WINTER IS THE PERFECT SEASON TO VISIT SAN DIEGO'S CULTURAL JEWEL--BALBOA PARK

It’s no secret that San Diego is one of the nation’s top vacation destinations, for so many reasons. Combining year-round, near-perfect weather in a spectacular natural setting, San Diego is home to a long list of attractions to welcome its visitors. It boasts a rich history dating back to the 18th century.

San Diego's Balboa Park, an urban oasis like no other, is located right in the middle of the city and is referred to as the cultural heart of San Diego. A recent park-wide renovation was recently completed to restore many of the historical buildings that make this park one of America’s finest.

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, check out our recently-published USATODAY10Best gallery to see for yourself what awaits you in San Diego’s spectacular Balboa Park.

For more photos of Balboa Park, visit our San Diego Scenic Photos gallery.

December is the perfect time to enjoy the holiday ambiance of Balboa Park © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography




TWO ITEMS THAT MADE OUR RECENT TRIP EASIER!

The holidays are descending upon us at record speed, it seems.

Needless to say, we could all use some joy in giving, and receiving, some unique and practical gifts. While my list isn’t as long as it usually is (we been on the road on press travel practically non-stop these days) I did want to report on two products I can highly recommend for holiday gifting.

For the photographer/Adventurer in your life

I’ve defied fashion for decades and insisted on carrying my photo bag around my waist while on my many photo excursions around the world. It just made sense, as not only my camera, but my lenses, batteries, and other accessories were safely protected within an easy reach.

I had to smile when I learned that the “fanny pack” is now finally back in style, not only for the casual traveler, but also for the roaming photographer.  I can highly recommend the Hex Ranger DSLR sling for many reasons. It is lightweight with adjustable interior dividers to accommodate your equipment. It also boasts a front access organizer and even a faux-fur lined front photo/sunglasses pocket!

And come to think of it, you don’t even need to be a photographer to find a great use for this stylish waist pack. If you are using public transportation, walking through crowded streets, or traveling to foreign countries, there is no safer place for your wallet, passport, and other valuables than right there strapped to your waist (as opposed to a wallet or backpack). Trust me, we know from experience!

The Hex Ranger waist photo bag keeps your gear safe and easily accessible

As if that wasn’t enough, it also features an adjustable bottom strap to hold a tripod.

So happy about the return of the photo fanny pack, and thank you HEX, for leading the charge!

 

For the phone user who always needs a charge

If you are a person who needs to recharge your phone often, you may as well do it in style!

The Chargella wristlet is perfect for a night out, as well as for travel.

The new CHARGELLA “Carry-All” wristlet brings new meaning to the term “smart design.” It is not only quite fashionable, but boasts a built-in wireless charging power bank that will fit just about any phone with its interchangeable plugs. As an added bonus, you can carry all your essentials with its RFID protected wallet, and the front expands with room for your keys and cosmetics. This functional fashion accessorty is perfect for travel, or just a night out!

I packed it on a lengthy press trip recently and was so glad I did! My phone recharged without a glitch and I was back on line again to read emails, use Google maps, and take phone photos of the scenery….whew!

Joanne and Tony DiBona Take Away Two Prestigious Journalism Awards from the San Diego Press Club

Forgive us if we take a moment to brag a bit.

Tony and I have been “Two for the Road” for decades, cameras always in hand, ready to bring our photos and descriptive text to our readers. For the past 11 years, in addition to maintaining our own travel photography and this travel and lifestyle website, we’ve worked as travel photography experts as part of the USATODAY10Best contributor team.

This year, we are pleased to announce that we won first place honors for our USATODAY 10Best contributions (in both the national and international categories) in the 2021 San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism award competition. The judges lauded our work on USATODAY 10Best in producing "original descriptive photo galleries of US and International destinations and lifestyle."

This competition drew more than 1,100 entries, making it one of the largest journalism competitions in the nation. Judges for the Press Club’s entries included members of 15 journalism professional organizations from around the nation, including press clubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Rochester, Florida, Cleveland, Orange County, Milwaukee, Tulsa and Alaska.

Thanks for visiting our site and if we can ever be of assistance as you create your future travel itineraries, feel free to contact us!

DISCOVER IRELAND ON VIRTUAL TOURS--and win a trip!

Ever dream about visiting Ireland? I know we have and hopefully that will become a reality as the world starts opening up to international travel.

Insight Vacations, in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, are fueling travelers’ wanderlust with the chance to win a free trip to Ireland for two, valued at $6,000, in a 12-day contest introducing participants on the unique culture, immersive experiences, and history of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Photo courtesy of Insight Vacations

Photo courtesy of Insight Vacations

From Oct. 18 to Oct. 22, Insight’s The Road to Ireland contest page will be updated daily with a new clue and question that contestants will need to  answer  for a chance to win a trip for two on Insight’s Country Roads of Ireland tour in 2022.  Contestants will have until 11:59pm PT on Oct. 29 to submit all their final answers.

The answers to the clues will be found throughout Insight Vacations’ Ireland tour pages on their website. On the final day of the contest, contestants will need to answer 5 questions correctly, and will then be entered into a raffle to win the prize. The winner will be notified the week of November 1st.

Part of Insight’s Country Roads itineraries, the Country Roads of Ireland journey will take travelers off-the-beaten path, away from iconic tourist sites, to explore hidden retreats - with farm-to-table dining and unique experiences in the Irish countryside.

Good luck in the contest, and have fun discovering the incredible beauty and charm of Ireland in the process!


IMAGINE EXPLORING SOUTH AFRICA ON A BOUTIQUE CRUISE

For years, a dream of mine has been to travel to South Africa, not only to experience and photograph the stunning landscapes of the region, but above all, to have the opportunity to see wild animals in their natural habitat. That dream has not yet been realized, as planning such a trip has been a bit intimidating…..until now.

My husband and I are great cruise aficionados and, if you follow our site, have seen much of the world thanks to our experiences onboard boutique ships. As we always say, on a cruise you unpack once and the world of exploration, in luxurious comfort, awaits you. We would never had been able to visit and photograph so many destinations on our own, as we have in all the ports of call around the world we were able to visit as part of a boutique cruise itinerary.

Imagine experiencing the wonders of South Africa on this boutique, luxury ship! Photo credit: Azamara Cruises

Imagine experiencing the wonders of South Africa on this boutique, luxury ship!

Photo credit: Azamara Cruises

So it was with great interest I learned of Azamara’s return to South Africa this winter, with sailings from Capetown from January to March 2022, which include visits to several South African ports as well a safari adventure at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, home to Africa's "big five" wild animals, and tours of traditional Zulu homesteads.

Pre-and post land explorations are available with leading luxury safari operator, Micato Safaris, an award-winning outfitter. Their land programs include a five-night itinerary in Greater Kruger National Park, where Azamara travelers will have the opportunity to explore the Kapama Game Reserve, home to more than 40 mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo.

As an added bonus, you can raise a glass to your close encounter with nature in a world-class wine region. This tour takes you to the Western Cape, blessed with the perfect climate for making award-winning wines, to explore the country’s famous wine region, sip local vintages, and enjoy gourmet meals at renowed local restaurants.

Other pre-post cruise itineraries include visits to Victoria Falls and the Chobe Game Park Safari and Thula Thura, one of the oldest private game reserves in the African bushveld.

You’ll return from these exhilerating experiences, aka Amazara Destination Immersion experiences, to the comfort and luxury of your Amazara ship, where you will enjoy exceptional cuisine and top notch entertainment as you sail through the oceans of South Africa.

Amazara offers cruises in all seven continents of the world, and as an added plus, gratuities, select beverages, cultural events and more are included in the fare. For more information visit www.azamara.com.

Join the Fun--& Win a Free Cruise by Participating in Windstar Cruises "Treasure hunt"

Are you good at solving puzzles? If so, you could earn up to $200 in onboard credits that can be used on a Windstar sailing. You'll also be entered in a contest to win a Windstar cruise for two, which the cruise lines describes as an "exotic cruise to a fabled port-of-call." The contest is also a celebration of the fact that Windstar is close to having its entire fleet of six ships back in operation!

The luxurious Star Legend docked in the picturesque port of Napflio Greece. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

The luxurious Star Legend docked in the picturesque port of Napflio Greece. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Start the contest by going to the landing page at windstarcruises.com/treasurehunt

and have a wonderful time watching the picturesque cruise videos while you attempt to crack the code. No purchase is necessary to enter and you have until October 1 to try your luck! A winner will be drawn from all the people who cracked the code and that person (and a guest) embarks on a Windstar cruise to go find the REALLY BIG treasure.

As inspiration, you might want to travel with us on an oh-so memorable Windstar Cruise, which brought us from Venice to Athens on board the Star Legend.

View our USATODAY10BEST photo gallery on this unforgettable cruise experience.

Enjoy an entire PHOTOGALLERY of images of each port of call on this Windstar Cruise.

Good luck and have fun!

#Windstar180TreasureHunt @WindstarCruises

NEED TO GET AWAY? ENJOY A LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IN NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA

There’s no doubt about it. These past few years suffering through the Covid pandemic have taken a toll on us all. But with the advent of effective vaccines, the world is slowly opening up to tourism. National travel is the easiest, of course, and if you have a need to refresh your mind and spirit, there is no better place to do so than on the coast of Southern California.

You can pretty much travel to SoCal and enjoy wonderful weather and adventures twelve months out of the year in this sun-kissed destination. We had the opportunity to visit Newport Beach in May, 2021 and would like to share this wonderful experience with our readers. For luxury travel at its best, the Balboa Bay Resort is an excellent choice thanks to its long list of amenities, interesting history, and its location directly on the picturesque bay. You can read all about it on our recently published USATODAY10Best article.

We’ve got all our favorite photos from this trip up on our NEWPORT BEACH PHOTO SITE.

Get vaccinated if you are not already, and feel safe traveling! That’s the only way we will defeat this pandemic, and I hope you agree!

Inspiration Point, Newport Beach, California ©Joanne DiBona Photography

EXPLORE THE UNSPOILED WINE COUNTRY OF CALIFORNIA'S SUISUN VALLEY

View on Suisun Valley © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

View on Suisun Valley © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

California is home to so many wineries and wine-tasting experiences, one could spend years discovering them all—which would be a delightful assignment, indeed!

One particular under-the-radar wine destination is the Suisun Valley, a remarkable wine region separated from Napa Valley by only an invisible county line. Small and pastoral, dotted with family farms, Suisun shares a similar climate with Napa. A wide variety of grape varietals thrive in the region, thanks to warm days and cool nights.

Rustic Charm, Wooden Valley WInery ©Tony DiBona

Rustic Charm, Wooden Valley WInery ©Tony DiBona

Located just 20 miles from the town of Napa, Suisun offers its own unique experience. There’s a good reason why the region’s tourism slogan reads: uncomplicated, uncontested, unspoiled. Wineries here are family-owned and operated, with casual and welcoming tasting rooms. It’s an agriculturally focused region, which makes the visitor experience even more unique and refreshing. Surrounded by beautiful views of the nearby mountains, you can relax and discover quaint places to visit while you sample the delicious wines. Note: If you are a lover of Petite Sirah, which grows exceptionally well in the richer soils of the Suisun Valley, you’ve got a special treat in store!

Enjoying a lovely winetasting event at the lovely Caymus winery, which will open a Suisun tasting room in Fall, 2021. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Enjoying a lovely winetasting event at the lovely Caymus winery, which will open a Suisun tasting room in Fall, 2021.

© Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

In addition to exceptional wine tasting at a reasonable cost, you can also explore the quaint markets, antique stores, and boutiques in the area, as well as the historic and picturesque town of Fairfield (home of the famous Jelly Belly Candy Company where you can watch jelly beans being made from scratch,as well as the Travis Air Force Base, built east of town in 1942). The region’s culinary options reflect the farm-to-table philosophy prevalent throughout the region. From simple, down-home meals in rustic eateries to 5-star cuisine, you’ll find something for every palate (including award-winning craft beer breweries).

Since a photo is worth 1,000 words, we invite you to take a closer look at this delightful California wine region. Enjoy our USATODAY 10BEST photo essay on the region, as well as all the photos we captured during our visit on our SUISUN VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY page. Cheers and happy travels!

Oh, and while you are at it, friend our Instagram and Facebook pages to receive photos and travel reports as we return to live travel reporting in these next months.








Travel down the Rhine River with us on a delightful AmaWaterways river cruise

People often ask me to recommend our favorite river cruise line. It’s difficult to list our absolute favorites, since the many we’ve experienced have all been delightful in their own individual way. In full disclosure, while we have not personally experienced all the river cruises in operation now in post-Covid times, we’ve sailed enough times with AmaWaterways to know how much we can recommend this cruise line for its excellence in overall operations and passenger satisfaction.

Begin or end your AmaWaterways journey down the Rhine River in the beautiful city of Basel Switzerland. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Begin or end your AmaWaterways journey down the Rhine River in the beautiful city of Basel Switzerland. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Check out our short video, as well as our link to the photos we gathered during an unforgettable cruise from Amsterdam to Basel down the mighty Rhine river.

Sail with us virtually and enjoy these scenes of what you will see during an AmaWaterways cruise down the Rhine.

Ignoring your Beauty Regime?—Get Back in the Groove with these Excellent Products

If you’re like most of us, you may have ignored your beauty regime during the pandemic, either out of lethargy or that “nowhere to go so why bother to make myself beautiful” syndrome.

Now that life is finally approaching normal, it’s time to pay attention to your hair and skin (and even teeth!) to restore that pre-pandemic glow. I’ve collected several products that I’ve personally tested and am excited to recommend to my readers.

 

Having lived for a decade in Europe with access to some of the best skin care products I’ve ever used, I was delighted to see a new line of products from the American ILONA, a new iteration of what used to be Ilona of Hungary (a product I knew well from my European days).  I was especially interested in testing out the RESTRUCT® Facial Remapping Cream, predicated on a unique protein sourced in Japan that helps reconstitute elastin and collagen to firm, contour and remap the skin.

I’m in week four of applying this cream every night—from neckline to forehead—and I am seeing some astonishing results in my skin’s elasticity and glow. By week 8, the serum promises a dynamic “restructuring” of the skin’s appearance (just in time for my next press trip)! I’ve also seen significant improvement as a result of the ILONA BUOYANCY® Resuscitating Eye Treatment, which uses a re-oxygenation formula that breathes new life into the delicate skin around the eyes. Now that’s something we can all use, at any age.

I never had much faith in the ability of hair serums to make any difference in my mane, until I tested out the product by Pureauty Naturals' Biotin Hair Serum. The serum combines a generous number of growth-inspiring ingredients, like biotin, glycerin, lactic acid, vitamin E, squalene, and ubiquinone—all of which I Googled to verify their success in helping to restore health to the scalp and the hair follicles.

At $20 for 2 fl. Oz. on amazon.com, this has to be one of the least expensive hair restoration products on the market. As an added bonus, it comes with a 90-day, “no questions asked” return policy. I’ve definitely seen a difference in my hair strength and thickness, and, thankfully, many less strands of locks in the shower drain!

Let’s face it….what good is glowing skin if your smile isn’t sparkling white to match?

While there are a mind-boggling number of teeth whitening products out there (and I’ve tried many of them in my day) the one that stands out, in my opinion, is the SNOW whitening kit I’ve been using for the past several weeks.

Back in the days when teeth whitening products came out, I went to my dentist and had whitening trays produced from a plastic mold he took of my teeth. It set me back more money than I want to admit. Furthermore, it required my spritzing pretty harsh whitening gel in the trays, which always made me a bit nauseous, to be honest.

Well, times have changed, and definitely for the better. The Snow kit, as promised, is so easy to use. Just apply the gentle whitening serum (which is a far cry from the caustic stuff I used in the past), hook up the whitening mouthpiece to any available charging outlet (a variety of USB and phone cables are attached to the mouthpiece), and sit back and relax for 15-30 minutes while this product does its job.

No more wearing those horrid trays with chemical whitener gel during the night! We’ve come a long way since then, to be sure.

I’ve noticed an appreciable improvement after just two weeks of daily use, and I look forward to what my teeth will look like in 30 days. I’ll post a photo of my results in my next update.

Just SMILE!

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite product experiences with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel/lifestyle experience for us all.

I also hope you enjoy viewing our AD FREE site, devoid of all those annoying pop-up ads!

Have a question or need more information.? Contact me at: joannestravels@gmail.com and I will be happy to respond.

AMAWATERWAYS ANNOUNCES A NEW RIVER CRUISE SHIP DESTINATION

Every since my husband and I experienced our first river cruise on AmaWaterways more than a decade ago, we’ve been loyal fans not only of river cruises in general, but of this exceptional cruise line. As for the cruise experience itself, the fact that you can unpack once in your luxurious suite and immediately begin to explore the culture and history of the destination you are visiting (both from your veranda—as splendid sights pass you by—as well as on well-organized land tours (including guided biking excursions) offered each day. Exquisite gourmet meals accompanied by fine wines, special lectures on the history of your destination, and local entertainment round out this perfectly-orchestrated luxury travel experience.

Colombia’s Magdalena river will set the scene for AmaWaterway’s newest cruise option, set to launch in December 2023 Photo courtesy: AmaWaterways

Colombia’s Magdalena river will set the scene for AmaWaterway’s newest cruise option, set to launch in December 2023

Photo courtesy: AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways already offers a wide selection of destinations, from the major waterways of Europe to the rivers of Africa and Asia. And starting December 2023, there will be another option available to adventurous travelers: a cruise on the Magdalena river which flows through Colombia, South America.

Locally known as “The River of a Thousand Rhythms,” the Magdalena River cruise will offer guests an up-close-and-personal tour into the vibrant cultural and natural heritage that lines the river’s banks. Guests will be able to choose between two seven-night itineraries, with pre- and post-cruise options available.

To learn more about this exciting new itinerary, visit AmaWaterways.com/Colombia. The company recently celebrated its 19-year anniversary providing exceptional cruise experiences to travelers from around the world.

For a taste of what you can enjoy on an AmaWaterways Cruise, we invite you to view this short video of our unforgettable experiences onboard an AmaWaterways cruise from Amsterdam to Basel down the Rhine river.

ARE WE READY TO START TRAVELING? GUEST COMMENTARY

Are You Ready to Start Traveling? Three Questions to Ask Yourself

By Wally De La Rosa, Money.com

July 7, 2021

Although it’s been a while since we were last able to brandish our passports at the airport or take out our nice luggage for a spin, increased vaccinations and a slowly-rebuilding economy is putting travel points, destinations, and hacks back on the map for many Americans.

Lake Louise, Canadian Rockies joannedibonaphotography.com

Lake Louise, Canadian Rockies joannedibonaphotography.com

After what feels like living a few years below ground, COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown measures are finally easing up as more people get vaccinated across the country, and nations begin to explicitly open up their borders for leisure travel.

It makes you wonder: Am I ready to start traveling?

To help you decide, we’ve gathered three short questions to help you determine the best approach to retake your anticipated travel plans.

Question #1

Am I fully vaccinated?

Quite surprisingly, the U.S. predicts around 53% of their population will be vaccinated at least once by early July, but many Americans continue to have doubts about the safety of the vaccines.

The CDC recommends delaying all unnecessary travel, including leisure and business travel, and to take full precautions when traveling due to reasons outside your control until you are fully vaccinated. The same is true for travelers bound to or from Europe.

COVID-19 has disrupted the way we go about our business, from commuting to grocery shopping, having dinner, and traveling. This just to say: Businesses are doing their best to adapt to a very fragile and complicated public health situation and we should try to understand that. 

Yes—it is frustrating that it’s been so long since we last set foot on foreign land, but we’re okay. We’ve made it. Now it’s just a matter of asking ourselves: 

Question #2

Do I have a plan?

Do you know where you want to go? Before choosing a destination and setting a date for your adventures, do some research, read up on any official COVID-19 response statements emitted by the country’s government to ensure a smooth entry with little to no setbacks.  

© Joanne DiBona Photography joannedibonaphotography.com

© Joanne DiBona Photography joannedibonaphotography.com

Over the course of the pandemic, almost half of people worldwide have put their travel plans on hold, and a similar amount have outright cancelled their trips and asked for rain checks for fear of catching the virus in the air. Airlines have continuously reassured us that properly ventilated airplanes pose a minimal risk to passengers as long as they are fully-vaccinated, wear masks, and keep a safe distance from other passengers, although traveling is not 100% safe still. 

While most of us have no problem with staying put a little while longer until things get better, many people have a necessity to travel due to business, health, or family emergencies. 

Though the outlook isn’t very clear, having a solid backup strategy is essential during this period.

Question #3

Can I wait a little longer?

Diving back into travel after such a long time doesn’t just feel like a lot, it is! 

There are many questions on traveler’s minds right now, and a  lot of the uncertainty brought on by COVID has made people hesitant to travel if they can agree to wait a little longer—which means a lot of us have been putting it off for a few months, too many! 

But waiting a bit can actually have a positive effect on your overall trip, if you can dispose of some time to plan and budget accordingly. 

For those who want to take some extra months to save up for their trips, now might be a good time to start clearing off items from your credit report, so that when the time comes, you can use a rewards card to make the most of your expenses abroad. 

A few more months of waiting can help you save an additional couple hundred dollars to play with when you finally set sail, and that extra time can be put to good use by researching your destination fully and finding the best green alternatives to enjoy on your travels.

VIKING CRUISE LINES BEGINS ITS "WELCOME BACK" CRUISE AROUND ICELAND FOR THE 2021 SEASON

It’s no mystery that we are devoted fans of Viking Cruise lines, with whom we have traveled over the years on many amazing and memorable adventures.

We’re overjoyed to announce that Viking successfully launched its season just a few days ago (June 28) to begin its 2021 season. Here are the highlights:

The majestic Viking Sky sails past the town of Tromso, Norway on its Into the Midnight Sun voyage. Photos of the newly-launched Iceland itinerary will be posted shortly. Photo courtesy Viking Cruise Lines

The majestic Viking Sky sails past the town of Tromso, Norway on its Into the Midnight Sun voyage. Photos of the newly-launched Iceland itinerary will be posted shortly. Photo courtesy Viking Cruise Lines

Viking® (www.viking.com) celebrated the latest milestone in its return to service as guests were welcomed on board in Iceland. Over this past weekend, guests boarded the award-winning Viking Sky® in Reykjavík, where the ship will homeport this summer along with her sister ship Viking Jupiter®. Both ships will sail the new Iceland's Natural Beauty itinerary through early September 2021. Offered as part of Viking's Welcome Back collection, exclusively available for vaccinated guests, the voyage currently underway is the first of 19 round trip sailings from Reykjavík. The eight-day circumnavigation of Iceland calls upon the coastal towns of Akureyri, Seydisfjördur, Heimaey and more before returning to the capital city. 

Those who sail Welcome Back voyages will also experience Viking's industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking's Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State's medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety.

In addition to Iceland, Viking will also launch Welcome Back sailings in the Mediterranean with three ocean ships homeported in Valletta, Malta. It will also restart its European river operations with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine.

Booking Details

Let Viking welcome you back! Limited space is still available on 2021 summer sailings. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464), visit www.viking.com, or contact your travel advisor.

Never been on a magical Viking Cruise? Check out our USATODAY 10Best article and the video below highlighting our unforgettable “Into the Midnight Sun” itinerary on the Viking Sky® .

Enjoy a one-minute video, taken from our suite’s veranda, as we sailed past the Arctic Circle and soaked in the majesty of the midnight sun.

This itinerary, as well as the circumnavigation of Iceland sail and many other destinations, are awaiting you onboard Viking Cruise Lines.




FOODIE GIFTS FOR DAD--FOR FATHER'S DAY OR ANY OTHER OCCASION

Summer is just around the corner, as is Father’s Day. Instead of another tie or a box of hankies, why not surprise your father with a cooking tool—as well as a delivery of sustainable seafood and organic meats to go with it? Even if he isn’t the cook in the house, he may very well take on this role after seeing delicious ingredients delivered straight to home and experimenting with some innovative appliances to make gourmet food preparation a breeze.

 

STARTING WITH THE BASICS FROM VitalChoice

Photo courtesy of VitalChoice

Photo courtesy of VitalChoice

Seasoned chefs know that the success of any meal depends on the quality of the ingredients used to prepare it. Make it easy for Dad to achieve culinary success by providing him with the finest sustainable seafood and meats. And the best thing is, he won’t have to drive around town in his quest. He just has to open his front door!

We couldn’t believe our eyes when our VitalChoice box of seafood, which contained an amazing variety of vacuum-packed options (lobster tails, halibut, sea scallops, giant crab slaws, deep water shrimp, free-range beef burgers,and even an Alaskan salmon filet) was delivered to our home! Everything was packed efficiently in recyclable thermal padding and dry ice to ensure the shipment arrived to us in perfect frozen condition.

For a Father’s Day gift he will never forget, consider giving Dad the joy of  preparing wild seafood and/or organic meats. You’ll not only make Dad happy beyond belief, you will support sustainable fisheries and free-range farms in the process.

 

ZAVOR CRUNCH AIR FRYER OVEN

Gone are the days when Dad would throw in potatoes into a pool of grease to make French fries. There is now a better, and healthier way, to create a delicious, low fat meal using just one appliance. And that is, the ZAVOR AIR CRUNCH FRYER OVEN.

© Joanne DiBona Photography

© Joanne DiBona Photography

This appliance literally provides the convenience of seven kitchen appliances in one unit. It replaces a traditional air fryer, grill, rotisserie, dehydrator, and more to offer a multifunctional solution to all your food preparation needs. We made the most delicious air fried potatoes and although they tasted fantastic, we were delighted to know they were healthy, as they were made without the use of cooking oil.  We added sea salt, garlic powder, a bit of rosemary, and some ground pepper. Next, we were ready to indulge without concern.

We’re still discovering all the recipes we can create with this air fryer plus we are looking forward to dehydrating our summer tomato crop in this unit, too. There’s nothing better than sun dried tomatoes in winter from your summer garden.

 



SEARBQ GRIDDLE

As long time photo journalists, we have the opportunity to learn about many things, and cooking is one of them. A few years ago, in a cooking class conducted during a press trip, we learned the secret of cooking a perfect steak. We couldn’t believe it, but the process started IN THE OVEN.

© Tony DiBona Photography

© Tony DiBona Photography

The chef used a high quality griddle to press and cook the steak at 500 degrees in the oven for 3-4 minutes. Then he placed it on the stove top griddle and cooked it to perfection. We never forgot that culinary advice, but never quite perfected the method.

That is, until we made the acquaintance of the SEARBQ griddle, made of pre-seasoned cast iron (one part griddle/one part press). We were able to recreate our chef’s recipe, resulting in the most delicious steak we ever prepared. We also achieved excellent results grilling all sorts of vegetables and our delicious VitalChoice seafood—as well as the best portobello mushrooms we ever made! This is a utensil that begs the question--what took us so long to discover this?

SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT WITH THESE STORAGE SOLUTIONS

© Tony DiBona Photography

© Tony DiBona Photography

With all the cooking Dad will be enjoying with these products, there undoubtedly will be leftovers. And what better way to keep them fresh and healthy than in the U-KONSERVE line of stainless steel food storage containers?  This trusted line of containers is the perfect eco-friendly solution for storing leftover food.

If Dad is a camper or on the road often, he might also enjoy one of the ECOVESSEL stainless steel containers such as THEMETRO, which keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 6, or THEBOULDER, a rugged 24-oz container --which includes a strainer for tea, fruit, or ice-- that keeps drinks cool up to 74 hours and hot for 14. The company, based in Boulder, Colorado, is committed to protecting the environment. It partners with Water for People to bring safe water and sanitation to millions of people in the developing world. Additionally, it donates 5% of total sales to various environmental nonprofits.

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.

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