This historic castle is located directly above the town of Chinon creating picturesque views of the quintessential France at its most magical. Chinon was further developed by Henry II in the 1100’s. It was a key point on a strategic river and served many purposes over the course of history. He left the castle to…
Category: Historical Interest
Cenotes, Yucatan Peninsula
Soft limestone in the Yucatan gets eroded over time forming gigantic cenotes dotting the Yucatan peninsula edge where the impact crater that wiped out the dinosaurs hit the earth so many millions of years ago. The mayans believe that the caves and cenotes were literally gateways into the underworld. When drought came they sacrificed many…
Chitzen Itza – Mexico
The temple of Kukulcan, the central temple structure, built around 670, took 200 years to design and over 13 or so to build. Chitzen Itza, or the sorcerers of water, was central to Mayan culture which began around AD 600 thriving from a long period of heavy rain that enabled a population boom. It is…
Sea Turtles Nesting in Cancun!
Starting in May each year the loggerhead turtles begin crawling up the shores of Cancun to lay their eggs in the dunes. 40 to 60 days later tiny baby turtles being breaking out of their soft skins and crawling out of the sand toward the rough ocean waters for the first time. They have to…
The Spanish Inquisition, Ham & The Catholic Church
During the later years of the Crusades the Christians started running out of money and went to the Jews to gets funds to pay for the holy war. Once the crusaders pushed the Moores out of the Iberico Peninsula the Jewish lenders wanted their debts collected and this became problematic for the newly victorious Christians….
Chocolateria San Gines – Churros & Hot Chocolate Madrid
To Madrilenas churros and chocolate in the evening are akin to donuts and coffee in the morning. Chocolateria San Gines has been famous for making the best since 1894. Dipping these crispy, hot churros into the warm, melted chocolate makes a perfect combination of sweet, hot and crunchy! Absolutely spectacular for chocoholics! Open into the late…
Jamon Iberico De Belotta – Pata Negra
Since the times of the Spanish Inquisition ham has become an important part of the Spanish culture and represents a lot more than food for Spaniards! After 400 years they got pretty competitive at growing and curing these big, black pigs mastering the art of creating Pate Negra. Ham is so polular the Spanish dedicate…
Suckling Pig at Restaurant Botin – A Madrelenian Tradition
Central Madrid – Just south of Mercado San Miguel Suckling pig roasted in a wood fired oven is an age old tradition in Madrid. Nowhere is more famous for preparing them than the restaurant La Botin . This restaurant has been in business since 1725 and is world famous for its suckling baby pigs.
Madrid
With its historic past, offers travelers of today a fun city full of museums, Tapas bars, art exhibits, fashion, and great food culture. Stroll around Plaza Major and around the neighborhoods. Pop in for a glass of wine and tapas at Meson del Champignon or lunch at the vendors in the Mercado de San Miguel. Take the Spanish…
Alcazar of Segovia, Spain
This UNESCO Heritage site was originally built by the Romans as a fort and later improved by the Muslims. Christians took it in 1120 and made a series of improvements, after many centuries the castle served as the Capital of Leon and Castile with Queen Isabelle enthroned after the death of King Henry IV in…
Journey Into Cuisine 