Best Places for Holiday Fruitcake

by Adrienne Wilson on

Does fruitcake ever catch a break? Every holiday season fruitcakes are mail ordered and zipped
across the world via post and does anyone ever eat them when they
arrive? Another pondering mind asks several of the same
questions at Hungry
Monster and supplies a little background on the cakes said to be better used as a door stop. Someone out there
enjoys them, right? Speak your piece on this one if you’re a fruitcake lover out there.

I searched high and low looking for an operation somewhere out there where one could walk into a store and
buy fruitcake to accompany their egg nog during the season. Either these are very hard to come by or people aren’t
fessin’ up to their secret stash somewhere in the back of the bakery. This could be a huge mistake, but I’m almost
certain the Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, sells a very good
fruitcake. Yummy
Chow said it first, not me.

Too embarrassed to buy the dreaded cake in public? Don’t want people to know how much you despise your
mother-in-law? I don’t blame you. You can still send fruitcake to your loved ones via mail without anyone knowing.
Mail-order companies have been around for decades and they all boast they have the best of the best cakes, which bring
me back to my second question. What happens when they arrive?

Here are two companies that seem to have it goin’ on in the fruitcake biz, so check them out. And remember receiving
a delicious blend of fruit, nuts, and bread is always better than a lump of coal.

Finn Food With, um, Fins

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve tried a lot of different foods in my lifetime. I’ve had haggis, I’ve had meal worms, crickets and eyeballs. But even then, I took a look at the Finnish fishwich here and had second thoughts about whether I’d indulge in Finn cuisine. A dish called Vendice is described as tiny fish baked into an open rye tart. Hmm. Apparently the Finns don’t have a very solid culinary rep on the continent. According to the piece here, French President Jacques Chirac allegedly said that Britain was the worst place to eat “after Finland.” And then the Italian weighed in with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi saying he had to “endure” Finnish food during his travels. Of course, this could be typical Franco-Italian pomposity ,but if the fish tart shown here is any indication…well, I may stick with the Vodka.

Best Hotel Fitness Centers

by Erik Olsen on

A nice, fulfilling and comprehensive post
over at TravelPost about the best
fitness centers in hotels. Given that many of us are still reeling from Turkey and stuffing induced dinner comas, it
seemed a fitting thing to do, to list all these places travelers can go to work off Thanksgiving calories. The post
covers reviews by the likes of Men’s Fitness, the
Chicago Trib and
Frommer’s,

the latter of which is bullish on the well-stocked fitness center at the
Wyndham Philadelphia at Franklin Plaza.

So get busy hopping aboard those stairmasters and treadmills. Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat.

Holiday Travel Ideas: Chicago

by Adrienne Wilson on

Looking for ways to beat Mother Nature’s biting cold weather while in Chicago this winter? Those of

you thinking layering sweater after sweater or staying well put in front of a burning
fireplace are the only options you’ve got need to think again. The Chicago Tribune has an awesome list of events and
activities to take part in during this snowy season. Sure the wind may rip through your clothing and turn your bones
into popsicles while singing songs of good cheer when caroling with the

Do-It-Yourself Messiah. But just imagine how all that singing will keep you warm. (Sort of.) Anyone can
join the chorus and perform in the annual show of Handel’s “Messiah” held on December 20-21, 2005.

In addition to caroling events the Tribune points us to some os the lesser known celebrations in the states, but can
be celebrated just as fine here as in there native countries. The article guides us to Swedish shopping
spots to celebrate St. Lucia Day on December 13, 2005. The holiday is one of the most important on the Swedish calendar
and honrs the patron saint of light on one of the shortest days of the year.

Other unsung holidays mentioned are Epiphany, Kwanzaa and Makar Sankranti.

Lastly,

join a parade,

build a snowman or hit the snowy roads on a winter white road trip. Hopefully there will be enough fun
and laughter to help keep you warm. Otherwise don’t forget your mittens.

One for the Road: Too Much Tuscan Sun

by Kelly Amabile on


I went into the archives for this 2004 release. It must have been all that homemade pizza and wine we dined on last
night — I’ve got Italy on my mind.

Too Much Tuscan Sun: Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide was written by Dario Castagno, a British-born Italian who
moved back to Tuscany at age 10. After working in a winery, he opened his own tour guide business,
Chianti Black Rooster Tours, and chronicles his adventures in this
book. One review I read in a UK publication said the details about opening his business were very interesting, but the
stereotypical look at visiting American tourists gets a little old. Overall, it is regarded as one guide’s amusing
perspective on daily life in tourist-swamped Tuscany. One particular reason I’d like to read Dario’s account is that he
shares details of the popular Palio di Siena bareback horse race
that takes place each summer. In 2003, Dario was a member of the team that won the race.