BEYOND THE VINE: EXPLORING SONOMA COUNTY BEYOND ITS WINERIES

My King Ocean View Room at Timber Cover Resort

My King Ocean View Room at Timber Cover Resort

Known internationally for its wine, Sonoma County is home to over 425 wineries and is the largest producer of wine in all of California. Located 30 miles north of San Francisco, I had a chance to visit Sonoma County last fall, and although it was the wine that originally piqued my interest, I quickly discovered that there was way more to see and do there beyond just visiting the wineries. Of course, where there is great wine there is also great food which is why I wanted to recommend some of my favorite restaurants along with favorite hotels and activities so that you can also make the most out of your time in Sonoma.

A Quick Pit Stop At The Golden Gate Bridge Is A Must On The Way To Sonoma County When Landing at SFO

A Quick Pit Stop At The Golden Gate Bridge Is A Must On The Way To Sonoma County When Landing at SFO

HOT TIP: Since Sonoma County doesn’t have an international commercial airport (only a national one - Sonoma County Airport STS), you have to fly to either San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK) when coming in from Toronto and then rent a car and drive the rest of the way (about 1 - 1.5 hours depending on traffic) or grab a connecting flight. Both airports are about the same distance away from Sonoma Country (give or take a few miles) however, if you land at SFO you have an excuse to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and stop at the observation lookout to take a quick photo of the iconic bridge before continuing on your way to Sonoma County.

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On The Way Into The Town of Sonoma

While on the way into Sonoma I highly recommend stopping at Cornerstone for a bite to eat and a little wandering around to stretch your legs. Cornerstone is a mix-use indoor/outdoor complex full of boutique shops, tasting rooms, sprawling gardens, outdoor venue spaces, and even an eatery/gastro-pub with a large patio that you will happily allow to steal an hour or so of your time. Further, if you really want to play it smart, I would recommend checking their events schedule before you go and timing it with your visit. Apparently their Oktoberfest event is one of the best in the county and really attacks a crowd!

You are sure to pass by tons of wineries before reaching the town of Sonoma, but one spot worth a quick stop is The Olive Press. Nestled among the wineries, The Olive Press is an award-winning olive oil mill that uses natural and sustainable old-world milling practices to extract the best oil from their olives. Located only 10 minutes from town, The Olive Press has a beautiful courtyard where you can sit and enjoy views of the olive orchard as well as an expansive tasting room and store where you can pick up a few souvenirs or gifts for you and your friends back home.

While In The Town of Sonoma

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Got My Copy Of The Scavenger Hunt From The Tourism Office In The Town Of Sonoma

Once you reach the town of Sonoma I recommend making your way to the town plaza. Recognized for being the largest plaza in California, Sonoma Plaza anchors the entire town and is where you will find the Town Hall and Tourism office. Surrounding the plaza are numerous boutiques, cafes, restaurants, art galleries, boutique hotels, and tasting rooms to explore as well as the most northwest Mission in California, the Mission San Francisco Solano. Further, the tourism office is a great place to book local tours and request a copy of their scavenger hunt (pictured above) which makes exploring the area that much more fun!

Just Up The Road

Entrance To Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Entrance To Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Just up the road from the town on Sonoma, no more than a 10-minute drive, you will find the beautiful sprawling property of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. This luxury hotel is one of the only luxury spa resorts in the country to be situated on a natural ancient thermal hot spring which makes it the perfect place to stay for anyone interested in a wellness getaway. Not only can you expect superior spa services from this hotel, but the hotels’ restaurant Santé is a recent recipient of the prestigious Michelin Star making it the perfect place to check out and stay for any epicurean.

I had the chance to spend one night at the hotel while in town and enjoy a dinner at Santé during my stay, both of which lived up to their hype and felt too short-lived. If I ever have a chance to revisit the region, I will definitely be heading back to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa for another dose of Sonoma luxury.

Head To The Coast

View Of The Sonoma Coast from Timber Cove Resort

View Of The Sonoma Coast from Timber Cove Resort

One thing I think a lot of people forget or don’t take into account about Sonoma County is that they have over 50 miles of beautiful coastline with the most enchanting views of the Pacific Ocean. One spot I fell in love with while staying on the coast was Timber Cover Resort, a newly renovated, retreat-style, boutique hotel situated on top of a cliff that has the most breathtaking sunsets. The hotel itself is a member of Design Hotels and is located close enough to the small town of Jenner that it can attract a local crowd (especially at happy hour when there is live music in the lobby), but also far enough to feel/enjoy the solitude. A few things I loved about this resort were the communal games and fire pits sprinkled troughout the property, their library of records which you could take and enjoy in your room, and the hotel’s restaurant, Coast Kitchen, which offers delicious fare using locally sourced seasonal ingredients. We spent one night at Timber Cove during our time in Sonoma County and made sure to dine at Coast Kitchen during our stay, an experience I am still swooning over. If I was ever looking for a place to retreat to for a week so I could disconnect from the world, this would be it!

Kayaking the Mouth of The Russian River With Getaway Adventures

Kayaking the Mouth of The Russian River With Getaway Adventures

While on the Sonoma County coast, it would be a shame if you didn’t take advantage of all the outdoor activities the area has to offer. One activity we did which was easy and a lot of fun was a kayaking tour along the Russian River with Getaway Adventures. Our guide met us in Jenner with all the equipment and gear we needed for the 4.5-hour tour and gave us a quick lesson before we set off. The Russian River is a hot spot for seals and it didn’t take long for our group to spot a few playing near the banks. We had a lot of fun chasing after them as they played with each other and jumped out of the water. It was a great way to spend the day and it was really nice to get out on the water and experience the area from a different point of view.

Turn It Up A Notch in Santa Rosa

A Friendly Giraffe We Got Up Close And Personal With During Our Safari West Tour

A Friendly Giraffe We Got Up Close And Personal With During Our Safari West Tour

If you want to take your time in Sonoma County up a notch and really get adventurous, I recommend heading to Safari West near Santa Rosa for the ultimate glamping experience. Unlike anything you would ever expect to experience in California, Safari West is the ultimate family-friendly, beyond-the-vine, Sonoma County experience. This animal sanctuary and wildlife preserve offers the ultimate luxury glamping experience along with group tours that get you up close to exotic wildlife like white rhinos, zebras, giraffe, cheetahs, monkeys, and much more. Located just outside Santa Rosa, Safari West promotes wildlife conservation, educational environmental concepts, and is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Tours and lodging at Safari West are by reservation only and Safari tours are two hours consisting of a walk through of their aviary followed by a tour of the surrounding grounds in an open-air safari vehicle. The luxury glamping tents that you can choose to stay in feature wooden floors, heated blankets, and ensuite bathrooms outfitted with full plumbing. Although Safari West is an amazing family-friendly experience, children under 4 cannot participate in the driving portion of the safari tours, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Although I am not a huge camper, spending a night in a glamping tent was a lot of fun and it was crazy to hear all the animals at night. You really felt like you were in the wild. Further, it did get quite cold overnight and into the morning so I was really thankful they supplied a heated blanket, but I would also recommend bringing some warm clothes to sleep in for this experience.

All in all my time in Sonoma County was short lived but incredibly memorable. With so much to see and do beyond wineries, including our mini road trip around the county and the numerous towns we stopped in for a quick walk around and bite like Petaluma, I would recommend planning to go for 5-7 days if you really want to make the most of your time there without rushing the through the entire experience.

I hope you enjoyed reading this travel guide and found a lot of useful information to help you with planning your upcoming trip to Sonoma County. If you have any questions or comments about any of my recommendations, please feel free to leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Safe Travels!

MY SONOMA COUNTY RECOMMENDATIONS ON A MAP

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ROAD TRIPPING: SANTA BARBARA, THE AMERICAN RIVIERA

Wandering around the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Wandering around the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse

When it comes to bucket list road trips, driving up PCH has been at the top of mine for years. I have been to California many times to visit my older sister, but we usually end up staying in Los Angeles where she lives. Don’t get me wrong, Los Angeles has so much to offer and I love going there to visit my family, but there is no denying that California has so many other amazing cities to discover as well. That is why when I found out that I had to go to Anaheim for a work conference, tacking on a couple extra days for a little 48-hour road trip to Santa Barbara with my sister was an easy decision.

There is something special about driving along a windy ocean coastline, the salty wind in your hair, listening to your favourite tunes that can make any stress you are feeling completely fade away. At least that’s how I started to feel as we approached downtown Santa Barbara, a small costal city cradled by the Santa Ynez Valley that is known for its So-Cal lifestyle, surf culture, and of course amazing wines. In anticipation for this trip I had put together a jam-packed itinerary that was going to be so much fun my sister and I could not wait to kickoff our little ‘sister bonding getaway’!

GENERAL WEATHER FOR SANTA BARBARA

The weather in Santa Barbara is generally very pleasent and mlld thanks to the breeze that comes off the ocean. June to September are definitely the warmest months with highs of 25 celcius (77 fahrenheit) and lows of 15 (53 fahrenheit) ! June is said to be a bit foggy but generally still very enjoyable, and December to February can be rainy with lows of of 8 (45 fahrenheit) and highs of 19 (66 fahrenheit)!

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Hanging out in the lobby of the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

Hanging out in the lobby of the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

During my research I came across so many cute hotel properties in Santa Barbara.  Ultimately, and after much debate, my sister and I ended up settling on the Kimpton Goodland* in Goleta, a small town just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. The hotel looked very trendy, the kind of trendy that would be appealing to millennials looking for a not-so-fussy, yet hip and comfortable place to stay while in town. The property used to be an old motel that the Kimpton brand took over and revamped, and I loved the nod to surf culture and its So-Cal aesthetic. Our room was small but cozy for two and we ended up spending most of our time hanging around the pool, enjoying complimentary wine and appetizers in the lobby (6PM daily), and making s’mores around the hotel’s fire pit. Even though we only stayed there for one night we really enjoyed ourselves and would totally stay there again!

*Since my stay, the Kimpton Goodland has been purchased by AWH Partners and has changed it’s name to ‘The Leta Hotel’ (a nod to the city of Goleta). It still has all the beloved elements associated with the property like the fire pits, pool, air stream and restaurants, however enhancements have been made to their hi-speed Wi-Fi, streaming services, bedding quality and lobby area.

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WINE TASTING IN SANTA BARBARA

Being a huge wino, visiting wine country while in Santa Barbara was a must! The Santa Ynez valley is known for producing numerous varietals thanks to its varying micro climates – a very unusual thing. Further, one of the reasons why Santa Barbara County produces such flavourful wines is because the Santa Ynez valley actually runs east-west as oppose to the typical north-south. This means that vineyards and crops have more hours of daylight and therefore produce more flavourful fruits and vegetables. Naturally the first thing we planned to do when we got to Santa Barbara was hop on a tour with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours. Shortly after checking into our hotel the van arrived to pick us up and within 40 minutes we were sitting in the heart of the Santa Ynez valley sipping on a delicious glass of Rosé. Our driver Paco was very knowledgeable and told us all about the wineries and the history of the area. A picnic lunch was arranged as part of our tour and Paco had made sure to reserve an area on the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard from where to enjoy it. Paco wanted to make sure we had time to fully absorb the experience and made sure we stayed on schedule and had enough time at each winery in Santa Barbara. To sweeten the experience he also provided complimentary waters and snacks for us to enjoy while on the bus between wineries, leaving us to sit back, relax and really enjoy the experience.

RESTAURANTS IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA

After our amazing day with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, my sister and I made our way into downtown Santa Barbara for dinner at a new food hall that had recently opened downtown. Cubaneo, a California inspired Cuban restaurant; Shaker Mill, a Cuban inspired craft cocktail bar; and Modern Times, a soon-to-be opened brewery, share a casual indoor and outdoor eatery space dubbed Kim’s Service Department. My sister and I both love food and we both know when travelling to unfamiliar cities it’s easy to blow a lot of money on expensive dinners at well-known restaurants. What we were after though was finding those smaller, cheap and cheerful spots that only locals go to and Kim’s Service Department was just that. Menu prices were extremely reasonable and both my sister and I found something on the menu to enjoy. Being a Cuban restaurant, I went for the ‘Number One’, a  gluttonous pork loin sandwich with caramelized onions, pickled Fresno chilis, cilantro, garlic aioli, and little gem lettuce on a toasted baguette. The combination of flavours was incredible and I loved how the toasted baguette ended up soaked up all the juices and flavors to help you get the full impact of each ingredient. Paired with delicious fruity craft cocktails from Shaker Mill, this made for the perfect end to our first day in Santa Barbara.

Breakfast in bed at the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

Breakfast in bed at the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

THE FUNK ZONE SANTA BARBARA

The next day, while enjoying breakfast in bed, my sister and I decided that after checking out and before heading back to Los Angeles, we would drive to check out the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara. My sister, who is a fantastic artist, really wanted to wander through the numerous artist studios, galleries, home good stores, cafes and shops that make up the Funk Zone and I was happy to oblige. The Santa Barbara Funk Zone, once considered an undesirable part of town, has been gentrifying in recent years. Converted warehouse spaces now house a variety of interesting businesses, breweries, restaurants, and market spaces. Murals and contemporary art pieces are scattered throughout the neighbourhood as well as over two dozen wine tasting rooms - all within blocks of each other. That’s right, you don’t even need to leave downtown Santa Barbara to experience a wine tasting in Santa Barbara

Before heading back to Los Angeles we decided to grab a quick lunch at Tyger Tyger, a Southeast Asian food cart inspired restaurant in the Funk Zone Santa Barbara. The building is hard to miss with its giant, white tiger mural painted on its facade. Inside, neon pink lanterns lining the ceiling add further charm to its trendy Asian aesthetic. Once again, we weren’t looking for anything too fancy and Tyger Tyger’s quick, counter service setup was the perfect combo of price point and deliciousness. Starving, we ended up ordering way more than our stomachs could handle, but we both loved the exotic flavours that came with each dish. My favourite was definitely the Vietnamese crepes and the Shrimp Summer rolls, while my sister was more drawn to the Pulled Chicken Salad – all great options if you ask me.

So many amazing food options to choose from at Tyger Tyger

Although short and sweet our road trip to Santa Barbara was packed full of fun activities and things to do, and definitely only made my desire to see more of California even stronger. If you ever find yourself doing a PCH road trip or are in the Los Angeles area for an extended amount of time, I definitely recommend doing the 90-minute drive to Santa Barbara and experiencing the beautiful city for yourself. You don’t necessarily even have to stay overnight, but one thing is for sure, it’s definitely a city that can’t be missed!

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP TO SANTA BARBARA

That’s it! If you have any questions about downtown Santa Barbara, The Funk Zone Santa Barbara, Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara or comments/recommendations for the best restaurants in Santa Barbara, please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below, otherwise I hope you have a beautiful trip to Santa Barbara!

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DISCOVERING SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - A DIFFERENT SIDE TO MEXICO

Exploring the hilly cobblestone streets of San miguel de Allende

Exploring the hilly cobblestone streets of San miguel de Allende

It was 6am and I was tired. It had taken me pretty much all of the previous day to travel from Toronto to Mexico and I hadn’t arrived at my accommodations until close to 1am. Now, in the early morning, I found myself floating 1000 feet above the small town of San Miguel de Allende in a giant hot air balloon. The sun was starting to rise in the distance and streaks of light illuminated the world below me, casting a warm glow. ‘How did I get here?’ I asked myself in a bit of a daze from the beauty I was witnessing.

Truth be told the answer to my question is not as amazing as that first sleepy morning in San Miguel. It was my editor who had reached out to me and asked if I wanted to go, and if I am being completely honest, San Miguel was a destination that had yet to come up on my radar. Curious to know more about it, I of course did what most millennials do, I Googled it and was soon scrolling through beautiful pictures of bright colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. ‘This place is so beautiful!’ I thought to myself. With my sights set on San Miguel I instantly started to day dream of all the pretty shots I was going to take and I knew there was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity. 

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE WEATHER

The weather in San Miguel de Allende doesn’t vary too much thought the year. The average high temperatures hover between 22 and 31 degrees Celsius (73 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit), and the best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is said to be between November through April because there is less rainfall than in the summer months. One thing to note though is that it does get chillier at night so make sure to bring some cardigans or layers for after the sun goes down.

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San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful, walkable, little town in the heart of Mexico!

San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful, walkable, little town in the heart of Mexico!

San Miguel de Allende is a small, charming, hilly town in Mexico (population of about 90,000 in the town proper) that is located 270km north west of Mexico City. Unlike other more popular Mexican beach destinations, San Miguel de Allende is completely land locked and is actually situated at a higher elevation than Denver, Colorado. In the early 20th century the small town of San Miguel was in danger of becoming a ghost town, but thanks to the opening of the renowned Instituto Allende (a visual arts school) in 1950, the city developed a booming art scene that drew in people from all over the world. Today, the city continues to thrive and its flourishing art scene has become a haven for bohemian expats and artist who want to settle in Mexico (the town as about 17,000 expats which is quite larger considering its total population). In recent years, gastronomy has also started to take centre stage in San Miguel aided by the town’s lush surrounding farmlands and vineyards. Today, San Miguel is a popular weekend retreat for Mexicans, a hot spot for weddings, and an attractive destination for international visitors like myself.

- SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE HOTELS -

Travelling to San Miguel is not cheap. Unlike other destinations in Mexico, the closest airport to San Miguel is actually in Leon, an hours drive away which makes it a little more difficult to get to. Shuttles and car rentals are available but since accommodations are in such demand, it’s better to visit during the week to avoid peak hotel room rates.

While in San Miguel I stayed at Hotel La Morada, a quaint 4-star boutique hotel with only 26 rooms. This hotel in San Miguel was perfectly located steps away from the main square of town and I could see the iconic pink church, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel from my room’s balcony. The hotel itself was once a colonial house that recently underwent renovations and although the remodeling gave the hotel quite an upgrade, it still maintains much of its historical charm.

If you are looking for more upscale accommodations to stay at while in San Miguel there is no shortage of choices. Three that I visited for drinks and/or dinner while in town and found VERY APPEALING were L’Otel, Rosewood San Miguel, and Live Aqua.

L’Otel, a luxurious, super boutique property – only 10 rooms, all of which are suites – is actually located a stones-throw away from my hotel and was part of Doce 18 Concept House, a collective of design, art, and gastronomy offerings. Travel and Leisure listed L’Otel as one of the best boutique hotel in the world in 2017 and it did not disappoint. You don’t have to stay there to enjoy it either. Check out the stores and wander around the food hall downstairs before making your way to the top floor where the hotel is located. You can buy a drink or order bites from the bar upstairs and enjoy it outside by the pool. You well love it and I can only describe it as an interior designer’s wet dream.

During my time in San Miguel De Allende, I spent a morning visiting the San Miguel Rosewood Hotel. This hotel was very impressive in both size and the way it fuses history with modern convenience and style. One of the great features of this hotel is that it has a few large residence style suits ranging from 2 - 5 bedroom that you can book when travelling as a large family, group of friends or for a wedding party. Each suite features spacious indoor living areas, garden patios, a full kitchen, private garage and rooftop terraces! You can even elevate your experience with these suits with the addition of a personal butler or a pre arrival grocery service. Furhter, the Sense Spa at Rosewood San Miguel De Allende is also worth check out as it mixes luxury pampering with indigenous Mexican ingredients known for their healing properties.

The third hotel that I loved after just a quick visit was Live Aqua Urban Resort. This 153 room hotel is luxury to THE MAX. The hotel itself has a very modern feel and although I didn’t stay there, I did get to walk around the property and enjoy a tasty dinner at Spice Market, an Asian restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel. If you can’t afford to stay there, like me, I definitely would still recommend going to check it out to grab a drink or a bite. My experience was fantastic and I loved the meal and the delectable cocktails.

HEADING TO MEXICO? CHECK OUT THESE OTHER TRAVEL GUIDES!

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- THINGS TO DO IN SAN MIGUEL -

In terms of activities I would definitely recommend doing the hot air balloon ride while in town. It was my first time in a balloon and since I am usually scared of heights, I wasn’t completely sure how it was going to go at first. To my surprise though I felt very safe and since the basket walls are quite tall, you end up feeling very secure. The company we used for our excursion was Globo San Miguel Hot Air Balloon Adventures. Rates start at about $200 CAD per person and after our excursion they took us to the Rosewood San Migel De Allende Hotel where they had arranged a beautiful breakfast in the hotel’s courtyard (an extra $25 CAD with your ticket). In hindsight I think this was probably the most delightful way to be first introduced to San Miguel and I absolutely loved the whole experience.

While in town I would also recommend checking out Fabrica La Aurora, an old textile factory that has been transformed into a multi-use art space that is now home to galleries, antique shops, and artist workshops. You can easily spend an afternoon there perusing through all the different spaces or even sign up for a workshops with a local artist. It’s a great way to experience the local art scene in San Miguel and get a taste for what it would be like to live there as an artist.

Since San Miguel has so much lush farmland surrounding it, I would also recommend doing a tasting at one of the local wineries. I mean where else can you try Mexican wine? I got a chance to do a tasting at Toyan Vineyard, an organic winery located just 10 minutes from the heart of town. Toyan offers tours of La Cava, ‘the caves’, a wine cellar 14 meters below ground. Stone monk sculptures light up the pathway down to the cellar and it is here where you will also find their tasting room which doubles as an event space. The tour and tasting was about an hour to an hour and a half long and the whole experience here was way more amusing then other wine tasting experiences I have had in the past. It definitely felt like more of a unique considering they actually bring you down into the cellars and you get to walk through dark lit corridors lined with barrels and bottles of wine. It also gave me a great excuse to bring a bottle of wine home as a souvenir!

- RESTAURANTS IN SAN MIGUEL - 

As I mentioned, in recent years an elevated gastronomy scene has become part of San Miguel’s overall draw. One place that has made quiet a name for its self is Chef Jorge Cocega’s restaurant Ruta De La Milpa. Chef Jorge forages for fresh local ingredients that he uses to create elevated indigenous dishes. It’s not just about experiencing traditional Mexican food at Ruta De La Milpa, it’s more about getting a REAL taste of Mexico in a fine dining setting. While there my group and I got to try Chef Jorge’s tasting menu which ran the gamut of menu offerings and the excessive amounts of ‘mmm, so good’ coming from everyone at our table was a sure indication that I was not the only one who was blown away by the meal. 

El Petite Four, a French patisserie and cafe in the heart of town also needs to be on your list of restaurants in San Miguel you need to try. We spent an hour here one morning, hanging in the courtyard of the patisserie enjoying a selection of wonderful pastries, sandwiches and coffees. The cousin duo who started this patisserie 20 years ago has built a business that has today become a staple and go-to place for wedding cakes in San Miguel. Chef Paco came out and welcomed our group and it was so nice to be able to interact and learn more about how their little French patisserie came to be in San Miguel – a very interesting story you should ask him to recount for you when you go.

Last but definitely not least, if you have the opportunity to get out to the countryside I would recommend going to El Vergel Bistro and Market, a small French country restaurant by Chef Ari Vasquez. Alongside the restaurant you will also find a small market where you can purchase a selection of deli products, cheeses, and even wines to take home with you. My group stopped here on the way back from visiting the hot springs and enjoyed a beautiful meal accompanied by a delicious glass of rosé on their shaded patio. The whole experience felt quite tranquil and I loved not just the food but this ‘new setting’ of enjoying lunch in the Mexican countryside.

Although my trip to San Miguel de Allende was a short one, I was taken aback by how beautiful and charming the hilly, colourful cobblestone town was. It was unlike any other travel experience I have had in Mexico. San Miguel felt truly unique which is why it was not surprising to find out that it continues to see an increase in visitors each year. If you are looking to experience a less commercial, more authentic Mexican experience, I would definitely recommend starting with San Miguel. I have full faith in its ability to capture the hearts of all who visit, as I know firsthand, it captured mine.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP

That’s it! If you have any questions about San Miguel De Allende, hotels in San Miguel De Allende restaurants in San Migel De Allende or have some comments/recommendations for the best restaurants in San Miguel, please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below, otherwise I hope you have a beautiful trip to San Miguel!

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A GUIDE TO NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, SPONSORED BY BUICK CANADA

Check out my sweet ride! The Buick Encore!

Check out my sweet ride! The Buick Encore!

At the beginning of the summer, I made a pact with myself to explore and promote as much of my home province as I could. I distinctly remember as the days started to get longer and the warm weather returned, having an epiphany and kicking myself because of how little I have written and promoted this beautiful place I call home. Even though I travel all over the world for work, have explored many different countries, I still walk away from those experiences feeling like Canada doesn’t get enough credit - and it’s true! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and I will be the first to admit I take my proximity to so many amazing destinations in Ontario for granted. You don’t need to book two weeks off from work and spend three months of savings to have a great getaway, you can drive there on a weekend in an hour and a half - and that’s exactly what Krystle and I did!

We knew off the bat that planning a road trip to Beamsville and Niagara-On-The-Lake wouldn’t be complete without a couple key essentials: 1) a Winemakers Selections Tasting Pass; 2) a reservation at Kitchen 76; 3) a cute place to stay for the night; and 4) the perfect vehicle to get us there. Thankfully getting these items in order was a breeze and before you could say ‘Happy 30th VQA’ we were hitting the road in our Buick Encore.

A quick stop in the cute town of Jordan, ON on our way to Niagara-On-The-Lake

A quick stop in the cute town of Jordan, ON on our way to Niagara-On-The-Lake

Now before I dive into the amazing adventure that ensued there are a couple things about this vehicle that I need to point out because frankly they completely elevated our entire weekend. Having never driven a Buick Encore before I was surprised right off-the-bat at how spacious the compact SUV was. Krystle and I are known to travel with way too much stuff (content creation props, outfit changes, computer and camera equipment, etc.) and the Buick Encore accommodated us perfectly. That said it was actually the keyless entry feature that was the lifesaver! If I had my hands full – say with luggage or purchases – I didn't have to put my stuff down and search through my purse to find the keys to unlock the vehicle door. As long as I had the keys on me the car would unlock at the press of a button on the door handle - it was that easy! Also, being unfamiliar with the area, the ‘real time traffic’ data available through the navigation system along with the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (which can connect up to 7 devices) made traveling in rural, unfamiliar territory so easy. We never had to worry about being stuck in traffic or getting lost, which made sticking to our fun filled weekend plans even easier! There were also a couple extra bonus features like the heated steering wheel, which definitely came in handy (pun intended) on the last day when the temperature dropped, and safety features like the back up camera, blind spot alert, and forward collision alert that gave us that extra cushion of comfort and made driving the Buick Encore a dream.

It was a beautiful day to walk around the town of Niagra-On-The-Lake!

It was a beautiful day to walk around the town of Niagra-On-The-Lake!

Circling back to our Niagara and Beamsville road trip, Krystle and I were warriors when it came to ticking things off our ‘to see/do’ list. Although all the places we visited were amazing and a lot of fun there were a few special places that really rose to the top for me. So without further ado - here is a list of things to do in Niagara On The Lake!

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🍋 Our last trip to Italy together vs our first trip to Italy together 🇮🇹 It might be the pregnancy hormones but I’m feeling very sentimental today and I cant believe it’s already been more than seven months since we tied the knot. Tu

Niagara On The Lake Wineries

Krystle (@DineAndFash) and I living our best lives in the Buick Encore! A quick stop for a photo at Peninsula Ridge Winery!

Krystle (@DineAndFash) and I living our best lives in the Buick Encore! A quick stop for a photo at Peninsula Ridge Winery!

With our Winemakers Selections Pass ($25 + Tax) Krystle and I were able to get a tasting at numerous wineries including a couple of the ones I am going to list below (I will indicate them with a ‘*’). The pass gets you one tasting at each winery and the head winemaker at each vineyard has selected the wine you get to taste. Krystle and I didn’t have time to hit even a fraction of the wineries that were on the list because we were on bikes while visiting the participating wineries and part of the fun for us is also creating content along the way (which as you can imagine also slows our pace down significantly). That said the pass is still a great option to consider.

*Although I am promoting getting the Wine Makers Selection Pass and visiting niagara on the lake wineries I do not condone drinking and driving. Krystle and I made sure to visit the majority of the niagara on the lake wineries while on bike and in the instances we were driving, one of us was appointed the designated driver for the day and abstained from consuming ANY alcohol what so ever.

Tasting room at Angels Gate Winery!

Tasting room at Angels Gate Winery!

Angels Gate (Beamsville) - Of course my favourite Ontario winery made the list! Not going to lie, I usually buy three or four bottles of their Pinot Gris ($14.99 + Tax) from the LCBO at a time (it’s a staple in my house), and visiting the winery just made my love for their wine grow even stronger. Visiting Angels Gate also gave me a chance to try wines that aren’t available at the LCBO and walk away with some new bottles. The winery itself has only been around for about 20 years (the first grapes were planted in 1999, production started in 2000, and the winery only opened on 2002), but they have already carved out a name for themselves among VQA wineries having won numerous awards already.

Made it to Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

Made it to Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

*Reif Estate Winery (NOTL) - Reif Estate Winery is one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding family wineries and has been in operation for almost 40 years. A very popular pick (there was literally a bus load of people that showed up while we were there) and still family owned, Reif is notable for their delicious full-bodied reds. It came as no surprise then when our ‘Winemakers Selection’ tasting was just that. Surrounding the tasting room is a beautiful fountain and garden with lots of chairs so you can bring a picnic and enjoy a bottle outside. There is also a large old Victorian mansion on the property that has been converted to a bed and breakfast, making this winery a NOTL heritage beauty you don’t want to miss.

Checking out the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast next door to Reif Estate Winery

Checking out the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast next door to Reif Estate Winery

*Stratus Vineyards (NOTL) - I had never been to Stratus Vineyard until this adventure, but had seen pictures of its big, gorgeous, modern tasting room with massive windows and a great patio. I had heard they throw some really great parties during harvest and take a more scientific approach to wine production by incorporating gravity flow methods. What I didn’t know was how amazing their wines were, how they are a LEED certified winery, and how they are committed to producing sustainable and outstanding wines. At Stratus it’s about quality over quantity and that really shines through in everything they do. This winery not only makes amazing wines that I would happily enjoy drinking, but also exceeded my expectations in innovation and sustainability in every way.

Stratus Vineyards tasting room! Time to get our tasting on!

Stratus Vineyards tasting room! Time to get our tasting on!

Two Sisters Vineyards (NOTL) – Talk about being transported into another time and place. To me, Two Sisters Vinery is NOTL’s adult version of a Disney fairytale land. Once you pass through the gates of the property a long road lined with trees and rows of vines leads you to a large building resembling a mansion which houses their amazing restaurant Kitchen 76 and tasting room. Everything about this winery feels super opulent and magical. They have a grand terrace in the back with lots of outdoor seating where people can spend the afternoon drinking exquisite wine and feeling like the Lords and Ladies of the vine-lands below.

We made it to Two Sisters Vineyards - NOTL’s adult version of Disney Land!

We made it to Two Sisters Vineyards - NOTL’s adult version of Disney Land!

Local Distilleries

Tasting room at Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers

Tasting room at Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers

Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers (Beamsville) - This small batch Gin distillery was born out of necessity for Geoff Dillion (Distiller) and has the cutest love story. Geoff who was desperate to marry founder Gary Huggins’ daughter, was only going to be accepted into the family if he made a name for himself, thus Dillion’s Small Batch Distillery was born! With the help of Geoff’s father Peter, an engineer and spirit lover, they started producing some great gin using quality ingredients found only in Niagara and scaled the business quickly. If you aren’t really a gin person like myself, no need to worry. They are producing more than just gin these days and also offer tasting of their Limoncello, Rye Whisky, Peach Schnapps (which I grabbed), Vodka, and a variety of flavoured gins. They also started making pre-bottled Negroni’s and a variety of bitters, all of which are on display and available to try in their tasting room (which is also très mignon by the way).

Niagara On The Lake Restaurants

Loitering outside Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

Loitering outside Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

When it comes to Niagara on the lake restaurants, many of them, especially those with patios, seem to be a bit of a tourist trap in the summer. Not only are the restaurants usually super packed making it hard to get a table, but the food itself is over priced. With that being said we did find two places, one sandwich place that was great for dining on a budget and a winery restaurant that offered phenomenal food, ambiance and wine!

Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop (NOTL) - Krystle and I just happened to walk by this cute sandwich shop in NOTL and literally stopped in our tracks. It was a small, cute, sea foam green, casual shop with a couple seats and a cute bench nook by the window that we quickly occupied. Feeling a little hungry I was keen on trying their food and since you could opt into having any of the sandwiches made into a salad, I did just that. In the end the food was really good, the place was super cute and compared to all the other overpriced ‘tourist trap’ restaurants on the NOTL town strip, this one’s cute east coast vibe really jived with me.

Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards (NOTL) - When Krystle told me about the wood burning pizza oven at Kitchen 76 I was automatically sold. When we arrived I was taken back at how grand the entire estate and winery was, but once we sat done for our late lunch in the restaurant and actually got to experience the food, I knew this was going to have to be on my list. Our meal was hands down the best we had our entire time in Niagara and the restaurant felt so cozy with its massive fire place and large windows, which provided a view of the terrace and vineyard in the distance. The pizza here was of course amazing but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t also recommend their burrata and orecchiette.

Things To Do in Niagara On The Lake

Krystle and I got our bikes from Grape Escape! They were so great!

Krystle and I got our bikes from Grape Escape! They were so great!

Grape Escape Wine Tours – By now it should come as no surprise that this bicycle tour and rental company is another family run and owned establishment in Niagara-On-The-Lake. We got to meet Richard Mell, the owner’s son, when we came in to grab our bikes and he was very accommodating in helping us plan a route for our skill level and time requirements. He also adjusted the bike to our measurements and provided helmets so we didn’t have to worry about bringing our own. I actually really enjoyed experiencing the area via bike and since the shop was located very close to 3-4 wineries you really don’t need to bike far to start enjoying yourself. Richard also mentioned that wine tours were available and they do provide group tours however they are known to run out of bikes (they had around 200 bikes) on weekends so it is important to make a reservation ahead of time. If you are looking for things to do in Niagara on the lake, renting a bike or joining a tour is a great way to get in a lot of wine tasting in Niagara on the lake.

Had such a great time this weekend in the Buick Encore!


Unfortunately this time around I don’t have any recommended accommodations for you. I would never recommend a place to you that I have never stayed at and even though there were a lot of cute looking Niagara on the lake accommodation, the place Krystle and I stayed was going through renovations and updates and just didn’t hit the mark. That being said I wouldn’t recommend staying there until the updates and renovations are over. For now it felt a little too expensive for the value you were getting as well as a little far from things to do in niagara on the lake on the downtown strip for my liking. Next time I will look at something more closer/in town and come back to provide you with a solid recommendation.

Thanks for following along on Krystle and I’s adventure to NOTL! If you have any questions or recommendations for hings to do in Niagara on the lake, Niagara on the lake wineries or Niagara on the lake restaurants, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and share about your experience

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MY MONTALCINO, TUSCANY TRAVEL GUIDE

When I was 5-6 years old my family rented a villa in Montalcino, Italy. Montalcino, if you are not familiar, is a small walled medieval town in the heart of the Tuscany Brunello wine region - an absolute paradise for children and adults alike. The villa we rented was smack in the middle of a vineyard and although I was very little, I still have vivid memories of that summer. When I think back to that summer, I can remember running through the vineyards, stomping on grapes, eating fruit right off the trees, playing in the small square in town, and hearing the church bells ring. I also remember how right before the end of the trip, on the first weekend in September, my mom took us to a medieval festival where the city splits into 4 quarters and competes to win the ‘Gold Lance’. They joust, have archery competitions, have a parade in historical costumes, and at the end of the day lots of culinary meet ups. It was paradise!

Fast forward 20+ years to the present and after coming back from a recent trip down memory lane, I had such a fabulous time re-experiencing Montalcino as an adult. This is why I had to promote this destination and write a little travel guide for anyone going so they can make the most out of their stay. Are you ready for it?!

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🍋 Our last trip to Italy together vs our first trip to Italy together 🇮🇹 It might be the pregnancy hormones but I’m feeling very sentimental today and I cant believe it’s already been more than seven months since we tied the knot. Tu

STAY

Si Montalcino - this beautiful boutique style villa is the perfect place to stay if you are visiting the region. A less then 5 minute drive to town, the property offers free parking and free breakfast with your stay, a pool, and verandas that look over the Tuscan countryside. Our room was lovely and definitely had some Tuscan charm. The bathroom had been newly renovated in a very clean and modern style. We also had a private terrace where we enjoyed our morning coffee while planning the day’s activities. The staff were very helpful and answered questions to whatever we couldn’t look up using the hotel internet which was one of the best we experienced in Italy. The hotel also has a very friendly, beautiful dog that likes to welcome you back - very quiet and can often be found sunbathing. I highly recommend this place for the location, price, and what it includes. It is well worth every penny. The only thing that I was sad about was that I couldn’t stay longer.

EAT

Drogheria Franci (In Montalcino) - One of the best meals of our entire trip. The carbonara here was unbelievable but I was very satisfied with every dish that was served. The chef puts a modern twist on classic Italian dishes and his deep knowledge of the cuisine and inventive new approaches were executed perfectly. The wait staff is very friendly, speaks english and is very helpful and knowledgable about the menu. There is a wine store that is attached/part of the restaurant so they also have a very deep understanding of wineries in the region. Instead of ordering a bottle for our meal, my boyfriend and I asked our waiter to split us a glass with each plate so we could do parings which ended up working out so much better and came to about the same price as a bottle. You definitely have to eat here so make a reservation ahead of time!

Il Pozzo in San Angelo (15mins drive from Montalcino) - Traditional Tuscan cuisine at its finest! This restaurant was recommended to us by many people including the wait staff at Drogheria Franci. This rustic restaurant was super busy (even for when we went on a Sunday evening) and after tasting their food I could tell why. Tucked into a small corner of the little hilltop town of San Angelo, this restaurant offers a variety of fresh pasta dishes, and is famous for their excellent Steak Florentine. Come hungry because you will want to try everything on the menu and I’m positive you won’t be disappointed.

Latta de Luna in La Pienza (20mins drive from Montalcino) - If you are willing to drive a little further away from Montalcino, you have to visit the town of Pienza. This cute Tuscan town is bigger in size then Montalcino but offers the same kind of medieval charm and architecture with more stores to peruse and restaurants to try. When in town, after enjoying the sites I definitely recommend going to Latta de Luna for a bite. Their menu consists of traditional Tuscan cooking and they are known for their suckling pig which we had and was cooked to perfection. Since we went in September they also had some seasonal offerings including a squash soup which I was in heaven over. Definitely a nice little spot to grab a bite if you are willing to make the trip.

Bruno Dalmazio Wine Store (2mins outside Montalcino) - Montalcino has some of the most amazing sunsets and for us sunset lovers, we wanted to take full advantage. In order to do just that we always made sure to book our dinners 15 minutes after the sunset and arrive 45 minutes early with a bottle of wine we purchased at Bruno Dalmazio so we could enjoy it overlooking the sunset no matter what village/town we were in. With that being said, Bruno Dalmazio has a vast variety of wine at all different price ranges. The staff was very helpful at helping us find a perfect wine for the occasion and within our budget. They also gave us some really nice wine glasses to enhance our experience and a drip stopper so it stays good to the last drop. The best!

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PLAY

Locanda Demetra - This little hill top restaurant that overlooks the vineyards of Montalcino is a local hotspot. They offer lunch and dinner for small groups of max 20 people so if you want to get in, I recommend booking it in advance. Since the restaurant isn’t really in town, you would only really find out about it if it was recommend to you by a local - but its great! The reason why it’s in my ‘play’ vs. ‘eat’ section is because they also offer traditional tuscan cooking classes! For €120 per person, we had a 5 hour class which included a walk around the garden, lessons on pasta making (which included both a with and without egg dough making demo and a lesson on how to make different styles of pasta), a traditional tomato sauce, a tiramisu dessert demo, and a bottle of wine with our meal. After we finished cooking we were then led outside and served the pasta and food we we made while overlooking the countryside and enjoying our bottle of wine. An afternoon well spent and definitely a fun activity to do while on vacation.

Podere La Ripi Winery - Little did we know but going wine tasting in Tuscany is not like going to wineries in Canada. Most tastings are done by appointment only and are often booked weeks, sometimes months in advance. Lucky for us, Podere La Ripi had an opening which we quickly snatched up with excitement. The tasting included a walk through the property and the wine cellar, interesting historic information about the region, and of course a tasting which comes in 3, 5 or 6 tastings. Tasting fees are waived if you spend over €100. The experience was lovely and I learned a lot about what makes a Brunello wine, the region and how it became popular for growing wine, different techniques in planting and growing quality grapes and why everyone is transitioning their properties into biodynamic vineyards.
 
Abbazia Di Sant'Antimo (Abbey) - This former Benedictine Monastery is really close to Podere La Ripi Winery so if you are going there for a tasting this is definitely a beautiful well maintained church and property to check out and take photos on the way. The abbey was original built as a place of refuge for pilgrims on their way to Rome and has since been very well maintained making it a beautiful piece of history to observe


Bon Di Santi Winery - The only reason why this winery is on my list is because it is absolutely stunning. Although this winery is famous for their wine and I would of loved to try them, the €450 price tag for a tasting was way out of my price range not to mention it has to be booked way in advance. It is really close to Montalcino however and you are able to walk around the grounds a little bit which is why I am recommending it. The Cyprus trees that line the entrance driveway make for a beautiful shot and the grounds are so beautifully manicured its worth going for just the photo opportunities.

If you are going to Montalcino, I hope you have a great time and enjoy your stay. If you come back with some of your own recommendations I’d love to hear them so feel free to pop those in the comments below!! If you have any feedback on any of my recommendations as well, I’m interested to hear about other people’s experiences and what they enjoyed/didn’t enjoy. Until next time - Arrivederci!

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