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 …
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 …
There’s plenty to do in Jungle Island, from “Superflights” to Adventure Bay, but early October to early January offers a truly magical experience. Jungle Island, South Florida’s popular eco-adventure attraction, reinvents an ancient Buddhist tradition with a Magic City twist through the debut of Luminosa, Festival of Lights. In partnership with Zigong Lantern Group and …
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 …
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 …
Among the many miracles of nature, it’s difficult to match the marvelous and mystifying migration of the monarch butterfly. Recognized by their vivid, orange-and-black wings, these slight insects (weighing less than a dime) are better known for an instinctive internal compass that guides them on an ancestral migration from the shores of Pacific Grove, CA …