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In Santorini, like everywhere in Greece, eating is a way of life. In the traditional Santorini cuisine besides the wide variety of seafoods best s…more In Santorini, like everywhere in Greece, eating is a way of life. In the traditional Santorini cuisine besides the wide variety of seafoods best served grilled we can distinguish the following ingredients and dishes: Fava is a puree made with Fava beans. Fava is an old traditional dish of Greece which can be served in many different ways according to the time of the year. What makes the Santorini Fava special is the special taste of the beans due to the volcanic soil on the island. The soil is also responsible for the rich flavour of all fruit and vegetable on the island like Tomatinia or Cherry Tomato which is very aromatic. The White Eggplant, a unique vegetable of the island, is considered the “indigenous” course in Santorini. The island of Santorini is most famously known for its indigenous white grape varieties grown since the Middle Ages like Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani. less

Vanessa presents Cyprus: Where is Cyprus? It looks hidden in the Mediterranean. But it has been famous for 2 thousand years. Did you know Cleopatr…moreVanessa presents Cyprus: Where is Cyprus? It looks hidden in the Mediterranean. But it has been famous for 2 thousand years. Did you know Cleopatra used to come here because she loved the beaches and its balmy weather? Today Brits and Russians still crowd its beaches. But there are plenty of other things to do and see. Take the city of Paphos for instance. The beautiful 4 star Almyra Hotel is built right on the water . Here you can get a massage and look at the medieval castle from the days of the Crusades right across the harbour. Take this church from the 13th century. St Paul was chained to this pillar and flogged for preaching Christianity. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. You can walk to the archeological city which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Here rich Romans built their villas with great mosaics on the floor. Look carefully at these people drinking wine…. Sun and breezes means grapes and those Romans loved Cyprus wine. It’s vintage time and OLYMPUS winery in the Trodos mountains is busy picking grapes. South of Paphos is the Rock of Aphrodite, where according to legend Aphrodite the goddess of love sprung out of the water. In Limassol the famous Crusader Knights built this castle in the middle of vineyards, A thousand years ago they produced a dessert wine called Commanderia still enjoyed today. Here it is also wine festival time, where wineries from all over Cyprus come to pitch their wines. Cyprus although a very small island ranks 37th in wine production in the world. Going East are great beaches and sports activities Then some culture, visiting these grottos carved in the rocks where monks used to live and pray. Wow! Keo is a major winery producing world class wines. Finally, time to relax on endless beaches and secluded coves… Cleopatra was right! Cyprus is a magical place! You can visit our sponsors websites and enjoy foods and wines from Cyprus by ordering from their US distributors. And if you have time for a vacation you can book a trip right here. www.visitcyprus.com less

This ancient ritual practiced in Fiji expresses the deep connection of the culture to the mysteries of life and respect of nature.

A sizzler for a 6 X 30' TV series Imagine traditions that have been unchanged for 5,000 years. Where food and wine give way to art and culture. …moreA sizzler for a 6 X 30' TV series Imagine traditions that have been unchanged for 5,000 years. Where food and wine give way to art and culture. Watch men and women engaged in a ritual year after year to bring forth and nurture the best grapes the Earth can grow. Watch as they pick, crush, and ferment this precious juice until all their labors come to fruition. Watch Michelin chefs and humble cooks pick the freshest products of their regions and follow them as they create dishes that will titillate the senses and awaken every taste bud. Finally watch how chefs and sommeliers marry the food to the perfect wines to create magical communal experiences at the table. Wine and food are about family, culture and history. Meet a Tuscan who embodies it all, to the hilt. And in the castle restaurant the baron highlights his wines with innovative Tuscan dishes. 2,500 years ago The Romans built a column at the end of the Appian way in Brindisi. Winemaker Rubino tells us why the Romans loved the wines of Apulia made from Negroamaro grapes still grown exclusively here. His chef works hand-in-hand with the winemaker. You will learn about the secretive and fascinating world of truffles. You will learn why some wines acquire personality. How to identify a great red. You’ll get great tasting tips from great sommeliers. You will learn why wine comes first, food second and not the other way around. You will learn the fundamentals of pairing. In season 1 we’ll visit Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, Apulia, Croatia, and Napa. Journey with us through medieval towns, waterfront villages, ancient and new towns in the Mediterranean and America to experience the culture and lifestyles of the people making magic in the cellars and the kitchens. The Dolce Vita Journeys. Informative. Inspiring. Intoxicating. less

We start in Paphos on the western coast. The medieval castle from the days of the Crusades is at the entrance of its beautiful harbor. So is 4…moreWe start in Paphos on the western coast. The medieval castle from the days of the Crusades is at the entrance of its beautiful harbor. So is 4 star Almyra Hotel built right on the water facing it. The Church of the Holy Chrisopolitissa dates from the 13th century. Many pillars still standing are believed to be part of the old roman forum. Here is the pillar of St Paul where according to tradition St Paul was chained and flogged for preaching Christianity At night Paphos comes alive. The Paphos castle once the fort of the knights of St John welcomes culture. During the summer operas are performed there it with the open seas as a backdrop. This is a windy setting for music but uniquely dramatic. The Kato Pafhos archaeological site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site 1980. Spread over a vast area, The Tombs of the Kings are these impressive underground tombs carved out of solid rock dating back to the 4th century BC. Archeologists are busy uncovering remarkable mosaics. Every Roman villa built here in the 2nd, 3rd and to 4th century had elaborate mosaic floor, which have been amazingly preserved. The mosaics tell us that Cyprus has been cultivating wine for 2,500 years. In a village near Paphos at the Aphrodite delight factory one can see the making of a typical Cyprus sweet called loukkoumi. Although loukumi is made all over the world the only protected geographical area of the European union is Yeroskipou, home to the authentic Cypriot sweet. The western coast is full of coves and secluded beaches with some of the most pristine waters in the Mediterranean. Further up is the port of Latchi. This is a fishing town with some great seafood to taste at its outdoor restaurant. Nearby is the Hotel Anassa a 5 star luxury hotel with sweeping views of the bay North of Paphos is the mountain village of Kathika which has an ideal climate for grape growing The Sterna winery a small artisan like winery typical of the area which use local varieties of grapes Mavro and Xynistery South of Pafhos is the Rock of Aphrodite, where according to legend Aphrodite the goddess of love sprung out of the water. On the way to Limassol is the temple of Apollo Hylates one of the best-preserved archeological sites on the island. What remains of the temple is impressive as well as theater of nearby Kourion and its mosaics The Trodos mountains are the main wine-growing region of Cyprus due to the elevation and the quality of the soil. The village of Kakopetria is a main tourist attraction It’s vintage time and OLYMPUS winery in the Trodos mountains is busy picking grapes. The Kolossi castle in the middle of vineyards and sugar cane plantations was occupied by the Knights of St John after the Crusades. The knights produced here for the first time the well-known dessert wine called commanderia. In Limassol it wine festival time, where wineries from all over Cyprus come to pitch their wines. Cyprus although a very small island ranks 37th in wine production in the world. less

Michoacan has great colonial cities and spectacular natural events. In Sierra Chincua 40 million butterflies wake up in Spring and mate! Morelia…moreMichoacan has great colonial cities and spectacular natural events. In Sierra Chincua 40 million butterflies wake up in Spring and mate! Morelia is a UNESCO World Heritage site with fun social life. At Villa Montana’ spa compulsive travelers can de-stress with a chocolate bath. Anyone looking for a mate hangs an image of St Anthony upside down at El Miguelito restaurant until a mate is found. Mating is on everone's mind in Michoacan. In Pazcuaro Mario spends 2 years to finish a bowl the way the ancients made them and sells it for $5,000! Giant turtles travel thousands of miles to the Michoacan Pacific coast to mate. At night we follow them laying the eggs and hatchlings returning to the sea with the moon pointing them to the water. less

Sihanouk Ville is a great little tropical getaway in the sun, sea and white sandy beaches. A place to unwind in a lay back ambience, enjoy ocean-fres…moreSihanouk Ville is a great little tropical getaway in the sun, sea and white sandy beaches. A place to unwind in a lay back ambience, enjoy ocean-fresh seafood and take in a snorkeling or scuba diving trip. The Sokha Luxury Hotel Sokha Beach Resort, set amidst 23.5 hectares of beautifully landscaped beachfront and garden with its own 1.5 kilometer pristine white sandy beach is a top choice when vacationing in South East Asia. It was voted amongst the Best New Hotels in the World in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine's Ninth Annual Hot List of 2005. A nearby attraction is the Ream National Park located 18 km from Sihanoukville and a must see while in Southern Cambodia. The park, which has been open since 1993, encompasses 30,000 acres of rainforest and 12,000 acres of marine habitats. http://www.sokhahotels.com less

The Independence Hotel was designed by French architect M. Mondet in 1963 and was constructed to complement the burgeoning tourist influx in Sihano…moreThe Independence Hotel was designed by French architect M. Mondet in 1963 and was constructed to complement the burgeoning tourist influx in Sihanouk Ville. Cambodians still refer to the Independence Hotel as the "7 storey hotel". It is a direct reference to this outstanding landmark which sits like a beacon on a promontory in the heart of the tropical forest. One hallmark of modernist architecture is the use of a site to add prominence to the architect's intentions. In this particular case, the marriage works well with the hotel commanding views of coastline and the rolling hills of Sihanouk Ville in every direction. King Norodom Sihanouk's designed the interiors as well as Promenade des Anglais - a garden and walkway at the base of the rocky outcrop that skirts Independence Beach. Jacqueline Kennedy staid there as well as a wide range of political celebrities from around the world. Today, fully restored to its former beauty and glory, The Independence Hotel succeeds in combining luxury with modernity and history. http://www.independencehotel.net/ less

S Medical Spa is one of the most luxurious rejuvenation centers in Asia winner of the AsiaSpa award in 2009. Unlike other spas, S is staffed by cer…moreS Medical Spa is one of the most luxurious rejuvenation centers in Asia winner of the AsiaSpa award in 2009. Unlike other spas, S is staffed by certified physicians, dermatologists, gynecologists, psychiatrists and nutritionists who seamlessly combine Eastern healing and spa treatments with cutting edge Western science. Innovative Intense pulse light treatments are known to repair sun damage and restore skin by removing the ravages of age. The Spa focuses on improving gynecological issues as they relate to aging and endorses rejuvenation therapies through hormonal rebalancing. http://www.smedspa.com/ less

Maremma in Southern Tuscany is home to ….yes, Italian cowboy, state of the arts wineries and a spa resort which is a member of the leading Hotels t…moreMaremma in Southern Tuscany is home to ….yes, Italian cowboy, state of the arts wineries and a spa resort which is a member of the leading Hotels the world. The Saturnia thermal baths are know since pre roman times. Water gushes out of an underground crater at the rate of 800 gallons per seconds filling the pools outside and inside the spa. The therapeutic value of the water lies in the high sulfur content and its moisturizing plankton. The resort is totally five star and pampering is the name of the game. There are numerous treatments at the spa but the active ingredient is always the moisturizing thermal plankton that has been the baths liquid gold for over 2000 years. Saturnia is a 2 hour drive from Rome or Florence. And definitely worth the trip. www.termedisaturnia.it/it/ less

Whether you call them thermal baths, hammam, Norwegian baths or Finnish saunas, the use of baths as a mode of relaxation and source of physical and m…moreWhether you call them thermal baths, hammam, Norwegian baths or Finnish saunas, the use of baths as a mode of relaxation and source of physical and mental well-being is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years. This aged-old European tradition is known today as thermotherapy. Scandinave Les bains Vieux-Montréal wants to restore the term spa to its former nobility, sanitas par aquam, or health through water. www.scandinave.com less

Kalani’s 120-acre retreat on the lush, tropical coast of the Big Island celebrates nature, culture, and wellness. Kalani lies on a conservation coast…moreKalani’s 120-acre retreat on the lush, tropical coast of the Big Island celebrates nature, culture, and wellness. Kalani lies on a conservation coastline east of lava goddess Pele, with the world’s freshest air, gorgeous black sand beaches, natural thermal springs, steam bathing and tidal pools excellent for snorkeling. We offer adventures, workshops, yoga and bodywork, delicious healthful cuisine and comfortable accommodations. Find yourself… in a peaceful, nurturing environment filled with the revitalizing energy of the Big Island. less

Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa resort integrates a diverse range of Oriental and Western healing practices. ... Kamalaya i…moreKamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa resort integrates a diverse range of Oriental and Western healing practices. ... Kamalaya is a haven; a place for us to slow down and feel safe enough to let go of old habits, drop our armour and begin to listen once again to our heart’s song, and to realise the depth of inspiration and wisdom all around. Centred around a monk's cave that once served Buddhist monks as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat, Kamalaya's essence is expressed in its name, 'Lotus (kamal) Realm (alaya)', an ancient symbol for the growth and unfolding of the human spirit. less

Nestled in upcountry Thailand, south of the lush foothills of those nourishing Himalayas, just outside the delightful city of Chiang Mai, is Tao Gard…moreNestled in upcountry Thailand, south of the lush foothills of those nourishing Himalayas, just outside the delightful city of Chiang Mai, is Tao Garden, an oasis of dynamic healing practice, blending the most exciting new medical developments of Holistic Western Medicine with traditional Eastern arts such as Taoist Massage, Acupuncture, 5 Element Chinese Healing Systems and Ayurvedic practices from India. less

Onsen’s are a traditional Japanese natural thermal hot spring and the therapeutic water rises from deep within the earth. Yukuro Onsen is the most po…moreOnsen’s are a traditional Japanese natural thermal hot spring and the therapeutic water rises from deep within the earth. Yukuro Onsen is the most popular in Niseko and is a great way to relax the body after a hard days boarding or skiing. less

One of Asia's most unique spas, PRANA recently won the Spa Asia Design Award. Inspired by the legendary Moguls of Rajasthan, the designers of PRANA S…moreOne of Asia's most unique spas, PRANA recently won the Spa Asia Design Award. Inspired by the legendary Moguls of Rajasthan, the designers of PRANA SPA- Australian owner and painter Jim Elliott and New Zealand Sculptor Rhan Hall, sought to blend Indian Palacial complexity with Moroccan rustic simplicity. PRANA SPA ushers you into a world of divine opulence. A relaxed, exotic and dramatic atmosphere awaits you, transforming the mundane into the sensuous... less

A visit to Mele Cascades waterfall is an amazing experience. You can swim under the cascade itself or in any of the 5 pools which all are an outpouri…moreA visit to Mele Cascades waterfall is an amazing experience. You can swim under the cascade itself or in any of the 5 pools which all are an outpouring of a deep underground spring with water that is cool, clear and refreshing. less

In Mexico' Sierra Madre mountains lies Morelia, a colonial gem with a gem of an Hotel

every year, around the world, Tibetan Bhuddists gather with the Dalai Lama to perform the mystical Kalachakra ceremony. This time it takes place in N…moreevery year, around the world, Tibetan Bhuddists gather with the Dalai Lama to perform the mystical Kalachakra ceremony. This time it takes place in Northern India at the foot of the Himalayas. less

Modern day practitioners in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil practice an ancient ritual brought from Africa with the slave trade in order to heal physical a…moreModern day practitioners in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil practice an ancient ritual brought from Africa with the slave trade in order to heal physical and spiritual ailments. less

The Oxygen Lepton is an electric, silent, non polluting scooter seen in the street Miami Beach

In Crema, Italy traffic is polluting the medieval center. A postman takes a stand and rides the Oxygen electric scooter on his rounds.