Checking In...
/
I wanted to take a moment to check-in and let you know I am thinking of you. I hope you and your loved ones have been able to find a new level of health, balance, and gratitude during these trying times.
Read More
Invitation: Exploring the Romantic Rhine, Cape Cod the Islands and Newport, and Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Park
/
I’m excited to announce a virtual event for our Curated Travel clients. See below for details and join me along with our CADENCE team on October 21st at 4 PM (PT). Click the link below to register for this wanderlust inspired zoom event and I’ll look forward to ‘seeing’ you then.
Read MoreA ‘Suite’ Stay at Auberge du Soleil In Napa Valley for our 20th Anniversary
/
Though our trip to Bora Bora was postponed due to COVID, Scott and I were excited about our reimagined plans to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in the Napa Valley. This was our first trip in seven months, and from the moment we arrived at Auberge du Soleil we knew we had found the perfect place to celebrate.
Read MoreCreating a Milestone Anniversary Celebration When Bora Bora is Postponed to 2021
/
As I shared on Instagram, my husband and I made the difficult decision to postpone our long-awaited ‘wanderlist’ trip to French Polynesia for our 20th wedding anniversary. We had plans to arrive today to enjoy the beauty of Moorea and Bora Bora, experience those aqua waters in overwater bungalows for the first time as we toasted our anniversary. As you can probably relate, the delayed gratification is not easy, especially when you are looking forward to the change of pace, ease of stress, a new adventure, and reconnecting with nature, yourself, or someone you love.
Read MoreJoin Us for a Virtual Tour of Fine Wine & Cuisine in Lyon & Provence
/
Are you ready for a change of scenery?
I was talking to a friend/client the other day and reminiscing about our beautiful travels on our Curated Travel group cruise on the Mediterranean last year. In an effort to enjoy a change of perspective for this ’staycation summer’ we decided to sign-up for a virtual tour of food and wine in Provence this Friday, August 21st at 9 am Pacific, hosted by Viking River Cruises. You will find the link below to join us for this complimentary change of scene.
Read MoreSummer Garden Tour: Beautiful Gardens Around the World
/
I recently saw an article from Virtuoso on beautiful gardens around the world. Did you catch it on our Curated Travel Facebook page? It reminded me of one of the favorite gardens that I visited at Lake Como in 2018. Villa Balbiano is a magnificent palazzo built in the 16th century, now part of the Heritage Collection, and is described as “The Italian Opulence on Lake Como”.
Read MoreReal Time Travel: Croatia is Re-Opening for Tourists!
/
Last fall, during our Azamara Mediterranean Cruise of the Dalmatian and Amalfi Coasts, we visited Croatia for the first time. Scott and I spent a day wandering the charming alleys of old town Sibenik, increasingly popular as home to two UNESCO heritage sights as well as a filming location for Game of Thrones. With a rich cultural history, golden sand beaches flanking the cerulean blue Adriatic, a visit to Sibenik entices you to explore even more of Croatia.
It’s exciting to note that Croatia is one of the first European countries to open up to tourists.
Read MoreA Boulder Adventure: The Baths on the Island of Virgin Gorda
/
If you find yourself on the island of Virgin Gorda a trip to the Baths in Devil’s Bay is a must! During our Azamara Caribbean Cruise last November we booked an afternoon to explore these gigantic boulders, created by volcanic activity, and the tranquil aqua blue grottos they created.
Read MoreHow to Create Your Favorite Destination Scent at Home
/
One of my favorite activities while traveling is to pop into a fragrance shop or stand. It’s intriguing to savor the scents of a local region and I often learn more about the history and culture of the place from the vendors than from a museum next door. Over and over I am attracted to scents of the Mediterranean with splashes of citrus, lavender, neroli, bergamot, rosemary, eucalyptus, peony, and more. Since travel remains on the horizon for most of us this summer, I think it’s lovely to bring the fragrances of our favorite destinations home.
Read MoreThe Curated Travel Collection: California
/
Here we are at the tail end of May, following 2 1/2 months of quarantine, and life is starting to feel a bit more normal this week. We are not ready to travel just yet but we are beginning to think of summer road trips to safe destinations and the exciting possibility of fall travel. In that light, here is a collection of blog posts on destinations in California.
Read MoreA Mediterranean Style Getaway: the Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley Wine Country
/
If you zip around the corner too fast on the Sonoma Highway you may miss it, but if you slow down you will see a charming glimpse of the Mediterranean in Kenwood that may make you blink twice. I typically travel to Italy a couple of times a year and this place has a similar feel without risking those uncertain international flights right now. Vine-covered Mediterranean style architecture, wrought iron embellishments, gurgling fountains, pergolas wrapped with fragrant blossoms, and terracotta pots filled with citrus have that quintessential Med feel. On Valentine’s Day weekend, not long before the two months quarantine began, my husband gifted me with a 3-day stay at the old-world style Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley, California.
Read MoreOur Delectable Cooking Class with Chef Salvatore Quarto at Fonteverde in Tuscany
/
Virtual travel is more popular than ever with all the time most of us are spending at home these days. There is nothing more delectable than pasta in Italy and I’ve been looking forward to sharing a cooking class we experienced at Casina delle Rose at Fonteverde in Tuscany. Famed Chef Salvatore Quarto was our master teacher and the classic dish pici cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper) was on the menu. This delicious dish is simple yet decadent. We hand-rolled each strand of pasta for class but with some pecorino cheese, fresh pepper, and a lovely premade or even dried pasta, it’s easy to recreate from the pantry.
Read More
