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Author Archives: Craig
Just a hint of what Ireland has in store
Bring an umbrella and always carry it with you. That is the best advice anyone can keep in mind when visiting Dublin. It’s a gorgeous city but the words of a taxi driver hold true: “I can tell you the … Continue reading
Firenze, Italy
Most people fall in love with Florence the first time they visit. For me, it’s taken a while but I am finally starting to see the beauty and energy that is Florence. Continue reading
Milano – unlike much of Italy but still quintessentially Italian
Most people I know either love Milano or hate Milano: I’m still not sure why because I think it a fascinating, multi-cultural place with so much to see and do that I just can’t get enough. But, perhaps, in retrospect, people don’t like Milano because it isn’t like the Italy we grew up with in our heads: little streets, little buildings, and lots of ruins. But these are, in all honesty, what makes Milano such a fascinating destination. Continue reading
Posted in Milan
Tagged Duomo, fashion, Last Supper, Milan, Milano, milano centrale, slow food, ticinese, townhouse
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Craig’s 50th Grand Tour
For as long as I can remember, I’ve known that I would celebrate my 50th birthday, in Italy, and with my friends. Over time, bits and pieces would form in my head and ultimately become reality: once I knew what I was going to do, it never changed. And once I realized, years ago, where it would be, I never wavered on the location or anything else. Continue reading
Posted in Burano, Murano, Rome, Torcello, Venice
Tagged Burano, cacio e pepe, carciofi, Cima Rosa, Da Fiore, Flavio al Velavevodetto, hyatt, Hyatt Centric, LaGare Hotel, Locand Cipriani, Murano, Sora Margherita, Torcello, travelwithcraig, Venezia, Venice, Venissa
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All hotels, and their hotel rooms, are not created equal
Someone has to get the “bad” room, it just doesn’t have to be you. Take your time, do your research, write some emails and most of all, be polite and considerate when you check in and you’ll be on your way to the start of a memorable holiday. Continue reading
Posted in A grain of salt...
Tagged hotel, hyatt, IHG, marriott, travel advice, travel blog, travel blogger, travel guide, tripadvisor
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Nice, France – So much gorgeousness and stunning architecture along the French Riviera that you often don’t know where to look
Posted in France, Nice
Tagged French boarder, French Riviera, La Rotonde, Le Grimaldi, Le Negresco, Vegan Gorilla
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Bordighera, Italy – An amazing little town on the Ligurian coast, and close to the French boarder
Posted in Bordighera, Italy
Tagged Balzi Rossi, French boarder, Liguria, San Remo, Villa Elisa
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Chennai, where the people are so incredibly kind, the city takes pride in itself, and the way that southern Indians meld and blend spices calms me, and takes my breath away.
I love southern India: the people are kind, the city is fairly clean, and the way that southern Indians meld and blend spices calms me, and takes my breath away. Nites Oh my goodness, I am in love! The Leela … Continue reading
Posted in Chennai, India
Tagged Chennai, Dakshina Chitra, Krishna’s Butter Ball, Leela Palace, Mahabalipuram, Taj Majal
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Kolkata is probably the most “melting pot” culture of all the cities that I’ve visited in India.
Kolkata is probably the most “melting pot” culture of all the cities that I’ve visited in India. And, like New Delhi, you will encounter poverty right next to luxury and with very few exceptions, will one encroach on the other. … Continue reading
This town, Thalpe, along with Galle Fort to the east, have made me fall in love with Sri Lanka.
Thalpe, along with Galle Fort to the East, have made me fall in love with Sri Lanka. The people are so kind and the laid back beach culture that has taken over is a welcomed respite especially if you are … Continue reading
Posted in Sri Lanka, Thalpe (Galle Fort)
Tagged Galle, Galle Fort, stilt fisherman, surf, Temple, tuktuk
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Close enough to Yala National Park for the perfect safari
I would recommend 2 days max in Tissamaharama. I’ve read that there is wonderful history to this little town but much of that has gone, or I couldn’t find it, such that it is a hustle and bustle little town. … Continue reading
Posted in Sri Lanka, Tissamaharama (near Yala National Park)
Tagged Elephants, leopards, mongoose, mosquitos, peacocks, sri lanka, Yala National Park
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Colombo works in all of its magic and intertwined wonder.
Colombo is an interesting mix of cultures that it really makes this lovely country difficult to point to just one influence: there is the Indian influence, just to the north of this lovely little island; the British influence in its … Continue reading
Getting that best deal for that to-die-for hotel
Waiting until the last minute will limit your options and often not result in the best possible deal. If you plan in advance, you’ve got a better shot of scoring that really cool room/view/location. Continue reading
Posted in A grain of salt...
Tagged best hotel, boutique hotel, hotel, negotiate, social media
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Torcello – during the day it is a day-tripper’s dream and a night it is calm oasis of nature sounds and the occasional lapping water along the canal sides.
Torcello is not a large island, and not a lot of people live here, but during the day it is a day-tripper’s dream and a night it is calm oasis of nature sounds and the occasional lapping water along the canal sides. Continue reading
I am in love with Bergen. I can’t say anything more than it’s been some time since I’ve been to a place that is this inviting, the people this welcoming, and the food this outstanding.
I’ve heard Bergen described as being very German but I found it unique, inviting, lovely, and fun. I would live here in a heartbeat and I can’t wait to return. Continue reading
Posted in Bergen
Tagged Arctic Circle, bearded sea lion, Bergen, Kitchen and Table, Lysverket
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Shanghai – the new, modern China that is probably more “western” than any other place I visited.
Shanghai is an amazing place, and is arguably the most modern of China’s cities, if not the most western, but when taken in to consideration with the rest of China and what it has to offer, it really shouldn’t be missed! Continue reading
Posted in Asia, China, Shanghai
Tagged Cool Docks, Design Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai, The Waterhouse on South Bund, Waterhouse, Wujiang Road, Wujie Vegetarian Restaurant
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Hangzhou/West Lake – a wonderful, relaxing, lake-side retreat to recharge and recenter before your next stop in the mad-packed land that is China.
West Lake – a wonderful, relaxing, lake-side retreat to recharge and recenter before your next stop in the mad-packed land that is China. Continue reading
Posted in Asia, China, Hangzhou, Uncategorized
Tagged Baochu Pagoda, Baopu Daoist Temple, Bei Causeway, lotus flowers, Shanghai, Silver Lake, Su Causeway, West Lake
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Chengdu – pandas, not to mention a laid back city (for China) but also one of the fastest growing and inviting cities.
Pandas. What more is there to say?! Don’t hire a guide, just follow my easy instructions and you’ll have an amazing time! Continue reading
The perfect place to see the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China really must be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s a work out, and an architectural feat of magnitude impossible to match! Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Beigou, China
Tagged Beigou Village, Beijing, Great Wall of China, Mutianyu
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The rapidly disappearing old parts of the city – the hutong – are a sight to behold
The rapidly disappearing old parts of the city – the hutong – are a sight to behold and should be seen before it is too late. Continue reading
Posted in Beijing
Tagged Confuscian Temple, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Great Wall of China, Hutong, Lama Temple, LostPlate Food Tour, Temple, Temple of Heaven
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Murano – stunning glass work and so much more!
I have been visiting Venezia on a yearly basis, and every year includes a day in Murano: a day of strolling the canals, looking at the glass work, and occasionally strolling in to a church. But it wasn’t until this trip that I realized that there is so much more to this wonderful island and I am smitten!
Nights
Sometime in 2016 (I think), the Hotel Le Gare (http://www.lagarehotelvenezia.com/en/) opened on Murano and I have been dying to stay there since. It did not disappoint! The hotel is modern, but mixes in the famous glass of Murano, the architectural details and structures from the original building (an old furnace), and is just so welcoming and inviting that you may not want to leave.
I will also tell you that Murano is an island of two faces: during the day, it is overrun with tourists looking for that special gift to take home. But at night, when the tourists leave, this is a wonderland of solitude, and quiet, and even reflection like few other places I have ever been.
Bites
If you only have one night in Murano, be sure to book the Osteria Aquastanca (http://www.acquastanca.it/homepage-en/). It’s only a short walk from the Le Gare and the food is absolutely divine! When I arrived, the entrance was full of locals talking to the owner and the barman. And immediately after sitting down, the restaurant was joined by 2 other guests, at separate tables: one, a local woman having her dinner and another man, just returning from business, who stopped in hoping to have meal. And given that they kindly made vegetarian options for me – carcioffi (in season!) with fresh mozzarella – I knew I was in love.
Sites
At the time of this writing, I have been visiting Venezia on a yearly basis, and every year includes a day in Murano: a day of strolling the canals, looking at the glass work, and occasionally strolling in to a church. But it wasn’t until this trip that I realized that there is so much more to this wonderful island and I am smitten! Lose yourself. Wonder around. Get lost. It’s an island after all so when you see water, and if that’s not where you want to be, then turn in a different direction.
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Posted in Murano
Tagged Accor hotels, acquastanca, canals, glass, italy, Le Gare Venezia, Venezia
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Otranto – the furtherst point east in all of Italy
Otranto may not be for everyone as there really isn’t a lot to do other than to go to the beach or rest at a pool until night falls and you begin your evening with a passeggiata, and perhaps a drink at any of the many cocktail bars popping up around Puglia, and then dinner, and another post-meal stroll. It’s the way life should be, if you ask me: relaxing, with friends, and good food, and good wine, and a true respect for that which has preceded us. Continue reading
Posted in Otranto, Puglia
Tagged Adriatic, antiques, Apulia, castle, cathedral, Chiesa San Pietro, greece, passeggiata, pasta, Puglia, Sorrento, vino
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Lecce – The so-called Florence of the south
Halfway down the heel that is the book of Italy, you’ll find the most charming, and welcoming, city of Lecce. It’s been years since I’ve been to Lecce and upon my return, fond memories flooded back as if only a few months had passed. Often referred to as “the Florence of the south”, I think it has more to offer and is a monument of civic pride, and beauty, all unto itse Continue reading
Posted in Lecce, Puglia, Uncategorized
Tagged Adriatic, Apulia, Burrata, greece, nouvo Italiano, pasta, Puglia, Sorrento, vino
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Asolo – a small Italian town of calm reflection
I’m not sure what drew me to Asolo – as I could honestly spend the rest of my life in Venice or one of the smaller islands – but there was something about Asolo that brought me to this small town at the foot of the Dolomites and brought a calm over me that was much needed. Asolo is only about 1 hour away from Venice (by car or train) and for a short get away, you really can’t go wrong this tiny little hamlet. Continue reading
St Petersburg – truly one of the most beautiful cities with truly lovely people that I have ever visited.
Everyone keeps asking me “why did you go to St Petersburg” and I honestly can’t answer that other than to say “why not”? But now that I’ve gone, and returned, it is truly one of the most beautiful cities with truly lovely people that I have ever visited. Continue reading
Posted in St Petersburg
Tagged ballet, Catherine the Great, Faberge, Hermitage Museum
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Berlin – where old meets new and a fresh look forward
I love Berlin. You see that on shirts and mugs all over the city but I really do love it here; it’s vibrant, it’s old meets new, and the people really are some of the nicest people I’ve met in my travels. Or perhaps I should say “I love Berliners”. Continue reading
Taormina may be a tourist mecca but it really can’t be missed.
Taormina is an interesting place for me, and also a bit of a quandary: it is incredibly touristy, and you are often overrun by tour groups but at the end of the day, both literally and figuratively, I do love this city and its people and think that everyone should visit at least once in their life. Continue reading
Siracusa – a peaceful and relaxing get-away from the craziness that can be Sicily
Siracusa has such fond memories for me and my latest return did not let me down. The city is old, and there are parts that are falling down and in desperate need of repair, and then there are parts that are charming and inviting and, inevitably, the whole place puts a smile on my face. Continue reading
Posted in Siracusa
Tagged antiquities, ruins, Siracusa, slow food movement, Syracuse
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