The Curated Travel Collection: California

The 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.

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A Mediterranean Style Getaway: the Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley Wine Country

A 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.

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Our Delectable Cooking Class with Chef Salvatore Quarto at Fonteverde in Tuscany

Our 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.

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