travel that speaks to the heart
Another year in the books. Another year of great eats. As it has become a Global Heartbeat Travel tradition, I’m laying out my most memorable meals of 2017 so that you can keep these tasty bites in mind for your future travels. Bon appetite! HIKING THE ITALIAN COAST: FRESH CATCH IN CINQUE TERRE In the…
Zermatt is home to Switzerland’s most iconic mountain: The Matterhorn. With its croissant-shaped peak dramatically thrusting up into the sky, the mountain is absolutely magnetic. Visitors to Zermatt often let out a gasp of delight and awe when they catch their first glimpse of it. (Well, I certainly did!) Although I had visited Zermatt this…
Although I had no idea when I published Eating Through 2015, the meal I described in my last paragraph set the course for a wild and wonderful gastronomical journey through 2016: …I kicked off 2016 with an extremely memorable meal at Prato, thanks to a certain sous chef’s generosity and desire to treat our party with his favorite…
Lake Como has easily become a favorite getaway destination for the Swiss Family Domecks over the past couple of years. Folded into the mountains of the Lombardy region of Italy, this wishbone-shaped lake is what travel dreams are made of. With romantic villas dotting the shoreline and dramatic mountains rising from the sparkling blue waters,…
When I give walking tours around town, people often ask me where to eat in Zurich. As a result, I have created a running list of my favorite restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, and I’ve organized them by area. Each has met or exceeded my expectations, and my top favorites are marked with a “♥” symbol. Since this list is ever…
With the rise of New Nordic Cuisine, Copenhagen has become a foodie destination of world renown. The Danish capital can thank, at least in part, pioneer chef René Redzepi for his bold culinary moves at Noma, the 2-starred Michelin restaurant named the “Best Restaurant in the World” several times over. Although Noma is closing its doors at the end of 2016 to…
The Zurich Wine Exhibition sponsored by Expovina is a Swiss event not to be missed. Every November, the ferryboats of Lake Zurich line up to form an impressive fleet dedicated to showcasing wine, wine, and more wine. Here are the top 10 things you need to know about Zurich’s Wine Boats before diving headfirst into the vino. 1. It’s kind of…
From October to March, fondue pots are bubbling all across Switzerland. Thanks to the Swiss Cheese Union (Schweizerische Käseunion) and huge advertising campaigns over the course of the 20th century, fondue has become the iconic Swiss dish. As a result, many travelers arrive in the Land of Cheese and Chocolate in search of a good…
When cold winds begin to push out the last remnants of autumn glory and the Zurich sky dons its grey cloak of winter, I take solace in one silver lining: fondue season has arrived! Here’s a list of the top restaurants in Zurich to enjoy fondue. Fondue in Old Town: Le Dezaley You can find…
As the days grow shorter and summer fades away into autumn, a warm cup of coffee seems to bring an extra special bit of enjoyment. I have never been much of a coffee connoisseur, but I gained a whole new appreciation for the roasted black bean on a recent trip to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Coffee…
Hip and trendy Oslo has some serious Scandinavian swag. The Norwegian capital city contains a seamless blend of historic settings, cosmopolitan shine, urban reinvention, and a twinge of grunge on the side. Admittedly, I can’t say I “did” much during my brief visit to Oslo earlier this summer. I didn’t face off with The Scream…
Food – how we eat, what we eat, where we eat – is such an intrinsic part of human culture. When I travel, I desire to seek out places that reflect the specific region I’m visiting or that have a wow-factor to them. And maybe you do, too. Dining in Zurich, Switzerland can be a challenge for…
Amongst the mishmash of urbanization along Taiwan’s west coast, a small town keeps traditions alive and has become a fascinating little travel destination. One year ago this month, I was first introduced to Taiwan with a tour of the Lukang Township, located about a 2-hour drive south of Tapei. To commemorate my GSE Trip with…
As I look back on my 2015, I’m struck by the diverse range of experiences I had in the world of food. And because I love lists and record-keeping, I’m sharing my most memorable food experiences of 2015. I’d love for you to share some of your top eats, too! EATING IN ASIA DRINKING FROM COCONUTS IN…
I am counting down the days until I return to Orlando to reunite with friends and family over the Christmas holidays. Ever since we moved to Zurich this summer, I’ve been missing my peeps like whoa! But I must admit that people aren’t the only reason I am looking forward to visiting sunny Florida: I cannot wait to eat at some…
After the Mayor of Munich tapped the ceremonial keg and shouted “O’zapft is!” last Saturday, Oktoberfest 2015 officially began. Justin and I let our long-standing curiosity about the beer festival draw us back to Munich for the start of it all. As you may or may not recall, we spent a lot of time in Munich last…
With a culinary heritage from its Chinese, Japanese, and aboriginal ancestry, Taiwan boasts an extraordinary food culture that every world traveler must experience. From smoky barbecue squid to steamed taro cakes, gooey oyster omelets and broth with pork liver, from deep-fried sea creatures and crispy chicken to candied strawberries on a stick, the variation and creativity of…