Vreeland (map) is a small village about a 20-minute drive southeast of Amsterdam. Situated on both banks of the Vecht River (a branch of the Rhine River), the village is picture-perfect, quintessential Dutch, with a scattering of grand manors and rows of quaint houses with their typical Dutch gables. The Vecht River is, in my […]
The ultimate Euro food trip!
Costa Brava (Catalonia, Spain) and Emilia Romagna (Italy) are two of my favourite regions in Europe as they offer all the elements of a perfect Velvet Escape – think romantic medieval towns, gorgeous hotels, colourful markets, beautiful nature, history, art, beaches and last but certainly not least, some of the most divine food and wines […]
Discovering the South Styrian Wine Road
South Styria. To be honest, I’d never heard of this region before until my recent trip to Austria. Situated about a two-hour drive southwest of Vienna and less than an hour from Graz, South Styria is a gorgeous region with green rolling hills, mile after mile of vineyards, picturesque villages, wine taverns and lovely, family-owned […]
A schnaps adventure in Tirol
I have to admit… I’ve never been a big fan of schnaps. This clear brandy distilled from fermented fruits has a high alcohol content and the varieties I tasted in the past were simply mind-blowing, throat-burning strong with little flavour. That perception was radically altered after an extraordinary schnaps tour in Tirol, Austria! A fun-filled […]
The Moscato di Scanzo meditation wine
I swirled the wine in the glass and marvelled at its silky texture and rich ruby-red colour. Despite its dark appearance, I noticed a wondrous clarity in the liquid. I lifted the glass to my nose and in an instant, my nose was filled with aromas of plums and cherries, and a whiff of rosehip […]
A jaunt into the Latvian countryside
I looked out the window as the plane approached the international airport of Riga. It was a beautiful, cloudless day and the Baltic Sea sparkled in the afternoon sun. The Latvian coast soon came into view and the first thing that caught my attention were the endless white, sandy beaches. Beyond that, were mile after […]
That feeling at the Old Biscuit Mill
That feeling when you step into a place and your senses are simply overwhelmed. Then you get accustomed to the cacophony of people and the sights start to blur but one thing lingers: the smell of food. A symphony of freshly-baked bread, smoked fish, grilled meats and fresh herbs and spices fills your nostrils, and […]
A passion for Lambrusco
Travel is an endless source of inspiration (and wisdom) and I find nothing more inspiring than meeting people during my travels who are so passionate about what they do. On my recent trip to Reggio Emilia [map], I had the opportunity to meet a crowd of people who share one passion: Lambrusco. For those of […]
A food tour around Modena
Modena is a historic town in the Emilia Romagna region in Italy. The town is perhaps most famous as the home of some of Italy’s most famous automotive brands such as Ferrari and Maserati – a tour of the Motor Valley is a must! – but foodies will most likely associate Modena with balsamic vinegar […]
Wine-blending at Middelvlei Wines
It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Almost every time I take a sip of a white or red blend, I try to differentiate the different grape varieties that have gone into the wine and their specific impact on the resulting bouquet, taste and finish. I’ve often wondered what my perfect wine would be and […]
About Keith Jenkins
I'm Keith Jenkins. In July 2008, I left my ten-year banking career to travel around the world. I've not looked back since.
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