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Upper Lake…Eat, Drink, Relax




We all look for different things when we travel. Relaxation, unwinding, and some pampering? Cruising on a lake? 

Maybe tasting award-winning wines is on your list. Or, looking out the window at some olive trees while trying scrumptious oils made from the olives on those trees.


Maybe you don’t want to plan out too much…just get away and have a great time! If any of these seem like an ideal way to spend a week end or longer…head to Lake County in northern California.

First, think about where you want to stay. The Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake is definitely high on my list. Completely restored, its wide verandas and welcoming garden beckon you to take a deep breath, grab a glass of something refreshing, and relax. If that doesn’t do it, wait until you see your room. All 17 guest rooms have custom-designed furnishings and amenities to please. Some include fully restored period and antique bathroom plumbing fixtures, some have private patios with Japanese Ofuro soaking tubs, and some are spacious suites. We opted for a room with the soaking tub…and we were rejuvenated as we lounged in the tub. What a way to start or end your day!

If you’re into history, talk to the owners. Bernie and Lynne purchased the hotel, which was originally built in the 1870s. Not only had it sat vacant for over 40 years, but it survived at least one fire, different owners, and was in serious disrepair. It’s not that way now.

The charm of the Old West architecture combined with the comforts you’d find in many upscale hotels makes this hotel unique and a destination spot.  Want dinner or drinks? Head next door to the Blue Wing Saloon with its casual California fare, signature cocktails, craft beers, wine, and entertainment.

If you’re ready to explore the area, grab a map of the wineries and decide where to go first. Boatique Winery combines the owners’ two passions…high-quality wines and rare, antique boats.  Set at 2266 feet, amidst alpine and oak forests, and in the shadow of Mt. Konocti, you’ll gaze out over 47 acres of rolling vineyards. In this Red Hills Appellation, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Cab, Petite Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc thrive. Ahhh…great tastes.


Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill is another place you don’t want to miss. Family owned, they produce award-winning wines and olive oils. Listen to their story, taste the wines, learn about different olive oils, and soak up the sun on their property and you’ll never want to leave.

If spending a day on the lake is what you’re looking for, you can hire a guide or rent a boat. Our guide showed us around the lake, pointing out dozens of different birds as we neared the shore. Apparently, birders from all over the world come here at different times of the year just to see the birds. Since the lake is large in area, with plenty of shoreline and grassy areas to nest, it is on a flight path for many different types of birds.

The best part…you feel like you’ve entered a magical place and time. Put it on your list to visit. You’ll be glad you did. And, you’ll probably be making plans to return.
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Cite du Vin

La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France, proudly marks its first birthday having welcomed 425,000 visitors from 150 countries.

The official press release gives information here:
As well as the permanent tour, the rich cultural programme offered throughout the year by the Fondation pour la culture et les civilisations du vin (Fondation CCV) which operates La Cité du Vin has also enjoyed great success, in particular the first temporary exhibition Bistro! From Baudelaire to Picasso from 17 March to 21 June, which welcomed 31,500 paying visitors up to the end of May. La Cité du Vin has therefore established itself in the local and national cultural landscape to become a place where Bordeaux comes to life. With foreigners making up 27% of tourist visitors, La Cité du Vin has also demonstrated that it enjoys an international reputation. In addition, a quarterly barometer has shown that visitors have been extremely satisfied.


Recently I was one of those 27% tourist visitors.

Stepping foot inside, my first impression is that this could be overwhelming. With over 3,000 square feet of information, exhibits, and short films…that’s a definite possibility.

Vineyards around the world are highlighted and explored. Wine history through the ages, the metamorphoses of wine, terrior and what it is, Bacchus and Venus, food and drink, and the city of Bordeaux are all a part of this museum.

Then, there was my favorite part…The 5 Senses Buffet. Hundreds of glass jars, each containing a different scent, filled an entire room. Each jar had a bulb-like device you could squeeze, which delivered that scent through a tube. Smell it and try to figure out what it was. Your audio device or a small screen near each jar, gave you hints, questions, and finally the answer. How did I do? Remarkedly well. There were a few that I knew, but couldn’t quite place. Then, there were ones where I had no idea…old books, aged linen, old flowers.

It proves everyone can enjoy wine…from the first smell to the taste. Fun!

We spent several hours there and could have spent more time. This is not some boring museum…even if you aren’t a wine connoisseur.

But, really…you are in Bordeaux, France!     

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Review…Travel Purse

For those of you who travel with a purse, what do you look for in the ideal purse?

Should it be roomy enough to carry guide books, a camera, or a small notebook? Or small enough for only the basics? Does RIFD protection (radio frequency identification) matter to you? Would you like it to be a cross-body bag?

How about anti-theft?

For me, I look for many of those features.

While it doesn’t need to carry my camera, I want it large enough to carry a small notebook, my wallet, phone, and other essentials. Even though my wallet is RFID protected, I think it’s still a good idea for my purse as well. Sure, I could add a piece of foil…but this way I don’t have to. And, the entire purse is protected.

At the same time, I don’t want to carry a large purse. I certainly don’t want one where everything falls to the bottom and I have to dig through it to find anything. I want organization when I travel.

I want to be able to wipe it off if something gets spilled on it, without it staining the fabric. Yet, I want it to look classy enough when I wander the streets of Paris by day and when I go out to eat in the evening. When I’m traveling…I take only one purse.

For me, it should have ‘feet’ or something on the bottom, so it doesn’t sit on the floor if I need to place it there. The shoulder strap should be comfortable, yet not easy for a would-be thief to cut it and grab it off my shoulder.
Recently, I found one that I thought had all of those features.

Arden Cove is a brand founded by two sisters born in San Francisco. They put their heads together to come up with a purse and other bags that are functional, durable, and stylish. Their anti-theft waterproof crossbody bag is the one I tried for a couple of recent trips.

This purse had almost all my requirements. I’ll use it on the next trip.

Check it out at https://ardencove.com/

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Gratuity Guide

Many travel books and websites offer gratuity guides. While they’re not all exactly the same, most don’t vary much.

These are recommendations some taken from a variety of sources.

Hotel Shuttle Driver: $1 to $2 per person or $5 per party

Valet: $1 to $5

Bellstaff or Porters: $1 to $5 per bag, especially if you have heavy bags

Concierge: Varies, depending how involved or how much you ask for

Housekeeping: $1 to $5 per day

Room Service: Check to see if it is already added. If not, add 15 to 20%

Waitstaff: Check to see if it is already added. If not, add 15 to 20%

What do you tip? Does it vary from trip to trip or do you try to keep it the same? Are there times when you don’t tip, based on poor service?
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How Much?

You’re in Paris. The hotel service is spectacular. You want to leave a tip for your housekeeping, but you don’t know just how much to leave.
Is there a guide? What’s appropriate? When should you leave it? Where should you leave it?
I’ve read different guides and the amount varies. Emily Post suggests $2 to $5 per day and the American Hotel & Lodging Association suggests $1 to $5 per day. Based on those, it’s up to you.


Here are some things to consider:
Be sure to leave a tip each day instead of one large amount the last day. Why? You probably have different housekeepers each day.

Leave extra if you’ve asked for special items or extra services
.
Put your tip on the desk or pillow, in an envelope if provided. If you just leave money on the desk, without a note or envelope, they may think you just forgot some money.

You could write a brief thank you note, especially if the housekeeper has done something special.

Check your purse or wallet in advance to make sure you have small bills with you. You won’t have to find someone at the front desk who can make change at the last minute.
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Take Your Stuff…

Per the TSA…remember to take ALL your belongings. 

For its fiscal year 2016, the Transportation Security Administration reported that passengers left behind more than $867, 812.39 in coins and currency in the plastic bowls and bins at various U.S. airport checkpoints. That’s about $102,000 more than the amount left behind in 2015, and the more than $484,000 left behind in 2008.
Over the years, the amount of change left behind by travelers at airports has been steadily climbing—jumping from about $489,000 in 2011 to almost $675,000 in 2014, and hitting $766,000 in 2015.

Last year, passengers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport were the most forgetful (or generous, perhaps): Travelers there left behind $70,615 in unintentional ‘tips’ for TSA.

Also on the top ten list for fiscal year 2016: Los Angeles International Airport, where travelers left behind almost $45,000; and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where more than $42,000 in cash and currency was abandoned.
What happens to all that money?
Back in 2005, Congress passed a law saying TSA gets to keep that unclaimed cash, and spend it on any sort of civil aviation security efforts it deems fit.
In at least two previous years’ reports, TSA stated that the unclaimed money collected from airports would be used to support the expansion of the TSA Precheck program, which gives travelers expedited screening privileges. Precheck allows fliers to keep shoes and lights jacks on, and their laptops and quart-sized bag of liquids and gels inside their carry-ons.
When it filed its report on 2016’s unclaimed cash haul, TSA said it had not yet determined how it would spend those funds.
At some airport checkpoints, passengers can also empty loose change from their pockets directly into donation bins for local charities before moving through the line.
During 2016, travelers passing through Denver International Airport donated $87,106.91 to Denver’s Road Home, a non-profit that works with service providers for the region’s homeless community. And last year passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International contributed more than $11,000 to help support the USO operations at the airport.
Travelers who want to be sure to walk away from airport security checkpoints with all their cash, coins and other small items, might consider following some of these tips offered by travel experts.
Use luggage or packs that have easily accessed exterior pockets, “and do all your stashing at home or office, or in the car before departing for the airport
“When you arrive at the airport door, you should have nothing in your hands or pockets but your ID and your phone and/or boarding pass,” he added.
If you must empty cash and other small items into a bin, put them in a container that you place between your other pieces of carry-on luggage.
“That way there is no chance to miss it,” said travel writer Ramsey Qubein of Daily Travel Tips.” If you must remove your footwear, “put all your coins and other small items in a shoe,” he added. “You won’t forget them. Trust me.”

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Palace Hotel…The Place to Stay

You’ve decided to indulge in a romantic week-end getaway and you want to stay in a hotel that will fill all your expectations. The one that comes to mind for me is The Palace Hotel in San Francisco. It’s close in distance and yet so elegant, you’ll think you’re far away.

Perhaps you weren’t thinking it was important for you to have a telegraph on every floor, however. What? A telegraph? How about a private bath or rising rooms? In 1875 these modern technological advancements catered to the social elite, dignitaries who were looking for the best in hotels, travelers, business titans, honeymooners, and those who wanted a special place. In fact, at the time The Palace Hotel in San Francisco was the largest hotel in the world…and a true innovator of its time.

No wonder it quickly became ‘the place’ to stay.

Then came the earthquake of 1906 and in the fires that accompanied it, the Palace Hotel was destroyed. All the marble, crystal chandeliers, and opulence were reduced to ruble. Only three years later, the new Palace opened its doors, using what they found in that ruble and adding new spectacular acquisitions…grander than before the fires. Fast forward to 2015 when the latest renovations were complete. The old…the new…the newest, all blend together as the fresh design pairs with timeless elegance. 

So, what’s the Palace Hotel like now?


One area, the Garden Court, is a San Francisco monument and the crown jewel of the hotel. Sit down, have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, and look around. The massiveness of the Italian marble columns might first catch your eye. But, the stained glass ceiling will certainly cause you to sit and stare. The seven million dollar price tag hardly seems enough. Austrian crystal chandeliers positioned throughout, sparkle as the light comes through the stained glass. It’s no wonder the entire room, 110 feet long and 85 feet wide, has seen its share of engagements, celebrations, and parties for literally over a hundred years. Close your eyes and you can almost see a Prince, a former president, or a Silicon Valley techie entertaining their guests here.

Hungry? What better place to have lunch, or tea, or Sunday brunch? In this era of using organic and locally sourced ingredients, the chefs excel. You will find 80% of the food offered is local, sustainable, and farm fresh. History even manages to find its way into your lunch. Ever had Green Goddess dressing? In 1923 this dressing was first served at a Palace dinner honoring actor George Arliss. Did you know their famous crab salad has been on the menu since 1909? Same recipe…new crab!


When staying here, you’ll take one of those rising rooms, now known as elevators, to your floor. Check out the wide hallways; wider than in your average hotel. Notice the door knobs on the massive, dark doors. Both are elegant. Even though the doors have been retrofitted for a keyless entry, the knobs are from 1909. They feel substantial in your hand. Finally, pay attention to the doors…solid wood and heavy. Again, from 1909. Entering your room, you’ll notice the room seems spacious. The ceilings are 11 feet, offering a sense of grand size. 

No wonder The Palace Hotel was and continues to be the premier place to stay.
Want to see another treasure within the hotel? Head to the Pied Piper lounge for a drink and look at the masterpiece above the bar. This Pied Piper painting was commissioned from Maxfield Parish in 1909 for $6,000. It represents the tale of the Pied Piper…with a twist. Parish painted himself as the Pied Piper and some of the 27 expressive faces include those of his wife, his mistress, his sons, and more. What a guy!

Memories of a grand, historic era combined with technology of today…the Palace Hotel offers comfort and style to globe-trotting travelers, families with children, cutting edge business people, and those looking for a magical place to stay.
Your room is ready…

If you go: The Palace Hotel is located at 2 New Montgomery Street in San Francisco. Phone number is 415-512-1111 and their website is http://www.sfpalace.com/.

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Valpolicella and Lugana Tasting

Valpolicella and Lugana Exclusive Tasting

Learning about wines is always a fun and enlightening time. It doesn’t matter if I thought I knew about a type of wine or a specific grape. There’s always more to learn.

What better way to learn about the Valpolicella and the Lugana wine regions than to spend an afternoon tasting wines from 14 different wineries? If you thought they’d all taste the same…you would be wrong. If you thought there would be similarities…you would be correct.

My palette was in heaven.

First…Valpolicella. The Valpolicella wines are produced within a specific area located in Veneto, a northern region of Italy. This region is situated north of Verona, comprehends 11 valleys stretching north to south, includes two geographical specifications, “Classico” and “Valpanetena”, and is only about 10 km from Lake Garda, which mitigates the temperature.

Next…Lugana. Lugana is the name of land nestled within the Lake Garda region. This region encompasses two provinces, Brescia and Verona, and two regions, Lombardy and Veneto. Wines from here are unique in that they benefit from the microclimate of the lake, the local clay soil, and a particular variety of grapes named “turbiana.” Full bodied, age worthy, and a hint of floral and citrus bouquet make this white wine refined and tasty.

Stay tuned for my favorites and why I like them…
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What to do First?


You’ve planned your trip and you’ve finally made it. What should you do first? Here are a few things you might want to take care of…

1. Especially if this is a new destination…think about leaving
Yes…leaving. The best time to figure out the easiest way to the airport or out of town is on your way in. Scope out the airport while waiting for your luggage. Pay attention to where the rental car return is. Keep track of how long it takes the cab to get to your hotel. All good things to know when your trip is over.

2. Eat
I know you’re hungry. But, don’t just grab the first thing you see. Look at your favorite app in advance and find a place to eat near the airport or your hotel. If you’ve been traveling for a while, either by car or air, eating a decent meal makes so much sense.

3. Reset your clock or watch
If you changed time zones while traveling, set your devices to the new time zone…if they haven’t already done it. It’s important to get on a schedule for the new time zone.

4. Go out and get some air
You may have been cooped up in a plane or car for a few hours. Take a few minutes to breathe in some air. A little exercise helps, too.

5. Take some pictures
Things are fresh in your mind when you first arrive. Take some photos of what you’re seeing. The cool door with the lion head door knocker might grab your attention the first day, but become familiar after a few days. Capture the images while they’re fresh.

6. Charge your electronics
As soon as you get to your hotel, plug in your electronics. Make sure you have an adapter if you’re traveling internationally.

7. Notify of your arrival
If you are traveling alone, be sure to let someone know you’ve arrived. You can also give the hotel address and phone number. If you have kids back home, send them a quick text.

There are so many other things to do…what makes it easier for you?