Cartagena, Colombia: Where the Caribbean meets Latin America

The view from the roof top pool of the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa.

Tourist Towns – we’ve all been to one. These are the places where we’re herded in groups through areas that found their way onto the well-worn tourist track. These places are recognizable by their parking lots for tourist buses, sunburnt tourists and the “local” restaurants that have menus in seven different languages. Cartagena, a picture-perfect [...]

Getting a Boot Out Of Italy: A Culinary Journey from Heel to Toe

John-Blanchette-Italy-March-2010-10

By John Blanchette: Reggio Calabria, Italy – One of the most neglected destinations in Italy is the lower boot. But things are changing as tourists discover the remarkable beauty of the rugged hill towns, Mediterranean influenced cuisine and travel bargains the south affords. Greek influences are felt here and a dialect of the language is [...]