Mozzarella di Bufala or Smoked Mozarella di Bufala? That is the Question…

It’s pretty much a given that if you go an a vacation to Italy, you’re going to eat well. But guests at the J.K. Place Capri eat exceptionally well– and in beautiful surroundings. Room rates at the hotel include an incredible breakfast buffet, which in addition to being tasty, is also a feast for your eyes.

J.K. Capri is Not Joking Around With This Breakfast Buffet– This is just the breakfast antipasti

Since you’re on Capri, you can expect that Caprese Salad (tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil drizzled with extra virgin olive oil) is going to be on offer at all times.

Left: A variety of perfectly ripe tomatoes Right: The Usual Cereal Suspects

Several varieties of cheese on offer were delicious. While I was comfortable with the burrata and buffalo mozzarella, I was first reluctant to try some of the smoked options. Since every meal came with an amuse bouche- including a bite-sized portion of the chef’s selection of smoked cheese– I got over it and tried a few options I’m unlikely to eat back home in the states. I also discovered Caprese cake is exceptionally delicious.

Fruit on the Breakfast Buffet

Left: The Smoked Cheese with the Antipasti Was Exceptional Right: Food Porn Still Life

Justin Deciding how to order his eggs on the terrace

Left: Soy Latte with a View Right: Caprese Salad for Breakfast

Eggs Made to Order: Perfectly Poached or Fried

The staff at J.K. Place had no problem with special requests for soy milk which was nice. They also make exceptionally good cappuccino and lattes.

The View from the Pagoda at JK Place Capri

Lunch was also noteworthy. I liked to eat in the pagoda- the area of the patio covered by umbrellas, and it was really all about the fresh fish. The octopus salad with potatoes was a standout and the kind of clean, simple food that makes people love the Mediterranean diet. I felt the need to try a burger one day and while it was tasty, I preferred sticking to the local specialties, but I could see how the burger would hit the spot if you were in need of comfort food.

Seared Tuna for Lunch

Our favorit lunch options were the grilled fish and octopus.

Meals from JKitchen (that’s what the restaurant is officially called)  can be eaten inside the restaurant’s charming nautical chic dining room, but when the weather was gorgeous we ate outside and enjoyed the panoramic view of Capri from the sweeping terrace.

I had the burger for lunch.

Left: Seared tuna salad for lunch Right: Each meal came with an amuse bouche- this was smoked cheese

Lunch was all about this grilled octopus & potato salad

Lunch’s amuse bouche was a bite sized variation on Caprese Salad

Left: Olives served with a glass of Red wine Right: Justin at the Bar

The olives were exceptional but I skipped them at breakfast since they were offered as snacks throughout the day and any time I ordered a drink on the terrace.

The dining room at JKitchen has a relaxed Mediterranean elegance

The dining room, was rather beautiful but I only ate one meal there– when it was raining.

J.K. Place Capri Sign

I am currently spending a few days in Ravello, Italy. This charming town along the Amalfi Coast is known for being a music city.

In addition to the busy schedule of concerts around town, you can’t escape the music even on the street. I shot this video using the 8mm app on my iPhone 5.

The view from today’s virtual office– pool side at Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano

While I’ve been exploring Italy’s Amalfi Coast this week, I’ve made an effort to try to master Vine. The app has been sitting on my iPhone since January, but it hasn’t really interested me until now. I think that Italy’s gorgeous scenery has made me less concerned about creating the perfect Vine and made me enjoy using the app more.

I like Vine’s ability to capture & share short video postcards to share on various social media platforms.

Here are a few tips to help make your own fun vacation videos using Vine:

1) Focus on action, but keep your mobile device still

Video loves action– but the key to shooting action successfully is keeping your camera still, resulting in stop action fun.

You Can’t Spell “Funicular” Without “Fun”

Vine is fun to use to show the passage of time. For really good results, use a tripod or a clamp like the InYourFace Viewbase.

2) Shoot transitions like pans or fades so your Vine loops seamlessly

If you are running out of frames while shooting your six second Vine, slowly move the camera up to bright light or towards the ground (or a dark object) to create a dissolve like transition.

While making this Vine during my ferry ride from Capri to Sorrento, I made a point to shoot the boats wake in 3-frame bursts to create a sort of rhythm to the ride.

Ferry Ride to Sorrento

3) Shoot in bursts of 3 to 5 frames. Your brain needs a little time to grasp and process action. I count out frames of 3 and 5 bursts to make the vine less jarring and more enjoyable to watch.

4) Create a Vine Highlight Reel

I haven’t mastered sound recording using vine, but one easy fix is to string your vacation vines together and include titles and some music using a video editing app such as Reel Director or Silent Film Director.

This allows you to add some music after the fact and create a longer-length video you can post to YouTube or Vimeo.

Vine Video Highlight Reel of Italy’s Amalfi Coast

I’m lax2nrt on Vine. You can check out my Vines here.

Capri’s Blue Grotto is One of the Island’s Most Famous Tourist Attractions

Part of the fun of traveling with a friend is bonding with them while taking in the local sites. Today my friend, Justin, and I hired a water taxi to explore the Blue Grotto also known as Grotta Azzurra.

How can you not want to visit a mysterious natural sea cave described as “Tiberius’ water-filled nymphaeum?” We decided to go first thing in the morning, since you can’t visit if the seas get rough and during our time on the island we’ve noticed the water gets rougher in the afternoon.

After about a 15 minute water taxi ride from the main port in Capri, we knew we were getting close to the entrance based on the number of Japanese tourists groups in the boat traffic jam.

You enter the blue grotto in a row boat lying on your back

We then had to transfer to second boat– this one a row boat– to enter the grotto. We paid €12.50 Euros each to enter and while we waited our turn we noticed the Japanese tourists leaving the grotto were giggling like school girls. I’m a big fan of people watching, and I think it was worth the price of admission alone to just watch the Japanese tourists have so much fun.

Watching the Japanese tour group get into their row boats was like watching passengers flee a sinking ship, but with more giggling.

In addition to the price of admission, you are expected to tip your oarsman.

One you are in the row boat you have to lie on your back to enter the Grotta Azzurra because there is a very low clearance to the cave. That’s why you can’t visit if the seas are rough. you might get a little bit damp, too.

I took these shots with my Canon DSLR once we entered the cave.

I was surprised at the color of the water once we entered the grotto.It was shockingly Tidy Bowl Blue. The color is caused by the minerals on the rocks below being reflected in the light. It was rather fun, kinda drippy and cool.

Row Boats filled with tourists in Capri’s Grotta Azzurra

I loved the tourist’s iPhone in the foreground of this shot. It adds so much character.

Tourists enjoying the boat tour of the Blue Grotto

It took a minute for our eyes to adjust to the the sunlight after emerging from the grotto

Obligatory tourist cliche shot of tourists exploring the Blue Grotto (complete with Devil Eyes). We paid for an oarsman, not a photographer.

The Blue Grotto is definitely worth a visit if the weather allows and you’re visiting Capri. It’s fun to check out and not that time intensive. Sometimes it’s fun to be a silly tourist– especially when jovial Italian oarsmen are involved.

The deck is a great place to drink your morning coffee– or just to chillax

I’m currently in Italy where I am spending the week exploring the Amalfi Coast with my friend, Justin.

We’re currently on the island of Capri where we’re staying at the fabulous and chic JK Place Capri. Staying here feels like you’re in a private villa instead of a hotel. There isn’t a formal lobby or reception area– although the place has great staff who will pick you up in the hotel’s signature golf cart the second your ferry arrives from Naples or Positano and drive you the 5 minutes to the hotel.

The hotel’s details make you feel like you’re staying at a chic friend’s place

Laid back elegance is the vibe at the JK Place Capri

The gym is spacious and well equipped for the number of rooms and you feel much less guilty about indulging in the local pasta and vino after having a great workout. I’m really enjoying  the hotel’s chic, laid back elegance. The rest of the guests I’ve met are well-traveled and friendly and willing to pass on their favorite tips and picks.

The common areas all have thoughtful details and comfortable seating areas

In addition to the gorgeous bedrooms, the hotel has  a huge spa (packed with good smelling Santa Maria Novella products), a restaurant, a library stocked with a fantastic coffee table book edit in multiple languages. The common areas and rooms all have wifi. The patio is expansive and impressive and great place to enjoy the view with your morning cappuccino or a cocktail. The pool is large and there are plenty of pool chairs available.

Fresh Flowers and Art Are everywhere on the property

I’m particularly crazy about the hotel’s library, which is packed with TASCHEN books galore

Classic Rooms at the JK Place Capri start at $701.00.

Lorenzo from the amazing JK Place Capri advises us on how to reach the restaurant where we’re having dinner. Shot with Oggl and put into Giffer Pro

A panoramic view of Urban Restaurant at O. Fournier

Mendoza, Argentina is incredibly scenic. Nestled next to the Andes mountain range, Mendoza boasts gorgeous views in addition to tasty Malbec. For my second wine tasting lunch during my trip to Mendoza, I headed to the O. Fournier Winery, which was about a 90 minute drive from the Park Hyatt Mendoza.

May is fall in the southern hemisphere, and it was a beautiful autumn day complete with leaves changing color in the Vineyard.

Located in the San Carlos District, O. Fournier Winery is nestled at the base of the Andes Mountains.

The modern, minimalist architecture of the winery was rather stunning. The whole place oozed a sort of James Bond Villain’s Lair-chic vibe.

A View of the Lake and Andes from Urban Restaurant

There are worse places to have a leisurely lunch

Lake and Mountain scenery at the O. Fournier Winery in Mendoza

A view of the patio of Ruca de Malen in Mendoza, where I went for the wine tasting lunch

This is my first trip to Mendoza and so far I’m enjoying both the spectacular scenery –vineyards against a backdrop of the Andes– and the local wine (specifically the Malbec, although I’ve met a few Torrentes that I don’t hate).  Since I’ve found that the South American custom of eating dinner at 10 pm at night doesn’t really agree with me, or let me sleep well, I’ve made lunch my main meal of the day and enjoyed spending my days Sideways-style, with wine tastings that start in the afternoon.

Horses tied up in the vineyard

Yesterday I went to the Bodega Ruca Malen for a wine tasting lunch. The winery is about 40 minutes  by car from the Park Hyatt Mendoza, which is my home base for this trip.

The Bodega Ruca Malen wine tasting lunch served a five course menu included five wine tastings and cost  $700 Argentine pesos ($134 USD) for two people.

Dead soldiers: the wine line up for yesterday’s lunch

The first course, humita (creamed corn) salad in fresh cream was served with toast, almonds and fresh herbs was paired with a 2011 Chardonnay. Chardonnay never has been my favorite wine but its acidity was a nice counterpoint to the creamed corn, which was shockingly delicious.

I didn’t know creamed corn salad could be so delicious, but it was

The second course was particularly well suited to the beautiful fall weather– carmelized beets served over glazed carrots and ricotta. It was refreshing and delicious and perfect for the crisp autumn. It was nicely paired with the Yauquen Malbec 2012.

Beets and glazed carrots with ricotta paired nicely with Malbec

Welcome amenity- complete with a chocolate Seattle skyline- at the Four Seasons Seattle

I’m a big believer in all kinds of travel. I love traveling solo, exploring things at my own pace and taking as many photos as I like.  I also enjoy traveling with my husband– we met while traveling and it’s a mutual passion we’ve shared throughout our relationship.

Traveling with friends is something I’ve made an effort to do throughout my adult life– it’s a great way to bond and get into deeper conversations than are possible when we catch up just for dinner and drinks. I particularly enjoy girls trips– which are often the hardest to arrange due to busy schedules, and demands on our time (and resources) by families and careers.

I’ve always been a girl’s girl. And while I have many male friends, it’s spending time with my girlfriends, both new and old, that makes me smile the most effortlessly. Since I’ve started this blog, traveling with my girlfriends often comes with a little bit of baggage. I sometimes have to take time out from meaningful conversation to photograph room service or take a property tour because, well, that is what I do. Of course girlfriends are understanding about this stuff– that’s why they’re my girlfriends. In my real life I have several close friends who don’t have Facebook pages, Instagram accounts or “know what a twitter is.” We need actual face time to touch base. Besides, it’s rude to assume all your friends read your blog.

Modern, understated luxury at the Four Seasons Seattle

My recent girls trip to Seattle with my friend, Erica Hargreave of Roamancing, was fun and relaxing for a few different reasons, not the least of which is because our friends at The Four Seasons Seattle put us up and we got to use the hotel as our basecamp for our girls trip.

Erica and I met about a year and a half ago in Cairo where we both presented at the IOETI conference on digital tourism and have since become friends. Erica lives in Vancouver and we’d been talking about meeting up in Seattle for a girls weekend, which we finally made happen a few weeks ago after several months of planning (see above re: busy schedules).

Left: an artistic in-room lighting fixture Right: Orchids at reception

Since Erica is a digital storyteller, I didn’t have to explain why I was instagramming room service or live tweeting. She was doing it to. We sipped on room service lattes– delivered in a speedy 9 minutes after the operator estimated a window of 15-20 minutes– while simultaneously blogging in pajamas.

Testing out room service is one of the perks of the job

Girls trips differ from others because they are refreshingly devoid of war memorials and usually include a little bit of pampering. Getting time away with a girlfriend is a luxury in itself but Erica and I also got to check out the signature services offered by the Four Seasons spa (you can read my post about Spa Style here).

Bathrobes and a deep tub– appreciated luxurious touches to a girls trip

Erica enjoying the television in the mirror feature at the Four Seasons Seattle

Erica took advantage of outdoor pool every day

Erica arranged for us to check out Savor Seattle’s Gourmet Seattle Food & Cultural Tour-- something I probably wouldn’t have done if I had been planning a solo trip (where I probably would have arranged a photo tour of some kind). I was happy to go along with it and found that I really enjoyed it. Traveling with girlfriends can challenge me in a different way than other traveling companions, and it’s always good to challenge yourself. I discovered that I really enjoyed the food tour, and found plenty of photo opportunities on it.

Not only did Erica and I get to relax and reconnect while on our girls trip– we also got to try out new things and enjoyed doing it. When I suggested we order Bloody Marys from room service and have them delivered to the hotel’s hot tub, I learned that Canadians don’t have Bloody Marys as a brunch beverage staple. We also learned– from fellow hotel guests in the hot tub with us– that we should try the Bacon Bloody Mary or the Beef Bloody Mary next time.

A view of Seattle’s Great Wheel from The Four Seasons

With Mother’s Day coming up, I encourage this blog’s female readers to think about taking a girls trip– whether it’s a relaxing weekend away or just a brunch date. Reach out to your mother, your sister or a female friend and try to find the time for the two of you to relax and reconnect. Friendships are one of life’s great treasures and it’s good to make nurturing them a priority in your busy, adult life.

I think I have a few other girlfriends who would enjoy trying a bacon bloody mary. I’m going to call one of them later today.

Stop #5 on our food tour was IL Bistro, a romantic Italian restaurant with a speakeasy vibe located right under Pike Place Market near the Gum Wall on Post Alley. Chef Nathan buys the freshest possible seafood from Pike Place market and crafts his dishes around that. Our group was super into the atmosphere as well as the delicious risotto we were served.

I want to come back to Il Bistro at night. I loved this atmospheric bar.

Risotto, made with the freshest seafood available daily in Pike Place Market, is a house specialty

Waving Tree Sangiovese paired nicely with the risotto

The food and wine combo of Waving Tree Sangiovese and the seafood risotto was the overwhelming crowd favorite amongst our fellow foodies. It was Erica’s favorite combo, too.

Left: Chef Nathan at Il Bistro Right: Il Bistro is open until 1 am and is famous for gourmet late night bites

I loved this portrait I shot of a man standing outside the windows of Il Bistro

The Pike Brewing Company was stop #6 on our food tour.

Scenes from our tour of Pike Brewing Company

No foodie tour of the Pacific Northwest would be complete without delving into the world of microbreweries. So we got a cool tour of Pike Place Brewery before heading to their pub for our next tasting.

We got to try two Pike Place Brews paired with Beecher’s Chedder

We weren’t the only girls on a girls trip. Here are our tourmates clicking glasses.

Good Times at Pike Place Brewery

Next up we headed to Thoa’s Restaurant and Lounge, located directly across from the entrance to the fabulous Four Seasons Seattle (where Erica and I were staying on our girls trip), where we had a plate of really delicious Vietnamese noodles in Thoa’s special sauce. It was a tasty and simple dish that left me curious about the other selections on the menu.

Vietnamese noodles from Thoa’s

As we walked the few blocks to our final stop, the Seattle rain briefly turned to hail. Fortunately we’d all had enough to drink that we found the strange weather kind of charming. Our final stop on our food tour was Gelatiamo, which is located at the corner of 3rd and Union street and serves authentic Italian gelato as well as an array of baked goodies. Hail isn’t the weather that puts most people in the food for frozen gelato goodness, but we weren’t too dissuaded.

The baked goodies on offer at Gelatiamo were eye candy enough

We tasted 2 of Gelatiamo’s flavors on offer

Gelatiamo makes over 60 flavors of gelato and sorbetto and offers 16 of those flavors every day

After finishing up our gelato, our tour group did a little wrap up and everyone voted on their favorite tasting. Il Bistro’s food & wine pair was the crowd favorite. Talking with our fellow tourmates, we all agreed that Savor Seattle had some great tours on offer and that the Gourmet Food & Cultural tour was a good time and great value at $69.99. I was also quite grateful we skipped breakfast before going on this tour.

While I started this tour by “going along” I left it super impressed. Erica and I were even discussing possibly going on one of Savor Seattle’s Getaways– such San Juan Islands Gourmet Kayak Expeditions over the summer.