Kathy Bechtel, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

5 tips to using TripAdvisor to find a restaurant in Italy

By Kathy Bechtel on Oct 24, 2013 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

You are on vacation in Italy, and want to find a great restaurant in which to enjoy a great meal. You turn to TripAdvisor to help you locate a place, but are faced with wading through dozens of options. How do you find the perfect place without spending hours on line doing research? I use TripAdvisor,

5 wines to taste in Umbria

By Kathy Bechtel on Sep 29, 2013 in Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Wine production in Umbria dates back to ancient times. Archaeological artifacts show evidence that the Etruscans engaged in viticulture along the banks of the Tiber River well before the Romans here. But when they did arrive, they too developed a taste for these wines. Around the 12th Century, Orvieto was a summer retreat for the

5 reasons to visit Bassano del Grappa, Italy

By Kathy Bechtel on Aug 29, 2013 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Bassano del Grappa is a beautiful, but little known Italian town with wonderful Palladian architecture, a special place in the local history, and unique foods and wines. Located in the province of Vicenza in the Veneto region, the city lies at the foothills of the Prealps, where Brenta river emerges from the southern end of

5 things you may not know about Amarone

By Kathy Bechtel on Jul 29, 2013 in Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Amarone is one of Italy’s most sought after wines. Produced in the Valpolicella region of the Veneto, it’s an intense, full-bodied and elegant ‘big’ red, prized by wine enthusiasts across the globe. A visit to an Amarone producer is always a highlight and it’s somewhere you can learn about this amazing wine. Here are a

5 highlights of your cycling holiday in Umbria

By Kathy Bechtel on Jun 27, 2013 in Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Lying just to the east of Tuscany, Umbria shares its natural beauty, medieval and Renaissance history and art, and wonderful food and wine. Only one thing is missing – the tourist crowds! A cycling tour is the perfect way to explore the untouched Umbrian countryside, as you explore lush olive orchards and fertile vineyards that

5 highlights from a tour of the Prosecco region

By Kathy Bechtel on May 30, 2013 in Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Located north of Venice, in the foothills of the Dolomites, lies the Prosecco wine region, home to Italy’s favorite sparkling wines. Just as with Champagne, true Prosecco must come from this specific region, with the most sought after producers located between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. A beautiful area in which to relax and

A Venetian giro d’ombra and the top 5 bacari (wine bars)

By Kathy Bechtel on Apr 27, 2013 in Bars, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

On any trip to Venice, food lovers must treat themselves to a visit of Venice’s famed Rialto market. Cross the famous bridge, and enter first into the multitude of fresh produce stands, displaying a stunning variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Right next to the vegetable stands are the butcher and cheese shops, in permanent

5 Tuscan wines to enjoy - after you’ve tried Chianti

By Kathy Bechtel on Mar 28, 2013 in Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

A visit to Tuscany of course involves indulging in the regions simple, fresh delicious cuisine along with a great bottle of Chianti. Chianti is the most well-known wine region in Tuscany, famed for their eponymous wines produced from the Sangiovese grape. But there are many other fantastic wines to discover on your Tuscan adventure! Venture

5 of the best experiences for your cycling tour down the South Tyrol Wine Road

By Kathy Bechtel on Mar 23, 2013 in Europe, Italy, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

Visitors to the Trentino Alto-Adige region of Italy, home to the majestic Dolomite mountains, find themselves presented with breathtaking vistas around every turn. But in spite of the mountainous terrain, it is a perfect spot for a summer bicycle tour for cyclists of all levels. While this region is home to some of the most

5 not-to-be-missed experiences in Verona, Italy

By Kathy Bechtel on Jan 29, 2013 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Western Europe

Verona, located in Northeast Italy in the Veneto region, is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Often overlooked beside neighboring Venice, it possesses an impressive artistic heritage and many cultural diversions. It has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the importance and value of its many historical edifices. Located

Top 5 wines to enjoy on your Dolomites ski holiday

By Kathy Bechtel on Dec 02, 2012 in Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The Dolomite mountains of Italy are a sought-after destination for discerning skiers and snowboarders. With dozens of ski areas from large resort towns to smaller, local venues, and a wide variety of other winter activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or shopping and spa visits, there is something for both skier and non-skier alike. But did

On the wine trail in Italy - Soave, home to elegant whites

By Kathy Bechtel on May 22, 2012 in Accommodation, Attractions, Bars, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Just a little over an hour from Venice lies the lovely walled city of Soave, the center of the wine region of the same name, and home to some wonderful refreshing white wines. The wines here are made from the Gargenega grape, either alone, or blended with Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or most traditionally, the indigenous

Great skiing, food and wine in Val Gardena, Italy

By Kathy Bechtel on Jan 14, 2012 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Hotels, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

One of the many ski resorts located in the majestic Dolomite mountains, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, Val Gardena, Italy is a must-visit during any ski holiday in the region. Val Gardena is best known in ski racing circles as home to the Saslong Classic, a men’s World Cup downhill race, and long considered

Discover the Prosecco zone, home of Italy’s favorite sparkling wine

By Kathy Bechtel on Jan 05, 2012 in Adventure Travel, Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Lying north of Venice in the province of Treviso, in the foothills of the Marco Trevigiana running from Valdobbiadene to Conegliano, is the Prosecco DOCG wine zone. Vineyards take up just about every square food of land, amongst picturesque towns with ancient churches and castles. Here is the source of the wonderful sparkling wine that

Top 5 reasons to ski Bolzano, Italy

By Kathy Bechtel on Nov 27, 2011 in Europe, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

Looking for a great ski holiday this year? One that can allow hardcore skiers to indulge in scenic terrain from wide open bowls to gladed trails, while non- or sometime skiers have plenty of other activities to enjoy? Bolzano, in the heart of the Dolomite mountains of Italy, is the perfect spot for you. Located

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