The Aran Islands are a group of three small islands located off the west coast of Ireland in Galway Bay. The three islands are Inis Mór (meaning “big island”), Inis Meáin (meaning “middle island”), and Inis Oírr (meaning “east island”). The islands have history dating back to prehistoric times. The rugged terrain and isolation of the islands helped preserve many of the traditional customs and ways of life that were lost on the mainland during the centuries of English rule. The Aran Islands were also an important center of early Christianity in Ireland, and many ancient churches and monastic sites can still be seen on the islands today. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands were hit hard by the Great Famine, and many residents were forced to emigrate to the United States and other countries. Today, the […]
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Onboard the Viking Neptune: Iconic Western Mediterranean Itinerary [Review]
The Mediterranean has always been a place where history and cultures come to life. From the bustling metropolis of Barcelona to the turquoise waters of the French Riviera to the rolling hills of Tuscany – there is so much to see that it can be overwhelming to plan a Mediterranean trip.(I know – I’ve done it.) That’s what enticed me about the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary with Viking cruises onboard their Viking Neptune ship. Cruise life not only allows you to sit back and relax while waking up in a new place each day, but this itinerary takes you to some of the most well-known cities in the Mediterranean, made famous for their history, culture, and natural beauty. That is to say, they have become iconic. And while we have spent a fair amount of time in this part of […]
Read MoreGreen with Envy: An 8-Day Ireland Itinerary With Globus
Planning an 8-day Ireland itinerary might sound overwhelming. There are so many great places to see in Ireland, but you can’t see the entire country in a week. The best option is to pick an area to enjoy and dig in a little deeper with your experiences and activities. If you’re at all like me, you’ll fall in love with Ireland and want to return again and again (this was my fourth visit to Ireland). It’s a magical land filled with natural landscapes, centuries-old buildings, castles, world-class pubs, and warm hospitality. Let’s not forget the folklore and traditions found nowhere else in the world, because I’m choosing to believe in fairies and leprechauns. Globus’s Green with Envy tour is a good introduction to Ireland. It covers some of the most iconic landmarks, as well as takes you to some historic and […]
Read MoreIrish Soda Bread: A Traditional Irish Recipe
On my recent trip to Dublin, part of a paid partnership with Globus Journeys, I had the opportunity to take a cooking class – one of my favorite things to do when I travel. The cooking choice – well, actually it was baking, as you’ll learn below – is part of their Choice Touring program. You might not realize why a tour adds so much to the Irish experience, but it does. My tour choice in Westport, County Mayo, was to take a baking class. I love taking cooking classes when I travel. There’s a bonding that happens over sharing food and, if I’m lucky, I find recipes that I can make again when I’m at home. When I can’t take a class, I take note of what I’m eating and drinking and still try to make it at home […]
Read MoreGetaway Guide: Exploring Elba, the Island of Napoleon’s Exile
Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago and the third-largest in Italy (behind Sardinia and Sicily). With its beautiful beaches and clear blue water, it is a popular getaway for beach lovers, especially during the summer months, but Isola d’elba offers much more. From hiking, swimming, and watersports, to history and museums to great food and drink, you can find a great mix of experiences whether you’re looking to explore Elba, relax, or do both. Here’s what you need to know to plan a getaway to Elba. The History of Elba Island Understanding the island’s history is the first step in discovering Elba. Elba was first inhabited by Ligures Ilvates, a tribe that lived on the land that is modern-day Italy. Since the early tribes, Elba has been occupied by the Romans, Germans, Italians, Spain, British, and French. That’s […]
Read MoreLiterary Dublin: Discover These Sites That Celebrate Dublin Writers
Dublin has been home to some of the most influential writers in history, many of whom have helped shape the literary world as we know it today. Iconic novelists such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Bram Stoker once called this Irish capital home. Literary Dublin was also home to Samuel Beckett, known for his theatrical work, and poet William Butler Yates, one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century literature. Dublin is, unsurprisingly, full of literary attractions, from world-renowned museums to former literary hangouts tucked away in the backstreets. Green with Envy On my recent trip to Dublin, part of a paid partnership with Globus Journeys, I had the opportunity to learn and experience literary Dublin as part of their Choice Touring program. Choice Touring has been designed to provide a general group framework, and within that, options […]
Read MoreYour Guide to Pecorino Cheese: Tuscany’s Best Kept Culinary Secret
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Italy is a food-lovers dream. Italian food is often associated with al fresco dining, sitting on a balcony overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany, and digging into a delightful pasta dish accompanied by a glass of wine. We did plenty of that during our recent two-week stay in Tuscany, where conversation with friends is as much a part of Italian cuisine as the food and wine. One of the tasty treats that we enjoyed during our time in Tuscany was pecorino cheese. We were fortunate to be staying just about half a mile from a local pecorino cheese factory, where it was easy to pick up some delicious aged pecorinos for a fraction of what they’d cost here at home. Plus we could take a look at those hard-working […]
Read MoreBest Aperol Spritz: A Complete Guide to the Classic Italian Cocktail (with Recipe)
The history of the renowned Aperol spritz cocktail can be traced back to the mid-1950s, although the hero ingredient was developed some thirty years prior. In this article, you will learn about the history of this refreshing delight, the role it plays in Italian culture, and its ever-increasing popularity around the world. I’ve also got a classic Aperol spritz recipe so you can make it at home, along with a few specialty variations that can be used to change up the classic cocktail and as well as options to make other spritz cocktails. If you’ve never experimented with making Aperol spritz or other forms of spritz cocktails, you will be more than equipped to do so after navigating through this article. History of Aperol In 1919, two Italian brothers, Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, were on a quest to create a […]
Read More101 Movies Set in Italy You’ll Love (or Hate)
Even if you can’t travel to Italy right now, you can get your Italian culture fix with these 101 movies set in Italy. This list represents films set in Italy, not necessarily filmed in Italy – we all know that set designers can make a studio backlot look like the meandering streets of Venice or a Tuscany hill town. While most of these movies are in English, no Italy movie list can ignore the many fine sub-titled Italian movies, so I’ve included some of those. I’ve tried to include the memorable, historical, and romantic movies set in Italy, while acknowledging there are a few that are, perhaps, better forgotten. And if you’re planning a first trip to Italy, this is a great list of movies to watch before you go. Any list is subjective. If your favorite movie set in […]
Read MoreParis Pantheon: Finding Where the Bodies Are Buried
Paris is known for its charming architectural attractions, rich history, bold romantic overtones, exquisite food, and more. On my first visit to France, I visited the Paris Pantheon, a neoclassical church in the Latin Quarter of Paris, and it quickly became one of my favorite places in the city. The Pantheon in Paris was modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and has a domed top similar to the one on Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London. Although the Pantheon was originally an abbey, it now primarily serves as a burial place for famous French heroes, leaders, artists, and writers. The imposing structure is made of stone and marble and supported by 22 Corinthian-inspired pillars. The building’s entrance is headlined by the inscription “AUX GRANDS HOMMES LA PATRIE RECONNAISSANTE” (To great men, the grateful homeland). The interior of the building is decorated with […]
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