The 12 of us gathered for a sumptuous four-course gourmet dinner, each dish seasoned, served and savored with elan. The artistically folded napkins were rivaled only by the several glasses at each setting aligned to designer specification. The conversation flowed as freely as the wine, laughter bubbling up and over the table like a fine bottle of champagne.

The grassy smell of earth is steadfast while the swirling rhythms of Ireland are creating an ecstatic visual harmony, as a wash of air ruffles the trees. The sea, mutating from turquoise to deep blue, to hues of green, is etched and sliced by the wind with little streaks of warmth, as the sun beats a ceaseless tempo. The Irish landscape opens to mossy hillsides, thick woodlands, a canopy of leafy trees lining the roadway, lush fields with grazing horses' tails twitching, and small fishing villages with small-town charm.

I started traveling to Spain after a column I wrote for my local newspaper referenced growing saffron crocus in the Catskill Mountains so I could make paella. (Saffron is one of the most expensive spices, so I definitely wanted to grow my own.) A Spanish friend forwarded my piece to some people of influence who invited me to attend a forum on the “Year of Gastronomy” in Spain. They liked how I reported on that and the curiosity and gravitas I brought to the journey. They have invited me back many times in the decades since.

As an American with Japanese roots, visiting Japan always feels like stepping into a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation. The country’s ability to marry cutting-edge modernity with deep cultural heritage never ceases to amaze me. From high-tech toilets to affordable street food, Japan offers a unique experience that’s both familiar and wonderfully foreign. Here, I’ll share some of my favorite aspects of Japan that stand out: the ingenious toilets with built-in sinks, the deliciously affordable food, the artistic manhole covers, and the impeccably clean hotel rooms.

In the heart of Uganda, where poverty, conflict, and disease have left countless children without families, Streams in the Desert Orphanage stands as a beacon of hope. Led by the compassionate and dedicated Dennis Okabo, this orphanage is committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable children through love, care, and opportunity. While specific details about Streams in the Desert Orphanage under Dennis Okabo’s leadership are limited, the organization’s mission aligns with Uganda’s broader efforts to address the orphan crisis, and its work reflects the resilience and determination of those striving to make a difference.

Lazcarro traveled the world gathering menu ideas and has created an elevated dining experience for the Hacienda Del Cabo guests, preparing modern Mexican and International cuisine. With incredible lineage and a caring family, including four sisters, a grandfather who ignited his passion at age six for cooking, and a father who owned Puebla’s La Noria where Lazcarro furthered his skills. Lazcarro attended university in Puebla, and the Culinary Institute of America.

For me, Villa Porta was an example of why I traveled so much: The personal and the historical were inseparable. This property proved it. The owners were part of the history. The spatial experience of the landscape was inseparable from the owner's personal story, going back decades. I loved such places.

Within the city of Valencia is an area called The City of Arts and Sciences. It is an example of modern architecture seemingly floating in reflection pools, the whole being largely designed by the world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, a native of Valencia, with assistance by another Spanish architect, Félix Candela.

Okay, there is so much more to any ACL adventure -- both in terms of on-board entertainment, activities and always-exciting excursions but please bear with me because I became enthralled by the Lewis and Clark storyline. So that's where I'll begin.

Raoul’s Two Cents: March 28, 2025 Should We Be Scared of AI? WARNING: Some religious talk. Please move on to the jokes if this isn’t “your thing.” Our church did a reenactment of what the Old Testament High Priest did during Yom Kippur — the killing of the goats, the ram and sprinkling of their blood 7 times on the …