Adventures of a Carry-On

12/01/2025

Downtown Los Angeles from the Getty Center.
2. Looking towards the Santa Monica Pier
3. The Gamble House, Pasadena
4. Huntington Gardens, Pasadena
5. Malibu Creek State Park
6. Tide pool Malibu
7. Pacific Coast Highway from Solstice Canyon Rd. Malibu
8. Malibu Pier

As of 9 pm today, January 11, 2025, all of these places are still there but all are threatened by the fires until, they aren’t. Along with the rest of the City and county. Because of the winds it’s just insane what has happened and what may happen.

This is my second home. I have family and friends here. They are safe. For now. But my heart 💔 for all that has been lost.

Stay strong LA — I love you.

Do you have any special memories of LA you want to share?

31/12/2024

Check out this economy seat upgrade from

We tested the airline's unique economy-class seat upgrade to see if it really made our 12-hour flight more comfortable.

28/12/2024

Here’s few airline stories for your entertainment. Tell me, how would you feel about your seat being given to a dog?

Fodor's provides expert travel content worth exploring so you can dream up your next trip. The world is a weird and wonderful place—we want to show you around.

21/12/2024

If you’re looking for some thing that almost everyone will enjoy for your holiday Both are classic expressions of French culture and tradition.
And both are protected by designation of origin, rules and regulations.

Rosé wines from Côtes du Rhône are usually blends, consisting of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre . Those are the three main grapes, but there areother others. These are food, friendly wines that are sure to becrowd pleasers.

As for the cheese, Comte is a medium firm cheese. it can be silky, soft, or a bit firmer and denser. It all depends how long it has been aged. Young Comte has aromas of fresh hazelnut, dried apricot, cooked milk, and a hint of vanilla. Aged Comté has aromas of walnut hazelnut, chestnut or roasted almonds, melted butter, and spices tempered by notes of cultured, cream or citrus

I could go on singing the praises of these two staples of France, but I suggest that you try some yourself . You won’t regret it.

Have you tried this pairing?

́cheese
Côtes du Rhône Wines

20/12/2024

Italy to consider making it easier for property owners to get a visa.

A key ruling on whether Italy will hold a referendum on easing Italian citizenship rules is expected in February after the proposal was approved by the Court of Cassation.

18/12/2024

Ride the North Pole Express. Eat fondue in your own private bubble. Solve a murder mystery. All this and more in the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine.
Read my latest for Time Out New York

Visit Grapevine

Discover why Grapevine is the ultimate holiday destination with festive trains, dazzling lights and activities for all ages.

03/12/2024

Have you wondered if a Christmas market river cruise is worth it?
In my latest article for CNBC International I give you the inside details.
Spoiler: I loved it!

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/business/money-report/visiting-europes-christmas-markets-heres-how-to-do-it-via-a-river-cruise/6033504/?os=420907%2A2&ref=app

A river cruise is a convenient way to explore some of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe, writes contributor Penny Sadler.

03/12/2024

I received these two bottles in October, but didn’t open them until Thanksgiving. That seems appropriate however because Willamette Valley wine is special and I am grateful for the beautiful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produced there. There’s no need to go to France or to buy French wine if you have access to Willamette Valley wines though I’m not suggesting boycotting French wine!

Willamette Valley Vineyards was founded in 1983 by a man with a dream of creating world class Pinot Noir while also paying respect and being a steward of the land. This is very common in Oregon and there’s a huge percentage of organic and biodynamic vineyards in Oregon; more than anywhere else in the country.
Willamette Valley Vineyards has earned the title “one of America’s great Pinot Noir producers“ from Wine enthusiast magazine. In addition, all the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE low input viticulture and enology and salmon-safe programs. There are 1000 acres under vine and the estate winery is in Salem Hills. The winery has expanded in recent years to include 10 tasting rooms in Oregon, Washington, and California.

For Thanksgiving meal, we had pork tenderloin with a cream sauce. Well, a lot of fat to be honest also cream spinach. Whipped potatoes and then baked so I guess twice baked potatoes ha ha. The wines were perfect with this meal. Needless to say.
Have you tried Oregon Wines?

21/11/2024

I haven’t done a post for a long time so I thought I’d share about this really nice Prosecco that I was gifted.

Do you like Prosecco?

First of all if you’re not familiar with what exactly Prosecco is it’s a sparkling wine. It goes through the first fermentation in a stainless steel tank and then usually it’s moved to another tank where yeast and sugar added to induce a second fermentation. Usually, it only takes about six weeks. Also some wine makers like to do the first fermentation and other types of vessels like clay amohora . After the second fermentation, it is bottled and sold. Prosecco does not require along aging. Like other sparkling wines, and it is meant to be drunk young as well.
It can only be produced in Italy, in the Veneto or the Friuli region. But most Prosecco comes from the Veneto.
🥂
Fiol Prosecco is made in the Veneto. This bottle was an extra dry version which doesn’t mean what you might think. It actually is a sweet wine.

But I found it very subtly sweet compared to most extra dry Prosecco. With good bubbles very crisp but not too acidic. The flavors were like ripe fruits, lemon curd very fresh and lovely. It would be a great food wine as well.
🥂
You may not like Prosecco or you may think it’s not a very good wine and I can understand that because there’s a lot of Prosecco that’s not very good out there. But I can assure you this wine is excellent. However, I also recognize that it’s very subjective. before you write this off, give it a try. !

30/10/2024

It’s time for a cup of tea and Let it be.

What if you could have tea with the Beatles?

Ahmad Tea Whittard Of Chelsea Taylor's Tea Room TWININGS TEA PG tips

There's nothing more British than afternoon tea, then I had the idea of pairing two quintessentially British items Tea and The Beatles.

27/10/2024

It’s spooky time! Tell me your best ghost experience. Mine was the Queen Mary.

Visit Long Beach
The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary has been named one of the most haunted locations in the US; paranormal activity abounds! Do You Believe In Ghosts?

03/10/2024

The Roman Empire is covered in Viking Cruises’ Mediterranean Odyssey cruise.
Of the Roman Empire extended farther but this itinerary stops at many key ports.
The last five days explores Corfu, Dubrovnik, Split, and Venice.
Here’s a few photos of various ports, food, and pretty skies at sea.


Viking

28/09/2024

Walking in the footsteps of authors, poets, painters, on a Mediterranean Odyssey with Viking Cruises.
Day 1: Barcelona and Tarragona, a less known port and UNESCO World Heritage Site an important outpost of Ancient Rome. This is an old city that deserves a day at least.
Day 2: Marseiile, a French fishing port and home of the gorgeous Notre Dame de la Garde. I also visited Aix n Provence, a town known for Cezanne and healing waters. What I loved most about Aix was the friendly people.
Day 3: Monte Carlo, home of the Grimaldi family and one of the most exclusive playgrounds of the rich and famous. The port is stunning!
Day 4: Livorno the port for A Day in Tuscany. I finally visited San Gimangnano! The village of towers. And a Tuscan farm where we had a true farm to table meal.
Day 5: Rome (Civitavecchia) well, I love Rome but this time I visited the Etruscan necropolis just an hour from Rome. A fascinating civilization that was wiped out by the Romans, visiting the tombs was surely a highlight so far.

Follow along as I post more about the trip. Post your questions in the comments.

08/09/2024

New routes to Europe via American Airlines!

Several exciting new transatlantic flights will be taking off from major East Coast and Midwest airports next year.

05/09/2024

What if you could have tea with The Beatles?

What would you say?

Whittard Of Chelsea
Ahmad Tea PGTips

Taylor's Tea Room TWININGS TEA

There's nothing more British than afternoon tea, then I had the idea of pairing two quintessentially British items Tea and The Beatles.

18/08/2024

I love LA. But I didn’t always. Even though I lived there and I made multiple trips to visit friends. It took me a long time to get the hang of having fun in LA. Once I did it was like opening Christmas presents so much to do there. If you’re going to LA check out my tips for day trips and things to do all within an hour of downtown Los Angeles.

Visit Pasadena
Visit California
Malibu Pier
San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles
Visit Long Beach
The Queen Mary
Grand Central Market
Los Angeles Conservancy

From the Santa Monica Pier to downtown Santa Barbara, here are some of the best day trips and things to do, in and around Los Angeles.

27/07/2024

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”
Oscar Wilde.

On Half Moon Street in Central London, you’ll find the Mayfair townhouse. An upscale residential like hotel the neighborhood was once the stomping grounds of Oscar, wild and dandies of the day.

Stay in Mayfair and take the Eurostar to Paris. Have the best of both of these fabulous cities. check out my article
Fo Texas Lifestyle Magazine

Avoid the crowds and high prices in Paris during the Olympics. Stay in London and easily access the games with the Eurostar.

18/07/2024

Do you love touring historic homes? Newsweek is asking for your vote!

Have a say and learn about some new places too. I picked 3 of the choices for review.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Hearst Castle

Step back in time when you tour one of these celebrated houses throughout the U.S. See our expert picks of classic homes brimming with history.