restaurant review: a taste of argentina in los angeles at carlitos gardel restaurant

(Los Angeles).  I recently tried to dine at Hart and Hunter but they were closed for a private party ... (sigh)  It is the season of holiday parties so I shouldn't complain but I was really really craving their biscuits.  Luckily we were able to cross the street and try Carlitos Gardel Restaurant.  Although I've seen the restaurant for many many years, I never really gave it much thought.  Upon entering, I was surprised at how cozy and classy it looked from the inside.  We were given a lovely seat right next to the window (overlooking Melrose which is not picturesque but makes for fun people-watching).

travel zen on tuesday - bilbao - chocolate con churro

Chocolate con churro in Bilbao, Spain.  This was probably the yummiest, thickest hot chocolate I've ever had!  I heard that the Spanish eat this for breakfast - if I did that I would be 300 pounds!

things to do in downtown las vegas

Downtown Las Vegas.

Most people who visit Las Vegas tend to visit the Strip, the home of high rise hotels and casinos, and pricey restaurants and shopping. But, there is a cheaper option to the Strip: downtown Las Vegas. Downtown has been getting a little bit of revitalization. It's still not as flashy as the Strip but it has its charms.

If you ever find yourself in downtown, these are my suggestions (other than gambling):

restaurant review: another italian gem in los angeles - pistola

(Los Angeles, CA).  There are lots and lots of Italian restaurants in Los Angeles but Pistola is still a welcome addition because the food and service are top-notch.  It is obvious from the moment you enter that they are working hard to make every detail perfect and enjoyable.  

Our waiter (sorry can't remember his name) had just recently arrived from Chicago and he was endearingly attentive and enthusiastic about the restaurant and the food.  Fortunately we weren't disappointed after all the build up - every dish and cocktail we had was very well prepared and delicious.   

We shared a steak, grilled lobster and a pasta dish (tagliatelle with ragu) - and since we had just returned from Italy, the restaurant had some tough competition.  The steak was seasoned expertly and was the highlight of the meal.  The lobster was also delicious but I still prefer the lobster at Connie and Ted's.  I can't say that the food was better than what we had in Italy, but it came very close and we left very satisfied, especially with the lovely warm ambiance of the restaurant and the attentive service.  (And apologies for not having pictures of the pasta -  we were so hungry and ate almost all of it before I thought about taking a picture... ) 

The price point is a bit high so I imagine Pistola is more of a special occasion or date-night restaurant.  I did notice that they have a very enticing New Year's Eve menu available so if you are looking for a good NYE option, check it out.

happy christmas eve!

It's almost Christmas!  I normally don't travel during this time since I enjoy hosting festivities at home, but many people I know like to travel around the holidays - whether it's to a cold, snowy place for snowboarding/skiing or a warm, sunny place like Hawaii.  

Whatever you choose to do, may you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season!  Happy Travels!

travel zen on tuesday - antigua, guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala

A small colonial town in Guatemala, Antigua has a beautiful plaza that fronts this cathedral.

an introduction to christmas eating in the philippines

Lechon during Noche Buena.

Christmas in the Philippines means lots of eating opportunities.

A majority Catholic country with a long history as a Spanish colony, most people in the Philippines celebrate Christmas with a lot of church-going, eating, and more eating.

From about December 16 to 24, churches - both Catholics and Protestants - hold nightly mass or service, locally known as "simbang gabi" in Tagalog. But, in practicality, they usually occur before the crack of dawn so it is called "simbang madaling araw" (or pre-dawn worship).

For food lovers, simbang gabi is exciting because of what happens after the mass or service. Because they tend to be well-attended, many food vendors usually set up their stalls outside the churches. There, you can find delicious goodies. Watch out for:

must love uni! review of maruhide

(Torrance, CA).  A restaurant that specializes in uni?  For a lover of the soft pillows of orange creaminess that is uni (or sea urchin) like me - that is music to my ears.  For those who find uni utterly disgusting and slimy, it is probably pretty horrific.

Uni is one of those rare things that people either really love or detest.  I used to think people who didn't like it simply didn't have an opportunity to have truly fresh uni; but after years of trying to convert people with divinely briny and sweet uni, I realized that many people are so turned off by the texture and look of uni that it really didn't matter to them how it tasted.  (So unfortunate ... but I guess that's more uni for me!)

The point of this rambling?  If you don't enjoy uni, stay away from Maruhide.  There really is very little for you to eat since almost every single dish - rice, pasta, salad, etc., has uni in it.

restaurant review: blue water cafe + raw bar in vancouver, canada

Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar.

During a recent work-related trip to Vancouver, Canada, Mr. Sazy Rock and I dined at Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar in the Yaletown neighborhood of downtown. Despite the depressing rainy weather, the welcoming atmosphere inside and the impressive food gave us a pleasant introduction to the city's food scene. 

On to the review:

taking the train in italy

During my 3-week trip in Italy, my husband and I took the following train trips:

• Rome to Florence (less than 2 hours)
  
• Florence to Bologna (about 40 minutes)
  
• Bologna to Venice (roundtrip) (about 1 1/2 hour each way)
  
• Bologna to Naples  (3 hours and 15 min)
  
• Naples to Sorrento (on local train)(argh - an hour and a half because there were about 20 bizillion stops!)*
• Sorrento to Pompeii (on local train)(the express train; about 20 min)*

 * For local trains, you have to get the tickets at the station.

What was our experience like?

travel zen on tuesday - angkor wat in cambodia

A peaceful morning in Angkor Wat - and yes, I felt adventurous like Tomb Raider (not that raiding tombs is a good idea at all)...

restaurant review: the steakhouse at circus circus in las vegas

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I had a business dinner with four gentlemen at The Steakhouse at Circus Circus. You're probably thinking, "Circus Circus? Really?" Yes, really. I've heard many chatter among steak lovers that Circus Circus has one of the best steaks in the city despite the other fancy options the Las Vegas Strip has to offer. So, we decided to talk shop and eat meat in a place with the word "circus" included in its name.

The Aging Room.

hotel review: crowne plaza palo alto

(Palo Alto).   We spent Thanksgiving this year with family in Palo Alto and stayed at the Crowne Plaza Palo Alto, mainly due to its location near our relatives' homes.  We weren't really planning on visiting any tourist attractions - to be honest, I'm not sure if there are any - and we weren't there for business - although I imagine with the booming economy in the Silicon Valley, there is probably a great need for business hotels in the area.

restaurant review: db brasserie in las vegas

DB Brasserie.

While other people like to go to Las Vegas to party or to gamble, I like to go to Vegas to eat. Many well known and/or highly regarded chefs have set up restaurants there including, Mario Batali, Jose Andres and Daniel Bouloud. Chef Bouloud opened DB Brasserie at The Venetian Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. On a recent business trip, I dined there for lunch along with four other associates. Below are my thoughts on my meal.

traditional mosaic i purchased in florence, italy at pitti mosaici

Mosiac of the Duomo from afar.

(Florence, Italy).  One of the most memorable things that I purchased in Italy was a mosaic painting of the Duomo at Pitti Mosaici (Piazza Pitti 23-24r).  On my previous trips to Italy, I often admired the beautiful mosaics in shop windows but it wasn't until this recent trip - when I saw firsthand the amount of labor, skill and care that went into creating each piece - that I truly appreciated the amazing craftsmanship of traditional mosaics.

travel zen on tuesday - kerala, india

A mom and her son in the backwaters of Kerala, India. Where is it?

hello kitty gate at taipei's taoyuan airport (tpe)

At the Hello Kitty Gate.

Although I have pretty much gone over the hill, I must admit that I still have a certain fondness for Hello Kitty. I blame it on a Sanrio-filled youth. As a little girl, I used to wear shirts emblazoned with multiple Sanrio characters. I put my coins in a Hello Kitty purse. My pencils were kept in a My Melody holder. My lunch box had Little Twin Stars in the front. 

Now, I must admit that I still have a few trinkets that has Hello Kitty's cute mug all over. So, when Mr. Sazy Rock and I went to Taipei, I was very excited that the airport has a dedicated Hello Kitty Gate, complete with lounge chairs and other displays. This is what it looked like:

restaurant review: smoke.oil.salt in los angeles

Smoke.Oil.Salt is a new-ish (less than a year) Spanish restaurant in Los Angeles. The chef, Perfecto Rocher, hails from Valencia and cooks Catalunyan/Valencian cuisine. Mr. Sazy Rock and I previously met Chef Rocher a couple of years ago when he made us and other guests a true Paella Valenciana at a mutual friend's home. That paella was wonderful. Although we have not seen each other since then, we followed his career. So when we learned that he opened a new restaurant, Mr. SR and I were more than happy to check it out.

This is what I thought:

apps that i used while traveling in italy

On my recent trip to Italy, I brought my iphone and ipad mini.  Under T-Mobile's global coverage I was able to use my phone while in Italy (see my review here) for phone calls and texts and to check emails and go online.  I was also able to use it as a hotspot for my ipad mini when the connections were slow at some of the hotels.

I researched a few apps online and decided to go with the following for my trip (some of which do not require Wi-Fi).  How did they fare?

travel zen on tuesday - zion national park

Zion National Park

top 10 tips for hiking the milford track

View from Mackinnon Pass.

Someone once said that the Milford Track is the finest walk in the world. I don't know whether that is true or not, but I certainly enjoyed it. There are two ways to hike (or as the Kiwis call it, tramp) the Milford Track. The first is to do it independently, where you carry your own food and stay in shared accommodations with others. The second is to walk with a guide and stay in nice lodges with hot food and nice bottles of wine after the end of a long day. I have no specific tips for independent walkers because I did a guided tour with Ultimate Hikes, currently the only outfit that provides guided walks in the Milford Track. But, I have tips applicable to anyone hiking it.

moroccan hammam review

Earlier this year, I had the (mis)fortune of experiencing a full body scrub at a public hammam (bathhouse) in Marrakesh. Hammam is very similar to the better known Turkish bath or Korean spa, in which one essentially gets naked, steamed and scrubbed to emerge with glowing soft skin. Whether in the Far East or the Middle East (or in this case, North Africa), this bathing ritual at a hammam is both a communal and common cultural experience. It’s not like going to an American or European spa, an occasional luxurious indulgence where one is pampered and soothed in privacy.

savon noir

a day of art and food in downtown los angeles (moca, pompeii, kazunori sushi and grand central market)

(Los Angeles, CA).  I recently had the most lovely Saturday with my husband in Downtown Los Angeles.  We wanted to see the Andy Warhol "Shadows" exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Pompeii exhibit at the California Science Center.  Since both exhibits were located in DTLA, we decided to squeeze in both exhibits in one day (and get some tasty grub while we were at it)!  

travel zen on tuesday - venice

Yes - it's another picture of Venice.  I can't help myself - it's such a beautiful place!

how to take the ferry between spain and morocco

View of the sun setting over Southern Spain from Tangier.

Given that Tarifa, Spain and Tanger (the Moroccan spelling for Tangier), Morocco are only about an hour (via fast ferry) from each other, it's really easy to visit both countries without spending a ton of money on airfare. Note, however, that if the water is too choppy, the officials at Tarifa and Tanger could shut down their respective ports. In that case, you will have to take a slightly longer ferry ride between Algeciras in Spain and Tanger Med in Morocco. 

That being said, I took the ferry between both countries and found it a fairly easy and cheap way to visit both countries. I hope this post will assist you in your next ferry journey between these two countries.

happy hour at bp oysterette (on 3rd street)

(Los Angeles, CA).  There are few things I like better than a good happy hour.  Not only should the prices be good, but the quality of the drinks and food have to remain high and consistent, and the vibe of the joint has to be fun and welcoming.  So when a friend told me that a local restaurant had $1 Oysters at their happy hour, I had to give it a try!

BP Oysterette is a seafood joint and I had previously eaten at the Santa Monica location and it was good but wasn't great enough for me to revisit.  However, I was happy that they opened a sister restaurant near 3rd and Fairfax, especially with a special happy hour menu (see below).

restaurant review: superba snack bar

Inside Superba.

One early November Saturday, my friends and I met for brunch. It was a beautiful sunny and warm Los Angeles November so we decided to check out Superba Snack Bar in Venice Beach.

This is what I thought:

wine skin review

I assumed I would be buying wines, olive oils and/or vinegars on my trip to Italy and I didn't want an "accident" to wreak havoc in my luggage, so I looked into buying something to protect my purchases in transit.  After reading a bunch of reviews on amazon.com, I decided to buy Wine Skins (about $8 for a 2-pack).  It is basically bubble wrap in the shape of a bottle which you can seal securely so that your bottle won't break - or if it does (argh!) - at least the spill won't ruin your luggage.

So did it work?

travel zen on tuesday - marrakesh, morocco

Where is this place?

how to travel by train in morocco

Traveling by train in Morocco is fairly easy. It is a relatively cheap and easy way to get around the country.

The Marrakech train station.

Below are helpful notes to get you through train travel around this beautiful country.

restaurant review: el segundo sol in las vegas

(Las Vegas, Nevada).  After many years of going to Las Vegas, I'm less inclined to go to the fancy, famous restaurants from around the world that decide to open up a Vegas branch mainly because they tend to be poor substitutes for the originals.  Now I try to find local or more casual eateries because there's no point in my mind in paying a Vegas premium for subpar food.

On my recent quickie trip to Vegas, we didn't really plan out our meals.  Instead after a long morning of outlet shopping, we decided to pop into a Mexican place that one of my travel companions had gone to before.   It was a pleasant surprise to find a casual, affordable eatery on the strip.  El Segundo Sol is located in the humongous mall across from the Wynn.  However, don't let the very touristy locale discourage you.  The food and service are both lovely if you enjoy straightforward, fresh and tasty Mexican cuisine.

restaurant review: tar & roses

The facade.

I have eaten a few times at Chef Andrew Kirschner's Tar & Roses restaurant in Santa Monica over the past few years. But, it has been a while since I have been there. So, on one warm (it's Southern California after all) evening in early November 2014, Mr. Sazy Rock and I decided to go back to T&R for a dinner meeting with a business associate. 

For the most part, I have always enjoyed my meals at T&R. This most recent visit was no different. 

On to the meal...

hotel review: sls hotel in las vegas

(Las Vegas, Nevada).  The SLS Vegas Hotel is another addition to the long ever-growing list of new hip hotels in Las Vegas.  It reminds me of a slightly more casual version of the Cosmopolitan hotel.  Before I go into more detail, I will say that the hotel is very very "LA" which is probably more exciting for people who don't actually live in LA (like me).  That being said, it is a fun, contemporary hotel but there are definite pros and cons.

travel zen on tuesday: vines and grapes in los olivos, california

Wine tasting is one of my favorite activities - but sometimes it's nice to just enjoy the beautiful peace amidst the vines.  Take a little break and enjoy your day!

getting to know the usa: new orleans

Fleur de lys, a New Orleans symbol.

During my last visit to New Orleans last month, Mr. Sazy Rock introduced me to a local chef and his wife who taught me the proper way of saying "New Orleans." They said it is not pronounced "N'AW-lins" or "New Or-LEENS." Instead, it is pronounced, "New OR-Lens." Whichever you say it (including "NOLA," the acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana), I suspect you will have a great time there.

I have been visiting New Orleans since 2000, when I attended my first JazzFest. I fell in love with the music, the booze and the food. So, I kept coming back. During the aughties, for half that decade, I blocked off my late April or early May for a trip to NOLA. 

This decade, I started going to Tales of the Cocktail, where many of the world's best bartenders and spirit makers converge in the city to learn about cocktail making and, of course, imbibe. I have never seen so many men with facial hair wearing button down shirts with the long sleeves folded just above the elbow to display an armful of tattoos, pants supported by suspenders and heads covered by fedoras. 

This year, I decided to visit New Orleans outside of these events. And, let me tell you, I still had a blast. This recent visit just proved to me that no matter what time of year I visit, New Orleans rocks!

Despite having visited New Orleans many times, I am still getting to know it. Each visit has given me new insights to this beautiful and dynamic city. So, what have I learned so far in getting to know New Orleans?

parking at park 'n fly at lax

(Los Angeles, CA).  I started parking at Park 'N Fly several years ago whenever I was traveling from LAX for work or taking a short weekend trip (especially if I was flying on Southwest).  The lot is adjacent to Terminal 1 (where Southwest is) and is within walking distance so I don't even have to wait for the complimentary shuttle.  It's nice to have the option to just get off your flight, walk to your car and head home.  I will often walk even if I am coming out of Terminal 2 or 3 because I am too impatient to wait for the shuttle.

There are 2 parking options at pnf - self-parking (which is about $15 per day) or valet parking (which is more expensive but you can get your car washed, it's closer to Terminal 1, and they will have the car ready and waiting for you if you call ahead from your gate).

Service is consistently nice and friendly.  But for parking, I'm simply looking for convenience and security.  I've never had any issues with car damage or anything like that (knock on wood).

They used to have a more generous rewards program where you were able to receive free parking days after a few days of paid parking.  (sadness)  But I will still keep parking here because it's still the closest lot to LAX.

Random tip - whenever I park at a huge lot like this one, I will take a picture of my spot so I remember where my car is.  I learned this lesson the hard way at Disneyland after searching for my friend's car for 2 hours.... This one little tip will help you avoid such a monumental waste of time.

where to drink in new orleans

Other than eating in New Orleans, the other activity I enjoy whenever I visit is imbibing. It seems to me that the city is made for it. I mean that they are so serious about drinking that their elected officials wrote a bill designating the Sazerac as the city's official drink, debated it, voted on it, and passed it. 

Also, New Orleans is one of very few American cities that allow people to legally walk around with a cup of alcohol. So, if you haven't finished a drink, you can ask your bartender for a "go" cup, pour your beer or cocktail or whatever alcoholic libation into it, and stroll outside with drink on hand.

That being said, it is not surprising that there are plenty of drinking establishments in this city. I recommend a visit to the following bars (not in any particular order):

local restaurant review: providence

(Los Angeles, CA).   I often feel conflicted when I'm asked about Providence - the high-end sister restaurant of Connie and Ted's (one of my favorite restaurants in LA).  I have only been to Providence a few times and each time the whole experience was lovely.  The service while formal, is always superb, and the food is always beautifully presented and interesting...  but then after I leave, I don't really crave or miss anything I have eaten there.  While the food is always creative it is never amazing for me, which is a problem when a meal at Providence can be quite expensive (about $250 per person with wine).  I feel if you are going to spend such a large sum on a meal, you should be able to think back on the entire experience fondly, but you should really be salivating as you remember the food you ate.  I can honestly say that has never happened for me when I'm thinking of Providence.

travel zen on tuesday - ancient ruins of ephesus (in turkey)

Library of Celsius in Ephesus.

These ruins were amazing and incredibly well-preserved.  It could easily give Pompeii a run for its money.  It is astonishing how advanced the ancient Greeks and Romans were.  They had central heat and public toilets for goodness sakes!

top 5 fried chicken restaurants in new orleans

I have a fried chicken addiction. There, I said it. 

I also love New Orleans. And, I think New Orleans is one of the, if not the, best eating city in the United States. So, although there are plenty of things to eat there, I have taken pains to also eat a lot of fried chicken.

No, this post is not about Popeye's, that national fried chicken fast food chain founded in New Orleans. But, it's about all the other delicious fried chicken places in NOLA. And, there are plenty.

I have been visiting NOLA since 2000 and have been loving the fried chicken (amongst other things) there since then. These are my top five favorite fried chicken places in New Orleans:*

local review: milk jar

(Los Angeles, CA).  I had been meaning to try Milk Jar since it opened in the spring of 2013.  I love cookies (especially chocolate chip cookies) and a place that only sells cookies has to have amazing cookies, right?

how to lessen the pain caused by a delayed or missing luggage

Take a picture of your bag
for reference.

Although I am a firm believer in not checking in a bag (due to my founded fear of the airline losing or misplacing it) and not paying a third party to ship it to my destination (because I tend to visit multiple destinations and those fees could get expensive), there have been times when I had to check it in (hiking poles and bottles of wine, apparently, could not be in a carry-on bag). In fact, I’ve had my bag gone AWOL twice. Considering I rarely check bags in, that percentage is high! So, what did I do before the trip that helped lessen the pain of airlines misplacing or losing my bag? 

1.                  I bought travel insurance. If the travel gods decreed that I should part permanently with my bag, I could make a claim and get some kind of compensation from someone.

hotel review: sheraton phoenix downtown

(Phoenix, Arizona).  Another business trip and another business hotel.  Most of the time, these hotels are relatively interchangeable, but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.
 

Sunset from my room.

Upon arrival, it was clear that this was a newer Sheraton - more contemporary and spacious.  The service was very friendly and helpful - especially in the lobby bar which turned out to be a very social and fun hangout for our business offsite.  The whiskey selection was a little limited but overall, the drinks were pretty good.

travel zen on tuesday - san blas islands

What are the San Blas Islands?

restaurant review: miller union in atlanta

The last time Mr. Sazy Rock and I visited Atlanta, Georgia in 2011, we dined at a new-ish restaurant called Miller Union. I enjoyed my meal then. So, on a recent trip back to Atlanta, I was pleased to dine there again.

The decor at Miller Union.

things to do in downtown los angeles

Olvera Street.

For the longest time, downtown Los Angeles was a place no one wanted to be in when office workers went home. Recent developments, however, have revitalized downtown. Now, there are plenty of stuff to do day and night.

In fact, I have spent a few staycations being a tourist in downtown. I found the experience very illuminating and fun. So, if you are visiting downtown, fret not. There are plenty of stuff for you to do. These are my recommendations if you decide to visit:

how to stay in shape while travelling (if you are a little lazy like me)

I know people who are incredibly committed to their workout regimens.  They will wake up early wherever they are and run for miles or go to the hotel gym and put in a full workout.  I with I could be more like them...but, alas, I am aware of my own limitations.  I already dislike running when I'm home, so it's highly unlikely I would do it with any true conviction while on vacation.  If I go to the hotel gym, I'll make a half-hearted attempt to jog a mile or so on the treadmill (so boring!), lift some weights, do some pushups, and then realize it's only been about 20 minutes.

At some point, after years of futile efforts, I decided to just accept me for me.  I don't like to work out.  I do it because I love to eat and I don't want to be fat.  Now when I travel, I do not set unrealistic expectations that I know I will fail.  Why have negativity on my own vacation?  Instead, I set easier goals that I know I can meet, such as:

• Do lots of walking.  I can walk and walk for miles even in flip flops.  Wherever I go, I will study the local map and if I can get to a restaurant or tourist attraction by foot, I will forego taking a taxi or subway.  This way I experience more of the city and squeeze in some exercise. 
•  Stretch in the morning.  I read somewhere that it's healthy to stretch in the morning.  So I just make an effort to stretch out my body, do 10 push ups and 10 situps to start the day!  It only takes 5 minutes, if that.
•  Bring a jump rope.  Not all hotels will have a gym so it's very easy to use that as an excuse not to work out.  An easy fix is to bring a jump rope.  It doesn't take much room in my luggage and I can get in a pretty good workout.  I just do a few minutes of jump rope to get the heart racing.  (If I'm ambitious I'll try double-unders but I sort of suck at them.)  But if I'm concerned that I might be creating too much noise for downstair neighbors, I will opt for something else.
• Fitness videos.  This is a recent discovery, but youtube has great fitness videos for free.  My favorites are the fitnessblender videos, and they range from quick 10 minute to hour long videos.  Super effective and varied enough so I don't get bored.  Most of the routines use your bodyweight so you rarely need any equipment.  I will typically just do the shorter, easier videos.  Hey - some exercise is better than no exercise!

Hope these ideas inspire you to (try) to stay in shape when you travel too!

martinikitty's gelato favorites and (unfavorites) in italy

(Italy).  Gelato (or Italian ice cream) is one of the most popular food experiences for most tourists visiting Italy.  And no, it isn't simply ice cream with different, exotic flavors.  Gelato is indisputably denser and creamier and better.  The flavors are amazingly vibrant and rich.   I'm not sure why gelato always tastes better in Italy than anywhere else, but it simply does.

I've been to Italy three times and have eaten lots and lots of gelato.  I'm by no means a connoisseur but based on my personal experience, I've listed a few of my favorites (and unfavorites), along with an additional list of places I still wish to try.  Let me know what your favorite gelato place is!

travel zen on tuesday - mackinnon pass in new zealand

Where is this place?

how to get around in new zealand

A view from the Mackinnon Pass on the Milford Track.

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries I have visited in my recent travels. Views of mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, fjords, beaches and rolling hills unobstructed by man or man-made structures inspired plenty of quiet reflection as well as lively discussions about the wonders of nature. At the same time, the melding of nature and man-made structures, like Hobbiton, stimulated the imagination. Finally, the cities (like Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch) were full of mostly lovely people willing to assist lost travelers like me and Mr. SR, and in some cases, invite us to their home. All this waxing poetic about New Zealand has a purpose. To get to see all this beauty, one needs to get around. And, how does one get around?

day trip to ravello along the amalfi coast

(Ravello, Italy).  During our drive through the Amalfi Coast, we spent some quality time at the charming hilltop village of Ravello*.  It is home to a lovely pedestrian town (no cars allowed in the village proper, except for exempt vehicles) with quaint shopping (gorgeous ceramics and art) and delicious local restaurants.  It is perhaps most famous for hosting a classical music festival in the summer and Villa Cimbrone* and Villa Rufolo - which were previously private residences but have been converted into tourist attractions to showcase their amazing views.  Villa Cimbrone is actually a hotel now, but its beautiful gardens are available to non-hotel guests for a small fee (around 7 euros per person).

Our driver dropped us off at the beginning of the pedestrian section of the village and we wandered into Ravello on foot.  Like most other charming Italian villages, Ravello looks like a postcard.  There is a main square with a Duomo, flanked by restaurants with outdoor patios and shops.  It's a pretty small square so you can easily and quickly walk around the entire area.