Funky Venezia Artist’s Loft
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4914143
The Casitas of Arroyo Grande
Perfectly situated on a hilltop overlooking the finest vineyards in Central California is The Casitas of Arroyo Grande, a four casitas bed and breakfast with a pool and luxuriously appointed amenities. We were searching for a special place to unwind and spend the night celebrating our friend Linda’s 50th birthday and after laying out all of our options – The Casitas won uncontested!
So Cal Glamping at Flying Flags Resort
On a spur of the moment, we booked a night at Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground to stay in one of their 10 renovated vintage Airstreams.
Comus House at Denner Vineyards
In an effort to expand our wine palates’ horizons we ventured up the 101 this weekend to taste a whole new terroir in Paso Robles. As a special added bonus, we also booked a night at the Comus House at Denner Vineyards. The wine was interesting (more wine tasting details here), but the highlight of this trip was definitely Comus House!
The Bay Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
The Bay Hotel is starting to feel like my home away from home after having stayed there the last time I was in Cape Town and extending our stay this time to be there more than a week. I mostly like it because it’s right in the heart of Camps Bay and I can walk almost anywhere I want to go. The pool terrace is perfect for sundowners, Codfather is only a few blocks away and all of the beaches within walking distance are ridiculously good. The decor felt a little dated this time after staying at Tintswalo, La Res and Birkenhead House, but in reality: I think it is… Oh well, the view of Lion’s Head from the pool will never get old!
Abalone House – Paternoster, South Africa
The Abalone House was a serendipitous find on the way back to Cape Town after spending the weekend at Bushmans Kloof. We had planned to drive the entire 250km back to Cape Town via Velddrif and Langebaan, but after a few navigational errors and the entire day lost on dirt backroads, we decided to stop in Paternoster for dinner.
Bushmans Kloof, Cederberg, South Africa
Continuing the grand tour around South Africa, our next stop was at Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg Wilderness area. There was promise of a Cape Mountain zebra, ancient rock art and a fabulous pool for swimming so I was in for a weekend full of all of my favorite things! With extra special additions of a fantastic riverside foot scrub and massage, an amazing dinner in their candle-lit lodge, African dominoes and the most deluxe afternoon tea spread. I’m moving in!
La Residence, Franschhoek
After a few nights in Hermanus at Birkenhead House, it was time to head inland to Franschhoek. The wine valley! My people! We opted to stay at a property owned by the same people who run Birkenhead House – La Residence. Liz Biden is the designer at both properties and I love her style!
Birkenhead House, Hermanus, South Africa
After an incredible stay at Tintswalo, we packed up and headed down the road to Hermanus. Next on the agenda: move camp to Birkenhead House and find somewhere to watch the India Premier League cricket game! (I probably spent more time watching cricket on this trip than taking photos, which should be telling considering my camera has become an extension of my arm.)
