Bruges, Belgium news: Tourists are stealing up to 70 cobblestones from Bruges’ old town every month, so the mayor is asking people to stop and be more respectful. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of reading about bad tourist behavior. I wish people could follow the Golden Rule while in someone else’s territory.
Canary Islands anti-tourist demonstrations: Speaking of tourist issues, the UK’s Daily Mail recently reported that tourists were afraid to leave their accommodations in Tenerife because of anti-tourist demonstrations, even though armed police officers were patrolling.
Newark Airport again: Because of the air traffic controller shortages at Newark Airport, the FAA has decided to reduce the number the flights there. This is a problem for travelers, but it better ensures safety.
Kauai. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Hawaii’s “green fee”: Starting in January 2026, Hawaii will be the first to charge a green fee to travelers. It will raise the accommodations tax rate to 11%.
Dodgy alcohol: Five young people died of methanol poisoning in Laos last year when they drank free shots offered at their hostel. I had no idea this was happening, so obviously, it’s best to avoid drinking “bootleg alcohol.”
Swiss village buried by glacier collapse: Sadly, the village of Blatten in Switzerland’s Alps was just flattened by a collapsed glacier. Luckily, geologists were able to predict it and evacuate everyone (although one person is reported missing), but the residents lost their entire village. Our hearts go out to them.
Spain vs. Airbnb: Spain is cracking down on Airbnb listings that don’t meet its regulations, so it has ordered the company to remove more than 65,000 of these listings. Airbnb is fighting back, though, so it will be interesting to see the ultimate outcome.
Madrid, Spain. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Airline News
Solo travelers pay more for flights: The news is that Delta has changed some of their routes to cost more if you’re flying alone, but apparently, this is also true of American and United. As someone who often travels by myself, I am NOT happy.
Lufthansa flight without pilot for 10 minutes: A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville earlier this year was without a pilot for 10 minutes when the captain left for the lavatory, and the copilot fainted in the meantime. Nothing happened because the plane continued on auto. But it’s still a bit scary.
Frontier Airlines news: According to Colorado Public Interest Research Group, Frontier has received the most customer complaints of any airline – for the third year in a row. Have you flown Frontier lately?
The interior of an airplane. (Stock photo).
Watch what you ask a flight attendant: A first-class passenger on a Delta flight from Maui to Fort Lauderdale recently asked if the flight attendants don’t block the galley while the pilot is using the bathroom. He said he was just curious, but they watched him like a hawk for the rest of the flight and called the cabin manager, who told the man they weren’t allowed to discuss cabin security with passengers.
Turkish Airlines to fine passengers: Flyers who stand up early and get in the way of aisles on the plane during the deplaning process will now be fined as much as $70.
United Airlines check-in: Passengers without checked bags can no longer check in for their United flight just 30 minutes before departure. The new minimum is 45 minutes.
Hawaiian Airlines crackdown: They have a new no-show policy, so if you miss your flight, you might lose your layover and return, too – no refund or credit given even if you’re elite. The airline suggests changing flights online or calling customer service rather than just not showing up.
Southwest Airlines news: The Biden administration’s Department of Transportation had filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines for constant delays, but the Trump administration’s DOT has just dropped it. In other words, Southwest will be able to continue without adjusting its routes that are almost always delayed. Pfffft…
I have been around the world and visited over 132 countries and six continents, thanks in large part to my military service. Countries I visited include several times to Italy, especially Rome, Naples, and Sicily. But never once had I been to Venice.
So I was elated that my recent itinerary on the Viking Sea – Venice, The Adriatic & Greece, Athens cruise – would permit me to view the elusive romantic city on the water.
A view of Venice from the water. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
There is much to see in the Venetian Lagoon, although I only had a day. Viking has many shore excursions to choose from. Here are some of what they offer to guests: At a Glance: St. Mark’s Square (included tour); Venice by Foot & Gondola; Hidden Venice on Foot; Secrets of Doge’s Palace unraveling St. Mark’s Square & Doge’s Palace; Private Gondola Ride for Two; A Gondola Ride in Venice; Venetian Islands: Murano & Burano; or Venice on Your Own.
While the last one is an independent excursion and all tourists must now pay a City of Venice Access Fee of 10 EUR (which is valid for one day), the fee is included in the Viking excursion fee and requires no additional action by guests.
An excursion to Murano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
It was a tough choice between all the excursions – some geared toward first-timers and others geared toward more in-depth exploration. Added to this, I had the island of Burano on my photographer life list as a place I needed to capture on camera because of the profusion of colorful buildings there.
Burano’s colorful buildings. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
My photographer’s mind prevailed. I chose to visit the islands of Murano and Burano, being comfortable with the fact that I would capture Venice with my Sony long-range lens (5.6/200-600mm) from our water taxi on the way to the islands.
A view of Venice from the water. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
Venice itself holds a timeless allure, capturing the imagination with its intricate network of canals and historic sites. But venturing beyond the main city to Murano and Burano offers a deeper appreciation for the diverse charms scattered across the Venetian Lagoon.
Each island beckons with its unique character, weaving together centuries of tradition, artistry, and natural beauty into an unforgettable tapestry of experiences.
Beautiful Burano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
I booked my excursion at $159 per person for 6 hours, including local guides and water taxis. Even though it’s described as “moderate level,” I found the trip to be quite easy. There were some cobblestones, but most walking is what you choose to do on your own.
Venice from the Water
From our water taxi, we took a leisurely cruse along the Giudecca Canal, passing St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. I was later told that the traffic inside Venice on that day was untenable due to Easter.
Another view of Venice from the water. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
One particular art installation on the Venetian shore that I was fascinated by was what many locals call the Hands Peace Bridge. Artist and sculptor Lorenzo Quinn calls it “Building Bridges.”
The Hands Peace Bridge. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
Quinn explained to the Associated Press that, “Humanity has never grown by creating barriers. It always grows when it opens up its borders, and it welcomes new cultures.” He added, “Venice is a testament to that. Venice opened routes to Asia, the Far East, with Marco Polo and the merchants of Venice. It has been a driving force of European growth always.”
Maybe I’ll go back another day during off-season to enjoy Venice’s architecture without the crowds.
Murano
We arrived in Murano after about a 90-minute water taxi. During our time, the local guides narrated the journey and gave a bit of history about the founding of Venice. I always appreciate the background information garnished with local expertise.
The island of Murano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
To reduce the risk of fires in the city of Venice, all glassmaking was moved to Murano in 1291. Once in Murano, also called the “Island of the Flames” due to its famous glassmaking business, we watched a master craftsman at work and were given free time to explore the many shops for purchases.
Glassmaking on the island of Murano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
Hint: Try going to several of the shops that line the street, and don’t be afraid to bargain on higher-end pieces. I found the prices on lower-end pieces were very good and didn’t find the need to bargain when they accepted my credit card. One of my favorite finds is a talisman necklace to ward off the “evil eye,” which I bought for about $15 USD.
Murano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.A glassware shop on the island of Murano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
Burano
According to VisitVenezia.edu, this island is considered among the ten most colorful places in the world.
The island of Burano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
It was once the haven of fishermen and their wives. The story goes that the women started painting their houses bright and unique colors so that their husbands could spot their residence on their way back home from the sea.
Today, it’s a vibrant island with buildings that provide opportunities for capturing exceptionally beautiful photographs. And even though I was there in the late afternoon when the light seemed particularly harsh, my photos did not disappoint.
A bicycle on the island of Burano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
The island is also known for its lace-making industry, perhaps a bygone skill that has passed its prime in marketable souvenirs. An island museum pays tribute to the craft.
Be sure to save time to enjoy gelato at any of the numerous restaurants and sidewalk cafes. This is truly an endearing town that will only grow on you. I already want to come back again.
Enjoying gelato on the island of Burano. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
The Evil Eye
As a side note on this topic, the “evil eye” is deeply rooted in the history of Greece, Italy, and Turkey. It’s seen in ancient mythology, religious texts, folklore, and cultural practices. The concept emerged from ancient Mesopotamia and spread throughout much of the Mediterranean.
In fact, religion and culture proved to be no barrier to the widespread adoption of the supernatural belief. Even well-known ancient Greeks such as Plato, Theocritus, Plutarch, and Pliny the Elder mentioned the evil eye while contemplating the nature of it.
The belief is that the evil eye is a malevolent glare or curse brought about by jealousy. Nevertheless, it can be neutralized by the wearing of amulets or nazar, as it’s known in Turkey.
Evil Eye. Photo by Karin Leperi Pezo.
In Italy in particular, people use charms to ward off the powers of the evil eye. Ancient Greeks placed talismans in their homes and prominently wore amulets in order to protect them against the sorcery of the evil eye. As a result, nazars are a popular choice of souvenirs with tourists. Be sure to shop in Murano for glass-blown nazar necklaces, bracelets, rings, and key chains.
Groupon has a lot of wine deals going on right now that could help you stock up for summer and beyond. Click on the headline of the deal you’re interested in and use our affiliate links to save money.
I recently spent a week in St. Petersburg and found a lot of fun things to do beyond the usual “hanging out at the beach” fare.
First of all, did you know the city has numerous great museums? I didn’t know until I started planning my visit. During my stay, I checked out five of them. First up on my list was the Imagine Museum of glass art. This was my favorite of all of them.
Imagine Museum of glass art, St. Petersburg, Florida. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
I was floored by this exquisite collection and the ingenuity of the artists who are pushing the limits of working with glass. Besides large abstracts and sculptures that were either blown, sculpted, or cast, there were flatter pieces in frames made from fused and sand carved glass.
Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg with some pieces by Loius Markoya on the walls. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Currently showing is an exhibit of work by Loius Markoya that are 3D holographic lenticular pieces. The images are dimensional and move as you walk from one side to the other, providing different perspectives. No still photograph can do them justice. Incidentally, Markoya was a protege of Salvador Dali in the 1970s.
The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Speaking of Dali, St. Petersburg has an entire museum devoted to his work. While the building houses several of the surrealist pieces we usually associate with Dali, it also contains early paintings that show him trying to find his own style, as well as large paintings with religious themes that he created later in life. This museum is conveniently located near the St. Petersburg Pier.
The Dali Museum also uses artificial intelligence in fun ways. As a writer, I generally detest AI, but I can get on board with the usage at this museum. There is a replica of Dali’s lobster phone (an original of which is on display in the museum) with a sign that asks you to lift the receiver, press a button, and ask a question of Dali. An AI rendering of his voice then answers your question.
The Ask Dali AI installation at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
I asked why he was afraid of lobsters, and the answer was quite inventive with the voice of Dali telling me that he used his art to defuse the impact of monsters in his psyche.
Another innovation was a life-size screen with a video of an AI rendering of Dali speaking to us as we watched him. Then in the video, he grabbed a cellphone and turned it toward himself with us behind him, taking a selfie of us with him. We were then given a code that we could text to a phone number in order to receive the image.
The museum also has a separate “Dali Alive 360-degrees” exhibit that’s an immersive experience in his art, housed in a dome outside the main building. This is an extra $15 charge.
The tower at St. Petersburg Pier. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
After the museum, my friend and I went to the St. Pete Pier and sat up in a tower with a view of the ocean and the city. We drank pina coladas and enjoyed a burger at the Teak restaurant/bar.
Pier Teak at St. Petersburg Pier. Photo by Melanie Votaw.The Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.A large installation at the Chihuly Collection. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Another day, I partook of some more glass art. On Central Avenue downtown is a small museum dedicated to the works of famous glass artist, Chihuly. It includes a huge room-sized piece containing all sorts of glass figures that look like an underwater sea garden. Across the street, they have a facility where you can watch live glass-blowing at different times throughout the day.
Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.The spiral staircase in the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
I also visited the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. This beautiful facility with a spiral staircase contains lots of American furniture, lamps (including some from Tiffany), Frank Lloyd Wright glass panels and a set of cabinet doors, musical instruments, and paintings.
The lamp collection at the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art contains some spectacular sculptures and paintings. I was struck by how much depth and dimension these contemporary artists were able to create on canvas, depicting wildlife or Indian scenes. They were also capable of creating light in ways that made me think of Rembrandt. One intricate sculptural piece was made of paper, and I wish I could find out how the artist created it.
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.A portion of the cast paper piece by Alan Eckman at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Of course, I didn’t spend all of my time in sunny St. Petersburg indoors (although museums certainly come in handy on rainy days). I also visited the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, which is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. This lovely area includes Lake Maggiore with a view of the city’s skyline on the other side.
A view of St. Petersburg from Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The preserve includes 400 acres, where you can see bird life, alligators, and lizards. I visited on a weekday when it was quiet and peaceful with few other people around.
Pier Dolphin Cruises. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
My last day in town, I went back to the pier, where I boarded a Pier Dolphin Cruise for 1-1/2 hours at sea. Bottlenose dolphins are so prolific in the area that you’re almost guaranteed to see them. We saw two – both were chasing fish against the sea wall near to shore to trap and catch them. We also saw a “bird island” out a bit farther, where pelicans, cormorants, and egrets nest.
Pelicans on “bird island.” Photo by Melanie Votaw.
I stayed in a friend’s apartment on Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete, so I can’t report on the hotels. But Central Avenue is a “happening” area with many restaurants, bars, coffee houses, and boutiques.
The famous flamingo sculpture in Tampa airport. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
It seems that there’s plenty to do for most every interest in St. Petersburg. While the city has a small airport, most flights arrive in the Tampa airport, which is only 20-30 minutes away from downtown St. Pete by car. Enjoy!
To honor land artist Jim Denevan, a very special dinner open to the public celebrating the agricultural program, Outstanding in the Field, will take place in a “roving restaurant” in or very near the area where the meal’s ingredients were harvested in locations that produce celebrated ingredients via sustainable farming and husbandry methods.
Since 1999, a long table is set at farms, beaches, vineyards, mountaintops, fishing docks, city streets, and other sites to accommodate the large number of participants. The aim is to reconnect diners to the land, while celebrating the hardworking hands that feed us.
To enhance the dining experience, Denevan’s extraordinary large-scale works are etched into the ground using a rake and shovel and also created without the aid of any measurement tools. They have been featured at exhibitions and installations at the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale, MoMA/PS1, and Desert X AlUla.
At the first of the two-part series, Guest Chef Silvia Barban will prepare a special meal at the Brooklyn Grange, the rooftop garden of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This experience will take place on Monday, September 1st at 3pm at the Brooklyn Grange, NYC.
The second experience will take place on September 4th on Governors Island in association with the Billion Oyster Project, an organization that engages local youth to help restore New York Harbor’s lost oyster reefs. The guest chef will be Rafiq Salim of Rolo’s.
A unique group of people will gather in these places for a few moments to share the most universal of human experiences: a meal. For tickets and information on past and future events in the USA and to participate in the New York City or other regional’s events please click: https://shop.outstandinginthefield.com/collections/2025-tour
Newark Airport. The big news this month is all about Newark Liberty International Airport, which has been deemed unsafe for flights because of the lack of air traffic controllers. This has caused numerous delays, and United Airlines has cut 35 daily flights from there. I, for one, am grateful I don’t have any flights scheduled in or out of that airport, but I worry that this will become a concern in other airports. I usually fly out of JFK or LGA.
No more independent panel in the U.S. that reviews air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Association (FAA) in the U.S. will no longer have an independent panel that evaluates how the FAA handles air traffic control. Just in time to feel even less safe in the air.
But wait! Are they addressing air traffic concerns? The U.S. Department of Transportation is purportedly implementing a three-year plan to upgrade the technology of the current air traffic control system. Let’s hope this really works!
Meanwhile, there was a Denver Airport power outage. On Monday, air traffic controllers and pilots lost communication for as many as six minutes because of a bunch of radio transmitter outages.
Airplane in airport. Photo by cegoh.
Real ID. As of May 7th, you can’t fly domestically without a Real ID or other acceptable form of identification. This means that your regular driver’s licenses will no longer fly (literally), and you also can’t fly with a temporary Real ID. If you don’t have one yet, bring one of the following to the airport: passport or passport card, trusted traveler card for Global Entry or Nexus, U.S. Department of Defense identification, Veteran Health Identification Card, U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential, or ID issued by a tribal nation that has been recognized federally.
TSA rules. Many people don’t realize that you can’t carry battery chargers in your checked baggage. You have to put it in a carry-on. Pay heed!
NYC helicopters. After a fatal helicopter crash over NYC in April, the New York City Council has voted to limit “non-essential” helicopter flights over the city.
Alaska Airlines and Philippine Airlines. These two have announced a new partnership that they’ll roll out over the coming months. Passengers can use Alaska Airlines’ website and frequent flyer miles to book flights on Philippine Airlines. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines has also launched daily service between Seattle and Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
United Airlines lounge restrictions. If you have a one-time pass to a United Club, you can now only enter three hours or less before your departure, and you can’t share the passes with anyone else except an authorized user on your branded credit card account or a guest that you accompany into the lounge. This is another in a series of steps by airlines to curb overcrowding in their lounges.
ETIAS delayed again. If you’re going to Europe this summer, you won’t have to worry about the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) yet. It has now been delayed until year’s last quarter.
Yellowstone incidents. Sadly, early this month, 7 people were killed in a crash near Yellowstone between a van and a pickup truck. Our hearts go out to all affected. Also, a tourist got too close to bison and was gored. Luckily, he suffered only minor injuries, but honestly, why don’t people pay heed to the many signs that warn them to keep their distance from the wild animals?
Mexico City bans violent bullfighting. This happened in March, and I can’t believe I missed it! But don’t get too excited – not all bullfighting has been banned. It just stops the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects, and it restricts the amount of time the bulls can be kept in the ring. Well, it’s something.
Bullfighting. Photo by Outsiderzone.
Mayhem in the skies.Vanity Fair has reported that according to the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. (FAA), there have been many more passenger outbursts on flights since 2019. There were 2,102 in 2024 and have been 524 so far this year. I saw a woman almost get kicked off my flight to Santiago last year because she refused to move to her assigned seat. The only reason they let her stay is that the man whose seat she was occupying agreed to move. I still think she should have been removed from the flight because I spent the whole time worrying she would misbehave again. Have you observed any bad behavior in the air?
New suites on American Airlines. On its 737 planes, American Airlines is launching premium Flagship Suites starting June 5th – domestically first and then from Chicago to London. They will later roll these out on flights from Philadelphia to Zurich and Dallas to Brisbane. The suites have private sliding doors! If you book one of these, please report back!
Best hotels in the world? Based on reviews, TripAdvisor has released its list of the top 10 hotels in the world. Its number one is Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Mexico. Number two went to Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang in Vietnam, and number three went to Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach in south India.
Delta flight ceiling collapse. Last month, Delta flight #2417 from Atlanta to Chicago suffered a ceiling panel collapse. Passengers held it up by hand for more than 30 minutes before someone offered tape to keep it in place. Yikes!
The Big Island of Hawaii. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Increased hotel and rental tax in Hawaii. Starting in 2026, Hawaii will increase its tax for hotels and vacation rents by 1.75%. The funds will be used to combat climate change issues.
Whaling in Iceland. The country is considering a ban on all whaling, which would be amazing, as it’s one of the few countries (including Japan and Norway) to still continue commercial whaling, which defies the International Whaling Commission. Meanwhile, Iceland’s largest fin whaling company won’t do any whaling this year (after also ceasing last year) because the market in Japan has gotten smaller. As a result, the company has suffered financial losses. Other companies are still whaling in Iceland, however. Baby steps toward progress…
American Airlines and DFW Airport Terminal F. The new terminal F at DFW is going to be expanded from the original plan of 15 gates to 31, all to be used by American Airlines. The first 15 gates are set to be ready in 2027, while the others will be rolled out gradually. So it will probably be under construction to some degree for a good while.
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has the beautiful beaches, splendid sunrises, and dawn-catch seafood with one delightful difference: the Spring Break crowd doesn’t party here. This is just how the locals and discerning visitors like it. Think fine wines, not beer kegs.
Many retired people live in North Myrtle Beach, and northerners winter here. Residents and visitors alike are there for world class golfing, sport fishing, boating, fine dining, and beach time away from rowdy crowds.
The culinary scene is varied and innovative, while offering Southern staples like hushpuppies, BBQ, slaw, fried green tomatoes, grits, and key lime pie. While most national chain eateries are represented, locals rarely chomp down on a Big Mac. If you ask a resident where to eat, here are the most enthusiastic recommendations.
Café de Paris. Photo by Carol Stigger.
Morning Coffee
Café de Paris on Barefoot Landing, a scenic shopping area on the Intercoastal, has a Parisian ambience right down to wall art of ornamental bikes. It offers a variety of hot and cold coffees, and their hot chocolate is as close to the Paris version as I’ve found on the East Coast.
Sweets at Café de Paris. Photo by Carol Stigger.
Their sweets are decadent, and they even have macaroons. You can order sweet or savory crepes. Try the shrimp and asparagus crepe with béchamel sauce. For a sweet crepe, order their signature strawberry, banana, Nutella version.
Dine beside the toasty fire in inclement weather, and enjoy your coffee and sweet on the patio when blue skies beckon. You may be coaxed to share your crumbs with a squawking seagull or even better, a migrating butterfly.
Insider Tip: After your visit to Café de Paris, visit the Christmas Mouse a few steps away. They have a unique tree decorated with Egyptian glass ornaments along with holiday collectibles and nautical ornaments.
Blueberry’s Grill. Photo by Carol Stigger.
Southern Brunch
Blueberry’s Grill, also on Barefoot Landing, is the local brunch favorite. Their benedicts are among the south’s most delicious breakfast offerings. The smoked salmon benedict includes red onions, tomatoes, and brie on a croissant.
The chef’s special crab cake benedict features house-made lump crab cake and fried green tomatoes on an English muffin with remoulade on the side. Omelettes and skillets are imaginative, and many selections incorporate local seafood. Grits are available with every order.
The chef created three “blasts”: Pancake, French toast, and waffle. These hearty breakfast plates are served with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, topped with vanilla icing and whipped cream. A small pitcher of warm syrup is served on the side.
Insider Tip: Blueberry’s can get crowded, so if the wait is too long, drive three blocks north to The Kitchen Table. Their brunch offerings are almost as inventive, their skillets are as good, and the scenery is even better. Request a shaded table on the patio overlooking a salt marsh lively with shore birds and marsh critters.
Parson’s Table. Photo courtesy of Parson’s Table.
Let Tiffany Light Your Entree
The Parson’s Table is worth slipping over the town line to the adjoining village of Little River. The restaurant is in an 1850s church, and the building retains many of the original elements, as well as wooden floors, doors, and stained-glass windows sourced from old churches and barns across the South. The main dining room is just the beginning. Charming little rooms and alcoves can be reserved for more intimate dining.
The food combines the best of the south with locally sourced ingredients. Their she-crab soup is the best around. I revealed my northern roots by asking what makes she-crab soup so special. It’s the roe, of course!
No one serves he-crab soup. She-crab soup is a popular starter. The owner and chef, Ed Murry, recommends two popular entrees if you don’t want the catch of the day, which is always imaginative and tastefully prepared and plated.
Roasted North Atlantic salmon filet with asparagus, grape tomatoes, and capers in a lemon butter sauce at Parson’s Table. Photo courtesy of Parson’s Table.
Roasted North Atlantic salmon filet with asparagus, grape tomatoes, and capers in a lemon butter sauce is a favorite. For landlubbers, Murry suggests cashew-encrusted New Zealand rack of lamb with a roasted shallot and Madeira wine-reduction.
Considering the number of excellent Italian restaurants in the area, Murry decided to include a pasta dish you won’t find locally: wild mushroom ravioli tossed with fresh spinach, grape tomatoes, and olive oil. The taste reminds me of Sicily.
Steaks are aged to perfection and may be prepared char-grilled, peppercorn-encrusted, blackened, or espresso-encrusted. As for wine, the restaurant offers 250 vintages, mainly Californian, but some from Spain and Portugal. Murry says fine Italian wines are available at the many Italian restaurants in the area, so he does not offer them.
Insider Tip: See if you can identify the Tiffany glass. Ask the staff if you are correct. If not, the prize Tiffany will be proudly identified.
Royal Tiki Charters. Photo courtesy of Royal Tiki Charters.
Feast Afloat
Meander down the intercoastal on a stylish pontoon boat run by Royal Tiki Charters. You’ll have comfortable seating, shade, and a captain as you float past deserted islands, osprey nests, shore birds, dolphins, and breathtaking coastal mansions.
Before casting off, have a seafood dinner delivered by Filets, a renowned seafood restaurant right by the wharf. Nothing says coastal living more beautifully than enjoying steamed clams, stuffed flounder, and the catch of the day from a pontoon boat piloted by a knowledgeable skipper. The boat even has a refrigerator and a head!
Insider Tip: Before you sail, pick up a key lime pie from Platt’s Bait and Seafood Shop. Their pie has won awards. Buy enough for generous servings!
North Beach Plantation. Photo by Carol Stigger.
Sleep in Luxury by the Sea
If you come to North Myrtle Beach for the beach, be sure to rent an oceanfront retreat. For location and amenities, North Beach Plantation wins the prize. Whether you want a condo unit or private villa, the property has all the amenities of a Caribbean resort: a lazy river, pools with swim-up bars, private cabanas, fine dining at 21 Main, a spa, a fitness center, shops, and concierge services.
Insider tip: The best views and greatest privacy are corner units ending in 01. Furnished balconies overlook the ocean and have an unobstructed 180-degree view of the southern coastline that goes on for miles and overlooks two miles of undeveloped beach. The largest units have five bedrooms, four with balcony access, and 4.5 baths.
Mama Mia 44SW has been a go-to Italian restaurant for me in Manhattan’s theater district for decades. I often recommend it to friends because not only does the restaurant allow larger parties than many NYC establishments, but the prices are more reasonable than many others in the neighborhood. Yet, the food is still excellent!
The restaurant, on the southwest corner of Ninth Avenue and West 44th Street (hence, the name), has been run by three generations of the Schiattarella family. Ninth Avenue is just west of Times Square.
On a recent birthday gathering there, they surprised me with a candle on my tiramisu dessert and wrote “Happy birthday” in chocolate on the plate. I had no idea they were going to do that, so I was very appreciative.
My birthday tiramisu at Mama Mia 44SW. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The menu includes dinner salads, pastas, classic Italian dishes, and pizza. So there’s something for everyone, including vegetarians. Chicken 44 is a special dish with sliced chicken, goat cheese, spinach, and mushrooms in garlic and oil sauce. My personal favorite is the dinner salad with chicken, goat cheese, apples, and walnuts. There are also specialty cocktails and a decent wine list.
The chicken and apple salad at Mama Mia 44SW. Photo by Melanie Votaw.The espresso martini at Mama Mia 44SW. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
At my most recent visit, I ordered the Chicken Francese with capers, mashed potatoes, carrots, and charred broccoli. It was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend ordering this.
Chicken Francese at Mama Mia 44SW. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The restaurant is relatively small, but the ambiance is both elegant and casual. It’s open for both lunch and dinner and has a $21.99 weekend brunch that’s an absolute steal in midtown Manhattan. That includes a Mimosa, Bellini, Champagne, Bloody Mary, or Screwdriver. The brunch menu includes bananas foster pancakes, frittatas, and eggs Benedict, as well as more lunch-type dishes.
A pasta dish at Mama Mia 44SW. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Currently, dinner entrees range from the low to mid $20s with a few seafood dishes costing more than $30. You’ll also save a little if you pay in cash rather than by credit/debit card.
A pasta dish at Mama Mia 44 SW. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
So many tourists fail to venture west of Eighth Avenue when they come to Times Square, but Ninth Avenue is where the best restaurants in the area can be found. And Mama Mia 44SW is one I highly recommend, especially pre-theater.
This past weekend, while paying a much-anticipated visit to a cousin whose daughter happens to have the exact same birthday as me (minus 40 years), we got to talking about the issue closest to our hearts – food, of course. She then happily shared her recipe for a favorite breakfast treat before making it for us.
Although Ari, who is my first cousin once removed, is not a world traveler and was unaware of the world famous dish called Shakshuka, her breakfast version was super close to this beloved dish. As I watched her prepare our breakfast, I was reminded of all the different, delicious versions of Shakshuka that I have enjoyed over the years.
Gamirasu Cave Hotel breakfast room. Photo by Barbara Angelakis.
My introduction was in Cappadocia, Turkey at the 5-star luxury Gamirasu Cave Hotel, in which we had just spent a night in a completely enclosed, albeit luxurious, cave carved into a tufa mountain. The original inhabitants didn’t have the luxury of an en suite bath or electric light, but even so, I was uncomfortably conscious that we were sleeping tucked inside a mountain. Tufa is volcanic ash built up over millennia out of which the hotel spaces (previously monk cells) were carved.
Ravenous in the morning, we headed for the breakfast room that, unlike our bedroom, was open to the bright blue sky and soft warm summer breezes issuing from the verdant hills lazily rolling beyond the hotel.
We seated ourselves on brightly colored, patterned cushions, decorated with fabrics crafted by locals to cover the rough stone seats that were also carved out of the ubiquitous tufa. Our host asked what we wanted for breakfast, and we said, “Surprise us! What do you eat for breakfast?”
Without a word, we watched as he busied himself over a stovetop burner set up on the far side of the kitchen as he deftly cut onions, green peppers, and ripe red tomatoes fresh from his garden, sautéing them together in extra virgin olive oil.
Gamirasu Mememen preparation. Photo by Barbara Angelakis.
As the veggies cooked, he added local spices and fresh herbs, stirring it all became a rich sauce over which he cracked eggs and placed the pan under a “salamander.” He cooked the mixture until the whites had solidified and the yokes were still soft and runny. With a smile and a warning that the pan was hot, he deposited it in front of us with a generous helping of his fabulous homemade crisp bread to sop up the oh-so-gorgeous sauce.
Cappadocia breakfast. Photo by Barbara Angelakis.
He graciously expressed the hope that we would enjoy this dish that the locals traditionally ate for breakfast. Like it? We loved it!
This was a never-to-be-forgotten moment in time as we sat in this cozy cave with the stunningly beautiful view before us and the aroma of fresh, lovingly prepared food. He called this heavenly dish “Menemen” in Turkish. To misquote Shakespeare: “A rose by any other name . . . is Shakshuka.”
Gamirasu Memenen. Photo by Barbara Angelakis.
I had this dish in many locations during my travels – all different and all wonderful. Another notable version of Shakshuka was on a visit to the exotic island of Malta.
On this occasion, our chef was from Israel, and although he made the dish with the same ingredients, his version contained tomatoes from a sauce instead of garden fresh. The eggs were immersed in the sauce until hard-cooked. Again, the dish was served with lots of freshly baked crusty bread.
It was absolutely delicious, so I understood that wherever and however the dish was prepared, it was going to always be finger-licking good.
I had yet another slightly different version in Greece. There, it’s known as “strapatsatha” and adds long slices of sweet orange or red peppers (Capsicum) and lots of white feta cheese made with milk from either sheep or goats or a blend of milk from both animals. Everything is then sprinkled with dry oregano.
Back to Ari and her version, she cut sweet and delicious Campari tomatoes, the small flavorful pomme d’amour available in most supermarkets that taste like they were just plucked off the vine. Ari’s version used iron-rich spinach and lots of dried spices, including garlic, thyme, and parsley, along with fresh basil. It was topped with grated Mozzarella and Parmesan to make her mouth-watering dish.
But if truth be known, my all-time favorite is the version that calls for sautéed onions and red bell peppers, spiced with fresh garlic, cumin, and hot paprika along with a touch of cayenne or Harissa, coarsely chopped whole plum tomatoes, eggs (of course), and covered with fresh chopped cilantro and crumbled feta cheese (lots of it)!
De rigueur is a good amount of crusty rustic bread and a hearty appetite. Bon appetit!
