Month: February 2021

We have an AMAZING lineup!

Fully immersive, feels like you’re there, cooking and travel experience.

• Hosted by Lisa VanBuhler, Founder XOOM Tours
• Live from New York City, our local destination specialist Earlston Dill from the Bermuda Tourism Authority, will provide our tour and share his love for his beautiful country.
• Earlston will also show us how to make Bermuda’s National Drinks…The Rum Swizzle & Dark ‘n Stormy. YUM!

• 

• 

Here are some highlights of our adventure!

The attraction to Bermuda is obvious. The historical ambience, reef-fringed clear blue waters, pink-sand beaches, unique architecture and an array of adventurous activities, such as golfing, scuba diving, cycling make it a popular destination.

Comprised of around 180 islets, Bermuda is an archetypal retreat with its fine sandy beaches, colorful coral reefs and swaying palms.

Bermuda is a British Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island has a unique blend of American and British culture. The capitol of Bermuda is Hamilton and one of its famous attractions is the Royal Naval Dockyard.  It’s a gorgeous island to explore and a totally idyllic place to rest and relax.

• 

• 

WHY BERMUDA:

• Pristine landscape
• Friendly locals
• Rich in Culture Heritage and History.
• Thanks to its unique blend of Caribbean, British, and African American roots, Bermuda offers a world of experiences to all who visit.
• Easy to get around the island
• Easy to get there. Less than 90 minutes from New York and less than a two hour flight from most East coast cities.

• 

• 

• 

MOST POPULAR SIGHTS

• 

• 

• Town of St George – a UNESCO World heritage site
• Crystal and Fantasy Caves – Bermuda has one of the highest concentrations of lime stone caves in the world.
• Gibb’s Hill LightHouse – tallest Case island lighthouse ever built.
• Somerset Bridge – world’s smallest draw bridge
• Royal Naval Dockyard
• Pink Sand Beaches – miles of beaches including Horse Shoe Bay, one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
• Bermuda Railway Trail – Scenic routes for non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians.
• Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo – one of the oldest aquariums, built in 1926.

• 

• 

Next week…a Virtual Experience to Slovenia

We have an upcoming experience to Slovenia, where we will be engaging in a FREE and LIVE cooking class with an Executive Chef along with a visit from a Pulitzer Prize Nominee and International Best Selling Author!

Here’s Slovenia’s AMAZING lineup!!

• Featuring Executive Chef Janez Bratovz, Pioneer of Fine Dining Cuisine in Slovenia, Owner of JB Restaurant & 1 of the top 50 Chefs in the World
• We will be making Chef Janez’s famous Soft Polenta with Chanterelle Sauce and Sour Cream! DELICIOUS!
• Pulitzer Prize Nominee and International Best-Selling Author Dr. Noah Charney from Slovenia (Noah will be sharing some funny stories about his experiences in Slovenia.)
• Special XOOM Tours Slovenia Wine Package.  I partnered with Manjula deSilva from Laureate Imports to select 3 fabulous Slovenian wines for our virtual tour.

Everyone is encouraged to cook along with the chef in the comfort of your home. Once you register, I will send you the recipes.

Here are the Slovenian wines that we are tasting! For the guests that live outside of the Charlotte area, check your local wine shops to see if they carry Slovenian wine.

For the guests who live in the Charlotte area, you can order and pick up the wine at Wine Maestro in Mooresville. You will receive the XOOM Tours 10% discount.

• 

• 

• 

• 

I, along with our special guest speakers look forward to sharing insights and tastes from these wonderful destinations. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me about the details.

Looking forward to seeing you this Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00 p.m. EDT!

We have an AMAZING lineup!

Fully immersive, feels like you’re there, cooking and travel experience.

• Hosted by Lisa VanBuhler, Founder XOOM Tours
• Live from Lima, Peru, our local destination specialist Laurence Quinio of Peru Empire, will provide our tour and share her love for his beautiful country.
• Also live from Lima, Executive Chef Maria Fe Garcia from Hotel Titilaka, will be showing us how to make Ceviche and Pisco Sours.

Here are some highlights of our adventure!

Whether you crave stunning landscapes, famed highlands, jungles, colonial architecture, lush vineyards, world class cuisine or adventures of a lifetime, Peru is a worthy choice for a “bucket list” destination. It’s a diverse South American country and has so much to offer within its many terrains.

WHY PERU:

• World’s Leading Culinary Destination for 8 consecutive years
• Peru has it all: Wonders of the World, breathtaking landscapes, and one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems
• 5,000 years and counting: the perfect blend of ancient heritage and living traditions
• Year-Round Destination, easily accessible
• Perfect for all interests: romantic getaways, family vacations, adventure-seekers, foodies and more

• 

• 

Most popular places to visit in Peru:

• Machu Picchu – This is Peru’s most popular tourist destination and one of the famous archeological wonders of the world.
• Lima – Lima is one of the largest cities in South America, as well as the capital of Peru. It is a business metropolis and home to a collection of pre-Colombian art.
• Arequipa – Surrounded by three volcanoes, Arequipa boasts of Spanish colonial and indigenous cultures.
• Nazca Desert – Who wouldn’t want to get a closer look at the famous Nazca Lines? It’ll make you wonder how they were created.
• Cusco – Located in southeastern Peru, Cusco used to be the Inca Empire’s historic capital.

• 

• 

Upcoming Virtual Experiences to Bermuda and Slovenia

Not only will we be sharing about the magical destination of Peru, we also have upcoming experiences to Bermuda and Slovenia, where we will also be engaging in FREE and LIVE cooking classes with Executive Chefs along with a visit from a Pulitzer Prize Nominee and International Best-Selling Author!

More AMAZING lineups!!

• Featuring Executive Chef Janez Bratovz, Pioneer of Fine Dining Cuisine & JB Restaurant & 1 of the top 50 Chefs in the World from Slovenia (We will be making a traditional Slovenian recipe.)
• Pulitzer Prize Nominee and International Best Selling Author Dr. Noah Charney from Slovenia (Noah will be sharing some funny stories about his experiences in Slovenia.)
• Master Rum Swizzle Mixologist Earlston Dill from Bermuda

• 

• 

• 

• 

I, along with our special guest speakers look forward to sharing insights and tastes from these wonderful destinations. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me about the details.

See you this Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. EDT!

Are you ready for some fun!

Back by popular demand…Virtual Travel & Tasting Experiences but with a twist! Not only will we be sharing about the magical destinations of Peru, Bermuda and Slovenia, we will also be engaging in FREE and LIVE cooking classes with Executive Chefs along with a visit from a Pulitzer Prize Nominee and International Best Selling Author!

Everyone is encouraged to cook along with the chefs in the comfort of your home. Once you register, I will send you the recipes.

What an AMAZING lineup!!

Featuring Executive Chef Maria Fe Garcia from Hotel Titilaka in Peru (We will be making Ceviche & Pisco Sours.)

Featuring Executive Chef Janez Bratovz, Pioneer of Fine Dining Cuisine & JB Restaurant & 1 of the top 50 Chefs in the World from Slovenia (We will be making a traditional Slovenian recipe.)

Pulitzer Prize Nominee and International Best Selling Author Dr. Noah Charney from Slovenia (Noah will be sharing some funny stories about his experiences in Slovenia.)

Master Rum Swizzle Mixologist Earlston Dill from Bermuda

Join me for FREE and LIVE Cooking Classes!

Pack your bags and let’s head on our Virtual Travel Adventure.

While recent events have kept us off planes and on our couch, travel remains one of the best ways to feel a global interconnectedness with humanity. So, let’s use the power of our minds along with in-country specialists to bring these destinations alive.

HERE’S THE PLAN FOR ALL 3 VIRTUAL TOURS:

We have scheduled 3 different Virtual Travel Experiences from different regions of the world. Each night, we’ll use Zoom Video Conferencing to present the destinations along with recipes so you can join in on the cooking experiences.

Join us to be inspired by these amazing destinations, with fun and laughter along the way.

Here are some highlights of our Peru adventure!

Whether you crave stunning landscapes, famed highlands, jungles, colonial architecture, lush vineyards, world class cuisine or adventures of a lifetime, Peru is a worthy choice for a “bucket list” destination. It’s a diverse South American country and has so much to offer within its many terrains.

WHY PERU:

• World’s Leading Culinary Destination for 8 consecutive years
• Peru has it all: Wonders of the World, breathtaking landscapes, and one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems
• 5,000 years and counting: the perfect blend of ancient heritage and living traditions
• Year-Round Destination, easily accessible
• Perfect for all interests: romantic getaways, family vacations, adventure-seekers, foodies and more

• 

• 

Most popular places to visit in Peru:

• Machu Picchu – This is Peru’s most popular tourist destination and one of the famous archeological wonders of the world.
• Lima – Lima is one of the largest cities in South America, as well as the capital of Peru. It is a business metropolis and home to a collection of pre-Colombian art.
• Arequipa – Surrounded by three volcanoes, Arequipa boasts of Spanish colonial and indigenous cultures.
• Nazca Desert – Who wouldn’t want to get a closer look at the famous Nazca Lines? It’ll make you wonder how they were created.
• Cusco – Located in southeastern Peru, Cusco used to be the Inca Empire’s historic capital.

• 

• 

Idyllic Bermuda

Tuesday, March 3rd at 7 PM  EDT

Bermuda is a British Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean known for its pink sand beaches. The island has a unique blend of American and British culture, with an island flare of course. The capital of Bermuda island is Hamilton and one of its most famous attractions is the Royal Naval Dockyard. It’s a gorgeous island to explore and a totally idyllic place to rest, relax and explore.

Off to Slovenia

Tuesday, March 9th at 7 PM  EDT

From the peaks of the Julian Alps to the Mediterranean coast; the quaint old town streets of Ljubljana to the emerald waters of the Soča; or the alpine lakes of Bled, Bohinj and Jasna – Slovenia is simply a stunning and unique country. You will feel like you are stepping back in time as you visit the many medieval castles surrounded by the vivid lakes. There are an abundance of things to see and do like whitewater rafting, hiking, kayaking, exploring fun cities, tasting delicious food or conversing with the locals. It is truly a gem of a destination!

During our one hour-long adventure, you’ll see gorgeous photos and videos of the region and what you will experience when you travel to these destinations. After each presentation you will be cooking some traditional cuisine alongside the executive chefs. AMAZING!!

I, along with our special guest speakers look forward to sharing insights and tastes from these wonderful destinations. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me about the details. 

See you on February 23rd!

“Memories made together last a lifetime.”

It’s February and that means “love is in the air”. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.  Who is your special Valentine, your sweetheart, the one who will receive a special greeting or a treasure that reflects your love on February 14th?  I can tell you who has stolen my heart! It’s definitely this cutie pie!

This past week my grandson and I had fun creating footprint art projects. One we shaped into a heart and the other like a ladybug. He laughed when I dabbled paint on his feet because the bristles from the brush tickled his toes. These little treasures will be wonderful memories of how tiny and cute his feet were way back when!

• 

• 

It’s a match made in Lisdoonvarna!

While many consider Paris the “City of Love”, there is another gem of a place that Allan and I discovered on our adventure through Ireland a few years ago. As we were driving through the lush, green countryside, we came upon a quaint town in County Clare. We noticed the beautiful murals painted on the buildings and the signs of love and peace throughout the town. So, we decided to stop and take a look around.

Does Lisdoonvarna sound familiar? To our surprise, this gem of a find is famous for 2 very large festivals that attract thousands of people every year.  One is for music and the other for matchmaking! Imagine that!

“In life it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.”

Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match.

Find me a find. Catch me a catch…in Ireland that is.

Quite a catchy tune! I’ll bet you’re singing along.  After all, it is February…the month of Love and Romance.

Matchmaking has been a long-standing Irish tradition that began over 150 years ago in Lisdoonvarna, a rural spa town located in County Clare on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.  On the Emerald Isle today, it’s synonymous with only one thing: love.

“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.”

Every fall, the town is home to a huge matchmaking festival, where thousands of people (like 20,000…wow!) flock to find “The One.” This fun-filled tradition began years ago when upper class visitors came to Lisdoonvarna to enjoy the mineral spas and to find a suitable match for their children. The parents would take their children to social gatherings, sporting events and musical evenings with the hopes that courtships would blossom.

• 

• 

Lisdoonvarna was developed around The Royal Spa Hotel, a historic landmark that opened in 1832. In 1887, the West Clare Railway Station opened and contributed towards the development of the town. From that time onward, until the invention of an automobile, tourists travelled from the train in pony and trap to ”The Spa”.

Who is Irelands most famous Matchmaker?

Well, you can’t have a match without a matchmaker! Meet Willie Daly, a third-generation Irish matchmaker who LOVES love! He is passionate about helping hopeful singles, of all ages and nationalities, find a life partner.

What’s his secret to success? He believes in the old-fashioned method of gathering the couples together for a conversation and then encouraging them to dance. He feels it’s the best way to get the passion flowing.

Interestingly, Willie carries around a notebook that he affectionately calls his “Lucky Book”. This ancient matchmaking book has special romantic powers. It also has a collection of love-seeking profiles dating back 150 years. Now that’s some real record keeping! Imagine the profiles from then until now! I’d love to see what treasures and advice he has on the pages of his book.

Willie claims, “If you touch this ‘love ledger’ you’ll be in love and married inside of six months. If you are already married, you will recreate the honeymoon period you first had”.

WOW! Now that is some secret sauce!

Willie’s track record is pretty impressive. Since he started out as a matchmaker 50 years ago, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, he has matched over 3,000 couples. Matchmaking is in his blood and he knows instinctively what makes a good match. He surely has the hang of this!

So, in honor of Valentine’s Day and Willie Day, Ireland’s most famous matchmaker, let’s partner together to plan a trip to Ireland for September 2022….just in time for the next Matchmaking Festival! You never know what kind of spice he will add to your life! 

Are you in? Ready for some travel inspiration!

We have an amazing line-up ready to inspire you! 

First up…PERU! Get ready to enjoy a FREE cooking class with Executive Chef Maria Fe Garcia from Hotel Titilaka as she teaches us how to make Ceviche and the perfect Pisco Sour!  We will also learn about Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world, about Peruvian history, architecture, regions, culture and cuisine!

Second…Bermuda! Let’s head to this beautiful island to learn about their history and culture, see the pink sandy beaches, and hear about what makes Hamilton’s Town Crier so special! We will make their famous drink…the Rum Swizzle! YUM!

Third…Slovenia! And then off to experience Slovenia’s beautiful landscape, stunning architecture, immersive experiences, amazing cuisine and abundant wildlife! We will also be cooking some of their local specialties with an Executive Chef!

Follow XOOM Tours Facebook

Follow XOOM Tours Instagram

“Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell.” 

-Paula Bendfeldt