Author Archives: volovecto

Stockholm

Posted on August 6, 2019 by volovecto

The view from the seventh floor of the First Reisin Hotel in Gamla Stan: Stockholm is one of my favorite places.  My travel companions, however, had not been there before.  So the big question was, what do you show someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Sweden | Leave a comment

Helsinki, Finland

Posted on August 3, 2019 by volovecto

We had just two days to explore Helsinki, which we did using the public transport systems.  The train from the airport got us to the main station downtown, and the rest we did by trolley and foot.  A one day … Continue reading →

Posted in Finland | 4 Comments

Tallinn, Estonia

Posted on July 30, 2019 by volovecto

Tallinn is an easy day trip from Helsinki, but be prepared for quite a lot of walking if you want to take it all in.   From Helsinki it is just a two hour ferry ride and then a short walk … Continue reading →

Posted in Estonia | 2 Comments

Welcome to Finland

Posted on July 28, 2019 by volovecto

34% of my DNA comes from Finland, so you wouldn’t think it would take over fifty years to get here, but it did.  Luckily, I am here now. We landed in Helsinki, got in our rental car, and headed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Finland | 2 Comments

Key West

Posted on April 29, 2019 by volovecto

My first visit to Key West was forty years ago.   One sister was living in a trailer at the Simonton Trailer Park and I went down for a visit.  The Simonton Trailer Park is no longer there, town-homes mark the … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, U.S.A. | 1 Comment

Waiheke Island

Posted on March 13, 2019 by volovecto

Our last full day in Auckland we spent on Waiheke Island.   We knew nothing about the island except that it had relatively new, boutique vineyards, and that we should have lunch at Casita Miro.  The latter we knew only because … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Wine, New Zealand | Leave a comment

Rocks, Sheep, and Raindrops. The South Island In Three Days

Posted on March 11, 2019 by volovecto

We left the Marlborough area, Blenheim, and headed south on SH1. The hills were dry and it looked a lot like parts of California. We had what turned out to be an overly aggressive driving agenda for the next few … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Wine, New Zealand | 1 Comment

Marlborough, Sav country

Posted on March 8, 2019 by volovecto

Arriving into Picton on the ferry: After arriving into Picton on the ferry, we had about 48 hours in Marlborough, relaxing at the stellar Marlborough Lodge, to include my birthday.  We came here for the Sauvignon Blanc, which we drink … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Wine, New Zealand | 2 Comments

New Zealand. The North Island on hyper drive.

Posted on March 3, 2019 by volovecto

We are in New Zealand, landing in Auckland 24 hours behind schedule due to United Airline’s lack of customer service. The plan was to land in Auckland and have a day to rest and adjust, then pick up the rental … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Wine, New Zealand | 2 Comments

The Winter Solstice Is Here Again

Posted on December 21, 2018 by volovecto

Once again we have reached the shortest day of the year.  And once again, we perform our rituals to ward off the darkness and hope for the return of the sun.  We no longer doubt the return of the sun, … Continue reading →

Posted in Seasons & Holidays | 1 Comment