Tourism Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Celebrate Wine Days at the Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Posted by | Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Tourism, Travel, Wine | No Comments

Looking for a Fall getaway that includes delicious food and wine and a location that can’t be beat? Book a stay at the Sofitel Chicago located just off Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile for Sofitel Wine Days.

Sofitel Chicago Hotel Room with Wine

Sofitel Wine Days

If you are a wine lover, French wine in particular, then Sofitel’s Wine Days are for you. I attended the opening of their Faire la FĂȘte wine tasting celebration which was hosted on La Terrace. From whites to rose to deep reds, these wines were delicious and oh so fragrant. Sofitel Wine Days from Terrace

violin girl at sofitel

sofitel la terrace

Sofitel Chicago Wine Days will continue through October 31 with seasonal fall wine dinners, which are part of the larger wine dinner series, and weekly complimentary wine tastings.… Read more

Four Cheese Yellow Pizza

Piccolo Buco & Cooper’s Hawk Introduce Authentic Roman Pizza

Posted by | Beverage, Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Restaurant Opening, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 4 Comments
Have you ever traveled to an international city on vacation and discovered the most amazing food and then tried to figure out how you can bring it home with you?  Well, Tim McEnery of Cooper’s Hawk had that same experience, only he made it happen! Read about how Piccolo Buco and Cooper’s Hawk are bringing Roman Pizza to Chicago.
 

Piccolo Buco by Luca Issa & Cooper’s Hawk

⁣Piccolo Buco Cooper's Hawk Roman Pizza

Introducing Piccolo Buco, by Chef Luca Issa of Piccolo Buco Roma and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants, where you will find the most delicious and unique Roman pizza. 
chef luca issa
⁣The magic of Chef Luca’s pizza comes down to the extraordinary crust that is light and airy inside and yet has a tall crispy edge.
Read more
Beach view Puglia Italy

Explore Puglia, Italy: Culinary and Landscape

Posted by | Food, Foods, Tourism, Travel | 6 Comments

My virtual suitcase is packed. Travel agenda is made. Excitement is high as I get ready to explore Puglia, Italy. 

The Puglia Landscape

Exploring the Puglia region, pronounced pool-ya, is one of Italy’s hidden gems. You may also hear it called Apulia, its Italian name.

map of Puglia Italy

Puglia is easily identified on the map, as it runs down the east coast of the country from the Gargano Peninsula all the way into the “heel of the boot”. Puglia borders the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Six provinces make up the Puglia region on the southeast coast of Italy.

    • Gargano and Daunia – the northernmost coast of Apulia where you will find an almost deserted beach.
Read more

A Seafood Lovers Vacation to the Florida Gulf Coast

Posted by | Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 10 Comments

Exploring the Ringling, shopping on St. Armand’s Circle and dining at seafood restaurants across Tampa, Sarasota and Long Boat Key while on vacation on the Florida Gulf Coast.

Sandy white beaches, sunshine, seafood and a slower pace were the goals of my recent trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast. My ultimate destination was Long Boat Key, exploring Sarasota’s dining and art space along the way.

Flying in to Florida’s Gulf Coast

While choosing the airport you fly into is usually based on other factors than the food scene within the terminal, this was actually a decision maker for me. Having learned that the Tampa International Airport did a massive $154 million renovation with a focus on their design, culinary and concessions, I wanted to see what this meant from a traveler’s standpoint.… Read more

Beer, BBQ and Country Music at Windy City Smokeout

Posted by | Chicago, Culinary Event, Festival, Restaurants, Tourism | No Comments
 
Grab your cowboy boots and hat and make your way to the Windy City Smokeout happening this weekend in Chicago. Gates just opened for the 5th year of this food and music fest with two stages filled with artists from around the country entertaining fans all weekend long. 

Beer, BBQ and Country Music at Windy City Smokeout

With over 25 country music bands playing throughout the three day festival

Beer, BBQ and Country Music at Windy City Smokeout

and 20 of the world’s best pitmasters sharing their BBQ creations, this is an event you just can’t miss. … Read more

sprecher beer and pretzel

A Foodie’s Day Trip to Milwaukee

Posted by | Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 11 Comments

A Foodie’s Day Trip to Milwaukee – Exploring 5 culinary spots from Danish pastry to coffee roasting to craft beer to custard to seafood in the area. 

When you think of Milwaukee, what foods and beverages come to mind? I bet I can guess: brats, cheese and beer. All true! Yet, Milwaukee has a vibrant culinary scene that you need to hear about.

Exploring the food world within a city doesn’t just mean what you find in the city’s downtown. In fact, creative and innovative options can be found all around town. The first gem on my road trip to Milwaukee started in Racine.… Read more

where to eat in Lake Geneva

8 Food and Drink Places to Visit in Lake Geneva

Posted by | Tourism, Travel | 9 Comments

8 Food and Drink Places to Visit in Lake Geneva – Our girls trip to Lake Geneva, a bustling lake front resort town, included visiting a variety of dining options from Neapolitan pizza to steakhouse to Italian bistro to winery to cooking school to sweet treat shops.

What do we always talk about on vacation? Where to eat! And our girls trip to Lake Geneva was no exception. We were looking forward to the various culinary excursions we were going to have on our trip. While this, of course, included restaurants, we were also going to do some wine tasting at a local winery and get our chef’s hat on at the Lake Geneva School of Cooking. … Read more

The Ultimate Girls Trip to Lake Geneva

Posted by | Tourism, Travel | 2 Comments

The Ultimate Girls Trip to Lake Geneva – Celebrating friendship on a girls trip to this bustling resort town located right on the lake offering boat tours, innovative dining options, shopping, golf and so much more.

There is something so very special about having girlfriends. The ones who know your deepest secrets, support your hopes and dreams and make you laugh till you cry. When our crazy, busy lives get in the way of friendship, we know we have to make a plan to get everyone together and reconnect. Best way possible is a girls trip where our real lives are temporarily left behind and new memories are created.  … Read more

6 Tips for a Successful Housewares Show Experience

Posted by | Chicago, Housewares, Tourism, Trade Show, Travel | 16 Comments

6 Tips for a Successful Housewares Show Experience – What to know when planning to attend the International Home and Housewares Show including where to stay for an easy commute and other valuable suggestions.

For housewares brands and fans, it’s all about those 4 days in March that we look forward to each year. The International Home and Housewares Show puts on a spectacular four-day extravaganza in Chicago with more than 2,200 vendors and 60,000 attendees. Held at McCormick Place, it is a vast assortment of new to global housewares brands, manufacturers, retailers, designers and media all looking to get the word out on the latest trends and perennial favorites.… Read more

5 Reasons to Not Leave the Grounds of the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort

Posted by | Restaurants, Theater, Tourism, Travel | 10 Comments

5 Reasons to Not Leave the Grounds of the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort – A visit to the newly renovated resort and Three Embers restaurant in Northern Illinois.  

Going to a resort sometimes means just dropping your bags in your room and going off into the area in which you are visiting. That is not the case at the newly remodeled Marriott Lincolnshire Resort. Here are 5 reasons why you won’t want to leave. 

Located near the Wisconsin/Illinois border and about 45 minutes north of the city of Chicago, this property just received a $25 million major renovation. The first thing you will notice is that this resort is not located on the edge of a busy street but rather in an exclusive enclave.… Read more