Visit Kylemore Abbey and Estate in Connemara, Ireland

Step back in time when you visit Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful, large estate located within County Galway, only an hour away from Galway City. Built during the 19th century, the abbey was originally meant to serve as a home – and it did, for many years! It then became a sanctuary for Benedictine nuns, adding layers of culture and information to the fascinating history of the estate.  Visiting Kylemore today is a multifaceted experience. It’s a chance to learn about the history of the estate and the story behind its origins and inhabitants, as well an opportunity to to tour the grounds and its buildings. You can choose to join a tour of the building and estate or explore on your own. If you work up an appetite walking the grounds and exploring the woodlands, you can rest up with […]

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Cheers for Pisco Sour: Traditional Peruvian Cocktail (with recipe)

While cruising in South America last year – Peru and Chile – I was reintroduced not only to the Pisco Sour cocktail, but also to the history and debate between the two countries as to which gets to claim authenticity.  I love recreating food and beverages from my travel when I get home, and South America is rich in choices (check out my ajiaco from Colombia). Why not review the debate and make up your own mind while enjoying this classic sipper. So, What Exactly is a Pisco Sour? The pisco sour is a traditional alcoholic cocktail that originates from the Peruvian capital of Lima.  The name of this earthy and refreshing drink comes from the liquor from which it is made – pisco. Pisco is, in a technical sense, a form of brandy as it is made from distilling fermented […]

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Giacomo Puccini: Historical Sites in Lucca, Italy

Lucca is a walled city in the Tuscany region of Italy. The walls, built in the 16th century, are a popular option for walking or biking around the city. It’s a convenient getaway destination for travelers visiting Florence (about an hour an a half drive) when they want to escape the busyness of the city. We visited Lucca on a day trip while on a Mediterranean cruise, and enjoyed the time we spent there. We had the better part of the day to explore Lucca, which was time to see the highlights, but there’s plenty more to see on a return visit. Lucca is the birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini. Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858 and died in Brussels in 1924, and music fans – especially opera lovers – consider visiting an homage to Puccini. While there, […]

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Washington Wine Tasting: Darby Winery, West Seattle

Darby Winery in West Seattle is a great urban spot for wine lovers. Located in the West Seattle junction, it’s an easy walk to much of the neighborhood, and if you’re coming from further away, the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge makes it an easy drive. The Darby Story The winery started in 2002 when Darby English, the founder, and head winemaker, began making wine in his basement. His goal was to make the best wine in the state using the best products and winemaking techniques.  Three years later, he started producing wine for commercial sale. With less than 400 cases total, about half Syrah and half Viognier/Roussanne, the supply sold out extremely fast.  One year later, Darby tripled his wine production to 1,200 cases in one year and opened a tasting room. Locals loved his wine then, and […]

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Buying an Aran Sweater: History, Meaning & Cultural Importance to Ireland

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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