In Search of Fine Wine in Paso Robles
After a couple years worth of Sunday drives out to the Santa Barbara Wine Country to go wine tasting, my palate is no stranger to a Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir or a Bien Nacido Chardonnay. I know exactly what I like and exactly where to get it! But this last Sunday we decided to mix things up & take an extended overnight trip up to Paso Robles to see what they’re crafting a little farther north.
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!
Wining and Dining at Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is a Cape Dutch farm with vineyards and orchards surrounded by the dramatic mountains of the Drakenstein Valley. It has an exceptionally well–preserved werf dating from 1690. A fruit and vegetable garden of botanical diversity supplies a remarkable restaurant. Guests staying at an exclusive farm hotel enjoy access to the entire farm, plus facilities like a spa and gym. The aim is to have guests feel more comfortable, more alive among warm smiles and the simple daily rhythm of the farm.
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.)
Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town, South Africa
Trapped in airports and on planes for an 11 hour flight from Los Angeles to London and another 11 hour flight from London to Cape Town, we finally arrived in The Mother City. It was cold, raining and Table Mountain was hiding behind a thick layer of clouds, the same way it was the first time I landed in Cape Town 3 years earlier.
Hip Hotel, Tulum, Mexico
After spending our first night at a nearby resort and not getting a wink of sleep from a incessant & loud generator, we found Hip Hotel… our glimmering oasis! Since we were looking for 9 nights on such short notice we had to move around every couple of days to the next available space, but that meant we got to experience a lot of the different rooms. We know this place inside & out!
Tulum Highlights
Our annual spring trip off the mainland led us to Tulum, Mexico this year. We were looking for crystal clear water for snorkeling, a little history to whet our curious minds and … tequila. Copious amounts of tequila.
