Wine lovers who have wanted to explore the wines of the picturesque De Portola Wine Trail, have an opportunity to get a one-of-a-kind nosh and wine tasting experience on November 3 during the De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Fest. A limited amount of tickets will be sold to this personalized food and wine experience that …
Story & photos by Barbara Beckley A cellist as bar entertainer. World-class marine sanctuaries. Million dollar waterfront homes and laid-back beach bars. The most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen. Am I in Hawaii? South Florida? No. I’m on South Padre Island in Texas! I didn’t know what to expect when I recently visited Texas’ largest …
Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner as patriarch John Dutton of the Yellowstone Ranch, is now one of the most popular shows on television. It may have just wrapped up the current season, but it made an impact—and not just television watchers—it created a demand for luxury guest ranch vacations. In fact, discerning travelers across the globe …
Serenely tucked above Santa Barbara and a few miles inland is lush, the secreted Santa Ynez Valley, settled by the Spaniards in 1804 with a garden-set mission and in 1911 by Danish Americans who pushed out from the boundaries of Mission Santa Inez to establish the “Little Denmark” community of Solvang. A perfect trip to …
More than a century after it was last spotted – its last confirmed sighting was in 1906 – a female Fernandina Giant Tortoise was ‘rediscovered’ earlier this year on Fernandina, the youngest and third largest of the Galapagos Islands. Listed until recently by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as ‘possibly extinct’, the 100-year-old …
California’s 15th official “Wine Month” is happening all September. It is that enticing time of the year when juicy ripe grapes hang heavy on the vines, and the air is filled with fruity aromas that signal harvest time. This month, those of us who delight in the harvest’s newest creations may choose from more than …
Fall is a great time to explore San Diego’s 70 miles of sparkling beaches. Less crowds, temperatures in the refreshing mid-70s and off-season affordable prices at your favorite resorts. What can make fall beach-going even better? Discovering San Diego’s lesser-known stretches of sand that offer serene basking and playing in the surf. It’s like owning …
From cinema classics to today’s biggest blockbusters, San Francisco has made hundreds of appearances on the silver screen. Only this time, you be the “star”! After you visit San Francisco’s top movie sites, plan to see more locales all over California. Visit some of these locations on your next visit to the movie-friendly city of …
If you love freshly baked, homemade pie, this could be your ultimate “sweet dreams.” The historic Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast in New York is offering guests a slice of pie on their pillow this September as the popular turndown service returns for the sixth year in a row. The Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast …
More than 14 million viewers tuned in to watch the final episode of “Game of Thrones” on HBO. But while the show may have ended, tourism based on its many real-life settings continues to grow. With the country of Spain one of the show’s most popular locations, tour operator Hidden in Spain has announced a …
Your idea of paradise might very well be found at Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, a luxurious one-island-one-resort destination which is just a mere 20 minutes’ speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. Featuring a collection of 120 idyllic beach and over-water villas, the resort has a 42-meter long infinity pool and pristine white coastline for anyone …
Rubbing elbows with local residents can offer visitors a unique look at a destination, but knowing where to go can be tricky, especially when locals want to keep their favorite hangouts a secret. Amid San Diego’s vast and varied landscape – ranging from a bustling city center and colorful neighborhoods to 70 miles of sparkling …