Vroom by the Sea By: Peter Moore
Peter is a well known writer and traveler. His story begins with one last adventure before impending fatherhood. He travels on a bright orange Vespa through Sicily, Sardinia and along the Amalfi Coast. He names his Rally 200 Vespa Marcello. This is Peter’s second Italian adventure. His first was on the back of Sophie a coffee colored Vespa that he rode from Milan to Rome.

Peter’s adventures on Marcello will keep you laughing; you’ll wish you were in Italy on a Vespa. From a crazy moment when he has to drive the wrong way on a one way street to having his Vespa worked on by a mechanic he wants to punch for making a dent, you’ll feel the authentic experiences right along with Peter. He meets Italians who love his Vespa; they share beer, coffee, conversations and their own Vespa memories with Peter. Along the way he collects refrigerator magnets of patron saints and they ride along with him on his journey, in the tiny glove compartment. Peter’s journey is one of freedom, fun and contemplation as he considers what the future holds with fatherhood around the corner.

For more about Peter Moore take a look at his website. Dreaming of your own Italian Vespa adventure? Through Peter’s website I discovered a website called ScooterBella ScooterBella offers trips through Tuscany, Provence, and Puglia. They also offer custom tours.

Sisters of the Sari By: Brenda L. Baker
This book is actually a novel based on Brenda Bakers own experiences in India. This book is compelling; it grabs your attention and keeps it. It draws you into the Indian culture. It touches your heart with the experiences of an American woman visiting India. Kiria has her wallet stolen and is helped by Santoshi, an Indian woman who lives in a short stay home for poor women. Kiria wanting to repay Santoshi’s kindness finds the short stay home to pay her.

Kiria is appalled by the poverty the women live in. She wants to do more for Santoshi and women like her. She embarks on a journey of building decent housing for poor women in Chennai. The book is filled with moments that touch your heart and wrench it at the same time. It is an outstanding book. I couldn’t put it down. I finished the 327 page book in two days. It gives you a look into the Indian culture, it’s beauty and complexity. Interested in your own India travel adventure? Beth Whitman leads Wandertours to destination in India and beyond.

Vroom by the Sea is available through Summersdale Publishing.
Sisters of the Sari is available through Penguin Books.

I received these books as review copies from Summersdale and Penguin.

I’m sharing ten of my favorite island products and Caribbean escapes this season. They remain favorites of mine when I want a tropical gift.

Brinleys Gold Rum, This is my all time favorite. I discovered this Rum on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. This is a gift Rum lovers will treasure at any holiday. Brinley’s Gold Rum comes in Coconut, Coffee, Vanilla, Mango and Lime. Brinley’s is smooth and they use only the best ingredients, Madagascar vanilla, Brazilian coffee, Tahitian lime, Brazilian mango and natural coconut. To order Brinley’s Gold Rum online.

The Spice Necklace By Ann Vanderhoof This book is a Caribbean island delight. It’s filled with Ann and her husbands travel adventures on their sailboat Receta throughout the Caribbean. This is Ann’s second book about life in the Caribbean. The book is filled with tropical flavor both for travelers and cooks. Her recipes are exquisite and offer a true taste of Caribbean island cooking.

Maui CookKwies These are one of my Hawaiian favorites. They are crisp, delicious morsels of island goodness. I order them when I want a taste of the islands. They come in variety of flavors including Macadamia nut, Coconut Macadamia Nut Shortbread, Pineapple Macadamia Nut, Kona Coffee Macadamia Nut, Shortbread and other assorted flavors.

Maui Tropical Soaps
Maui Tropical Soaps offer a feel of Hawaii with soaps, body washes, lotions and other island products. Maui Tropical Soaps offer organic ingredients, Hawaiian ingredients including Kukui nut oil, Macadamia nut oil, island coconut and the scent of beautiful, Maui grown flowers. My particular favorite is the pineapple glycerin soap. It brings the islands home with every shower. Another delight is that Maui Tropical Soaps supports Juvenile Diabetes Research so you’re purchasing products from a company which cares and supports charitable causes.

I’ve had an opportunity to experience three of Marriotts Caribbean resorts in the past year. I enjoyed Marriott’s Aruba, St. Kitts and Grand Caymen resorts. I delighted in my experiences there and recommend their destinations as excellent vacation escapes. Marriott offers some outstanding Caribbean travel deals.

Cyber Monday Offers
San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

Follow @SanJuanMarriott on Twitter and any time on Cyber Monday (November 29th) tweet “I want to book a #CyberMonday vacation at @SanJuanMarriott” to receive a reply direct message with an exclusive booking code and details for a special offer. Must book and travel in December 2010, *subject to availability.

Marriott Hotels and Resorts of Costa Rica is offering a Cyber Monday (November, 29th) Deal. Book your 2011 Costa Rica vacation on Cyber Monday and receive $99 to $119 nightly rates at the following Costa Rica hotels. Marriott Hotel San Jose (deluxe room) Courtyard San Jose Escazu (standard room), Residence Inn San Jose Escazu (studio) Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort (standard room.) This offer is valid for travel January 1, 2011 until Dec 19th, 2011. Reservations *Request promo code PR5.

Marriott Hotel and Resort Deals

Buy two nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino at the leisure rate and get two nights free. Rates start at $249.00 and this offer is valid for travel April 26th to December 2011. To reserve call 1-800-223-6388 or visit Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino and request Promo Code D52.

Kura Hulanda Resorts, Curacao

Buy two nights and get a third night free at Hotel Kura Hulanda or Lodge Kura Hulanda. This is valid on all room rates. Rates start at $130.00, this offer is valid for travel until Dec 23, 2010 as well as January 3, 2011- April 16, 2011. For reservations call 1-877-264-3106 or email reservations@kurahulanda.com and mention Cyber Monday.

Lodge at Kura Hulanda and Beach Club is now offering guests an all inclusive style vacation in an upscale setting. This deal offers guests the access of their sister property as well as three area restaurants, providing the convenience of an all inclusive coupled with the freedom of a traditional vacation. Four nights “All Inclusive Packages” start as low as $890 per person, which includes access to nine different restaurants.

Terra Nova

Kusmi Tea

Kusmi’s extensive tea line offers some delicious favorites. I love the Spicy Chocolate Tea as well as the Prince Vladimir Tea, which comes from their Russian collection of closely guarded recipes. They also offer Wellness Teas, Green Teas and Black Teas. Their Christmas Tea tastes like an almond, orange, vanilla and spice Christmas cake. With such an extensive selection, Kusmi Teas has something for everyone.

Lokohi Cocomango Body Lotion

When I visited the Moana Spa for a massage treatment on the island of Maui I discovered their line of body products. One smell of this exquisite lotion takes me back to the islands I love. They offer an extensive line of these body care products, including shower gel, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

Each of these gifts offers a beautiful taste of the tropics that will please most anyone on your gift list. Mele Kalikimaka or Merry Christmas in Hawaiian.

The book, which begins six years after the end of their first two year adventure, is a pleasure. Readers become a part of Ann and Steve’s sailing lifestyle and their island adventures while enjoying Ann’s recipes which draw readers to the islands with their tantalizing flavors and spices.

The Spice Necklace website.

Ann Vanderhoof’s Lobster Pizza

The finished Pizza

Lobster Pizza
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 cups cooked lobster meat, cut into large chunks
1/4 cup finely slivered onion (scant)
1/4 cup finely chopped tomato (scant)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
hot chilli oil (optional)
Cornmeal (for dusting pan)

Place butter and garlic in a small sauce pan and melt over low heat. Set aside while you prepare dough. (Recipe Follows) Preheat oven to 400 degrees, 200 degrees C. Grease pizza pan and dust with cornmeal. Stretch dough to fit pan. Brush crust with garlic butter. Scatter lobster meat on top. Sprinkle with onion, tomato and pepper, and then top with grated cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until crust is nicely browned and cheese has melted. Serve with a drizzle of chilli oil if desired. Makes 1 pizza.

Ann’s Boat Friendly Pizza Dough

2 1/2 to 3 cups of all purpose or bread flour.
3/4 tsp salt
1 envelope quick rising or instant yeast
1 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
Cornmeal for dusting pans.

Toss 2 cups flour with salt and yeast in a large bowl. Heat water and oil until hot (125 F – 50 C) briskly stir or beat the liquid into the flour mixture for about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. (You may not need all the flour) Shape dough into a ball, cover and let rest for ten minutes. Divide dough into two parts if you want thin crust pizza.

* I reviewed and enjoyed this book compliments of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.