Die-hard Sonoma wine country fans have witnessed the sleepy, two-street town of Healdsburg blossom into an upscale destination, complete with world-class accommodations, tasting rooms, fine dining and craft cocktails. Here is my intimate, personal guide to spending a memorable weekend, filled with wonderful wine, fabulous food and rousing romance …
I want you to clear your mind for a second and try to imagine complete tranquility, envisage a paradise surrounded by luscious gardens, where nature roams freely, a gentle breeze that caresses your skin against the heat of the day, and one of the most picturesque turquoise oceans and white …
It’s impossible to ignore the meteoric rise of tequila within the world of craft spirits. Once derided as an inexpensive centerpiece for frat parties and bar crawls, Mexico’s most famous export is finally earning the respect its time-honored craftsmanship deserves. As well it should. Tequila is serious business, particularly in …
Our Zombie story begins in Haiti. Well, not really. Actually, there are two different zombie stories, and they both begin in Southern California in the early 1930’s with a singular fascination with the mystery and exoticism of island life. The first story opens on a fictional Haitian dirt road north …
You know the gin thing that’s been happening lately? It’s going on in Glasgow, too. GinFest was held last month at Glasgow’s Barras Art and Design Center, and the city now has its first dedicated gin bar, Gin 71, which offers (you guessed it) 71 brands of gin. This autumn was …
I can’t surf. So instead of riding waves, I decided to ride the cliché of drinking Mai Tais in Hawaii—letting both the lore and the lure of a strong, tropical drink guide my navigation of the island of Kaua’i. The oldest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, it is widely regarded …
A recent trip took me back to Acqui Terme in Italy’s Piedmont region. After having lived there almost two decades ago, I was thirsting for the region’s signature and rare wine: the sweet sparkling Brachetto. And then, of course the town is also conveniently an ancient Roman settlement famous for …
On a Saturday night, my first in Lima, I find myself in the grand foyer of the stunning Berninzon Mansion flanked by two voluptuous staircases. Built at the end of the 19th century, in the city’s bohemian Barranco neighborhood, the ostentatious abode is now the Ayahuasca Bar. There are a …
The sprawl of Los Angeles puts a quick small-town getaway in the “easier said than done” category. But enter Ojai, California, just 80 miles from Los Angeles and with many of the perks of a California paradise including good food, drinks, and beautiful scenery. Friday Like I do on most …
Before I went to Antwerp, I knew two things: 1) Antwerp is a European fashion capital, 2) my attire (old jeans and sneakers) would not be up to local standards. No matter, I told myself. Comfy kicks are more important than haute couture when you want to eat, drink and …
Vermont is all about warm welcomes, intimacy, and homegrown pride. The stunning countryside, a cozy bed and breakfast, local farm fresh food, and a few drams will make for a restoring and relaxing adult weekend away. Before you go, reserve a private tasting and tour with Duncʼs Mill for Sunday. …
Somewhere between the surf and sand, the redwoods and radicals, Santa Cruz’s rep for exceptional wine, beer, and spirits gets overshadowed. It’s no wonder. The renowned bastion of counterculture sits on an enviable stretch of land conjoining California’s majestic redwoods with the marine sanctuary of the Monterey Bay. Yet amidst …