Italian Wine Merchants Redux

Our frequent readers (thank you!) may recall a post I did last year about a trip to New York City that included a stop at Italian Wine Merchants (IWM). I was on a hunt for a New York City wine tasting and much to my disappointment, I didn’t quite get it. Well, my snarky and punchy [...]

In the Vineyards of Barolo

At September 12, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In culinary travel, italy, Italy 2012, wine
0

By Valerie Quintanilla Saturday morning started bright and early with a quick breakfast at my B&B (they just kept bringing food – such is the theme here!) Then, I was off with Robert for a wine tour in Barolo at Giovanni Rosso. We picked up Drew and Jamie from DC, then headed for the hills [...]

Italian Wine Travels: Ah, Piemonte….

By Valerie Quintanilla If there is a heaven and we each get our own version, mine would mirror Piemonte. Calgone, take me away. In 2009 I had a business meeting with an Italian colleague visiting Denver for a project. I told her of a pending trip to Italy and how excited I was to explore [...]

Relaxing in Lake Como

Day two of my travel to Lake Como brought more rain. Ah well, it wasn’t pouring as it had in Milano or Bellagio (or my first 18 years in Vancouver, Wash.) I still had hiking on the brain and no way was I missing it. My plan for the day: a trip for groceries [...]

Travel + Wine News: Stories Not to Miss – May 18

At May 18, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In frequent flyer, Travel Deals, travel news, Travel Photo of the Week, travel tips
0

Picture it! Cheers! Blue skies, reds and whites in the glass. Now that’s my idea of a good time! Last weekend I ventured to Napa. We started our journey at V. Sattui to stock up on a picnic lunch fit for a king (or three wine drinking pals). Personally, V. Sattui’s wines do less than [...]

The Salzburg Arrival: “I made it!”

Day one of my aunt’s Return to Salzburg after her maiden voyage 44 years ago! She’s met lots of lovely, helpful people. Meeting people is my favorite part of flying solo! Enjoy! – Valerie Quintanilla By Teresa Kao I made it! I’m here! The journey reminded me of my dreams of trying to get here because there [...]

A Race in Charleston (no, I didn’t win)

By Valerie Quintanilla I started running around 2002. I was working at a public relations agency on the Home Depot account. Home Depot sponsored a now defunct Denver race called The Governor’s Cup. I convinced my team lead that running the 10k qualified as client relations,and thus I was able to expense my registration. Don’t [...]

Help Me Plan My Italy Trip!

I know, I know. Why doesn’t she go somewhere else when she crosses the pond, right? What can I say? I’m obsessed with traveling to Italy. Don’t get me wrong, I heart Spain, adore France, and really wanna check out the South Pacific, but I simply cannot get enough of Italy. So, I’m heading back. [...]

Find Home in Paradise: Beautiful Salento in Puglia

At February 23, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In culinary travel, Guest Blogger, italy, wine
22

In September 2011 I found my way to the heel of the boot, beautiful Lecce, Italy. The region remains a lesser known Italian tourist destination. Don’t misunderstand, the lesser known part only means a more authentic experience, incredible wines, food, and arguably the country’s best olive oil. My travel companion, Cooking Lisa, spent an amazing [...]

New York City: A Trip to Italian Wine Merchants

Next stop on the Playing Italy Train: NYC for wine tasting at Italian Wine Merchants. I read Sergio Esposito’s Passion on the Vine over the New Year’s holiday in 2010/11, finishing the book in two days. I was enamored with the lifestyle, the food and of course the wine. With every page, I could almost [...]

Gifts for the Traveler

Confession: I haven’t done a lick of Christmas shopping yet (yes, I know it’s t-minus 14 days til jolly Ole’ Saint Nick arrives). As I continue to procrastinate my gift giving duties I created a list of ideal gifts for the traveler. For the Frequent Flyers: Ticket and Receipt Holder: I mentioned to a biz [...]

United / Continental Merger’s New Frequent Flyer Policy

By Valerie Quintanilla I changed jobs in April of this year. On the tail of Q1 I was already half way to maintaining my Premier status with United. What does this mean (listed in my order of importance): Economy Plus Seating: Believe you me, that extra two fists of space makes Econ Plus coveted seating. [...]

Cinque Terre Relief Efforts

On Tuesday, October 25 the enchanting towns of Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza in Itay’s Cinque Terre were devastated by floods. News reports say unusually heavy flooding ravaged the region of Liguria causing flooding and landslides. Reports indicate nine people have lost their lives and still others remain missing. Please note: the other Cinque Terre [...]

Travel to Piedmont: More sensory overload (in a good way)

The second day I was in Piedmont I planned a wine tour, but with Aussie transplant, Kerrie. Her story is quite lovely. She and her husband traveled to Piedmont for their honeymoon. She said they were sitting outside admiring the beauty, pondering how ever they could make it work to spend more time there.Years later [...]

The hills and wines of Piemonte

Today I start my Piemonte wine tours. I don’t think words can truly describe Piemonte (“Piedmont” to Westerners). Somehow breathtaking, beautiful, and awesome all seem quite hollow. The land showcases rolling hills, acres and acres of vineyards (150,000 acres to be exact) and gorgeous colors. I can truly say that my first one tour in [...]

Travel to San Gimignano: A few minutes to relax

We stopped about five times in a kilometer in the hills of Tuscany en route to the farmhouse just outside San Gimignano. Talk about the photo ops. Grape vines and olive trees spread out as far as the eye could see.Much to our pleasure we found the San Gimignano farmhouse, Il Vicario, without incident. Despite [...]

Tuscany Wine Adventures: On the road to San Gimignano

By Valerie QuintanillaIt was time to make our way into the hills of Tuscany. We found a little farmhouse outside of San Gimignano, Il Vicario, that features a cooking class and nightly dinners. It sounds perfect.The drive from Florence to San Gimignano is about 45 minutes. I found a winery that does lunch wine tastings, [...]

A night in Florence

On Friday we had a spectacular night in Florence… We had dinner at Lisa’s favorite restaurant in Florence, L’Brincello. She not only goes every time she’s in the city, but also every night! We sit down and it’s like being with Norm from Cheers. Beautiful Claudia hugs and kisses her. Not long after Adriano arrives, [...]

Sorrento: Villa Adriana Guesthouse

At September 10, 2011
By Valerie Quintanilla
In culinary travel, italy, Italy 2011, wine
3

Our plan for Sorrento included a day trip to Positano, but we didn’t make it. We arrived in Sorrento around 2 p.m. and had a 6 p.m. cooking class. The bus ride to Positano is an hour each way, so we simply could not do both. Ah well, whatcha gonna do? Well, we ate pizza! [...]

Traveling to Lecce: wine, burrata and siesta

The things I’ll remember most about traveling to Lecce include the local wine, burrata (an amazing cheese) and siesta.I’ve been to a number of places in Italy and have long heard about the fabled practice of siesta. Problem is, I’ve never actually experienced it. And, I’m coming to learn that is a result of my [...]

Tips on Train Travel in Italy

Traveling by train is so easy and convenient in Europe. I was able to get my five-day, one country flexi pass in mid-August. From the date of activation, the pass can be used for two months. Visit Trenitalia Web site for more info on train travel in Italy. Note, your pass is activated when the [...]

Fourth Stop: Wine class in Siena!

When I arrived in Siena I was ready to learn. First on the agenda, a wine class! The wine class in Siena I enrolled in was with English-speaking Rebecca from Denmark. In March of last year she opened The Tuscan Wine School. It’s a welcoming little place with wines, wine gadgets and a classroom in [...]

Second Stop: Fair Verona

By Valerie Quintanilla Mission: Explore Valpolicella wine — specifically Amarone I began my Verona experience with a lonely walking tour. I was lost — the hotel’s instructions did not take me to the promised bus stop. I hiked up and down streets in search of via Terre. Ha! That’s like searching for a needle in [...]