tsp. sugar ● 1 tsp. salt ● 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda ● 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder ● 2 cups buttermilk Recipe & Preparation: 1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2) Combine the whole wheat flour, bran flour, and wheat germ. 3) Add the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir all the ingredients together. 4) Pour in the buttermilk. Mix together with a spoon until the buttermilk is worked in and the flour has absorbed all the liquid. It will have a craggy texture. 5) Put the dough on a board. Not all cutting boards are created equal. Bamboo boards are durable, lightweight and most don't have added dyes or stains. Here is a good quality board: https://amzn.to/3yJqw7z
Irish brown soda bread is served in homes and restaurants throughout Ireland. Its rustic, nutty flavor are the perfect addition to a meal. This bread is savory, not sweet. Traditionally served warm with salted butter alongside hearty stews, citrus jellies on top are another favorite spread for breakfast with a pot of tea. Most families
Irish stew is native to Ireland and considered their national dish. There are numerous variations of the stew. Many households use beef for the protein, as well as potatoes, leeks, or cabbage. But, traditional Irish stew is made with lamb and root vegetables. In the Irish language the stew is called stobhach gaelach. Once a necessity during the early 19th century's economic turmoil, the attainable ingredients allowed impoverished families to survive on the stew. Today it's thought of as a comfort food. With its hearty fixin's, Irish stew is the perfect dish to cook during chilly months. Here is the recipe. Enjoy! Ingredients: ● 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil ● 4 1/2 pounds of lamb shoulder chops, 1” - 1 1/2” thick ● Salt + pepper ● 3 large onions, chopped ● 4 Tablespoons All-purpose flour ● 3 cups water ● 1 teaspoon dried thyme ● 1/2 pound carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4” pieces ● 1 purple top turnip, peeled, stem end cut off. Cut turnip into 1” cubes ● 1/4 cup fresh minced parsley Recipe & Preparation: 1) In a Dutch oven put 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil. Turn to medium-high heat. Keep an eye on it. If you don't have a Dutch oven, it is worthwhile to purchase one. I love mine and use it a lot for cooking soups, sauces, stews, browning chicken, etc. Here is a good one you'll use for many years: https://amzn.to/4083Ycc 2) Cut lamb shoulder chops into 1 1/2” chunks. Season the meat with salt and pepper. 3) Cook the lamb in the Dutch oven in 2 batches. Cook the first side of meat about 2 minutes, until it begins to brown. Turn the pieces over and cook for about another 5 minutes. 4) After the lamb pieces are cooked, take them out and put
Irish stew is native to Ireland and considered their national dish. There are numerous variations of the stew. Many households use beef for the protein, as well as potatoes, leeks, or cabbage. But, traditional Irish stew is made with lamb and root vegetables. In the Irish language the stew is called stobhach gaelach. Once a
Irish food is underrated. Most think of fish and chips, potatoes or hardy soda bread when the Emerald Isle’s cuisine comes to mind. While those are delicious, Éire is also a county of fresh seafood, farm to table fare, and artisan sweets. While I explored Ireland, I sampled some of their best regional eats and they were delicious! Here are 5 local foods to try in Ireland! Tayto Original Irish Crisp Potato chips are called crisps in Ireland. Tayto is THE brand and has been a staple in pantries across the country since 1954. The original flavor is cheese and onion. They don’t produce a plain version. Other choices include prawn cocktail and smokey bacon, with limited editions of roasted chicken and pickled onion, to name a few. Being a self professed potato chip junkie, I’ve tasted different kinds of the savory snack around the world. Tayto is definitely one of the best. They’re light and have the right amount of salt. If you can’t wait until you visit Ireland to try the popular snack, they’re available to order here: https://amzn.to/3k8Aw6s. Quinland's Portmagee Crab Claws I still dream of these sizzling crustaceans tossed in garlic butter and served with crunchy sourdough bread. They’re fished in County Kerry’s village of Portmagee off the southwest coast of Ireland. Their motto is “from tide to table.” Papa Quinland started the business 60 years ago. His sons now run the show. They are maintaining the same freshness and sustainability. There are six Quinland Seafood Bars in the Republic of Ireland. They serve whatever has been caught; squid, salmon, prawns, hake. But I highly recommend the crab claws. Murphy's Brown Bread Ice Cream The most common bread in Ireland paired with cream from Kerry cows culminates is this super yummy ice cream.
Irish food is underrated. Most think of fish and chips, potatoes or hardy soda bread when the Emerald Isle’s cuisine comes to mind. While those are delicious, Éire is also a county of fresh seafood, farm to table fare, and artisan sweets. While I explored Ireland, I sampled some of their best regional eats and
The Alps are a 750-mile mountain range stretching across south-central Europe. Peaks soar as high as 15,776 feet. Long known as a winter ski destination, they are equally as beautiful in the summer months with their alpine lakes and lush green meadows. The alps encompass Germany, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and France. The latter four countries have the greatest alpine territory. Over 13,000 species of plants have been identified in the alpine region, make the summer months especially beautiful. The best known of them is the Edelweiss. It thrives in the higher altitude's rocky limestone environment. The European mountain range is also home to 30,000 species of wildlife from the tiniest snow flea to the Alpine ibex — a species of wild goat. Italy's dolomites have 18 peaks. In 2009 UNESCO listed these as a World Heritage Site. Switzerland has the actual Matterhorn, made iconic by Disney's famous amusement park ride. Ariel trams funiculars, and a railway make it possible for European visitors to enjoy the Swiss Alp's peaks. The French portion of the mountains are popular for biking, paragliding, even white water rafting. As is Austrias. Germany's Bavarian Alps have quaint villages tucked among breathtaking scenery. It's popular for spas and health retreats. Mother Nature's beauty bestowed upon this area makes it a must-visit destination in summer, as well as winter. Here are 10 photos to inspire you to visit Europe's playground! There are tours available to destinations in the mountain region. Here a a few popular ones to choose from: Day Hike in the Alps Paragliding Over the Swiss Alps Related Posts: 10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit La Paz, Mexico
The Alps are a 750-mile mountain range stretching across south-central Europe. Peaks soar as high as 15,776 feet. Long known as a winter ski destination, they are equally as beautiful in the summer months with their alpine lakes and lush green meadows. The alps encompass Germany, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and France. The
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you explore solo, with girlfriends, or family, budget travel destinations can be found. Flights tend to be the biggest expense of a trip. So, planning ahead is imperative. Keeping an eye on travel websites and apps will cut both airline and accommodation costs. Furthermore, check airlines’ low fare calendars and skyscanner. Indirect flights are usually cheaper. Determine how much you want to spend. Then, search within those parameters. And, the destination will play a big part in your budget. Here are 10 budget-friendly travel destinations to visit on your next trip! Caye Caulker, Belize The laid-back Central American country has hundreds of small islands off the coast where you can stay. Two of the most popular are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. The latter is less expensive and not as touristy. There are no cars on the island, so you can walk everywhere. Hotels are cheap. Although, check several comparison sites. Not every website offers the same price for the same room. Alternatively, search by price range. TripAdvisor lets you read about other travelers’ experiences. Renting an Airbnb is another option. For instance, one bedroom cabanas for as little as $50 a night are not uncommon. Many have kitchenettes, allowing you to cook meals and save on restaurant costs. The country's great exchange rate helps lower costs of food, transportation and accommodations without compromising quality. Their currency is the Belizean Dollar. 1 USD is about the equivalent of 2 BZD. Enjoy the beautiful beaches. Or, book a $40 tour to explore the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage Site. Caye Caulker Marine Reserve snorkeling trip lets you swim with harmless rays and nurse sharks. I had a blast frolicking with these sea sweeties! In addition, other tours explore further into the Hol Chan Reserve.
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you explore solo, with girlfriends, or family, budget travel destinations can be found. Flights tend to be the biggest expense of a trip. So, planning ahead is imperative. Keeping an eye on travel websites and apps will cut both airline and accommodation costs. Furthermore, check airlines’ low fare
The City of Light is dog friendly, if you know your way around ‘Is that a service dog?” the flight attendant asked as she pointed to my bichon frise curled up beside me on the airplane seat. “No, he’s not” I said. “Then he needs to be in his carrier under the seat in front of you” she replied. I obliged as she walked down the aisle. Within minutes I returned Marcel beside me, only this time under the blanket I had draped across my lap, where he slept for the final leg of our flight from San Diego to Paris. Our short layover in Philadelphia gave enough time to take Marcel outside before the remaining eight hours of air travel. For August and September, The City of Light was home to mon petit chien and me. Our quest was to find pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, activities, and boutiques for my upcoming travel guide, “The Privileged Pooch in Paris.” Such a lengthy visit required an apartment rental as home base. An arduous search by a Parisian rental agency for a landlord who allows pets came up nil. Ironic, given the capital’s dog-loving reputation. (Illustration by CRISTINA MARTINEZ BYVIK) But VRBO.com, a website pairing homeowners with vacationers, proved fortuitous. My first two emails resulted in a Saint-Germain-Des-Prés house for the first month, and an Ile Saint Louis apartment built in 1643 for the remainder of my stay. Renting a variety of pied-à-terres allowed me to experience different areas of the city, and provided space to host visiting family and friends. Twenty arrondissements (districts) make up the metropolis of Paris, the first being in center city and the higher numbers being ethnic enclaves on the outskirts. These districts, covering roughly 41 square miles, are clumped into neighborhoods — the Marais, Montparnasse, Montmartre, Le
The City of Light is dog friendly, if you know your way around ‘Is that a service dog?” the flight attendant asked as she pointed to my bichon frise curled up beside me on the airplane seat. “No, he’s not” I said. “Then he needs to be in his carrier under the seat in front
