FROM JOANNE'S KITCHEN--TRY THIS SUPER EASY RECIPE FOR ITALIAN WALNUT PASTA SAUCE

This hike through the Italian Dolomites is nothing less than spectacular Photo courtesy of Overseas Adventure Travel

Since the holidays are in full swing, I wanted to share this old family recipe, taught to us years ago when we visited our Italian relatives in Northern Italy. It was autumn and the walnut crop was at its peak. Our cousin, an accomplished cook, brought us into her kitchen and taught us this oh-so-easy creamy walnut sauce.

After our quick and delicious lunch, we took a marvelous hike on a trail which took us past the famous Dolomite mountains, delighting in the awe-inspiring scenery. What a perfect day that was and a travel moment we will not forget—not to speak of learning a new recipe that we served over the years we celebrated with family and friends. It is always a hit!

Enjoying this pasta on our patio here in San Diego California ©Joanne DiBona Photography

Our article on this old family recipe was recently published on USATODAY10BEST with step-by-step photos of how to make this sauce with nothing more than a blender—or a mortar and pestle, for those who really want to prepare it in the traditional style.

Note: the cream in this recipe can be replaced with non-dairy substitute as a vegan alternative.





Savor The Beauty of Europe's Rhine River on an AmaWaterways Cruise

Enjoy our photo gallery of a glorious cruise down the Rhine River on the AmaWaterways AmaMora, from Amsterdam to Basel, published recently on USATODAY 10BEST

In addition, check out our CRUISE PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY to enjoy a detailed compilation of each part of this magical trip along one of Europe’s most picturesque rivers.

The medieval city of Strasbourg is one of the many excursions offered on this Rhine River cruise.

©Joanne DiBona Photography

AmaWaterways Unveils Longest River Cruise Aboard One Ship for 2024

There’s no question about it. Travel consumers are looking to book extended river and ocean voyages these days, probably for a number of reasons. Retirees with a passion for travel and unlimited time on their hands are looking to make the most of their cruise, and a 7-day trip doesn’t quite fill their longing for immersive travel experiences.

As for younger travelers still in the work force, it is possible now to combine business and pleasure. As a result of the recent pandemic, more and more people are working remotely and they realize they can do this from any part of the world—including from a relaxing cruise ship on a leisurely itinerary.

Cruising through the Iron Gates Gorge between Serbia and Romania, photo courtesy AmaWaterways

So the recent announcement from AmaWaterways that reservations are now open for its historic 2024 Seven Cruise Journey, offering an epic 49-night itinerary on board the luxurious AmaMora, is definitely of interest to the cruise lovers out there, no matter what their age.

“Since the debut of our Seven River Journeys in 2021, we have received tremendous demand from travelers who are looking to spend extra time immersing themselves in beautiful destinations throughout Europe,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “With the widespread popularity of these immersive longer itineraries, we are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Spring and Summer Editions showcase enriching itineraries on board a single, award-winning ship – making it easy for guests to sit back, relax and enjoy the unparalleled experience of cruising seamlessly between the North Sea and the Black Sea visiting the historical sites and rich culture of the 15 countries in between.”

Guests who reserve their spot on AmaWaterways’ Seven River Journeys for 2024 will have the opportunity to dive deep into each region’s unique history, cultural traditions, and savory cuisine and wine, while being treated to a variety of exclusive experiences along the way. For the first time, the 2024 journeys will include a 7-day exploration of the Danube Delta visiting six new towns along the way and showcasing a special folkloric event in a new port, Giurgiulesti, Moldova.

Seven River Journey: Spring 2024 Edition

Embarking April 22, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands and disembarking June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania, guests will explore the hearts of 15 fascinating European countries in full bloom while gliding through legendary rivers and canals during the Seven River Journey: Spring 2024 Edition.

Seven River Journey: Summer 2024 Edition

The Seven River Journey: Summer 2024 Edition is the reverse journey of AmaMora beginning on June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania and ending on July 29, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Guests will enjoy summertime sailing the complete length of the Danube before passing through the history-making Main-Danube Canal onto the Rhine, Main, Moselle rivers and finally enjoying the Scheldt, Maas and Waal waterways of Netherlands and Belgium.

In addition to the locally influenced fine dining and hand-selected wines that AmaWaterways’ is known for, the 2024 Seven River Journey itineraries will also include complimentary gratuities both on board and ashore; a variety of new, unique small group excursions; complimentary laundry services; commemorative gifts; and a dedicated Cruise Manager and the same attentive crew throughout the voyage. On board, guests will be delighted to find spacious staterooms with AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies and top-notch amenities such as a relaxing sun deck, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room, complimentary bicycles and daily entertainment including cultural performances.

To book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.


Join the Fun--& Win a Free Cruise by Participating in Windstar Cruises "Treasure hunt"

Are you good at solving puzzles? If so, you could earn up to $200 in onboard credits that can be used on a Windstar sailing. You'll also be entered in a contest to win a Windstar cruise for two, which the cruise lines describes as an "exotic cruise to a fabled port-of-call." The contest is also a celebration of the fact that Windstar is close to having its entire fleet of six ships back in operation!

The luxurious Star Legend docked in the picturesque port of Napflio Greece.                                                                                                                 © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

The luxurious Star Legend docked in the picturesque port of Napflio Greece. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Start the contest by going to the landing page at windstarcruises.com/treasurehunt

and have a wonderful time watching the picturesque cruise videos while you attempt to crack the code. No purchase is necessary to enter and you have until October 1 to try your luck! A winner will be drawn from all the people who cracked the code and that person (and a guest) embarks on a Windstar cruise to go find the REALLY BIG treasure.

As inspiration, you might want to travel with us on an oh-so memorable Windstar Cruise, which brought us from Venice to Athens on board the Star Legend.

View our USATODAY10BEST photo gallery on this unforgettable cruise experience.

Enjoy an entire PHOTOGALLERY of images of each port of call on this Windstar Cruise.

Good luck and have fun!

#Windstar180TreasureHunt @WindstarCruises

Travel down the Rhine River with us on a delightful AmaWaterways river cruise

People often ask me to recommend our favorite river cruise line. It’s difficult to list our absolute favorites, since the many we’ve experienced have all been delightful in their own individual way. In full disclosure, while we have not personally experienced all the river cruises in operation now in post-Covid times, we’ve sailed enough times with AmaWaterways to know how much we can recommend this cruise line for its excellence in overall operations and passenger satisfaction.

Begin or end your AmaWaterways journey down the Rhine River in the beautiful city of Basel Switzerland.                                                                         © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Begin or end your AmaWaterways journey down the Rhine River in the beautiful city of Basel Switzerland. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Check out our short video, as well as our link to the photos we gathered during an unforgettable cruise from Amsterdam to Basel down the mighty Rhine river.

Sail with us virtually and enjoy these scenes of what you will see during an AmaWaterways cruise down the Rhine.

USATODAY 10BEST HIGHLIGHTS OUR VIKING CRUISE "TOUR OF ROME" EXCURSION

Our virtual tour of the natural beauty and ancient history of Rome, experienced during our December 2019 unforgettable sail onboard the Viking Ocean Cruise ship, the Viking Sky, is now featured on the USATODAY 10Best website. The "Cities of Antiquity & The Holy Land" itinerary brought us to ancient and stunningly beautiful destinations around the Mediterranean. For a look at the photos we collected during this visit to Rome, please log into our ROME GALLERY. Enjoy this photo journey of the unforgettable sites of antiquity, and the breathtaking scenery, you can experience onboard this incomparable VIKING CRUISE.

View on the Vatican in Rome

View on the Vatican in Rome



OUR PHOTO GALLERY OF MYKONOS, GREECE NAMED ONE OF USATODAY 10BEST'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES VISITED (VIRTUALLY) IN 2020

We’re honored to report that our photo gallery on the mystical island of Mykonos Greece was featured in USATODAY 10BEST’S article, 10 of the most beautiful places we visited (virtually) in 2020.

Mykonos was our first stop after leaving Athens onboard the Viking Sky on the “Cities of Antiquity & The Holy Land” itinerary. Featured at the top of the 10Best list, this MYKONOS GALLERY portrayed our experiences during our day’s shore visit to this ancient and picture-perfect postcard isle.

We’re looking forward to the day we can step onboard a cruise ship again and discover the wonders of our world, its history and natural beauty, and capture these moments through our camera lens to share with our readers.

A rainbow over the Viking Sky, docked in the port of Mykonos Greece, was surely an omen that our day’s shore excursion would be a memorable one.

A rainbow over the Viking Sky, docked in the port of Mykonos Greece, was surely an omen that our day’s shore excursion would be a memorable one.

@vikingcruises #vikingcruises



DISCOVER ANDREA BOCELLI'S TUSCAN BACKYARD-ALL PART OF AN AMAZING ADVENTURE ON OCEANIA CRUISE LINES

If your future travels find you in Italy's beautiful region of Tuscany, and if you a fan of the music of Andrea Bocelli, you definitely won't want to miss taking a tour of Bocelli's home town in the heart of Tuscany. Not only can you dine in his restaurant, but you can even record your own CD in his producer's studio. This experience was part of an intimate shore excursion with Oceania Cruise's Regal Riviera during a cruise through Italy.

Enjoy this article on 10BEST.COM and while you are at it, check out our complete photo library of this memorable OCEANIA CRUISE onboard the luxurious Riviera cruise ship.