Back when my husband ("Mr. TWS") and I first got married in September, 1991 we were given a wedding gift certificate for a ride and lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train. At that time, the Wine Train had been in operation for only two years. We were thrilled because we’d heard so much about it as the new must-do experience in Napa wine country. So the following summer, we boarded the train in Napa for our three-hour ride and gourmet lunch. It was a … [Read more...]
Disneyland for Romance
Having recently married, (an unlikely side effect of Obamacare) I seem to find my brain stuck in amorous overdrive - the unlikely beneficiary being my husband, with an impromptu trip for two to the Magic Kingdom. It’s true that many react incredulously to the idea of adults wanting to frolic in a place so firmly aimed at the juvenile but, as a child from Southern California, I have always loved Disneyland and my affection hasn’t waned one bit. … [Read more...]
Top 10 underrated beauty spots in Europe
Forget the stigma that some of Europe’s beach resorts have picked up over the years (Kevin and Perry, The Inbetweeners, Sun, Sex and Suspicious parents…), even the busiest islands have a diverse range of resorts to suit all tastes and their fair share of culturally significant tourist stops. Make sure you book your 2014 holiday now to get the best deals, and give yourself enough time to scour some European beauty spots. 1) Majorca Majorca is … [Read more...]
Exploring Napa…as in the City of Napa
Introduction For many years the city of Napa was just a place you passed as you entered the Napa Valley - the city center is not on the main highway (Highway 29) and it was lacking in restaurants, hotels and tasting rooms. When you told people you were visiting the Napa Valley, the city of Napa was not mentioned as your final destination, rather you would have been referring to the wineries up valley; it was those wineries that long attracted … [Read more...]
On Location at the Napa Valley Film Festival
Wine, camera, action! Luscious wines and innovative independent movies in enticing venues on a gorgeous fall weekend in the Napa Valley? The Napa Valley Film Festival gets two thumbs up from my husband (“Mr. TWS”) and me! As film buffs and wine enthusiasts with a special affection for Northern California wine country, Mr. TWS and I indulged our senses at the third annual (but our first) Napa Valley Film Festival, which ran from November … [Read more...]
Arizona Biltmore Creating 10 Edgy Epicurean Evenings For its 24th Season of ‘Winemaker Dinners’
PHOENIX, Ariz. The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (www.arizonabiltmore.com) is planning 10 extravagant epicurean evenings – of innovative gourmet dining, acclaimed wines, winemakers talking about their wines, and after-dinner drinks and cigars – for the resort’s 24th season of Winemaker Dinners. Each Winemaker Dinner will feature an original multi-course menu, prepared by Executive Chef Gordon Maybury and Chef de Cuisine Bryan … [Read more...]
West Sweden & Skane: Volvo’s Car plus Vacation – Day 13-14 of 14
DAY 13 Hallakra Vineyard, Angavallen Breakfast at Angavallen. Driving time: about 30 minutes. Hallakra Vineyard The thing about driving through the rural and agricultural Skåne countryside is vineyards are easily spotted – because they are so rare. Hallakra is located among fields of other agricultural crops including wheat and rapeseed. In the late 1990's, Proprietor Hakan Hansson left a long career as a successful International … [Read more...]
Touring Napa Valley: Tasting wine where it’s made
There’s something to be said for having an affordable bottle of rosé on a Friday night – particularly one that is low in calories but still tasty – Blossom Hill is a good example. But to learn more about appreciating wine, the best thing to do is visit the country where it was made – because like olives in Greece, biltong in South Africa or surf and turf in California – it just tastes better! Blossom Hill is made in California (and a bunch of … [Read more...]
Big Bear is Now the Highest-Altitude Vineyard in the Northern Hemisphere
Big Bear Lake, Calif. June 26, 2013 – Stone Summit Vineyard in Big Bear Lake is now the highest-altitude commercial vineyard and winery in the northern hemisphere at 6,750’ above sea level. This honor had previously gone to Terror Creek Vineyard in Colorado at 6,417’. Snow Summit Vineyard began planting grape vines in May 2012 and has since planted more than 2,000 vines. The growing process is expected to take two or more years before the grapes … [Read more...]
Culinary Highlights at Sweden’s only Floating Hotel
Both my Napa Valley winemaker friend, Emil and I were looking forward all trip to a visit and stay at Sweden's only floating hotel - along with a visit to the adjoining restaurant (Salt & Sill) - in the small ocean-side town of Klädesholmen on Tjörn Island in Western Sweden. This was one of the restaurants on our itinerary we had planned to wear the finest clothes we brought along! However, it was not to be - we barely arrived before closing … [Read more...]
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