Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy's Candy Co. - A Gourmet Delight at San Francisco Fancy Food Show

You’ve heard of the diamond’s four c’s? Color, cut,  clarity and carat are all characteristics that are important to a diamond. Well, I’ve discovered the three c’s and a g at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show. Chocolate, cheese, caramel and granola are important to the quality of my life.

In its 35th year, the Winter Fancy Food Show offers specialty food retailers a peek and a taste into what’s new and what’s next in the ever competitive gourmet food world. I decided to approach this year’s show, January 17-19, 2010, with a look at the regional connection we have with our foods.

While the show isn’t open to the general public, I’ve put together a short video of my three c’s; chocolate, cheese and caramel, with a granola product from Jackson Hole thrown into the mix because I’m headed to Wyoming this year.

Social media fans can find the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

What gourmet foods have you discovered on your travels?

Amano Artisan Chocolate www.amanochocolate.com

The Bunnery www.bunnerynaturalfoods.com

Chocolate Santander www.ourniche.com

Happy Goat Caramel www.happygoatcaramel.com

Nancy’s Candy Co. www.nancyscandycompany.com

Republica del Cacao www.republicadelcacao.com

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Interview with Captain Henk Keijer of Holland America Line

 “Ladies and Gentlemen,” booms the voice over the PA system. “This is Captain Henk Keijer.”

Typically passengers don’t meet the captain of the ship unless they attend a ’cocktails with the captain’ party toward the end of the cruise.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Captain Keijer mid-week on our seven day Alaskan Explorer cruise as a guest of Holland America Line.

When I heard his voice broadcasting through the Ms Westerdam cruise ship with an important message, I was not alarmed, but I knew something was up.

The September wind was blowing and the swells were picking up size as we were leaving Juneau, Alaska. Captain Keijer had decided to by-pass Sitka, our next port of call. Instead, he would guide our cruise ship up the protected and scenic Tracy Arm and was sharing the change of plans with the passengers.

Captain Keijer has spend 17 and one half years with Holland America Line and clearly enjoys his job. Originally from Holland, Keijer has traveled extensively and knew that he wanted to sail ships early on in his life. When he’s not piloting the Ms Westerdam, his days are spent in Seattle. His schedule is typically three months on and three months off the ship.

Margerie Glacier in Alaska as seen from Holland America Line MS Westerdam

 While I was interviewing Captain Keijer, the Margarie Glacier was calving in the background. I asked him if calving, or breaking off of the glacier, was a result of global warming.

“Calving is prefectly natural for glaciers,” explained Keijer. “It means that it is flowing, growing and advancing. If they stop calving, then there is a problem. That’s a bad sign,” concluded Keijer.

What are your favorite things to do in Alaska?

 I was a guest of Holland America Line. Photos by Nancy D. Brown

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Lake Lugano, Switzerland photo by Nancy D. Brown

My San Francisco post was fortunate to be featured in National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. Since then, I’ve decided to offer my favorite tips and locations for first-time visitors to select regions.

Here are my recommendations for a trip to Lugano, Switzerland in the canton of Ticino.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to downtown Lugano and the Parco Ciani. 

When I crave Lugano cuisine, I go to: Grotto Ticinese in Cureglia, five minutes by car; or Grotto Rossi in Castelrotto in the Malcantone region west of Lugano or I turn to the Mendrisotto region south of Lugano to find easy paths among many vinyeards in Ticino where grottos as Grotto Fossati in Tremona offer traditional, affordable meals.

To escape work I hike a nearby mountain.

For complete quite, I can hide away at the Canton Library.

If you come to Lugano, get your picture taken at the top of a mountain.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Restaurant Olimpia in Plazza Riforma, get the steak tartar.

Laderach Chocolate, Lugano, Switzerland. Photo by Nancy D. Brown

Lugano is my one stop shop for chocolates, watches and fashionable clothes because it can be cheaper to shop here than in Italy. Via Pessina is the gourmet street. Check out the five specialty shops of Lino Gabbani.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Migros or the Coop department store for food and clothes.

For a huge splurge, I go to Cristallo Ristorante.

Photo ops in Lugano include Lake Lugano and Mount San Salvatore.

The best vantage points are taken by riding a finicular to the top of Mount San Salvatore and going on the roof of the San Salvatore church.

The most random thing about Lugano is the swim race in mid-August in the lake.

In Lugano, an active day outdoors involves walking, hiking or biking.

My favorite jogging or walking route is the Lugano Gandria Olive Tree Path.

Lugano’s best museum is the Museum of Cultures.

For a night of dancing, go to Madai Disco, Tito’s Place, Laroy or Al Lido.

The Pearl Casino is the spot for late night dining, but be warned ,Lugano is not the place to grab a meal after midnight.

To find out what’s going on at night or on weekends, read Corriere Del Ticino, but only if you can read Italian.

You can tell a lot about Lugano from visiting the rural valley like Monte Bre.

In the spring you should attend walking Lugano.

In the summer you should attend August 1, it’s like our Fourth of July Independence celebration.

In the fall you should attend local harvest festivals.

In the winter you should go to Piu Gusto in December.

A hidden gem in Lugano is Grotto Flora.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Grand Cafe Al Porto.

Just outside of Lugano you can visit Morcote, have lunch at the Grotto del Parco and visit the Scherrer Garden.

The best way to see Lugano is to walk.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss Swiss Miniatur.

Where are your favorite places to visit in Lugano, Switzerland?

Thank you to Guide Marco Mastelli and Ticino Turismo for assistance with this post.

Photos and YouTube video by Nancy D. Brown

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