5 Unconventional Wine Pairings – With Macarons – No Better Obsession

5 Unconventional Wine Pairings – With Macarons – No Better Obsession

Wine pairings with French Macarons are ready for taste testing. © Jo Clark Wine pairings with macarons - not something most people recommend: wine pairings with luscious, addictive French cookies. Oh, yes! But you already know I am not “most people.” On my recent trip to explore New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes, I was treated to a first—wine pairings of Domaine LeSeurre’s Signature Wines and...

Rocky Mount Snuggles Up to the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Rocky Mount Snuggles Up to the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Writer, Jo Clark, on right and travel buddy Audrey Wagner, share their "love" for Rocky Mount When you roll into Rocky Mount, the largest Franklin County, Virginia town, be sure to come hungry and be ready for mountain music. And come prepared to do some serious whiskey tasting. You have just arrived in the Moonshine Capital of the World! The English, Germans, and Scots-Irish immigrants who came...

4 Rocky Knob AVA Wineries Cling to the Blue Ridge

4 Rocky Knob AVA Wineries Cling to the Blue Ridge

Rocky Knob AVA wineries (American Viticultural Area)are clustered along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain Range, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. If this is your first time visiting the East Coast, for good times and great wine, I have three words for you:  Blue Ridge Parkway. Road Trip!Rocky Knob AVA – Small But MightyChateau MorrisetteThe Dog Behind the WinemakerVilla AppalacciaCome to...

26 Incredible Things to Do During New York City Winters

26 Incredible Things to Do During New York City Winters

Even during the coldest months, there are incredible things to do during New York City winters—without freezing in the Big Apple! I have spent time in the city during early January for the last three years. See? It wasn’t so bad that I didn’t go back again! Of course, that first year, I called the airline and changed my return flight by three days to walk on the beach while 18 inches of snow...

15 Reasons to Explore the Amazing Azores Islands

15 Reasons to Explore the Amazing Azores Islands

15 Reasons to Explore the Amazing Azores Islands The Azores Islands consist of nine large islands that float lazily in the Atlantic Ocean, midway between Portugal and the United States. Are you thinking, “pit stop”? Hold that thought—it’s a good place to make a quick stop while traveling on long international flights! Azores Airlines (formerly known as SATA) has direct flights to the Azores from...

Wine and Chocolate Make the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

Wine and Chocolate Make the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, not to mention my birthday, so wine and chocolate are on my mind! Same day! *smile* Why not impress the object of your affection (or me!) with your chocolatier skills, or at least your pairing skills extraordinaire! And, honestly, a significant other is not required to enjoy chocolates and wine. It can be shared with roommates, friends, fur...