When in Trøndelag Choose Local

click image to enlarge

MS Vesterålen
Norway's Coastal Kitchen

Hurtigruten’s cruise along the Norwegian coast not only offers a whole host of incredible experiences and wondrous scenery, but is also a culinary journey. The on-board menus offer authentic Norwegian cuisine, which reflect both the seasons and the local specialties and cuisine of the regions past which the ship is sailing.

        Dinner in Trondheim

During our cruise through Trondheim on the way back south, Hurtigruten's Norway Coastal Kitchen featured local cuisine from the Trøndelag area in Central Norway.  This was one of the most unique local meals during our voyage.

“Sodd” means to seethe and is traditional soup of the region. Genuine Sodd from Trøndelag consists of meatballs and dices made ​​of lamb (mutton),  beef, and broth. The meatballs are made with cornflour, whole milk, heavy cream, ginger and nutmeg. It must be served with Skjenning, a flat bread that has been brushed with sugar and fresh milk on one side.

Additional photos can be found on our Norway Shutterfly page

Norway's Coastal Kitchen


Click on the image to the right for more Blog posts about this trip.

Connect With Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers


Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Arthur is First Tropical Storm in Atlantic 2014 Season

Hurricane ARTHUR
NHC issuing advisories on Hurricane ARTHUR and TS DOUGLAS
NHC News: Go “Inside the Eye” as we explain our new 5-day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook making its debut July 1st: http://ow.ly/3mon61 

Looks like it's going to be an active 4th of July holiday weekend with three storms being tracked by the National Hurricane Center.  The 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season has finally had the first tropical depression form and increase to Tropical Storm Arthur.  The storm formed offshore the central Florida Atlantic coast.  It will continue northward along the coast and strengthen into a hurricane before continuing on to Canada.

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Full coverage of this, and all tropical storms, can be found on our Hurricane Zone page.   There are RSS feeds from the National Hurricane Center posted there giving you up to the minute information.   For storms that impact cruises, we will bring you information on those details as well.  Please bookmark that page for further reference during the Hurricane Season which runs now through November 30th.

Tropical Storm ARTHUR	1100 AM EDT TUE JUL 01 2014 ...DEPRESSION BECOMES A TROPICAL STORM  OFFSHORE OF THE CENTRAL FLORIDA ATLANTIC COAST...
WIND:	NEAR 90 MPH...150 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * OCRACOKE INLET NORTH CAROLINA TO THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER * EASTERN ALBEMARLE SOUND A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER TO CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VIRGINIA...INCLUDING THE MOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY * WESTERN ALBEMARLE SOUND * NANTUCKET * CAPE COD FROM PROVINCETOWN TO WOODS HOLE * DIGBY TO PORTERS LAKE NOVA SCOTIA A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR... * NEW BRUNSWICK FROM THE U. S./CANADA BORDER TO GRAND-ANSE * NOVA SCOTIA NORTH OF DIGBY...NORTH OF PORTERS LAKE...AND INCLUDING CAPE BRETON ISLAND * ALL OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND   INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN COASTAL PORTIONS OF NEW ENGLAND...NEW BRUNSWICK...AND NEWFOUNDLAND SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF ARTHUR.
SHIP IMPACT:	Carnival Splendor -- as it makes its way  up the East Coast of the US.  The Carnival cruise ship will call in at Bermuda  rather than St John tomorrow (July 5th).

     
Storm Archive       Graphics Archive

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...IN THIS CASE WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS. 

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE IN PORTIONS OF THE
WARNING AREAS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA THIS MORNING. TROPICAL
STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE WARNING AREA IN NEW
ENGLAND BY TONIGHT.

STORM SURGE...THE COMBINATION OF A DANGEROUS STORM SURGE AND THE
TIDE WILL CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY
RISING WATERS. THE WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING HEIGHTS ABOVE
GROUND IF THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE...

NORTH CAROLINA WITHIN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA...3 TO 5 FT
PAMLICO AND ALBEMARLE SOUNDS...2 TO 4 FT
EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA...1 TO 3 FT

COASTAL FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE ALONG CAPE COD.

THE HIGHEST WATER WILL OCCUR ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST IN AREAS OF
ONSHORE FLOW. THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DAMAGING
WAVES. SURGE-RELATED FLOODING DEPENDS ON THE RELATIVE TIMING OF THE
SURGE AND THE TIDAL CYCLE...AND CAN VARY GREATLY OVER SHORT
DISTANCES. FOR INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE SEE
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AND
THE NEW EXPERIMENTAL POTENTIAL STORM SURGE FLOODING MAP FOR MORE
DETAILS.

RAINFALL...RAINFALL WILL BE DIMINISHING OVER EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
THIS MORNING WITH STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES AND
ISOLATED MAXIMUM OF 8 INCHES POSSIBLE. RAINFALL TOTALS OF 1 TO 2
INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA. RAINFALL
ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS RHODE
ISLAND...EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND COASTAL MAINE.

SURF...SWELLS GENERATED BY ARTHUR ARE AFFECTING AREAS ALONG THE
COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA...AND WILL SPREAD NORTHWARD ALONG THE
MID-ATLANTIC AND NORTHEAST COASTS OF THE UNITED STATES TODAY. THESE
SWELLS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENTS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE.

Historical Notes:

1100 AM EDT TUE JUL 01 2014

...DEPRESSION BECOMES A TROPICAL STORM OFFSHORE OF THE CENTRAL
FLORIDA ATLANTIC COAST... 

 500 AM EDT THU JUL 03 2014

...ARTHUR NOW A HURRICANE...
...EXPECTED TO MOVE NEAR THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS TONIGHT...

800 PM EDT THU JUL 03 2014

...8 PM POSITION UPDATE...
...EYE OF ARTHUR PASSING SOUTHEAST OF WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA...

100 AM EDT FRI JUL 04 2014

...EYE OF ARTHUR MOVING OVER SOUTHERN PAMLICO SOUND...
...HURRICANE CONDITIONS SPREADING NORTHWARD ALONG THE OUTER BANKS...

900 AM EDT FRI JUL 04 2014

...ARTHUR BEGINS TO WEAKEN AS IT PULLS AWAY FROM NORTH CAROLINA... 

Twelfth Tropical Storm of Atlantic Season Forms

        

Tropical Storm Lorenzo

Tropical Storm Lorenzo formed in the Central Atlantic.  The storm is expected to weaken in a couple of days and does not pose a threat to land at this time.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo	500 PM AST MON OCT 21 2013 ...TWELFTH TROPICAL STORM OF THE SEASON FORMS...
WIND:	NEAR 40 MPH...65 KM/H... WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.
SHIP IMPACT:	NONE

Storm Archive         Graphics Archive

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

  
SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...28.9N 54.9W
ABOUT 635 MI...1020 KM ESE OF BERMUDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 30 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1008 MB...29.77 INCHES

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MPH...65 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
None

HISTORICAL DATA:

1100 AM EDT MON OCT 21 2013
 
...TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS IN THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC...

Athens City of Contrasts

Ancient Ruins

Modern City Center

When you think of Athens, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I'd bet it is The Acropolis, the greatest of all archeological sites, which dominates the Athenian landscape.

Following our Lunch at Metropolitan Hotel Athens, we boarded our motorcoach for our journey to Cape Sounion.  Before bidding goodbye to Central Athens, we navigated through the streets of this bustling metropolis passing several sights which our guide pointed out along the way.  In the picture above, you see some remnants of an archeological exploration which have been protected in an exhibit.

Major Attractions

Three of the well-known attractions are the modern Academy of Athens, next to the University of Athens and the National Library (not shown) forming 'the Trilogy'.  The main purpose of the Academy of Athens is the cultivation and advancement of the Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts, the conduct of scientific research and study, and the offer of learned advices to the state in these areas.

Athens Panathenaic Olympic Stadium (1896)

The U-shaped stadium, in which was held the re-birth of the Olympic Games in 1896, is set between two natural hills in central Athens.  When we visited, preparations were being made for a Special Olympics event, thus all the activity and scaffolding in the image.

Getting Around Athens

There is a Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour in Athens which stops at about 15 sights for around $25 per person.  These types of tours make it easy to get from one attraction to another without being tied down to a strict schedule.

If you simply need transportation, and not the tour aspects, you can opt for a one-day pass on the metro.   The metro was upgraded for the Olympic games a few years ago, and it is quite easy to find your way around Athens for those that want to be quite independent.

No matter how you decide to explore Athens, you will definitely notice the contrasts between ancient artifacts and the modern city center.  Click the following link for more images of Central Athens.

Additional photos can be found on our Facebook Albums.




Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Connect With Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers


Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

 

Lunch at Metropolitan Hotel Athens

Buffet Lunch is Served

Our day in Athens began quite early with our arrival at the Acropolis around 7:30 AM.   After climbing the 80 steep steps and entering through the Propylaea, we explored this ancient city for several hours before heading to our second stop in Plaka.

All that walking has helped us work up quite an appetite for some food.   Our all day tour included a hot and cold buffet lunch complete with a glass of wine and Greek pastries for dessert.  Did we mention that we really love Baklava?

Metropolitan Hotel Athens
 

Chandris Hotels operates the cosmopolitan Metropolitan Hotel Athens located in central Athens.  With a view to both the Acropolis and the Aegean Sea, the fully renovated Metropolitan hotel is ideally situated in front of the Faleron Olympic Coastal Park for both leisure and business travelers.  If you are looking for a hotel in central Athens, we would certainly suggest investigating this hotel - the food was excellent as was the service.

When in Greece...

You must have some lamb, classic Greek Moussaka, Spanakopita, and Pastitsio (one of my favorites on the buffet it consists of luscious layers of seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a creamy bechamel sauce baked to perfection).  All these items and more were waiting for us as we arrived for lunch.  And, did I mention that they had several kinds of Baklava? See more photos:  Lunch Buffet - Athens

Following lunch it was time to continue our drive to Cape Sounion. Before we get there, we'll show you some of downtown Athens and the scenic drive to Sounion.

Additional photos can be found on our Facebook Albums.




Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Connect With Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers


Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat