19 Pictures That Will Make You Want To Visit The French Alps Right Now!

In my entry level course ‘how to holiday like a pro’ I cite visiting the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Savoie) region of France.  And while I work to capture the experience in prose, sometimes the pictures are all you need.

If you want to bike, hike, run and boat all day and then eat cheese and drink wine all night, you should probably visit Annecy.

Spinach Dip with Lamb’s Quarters

Summer ingredients are overflowing at the Union Square Greenmarket.  When you visit the market and see the city’s chefs purchasing their ingredients for the day, you know you are in the right place to stock your refrigerator.

One seasonal ingredient I particularly enjoy is lamb’s quarters (sometimes referred to as wild spinach.)  It has a nice earthy flavor and can be added to a variety of dishes.

Summer Travel to Lake Annecy

Spoiled for choice is the best way to describe Annecy in the Savoy region of France.  A year-round travel destination with unlimited activities ranging from swimming and hiking to cross country and downhill skiing (and everything in-between.)

I went at the start of summer and spent 5 days taking in as many outdoor activities as possible.

Paris Photo Walk

An overnight flight between New York and Paris is around 7 hours.  If you find a good flight deal and have a long weekend, what is stopping you from packing a couple shirts, grabbing your best walking shoes and picking up your camera for a quick trip across the Atlantic.  (Note: this is not like my 48 hours trip to Iceland, but a few curated pictures I took while strolling around Paris to inspire you to book that plane ticket.)

Harlem Rose Garden

GreenThumb Community Gardens started in New York City in the 1970’s.  These gardens are located throughout the city and while they are fenced have access to the general public.  The spaces are maintained by individuals who live on the block and have a range of styles and layouts.

ETCETERA: Multi-award Winning Recording Artist Continuing to Change the Game

By Nick Christophers It is no surprise that artist ETCETERA has done it again by pushing the musical envelope. Building on the implausible success of his last album “Character” he has grown as an artist and now a producer. His talents are not limited to rapping but now […]

Ramp Sourdough Bread

It was 11pm on a Sunday and 4 balls of sourdough dough sat on my counter.  They had been rested, stretched, rested again and were nestled in their baskets ready for an overnight proof in the refrigerator.

Then I felt the urge to bake.  But why turn the oven on when most people are going to bed? Because I had some very special loaves to work on.

CURTA: A Band with Creative Lyrics and Presentation

By Nick Christophers If you are searching for a different right of center sound, the band CURTA is the ticket. The band’s name derives from a mechanical calculator whose creator was forced to make them for the Fuhrer during the war. His creative invention would die with him […]

Claude Monet Garden in Giverny

Claude Monet’s Garden is located about 1.5 hours outside of Paris.  If you are spending some time in Paris or the north of France, this striking garden is something to put on your travel itinerary.  I had spent an afternoon in Giverny visiting the grounds and taking pictures as quickly as my camera would allow.  It is a gorgeous space and if you are looking to bring back some concepts for your own garden (or purchase some seeds to plant) Monet has you covered.