Curated Hotel: The Sonoma Mission Inn + the Surprising Power of a Surprise!
We seem to have a number of family birthdays mixed in among the holidays. Though Scott’s birthday was a couple of days after Thanksgiving he suggested we celebrate on the holiday since we had a family dinner planned. While that was a great idea, I wanted to surprise him with a little something extra this year. On Thanksgiving I had him open a box with his upcoming surprise that read, “Pack a Bag, Birthday Boy!”.
We had a day to clean up from Thanksgiving and pack for our weekend getaway so it was a leisurely schedule. I was tempted to spill the beans on our destination, but I kept it a secret. Seeing his excitement for this adventure reminded me of the power of a surprise.
A Holiday Getaway
We seem to have a number of family birthdays mixed in among the holidays. Though Scott's birthday was a couple of days after Thanksgiving he suggested we celebrate on the holiday since we had a family dinner planned. While that was a great idea, I wanted to surprise him with a little something extra this year. On Thanksgiving I had him open a box with his upcoming surprise that read, "Pack a Bag, Birthday Boy!".
We had a day to clean up from Thanksgiving and pack for our weekend getaway so it was a leisurely schedule. I was tempted to spill the beans on our destination, but I kept it a secret. Seeing his excitement for this adventure reminded me of the power of a surprise.
We had a mixture of showers and sun on our drive over to wine country. With the early rains here in Northern California we were pleasantly surprised to see how beautifully green the fields were already. Our first stop was at St. Anne's Crossing Winery in Kenwood. This picture perfect spot is a member of the Wine Club we belong to. We had a delicious tasting with a number of award-winning wines. Next off, it was just a short drive to the famed Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. I could see that my birthday boy was very pleased with his surprise!
For dinner we headed out to OSO, the brainchild of famed chef David Bush on the historic Sonoma Plaza. Oso was recently rated one of the top restaurants in Sonoma and I had a feeling Scott would appreciate the rustic modern feel and the foodie style menu. The small plate selection was amazing and the service was friendly, yet impeccable. We had the pleasure of complimenting Chef Bush on his success and the outstanding dining experience.
After a leisurely morning strolling the grounds and an indulgent breakfast at Sante, we headed through the countryside into Sonoma for some shopping and a Mediterranean-style lunch at La Salette.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is the quintessential wine country resort. I have stayed here several times over the years but this stay was by far my favorite. I highly recommend their large menu of spa services if you have the time. The resort has recently been updated and I appreciated the extra amenities of luxurious linens and Le Labo bath products. Our getaway, and the destination, was such a fun surprise to my husband. If you are looking for a way to delight someone you love I recommend the surprising power of a surprise getaway.
To Stay: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
To Sip: St. Anne's Crossing Winery
To Savor: Oso, Sante, La Salette
For more on travel to Wine Country
Are you finding any places especially festive this time of year? I'm booking travel for clients and I love to hear your recommendations for holiday cheer.
All Images Heather Lindstrom
Thank you to the Sonoma Mission Inn for a suite upgrade and welcome bottle of sparkling wine.
A Stylish Wedding at Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy
On the next leg of our summer in Italy, Scott and I found ourselves in Siena, the embodiment of a medieval city and jewel of Tuscany, on a lazy July afternoon.
A Stylish Wedding in Siena, Italy
On the next leg of our summer in Italy, Scott and I found ourselves in Siena, the embodiment of a medieval city and jewel of Tuscany, on a lazy July afternoon.
This was another golden, cloudless day strolling the Piazza del Campo. Locals and visitors enjoyed the slow pace of a warm afternoon. Children frolicked with pigeons on the moss-covered pastel bricks.
Our mission was to select the daily dose of gelato: gianduia (chocolate/hazelnut) for me and a double scoop of limone and stracciatella for Scott.
We happened upon a stylish scene and enjoyed watching the wedding festivities unfold.
Undoubtedly, Italy boasts some of the most elegant, stylish people-watching in the world. There are times, while traveling, where a moment just captures our attention and the camera helps it come to life. This was one of those moments for us, in Tuscany, the jewel of Siena.
Now that's amore!
Ciao!
Contact me to book your dreamy getaway to Italy.
Curated Hotel: A Chic Afternoon at Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano
We leave the seductive, photogenic Amalfi Coast with one last peek; a chic afternoon on the terrace at the luxurious Le Sirenuse Hotel. The iconic hotel, with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, has launched a thousand fantasies, mine included. Who can forget those scenes in ‘Under the Tuscan Sun‘ with Diane Lane and Raoul Bova filmed in Positano and Le Sirenuse? There are no words to describe the relaxed luxury of a world-class hotel like this. I’ll let the images tell the story.
We leave the seductive, photogenic Amalfi Coast with one last peek; a chic afternoon on the terrace at the luxurious Le Sirenuse Hotel. The iconic hotel, with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, has launched a thousand fantasies, mine included. Who can forget those scenes in 'Under the Tuscan Sun' with Diane Lane and Raoul Bova filmed in Positano and Le Sirenuse? There are no words to describe the relaxed luxury of a world-class hotel like this. I'll let the images tell the story.
First, may I interest you in a glass of rosé?
To keep things from becoming too serious, the staff brought around mini ice cream bars, on silver platters, no less.
Though Scott and I didn't stay at this luxurious hotel on this trip, we stayed just one address up. We shared the same views, amenities and ice cream bars as those staying at Le Sirenuse for one-fifth the price. This is just one of the travel tips I'm excited to be sharing as a guest travel/lifestyle blogger and travel consultant over at Style Maniac today with the fabulous Doreen Creede. Be sure you stop by Doreen's stylish site; I've been a fan since before I started blogging four years ago.
We are meandering our way through Italy.
Contact us to book your dream travel to Italia and Le Sirenuse with VIP perks and upgrades!
Boating to the Dreamy Isle of Capri
I have daydreamed of Capri. Cerulean blue waters, pastel buildings, brilliant hues of bougainvillea and windswept trees gracing the terraced landscape. The lemon-scent mingling with fragrant notes of wild rose and sea air. I could feel the gentle waves of the bay lapping against the boat. I am mesmerized.
You will be greeted with this picturesque scene at Marina Grande when you arrive by boat.
The Dreamy Isle of Capri
I have daydreamed of Capri. Cerulean blue waters, pastel buildings, brilliant hues of bougainvillea, and windswept trees gracing the terraced landscape. The lemon scent mingling with fragrant notes of wild rose and sea air. I could feel the gentle waves of the bay lapping against the boat. I am mesmerized.
You will be greeted with this picturesque scene at Marina Grande when you arrive by boat.
From here visit the beaches with flanked by colorful umbrellas, rent a boat to tour the island or stop in at one of the stylish cafes. When you are ready to see more of Capri, catch the funicular railway up the mountain to the soul of Capri and La Pizzetta.
Take in the breathtaking views, enjoy a Caprese salad at a trattoria with a view, shop the stylish boutiques and enjoy more of the European chic vibe of Capri. We took a bus up a very winding road to AnaCapri, high atop the island. In the warm July weather, we found there to be fewer tourists and more of a chill vibe in this area.
After lunch at a lovely café, we took a stroll through the statue-lined gardens at Villa San Michele.
The views from here are breathtaking.
Capri Style
Be sure to make time to grab a glass of Sancerre at Piazza Umberto, and enjoy some of the most stylish people-watching in the world. Celebrities mingle with chic Europeans in this destination. Rumor has it the night life in Capri is legendary. Ultra-luxe yachts line the harbor, especially in summer, from which the celebrities are known to come out only at night for dining and to party the night away.
The ironwork and decorative details of AnaCapri captured my eye.
Capri Vibes - 2016
Fitting in with the Capri crowd with our black and white filter. If ONLY that could work in real life on some days, right? ;) For our next visit to the Campania region of Italy we will plan to spend a few days on the magical Isle of Capri. Heavenly!
![Day Tripping on the Amalfi Coast [Amalfi + Ravello]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a66444d017db2e6975e076e/1525194023883-5ELQNOQVR1KLOSAR04BT/IMG_4350+%282%29.JPG)
Day Tripping on the Amalfi Coast [Amalfi + Ravello]
Our next destination was Ravello, three miles up the steep, winding road, high above the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is known for luxury hotels, spas and historic villas. It has a slower, more refined pace of life and has become a popular spot for romantic destination weddings. It’s common to see vacationing celebrities gracing the cafes and sunbeds.
The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is famous for being one of the most scenic places in the world. The roadways of the Amalfi Coast, though incredibly picturesque, can also be treacherous. The center line is more of a suggestion than a rule, even around the many hairpin corners. We were shocked that the Vespa drivers actually ride in the lane facing oncoming traffic. They come at you, on your side of the white line, and fast! The streets are very narrow and sometimes cars have to back up, strategically, to allow other cars to pass. It's tricky. Though Scott skillfully pilots our rental car in many places in Europe, we thought better of it on this leg of the trip. The Amalfi Coast is most safely seen by boat, by public transport or from a car with a driver. Our choice for several legs of this trip was our wonderful hired driver, Davide, of Dreaming Amalfi Coast.
Our first stop was to visit the roadside fruit stand owned by Davide's friend, Salvatore. Lemons are part of the culture of Amalfi Coast. One variety, the cedri, is large and bumpy. You can see them in the basket on the right. They look more like grapefruit. We picked up some local spice packages from the entertaining Salvatore. I ended up wearing a chili pepper crown by the time we left. I also want to point out that Davide, our "new Italian friend", is very well-dressed and I'm a big fan of his blue suede shoes. Those Italians certainly know how to dress.
As you can see, the roadways are very, very narrow in places.
As we continued along the Amalfi Coast, we passed this terraced hotel, Il San Pietro di Positano, all dressed up in bougainvillea and vines. This is one of the iconic hotels of the area, originally designed to blend into the landscape. Magnifico!
The view back to Positano from the road to Amalfi.
The next stop on our day trip along the Amalfi coast was in the charming town of Amalfi and began with a tour of the Duomo di Sant'Andrea Apostolo.
While I waited for Scott to finish his explorations, I enjoyed soaking in the Italian culture at a corner café. Two opera singers burst into song for an impromptu concert, delighting the crowd.
I grew enamored with this adorable little fella. He played a mean game of peek-a-boo with me from his café chair. What a looker!!
Our next destination was Ravello, three miles up the steep, winding road, high above the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is known for luxury hotels, spas and historic villas. It has a slower, more refined pace of life and has become a popular spot for romantic destination weddings. It's common to see vacationing celebrities gracing the cafes and sunbeds. Jennifer Aniston was in town for a film festival and stayed here just a few days after our visit to Ravello.
Scott and I toured the picturesque Villa Rufolo with magnificent gardens and views to die for.
If you get to Ravello, take a few moments in the town square for catching some views, people watching, a limoncello spritzer and a snack.
We did not have time to visit Villa Cimbrone on this trip, but
I've heard the gardens and views are spectacular.
Contact me at Curated Travel to make your dream vacation in Italy come true!
Ciao!
Heather
Date Night: Dinner High on the Mountainside in Positano
Our new Italian friend and driver, Davide, recommended a family run trattoria for dinner “high on the mountainside” above Positano. He knew we would love it. We agreed and Davide made all the arrangements. A van filled with several other hungry diners picked us up in front of our hotel and traversed the terraced roadway up, up, up near the top of the mountain.
Our new Italian friend and driver, Davide, recommended a family run trattoria for dinner "high on the mountainside" above Positano. He knew we would love it. We agreed and Davide made all the arrangements. A van filled with several other hungry diners picked us up in front of our hotel and traversed the terraced roadway up, up, up near the top of the mountain.
La Tagliata is a family run establishment started by Don Luigi a charming, generous, hospitable man who was passionate about the land, growing his own produce and creating local dishes. He loved to entertain and feed family and friends around his table. Over time he developed a reputation for fine dishes and Trattoria La Tagliata was born.
According to the website early homemade specialties included:
"Tureens of pasta with beans and pork (cotiche), spaghetti with garlic and crushed chilli peppers, broccoli and homemade sausage, tripe and small delicacies".
We ambled along the stone walkways and we were warmly greeted by the family/staff who make you feel like you have arrived at home.
Ciao!!
The views from La Tagliata are stunning. It's a bit misty, but that is a view of the sea and a boat in the distance.
The menu is prix fixe, and we did not ask the price. After the meal, we feared we might be into it for $200, but it turned out to be an incredible value at 40 euros per person! House wines are of the "bottomless" glass variety and are included in the meal price.
Starting with the cheeses, bread, and antipasto platters; the courses just kept on coming with smooth and friendly precision by the staff.
Scott's notes from the evening include prosciutto, mozzarella, goat cheeses, antipasto, eggplant parmigiano, zucchini flower, charred spinach, broccoli, brown beans and garbanzo beans dishes. The pasta was Mama's secret large ravioli with basil. The meat plate included ribs, shish kabob, veal, chicken, sausages, lamb, rabbit, mixed salad and fried potatoes.
The homemade pasta dishes were simply amazing... Oh pasta, how I had missed you. I'm still not over my summer in Italy infatuation with you. #carbs
Scott is shaking his head at the amount of food being presented to us.
As you can imagine, by the time the dessert/fruit course (mixed fruits and 3 kinds of pastries)! and limoncello arrived, we were beyond stuffed.
Mama makes her entrance at La Tagliata
When Mama made her entrance, 7 courses in, she was met by a cheering crowd. She had been up cooking since 5 am, as usual. You may feel a bit tipsy from the amount of food and bottomless glasses of wine, but a driver awaits to carry you safely back down, down, down the mountainside to your sweet slumber.
If you find yourself in Positano I highly recommend La Tagliata as a must do dining experience. Tell them Davide and Heather sent you! ;)
Ciao!