Travel with Julie

Leaving Is Less Stressful With A Pre-Travel Checklist

How many times have you left for the airport and asked yourself, "Did I lock the door?," or "Did I pack my toothbrush?"  If I had a dime for every time I asked one of those questions...

So, I've become a little nerdy with a pre-travel checklist.  Laugh all you want, but having my checklist in hand removes all the stress of preparing for a trip.  I'm a happy and confident camper walking out the door knowing every item on my list has been checked off!

For all of you non-list makers and pre-travel worriers, I've decided to share my checklist with you.  Somethings on the list may not be applicable to you, like arranging for pool service if you don't have a pool.  But, hopefully it is a good starting point in helping you to create your own pre-travel checklist. You can either bookmark this page, download the PDF file below, or make copies of it for future use.  However you choose to use it, I hope you find it helpful in preparing for your next trip.

Download Pre-Travel Checklist

Calabrian Olive Oil Giveaway

Olive oil is a staple in every Italian's kitchen--and mine, too!  Most people associate Italy's olive oil production with Tuscany where the hills are lined with vineyards and olive groves.  But, did you know that 25% of Italy's olive oil comes from the deep south?  I didn't until a fellow blogger, Cherrye Moore at My Bella Vita, told me.

Go down the boot as far as you can go (into the toe area) and you will land in Calabria, a beautiful region that is barely discovered by tourists.  It is here that, while on a pleasure trip, Monica Kripalani discovered an olive oil that moved her so much she opened Monica's Fine Food in order to share it.

Now, Monica (with the help of My Bella Vita) wants to give us a chance to try this amazing oil, too.  How about it?  Here are the details:

Monica is giving away one 250ml bottle of Davoli Extra Olive Oil to one lucky Facebook Fan AND a $50 gift certificate to a random blogger.

To be eligible to win the free 250ml bottle of Calabrian olive oil, all you need to do is become a Facebook Fan of Monica's Fine Foods before Friday, February 26 at 5:00 pm (Pacific Time).  At that point, Monica will randomly select a winner from her Facebook Fans and the winner will be announced on My Bella Vita on Monday, March 1.

Bloggers, this part is for you . . .

For your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Monica's Fine Foods, just re-post this contest information in full on your website or blog by Friday, February 26 at 5:00 pm.  Leave a comment on My Bella Vita telling her about your post, and you will automatically be entered into the drawing.

Due to distribution restrictions, Monica can only ship items in the US and Canada.

Don't forget to leave me a comment here letting me know you are entering...I'd like to know who my competition is! :)

* Photograph by Monica of Monica's Fine Foods

Risotto With Osso Bucco for Valentine's Dinner

Valentine's Day is a special day to share with someone you love (not that we shouldn't strive for that every day--right?).  Yet, the idea of spending it battling weather, heavy crowds and exorbitant Valentine dinner prices, it just sounded more romantic this year to enjoy Valentine's Day in front of a crackling fire with soft music and a delicious meal at home.  So, I decided to grace my Valentine's table with one of our Italian favs:  Risotto with Osso Bucco!  

INGREDIENTS

Flour 1 cup red wine

Salt & Pepper 6 1/2 cups beef stock

2 Veal shanks 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice

Olive oil 1/2 cup white wine

Yellow onion, chopped 1 pinch Saffron threads

1/2 carrot, chopped 2 tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 celery stalk, chopped 1/2 grated Parmesan

2 garlic cloves

Season the veal with salt and pepper, dredge in flour.  In a heavy pan, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the veal shanks and brown on each side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium.  Add 1/2 the onion, the carrot, celery, and garlic. Saute until softened.  Add the red wine.  Stir to scrape up the bits from the bottom of the pan.  Raise the heat and reduce the liquid by half.  Add 2 1/2 cups of beef stock and reduce the heat to a low simmer.  Return the veal to the pan. Cover and cook for 1 hour, turning occasionally.  Remove the lid and cook until the shanks are tender (approx. 30 minutes).

During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, make the risotto.  In a saucepan, heat 4 cups of beef stock.  In a larger saucepan, heat 1/8 cup olive oil.  Add the other half of chopped onion and saute until softened.  Add the rice and stir until each grain is translucent with a white dot in the center.  Add the white wine and keep stirring until the liquid is absorbed.  Add a ladleful of stock and stir continuously until stock is completely absorbed.  Add another ladleful of stock and repeat until all but 1/4 cup of stock remains.  Add saffron to the remaining stock.

When the rice is tender and creamy but still firm in the center, add the saffron stock.  Remove from the heat and stir in butter and parmesan.  Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the risotto to serving dishes.  Top with the veal shanks and sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 2.

Getting Around In Paris

The only way to successfully navigate Paris is with a good map and a working knowledge of the metro system.  With these two companions, you will tackle the city like a true Parisian!

I know of only one truly good map of Paris: Plan de Paris par Arrondissement: Paris Street Guide by District.  It covers it all--streets, buildings and the metro.  Plan de Paris is more of a book than a fold-out map.  Yet, it is small enough to slip into a jacket pocket, making it indispensable for getting around Paris.

At first glance, the contents may appear confusing and complicated.  Taking a closer look, you'll find it is easier to use than most regular maps.  Let's say you want to visit the cafe Les Deux Magot that you've read so much about in your guidebook. You know it is located on Saint Germain-des-Pres, but first you must find the street. Start by looking up the street name in Plan de Paris' alphabetical index. The number to the left of the street name (in this case, 6) is the arrondissement (district) that the street is in. The number to the right of the street name (for this demonstration, I8) points to the square on the map where the street lies.  A view of Paris' 20 districts can be found on pages 202 and 203, while a map of each arrondissement begins on page 208.  To find Saint Germain-des-Pres, flip to Arr. 6 and follow the coordinates "I" and "8" -- voila!

TIP: The print size in Plan de Paris is small!  If you have trouble reading small print, take along a credit-card sized magnifier--it's the perfect travel mate.

Now that you know where Les Deux Magot is, how do you get there?  For the most part, the easiest and most economical form of travel in Paris is by foot and by train. A metro map can be found on the inside cover of Plan de Paris.  Metro stops are indicated on each arrondissement map.  Once you've identified your starting and ending metro stops, refer to the metro map to identify which line(s) you need to take.  Each line is coded by color, number and name of the stations at its ends.  It is important to know the direction you are heading in order to avoid boarding a train going in the opposite direction.

For example, let's say you're currently at the Louvre museum.  To get to Les Deux Magot, you must enter the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre station and hop onto the Pink line (#7) heading toward Villejuif Louis Aragon.  You will get off at the second stop, Chatelet.  From there, you will get on the Purple line (#4) heading toward Porte d'Orleans.  You will get off at the fourth stop, St-Germain-des-Pres.  Easy!

Trains run from 5 am to 1 am (2 am on weekends).  A single trip ticket costs €1,60 with unlimited transfers between lines per trip.  You can also purchase a "carnet" (packet) of 10 tickets for €11,60--a more cost efficient and convenient way to go if you plan to use the metro often.

For more help in using the metro, download this helpful illustrated user guide. 

Download the Metro Map: Download Paris Metro

 

First Friday Foto Therapy

The Meeting of The Waters (Rio Negra and Rio Solimoes) in Manaus, Brazil

Taken by: James Knight, traveler

On the first Friday of every month, I will share a photo from my travels, or yours.  If you'd like a chance to see one of your fabulous vacation photos published on this site, send it (in .jpg format) along with a brief description to: julie@myfarandaway.com.

Cure your travel bug with a dose of Foto Therapy!