Savoring the Wild Side of Cypriot cuisine

Wayne Milstead, writer for GoNOMAD.com wrote about Cypriot cuisine in an article called, "Savoring the Wild Side of Cypriot Cuisine".

He wrote, "The scent of fresh herbs and garlic tickled our noses as we entered George and Lara's villa on the quiet uncluttered beach near Polis, Cyprus. Earlier, when he invited us to dinner, George mentioned they had gathered some "weeds" to eat. I thought he was joking. He wasn't. The kitchen resembled a greenhouse overflowing with a lush garden of fresh wild greens, herbs, vegetables and fungi.

George and his wife Lara, restaurateurs in nearby Paphos, only serve what George describes as real Cypriot cuisine: uncultivated plants gathered from the verdant countryside and seasonal produce along with natural handmade cheeses, breads and quality fish and meats. The types of dishes you would find in a Cypriot village home. "No chips or taramosalata at our taverna," George mused.

We had bumped into George and Lara several times at our hotel and now here we were: friends and dinner guests. They were on holiday too. Taking a break from waking when the cock crows to hunt and gather for the restaurant.


Coals to Newcastle?

It was probably coals to Newcastle, but we presented our hosts with a couple of bottles of wine from the Vouni Panayia Vineyards in the foothills of Cyprus' Trodos Mountains. Earlier in the day, we had hiked among the vines planted in the crushed milky white stone and sampled the smooth water-like Alina white. We were anxious for more.

"Thank you," George said with a devilish grin and handed me a corkscrew.

Small dishes sprouted like mushrooms on the table: Olives marinated in oil and coriander, fresh tomato and celery, slices of bread topped with sesame seeds.

This style of eating is called 'meze'. It is the traditional method of eating in Cyprus. Small portions of numerous assorted cold and hot dishes are cooked and served based on what is fresh and available that day.

" These are called baby sparrows," George said, holding a dark green plant. "That's what the Greek means. In English you call it bladder campion. Sometimes customers get a frightened look on their face because of the name. They think they are eating baby birds." I understood the name when he stripped the leaves off. They resembled tiny feathers. He then fried them in a skillet with eggs, creating an omelet of sorts...."

BEACHCOMBING ON THE THAMES

B.J. Roche, writer and UMass professor recently visited the Thames in London. She wrote an article called, “BEACHCOMBING ON THE THAMES: A BACKDOOR INTO LONDON'S HISTORY”

Roche wrote, “It all began one Sunday morning, when we were drinking coffee and watching a Rick Steves marathon on public television: There was Rick, signing off from London, advising viewers to get off the beaten track by beachcombing on the shore of the Thames.

As he walked along, he reached down and casually picked up the bowl of a small clay smoking pipe--the kind you see in 19th century paintings being smoked by fat little men in waistcoats. Cute, but, we figured, Rick’s producer had probably planted that pipe. What were the chances that, in one of the world’s most expensive cities, you could stumble onto a 300-year-old artifact for the price of drycleaning your muddy pants?

Quite good, it turns out.

A few months later, as we were walking along the Thames Path that leads from the Tower of London to the Millennium Bridge, we came across a stairway down to the river.

The tide was out, so we wandered down to where the water lapped the muck.

Once on the shore of "Old Father Thames," we were in a different world. Within a shout of the sterile, ultra-modern skyscrapers where Europe’s financial affairs are managed, we found the detritus of a thousand years: a beach comprised, not of shells or stones, but of waves and waves of broken down bits of debris: roof tiles, confetti-like shards of china, each with a piece of a pattern; frosty, pale-green chunks of bottles of varying shapes and ages.
Teapot handles. The footlong jawbone of an unidentified animal. Old nails, three and four inches long. A giant wagon wheel…”

Christmas Wonderland in Germany

On cometogermany.com, the christmas celebration and markets are described as a 'must see'.

"As Christmas approaches, Germany reveals its most atmospheric side. Over 2500 Christmas markets in wonderful settings invite you to share the joy of the pre-Christmas season.

Germany's first Christmas market was recorded in 1434. Back then the festivities went on for only a day or two and tended to confine themselves to the area around the main church. Today's Christmas markets usually begin around the last week of November and go on until Christmas Eve or a few days longer.

Decorated booths are fully stocked with handcrafted gifts such as incense burners, wooden nutcrackers and toys as well as Christmas pyramids and Nativity scenes. And not to forget all the wonderful things to eat and drink such as roasted almonds and chestnuts, the famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread), grilled sausages and mulled wine.

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Yes, Germany is magical at Christmas time!

For more information, dates and special events during Christmas markets in eastern, western, southern and northern Germany please call us toll-free at 1-800-651-7010 or email us to order our new brochure "Welcome to Christmas Wonderland."

Diving 101 in Guam

'Turkey Fish'

(AP Photo/Guam Visitors Bureau & Oceanic USA, Keith Ibsen)

In an article on CANOE Travel, Audrey McAvoy of the Associated Press wrote an article called, "Even beginning divers can see bounty of tropical fish," about diving in Piti, Guam.

She wrote, "Wetsuit and flippers on, oxygen tank strapped to my back, I steadied myself for the underwater descent.

"Look below you," my scuba diving teacher said. "There are some fish right there."

Breathing carefully through a mask -- a skill acquired just minutes earlier -- I gingerly dipped my head into the shallow water to see several black and white striped butterflyfish darting between our legs.

Welcome to Diving 101 on Guam. This small island, about seven hours west of Hawaii by plane, offers great diving opportunities for beginners as well as experts.

In two outings as a beginner diver and snorkeller, I swam among schools of elongated purple trumpetfish, tiny red arceye hawkfish, and multiple varieties of boxy butterflyfish with shimmering yellow scales. More experienced divers can explore dozens of shipwrecks, a legacy of intense battles for the strategically located island by Spanish, German, Japanese, and American navies over the past 450 years.

As a novice, I enrolled in an introductory scuba class to learn the basics of inhaling and exhaling.

My teacher, Michael Bass from Guam Tropical Dive Station, showed me how to pinch my nose and breathe so my ears would adjust to increased pressure during our descent. He also taught me hand signals for "I need to surface now" and "OK."

At Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve, a common training ground for beginners, we swam among rich varieties of purple, yellow, and blue fish just yards from the shore.

I got to hold a red and white striped creature called a banded coral shrimp on the palm of my hand after Bass nudged him out of his hiding hole. The shrimp, with spindly white legs and striped body that made it look like a colourful spider, danced on my hand for a few seconds before scurrying off..."

Smuggler's Notch, VT

In an article written by J.L. Scharf on dreamscapes.ca called, "Smuggler's Notch, Vermont," Scharf writes, "Better than home:
Nestled at the base of the Green Mountains, Smugglers' Notch Resort is part of Mount Mansfield State Forest. Driving through picturesque Stowe and the steep, winding, canopy-covered Notch Pass (closed in the winter) -- once a notorious smuggling route between Canada and the U.S.A. during prohibition -- it wasn't hard to imagine we were a band of renegades laden with secret contraband.

Lodgings vary. Ranging from studios to fivebedroom townhouses, most with air, fireplaces and balconies, all are large condominium homes with fully equipped kitchen facilities. You can stay close to the village where all the action is, or in a secluded woodland spot with spectacular views of the peaks.

Our lodging was higher up on Morse Mountain, away from the village and the setting couldn't have been lovelier. Called The Falcons , the condo, which comfortably sleeps eight, was quite spacious with three bedrooms, two baths and a huge open kitchen/dining/ living area. Creature comforts made it feel like home: warm décor; a kitchen better equipped than mine; a fitness room across the hall; a hot tub just outside; and a community centre with a heated swimming pool, game room and gym down the path. Strategically placed outdoor communal barbeques encouraged neighbourly encounters while we grilled steaks and roasted corn.

Year-round fun:
There's simply too much to do at Smuggs. I personally toured all the water parks and rode every waterslide. There are tennis courts and lessons for both adults and kids, an onsite driving range with programs for all levels, guided walks, hikes and "wikes," mini golf and other activities including bonfires, sing-alongs, family game night and more.

What is truly amazing about Smuggs are its award-winning all-day children's seasonal programs. Kids of all ages have the time of their lives at Smuggler's Summer Fun University or Snow Sport University..."

Women's Tips

In Journey Woman's Magazine, Evelyn Hannon compiled a list of the best tips of 2004.

She wrote, "Each year Journeywoman receives 100s of female-centered travel tips from women living in over twenty-eight different countries. From Pittsburgh to Paris and from Bangkok to Boston, these members write to share their 'journey' secrets. They tell us about their own city's gal-friendly sites as well as those they learned about while experiencing other cultures in other lands. Here in the JW office, we diligently record their findings about hotels, restaurants, attractions, books, culturally-correct data, et cetera and then include the best in our complimentary e-newsletters or post them to our website.

At the end of each year, we publish a list of the 'best of the best' tips that have been submitted to Journeywoman.com. Here are our absolute favourites for 2004. Enjoy everybody!"

Here are some of the tips that I found most interesting, "She buys toilet paper in Korea -- writes Lisa from New York, USA -- Here's some advice for JourneyWomen around the world. Don't expect toilet tissue in all public restrooms in Korea. In this country it's customary to bring your own. When you go into Korea's small little markets or convenience stores, you'll notice flat, plastic packs of tissue papers - the whole pack is about the size of a standard greeting card. These are their travel packs of toilet paper. I suggest you buy several of them. They can even be 'fun' gifts to bring home for your travelling girlfriends.

Bring your bikini on board -- writes Sue from Sydney, Australia -- A flight attendant once told me that an essential piece of clothing to have in your hand luggage is your two-piece swim suit. It doesn't take up much space and weighs practically nothing. If you and your checked luggage get separated, this bikini can substitute as several articles of clothing until your bags arrive. It's underwear, it's a halter top, and of course you won't have to wait to go for that very first dip in the swimming pool.

Tall women shop in Holland -- writes Irma from New York, USA -- If you're a tall women travelling to The Netherlands, make sure to do your trouser shopping there. The people of The Netherlands are today's tallest people in the world -- the average Dutch man is just over 6 feet, and the average Dutch woman is just over 5 foot 7 inches. That why if you pop into any clothing store in Holland - they'll probably stock your pant length in any style and color you choose. I know, I'm Dutch and though I work in New York, I wait until I go home to do my shopping.

Book: Japanland

Terry Ward, editor of World Hum Travel, reviewed Karin Muller's book, "Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa" in an artcle she called, "Japan Unmasked."

She wrote, "I first read Karin Muller while backpacking through Vietnam in 2003 — her first book “Hitchhiking in Vietnam,” which I acquired at a second-hand bookshop in Hanoi, filled in many of the cultural gaps that my guidebook neglected. If only I’d had Muller’s latest tome, "Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa" to read during my visit to Tokyo several years ago.

I’d never felt so self-conscious and out of place, wandering the megalopolis as an Amazonian foreigner, suddenly hyper-aware of the graceless, noisy way I shuffle my feet as I walked alongside the whisper-soft Japanese. As it turns out, Muller — a former Peace Corps volunteer and National Geographic staffer, accomplished documentary filmmaker and Renaissance woman — would have been able to relate.

More than a personal account of a year spent trying to understand the intricacies of closed Japanese culture, Muller’s book serves as a safety blanket of sorts, even a travel companion, and it’s often filled with the confessions, obsessions, woes and wonder of a diary. Muller writes with crystalline honesty about the rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks she experienced in Japan. But it’s the author’s self-deprecating wit, keen observations of Japanese relationships and liberal dose of humor that make this book a pleasure to read.

At 34, Muller found herself at the peak of her travel writing and filmmaking career, working at National Geographic on a documentary series for the society’s global television channel (she produced a documentary version of “Hitchhiking Vietnam” as well as “Along the Inca Road,” which was also a book). But as many a clock-punching cube dweller can understand, Muller had a gnawing sense that she was missing out on something. “I certainly wasn’t going to find [the meaning of life] here, in the tiny cubicles bathed in fluorescent light and the eight-year wait for a coveted underground parking spot,” she writes.

So off she went to the Land of the Rising Sun. The desire to perfect her judo in the land of its origin was the obvious ticket inside and an outward goal of a journey that quickly turns into far more. Roughly the first two-thirds of the book detail Muller’s experiences with her Japanese host family and impeccably proper host mother. “Although Japan welcomes tourists, it almost never allows them more than a superficial glimpse of its culture and traditions,” Muller writes early on, and the reader has the feeling, somehow, that if anyone can break inside, it will be her. But Muller’s difficulties adapting to life with her host family are soon apparent, with her host mother, Yukiko, drawing all her shortcomings into painfully stark relief.

Muller builds a sense of anticipation as she awaits some sign of acceptance, for that Eureka moment when the complexities of Japanese social interactions and the modern culture’s formidable ties to its past somehow part like the Red Sea to embrace a well-meaning foreigner..."

Affordable Spas

In an article on AOL Travel, the top 58 most affordable spas were listed through spafinder.com. The first on the list was the Adler Thermae Spa and Wellness Resort in Tuscany, Italy.

The article says, "Healing waters, the natural beauty of Tuscany, and an astonishingly comprehensive spa menu that includes spa services, beauty services and medical treatments as well as programs for children are among the attractions that draw visitors from almost every continent to Hotel Adler Thermae. Italian law allows properties to call themselves a spa (Latin for 'Salus per Aquam' or 'Health through Water') only if they offer thermal mineral water (hot spring), and the Hotel Adler Thermae certainly qualifies. The therapeutic waters from the underground mineral spring on which the spa is located feed two thermal pools and are used in several treatments. Currently, Hotel Adler Thermae is building an underground salt grotto where guests can lounge in waters with salt levels similar to those found in the Dead Sea. The spa also features a Rasul mud bath and several steam rooms and saunas.

But Hotel Adler offers more than hydrotherapy. Its other services range from medical check-ups to reflexology to an algae body wrap. The spa's culinary offerings include local favorites as well as healthful options served in a beautiful restaurant with a retractable glass roof. The 90 guest accommodations are beautifully appointed, and some have special amenities for those who suffer from allergies or are disabled. Families, seniors, and single travelers who want to focus on their health will find this charming Tuscan spa to their liking..."

Other affordable spas listed were:
Amansala Bikini Boot Camp in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Ana Mandara Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam
Birdwing Spa in Litchfield, Minnesota
Body Shop Spa in St. George, Utah
Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis, Massachusetts
and Carefree Resort and Villas in Carefree, Arizona

Picnic on Art

In an article on CANOEtravel.com, (among my favorite places to read about travel besides GoNOMAD, of course) author, Carolyn Thompson of the AP wrote about Ashford Hollow, NY, where you can picnic with art.

She wrote, "Try climbing on a sculpture inside a museum and chances are a security guard will show you the door. So go ahead and touch, crawl -- heck, picnic -- on the art at Griffis Sculpture Park. There's no door. Nor walls or ceiling, for that matter.

Just 200 hectares of sweeping meadows, ponds and forest, where art is as much a part of the landscape as the wildflowers and ferns that surround it.

"It's a very relaxing setting. It's so beautiful," said Simon Griffis, executive director of the site and the son of its founder, Larry Griffis.

Larry Griffis, himself a sculptor, needed only to see his young children romp among some ruins outside Rome years ago to know this was how sculpture should be viewed.

"He sat back and said, 'This is absolutely remarkable. Look at my kids,'" Simon Griffis recounts. "'I've taken them to the finest museums and galleries but they've come alive in this environment where they can interact and they can smell the flowers and they can touch things."'

It is a marriage of art and nature that is growing ever more popular. There are more than 500 outdoor sculpture parks around the world, ranging from smaller spaces geared to the artists-in-residence who create there, to large tourist destinations and education centers…”

Under $500 Trips

In an article on Independent Traveler, Sarah Schlichter wrote an article called, "What's the Deal: Weekend Getaways Under $500," in which she described weekend getaways from the LA area, NY area, Chicago area, Atlanta area, and Pheonix area.

She wrote, "Sick of the day-to-day grind? Then hit the road -- without breaking the bank! You don’t need big bucks to cure your travel bug, because we’ve rounded up five weekend getaways from major U.S. metropolitan areas that will cost you less than $500 per person. Escape to the great outdoors, track down that perfect antique armoire or hang out in a genuine Old West saloon; just check out the suggested getaway from your metropolitan area and pack your bags!

But first, a few rules of the road: All getaways are $500 or less per person, based on a Friday evening departure and a Sunday evening return. Estimates for gas expenses are based on a price of $3 a gallon and will vary depending on your route and your vehicle’s gas mileage. Dinner prices are based on a two-course meal with alcohol, tax and tip. All prices are per person except for hotel rates, which are per room. And, of course, all prices are subject to change at any time.

From the Phoenix Area: Prescott, AZThe Bottom Line: Transportation, two nights' hotel, two lunches and two dinners will run $246-$343, with plenty left over for sightseeing and shopping.

What's There: Once the territorial capital of Arizona in the 19th century, Prescott has maintained its quaint small-town ambience, complete with historic saloons and well-preserved Victorian homes. Just out of town, outdoor adventure awaits in the Prescott National Forest.

Getting There: It's about two hours from downtown Phoenix to Prescott, so expect to pay $30-$55 in gas for the round trip and incidental driving.

Where to Sleep and Eat: The Prescott Pines Inn is a lovely Victorian inn with rates from $69 a night (breakfast is additional). The Hotel St. Michael is an affordable alternative in downtown Prescott, with rates from $59-$89 a night including full breakfast. For lunch, grab a gourmet sandwich at the Wildflower Bread Company for less than $10, or one of the mesquite specialty dishes at Murphy's Restaurant for less than $15. The Peacock Dining Room at the Hassayampa Inn offers fine dining in a hotel that's on the National Register of Historic Places (about $50). The next night, get a taste of the Old West at The Palace, which opened as a saloon in 1877 and was once frequented by Wyatt Earp. $28 gets you into the dinner theater (a schedule is on the Web site), or opt for the regular dinner menu for about $40.

What to Do: Start with a walk through downtown Prescott, where you'll find the historic Yavapai County Courthouse in the central square; nearby is Whiskey Row, where there were once some 20 saloons. You can shop downtown for antiques, Native American artifacts, jewelry and other handcrafted items. Prescott has three major museums: the Sharlot Museum (admission $5), with exhibits on Arizona's history; the Smoki Museum (admission $4), home to beautiful Native American works; and the Phippen Museum (admission $5), with a highly regarded collection of Western art.

Head outdoors to the Prescott National Forest for hiking, biking or even horseback riding. The most popular trail near Prescott is the Thumb Butte Trail, which leads to a unique rocky outcrop and panoramic vistas over the whole region. A $2 usage fee applies. You'll also find beautiful views near Watson Lake, along the Prescott Peavine Trail. It's a bit further afield, but Arcosanti is worth the 34-mile trip; it's an experimental town that's been under construction for over three decades and will eventually house some 5,000 people in an earth-friendly setting. Daily tours are given for a suggested donation of $8...."