Story & photos by Barbara Beckley Sniff. Swirl. Sip. Savor. This was my mantra on a recent trip along the Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County. While it may be named the “Wine Road,” I discovered that it offers so much more. Beautiful fall scenery, excellent food, shopping and accommodations and friendly interesting locals, makes …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Being the most expensive anything isn’t always a selling point—unless you are talking about English tea! Brit tea-lovers are the first to brag about this time-honored experience, afternoon tea. The Rubens at The Palace hotel serves its Royal Afternoon Tea in London’s most regal location, overlooking The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Adding to this …
Formed by the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, stretching to the far northern part of the state, California’s Inland region is home to dozens of distinct wine regions, including some of the world’s most famous destinations. Hidden among even the high-profile appellations are the wine roads less traveled featuring stunning rural scenery, delicious wines and, …
Art, history and culture are the first things that come to mind when considering a vacation in San Miguel de Allende. Named two years in a row as the Best City in the World by Travel + Leisure. However, San Miguel de Allende is also one of the best kept secrets in Mexico for wellness …
Laguna Beach has been an exclusive haven for the arts for nearly a century, as well as the sparkling jewel of Southern California’s own scenic Riviera coastline. A year-round destination, Laguna shines brightest in the summer months. Gentle ocean breezes combine with some of the cleanest beaches, water and air on the coast to make …