And the Winner is… ITKT’s Favorite Flight

There are a lot of perks being a travel writer. For those wondering, it’s all the travel. Unfortunately, between the ridiculous airport security, plummeting U.S. economy, luggage charges and flight delays there is little to like about air travel anymore. Moreover, as a resident of Los Angeles, all of my international flights are usually, multi-leg long haul flights (unless I am going to Mexico or Canada.) requiring... [Read more]

A True Taste of Tyrol

Devouring the last morsel of my Kaminwurzan, I can safely say that it is the most delicious smoked sausage I have ever tasted. It’s probably the best bit of food I ever tasted. No. I’m lying. The absolute best is what I’m about to stuff my face with now. The flakiest, sweetest, made-with-the-ripest-apples-ever, piece of divine apfel strudel. I’m sitting at kreuzjochhutte, a pretty alpine hut, and the mountain air... [Read more]

Five Fabulous Foods in Greece

As the pine-green tour bus wound its way through the tree-laden mountains of central Greece, I had to bite my lip and focus on deep, cleansing breaths. No, I was not hyperventilating from the height, and our driver was a model of road decorum. I was attempting to restrain myself from inquiring of my seat mate what on earth had possessed her to travel all the way to Greece—the land of olive oil and antiquities—to order... [Read more]

Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age, part 4

I found that nowhere in the world is the wine as fine and varied as in Italy. Towns only 20 kilometers apart produce unique varieties made from the same grapes, appellations they can call all their own. Driving through each will give you the chance to taste this firsthand. My two favorites grew in micro-climates states apart, but the bloodlines these wines share make them family.

We’ve all heard of Tuscany and... [Read more]

The Poetry of Paris

the round-a-bouts are bigger than me. the république . . . and others . . . swirl the machines on wheels in circles. they carry the bodies of humans to work. through the arc de triomphe, they journey with the past history of triumphant military marches, national armies proclaiming victory over the land. this symbol, the arc de triomphe, signals the pride of pennants, and the stink of arrogance. the flags on the arc de... [Read more]

A Wedding Abroad

“Destination wedding” has always sounded extravagant to me and I never seriously thought I would have one myself. Yet, here I am, a happily engaged gal, in the midst of planning her wedding in a small Italian mountain town called Roccascalegna. My fiancé Keith and I chose to marry abroad for several reasons: it’s romantic, the setting is beautiful and unique, it’s a wonderful opportunity to integrate ourselves... [Read more]

Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age, part 3

I returned last week from my driving adventure and the experience of navigating by man-made stars through Tuscany. Let me tell you, this region is in a league all its own during the harvest season. The seasonal local foods and festivals, the wine, and particularly the weather are superb.

If you’re contemplating doing this but have read about how difficult Italian drivers can be, let me tell you this is just bad... [Read more]

Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age, part 2

Should I be excited that I’m living the freedom of navigating by car through the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria, or frightened by this summer’s astronomical gas prices and what it can do to my pocketbook?

Months ago, much like a progeny of Zeus, I mused about this upcoming road trip and the relevancy of this type of travel. I asked, “Will gas prices continue to skyrocket as they have this summer?”... [Read more]

The Wow of Lucca

I know better, I really do! Although I’ve never quite understood the European practice of validating tickets immediately after purchase, I am aware of the requirement. This time however, I was feeling complacent because, in my last six train rides in Italy, no one had asked for my ticket, validated or not. A glance at my watch that told me my train from Pisa to Lucca was leaving in less than five minutes.

As a... [Read more]

Lemons and More, the Amalfi Coast

Everything in the Amalfi Coast is lemony. The perfumes, ceramic tiles, cups and saucers, main courses, desserts, refreshing drinks and, of course, the prize winner, Limoncello are just lemony.
Up until now, I am oblivious to the amount of alcohol this pleasantly sweet digestive liquor, made from lemon rind, water and sugar, actually contains. But as I sit in a pretty restaurant over-looking Sorrento’s main piazza,... [Read more]

The War of Tomatoes, Spain

Once a year, one particular street in the sleepy town of Buñol, Spain becomes a red from an ankle-deep tomato juice river, which flows with flip-flops, t-shirts, beer cans, and the occasional Afro wig. The event is called La Tomatina and is the world’s largest tomato fight.

Buñol, which is a one-hour train ride from Valencia, has been hosting La Tomatina since 1945. There are various theories about how it began.... [Read more]

A Whiskey in Svalbard

It felt kind of weird fleeing a hot Swedish summer and going up north to the cold regions of the North Pole. Nevertheless, going to Svalbard during the sunny period, where temperatures are only a few minus degrees below-zero Celsius instead of the usual minus 30 degrees during the dark period, seemed like a much better option.

I wanted to experience the northern Frontier, the wild untouched areas of the arctic pole,... [Read more]

Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age

When I was a child my family relocated cross-country to California via the Mother Road, historic Route 66. Even at that tender age, I enjoyed the trip in a station-wagon piled high with our possessions, ‘Grapes of Wrath’ style. It was on that drive that the road-tripper bug infected me.

Years later the country was facing its first gas crisis and the price had reached 75 cents a gallon. With school behind me... [Read more]

Thoughts in Spain (video podcast)

Okay, so it has been a while. Fortunately we are back and will have a bunch more great video podcasts coming soon.

In this interview, our own Eileen, visits with Luis from Spain to talk about his culture’s relaxed nature and appreciation for the finer things in life. From personal experience, I can agree wholeheartedly.

As with all of our videos Quicktime 7.0 or better is required to see our great videos... [Read more]

Architecture and More in Dusselforf

Apart from it being Germany’s richest city, the nation’s advertising and fashion capital (where Claudia Schiffer was discovered), and the hub of many Japanese corporations and banks, it’s also a city of eclectic art — ultimates and extremes, a sensational mix of over-the-top, old and new.

Radical architecture dominates the Media Harbour were, instead of warehouses and silos, stand edgy art installations... [Read more]

Monemvasia: The Medieval Treasure of Greece

The towering rock of Monemvasia topped by a fortress, rises from the sea on the south eastern coast of the Peloponnese. Known as “Rosemary of the East“, or “the Gibraltar of Greece,” it has been a fortified settlement since ancient times. It got its name which means “Sole Entrance” from the 6th century AD because the only entry is through a fortified tunnel. In the words of the poet, Yannis Ritso, “This... [Read more]

Chasing the Holy Grail to Dinas Bran Castle

There’s nothing like a medieval castle to exhume one’s sense of romance however deeply it may be buried beneath the mundane. And Wales, that piece of geography that bulges from British soil into the Irish Sea like a full belly, has close to 400 of them in various states of restoration and ruin. But only one claims legendary ties to the Holy Grail: Castell Dinas Bran, which translated into English means ‘castle of... [Read more]

Eger, The Jewel of Hungary’s Wine

Being one of life’s great cheapskates, I decided against hiring a car and took a two-hour €6 bus ride out of Budapest to Eger, the historic wine region of Hungary. This was a decision I would later regret.

A formidable Neanderthal lumbered onto the already full bus. He could easily have been the world’s most terrifying human. He lunged passed, grunted then looked back at the empty seat beside me. I felt a... [Read more]

Venice to Yourself

Jet lag awakened me at 4 a.m., denying further sleep. Things could be worse. After all, I’m in Venice, the most magical, romantic city in the world. Anxiously awaiting a day of Italian sites, culture, vino, and cuisine was like torture. Nearly a restless hour passed in my room near the Accademia Bridge, and with the dawn I decided to get out and wander around town until a café opened. But what this magnificent city was... [Read more]

Prague in Black and White

Call me old fashioned but when it comes to black and white photography, I like to use a film camera and my old trusty Canon AE-1 does the trick. I use a variety of lenses from wide angle to telephoto and Fujifilm’s Neopan stock, but that was my preference for the shots I planned to take on my trip to Prague. I highly recommend going by your trusted local camera shop and talk to them about what and where you are shooting.... [Read more]

Luxembourg’s Hostellerie du Grunewald

Situated at the very heart of Western Europe is a small country named Luxembourg, which is 80km long and 68km wide.

Luxembourg City, the Grand Dutchy’s capital, founded in 963, has maintained an atmosphere of contemplative tranquility and at its historic core (declared a World Heritage) reveals a blend of contrasting styles of architecture developed over the past five centuries. The surrounding countryside of... [Read more]

A Writer’s Paradise

Once in a while, I get information that blends my two favorite things, writing and travel. Here is a recent release that includes both of these passions. For those looking to improve their writing in an idyllic setting, read on. –Devin, Editor ITKT–

Fiction Workshop in Chocolat Country with the Author of White Oleander
“Getting the Story, Getting it Down, Getting it Right,” June 16-22, 2008,... [Read more]

Getting the Royal Treatment (video podcast)

In this video, our own Kimberli Waack offers us the Royal treatment. She has tips on seeing the sites, including the proverbial changing of the guard, finding dining options for ordering whiskey by its age, and where to sleep in style.

There are times when I think it has just been to long since I have been to England. Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!

Remember, with all our videos presentations have quicktime... [Read more]

Breaking the Bank in Monte Carlo

Due to my informal dress, I couldn’t peek beyond the lobby of the famed Monte Carlo Casino. I saw serious high-rollers show up in serious attire — weighed down by heavy jewelry.

They could roam as they pleased. Lacking the proper business suits or dresses, required attire for European casinos, I, the traveling slob was expected to amuse myself at the slot machines in the lobby. No matter. Once inside... [Read more]

Holland in Bloom

There is no better time to visit Holland than in the spring when symphonies of tulips bathe the landscape in a carpet of rich, vibrant colour. Holland dazzles the senses with Flower Power. The Dutch celebrate their blooms at every opportunity with a procession of flower parades, flower fairs, flower art displays, flower museums and flower markets. Each year Holland’s tulips attracts millions of visitors who gaze in awe... [Read more]

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