Travels to Sonoma Valley, California

 Sonoma Valley is a major wine-producing region north of San Francisco. Hundreds of vineyards, ranging from small, family-run estates to international wineries, are set amid its rolling hills and valleys.  We had been to Napa Valley back in 2014, so after our visit to Willamette Valley, we flew to California to check out this wine region which is more expansive, spread out, and laid-back than Napa. 

Travels to Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley is a 150-mile long valley in Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The Willamette River flows the entire length of the valley, and it is surrounded by mountains on three sides – the Cascade Range to the east, the Oregon Coast Range to the west, and the Calapooya Mountains to the south. The climate of the Willamette Valley is a mix of Mediterranean and oceanic influences, with a cool, moist climate, and is recognized worldwide for its Pinot Noir. We drove about an hour south of Portland to visit this wine area.

Travels to Douro Valley, Portugal

Internationally known, Port wine is one of the most important heritages in northern Portugal and it's only produced in Douro Valley, the first demarcated wine region in the world. Nominated World Heritage Site by UNESCO, here the climate, the sun exposure and soil type make the grapes unique. In a day trip from Porto, we headed out to Douro Valley for a full day of learning more about this old wine culture.

Travels to Sancerre, France

In a day trip from Paris, we discovered and tasted some of the most prestigious French wines and cheeses - a perfect combination. We booked the Wine Enthusiast Tour and discovered more about French wines in a fun and authentic atmosphere. At the cross roads of Loire Valley and Burgundy, we were guide by J.B. who was friendly and knowledgeable and shared his passion for his region, traditions and wines.

Travels to Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp is a port city on Belgium's River Scheldt, with history dating to the Middle Ages.  In its center, the centuries-old Diamond District houses thousands of diamond traders, cutters and polishers. Antwerp's Flemish Renaissance architecture is typified by the Grote Markt, a central square in the old town. Antwerp is also home to one of the oldest zoos in the world, which opened in 1843.

Travels to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the Netherlands' capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city's 17th-century Golden Age. Cycling is key to the city's character, and there are numerous bike paths. After our short stay in Zell, Keith and I took the train to Amsterdam to continue our European tour.

Travels to Zell, Germany

Zell in Mosel Valley, Germany was founded by the Romans sometime after AD 70, and is characterized by its vineyards along the river with nearly 820 acres of planted vineyards making this quaint town the second biggest wine growing center in the Mosel wine region. Traditionally, it is mostly Riesling that is grown here, which is one of my most favorite white wines and so we chose to visit this town after our stop in Munich.

Travels to Oktoberfest in Munich

The 185th Oktoberfest in Munich was held September 22 - October 7, 2018.  Keith and I traveled to Bavaria, Germany for opening day of the world's largest Volksfest. Held annually, beer is not served on opening day until 12pm, after the parade ends and the first kegs are tapped.  Read more below of some of our tips and a photo recap of our time there.  Prost!

Travels to Ireland

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.

Travels to London, England

London is the capital of England and the most populous city in the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in the south east of the island of Great Britain, London has been a major settlement for two millennia. It was founded by the Romans, who named it Londinium. London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its 1.12-square-mile medieval boundaries. London is a leading global city in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism, and transportation.

Travels to Sicily, Italy

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is just off the toe of Italy's boot. It has been a crossroads of cultures for 3,000 years, a history reflected in its diverse architecture, cuisine and ancient ruins. Palermo, the capital, offers colorful street life, bustling markets and Byzantine mosaics at the Cappella Palatina.  From Naples, we flew to Palermo to continue our Italian adventure along the Western coast of Sicily.

Travels to Naples - Amalfi Coast, Italy

Naples, a big city in southern Italy, sits on the Bay of Naples near Mt. Vesuvius. Dating to the 2nd millennium BC, it has centuries of important art and architecture. This port city founded by the Greeks and expanded by the Romans has landmarks that include Naples Cathedral, whose Chapel of San Gennaro is filled with frescoes and statues, and the lavish Royal Palace. For a late anniversary trip this year, Keith and I spent a week and a half in Italy.  The first part of our vacation was spent in Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

Travels to Cuzco, Peru

Cuzco is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. Cuzco was the site of the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. Known as the "gateway to Machu Picchu", Cuzco is a major tourist destination and receives almost 2 million visitors a year.  We flew to Cuzco from Lima, and enjoyed the more mountain-aspect of the country.

Travels to Lima, Peru

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Once hailed as the "City of Kings" by Spanish conquistadors, Lima's historic streets are sprinkled with Spanish Colonial-style cafés, glass skyscrapers, and grand plazas. Lima is home to the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas called the National University of San Marcos, founded in 1551 during Spanish colonial regime.

Travels to Napa Valley, California (Part 3)

Some charms in Napa Valley are the same year-round: a bucolic setting, stellar hospitality, world-class wine and food.  The summer months in wine country promise the most temperate weather, with rain a rare intruder, although temperatures are known to soar north of 100 degrees every once in awhile (pack accordingly!). Thanks to the characteristically cool nights, however, hot days are tempered by comfortable evenings.  We visited in early September when most of the wineries were just starting their harvest.  Continuing from Part 1 and Part 2 of our travels to Napa Valley, we started out our second day of tours...

Travels to Napa Valley, California (Part 2)

Most of the wineries in Napa Valley are easily accessible from the main road (29) and the Silverado Trail.  We appreciated the intimate feel of the wineries, and were able to chat with the actual wine makers rather than shuffle through a self-guided tour with 100 other tourists. Many wineries request that you make a reservation. Don’t be scared; go ahead and make a reservation. Chances are that you will have the place to yourself.  Continuing from Part 1 of our travels to Napa Valley, we headed to our second winery of the day...

Travels to Napa Valley, California (Part 1)

Whether you are wine tasting or dining at renowned restaurants Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations in the world.  Breathtaking views abound at every turn with picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round and wineries of every stature dot the landscape.  Located just north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has a history dating back to the early 19th century. Today Napa features more than 400 wineries and grows many different grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and other popular varietals.

Travels to Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland, located in the east-central part of the country. It is also known as the "phoenix city" because it has survived so many wars throughout its history. Most notably, the city had to be painstakingly rebuilt after the extensive damage it suffered in World War II, during which 85% of its buildings were destroyed. Warsaw is known as the city of palaces, royal gardens and grand parks. Many aristocratic residences and mansions are located near the city center.

Travels to Krakow, Poland

Krakow is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated in the southern part of the country on the Vistula River, the city dates back to the 7th century. Krakow has traditionally been one of the leading centers of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life and is one of Poland's most important economic hubs. For many centuries Krakow was the royal capital of Poland, until Sigismund III Vasa relocated the court to Warsaw in 1596.

Travels to Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is the fourteenth-largest city in the European Union.  It is also the historical capital of Bohemia. Situated in the northwest of the country on the Vltava River, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its larger urban zone is estimated to have a population of nearly 2 million.  The city has a temperate climate, with warm summers and chilly winters. Prague boasts more than ten major museums, along with numerous theaters, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits.