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Author Archive for Janice Nieder

Janice Nieder could be the love child of Indiana Jones and Julia Child. Previously a specialty food consultant in NYC, Janice is currently a SF-based culinary tourism writer who has wined & dined her way through 90 countries. To keep things in balance, Janice also enjoys writing about her Girlfriend Getaways which include spa visits, soft-core adventure, cultural events, shopping, boutique hotels, and chef interviews.

Here's exactly why you need to visit Columbia, Missouri

By Janice Nieder on May 09, 2017 in Accommodation, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Missouri, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, USA

Maybe it’s the fact that the median ago in Columbia, MO, aka COMO, is under 27 years old that accounts for a city that’s burbling with creativity, innovation, and just plain niceness. You’ll need a long weekend to fully explore Columbia’s vibrant, tree-lined downtown streets packed with art galleries, indie boutiques, music venues and an

Happiness is a hiking trip through Tuscany

By Janice Nieder on Dec 01, 2016 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

When travelers talk about Tuscany their eyes often glaze over as they reminisce about its unforgettable beauty-undulating green hills covered with twisted grape vines and silvery olive trees, atmospheric hilltop towns perfect for whiling away an afternoon, medieval monasteries and hidden castles just begging to be explored, and (here their voices often drop in great

24 hours of fabulous food in Florence!

By Janice Nieder on Nov 14, 2016 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance, is renown for its remarkable art, culture, and architecture, but I was really there for the food! While others queued up to see Michelangelo’s statue of David, the Duomo, and the Uffizi Gallery, my mission was to search out the finest gelato, lampredetto, pizza,

6 awesome experiences to enjoy in Wichita before it goes mainstream

By Janice Nieder on Oct 20, 2016 in Accommodation, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Kansas, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany

Quick! What comes to mind when you think of Kansas? Amber grains of wheat, deadly tornados, Dorothy and Toto and that’s often the extent of it. After returning from an all-to-brief, thoroughly delightful trip there, I’m making it my mission to promote Wichita, Kansas, as one of the underrated cultural gems in the US. I

Inside tips for exploring Galveston Island, TX, 'the playground of the South'

By Janice Nieder on Aug 31, 2016 in Accommodation, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Texas, Travel Miscellany, USA

Recently named a “Destination on the Rise” by TripAdvisor, Galveston Island, Texas, with its 32-mile-long coast, is finally getting the recognition it so richly deserves. Granted, locals have always appreciated this year-round coastal spot, a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico, particularly since they added seven miles of brand new beaches in 2016. After

Top 5 luxury pool perks around the world

By Janice Nieder on Jun 11, 2016 in Accommodation, Anguilla, Caribbean, Chile, Hawaii, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico, Regions, Resorts, South America, Speciality Travel, USA, Worldwide

One of the most requested hotel amenities is a gorgeous pool, but sophisticated travelers are no longer content splashing around in just any old swimming pool. The following five luxury hotels are gilding the lily with these additional perks. 1. Beauty tech No more sunburn worries while enjoying W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island

Experience exotic Jordan in luxe style

By Janice Nieder on Apr 21, 2016 in Accommodation, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Jordan, Middle East, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany

The best things in life often come in small packages… diamonds, chocolate truffles, and a luxury adventure trip to the country of Jordan, which is only about the size of Maine. Yet this diminutive country packs a wallop with wonderfully diverse offerings ranging from ancient Roman ruins, awe-inspiring crusader castles, superbly preserved mosaics, vibrant cities

Perfect Winter road tripping through Western Montana's Glacier Country

By Janice Nieder on Feb 12, 2016 in Accommodation, Attractions, Bars, Bed & Breakfasts, Food and Drink, Going Out, Montana, North America, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, USA

Montana really does winter right. Marvel over the expansive rugged terrain, crystalline lakes, majestic snow-covered mountains shimmering in the abundant sunshine, legendary Glacier National Park, and small-town charms ( such as real cowboys!) as you explore Western Montana’s Glacier Country. Winter play choices are seemingly endless with unparalleled downhill skiing (think 300+ inches of powdery

10 top tips for a VIP snow vacation in Park City, Utah

By Janice Nieder on Feb 11, 2016 in Accommodation, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, North America, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, USA, Utah, Vacation Rentals

Skiers in the know have long touted Utah as having the “Greatest Snow on Earth”; perhaps just one of the reasons Vail Resorts Inc. bought Park City Mountain Resort for $182.5 million last year. They recently completed a $50 million renovation unveiling their Quicksilver Gondola that connects the former Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort,

Exploring the Alaskan wilderness in comfort

By Janice Nieder on Nov 25, 2015 in Adventure Travel, Alaska, Leisure Travel, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, USA

Instead of planning another ho-hum ski trip this winter, why not go on a totally memorable adventure trip (albeit in great style) by exploring one of the most stunning locations on earth, the Alaskan countryside? Put yourself in the capable hands of the Carl and Kirsten Dixon, who have called Alaska home for over 30

Discover Carmel-by-the-Sea’s hidden gems with a walkabout

By Janice Nieder on Oct 14, 2015 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, California, Food and Drink, Hotels, Leisure Travel, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, USA

Living proof that “smaller is better”, Carmel-by-the-Sea consists of one square mile, fabulously jam-packed with 45 cozy to elegant inns, 60 scrumptious eateries, about 80 unique art galleries and even a doggie therapist! For geographically challenged tourists like myself, it’s a dream come true since once you make the scenic 120 mile drive down from

Best DIY bites in Bologna

By Janice Nieder on Sep 09, 2015 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Medieval Bologna is home to one of Europe’s best-preserved town centers, full of graceful terracotta porticos, majestic towers and landmark churches. It also has the oldest university in the western world, which almost begs to be explored via a walking tour. However, during a recent girlfriend getaway visit, I was there with just one purpose

Visit Vitoria-Gasteiz, Queen of the Basque Country

By Janice Nieder on Jul 30, 2015 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Vitoria-Gasteiz, founded in 1181, still hasn’t received the level of respect it so richly deserves. Admittedly, it doesn’t have famous museums to rival Bilbao’s Guggie (but really, who does?) and it will never replace San Sebastian as a chic getaway for the moneyed, beautiful people who can’t wait to drop umpteen pounds

Confessions of a Viking River Cruises addict

By Janice Nieder on May 27, 2015 in Austria, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Germany, Hungary, Leisure Travel, Regions, Slovakia, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

I have a confession to make. I’m a Viking River Cruises junkie. I thought I had my addiction under control. It all started last year when Viking invited me to join them on their Portraits of Southern France-Avignon to Chalon river cruise. I was so not a cruiser (having had much less than wonderful experiences

European cheat sheet for wonderful, winey weekend in Napa, CA

By Janice Nieder on May 18, 2015 in Accommodation, Attractions, California, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, USA

If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco and you’d like to add on a couple of relaxing days to experience wine country but you’re in the throes of a dilemma trying to choose between the different regions, to say nothing of the hundreds of wineries, then the short answer is choose Napa. Napa is

If you want to play cowboy (or girl) in high style, head to Rainbow Ranch, Big Sky, Montana

By Janice Nieder on Apr 30, 2015 in Accommodation, Hotels, Montana, North America, Regions, USA

Or in our case, my girlfriend and I decided to go looking for a couple of macho cowboys, which we combined with a wonderful R&R getaway at Rainbow Ranch Lodge – where a wilderness stay offers every conceivable luxury, down to a nightly delivery of homemade cookies. The 21-room lodge is bustling during ski season