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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Practicing Delayed 'Grativacation' for My Postponed Trip to Italy

Practicing Delayed 'Grativacation' for My Postponed Trip to Italy

I had planned to arrive in Italy today for a luxury travel event in Venice. My itinerary included a brief stay in Milan, a hosted tour of Turin, followed by a full weekend of luxury events in Venice. I have been looking forward to Travelux 2020 since I attended for the first time in March of 2018. That event, hosted at Lake Como, was filled with luxury travel experiences in and around Lake Como, San Remo, and Abano Terme. The trip caused me to fall even more in love with Italy, Italians and living la dolce vita. The event was also a life-changer for my new travel business.

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The Curated Travel Collection: France

The Curated Travel Collection: France

The Edith Piaf playlist is lilting on Pandora, we are dining on Salade Chevre Chaud and sipping on Château Minuty Rosé Et Or for lunch. We are feeling in the mood for some French inspiration today.

In the Curated Travel Collection below you will find a number of blog posts on our recent travels to France.

PRENDRE PLAISIR!

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How to Preserve Your Wanderlust Spirit In Uncertain Times

How to Preserve Your Wanderlust Spirit In Uncertain Times

It’s been a challenging couple of weeks for travelers as well as the travel industry. With news of the expanding outbreaks of Coronavirus making an impact abroad, and now in the USA, it’s a concerning time. How are you dealing with it? Is it impacting your life and travels at this point? Are you stocking up, scrubbing down and washing your hands constantly? Personally, I had a much-anticipated trip to Northern Italy in late March postponed by the host. It is disappointing and yet understandable.

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A Solo Roadtrip to Charming Tiburon & Sausalito

A Solo Roadtrip to Charming Tiburon & Sausalito

On a picture-perfect day earlier this month, I hit the road for a solo trip to the San Francisco Bay area, a short three-hour drive from my home in Chico. While I thoroughly enjoy traveling with Mr. CT, my husband, there is something slightly decadent about a solo trip every now and then. I was headed to the Preferred Hotels event at Cavallo Point Lodge for the evening but my first stop was the charming Waters Edge Hotel, my hotel for the night, with an expansive view of the San Francisco skyline.

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Our Second Curated Travel Group Cruise Sets Sail on the Mediterranean

Our Second Curated Travel Group Cruise Sets Sail on the Mediterranean

Our second group cruise hosted by Curated Travel embarked from Venice on September 28th, 2019. Following a couple of days exploring the iconic charms of Venice our group of friends/clients (who’ve become friends) was ready to set sail on the Azamara Pursuit on a boutique-style smaller ship cruise cruising the Dalmatian and Amalfi Coasts.

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