Category Archives: Travel

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version)

GETTING THERE Not brimming with excitement facing a 15 ½ hour flight from Toronto to Hong Kong with a two-hour layover waiting for a 3 ½ hour flight to Singapore. The outboard flight and connecting flights to Singapore on Cathay Pacific one of the three best airlines in world as awarded in by Skytrax inContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version)”

RKS Literature: What to Expect at Swiss Customs (James Baldwin)

“Within seconds, the time it takes to cross a small backyard (French customs), one has left this outpost, the last witness to this indisputably dour and extraordinarily interesting people and one is facing the apple faced Swiss. Their quarters are impeccable, as are their uniforms. The Swiss do not smoke their cigarettes but leave themContinue reading “RKS Literature: What to Expect at Swiss Customs (James Baldwin)”

RKS 2025 Wine: From Portugal’s Dão Comes Cota 700 From Magnum Wines

I had the pleasure of visiting Magnum wines in Portugal a few years ago. A very commercial winery in comparison to most of the other Dão wineries I visited. I remember well the commercial Christmas cases and displays. So nontraditional for most of Portugal at the time. Good quality wines at different price points correspondingContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: From Portugal’s Dão Comes Cota 700 From Magnum Wines”

RKS 2025 Wine: Back to Toronto and “Fancy” Sicilian Wine: Planeta’s 2020 Controdanza

Having spent two weeks in Sicily in May very little wine was consumed. My agenda was tourism this time and not wine tourism. The best wine I had in Sicily?  Small batch Primitivo produced in the countryside proximate to the archaeological site of Villa Romana del Casale served with lunch in large jugs sourced fromContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Back to Toronto and “Fancy” Sicilian Wine: Planeta’s 2020 Controdanza”

The Global Long-Legged Society Commissions Study on Cruelty and Discrimination by Airlines Directed Towards Long-Legged Passengers

Winnipeg, Manitoba: 5June2025 The Global Long-Legged Society headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba announced today it has commissioned a study to investigate if commercial airlines are discriminating against long-legged passengers in the cabin configurations of their aircraft, particularly seating. Melanie Mintwiky, President and Chief Happiness Officer of the GLLS stated at a press conference, “Commercial airlines haveContinue reading “The Global Long-Legged Society Commissions Study on Cruelty and Discrimination by Airlines Directed Towards Long-Legged Passengers”

RKS Wine Tourism: A State of Mind Trumps Cold “Scientific” Logic

In Southern Sicily on 13May2025 we visited the Villa Romana Del Casale, home of some of the most superb Roman mosaics in the world recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The villa was constructed by a prominent Roman aristocrat between the third and fourth centuries. This large countryside villa represented the height of luxury.Continue reading “RKS Wine Tourism: A State of Mind Trumps Cold “Scientific” Logic”

RKS Travel: When in Rome Do You Want an Authentic Italian Eating Experience?

Perhaps visiting Rome this year with its Jubilee is not advisable (unless you are on a pilgrimage) as massive crowds clog main touristic sites whether it be the Vatican, the Spanish Steps and an out-of-control mob scene at the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Americans appear to be leading the pack but all in all aContinue reading “RKS Travel: When in Rome Do You Want an Authentic Italian Eating Experience?”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Lighthall Cabernet Franc from “The County”

Two or so hours by car from Toronto and you arrive in Prince Edward County affectionately known as “The County”. Bucolic for the most part with cottages for the rich and famous and a few upscale restaurants to fed them. Summer home for business tycoons, judges and lawyers akin to The Hamptons for Torontonians. AsContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Lighthall Cabernet Franc from “The County””

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hare Cabernet Merlot from Niagara Ontario: This Hare Got Lost on the Racetrack and Was Beaten by the Snail

For my ex-Canada readers, the Niagara wine region is a couple of hours drive from Toronto God and traffic willing. Ok I admit the automobile trip from Toronto is shall we say diplomatically, less than inspiring but becomes much more interesting once you clear The Burlington Skyway Bridge and fumes of Hamilton and hit theContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hare Cabernet Merlot from Niagara Ontario: This Hare Got Lost on the Racetrack and Was Beaten by the Snail”