Restaurant Review: The City Tavern, Philadelphia
Like most frequent travellers, I eat in a lot of restaurants. I try (not always successfully) to avoid tourist establishments, but I only write about those places that catch my attention in some way. So why would I choose to write about a reconstructed historic...
The Covered Bridges of Lancaster County
Pennsylvania is home to more than 200 covered wooden bridges, almost 30 of them in Lancaster County. They summon up a bygone era, although they are still very much in use. I set out to find out more about the bridges of Lancaster County. What are Covered Bridges?...
Showcasing Glass Through the Ages: The Corning Museum of Glass
The two main industries of New York State’s Finger Lakes region are agriculture and glass. The agriculture is visible everywhere, from the orchards to the vineyards. But the glass may come as a surprise to the uninitiated visitor. Yet for more than 150 years the town...
Discovering the Wines of the Finger Lakes, New York State
The steep slopes and glacial soil of the Finger Lakes region of New York State create a perfect environment for growing grapes. Today the area has more than 200 wineries: small, local vineyards, many of them owned by the same families for several generations. I took a...
Drinking My Way Around Rochester, New York
In keeping with its image as a hip and lively city, Rochester has a booming local drinks industry. It’s mostly craft beers, but you’ll find vineyards and distilleries too. And there are plenty of places to enjoy cocktails, both traditional and locally-crafted. In...
History, Culture and Play: The Museums of Rochester, New York
As befits a city with a long history of innovation, culture and notable residents, there are dozens of fabulous museums in Rochester and the surrounding area. There are the collections that you might expect – like the Memorial Art Gallery – and less obvious ones such...
What to See and Do in Rochester, New York
Rochester is the third largest city in New York State, and the gateway to the beautiful Finger Lakes region. It is vibrant and booming, a centre for culture, cuisine and craft beers. And it is conveniently situated between New York City and Niagara Falls. All of that...
Why You Need to Visit the Finger Lakes, in New York State
Even those who live in the United States may not be familiar with the Finger Lakes. They are a well kept secret, the part of upstate New York that sits beneath Lake Ontario and the Canadian border. But just imagine lakes and waterfalls; steep slopes covered with...
Exploring the Architecture of Oakland, Old and New
One of the things I love about American cities is the wonderful mix of architecture. From Victorian houses to the grand designs of the early 20th century, to sweeping modern skyscrapers. The city of Oakland, just a short metro ride from downtown San Francisco, was no...
The Mission District Murals of San Francisco
San Francisco is famous for its colourful and provocative street art. You can find it everywhere, with a thousand or more murals across the city. But the greatest concentration is in the Mission District, with whole streets full of vibrant murals and mosaics. Balmy...
