The Avid Traveler

Kalvholmen (an island in Stockholm’s archipelago) — It would be difficult, if not impossible, to fully comprehend the Swedish soul without first learning to appreciate the Swede’s love of water and the archipelago. Nothing facilitates that appreciation more quickly or more tangibly than to stand at the end of a brygga (pier), muster up your courage and plunge into what you know will be a cold current in the Baltic Sea.

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Miquel Ruiz, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

Chef Miquel Ruiz, Michelin one star, served us an 11-course lunch at La Sen, in Denia, Spain. For a Flickr slideshow, click La Sen restaurant.

La Ereta Restaurant, Alicante, Spain, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

On Castle Hill, overlooking the city of Alicante, is the fine-dining La Ereta restaurant. From the city center, you could walk up in 30 minutes if you’re feeling ambitious. The walk down is easy and enjoyable. For a Flickr slideshow, click La Ereta Restaurant.

Fires of San Juan, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

Alicante celebrates the arrival of summer with the Bonfires of San Juan. In an atmosphere of music, color, fireworks and extravagance, thousands of people throng the streets to experience this fiesta that pays tribute to fire. To view a Flickr slideshow, click Fires of San Juan.

Bodegas Sierra Salinas, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

Yet another wonderful bodega in the Valencia region. For a Flickr slideshow, click on Bodegas Sierra Salinas.

Bodegas Mendoza, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

One of the more popular wineries in the Valencia region, Bodegas Mendoza. To view a Flickr slideshow, click on Bodegas Mendoza.

La Taberna del Gourmet, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

Surely one of Alicante’s best restaurants, operated by a mother and daughter team, La Taberna del Gourmet attracts a slew of celebrities, including Francis Ford Coppola and Gerard Depardieu. To view a Flickr Slideshow, click La Taberna del Gourmet.

Bodegas Gutierrez de la Vega, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

At Bodegas Gutierrez de la Vega near Valencia, Spain. To view a Flickr slideshow, click Bodegas Gutierrez de la Vega.

Paella At Last!, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

Our press group attended a paella workshop in Valencia, Spain, where we learned to create Spain’s national dish in the region where it originated. See movie below or to view a Flickr slideshow click on Making Paella in Valencia, Spain.

A quick morning walk through Valencia’s Central Market, where saffron, other spices, seafood, ham and vegetables are all on display. To view a slideshow click on Valencia’s Central Market.

Valencia’s Central Market, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.