I’ve lived in Santa Rosa since 2009, and for most of that time I’ve made a living installing till and ordering systems for restaurants and tasting rooms around Sonoma and Napa. It’s not a glamorous job. But it means I’ve stood behind more tasting bars than most sommeliers, usually holding a screwdriver instead of a glass, and I notice how a winery handles its bills long before I notice what’s in the bottle. Wine country is hard on a tab. A … [Read more...]
Why I Went to Lamjung Instead of the Annapurna Circuit
We were at the junction in Besisahar where the road splits, and everyone else in the vehicle was going north, up the Marsyangdi, toward the Annapurna Circuit and the teahouses and the pass at 5,416 metres that people fly across the world to walk over. I asked to be let out at the turn for Hugdi. The driver repeated the name back to me twice. Then he shrugged in the way Nepali drivers shrug at foreigners and at locals who are behaving like … [Read more...]
Fresh Water Experiences in Gulf County, Florida
The Gulf waters draw many, but the rivers, lakes, lagoons and creeks offer variety for all who love the water. GULF COUNTY, FLORIDA JUNE 2026–Gulf County, Florida, located two hours southwest of Tallahassee and just an hour east of Panama City Beach, is known for its beautiful beaches amid a low-rise atmosphere perfect for disconnecting from the rest of the world while engaging with the people–and this beautiful destination–around you. This … [Read more...]
Sébastien Thépénier, French Oenologist and Winemaker
Sébastien Thépénier is a French oenologist and the winemaker behind Vin de Tahiti in Rangiroa, an atoll in French Polynesia. Originally from Burgundy of France, he moved to Tahiti in 2002 to oversee Domaine Dominique Auroy, a pioneering vineyard and wine estate on coral soil in the Pacific. He has since played a central role in developing and refining its unique tropical winemaking. Q. You are originally an oenologist from France. What drew … [Read more...]
Beyond the Rolling Hills: Discovering the Wild Heart of Tuscany in Acquerino
When most travelers dream of Tuscany, their minds immediately drift to the Val d’Orcia: sun-drenched rolling hills, neat rows of cypress trees, and sprawling vineyards. It is a beautiful image, a classic "Renaissance" landscape that has been manicured by human hands for centuries. But as a professional hiking guide living in this region, I know it is only half the story. If you travel just a short distance north of the famous art cities like … [Read more...]
Salt, Spice, and Silence: Why You Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between Seychelles and Zanzibar
There is this specific kind of magic that happens when the Indian Ocean meets the shore. Honestly, it is not just about the blue water or the white sand. It is more about the way the air feels thick, almost heavy, with the scent of salt and spice. You know that feeling when you are sitting at your desk, just staring at a spreadsheet and dreaming of an escape? For me, two names always pop up. Seychelles and Zanzibar. But here is the thing. … [Read more...]
Cynthia Rothrock, Martial Artist, Actress and Adventurer
Cynthia Rothrock is an American martial artist and actress known as the “Queen of Martial Arts Films.” She holds black belts in multiple disciplines and was a world-champion competitor before starring in her first Hong Kong movie, Yes, Madam, co-starring Michelle Yeoh. Her recent work includes Black Creek and the upcoming horror film Steel Donkeys. Q. I grew up watching Hong Kong action films in the late 80s and early 90s. You were a very cool … [Read more...]
Five Wine Regions That Changed How I See the World
Wine has a way of turning geography into memory. Not just places on a map, but moments burned into your senses—the smell of hot stone, the scrape of gravel underfoot, the way a long lunch quietly becomes dinner. Over the past 25 years, including the formative years spent training to pass the Master Sommelier exam, these experiences have shaped how I understand wine and the world around it. These are the places I return to in my memory—and the … [Read more...]
5 reasons to experience autumn in Armenia 2025
Autumn in Armenia is the ideal season to explore the country’s natural beauty, culture, and flavors. Mild weather, crisp air, and fewer crowds make October and November perfect months for discovering Armenia at its most vibrant. Here are five reasons why 2025 is the season to visit. 1. Skies full of color From 11 to 15 October, the “Discover Armenia from the Sky” International Hot Air Balloon Festival fills Yerevan’s Republic Square and other … [Read more...]
Fall in Walla Walla is a Season full of Bounty & Abundance
(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) — As the hustle and bustle of summer fades, fall breathes new life into the scenic Walla Walla Valley. From crisp morning strolls through Pioneer Park and along the trails of Bennington Lake, to afternoons filled with family fun at local pumpkin patches and festive harvest celebrations, autumn wraps Washington wine country in cozy, seasonal magic. Farms, Orchards & Pumpkin Patches Fall is the perfect time to explore the … [Read more...]
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