Farsighted Fly Girl

Wine may be the highlight of Spain's Ribera Del Duero wine region but this cultural landmark, which stretches through four provinces, offers many stunning vistas besides vineyards and sloping hills. The Castle of Curiel De Duero  perched on the hilltop pictured above was one of the first sites that caught my eye. The ancient fortress overlooks the area's vineyards and wineries and reminds visitors of the area's impressive history that dates back to the 11th century. This charming spot is part of the terrace for Molino de Palacios restaurant in Penafiel, which was converted from a 16th-century flour mill. The spectacle of the Duero River  flowing through the town of Castronuno immediately grabbed my attention. This is the river that fortifies the region's vineyards and it's one of the longest rivers of the Iberian Peninsula. This monument to the local cantareras,  the women who traditionally carried jugs of water from the river to the towns, was m...

I ordered a copper water bottle from  Copper H20  two years ago. Besides being pretty, the bottle makes tap water alkaline, which neutralizes acidity in the body and boosts immunity. I've also followed the Indian wellness system of Ayurveda  for years and know the benefits of copper on overall health.   So I was happy to sip from my copper bottle during yoga class and during hot days at the beach. Fast forward to 2020 and the horrors of COVID-19 .  I hadn't even used my copper bottle because I grab it when I travel or go to yoga class and that is not happening now. So when Jessica from Copper H20 contacted me about reviewing the bottle, I laughed. She didn't realize that I already owned a copper bottle and I had overlooked the benefits of using it during the Coronavirus pandemic.  There have been a lot of studies about the antiviral properties of copper and how it can help combat coronavirus.   Copper was shown to kill 90% of bacteria ...

Some people think of this time as a major inconvenience. The protests, the petitions, the painful hashtags.  I see the averted eyes when marches stream through neighborhoods filled with comfort and gentrification. I notice the glazed expressions when accounts of microaggressions and blatant racism are detailed. I recognize the lip service for humane treatment, fair opportunities and cultural awareness. But I have not seen any real action. There have been lots of posting, friending and sharing of outrage on social media. I am sure it helps some people feel better. But I don't feel better. This is not a passing phase for Black people. We are fighting for our lives. Lives that have never been valued in this country and still aren't. It appears that a lot of people are just waiting for all of this to magically go away. It is not going away, we are just getting started. So if you're waiting for things to go back to the way they were, you are in for major disappointments. We...

Surrounded by a pine forest and the Duero River, Finca Villacreces winery offers a bucolic vision of traditional Spanish winemaking. Founded in the 13th century by Franciscan monks, I explored the estates 171 acres of vineyards that supply Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.  As the region’s biggest organic winery, Villacreces doesn’t use sulfates and it employs butterflies, ladybugs and birds to eat insects instead of insecticides. The grapes are harvested by hand to preserve the quality. Strolling and biking through the sandy and rocky terrain, I learned about the fermentation process that produces the wineries signature Pruno wine, a  deep burgundy, fruity wine created with Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.  I sipped Pruno at the elegant picnic that was laid out for a scenic wine tasting among the twisting vines. Gourmet cheeses, charcuterie and regional dishes blended with the wines to create savory flavors. A visit to t...

Fall represents harvest time in many countries. I'm thrilled to return to Spain  this week to witness the famous grape harvests of Rueda and Ribera Del Duero.   I will be hosted by the Tourism Office of Spain and I'll be exploring the provinces of Burgos and Valladolid and the region of Castile-Leon. My itinerary features vineyards, castles and lots of restaurants! Spanish wine country holds a lot of history and cultural traditions that I will be  highlighting so please look out for posts and lots of wine pix!

Images of Switzerland  always seem to involve mountains and alpine scenery, which does make up a lot of the country's distinctive beauty but that's not all you'll see. I was ecstatic to visit the Lake Geneva region , where I got to revel in the aquatic vistas of Switzerland.  Walking along the shoreline in Montreux , I discovered exactly why it's called the Swiss Riviera.  Crystalline blue water framed by mountains served as a stunning backdrop for sidewalk cafes, live concerts and sculptures rising up from the water. The mermaid raiding a seahorse was my absolute favorite, especially with children splashing around it. This abstract piece looks like dolphins diving out of the water. Although the sculpture wasn't actually in the water, it gave the illusion from a distance. The fork sticking up from the lake was the silliest piece to me but it's also the most popular, as you can gather from the chair posted in front of it for the perfect Instagram selfie....

Switzerland i s one of those places that everyone loves. When I visited Lucerne years ago, I was astounded that the mountains and lakes, the medieval squares, were as charming and pristine as all the photos that show Switzerland as this kind of outdoor paradise. Even the Swiss cows, responsible for that life essential, Swiss chocolate, looked pretty as they delicately munched impossibly green grass. So it goes without saying that I'm excited to return to Switzerland, courtesy of  Swiss Tourism , this time to the famous Lake Geneva region.   I'll be visiting Mt. Santis, and the folkloric village of Appenzell  , the textile center of St. Gallen and lovely Lausanne . But what I'm really stirred up about is attending the Fete des Vignerons.  Never heard of it you say?  That's because this viticultural celebration of the regions wine making traditions happens only once in a generation. There's even a rule that it can not  take place more than five times in ...