The Galataport cruise ship terminal in the Karakoy area of Istanbul is billed as the World’s First Underground Cruise Ship Terminal. Historically this neighborhood was a melting pot of culture and commerce and an important commercial center in the city. After years of redevelopment, the massive seaside project has finally been opened to the public….
The following deals are those that have caught my eye this year that are curently running through Black Friday / Cyber Monday / Giving Tuesday – check the dates on each listing to be sure you don’t miss the deadline! My 2024 Black Friday Flash Sale: ✨GOOGLE MAP MAGIC✨ for $1 Learn how to avoid…
In just about every new place I visit, I always try to book a culinary activity as close to the beginning of my trip as possible. It’s a strategy that’s paid off in so many ways – by helping me to maximize my time (plus restaurant and sightseeing choices) for the rest of the trip,…
✈ Planning a trip soon? I personally believe that food is a universal language and it’s a large part of any trip planning that I do. If you need some help with adding some spice to your next trip, there are lots of ways that we can work together. (Plus many free resources, if you…
A selection of my favorite recipes from Hawaii that use mochiko flour, inspired by Koda Farms Blue Star Mochiko flour and the news that the farm business was closing, reported in August 2024.
Because I had a bit of a reputation as a foodie back home in Hawaii and now having spent more than nine years exploring the various regional dishes in Turkey, I’m often asked for my favorite restaurant in Istanbul. The question makes me nostalgic! I can remember the exact moment I fell in love with…
Ways to be a better tourist that go beyond bringing your own water bottle and refusing single-use plastics. Considering ways to give back to the community you visit, or at the very least to do less harm when spending your vacation dollars.
What is the current situation on Maui after the August 2023 fires? How can we help? Should you visit? My reflections growing up on Maui.
My first visit to Athens was in 2008 on our way to a cruise of the Greek islands – which also included my first ever stop in Turkey. That trip, we visited the Acropolis ruins in the middle of a sweltering summer day and I was too hot and weary of the crowds to truly…
When it comes to trying wines in another country, it can be intimidating to know where to start. Although I love wine and have gotten into native grapes in Turkey, I had very limited experience with Greek wines. The grape names are long and unfamiliar – I didn’t even know which were white grapes and…
