Editor’s Note: It’s “holiday week” on The Window Seat, and our editors get into the spirit of the season with a series of articles exploring the many facets of this busy travel period.

To so many Americans, Thanksgiving means being together with friends and family which, in turn, means traveling to see those people. As one of the busiest times of the year for the travel industry—somewhere around 25 million people will fly next week—Thanksgiving can strain more than your belt. So what to do when trains, planes, and automobiles seem to be more trouble than they’re worth? Well, my answer is “stay home.” Of course, I have it easy: when I go home for the holidays, I walk there. You don’t need family in The City though to enjoy all that it has to offer.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo Member Jose Kevo

Read more»

Back to Main
Posted in Culinary Events, Entertainment, New York City, Thanksgiving '07, Culinary Travel
Email this | Comments (0)

What’s better than a relaxing day off work spent lounging in the countryside? Nothing, except that same day spent imbibing some of California’s finest wines, nibbling on exquisite appetizers, and chatting with friendly vintners in a quaint, bucolic atmosphere.

I just got back from a one-day wine tasting excursion to Napa Valley. Napa is a world-famous destination for wine lovers of all kinds, and is also known for its lush scenery. Framed by rolling hills shrouded in stout oak trees, and sprinkled liberally with brilliant California poppies, olive trees, and those famous vineyards, Napa is a true treat for the senses, even for those who are not particularly wine-inclined.

Read more»

Back to Main
Posted in Culinary Events, Festivals & Events, Parks & Outdoors, San Francisco, Culinary Travel
Email this | Comments (2)

Apparently, there’s a dedicated day for everything. Saturday was National Milk Chocolate Day. Had I known earlier, I would have lifted my five month ban on the sweet treat - a decision I made after nearly driving myself into a sugar coma on Valentines Day - to celebrate.

No one put the splendor of chocolate more eloquently than Clay Gordon, publisher of chocophile.com, who said "The processing of the cocoa bean with sugar — and later, milk — were two of the most inspired ideas in gastronomic history."

Ranging from a European chocolate festival to a café in Philadelphia, USA Today’s Buzzy Gordon embarked on a gastronomic journey around the world, discovering 10 great places to milk chocolate for all its worth.

On second thought, maybe I will lift that ban to celebrate. After all, much like birthdays, it’s never too late to commemorate chocolate.

Photo Courtesy of IgoUgo member ccasson.

Back to Main
Posted in Culinary Events, Culinary Travel
Email this | Comments (6)