The Curated Travel Collection: California
Here we are at the tail end of May, following 2 1/2 months of quarantine, and life is starting to feel a bit more normal this week. We are not ready to travel just yet but we are beginning to think of summer road trips to safe destinations and the exciting possibility of fall travel. In that light, here is a collection of blog posts on destinations in California.
Author’s note: Here we are at the tail end of May, following 2 1/2 months of quarantine, and life is starting to feel a bit more normal this week. We are not ready to travel just yet but we are beginning to think of summer road trips to safe destinations and the exciting possibility of fall travel. In that light, here is a collection of blog posts on destinations in California.
Enjoy this glimpse of the Golden State-inspired by travels in my home state over the years.
“I suddenly realized I was in California. Warm, palmy air – air you can kiss – and palms.
”
Blog Posts on Life in California
Contact us to make your travel dreams to California come true. We create seamless travel itineraries for the modern traveler at Curated Travel.
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.
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 just 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.
A video tour of our spacious suite at the Kenwood Inn
On Valentine’s Day we indulged in 80-minute massages at the newly reimagined Kenwood Spa located just off the pool lined with luxurious private cabanas. We also enjoyed the largest spa (complete with waterfall) we’ve ever seen located just off our suite. Sunbathing on a cool day in February felt truly luxurious.
That evening Chef Sam Badolato was the featured chef for the private Pop-up Valentine’s Day Dinner. He and his staff served up a delectable five-course prix-fixe menu and wine pairing, locally sourced with an Italian twist and we enjoyed every foodie bite.
The Kenwood Inn is located near wineries, cafes and some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. We enjoyed an extensive tasting at Kunde, just a hop, skip and a jump from the Inn, as well as a delightful alfresco lunch at Salt and Stone. Other favorite wineries include Deerfield Ranch Winery, Wellington Cellars, St. Anne’s Crossing, Ledson and the Mayo Reserve Room.
If you live in Northern California as we do, the wine country is an easy road trip from just about everywhere. A short trip to this ‘Mediterranean’ escape may be the perfect getaway for you. To learn more about wine country and The Kenwood Inn and Spa please contact us to book your next wine country getaway. Thanks to my sweet husband for the perfect gift for this travel advisor who loves the Mediterranean and wine country. x
Ciao!
Heather
More blog posts on California:
Self-Care Tips for Stressful Times
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more cheerful. Overall, we are feeling more positive with May on the horizon. For now, we continue to stay home and stay safe.
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more vibrant. Overall, a bit of the mental fog is lifting and we are feeling more optimistic with May on the horizon. For now, we will continue to stay home and stay safe.
How are you doing during this stressful time? Now that you have likely had much more time at home are you changing up your self-care routines? As we already know, deep-breathing, exercise, healthy eating and proper rest are essential for self-care and stress reduction. I've also found that spa time at home is important for wellbeing.
Though there is less need to dress up on days like these, it doesn’t mean self-care should take a back seat. I’ll admit, I have had a few days where a shower felt like too much trouble, but I find I definitely feel better (physically and emotionally) when I take the time to care for my skin, hair, and nails.
I’m digging in my drawers for facial scrubs, masks, and serums that are half-used or forgotten. By the way, doesn’t it feel good to go through the items that have not been frontline and either use or dump them? It’s cost-effective, green and, honestly, my drawers have never looked better. Now that we have the luxury of time, I want to share a few of my must-haves for a spa day at home.
My necessities for a self-care home spa experience:
*Plush bamboo towels (2 matching sets in white for easy care laundering)
*A comfy, absorbent spa robe
*A fragrant candle like Jo Malone’s Basil and Neroli
*Facial Masque-Caudalie is a favorite that I picked up in Paris
*Body wash - Le Labo - Bergamote 22
*Skin serums and moisturizers from Peter Thomas Roth
*My Clarisonic Mia (a lifechanger for my skin)
*My DIY beauty elixir (see below)
*Cucumber and lemon water in a carafe
*Soothing, calming music (Spa channel on Satellite or anything 'Chill or downtemp' on spotify)
I’m planning to purchase this BeautyFIX box on sale that does not require a subscription right now. $24.99 for products worth over $100.00 and should come in handy since I’m no longer shopping in stores.
It’s nice to let our skin breathe (sans makeup except for business zooms) but moisture is key. I’ve recently renewed my appreciation for a household product that is a miracle in a jar. Read this post on My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin that I wrote a couple of years back.
I found these great tips for Self-Care from Virtuoso:
How to have the ultimate Self-Care Day
In need of some wanderlust?
Favorite Travel Spa Experiences from the Curated Travel Blog
Hello From Our Home to Yours in the Age of 'Physical Distancing'
Hello Friends,
Who could’ve known, just a few short months ago, what our current ‘normal’ would look like? Though our world feels like it’s turned upside right now I do hope you are finding moments of comfort, connection and even humor as our lives have slowed down.
Hello Friends,
Who could’ve known, just a few short months ago, what our current ‘normal’ would look like? Though our world feels like it’s turned upside right now I do hope you are finding moments of comfort, connection and even humor as our lives have slowed down.
I’m on day 19 of my ‘physical distancing’ and am hunkered down with my husband here in Chico in Northern California. We are healthy, comfortable and yet concerned about the state of our world right now. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, truth be told. How are you coping? How has this new chapter impacted your life?
I shared a few thoughts on Instagram earlier this week:
A glimpse of our world in the ‘slow life’ era.
We’ve been busy in the kitchen. Destination themed dinners have been a hit (think paella, sangria and fried plantains from Spain with the Gipsy Kings playing in the background). We’ve been trying to keep our meals fresh with lots of veggies and salads but I also broke down and baked chocolate chip cookies for the first time in years.
WOW! Hello cookies, we’ve missed you!
With all the home cooking we are now doing I must confess to missing some of the dishes at our local restaurants. We’ve ordered take out once or twice and plan to do it again soon to support the local businesses.
You will find the recipe to these soft and yummy chocolate chip cookies on my Pinterest board here. By the way, I used a light whole wheat flour and they turned out perfectly.
This made us laugh today. Does your home cooking weeks on end leave you feeling like this?
Humor from my wise mom.:)
This video popped up in the images on my phone today. We were in Provence this week last year and it is a good reminder of the beauty of that trip and to have hope that we will be traveling again someday soon.
I’ve had a number of friends and clients reach out to see how my world in the travel business is faring during Covid-19. Though I’ve had a number of changes, including my two biggest groups (one to Paris and a Med cruise) cancel within two hours of each other, many of the other trips I’ve worked on for clients are being postponed rather than cancelled. This is hugely helpful for the travel industry as well as our own peace of mind. Those of us who are energized and motivated by travel are feeling like our wings have been clipped about now. Don’t dispair! Look towards the future, plot your travels for next fall, 2021 and beyond. I share more tips in this post on How to Keep Your Wanderlust Spirit Alive.
Thank you for reading today. Stay healthy and please reach out if you are so inclined. Let me know if there is specific content I can share - Travel inspiration? Travel tips? Travel Updates? Health and Wellness? - that would be helpful. Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below or by email. We will get through this chapter by supporting each other.
Be well,
Heather
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More from the Curated Travel Blog:
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.
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.
“This may be San Francisco Bay — Tiburon is located on the north side of the Golden Gate, just around Richardson Bay from Sausalito — but there’s something decidedly New England about Waters Edge. The view takes in what is quite unmistakably San Francisco’s skyline, as well as the nature preserve of Angel Island, but the hotel itself is a departure, an urbane retreat in muted creams and unfinished woods, with a deck overlooking the moored sailboats of the neighboring yacht clubs — not an everyday sight in today’s Northern California.”
A tour of my sunny room at Waters Edge Hotel
The Preferred Hotels event at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito
Made to order breakfast in bed delivered with a newspaper and freshly brewed coffee.
Dine: Luna Blu for Italian, Sam’s Anchor Cafe (next door to Waters Edge) for overwater deck dining or an easy night-cap, Caffe Acri for a latte. Keep an eye out for the new Michael Mina restaurant under construction.
Stroll: Galleries, wine shops, cafes, boutiques and yoga studios are sprinkled along the meandering walkways of Tiburon. It feels like a nod to history but with a fresh view.
Stay: Waters Edge Hotel for the stunning views of the city, breakfast delivered to your room, wood-burning fireplaces, 5 pm wine & cheese and friendly service or book through us or online at the Cavallo Point Lodge for a luxuriuous stay near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Virtuoso Amenities for your stay at Cavallo Point Lodge (Sausalito)
For 2020:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD Resort/Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Contact us to book your next getaway to San Francisco and beyond!
Other posts on Travels
Valentine's Day Eye-Candy Plus Our Favorite Kind of Surprise
With the cold, damp, often drab days of February upon us, I thought it would be fun to share a little Valentine’s Day themed eye-candy to warm us up.
With the cold, damp, often drab days of February upon us, I thought it would be fun to share a little Valentine’s Day themed eye-candy to warm us up.
Anything strike your fancy?
Ready for Valentine’s Day? Hearts, roses, chocolates, bling, a spa day (this has my vote), a movie night, a walk in the park, homemade chocolate chip cookies or a takeout dinner for two at home?
Romantic, kitchy, chill, skip it…..whatever strikes your fancy is what Valentine’s Day should be about.
Valentine’s Day View From Home
For the last several years Mr. C.T. and I have skipped the crowds and celebrated at home with a gourmet take-out dinner from our favorite Bacio Catering here in Chico. Dinner is always delicious and the weather sometimes cooperates for an usually warm al fresco dinner on the terrace.
A fabulous sunset was an extra bonus! More at Valentine’s Evening at Home.
As it turns out we will be changing it up this year. My husband thoughtfully tucked a Valentine’s Day weekend getaway to wine country under the Christmas tree for me. It must be challenging to surprise a travel advisor with a trip, but Mr. C.T. nailed it!
The Kenwood Inn is a charming old-world style spa hotel in the Sonoma Valley wine country and it’s been on my list to experience for many years. We are looking forward to spa treatments, wine tasting, world-class dining plus an ‘aphrodite dinner’ event during our 2-night-stay.
Follow along with us in wine country on Curated Travel Instagram.
By the way, if you are considering a romantic movie or two here are some ideas. Roman Holiday is one of my favorites for obvious Italy based reasons. :)
Do you have any fun plans for Valentine’s Day?
xx
If you are considering giving the gift of travel (or a gift certificate!) contact us at Curated Travel to help make your travel dreams come true.
