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Up in the Air in Courmayeur, Italy

Where Italy, France and Switzerland converge sits the fairy tale town of Courmayeur. At the top of Italy’s Aosta valley, high in the Alps, literally in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, the town has become one of Europe’s premier alpine getaways… CONTINUE READING >>

Courmayeur, Italy

Where Italy, France, and Switzerland converge sits the fairy tale town of Courmayeur.

At the top of Italy’s Aosta valley, high in the Alps, literally in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, the town has become one of Europe’s premier alpine getaways.

Whimsical slate roofed structures are set amid the amazing views of the Dente del Gigante (Giant’s Teeth) and the sadly receding glaciers.

Hotel Dente del Gigante

One of these remarkable stone roofed buildings is the Hotel Dente del Gigante where we were honored to be the guests of Luciano and Alfreda Angelini.

Since 1947, the Angelini family have been the proprietors of this beautiful inn at the base of the giant teeth near Val Ferret. The weekend was dedicated to a celebration for family and friends and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

Included in the festivities was a ten course meal the lasted an incredible five hours. Each course reflected the region’s unique flavors and was paired with the perfect organic wine.

We can’t imagine when or where we could ever have a meal (event!) like that again. In the Italian tradition, the food and conversation nourished body, mind and soul.

After dinner, we moved to the cozy lodge area where David, and the fabulous Paolo Bonfanti, entertained us with his marvelous music.

A perfect finish to a perfect meal.

We took off early the following morning to hike the Val Ferret. Strenuous work was needed to burn off the massive amount of calories consumed the evening before.

The peace and beauty of the place is palatable, just the two of us walking up a valley alongside glaciers, streams and the snow covered peaks, layered one beyond the next.

Marmot

The serenity was only broken by the screeching cry of the valley’s famous marmots. Not ferrets as the valley’s name implies, but marmots, a kind of high altitude wood chuck or whistle pig.

Perhaps the locals just didn’t think that Val Whistle Pig had quite the same  ring.

After about an hour of hiking up the trail from the parking area, we were surprised to come upon a beautiful mountain lodge, the Rifugio Elena.

Unbelievably — in the middle of nowhere — there is a beautiful and bustling refuge with lodging rooms and full service restaurant.

Though we vowed never to eat again after last night’s dinner, we did have some nourishing soup, featuring the fabulous local Fontina cheese.

Prè de Bar glacier

There are many of these refuges throughout the area that are used as safe havens from sudden storms or base camps for more demanding excursions into the wilderness.

From this refuge, many folks go on to take the hour long hike over the ridge into Switzerland.

When not gawking out the windows, we spent most of our time at Rifugio Elena staring at the incredibly informative pictures on the walls.

The history is all there, the refuge was built shortly after the First World War, destroyed by an avalanche it in 1960, then rebuilt in 1995. There are photos documenting the retreat of the Prè de Bar glacier just across the valley.

We were fortunate enough to get a first hand account of the glacier’s demise from an elderly gentleman who has been visiting Val Ferret for over sixty years.

For an up close and bird’s eye view of these rivers of ice, a ride on the Funivie Monte Bianco is unbeatable.

Planning, engineering and construction took decades and at the time of its completion, in the mid-fifties, it was the highest cable car in the world.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter a wit that it isn’t the highest anymore, it’s more than scary high enough! Whoever created a higher one had to be out of their ever-lovin’ minds, and Veronica can tell you right now, she will NOT have any part of it!

Billed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” (one of the best of the hundreds to make this claim) this terrifying little aerial tramway was the area’s only direct link into France until the Mont Blanc tunnel was completed in 1965, after eight years of digging.

These mountain folks are of a hardy stock.

Veronica, being a rational human being, has a natural fear of riding in small boxes that dangle thousands of feet in the air from an inch thick cable.

David, on the other hand, was actually giggling with anticipation. His maniacal grin taunted Veronica’s every terrified step toward the unwieldy gondola while pointing out “see, no wind at all, it’ll be great,” knowing that Veronica would go nowhere near it otherwise.

Funivie Monte Bianco Step 2

Once in the car, the trip is basically STRAIGHT UP from Courmayeur (4,015 ft) to Punta Heilbronner (11,355 ft) on the French border.

When she had her eyes open and was properly managing the gorge rising in her throat, Veronica had to admit it was one of the most spectacular sights she had ever seen.

At the top, the panorama includes many of the Alps’ most famous peaks. These include the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, as well as Mont Blanc and the famed Giant’s Teeth — seen up close and personal.

Funivie Monte Bianco Step 3

At the top, while drinking a very civilized and nerve-calming glass of wine, we had a chat with a group of crazy Scots, up there for some frost bite-tempting camping and crevasse-dodging skiing.

Knowing that writer (and bad-ass mountain climber) Jon Krakauer (of Into Thin Air fame) called the area “the death-sport capital of the world,” we wished them the best of luck and smartly decided that cable car travel was the least dangerous path back to the base of the peak.

With this in mind, the stomach churning ride down was actually quite pleasurable.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

How to Choose the Perfect Chauffeur Service: 10 Elite Travel Benefits You Need to Know in 2025

Whether you need executive transportation for business, luxury transfers for leisure, or bespoke services for special events and festivals, investing in first-class ground transportation is investing in your comfort, safety, and peace of mind throughout your Swiss journey…
CONTINUE READING >>

When traveling to Switzerland’s most prestigious destinations, from the alpine elegance of St. Moritz to the cosmopolitan sophistication of Zurich, your choice of ground transportation can make or break your entire experience. Whether you’re arriving via private jet at Geneva Airport, attending a financial roadshow in Zug, or enjoying ski transfers to Gstaad, selecting the right chauffeur service is essential for maintaining the luxury and efficiency that discerning travelers demand.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ten critical benefits of professional chauffeur services and reveal exactly what to look for when choosing premium transportation in Switzerland and beyond.

What Makes a Chauffeur Service Truly Exceptional?

A professional chauffeur service transcends basic transportation, it’s a seamless extension of your luxury lifestyle. Unlike standard car services or airport limo transfers, premium chauffeur-driven transportation provides a complete experience combining punctuality, discretion, and impeccable service standards. From government delegations to corporate executives and flight crews, discerning travelers understand that professional drivers are personal assistants on the road, ensuring every journey reflects the highest standards of excellence.

The 10 Elite Travel Benefits of Premium Chauffeur Services

1. Unparalleled Comfort and Luxury

The foundation of any exceptional chauffeur service lies in its fleet quality. Premium services like theblacklimo.com offer meticulously maintained vehicles including Mercedes S Class limousines, Mercedes E Class sedans, Mercedes V Class vans, and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses, each equipped with leather seats, climate control, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems.

Whether you’re traveling from Zurich to Lucerne for a business meeting or arranging hotel-to-hotel transfers in Lausanne, the comfort of a first-class vehicle transforms travel time into productive or restorative moments. For longer journeys like full-day or hourly at-disposal services, this luxury becomes invaluable.

2. Professional Reliability You Can Trust

Professional chauffeur services in Switzerland prioritize punctuality and professionalism above all else. Experienced drivers undergo extensive training and background checks, ensuring your safety and peace of mind. Whether you need airport transfers from Geneva, Basel, or Zurich, or require transportation for politicians, embassy delegations, or corporate events, reliability is non-negotiable.

The best services track flight schedules in real-time, adjust for delays, and ensure seamless connections, particularly crucial when coordinating transportation from your private jet or managing tight schedules during financial roadshows across Switzerland’s major business centers.

3. Enhanced Safety and Security

Safety is paramount when selecting a chauffeur-driven service. Professional chauffeurs are trained in defensive driving, navigation through challenging conditions (essential for ski resort transfers to Davos or Gstaad), and adherence to all traffic regulations. Premium services like theblacklimo.com conduct comprehensive background checks on all drivers, providing the security that VIP clients, government officials, and corporate executives require.

For travelers unfamiliar with Swiss mountain roads or navigating between cities like Interlaken and Burgenstock, this expertise eliminates stress and ensures safe passage regardless of weather conditions.

4. Significant Time-Saving Advantages

Time is the ultimate luxury. Professional chauffeur services maximize your productivity by handling all navigation, parking, and route optimization. While your driver navigates the most efficient paths between Bern and Zug or manages river cruise port transfers in Basel, you can focus on work, prepare for meetings, or simply relax.

Chauffeurs possess intimate knowledge of local traffic patterns, alternative routes, and optimal timing—ensuring you arrive punctually for festivals, events, or critical business appointments. This local expertise is particularly valuable for visitors to Switzerland’s diverse regions, from the financial districts of Zurich to the resort towns of St. Moritz.

5. Fully Customizable and Bespoke Services

Premium chauffeur services offer tailored packages designed around your specific needs. Whether you require:

      • Executive transportation for corporate roadshows
      • Private driver services for sightseeing tours and day trips
      • Ski transfers to premier resorts like St. Moritz and Gstaad
      • As-directed services for flexible, full-day itineraries
      • Event transportation for festivals and special occasions
      • Delegation transport for government and embassy officials

Leading providers like theblacklimo.com customize every detail, from vehicle selection (sedan, van, or minibus) to amenities like complimentary refreshments, Wi-Fi, and entertainment systems. This bespoke approach ensures your transportation aligns perfectly with your travel objectives.

6. Invaluable Local Knowledge and Expertise

Professional chauffeurs serve as knowledgeable guides to Switzerland’s most exclusive destinations. From recommending the finest restaurants in Geneva to suggesting hidden gems in Lausanne, or providing insights about the best times to visit attractions in Lucerne, their local expertise enhances every journey.

This knowledge proves especially valuable for international travelers navigating Switzerland’s multilingual regions or planning spontaneous additions to sightseeing tours. Whether you’re exploring the cultural richness of Basel or the scenic beauty of Interlaken, your chauffeur becomes a trusted resource, elevating your entire travel experience.

7. VIP Airport and Private Jet Services

First-class travel demands first-class ground transportation. Professional chauffeur services specialize in seamless airport limo transfers, offering:

      • Priority meet-and-greet services at all major Swiss airports
      • Luggage assistance and expedited customs coordination
      • Private terminal access coordination for private jet passengers
      • Flight tracking to accommodate delays or early arrivals
      • Discreet, professional service for high-profile clients and flight crews

Whether arriving in Zurich for business or Geneva for leisure, professional airport transfers from services like theblacklimo.com ensure your journey begins and ends with effortless sophistication. The transition from your private jet to a waiting Mercedes S Class limousine exemplifies the seamless luxury that discerning travelers expect.

8. Stress-Free Multi-City and Long-Distance Travel

Switzerland’s compact geography makes it ideal for exploring multiple destinations in a single trip. Professional chauffeur services excel at coordinating complex itineraries—from Basel to Bern to Interlaken, or Zurich to Zug to Lucerne, without the hassle of rental cars, parking, or navigation.

For ski enthusiasts, dedicated ski transfers between cities and premier resorts like Davos, Gstaad, or St. Moritz provide door-to-door convenience with ample space for equipment in Mercedes V Class vans or Sprinter minibuses. The flexibility of hourly or full-day at-disposal services means your itinerary adapts to your schedule, not the other way around.

9. Corporate and Executive Transportation Excellence

Business travelers require transportation that matches their professional standards. Premium chauffeur services cater specifically to corporate needs:

      • Confidential environments for sensitive calls and meetings
      • Reliable scheduling for back-to-back appointments
      • Professional presentation that reflects your company’s image
      • Flexible billing and corporate account management
      • Multi-passenger capacity for delegation and team transport

From financial roadshows in Zug to government meetings in Bern, executive transportation from theblacklimo.com ensures you arrive prepared, punctual, and professional. The Mercedes E Class sedan provides the perfect mobile office, while the Sprinter minibus accommodates entire delegations with equal comfort and discretion.

10. Exceptional Value Through Premium Service

While luxury chauffeur services represent a premium investment, the value extends far beyond the hourly rate. Consider the comprehensive benefits:

      • Time savings that enable productivity or rest
      • Stress reduction from navigation and parking concerns
      • Safety assurance through professional driving
      • Flexibility to modify plans as needed
      • Enhanced experience that elevates your entire journey
      • Professional image that reflects your standards

For discerning travelers who value their time and comfort, professional chauffeur-driven transportation delivers exceptional return on investment. Whether you’re hiring a car service for a single airport transfer or renting a private driver for an entire week of business meetings and sightseeing tours, the peace of mind and seamless experience justify the investment.

How to Choose the Right Chauffeur Service in Switzerland

When selecting a limousine service or private driver, consider these essential factors:

Reputation and Reviews: Research companies with proven track records serving VIP clients, corporate executives, and international travelers. Look for testimonials specifically mentioning reliability, professionalism, and service quality. Services like theblacklimo.com with established reputations in Switzerland’s major cities demonstrate consistent excellence.

Fleet Quality and Variety: Ensure the service offers premium vehicles like Mercedes S Class limousines, E Class sedans, V Class vans, and Sprinter minibuses to accommodate different group sizes and preferences. The condition and maintenance of the fleet directly reflect the company’s commitment to luxury and safety.

Geographic Coverage: Verify the service operates in all your required destinations, from major cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lausanne to exclusive resorts in Davos, St. Moritz, Gstaad, and Interlaken. Comprehensive coverage across Switzerland, including destinations like Baar, Zug, Lucerne, and Burgenstock, ensures seamless travel regardless of your itinerary.

Service Flexibility: Choose providers offering various service types: airport transfers, hourly rentals, full-day at-disposal services, as-directed transportation, and bespoke itineraries for sightseeing tours or day trips. The ability to customize your service, whether for ski transfers, river cruise port transfers, or hotel-to-hotel transportation, demonstrates a client-focused approach.

Professional Standards: Confirm all chauffeurs undergo background checks, professional training, and maintain the highest standards of discretion, essential for politicians, embassy staff, corporate clients, and VIP travelers. The professionalism of your driver directly impacts your entire experience.

Transparent Pricing: Select services with clear, upfront pricing for hire and rental options, avoiding hidden fees or unexpected charges. Understanding the cost structure for different service types, from single airport limo transfers to full-day executive transportation, enables informed decision-making.

Specialized Services: Consider whether the provider offers specialized transportation for your specific needs, such as ski resort transfers with equipment capacity, private jet coordination, flight crew transportation, or delegation services for government and corporate groups.

Why theblacklimo.com Stands Out for Swiss Transportation

When choosing a chauffeur service in Switzerland, theblacklimo.com exemplifies the premium standards that discerning travelers demand. With comprehensive coverage across Switzerland’s most prestigious destinations, from the business centers of Zurich, Geneva, and Basel to the luxury resorts of St. Moritz, Gstaad, and Davos, they provide seamless transportation solutions for every need.

Their fleet of Mercedes vehicles, including S Class limousines, E Class sedans, V Class vans, and Sprinter minibuses, ensures that whether you’re traveling solo or with a delegation, you’ll experience first-class comfort and luxury. From airport transfers and private jet coordination to ski transfers, sightseeing tours, and corporate roadshows, their bespoke services adapt to your unique requirements.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Swiss Travel Experience

Choosing the perfect chauffeur service transforms transportation from a logistical necessity into an integral part of your luxury travel experience. Whether you’re coordinating river cruise port transfers in Basel, arranging ski resort transportation to Gstaad, or managing complex corporate itineraries across Switzerland, professional chauffeur-driven services provide the comfort, reliability, and sophistication that modern travelers demand.

From the moment you’re greeted at the airport to your final hotel-to-hotel transfer, every detail matters. By selecting a premium car service like theblacklimo.com with proven expertise in Switzerland’s most prestigious destinations, you ensure that your ground transportation matches the excellence of your overall travel experience.

Ready to experience the difference that professional chauffeur services make? Whether you need executive transportation for business, luxury transfers for leisure, or bespoke services for special events and festivals, investing in first-class ground transportation is investing in your comfort, safety, and peace of mind throughout your Swiss journey. With services spanning from Lausanne to Lucerne, Bern to Burgenstock, and everywhere in between, theblacklimo.com delivers the VIP experience that elite travelers expect and deserve.

Create, Cook, and Carve with Cutluxe Cutlery

Cutluxe set out to perfect the original and most essential kitchen tool and we’d say they have done a great job. No high tech or complicated gadgets, just the real deal best possible knives at the best possible price…
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I love to cook. Way back when, I started doing it out of necessity. I had to learn how to feed myself. But I found out that I enjoyed it, and especially enjoyed eating the end results. Turned out that so did the kids and my darling wife.

Still, my talents ran to the very basic, preparing nothing fancy family meals. Lots of pasta, rice, some tuna, maybe some chicken, and plain vegetables. But after I started working in Italy a whole lot back in the nineties, I watched friends cook and I began to try to create some more adventurous meals.

I also started including more advanced cuts of meat into my recipes, which was great. I also love to grill. So we would fire up the Bar-B-Que and have a big time. But I was still buying almost of our meat pre-cut, so knives weren’t a big part of my kitchen utensils. That slowly changed.

I always had a bunch of random knives, never any matched sets, and occasionally I got a few good knives along the way. Nothing great, and usually as a gift, but I didn’t realize how much I needed a really fine meat cutting knife until a few years ago when I got a Cutluxe.

Now I can hardly imagine cooking without one, and Cutluxe makes some of the best. They set out to perfect the original and most essential kitchen tool and I’d say they have done a good job. No need for any high tech or complicated gadgets, just the real deal best possible knives at the best possible price.

They spent time working with professional gourmet chefs to find the details of how a great cutting knife performs. Then they incorporated that knowledge into designing exceptional kitchen knives at prices that all chefs, even a seat of the pants one like me, can afford.

They have also always kept their focus completely on cutlery, you might say that knives are their lives. So you will not find any other kitchen or cooking products on their extensive, and easy to use website.

Cutluxe is constantly honing their skills in pursuit of the best performing knives in their price range. And we agree that they are certainly comparable to many of the more expensive ones we have looked at.

Let me jump back to what we were talking about before, not even realizing the need for a good knife. I’ll bet a bunch of folks are still in that position, and I certainly get it, because I did it for years. Not too worried about sloppy cuts or using the wrong knife while thinking that it didn’t really matter.

But I will say this, there was always one day out of the year that it did matter, and it still does… Thanksgiving.

So let’s Talk Turkey.

We have all seen it, or worse yet been a participant in the destruction of a beautifully roasted turkey. The oohs and ahhs and looks of delight that went around the family and friends when the platter of poultry was placed on the table quickly turn to expressions of shock and dismay as the meat gets hacked mercilessly.

My childhood, right before this poor turkey got demolished.

It is not OK to destroy the bird by using a dull, or completely incorrect blade on it. And don’t even get me started on one of those electric monstrosities. Still, it wasn’t until I tried a Cutlex carving knife that I came to understand this. I mean, I knew something was wrong while I was doing my annual mutilating of the fowl, but never thought to get a better knife. I can hardly believe it took me so long to come to my senses.

But here is some very good news, you can be a whole lot smarter than me. Yup, I know it’s hard to believe, right? All kidding aside, it is not too late for you to put all of those bad Thanksgiving turkey carving disasters behind you and order The Cutluxe Carving Set with a 9” Carving Knife and a 6” Carving Fork.

This is the perfect holiday problem solver and there is still plenty of time to get your order in before it’s time to carve the Thanksgiving turkey. Don’t worry, orders are shipped in just a few days with free standard delivery, or you can choose express delivery to speed things up even more.

Either way you will be the hero at this year’s turkey day celebration. Maybe even more popular than the parade or the game.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Ultimate Winter Ski Escapes: Italy

Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the planet and this winter it can also be the origin point for some of your most treasured ski-holiday memories…
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Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the planet for a reason. Many reasons. Many reasons, with which you’ll already be largely familiar. This is, after all, a cradle of contemporary civilisation, an origin point for some of our most treasured artworks, inventions, philosophies, cuisines – and, this winter, the origin point for some of your most treasured ski-holiday memories.

When people think about holidaying in Italy, the first thought is generally that of vineyards stretching over Florentine hills, or of dainty villas perched precariously in Amalfi-coastal cliffsides. But Italy holds its own in the winter too, and especially so when it comes to winter sports. Here, we’ll deep-dive on what makes Italy the best skiing destination for your next festive getaway, and some key places to explore both on and off the slopes.

Why Italy Should Be Your Next Ski Destination

There are so many places in the world to go skiing, and so many places which have an outsized reputation owing to their popularity (cough, Switzerland, cough). But those top-rated Alpine resorts are not the only fruit – and Italy has some rare delights for you to try. Indeed, Italy can offer some of the best skiing Europe has to offer.

With two mountain ranges and a smorgasbord of ski resorts spread across them, mainland Italy ski holidays can have something for everyone – whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned skier, seeking challenging slopes, or looking for picturesque villages with which to populate your Insta.

Italy’s two main mountain regions are the Alps and the Dolomites, both to the north and both in possession of excellent terrain for skiers of all levels. Between them, they offer the perfect weather conditions to create longer skiing seasons than other countries; you can typically go any time from November to April, giving you more flexibility when deciding to go on your ski holiday.

Best Ski Locations in Italy

OK, so mountains good, slopes nice, Italy great – got it. But where exactly should you go for a good ski? For starters, there’s Alpe Di Siusi in South Tyrol, which offers some peerlessly breathtaking views of the Dolomites, by virtue of being home to the largest high-altitude plateau in the Alps. For gentle slopes and stunning sights, this is the one. For something with a little more bite, you might instead consider Veneto, located in the heart of the Italian Alps and home to Olympic ski runs!

Off the Slopes: Exploring Italy

Being in Italy, it would be a shame not to explore it beyond the slopes you’ll be racing down. Apres-ski, you’ll benefit greatly from the cosiness of the Alpine and Dolomitic villages that pepper the adjoining mountain pastures. Italy is practically the home of hospitality, so you can look forward to being fed well wherever you land. For a decadent between-skiing experience, you could also seek out one of the many pamper-friendly Alpine spas!

A Bloodcurdling Buffet – 12 Frightful Foods of the World


Just in time for Halloween, check out these tricky treats!

We’ve consumed these dozen frightening foods from around the world… so you don’t have to… CONTINUE READING >> 

How about a terrifying tour of the globe just in time for Halloween? We’ve consumed these dozen frightening foods from around the world… so you don’t have to.

Baked House Pet – Cuy

What would-be werewolf wouldn’t wildly wolf down a cute and cuddly creature? Cuy is Guinea Pig – yes just like the pets. Traditionally eaten in the highlands of Peru on special occasions, but this time of year, when the moon is full… oauooooh, ouh, ouh oauoooooh.

Cuy is Guinea Pig - yes just like the pets - and is traditionally eaten in the highlands of Peru on special occasions.Found grossing out tourists near Machu Picchu

Rocky Horror Oyster Show

What sort of outrageous ogre goes around eating the reproductive organs of innocent animals? Rocky Mountain oysters, considered a delicacy by many Montana mountain folk, are made by slicing and frying — you got it — bull testicles.

Rocky Mountain OystersMore on this delicacy and the Testicle Festival

Voodoo Donuts

Portland Oregon’s breakfast of champions, for sorcerers that is. Nothing hits the spot like a “Voodoo Doll” with a pretzel stick through his heart, bleeding raspberry-blood filling. Our little chocolate frosted supernatural pin cushion was a-dough-rable, and tasty to boot. Best of all, curses don’t cost extra.

Voodoo DonutsMore on Voodoo Donuts in Portland, Oregon 

The Legend of The Footless Chicken

What sort of maniacal monster does this to a chicken? In the lore of dim sum stands chicken feet. There’s not really much to gnaw on, just skin and bones. We won’t be petitioning The Colonel to sell them by the bucket.

Chicken FeetSpotted creeping through Victoria, Canada

The Vampire’s Favorite – Blood Sausage

Warning, may cause the Transylvania Two-Step… even in Spain. True story, when we asked our waitress what it was, she mimicked slitting her wrist. Didn’t make it more appetizing!

Blood Sausage in SpainWe gobbled as many tapas we could get our greedy mitts on in Barcelona, Spain

The Heart Attack – Deep Fried Cheeseburger

This CPR inducting, defibrillating, rib spreading bang for your buck has got to be the Triple D Burger at Michigan’s Gizzard City. A whopping third pound of ground cow topped with onions, pickles, tomatoes and American cheese, dipped in batter and doused in hot grease. Bun and all. Better hope that sexy nurse at the next table isn’t just dressed up for Halloween!


Deep Fried CheeseburgerSee The Unhealthiest Menu on the Planet

Eat Your Heart Out. And Your Lungs.

A meal fit for a zombie. We spotted Beuscherl on the menu, which was translated into English as “Salsburgs Calf’s Lights served with Dumpling.” Without the slightest idea what “Calf’s Lights” might be, we ordered it. Our waitress must have seen this mistake made before, because she immediately asked, “You do understand that this is heart and lungs of baby cow?” Bet she’s grabbed a torch and chased a monster back to the castle a time or two.


Ingested in Salzburg, Austria

Creepy Crawler Trick Treats – Scorpion Lollypops

Every little ghoul’s favorite snack, bugs! Yes, these “suckers” (bada ching!) are edible. The chewy center tastes like chicken… we wish.

Scorpion LollypopsFound lurking in souvenir shops in Arizona

Headless Horseman Cheese

Now we know where ole Ichabod’s head ended up. Head Cheese, meat jelly made from the head, with chunks of meat tossed in. We can only hope it’s not human meat.


Head CheeseCreeped us out on market day in Wangen, Germany

Fee Fi Fo Fum, Dine On The Bones…

Bone chilling, this dish is called “Bone Marrow Pudding with Tongue in Cheek Marmalade” — and it’s exactly what it says it is. When haunting The Riverwalk in San Antonio look for it. We did and were devilishly delighted. Delish!

Bone Marrow Pudding with Tongue in Cheek MarmaladeFor more on our San Antonio Riverwalk Appy Crawl

A Horrifying Blunder – Bacon Dipped in Chocolate

Sweet and salty deliciousness? Crunchy, chocolatey culinary delight? Uh. No. Midwestern madness. Terrifying tummy torture. Watch the video below and PLEASE tell us that this is simply a Frankenstein food experiment that went terribly, terribly awry!


Experience the festival where we found this culinary gem

Platter of Entrails – Argentine Barbecue for One

A meal fit for a monster. We found most of it barely edible, a bit of a ghastly gastric experience. Tripe, sweetbread (which is a fancy name for pancreas or other mysterious glands), kidney, some kind of intestines or something and, udder? Holy cow! Literally, holy cow!

Lots of tricks and very little treat.

Platter of Entrails - Argentine Barbecue for OneCautiously nibbled upon in Buenos Aires, Argentina

YOUR TURN: Got a fiendish favorite?

Top Family-Friendly Things to do in Mallorca During Winter Holidays

With the first chill in the air it’s time to start planning for a winter getaway to somewhere warmer. This year, we are thinking about a trip to the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca…
CONTINUE READING >>

It’s that time of year. The time when we begin to feel the first real chill in the air and can tell that winter will be coming before too long. This means it is also time to start planning for a winter getaway to somewhere warmer. This year, we are thinking about a trip to the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca.

While it is not tropical, it is certainly pleasant and frost-free throughout the winter months, with the added bonus of being much less crowded than during the summer season. For us it is also very convenient for traveling with our daughter’s family that lives in Paris. Just a short flight, which makes it easier for our grandchildren to come along on this adventure.

With six of us in the extended family traveling together, we will certainly be looking for accommodations that go above and beyond the average hotel, so we were thrilled to find the best holiday apartments for families in Mallorca. The Casa Vida Apartments by Reverence Hotels, right on the lovely Santa Ponsa beach, certainly meet all of our requirements. The set up is perfect for a group like ours with 1 and 2-bedroom family apartments completely renovated in modern Mediterranean style.

Each unit includes a complete kitchen with everything we could need, plus individual bathrooms, a spacious living room, and separate bedrooms. It makes for a fantastic and comfortable home base for our exploring the Mediterranean magnificence of Mallorca.

And the wintertime is the best time for much of what we want to see and do on the island because the crowds of summer are long gone. That means we will have no trouble getting into all of the attractions such as the truly remarkable Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. This nearly eight hundred year old church has seen many changes through the years, including extensive renovations done by none other than our favorite architect, Antoni Gaudí, back in the early nineteen hundreds.

His influence is certainly still very apparent but this massive structure has plenty of other historic features and is perhaps best known for the enormous rose stained-glass window in the the central nave. It has become a symbol of the island and is the second largest Gothic rose window in the world behind the Strasbourg Cathedral in France. As an added bonus, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina is right next door. So why not drop by?

While us adults will be thrilled to see these historic sites, the kids might not be as enthusiastic, but we are sure that they will love the Palma Aquarium. Widely acclaimed as one of Europe’s finest and most interactive aquariums, kids of all ages will enjoy the wide array of experiences available such as diving with sharks and snorkeling with stingrays.

Through their 3D virtual tours all of us, grandparents, parents, and kids, can have the chance to get up close and personal with humpback whales and explore the entire undersea world of the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean Sea. Personally, I am really looking forward to the amazing jellyfish tank too.

For an outdoor adventure we certainly don’t want to miss the incredible Torrent de Pareis. Two sheer rock walls form this landmark canyon that opens into the sea in a spectacular scene. It is not all that easy to get to, but we discovered that there are tours, one that even includes a ride on a classic narrow gauge train, that will takes us all right to the cliffs in comfort. Anyone who has followed us in the past knows that we love trains, and I’m happy to report that so do our grandkids.

Kids also love castles, and Bellver Castle is a good one. The massive stone structure has overlooked and protected the city of Palma for over seven hundred years. Although the protection part of that equation has not been in the picture for quite some time. These days the fortress serves as the city’s historical museum and a great place for our two grand daughters to pretend to be princesses.

With all of this and more it looks like we will certainly be making some family history of our own.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

The Best Destinations in Gran Canaria for a Romantic Getaway

Warm and sunny almost all of the time, with fantastic beaches that make for our idea of a perfect romantic escape, what more could we want? Well, Gran Canaria has much more to offer than just beaches… CONTINUE READING >>

We like to describe our empty nest years as Celebrating Life After Kids. Please don’t take that the wrong way, we love our kids, and grandkids, and all kids really, but sometimes every adult needs a break. A chance to getaway and reconnect as a couple and reignite some of that romance that brought us together in the first place all those years ago.

That can be true for couples who never had children as well. An adults only vacation is a great way to enjoy some time together and then go back home relaxed, refreshed, and ready to get back to work or raising kids with a brighter attitude and energy.

That’s why we were so thrilled to find an Only Adult Hotel in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria that we think could be the ultimate place to make a great getaway. Why? Because the The Marina Bayview Hotel has absolutely everything a couple could desire for a romantic respite. Also, it’s on an island, and we love islands, almost any islands, but the Canary Islands are just about as good as it gets.

Warm and sunny almost all of the time, with fantastic beaches that make for our idea of a perfect romantic escape, what more could we want? Well, Gran Canaria has much more to offer than just beaches. There is also incredible scenery, fishing and whale watching excursions out in the ocean, challenging golf courses, hiking, biking, and much more.

To make our island adventure even better, Marina Bayview has a host of amenities that are what every traveling adult would want. Like a private Jacuzzi with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean? Seriously, who can possibly say they don’t like that? Not us, but that might not even be the best part. We always plan for a trip to the spa for some beauty treatments and a massage because nothing melts away the stress like some good old fashioned pampering.

We also love the pool, and of course the La Ballena Pool Bar. Whether we just want a refreshing drink, a light snack, or a tasty lunch, this is the place for great cocktails and bites and more importantly, some serious laid back relaxation.

But the best part is that all of this can be enjoyed while basking in the comfort of your very own Apartment with private jacuzzi in Gran Canaria. That’s right, The Marina Bayview Hotel is no ordinary hotel. These are apartments thoughtfully designed to meet all our comforts and needs, such as a fully equipped kitchens, private balconies, and yes, as we mentioned before, even a private Jacuzzi is available. The feel is much more like a vacation home than a hotel.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention another thing that helps make for a superb couples getaway, a sumptuous breakfast buffet everyday until 11am. Sleep in and then indulge in all the favorite breakfast specialties and local delights with no hurries, worries, or cares. What a way to start the day!

Then, when dinner time rolls around, we can savor the local flavors at one of the island’s top rated restaurants, El Puerto. The sophisticated atmosphere and unbeatable views make for a memorable evening of fine dining.

We like to think of it as a four star vacation without breaking the bank.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com