The Greek Capital By Mouth: Delicious_Athens Food Tour

Heading to Athens soon? Read this tour review before you go! It just may change your travel plans… Continue reading →

In heaven there is no beer: An ode to Iowa

“The lunch and dinner I enjoyed on a recent day in Iowa didn’t belong on the same planet, let alone in the same state. ” Seth Kugel, of the NYT Frugal Traveler fame, writes a sentiment that couldn’t be more apt for a state caught between a transition and tradition. In his article, “Eating in … Continue reading →

My Prodigal Summer (a season in Turkey)

Before I came to Turkey, I didn’t know that I had entered into some variation of Eden. In Fethiye, fresh food abounds, but not only in markets, street corner stalls and larger chain grocery stores; the seeds of sustenance sprout up in city gardens. Chickens run amok, corn stalks shoot up, goats tend to unmowed grass, and … Continue reading →

The future, it’s undoubtably mixed

The count is clear; two days remain. My mind is muddled. An overwhelming flood of changes are about to occur. However, first, I’m heading to La Rioja for the battle of wine! Afterward, I want to discover Cataluña beyond its capital. Perhaps enjoying some vermouth from the source? Then, finally, Turkey. I’m traveling solo, confident, and … Continue reading →

Marvels (like vermouth) in Madrid’s Markets

Recently, I discovered something new. After just one sip, I realized I had been missing out on something truly dynamic and different. My newly educated mind tingled with the drink’s alcohol heft, its subtle sweetness, and most of all, its interesting interplay of herbs and spices. Vermouth. How had I not known about it? Those privy to it, … Continue reading →

Lost in time in Chinchón

Just 45 minutes away from Madrid, Chinchón feels like another world. It’s quaint, small, and ideal for a Madrid escape. In fact, it’s so close, you can even see the city’s skyline and sierra. From the crumbling castle, Chinchón’s highest point, time and space muddle together. Young boys kick a football, girls swing their hips … Continue reading →

5 Musts of Madrid

With 6.5 million in the metropolitan area, Madrid is mighty. If you have just a weekend in the Spanish capital, do this. I beg of you. There’s no flamenco listed, nor a stop for the Prado, but rather Madrid’s musts, from a local*. The places I have grown to love–or lust after. 1. Art Hop– … Continue reading →

Inside Madrid–Los Chuchis in Lavapiés

 Inside Madrid is a new feature of Cut the Kitsch. Featuring Madrid’s traditional and modern enterprises and the people who frequent them. Deep in Lavapiés, Madrid’s multicultural neighborhood, you can find an untraditional Spain. On Calle Amparo, there’s a Turkish Cafe, a nondescript mosque, and now, a British cafe restaurant. Even in the brightly colored neighborhood, … Continue reading →

La movida Madrileña, hipster cafés & bikes

When speaking of Madrid, it’s no secret that Malasaña is the city’s trendy superstar. After all, la movida madrileña occurred here in this neighborhood. If you’re unfamiliar with this freewheeling era in Madrid’s history, I’ll simplify it. After the Franco dictatorship ended, creative freedom exploded, especially in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Pedro Almodóvar, … Continue reading →