Best Bike Vacations!

So, you like to ride your bike, do you? Well good for you. It's better for our environment and it's great for your bod! Just look at those calf muscles!

(Uhoh, this particular rider appears to be running over a smiley face. Oops! Mistakes can happen.) 

But have you, fellow gear head, considered going on a bike vacation? Trips specifically for those who want to make tracks on two wheels (or one, if you're REALLY special) are making the news, just read my story in Fodor's: 

http://www.fodors.com/news/best-vacation-for-bicyclelovers-6936.html

Wonders of the American Whiskey Trail

Like the bold explorers of olde, I took a perilous trip down the American Whiskey Trail this Spring. All of my days spent playing Oregon Trail could not prepare me for the wonders of whiskey I would unearth along my journey. And I did not die of dysentery, or snake bite!

(A Herculean feat, powered by Jim Beam...)

Read it and drink:

http://www.thedailymeal.com/trekking-american-whiskey-trail

Top Spirits Festivals

Some of us are still recovering from Tales of the Cocktail (more on that to come), which took place in New Orleans last week.

But if you're ready for more great shots and stellar sips--not to mention the general shenanigans that come about whenever the cocktail community collides--check out this story in Premier Traveler, rounding up the top spirits festivals in the whole wide world:

http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/Cheers_Festival_Lineup/76/1512.aspx

Top Wine and Culinary Tours!

A top travel trend to emerge in 2013 is food tourism, and culinary tours in America's coolest cities have taken note.  Eat--and drink--your way through these cities on a delicious wine and food walking tour.

We threw in a few cocktail recipes, 'natch, in case you're not going far this summer.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Walk-on-the-Wine-Side/

Honeymoons for the Wine and Food Obsessed

Remember that saying "if you like it so much, why don't you marry it?"

Turns out you can't marry a bottle of Bourbon. But whatever the object of your lust--be it wine or Wagyu--resorts around the world are designing honeymoons specifically for couples who hunger to eat and drink well.

In this story for Wine Enthusiast, we look at five honeymoon hot spots that cater to the culinary minded.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Honeymoon-Hot-Spots/

Five Top Foodie Experiences: Amsterdam

What could be more glorious than cruising Amsterdam's storied canals with a Michelin-starred chef on board, cooking you a delicious dinner? Maybe you'd prefer dining submerged in the dark? (Watch those elbows, though!)

Whatever your preference, this story for Fodor's sums up Amsterdam's finest foodie experiences. Read it and eat.

http://www.fodors.com/news/5-awesome-foodie-experiences-in-amsterdam-6570.html

Wine Wonderlands!

Ok, so it is officially spring here in New Orleans, but that doesn't mean all the snow has melted in the world!

For all you wine-obsessed ski bums, we've got your top wine and ski vacays mapped out (just try not to drink before you hit the slopes):

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/Top-Wine-Wonderlands/

The French (Canadian) Connection: Montreal En Lumiere

Oh Canada...you are just filled with so much goodness! And that goodness is on gorgeous display during Montreal En Lumiere--North America's premier winter festival. With just four days to spend in Montreal, we worried about not being able to pack it all in,  but somehow, we prevailed, wrapping up a tasty weekend with a (somewhat random) Buenos Aires theme.

It's not all snow, electro and frozen slides: There's a ton of free art exhibits (video art projected onto a cathedral!), performances (we saw fire dancers in ice skating outfits!) and food (grill your own hot dogs over communal firepits!).

Read all about Montreal En Lumiere in this story for Fodor's:

http://www.fodors.com/news/just-back-from-montreal-en-lumiere-6555.html

Memphis Made Easy: Two Days in Blues City

It's possible that you have no clue how cool Memphis is. Seriously. And while we're not suggesting you attempt to discover its brassy clubs, historical monuments, fascinating art scene, musical heritage and satisfying soul food in a dizzying, 48-hour spin, Fodor's had us do exactly that.

You'd be shocked what you can do in two days' time. And if you don't come back from Memphis slightly more soulful, you need more help than this blog can provide.

http://www.fodors.com/news/48-hours-in-memphis-6380.html

Navigating New Orleans

New Orleans is on a roll...We've got the Super Bowl AND Mardi Gras occurring at the exact same time! In addition to general fanfare and festivity, that means road closures! Gridlock! Pedestrian mania!

Wondering how to make tracks in the Big Easy? We map it out for the Travel Channel here:

http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/new-orleans/articles/navigating-new-orleans

So grab your "go cup" and let's hit the road!

Tasty, Tropical Turks & Caicos

 Sometimes a girl's got to get away. Who knew the Turks & Caicos is just a 3 hour jaunt from NYC?

 It's hot in the Turks & Caicos. One might consider bottled water, but we eschewed H2O for Rum Punch hydration. You may only have a small fire escape from which to enjoy it, but here's an easy recipe to make at home:

Rum Punch
1 cup Bacardi 151
1/2 cup Myer's dark rum
1/4 cup Malibu coconut rum
2 cups each orange and pineapple juices
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons grenadine syrup

Mix all ingredients together in a (hopefully tropical-looking) punch bowl. Pour over ice cubes in any type of glass. We went for plastic (pictured) since it's safer for drunken dancing on the beach. Serves 1 very thirsty individual but makes quite a few drinks.

Wondering what the local island specialty is in the Turks & Caicos? 

 Really, it's all about conch. You can have it fried, frittered, curried or made into chowder. You can take it as a shot, some say it's an aphrodisiac, but isn't the whole island kind of one? Eat that versatile conch with rice and plantain fries. YUM.

And while every hotel offers conch in some variation, you simply must go to Da Conch Shack. Sure, it's a bit out of the way (near the airport) but you'll be watching your conch get pulled from the turquoise sea with your toes in the sand. Check out all the conch shells below!

 If you've had too much punch, sober up with a locally made Turk's head lager. Cheers!

Think You Know Canadian Wine?

So this is how you picture Canadian wine, eh??

Let's set the record straight about Ontario wine country once and for all, there's a whole lot more to it than ice wine (though that's pretty good, too).

Located so near to Toronto, it's a must-try for any enophile visiting the Great White North. (You should trust me, I'm Canadian.)

Here are 10 tips for touring Niagara-on-the-Lake's best wineries. Oh, and did we mention a haunted bar?

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2012/Ontario-Wine-Country-10-Touring-Tips/

The Baby is Baaack! With some Top Secret, Savory Gossip Too...

Sorry dolls, but there's been a lot of wining and dining (and whining) going on here at City City. After all, it is our job to Bang Bang.

Between the Austria Uncork'd event, Destination: Charleston and Santa Monica (check out WineMag.com), we've been pretty tied up. We'd like you all to know that for the past 3 months we've been slaving away over a fabulous, top-secret, Top 100 restaurants issue over at Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

In August, our Editors will reveal our top 100 picks for winos--oops!--i meant wine lovers (and best restaurants for beer lovers, and best spots for spirits lovers). You know who you are!

So let the countdown begin. You will be surprised, entranced, and seduced into splurging at some of these spots. Also, follow me on twitter @lexisips. Because you're thirsty, admit it.

Beer Gardens Around the World

Schnitzel. Schlogg. Drindle-sporting servers. Beer gardens are the best! And Wine Enthusiast had me round up the top-notch beer gardens around the world. Click on the image to sate your thirst.

Sex and the City Cocktails: Wine Enthusiast

While it may be true that Sex and the City 2 is one of the worst movies of all time, it still was vaguely and vacuously amusing.

Despite the photoshopped-to-death gals galavanting inappropriately about Abu Dhabi, we will always appreciate the fact that the fab four put lady cocktail swilling on the map.

In honor of those Cosmo-sipping gals, winemag.com ran my cocktail piece on easy-to-make Sex and the City-inspired drinks made with Rosangel tequila (which is hibiscus-infused). Click on the image to enlarge.

Cheers!

Never Leave Me, NYC! Get Your NYC Eats Elsewhere

Ahhh, the Big Apple.

We can't live with you, we can't live without you. Or your delicious restaurants. Even when we travel somewhere else, we sometimes get cravings for your signature dishes or drinks (read: pomegranate margaritas at Rosa Mexicano).

We know, we know. It's like the reverse of tourists who visit New York, only to eat at Applebee's.

Go figure!

amNY had me round up some of those signature eateries, and where you can find them on the go. Click on the image to get the full story.

Miami Carnival Guide 2010

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! While Mardi Gras celebrations are getting under way, one of the closest/wildest/spiciest Carnival celebrations can be found in Miami, where the Calle Ocho festival attracts a million revelers each year and is the largest Hispanic party in the US.

amNY had me take an inside look at this amazing celebration, along with trips for tourists and cheap tickets. Click on the image to see this story in close up.

Things to Do in Portland, OR

Wondering what there is to do in Portland, OR? Portland offers visitors so many things...from excellent seafood to killer mountain sports, and everything in between, including seedy tours of Portland's mysterious underground--home to white slavery, the narcotics trade, and other salacious activities.

You can read more about our insider's guide to Portland at amny.com, or by clicking on the image.

San Diego Travel Story amNY

Ahhh San Diego. The good life. amNY had me look into this sunny city's event schedule for the upcoming months...and check out a few hotspots. Click on the image to read more.

San Diego Food & Wine Festival: This Could Be You

Image by Matthew Meier.

Sometimes, we must leave our beloved New York City to stick our noses into another city's food and wine fest. It's a hard life.

Why not join in the fun for the San Diego Food & Wine Festival? Starting November 18th and ending on the 22nd, this foodie fest is the perfect getaway weekend. C'mon, you know you want to swirl and sniff under the sun!

The 6th Annual Food & Wine Festival is actually quite affordable and hands-on. Most events, like a pasta making class taught by James Beard award-winning Chef Alex Stratta, cost just $75 a ticket.

Image by Al Bruton.

If classes aren't your thing and you just want to sample the goods, the Grand Event costs $125 per ticket and features 170 wineries, 70 of San Diego's best restos, and live entertainment.

We can't guarantee Shamu.

For more info or tickets, please visit www.worldofwineevents.com or call 619-342-7337.

Boozy updates to follow after the Festival.