Vikki Moran

Sharing the world through my writing; travel, food, and culture

Cooking from my travel adventures and feeding the world, one friend at a time

THE GRATEFUL TRAVELER

Vikki Moran

Sharing the world through my writing; travel, food, and culture

Cooking from my travel adventures and feeding the world, one friend at a time

THE GRATEFUL TRAVELER

My Latest Work

Alabama Living Magazine •

From Galway to Gulf Shores - Alabama Living Magazine

Story & Photos By Vikki Moran


When you wander through a garden in Europe, perhaps a Tuscan hillside village, a lavender field in Provence, or a stone-walled Irish cottage, it is impossible not to be swept up in the romance. Terracotta pots spill herbs onto sunlit patios, roses climb gracefully over centuries-old walls, and narrow gravel paths wind between fragrant borders. Last year, as I walked the colorful lanes of Dingle, strolled Killarney’s manicured paths, and lingered along Galway’s ri...
Deep South Magazine •

Time for Thyme - Deep South Magazine

In the Southern kitchen garden, where flavor meets function, few herbs earn their keep like thyme. Whether tucked into the edge of a raised bed or steeped in a steaming teacup, thyme brings with it centuries of culinary tradition, folk wisdom and subtle charm. It is more than a seasoning—it is a small but mighty bridge between the past and present. Recently, I used thyme to create a surprisingly delicious thyme olive oil gelato. Its herbal earthiness balanced beautifully with the r...

My Latest Work

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
Wanderlust •

The best places to visit in the USA and Canada this autumn

The Adirondacks region in northern New York State is a vast protected expanse, spread over 2.5 million hectares of mountain peaks and pristine lakes. Just a few hours‘ drive along the scenic Adirondack Northway from Albany, wildlife wanders freely, streams teem with anglers casting their lines and bucolic mountains are dotted with hikers on lush green trails.

Boat builder Joe Moore, renowned for crafting the region’s finest pack canoes (open-top kayaks where paddlers sit on angled seats), says the village of Lake Placid is “truly spectacular” at this time of year.
HerLife Magazine •

Grab Your Mask and Get Out There! – HERLIFE Magazine

Returning to international travel is not without its trials and tribulations but it’s so well worth the effort as well as the mild aggravation that is inherent in our COVID life. The ability to walk less crowded streets, eat in the restaurants that you’ve always dreamt of trying; to scratch that itch we call wanderlust is the prize unto itself.

Are there bargains to be had? Yes, some, but perhaps not as many as you would expect. The travel industry is trying to make up lost revenue to stay aflo

Hidden Gems of Florida: Discovering the Beauty of the Sunshine State – HERLIFE Magazine

You’ve heard this comment before: There is buried treasure in Florida. Gems certainly can be found but they’re not under the ocean or in the sands lying prey to metal detectors. They are the cities, towns and counties up and down Florida’s long narrow topography waiting to be explored, discovered and enjoyed.

These hidden locales are open for unearthing every day, yet most travelers head straight to the crowded popular beaches and theme parks. I love those teeming sights too, occasionally, but

History and Delicacies: What’s Not to Love? – HERLIFE Magazine

What does a Southern-based travel writer do in April? Take a road trip, of course, to Georgia, for National Pecan Month, a lovely excuse for eating pecan pies, homemade pecan ice cream, candied pecans, salads rippling with the delicious nuts, and any Southern recipe that requires the perfect pecan coating.

The nutty adventure began in Americus, Georgia. Surprisingly unknown, this town beckoned and piqued my curiosity about a historic place of peace named Koinonia Farm. Upon learning Koinonia’s

Traditional Storytelling: A Voyage for the Soul in Scotland – HERLIFE Magazine

Listening to a good storyteller can transport your spirit. With a skilled storyteller, you can experience changes in seasons, smell aromas and ultimately seed your open mind. “Spinning a good yarn” can shape culture, impart values and pay respect to the subject matter. We listen and interpret the meaning in stories we hear. It is very human, and it is essential to history. Storytelling is vital to language development and can assist in creating racial equality and religious respect.

The Scottis

The Intersection of The Blues and Civil Rights: A Road Trip Through Mississippi Delta History – HERLIFE Magazine

The Mississippi Delta may have been divinely chosen to birth blues music into the world and, as B.B. King once suggested, light the flame of integration and the civil rights movement in the United States. This gritty region, like the clay, sand and silt of the Mississippi River on which it is built, is surrounded by cotton fields as far as the eye can see.

The blues had been sung in the South since the 1800s but, as early blues performers noted, “white people didn’t hear it.” The genre grew in
55+ Living Guide •

Foodie Day Tripping

Like a short nap, a short overnight or day trip can recharge you. The good news is that options aplenty exist just hours from the Capital Region. The Catskills, Berkshires, Vermont and the Adirondack Park are on our collective doorsteps. And that means you can play outdoors, do some sightseeing, and, of course, eat.

The Catskill region is quickly becoming a respite for New York City chefs seeking a change of pace. New and state-of-the-art properties are sprouting everywhere as word spreads of t
Capital Region Living Magazine •

The Grateful Traveler: Exploring the Neighboring Don CeSar and Salvador Dalí Museum

A vacation on the West Coast of Florida is a fabulous way to unwind and enjoy some of the best views of the tranquil Gulf of Mexico along the Atlantic coastline. And when home base is The Don CeSar, a luxury hotel in St. Pete Beach, with the magical Salvador Dalí Museum a mere 20-minute drive away in nearby St. Petersburg, it’s truly a gift from the tourism gods.

The Don CeSar

Incredibly, modern travelers might not have had the chance to stay at the Don CeSar had it not been for a group of co
Capital Region Living Magazine •

The Grateful Traveler: Christmas at The Biltmore

For many years, The Biltmore in Ashville, N.C. has been known for its breathtaking holiday décor and dazzling lights that illuminate the remarkable estate commissioned by George Washington Vanderbilt. Making the journey there for its annual Christmas celebration is always a feast for the senses and a leap into the holiday spirit. This season, there’s even more than ever before, thanks to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition. This exhibit is an immersive experience that celebrates the BBC’s hit televisi
The Grateful Traveler •

Castles and Cobblestones

Like turning the pages of a storybook with castles, forests, imaginary dragons, and of course the occasional damsel in distress, a river cruise through Germany sends your senses soaring. In my experience, the Moselle, Rhine, and Main rivers are the most consistently picturesque to enjoy via cruising.

My traveling companion/husband and I recently sailed on the Emerald Waterways ship Destiny for the aptly named Legends of the Moselle, Rhine, and Main itinerary. A wonderfully modern 3–year–old sh
Capital Region Living Magazine •

The Grateful Traveler: 10 of My Favorite Things to Do in Savannah, Georgia

Retail therapy

“The talented community of artists at SCAD is an ever-changing, collaborative force of creative individuals who have showcased fine art in the most exclusive galleries, adorned celebrities with jewelry on the red carpets, featured handbags and accessories in premier fashion magazines, and produced home goods that are featured all around the world. shopSCAD is a one-stop resource for these works created and designed by Savannah College of Art and Design students, alumni and facu
The Grateful Traveler •

Transported to serene elegance: The Grand Tremezzo

“When you get to dock at The Grand Tremezzo, you will see someone tall and handsome waiting for you. Tell him I love him.” That was the request made to me by a hotel manager in the resort town of Bellagio, across the lake from the Grand Tremezzo in Lago di Como. His beloved son is a suite butler who was being sent to meet me at the dock outside The Grand Tremezzo. I arrived a day earlier prior to my scheduled press trip to get acquainted with the towns and the environment of Lake Como and met th

Interviews

About Me

Vikki Moran Invited to Lake Como | Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vikki Moran, Publisher of Capital Region Living Magazine recently visited the Grand Tremezzo Villa in Lake Como, Italy as the only travel journalist representing upstate NY. The trip, at the request of the property, was to showcase the newly renovated hotel and the surrounding area to leading travel writers. Mrs. Moran was joined on the trip by writers representing The Boston Globe, Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler and Architectural Digest and others. Mrs. Moran was sele

Vikki Moran Invited to Lake Como | Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vikki Moran, Publisher of Capital Region Living Magazine recently visited the Grand Tremezzo Villa in Lake Como, Italy as the only travel journalist representing upstate NY. The trip, at the request of the property, was to showcase the newly renovated hotel and the surrounding area to leading travel writers. Mrs. Moran was joined on the trip by writers representing The Boston Globe, Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler and Architectural Digest and others. Mrs. Moran was sele


Alabama Living Magazine •

From Galway to Gulf Shores - Alabama Living Magazine

Story & Photos By Vikki Moran


When you wander through a garden in Europe, perhaps a Tuscan hillside village, a lavender field in Provence, or a stone-walled Irish cottage, it is impossible not to be swept up in the romance. Terracotta pots spill herbs onto sunlit patios, roses climb gracefully over centuries-old walls, and narrow gravel paths wind between fragrant borders. Last year, as I walked the colorful lanes of Dingle, strolled Killarney’s manicured paths, and lingered along Galway’s ri...
Alabama Living Magazine •

Herb your Enthsiasm: - Alabama Living Magazine

By Vikki Moran

There’s something undeniably satisfying about stepping outside, snipping a sprig of fresh basil or rosemary, and tossing it straight into your pot or salad. For Alabama gardeners and home cooks looking to grow herbs in the fall, this season is the perfect time to start or refresh an herb garden. Alabama’s mild climate offers an extended opportunity for growing herbs like mint, basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano — right through winter and into spring.Whether you have a sprawling ba...
Deep South Magazine •

Time for Thyme - Deep South Magazine

In the Southern kitchen garden, where flavor meets function, few herbs earn their keep like thyme. Whether tucked into the edge of a raised bed or steeped in a steaming teacup, thyme brings with it centuries of culinary tradition, folk wisdom and subtle charm. It is more than a seasoning—it is a small but mighty bridge between the past and present. Recently, I used thyme to create a surprisingly delicious thyme olive oil gelato. Its herbal earthiness balanced beautifully with the r...

Contact Me

My inbox is always open, you can contact me with the contact form here