10 Memories of Venice That Make Me Happy
Though it has been awhile since I’ve visited the magical city of Venice, I was reminiscing the other day about the many wonderful things I loved and experienced there.
Venice will always hold a special place in my heart for being the first city in Italy I set foot. One could say that Venice is partially responsible for my falling in love with Italy. It certainly started the ball rolling. I remember that magical moment as I caught my first glimpse of the Piazza San Marco in Venice from the Alilaguna as it sailed along the jade waters, on a bright, sunny day. It’s an indelible memory. One that I hold very dear.
Here are ten other things that I remember about Venice that put a smile on my face whenever I think of them.
1. Traversing the tiny footbridges, pausing to look both ways as I crossed the back canals, in order to appreciate the view and discover a treasure I wouldn’t want to miss.
2. The lovely gelato shop owner who not only had the best gelato, which we enjoyed no less than twice a day, but who holds the honor of being the very first Italian to ever say ‘Ciao‘ to me .
3. The manager of the tiny B&B where we stayed, who was a dead-ringer for Hank Azaria’s character, Agador (Spartacus), in the movie ‘The Bird Cage’. He was delightful and each morning he served us warm cornetti filled with peach preserves alongside the best cappuccino, prepared with his tiny Bialetti.
4. Taking a mid-afternoon nap listening to the beautiful sound of piano and violin wafting into the windows of our room, from the Music Conservatory across our canal.
5. Riding on the water. I rode the vaperetto, and took both a gondola and a traghetto- and there is nothing like riding the canals of Venice. It offered a perspective I wouldn’t have see otherwise. Getting to appreciate the facades of the palazzos up close and personal is something I’ll never forget.
6. The stunning view of Venice from the Campanile, the bell tower. Breathtaking.
7. The hustle and bustle of the Piazza San Marco. Standing in the middle of it- taking in the Doge’s Palace, the L’Orologio, the cafes that border the square, listening to the music, watching the pigeons, strolling under the loggias. I loved just feeling the energy.
8. The quiet. The lack of cars and scooters. I enjoyed hearing every footstep, every clip-clop of a stiletto heel. It was lovely being lulled to sleep every night by the sound of lapping water and the occasional boat that would slowly make its way passed our open window.
9. Wandering the maze of calle of Venice, with no particular place to go, especially at night.
10. Having dinner at Ai Cungai, a family joint, where the laundry dangled precariously above our heads and where the entertaining owner was more of a draw than the food. We watched her sip wine from other diner’s glasses and present dishes from the kitchen to everyone in the dining room before serving it. She spoke not a word of English and at the end of dinner, she pinched my cheeks and told me to call her mamma. Priceless!
Looking to create your own memories of Venice? Click here to see how I can help!
Online Hotel Reservations
CHEAP HOTELS IN ITALY & FRANCE
Friends & Supporters
Travel Tip Tuesday | Reader’s Favorite Travel Tips
One of my initial motivations for doing a Travel Tip Tuesday was to have a medium for readers and experienced travelers to impart their infinite wisdom and useful knowledge on the masses.
And though, I don't get enough travel tips from readers to make weekly posts on that very topic- I do try very hard not to have Travel Tip Tuesday be all about my advice.
But, they are out there you know. Readers. Readers with very useful travel tips.
And it just so happens I know one place they hang. At Budget Travel Mag.
Besides being one of my most favorite magazines- they also have a travel tip feature that highlights tips that their readers have sent in.
This week, I have compiled a list of some of my favorites from the last few editions.
And though I love money-saving tips, tips on how to re-purpose items, and packing tips – these don't fit into any specific category.
They are just smart and clever. And I liked them. Isn't that enough?
- Contact solution. I often forget my contact-lens case when I travel. To avoid the hassle of having to buy another case, I find two plastic spoons, fill them with contact solution, put my contacts in the spoons, and store them in a safe place for the night. Problem solved! Susannah Whitcomb, Toledo, Ohio
- See for yourself. To get a feel for a potential travel destination, I check youtube.com. Lots of people post videos from their trips, and you can learn about specific things you're interested in rather than just the general overview most travel books offer. For example, when I was researching a surf spot in Peru, I found some great footage of the break. Rhonda Hingle, San Diego, Calif.
Have you got a travel tip you are just dying to share? Send it along to me at mymelange {at} yahoo {dot} com. And speaking of more travel tips, pop on over to My Bella Vita to get you double-dose today!
Paris Soldes
France, specifically Paris, does not have the same system of sales and markdowns that we do here in the US. Rather, they have certain times of the year where everything is on sale.
These are advertised as soldes, or sales and generally they happen twice a year.
Once in the Summer, before everyone heads to the South of France for their vacation, and once in the Winter- after the holidays.
Soldes are advertised all over- in the windows. Some serious shoppers and travelers plan their vacations around the Soldes.
Well, this year Paris has decided to kick-it-up-a-notch!
Paris has launched a campaign to attract post-holiday shoppers from all over. The goal is to boost travel numbers in January, which usually drop.
This season, the focus will be around the highest point in the sales – from January 6th through January 9th, 2010. About 350 hotels, restaurants, travel firms and cultural venues will be involved in enticing shoppers to come to Paris and shop (and spend!).
And as a little bonus- a shopping guide with suggested itineraries will be offered to customers. More information can also be found at Shopping by Paris beginning on November 23rd.
What could be better than celebrating the New Year in Paris, and sticking around for some shop-till-you-drop excitement?!
And no worries if you have no extra cash to make purchases - window shopping is just as rewarding in Paris.
I'd say it's time to start checking out that airfare! What are you waiting for?
Mushroom Gorgonzola Risotto with Red Wine
Today we are cooking them up in a delicious risotto. Anytime I cook with porcini mushrooms and red wine- my risotto comes out, well, earthy looking. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. This mushroom risotto recipe was inspired and adapted from Giada DeLaurentiis. Mushroom Gorgonzola Risotto with Red Wine In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the porcini mushrooms. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 30 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Strain the mixture, reserving the liquid. Roughly chop the mushrooms and set aside. Reheat the stock to a simmer and keep warm over low heat. In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and mushrooms and cook until the onions are tender but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add half the wine and simmer until the wine has almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of warm stock and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue with remaining stock, adding 1/2 cup at a time, and allowing each addition to be absorbed, until the rice is tender to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 30 minutes. Add the other half of the wine and let it absorb. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan, Gorgonzola, chives, salt and pepper. Transfer the risotto to a serving bowl. Serve immediately.
Fall is upon us and so is my desire to eat earthy, stick-to-your-ribs dishes. And that means cooking with mushrooms. Mushrooms in stew, pasta, soup or even sauteed in a gravy to pour over steaks.
Directions
Buon Appetito!
Travel Tip Tuesday | Things to Consider When Buying a Carry-On Bag
Congratulations! You have made the decision to stick it to the man (or should I say the airlines)- and have made a commitment to carry-on your luggage from this. day. forward.
But what now? What should you buy? There are so many different types of carry-on luggage – almost as many as there are types of airline fees. Backpack, wheelie, rolling duffel, wheelie with removable backpack- the list goes on and on.
How will you possibly decide?
While I am not going to recommend actual luggage brands or specific bags, I will give you a few pointers and things to consider before investing in your new carry-on luggage.
Your lifestyle and fitness level. I am not an adventure traveler, by nature. I don’t take hiking or biking vacations. The exercise I get is generally from wandering aimlessly over cobblestones. And eating. So when I purchased my carry-on, I knew that I would not need anything with a backpack. Likewise most adventure travelers would never dream of toting around a stylish salmon-colored wheelie bag that didn’t have a removable backpack option. It wouldn’t work for their lifestyle. Also, if you have back problems, you are most likely going to shy away from something that will put additional strain on your spine.
Weight. Airlines have limits for carry-on bag weights and measurements. If you start with a bag that weighs 20 lbs, empty- it isn’t going to leave a whole lot of available weight for your personal items. Go for a lighter weight bag and you’ll be less likely to reach those weight restrictions.
Soft Case vs. Hard Case. This is a personal choice, but I favor the soft cases for one very simple reason. They give. You’ll have more success playing the ‘1o pounds of crap in a five pound bag‘ game with a soft case as opposed to a hard one. You can squish and smoosh things into corners and manipulate the bags contents at will. Good soft cases should be made of a durable fabric (denier nylon is a good bet) and most offer additional room in the form of expandable gussets. Another benefit of soft cases-they tend to look good. Hard cases on the other hand, tend to show fingerprints, scratches, dents and cracks.
Pockets and Compartments. The more the merrier, if you ask me! At the very least, a proper carry-on bag should have enough space in at least one separate outside compartment to store your travel documents and personal items you’ll need to keep close for use during the plane ride. The last thing you want is to unzip the main compartment and rifle through your belongings in the middle of airport security.
Wheels. You know how you feel when you get stuck with the shopping-cart-gone-awry at the grocery store?We’ve all had the cart with the ‘jimmy-wheel’ – the one that keeps veering to one side all on its own, careening into the cardboard display at the end of the aisle. Yeah, well imagine having that same horrifying experience with your wheeled luggage. It ain’t pretty. Whether you like 4 wheels, spinners or two traditional roller-blade style wheels- it’s important to test them out to make sure they roll, respond and navigate well.
Cost. While I am all for budget travel, this is one area I suggest spending a few extra pennies. Good quality luggage should have an abundance of features, last a good long while, and be a joy to use, if it is treated well. A really well-built bag can even last a lifetime, depending on how much use it gets. So, while you may be able to score something for $30 on-line, remember- you get what you pay for!
No matter which type of bag you decide on, make sure you do your homework. Research brands and check out customer reviews on models before buying, if possible. Just because you want to invest in good quality luggage, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look around for a great price on that top-of-the-line brand!
Here are a few sources for on-line luggage shopping:
Have the desire to convert to carry-on but overwhelmed with paring down? Click here to see how I can help!
—
Head on over to My Bella Vita for another dose of Travel Tip Tuesday!
Kiosque Flottant
Next time you are in Paris with a few hours to kill before (or after) dinner, or if you need a little break from shopping on the I'sle Saint- Louis- head toward the the left bank of the Seine.
Stroll over the Pont au Double and hop aboard the Kiosque Flottant, a floating barge docked right on the Seine.
The location is perfect- a stunning view of the back of Notre-Dame-flying buttresses and all, with ivy cascading down the stone walls.
Enjoy an aperitif, while watching life go by on the banks of the Seine. Stay from sunset to complete darkness and watch the transformation culminating in the floodlit magic of Notre-Dame.
Life's most memorable moments shouldn't be spent dashing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, while in Paris.
They should be spent soaking up the French atmosphere- taking it easy, enjoying the view, and experiencing life in Paris. Oh, and a cocktail or glass of champagne never hurts either!
The drink might set you back a few Euros, but the experience and the view are priceless!
Kiosques Flottant
Quai Montebello, 75005 Paris
01 43 54 19 51
Roasted Red Pepper Risotto from Bell’Alimento
Take one look at that mouth-watering photo, or as I like to refer to it : Food Porn- and you can tell we are dealing with a professional here folks.
I met Paula on Twitter, and eveytime I saw one of her recipes (and delicious photos) I knew she was the real deal. I knew that whatever contribution she made as a guest blogger here, would be simple, delicious, and of course, Italian. And I knew that my readers would just gobble her up!
So today, I am very excited to welcome, Paula and her contribution, Roasted Red Pepper Risotto.
Here's Paula…
I am so honored to have been asked by Robin to do a guest post on MyMelange. I met Robin on Twitter earlier this year and have loved her blog and, of course, her, ever since. She is one of the funniest tweeps out there.
We have many things in common but the biggest of them is ITALY! We both are crazy for L'Italia. Oops, how rude of me, I'm so sorry I didn't introduce myself, silly me, I'm Paula and I am a food writer & recipe developer for bellalimento.com
Bell'Alimento is Italian for “beautiful food.” My food philosophy is simple…beautiful food doesn't have to be complicated. But just because it's not complicated doesn't mean it has to bland or boring. Oh no! At least not on bell'alimento.
I am so happy to stop by with a recipe to share with you. Naturally it had to be Italian! No brainer there & with Fall upon us I thought a good Risotto recipe would be perfetto.
I am unashamedly a Risotto Lover. I have many Risotto recipes on my site and know there will be many more to come. Once you have the basic recipe down the varities of Risotto are endless. If you haven't made Risotto, fear not. It's not as complicated as you would imagine or might have heard. Yes, you will have to mind the pot while it's cooking & stir fairly often but the payoff will more than make up for it.
A few things to remember: If you'd like to use a fresh red bell pepper instead that's fine. Be sure to clean it & chop it into bite size pieces. You'll need to put it into the mixture a little earlier on in the cooking process. At about 15 minutes in would be fine.
Keep your heat low & slow. When the liquid levels get low, add more stock (even if it's more than what's recommended). When the rice is done, taste and season with salt level to your taste buds. If you're as crazy about Risotto as I am, you can easily double the recipe!
Buon Appetito!
What you'll need:
1 cup of Arborio rice
2 cans of chicken broth
1 small onion – minced
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 jar of roasted red bell peppers – chopped into bite size pieces
salt
What to do:
Pour olive oil into sauce pan & heat over medium heat. When oil is hot, add onions, stir & saute until slightly translucent. Once onions are translucent, add rice & mix thoroughly until rice is coated well with onion & oil mixture.
Stir constantly so as not to burn your rice or onions. When rice is sufficiently coated add in about 1/4 can of chicken broth. Stir constantly! It is very important to not leave this unattended. Once chicken broth has reduced add more broth. Continue this process until both cans of your broth have been added. This process will take about 30 minutes.
At about 20 minutes into the cooking process add in your chopped roasted red bell peppers. Once your rice is creamy and soft to the taste it is ready! Take off of heat & add butter, stir, taste & add salt if necessary. Serve immediately.
Buon Appetito!
Travel Tip Tuesday | Adventure Travel Expo Recap
This past weekend I attended the Adventure Travel Expo, in New York City. Over 200 travel vendors set up booths with info, brochures, giveaways and more.
From Belize to Granada, Cruises to eco-tours and pretty much everything in between.
Except France. France was nowhere to be found.
Italy was present with an 18 wheeler that travels round the country promoting the Bel Paese and though they had a plethora of free information for the taking (and believe you me, I helped myself), I wasn't all that impressed with their display. There wasn't alot of interaction and there were NO trip giveaways. It just wasn't all that inviting.
There were, however, three fun, adventurous attractions. A climbing wall, a scuba tank and of course a zip line, which of course Chris tried.
And it was nice to meet Joe from AFAR Magazine who was there promoting the release of the new mag.
But, the highlight of my day was hearing Arthur Frommer speak. And if you are wondering what he had to say- I'll give a little play-by-play.
On Airline Fees
First Frommer talked about Ryan Air and their philosophy of charging for extras and how he thinks most if not all of these outlandish charges are going to be filtering over into the US airline markets. He sited fees for checked bags as an example. Beginning on November 12th, Ryan Air will now charge 35 GBP for a checked bag and 70 GBP for a second.
He expanded more on Ryan Air's fees, stating that there are about 12 other fees, which vary from:
-on-line check in – 5£
-airport check in -10£
-payment handling fee – 5-10£ (which means you are charged for paying?)
-other fees include a priority boarding fee, debit card fee, infant bag fee, sports equipment fee and a musical instrument fee.
Which basically means that if you are traveling with 2 bags and a diaper bag, a saxaphone, a tennis racquet, pay with a debit card and check in at the airport- you will pay an extra one million pounds for your Ryan Air ticket.
Not such a good deal anymore, eh?
Frommer said that others, including US Airlines, are starting to follow suit, as evidenced by the rising checked bag fees on US carriers and United's recent decision to charge $15 to speak with a reservation agent. Delta, well they are charging $25.
American Airlines and Continental have decided to impose a $50-$100 charge on those looking to book using their Frequent Flyer miles within 3 weeks of travel.
British Airways is now hitting customers with a $30-$50 charge for seat selection more than 24 hours in advance.
And travel around the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays will now happen with a $10 extra fee, each way.
And if you think Ryan Air is done, you've got another thing coming. Frommer says soon all European check-in counters will be gone for good. Instead you'll find luggage deposit boxes. And he fears this too will be the reality for most US Airlines, as they pull check-in counters out of airports and put thousands out of work.
Frommer offers the same solution that his daughter Pauline and her family have adopted. And of course it has been something that I have been preaching for years. Carry-on travel.
He recommends each member of the family buy a small backpack and load it with 2 changes of clothing. And that's your luggage.
Mr. Frommer also recommended being aware of secret hotel fees that are creeping up. Avoid this by asking the staff up front and having a confirmation email sent for further protection.
Some Good News in Travel
Elderhostel, now to be called Exploritas , which means explore truth, is eliminating their age requirement. They are after the 40-50 year old market and still offering the same great tours and packages with a learning component, setting them apart from other tours.
Untours for untourists. Sort of like a home swap, you get to travel and stay in a local's home- so you have a non-touristy experience.
Small Group Adventure Tours. Frommer likes GAP Adventures, Djoser and Intrepid Travel because they limit their tours to 12 people and use public transportation to get around- as opposed to large commercial vans or buses and you can pay as little as $800 for a 2 week tour (without airfare).
Choosing Smarter, Cheaper Destinations
Frommer says China is one of the best values in travel right now. He points to a company called China Spree who offers an all-inclusive tour to Bejing, Xiang and Shanghai in January or February for a mere $888!
For a change of life or location (not for travel, more for living) he points to a recent article in the LA Times about a man who lost his job, picked up his family and is waiting out the recession in Ho C
hi Min. He teaches English for $14/hour and rents a two-bedroom townhouse with a roof terrace for $500 per month.
The 3 I's are also major value destinations
-Iceland, where airfare from November to March can be had for $300
-Ireland, where fly and drive deals in the winter can be found for $499
-Italy (my personal fav and good for business), where Eurofly offers RT airfare from JFK to Rome for $343
Caribbean and Mexico continue to be good values
Frommer says that the economic downturn, swine flu and threats of drug violence have made Mexico a downright bargain. His daughter Pauline, who is just back from vacationing there, reports that waiters are donning facemasks to make you feel safer, even though the swine flu is no worse there than any other area of the world. Prices are low and hotels are almost free of charge. Just avoid the Mexican border for drug-related fears.
Business is slow in the Caribbean, resulting in great savings. He recommends Vacation Travel Mart for $450 packages with RT air from Miami (add another $100 from New York) for 5-6 days, all-inclusive.
The US Virgin Islands are celebrating the release of the new Virgin Islands quarter coin, by offering hotels for $.25 per person, per day, for the next 12 days. Deal is available through Bookit.
Some Not So Good News in Travel
Frommer said he is not a fan of the cruise industry's latest creation of mega-ships. The Oasis of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean boat that will hold 6,000 passengers, will depart from Fort Lauderdale and Carnival will follow suit with the 4,000 passenger Carnival Dream. Frommer worries about what will become of the quaint local culture in the islands of the Caribbean when these hoards of tourists converge on the small communities all at once. He asked us to avoid them.
Where you can find Authur Frommer
Arthur Frommer has been a travel guru for over 50 years. Back then, he penned a book called "Europe On $5 A Day" and last year Frommer's published 340 books. He blogs every night and can be heard from 12-2pm, every Sunday on his radio show, on WOR 710am, which he hosts with his daughter, Pauline (of the Pauline Frommer's Travel Guides fame, which he proudly promotes). Frommer's new 500 page book, titled "Ask Arthur Frommer" is available now in bookstores.
—
Hope you enjoyed the wrap-up! Now for more Travel Tip Tuesday, head over to My Bella Vita for Cherrye's contribution.
Exploring the Green Mountains of Vermont
When you think Vermont, you think skiing, maple syrup, leaf-peeping and covered bridges. And while all those things are alive and well in Vermont, there is so much more to be experienced.
Certainly Fall, with it's chilly weather and colorful foliage and Winter, with it's white blanketed solace are the most popular times to visit, but every season has its perks.
South Eastern Vermont, known as the Shires of Vermont, was our host for a long weekend recently. Actually, The Deming House was our B&B, but we spent time in Arlington, Manchester and Bennington.
Other than just driving around aimlessly, swooning over the green mountains and deep red barns, which of course I highly recommend, here is a breakdown of some things to do in each area.
Manchester
The most touristy of all three locations, the main draw here are the outlet stores. Not really what I'd recommend for travelers wanting to get-away-from-it-all – but that being said- it is a way to spend an afternoon.
Big names like Orvis, Yankee Candle, GAP, and high-end favorites like Tumi, Yves Delôrme, Gucci, Betsy Johnson, Coach and Brooks Brothers are tucked neatly into the center of town. No escaping the crowds here, so just go with the flow if you're goal is to find name brands at discount prices. Otherwise you can skip it.
If you do happen to venture in, don't miss Depot Cafe, billed as an Anatolian eatery, serving fresh and organic Turkish cuisine. The cafe serves excellent wood-fired brick-oven pizza which is not to be missed. The flat-bread and hummus appetizer is also very good. What makes this place unique is its location in the middle of Depot 62, a home-furnishings store. Odd, but it works.
Though it was closed for our visit, Al Ducci's Italian Pantry also looked like a great place to try. They carry cheeses, homemade Italian food, homemade breads and specialty items. Fans rave about the friendliness of the owners and the meatballs.
Hildene, a Lincoln Family Home, is a beautiful Georgian Revival Mansion estate set on 412 acres of Vermont farmland. Robert Todd Lincoln built it in 1905 and was occupied only by Lincoln descendants until 1975. Now you can tour the mansion, shop in the museum store and wander the beautiful verdant green grounds. Grounds and Mansion tickets can be purchased separately. Check site for details.
Arlington
Half way between Manchester and Bennington is the little blink-and-you-miss-it town of Arlington. And believe it or not, an East and West Arlington as well. For simplicity sake, let's lump them into one general area.
Arlington is located on the Battenkill river, which is knows for it's trout fishing, but also makes a picturesque setting for canoe rides. Check out BattenKill Canoe if you're in the mood for adventure. Arlington is also home to two covered bridges, one of which was a part of a famous Rockwell painting. And speaking of Norman Rockwell, his old house is now a lovely B&B called The Inn on Covered Bridge Green, just steps from the covered bridge. Want more of Rockwell? You can visit the Normal Rockwell Exhibition for a small admission charge.
East Arlington is a small hamlet which sits on Peter's Brook. An old grist mill, built in 1764, currently houses the Gristmill Antique store, which is certainly worth a visit. In years past, the Candle Mill occupied the space, so I was a bit chagrined they were no longer there, but certainly pleased to see that the historic building was still standing and being utilized. The rest of the town offers a Post Office, a small cafe and The Village Peddler, which is a small gift shop selling homemade fudge, chocolate, jams and jellies and of course maple-syrup products.
Down the road a piece, is the East Arlington Antiques Store, a mutli-dealer shop housed in an old 1930's movie theater. There are oodles of reasonably priced treasures tucked into many rooms that just seem to appear out of nowhere.
Bennington
Bennington is the biggest city of the bunch. There is a nice historic downtown area that is more than a few city blocks for shopping and eating. A few notable shopping favorites are a Country Store with lots of local products. And a cool multi-dealer art co-op, called Bennington Arts Guild, carries handmade local photographs, pottery, jewelry and other cool items. For a larger selection of handmade pottery, visit Bennington Potters.
And as you stroll around the city there is one unforgettable thing that is hard to miss. Moose. Lot and lots of moose. And no, not real ones, although I'd quite possibly give my right arm to see a live one, but large, artsy, decorated moose. Every year artists participate in Moosefest. Each moose is designed by a different artist and strategically placed around the city for all to see and then auctioned off for charity. How cool is that?
You can follow the yellow moose-tracks to see them all. I have some fun pictures of those in the downtown area which I will highlight in another post.
0;
Museums also abound in Bennington. You can visit the Covered Bridge Museum and the Bennington Museum, whose largest draw is the collection revolving around Grandma Moses, who hails from the area. Another must see attraction is the Bennington Battle Memorial. This 306 foot stone monument is dedicated to the famous battle of the Revolutionary War in 1777. For a mere $2, you can ride the elevator to the top for stunning 360˚ view of the green mountains.
Dining options in Bennington are plentiful. Blue Benn, an old-fashioned diner- reminds me of Mel's Diner- grease and all. Half the menu is printed, the other half-stuffed into sheet protectors and taped behind the counter. The food is cheap and there are many vegetarian options, but go for breakfast – it's the best!. Cash only.
South Street Cafe is a perfect spot for a cup of joe and freshly-baked nosh. Alldays and Onions and Izabella's Eatery are two other great casual options. And for a special dinner, try Allegro Ristorante, a wonderfully cozy Italian restaurant, with reasonable prices and an inventive menu.
If you're looking for something quick, try Powers Market in North Bennington – the oldest country store market in Vermont. Homemade specialty sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods and desserts as well as wine and coffee are served to-go or at tiny front tables at this neighborhood deli.
So, no matter what time of year, or where you decide to visit, Vermont is not to be missed. So much so, that I'd bet some maple syrup that you'll come back with a stack of
I L♥VERMONT bumper stickers.
The Weekly Tweetly | 10-11-09
Happy Sunday all! Well, another week has come and gone.
This edition of The Weekly Tweetly is coming a bit later than usual, mostly due to the fact that I attended the Adventure Travel Expo in New York City yesterday.
Tune in on Tuesday for some pics, a round-up and a play-by-play of what Arthur Frommer had to say!
And just in case you are interested, you can always visit (and friend) me on Stumble Upon or Facebook. And I am @MyMelange on Twitter.
Enough talking about me. Here is The Weekly Tweetly!
Robbin_g led me to a great article about Paris's Secret Vineyard in one of my favorite areas of Paris – Montmartre.
Speaking of favorite places, thanks to Casinadirosa, you can all read about another favorite – Lucca, Italy.
ItalyTravelista, a fellow foodie in Rome, tweeted about a Wine and Food Festival in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. She also wrote up a nice piece on a day trip from Rome.
Photos are perfect for armchair travel! WhyGoGreece did a round-up called 15 Best Photography Blogs. Go forth and explore!
And if it's photos you are looking for – look no further than photographer Ron Dubin. Ron has released his second book, titled Do You See What I See?
SheilaS posted her blog carnival – this time it's a Carnival of Cities. Yours truly has a Paris entry.
Traveling to Italy and looking to stay in an agriturismo? CiaoBambino has some great options from 500€ a week.
FranceVideosGal takes us to Savoie in the French Alps to harvest grapes.
And finally, MissExpatria has invited us all over to Europe. Well, technically she shared a NY Times article about Europe offering Fall deals to lure travelers. Still, inadvertantly, I think she invited me to stay with her.
As usual, if you comment or follow any of these fine folks on Twitter, make sure you tell them My Melange sent you!
See you next week for…The Weekly Tweetly!
