http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:09:53 -0700 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:28:38 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Private-Cottages-by-the-Sea-at-La-Playa-Hotel--Cottages?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo of La Playa Hotel Lobby by Kim PalaciosOctober is a great time to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea.  With high tourist season passed and the worst of the foggy weather behind it, October promises an unhurried pace and the best of conditions to enjo... Hotel/Resort Reviews Family Friendly Travel Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:28:38 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Private-Cottages-by-the-Sea-at-La-Playa-Hotel--Cottages?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d30-4-Reasons-to-Stay-in-Downtown-Yountville?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo by Kim Palacios - Bottega RestaurantWith a population of ~3,000 and city limits that barely graze highway 29, Yountville is easy to miss.  A simple green highway sign marks its exit—this, a far cry from conspicuous estates with fetch... Luxury Travel Travel Four Star Lodgings Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews Wine Country Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:24:47 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d30-4-Reasons-to-Stay-in-Downtown-Yountville?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d7-Return-to-Vitality-at-Solage-Calistoga?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Solage CalistogaThe highest form of praise from a connoisseur is not a good review—it is a return visit.  When I evaluate destinations for my writing, I am working.  Yet, where I choose to spend&n... Travel Deals Luxury Travel Hotel/Resort Reviews Spas Wine Country Author's Choice Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:15:42 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d7-Return-to-Vitality-at-Solage-Calistoga?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Oak-Knoll-Inn-Article?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Oak Knoll InnI won’t lie:  travel writers get special treatment.  That’s exactly what I thought explained my e-mail from the Oak Knoll Inn a few days before my stay.  I assumed that I was the only guest be... Luxury Travel Inn and B&B Reviews Wine Country Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:54:47 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Oak-Knoll-Inn-Article?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Classic-European-luxury-at-Les-Mars-Hotel?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo by Kim PalaciosHealdsburg is the gateway to north coast wine country.  Just 30 minutes northwest of Calistoga, it sits at the junction of the Russian River, Alexander, and Dry Creek Valley wine regions.  With a quaint main street line... Luxury Travel Inn and B&B Reviews Wine Country Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:31:56 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Classic-European-luxury-at-Les-Mars-Hotel?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d4-FamilyFriendly-Wine-Vacations-at-Meadowood-Resort?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo by Kim PalaciosWhen Bay Area people want to get away, they head to the Napa Valley.  But, where do wine country people go when they want to get away?  They go to Meadowood.Sitting upon 250 acres in St. Helena, Meadowood has been a pub... Luxury Travel Four Star Lodgings Hotel/Resort Reviews Wine Country Family Friendly Travel Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:06:02 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d4-FamilyFriendly-Wine-Vacations-at-Meadowood-Resort?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Series--Five-Great-Places-to-Stay-in-Five-Wine-Country-Towns?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Les Mars HotelTo find the best places to stay, you have to know where to look.  Without knowledge of the particular towns speckled throughout most wine regions, travelers’ searches for lodging often yield narrow resu... Luxury Travel Four Star Lodgings Hotel/Resort Reviews Inn and B&B Reviews Wine Country Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:48:38 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Series--Five-Great-Places-to-Stay-in-Five-Wine-Country-Towns?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Intimate-Retreats-at-Kenwood-Inn--Spa?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo by Kim PalaciosIt is rare, nowadays, to find something authentic.  Bastardized as caricature, originality is lost.  Too often, resorts hand us knock-offs: air fresheners where real flowers belong; relaxation CDs in place of singing bi... Luxury Travel Hotel/Resort Reviews Spas Wine Country Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:42:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Intimate-Retreats-at-Kenwood-Inn--Spa?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Petite-Weddings-at-Auberge-du-Soleil?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Auberge du SoleilAll romantics long for the perfect wedding, and if small is your idea of perfect, I’ve uncovered something that even the most discerning romantic will love.  The venue?  A wine country getaway that i... Luxury Travel Specialty Travel Spas Wine Country Luxury Weddings Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:21:44 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Petite-Weddings-at-Auberge-du-Soleil?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d16-Wine-education-at-Meadowood-with-Gilles-de-Chambure?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo at Meadowood by Kim PalaciosThere is no shortage of Master Sommeliers in the Napa Valley, yet travelers are unlikely to meet them.  Lending behind the scenes guidance to the industry, they ensure that the lists we are handed at restaurants... Luxury Travel Four Star Lodgings Specialty Travel Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews Wine Country Educational Travel Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:24:51 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d16-Wine-education-at-Meadowood-with-Gilles-de-Chambure?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d15-Playtime-for-foodies--new-programs-for-nonpros-at-Culinary-Institute-of-America?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of The Culinary Institute of AmericaThe ubiquitous fantasy of becoming a chef is like catnip to millions of foodies.   We find films like “Julie and Julia” and Kathleen Flinn’s memoir “The Sharper Your... Luxury Travel Events Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews Wine Country Educational Travel Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:34:35 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d15-Playtime-for-foodies--new-programs-for-nonpros-at-Culinary-Institute-of-America?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d14-Pairing-food-with-wine--The-Signorello-Enoteca-Experience?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo of Signorello by Kim PalaciosThe traditional tasting room concept doesn’t quite work.  While it embodies a straightforward way to match potential buyers with wine samples, the sensory overload that results from back to back tastings ... Luxury Travel Specialty Travel Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews Wine Country Educational Travel Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:45:50 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d14-Pairing-food-with-wine--The-Signorello-Enoteca-Experience?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Five-things-you-havent-done-in-wine-country?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo of Signorello Vineyards by Kim PalaciosI know your routine—it’s a dignified pub crawl.  Tasting after tasting, one winery after another.  Pepper in a few great restaurants and add a luxury resort and you’ve got a sat... Luxury Travel Travel Events Specialty Travel Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews Series Wine Country Educational Travel Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:09:13 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Five-things-you-havent-done-in-wine-country?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Ever-Heard-of-Camp-Schramsberg?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of SchramsbergIt is one of the most unforgettable wineries in the Napa Valley.  A slow ascent up its winding drive presents a canopy of trees so tall their tops cannot be seen from cars.  A tranquil pond, complete with lily p... Events Wine Country Educational Travel Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:18:10 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Ever-Heard-of-Camp-Schramsberg?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d12-Bastille-Day-Menu-on-July-14th-at-Le-Garage--Sausalito?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Le GarageIt started out as a breakfast nook that catered to local businesses.  Nostalgia-inducing coffee, fresh French pastries and delightful, convenient hot plates gave birth to a demand for lunch, a mélange of brasser... Events Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:01:35 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d12-Bastille-Day-Menu-on-July-14th-at-Le-Garage--Sausalito?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d23-CLEAR-today-gone-tomorrow?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Google Images"Clear Lanes Are No Longer Available," reads the first of three staccato sentences now appearing on flyclear.com.  The apparently defunct service, which offered approved subscribers advance airport securi... Luxury Travel Travel News Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:18:00 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d23-CLEAR-today-gone-tomorrow?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d19-Spa-Gifts-Any-Dad-Will-Love?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Solage CalistogaEveryone loves a day at the spa, and dads are no exception.  The following experiences feature treatments that outperform the common massage and are tailored just for men.  These are my ... Travel Deals Four Star Lodgings Spas Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:55:27 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d19-Spa-Gifts-Any-Dad-Will-Love?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d15-Martini-anyone?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Microsoft ClipArtFor the tenth year in a row, local mixologists will gather at the Lafayette Park Hotel to support Project Second Chance, the Contra Costa County Library's adult literacy program, while competing for the distinction ... Events Cocktails Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:22:07 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d15-Martini-anyone?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d12-Where-to-Eat-and-What-to-Do-in-Monterey?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Bistro MoulinIt goes without saying that no visit to Monterey is complete without a stop by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and if you haven’t been in awhile, now is a great time to go.  A set of particularly exotic seahorses ... Travel Specialty Travel Fine Dining and Restaurant Reviews City Guides Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:47:11 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d12-Where-to-Eat-and-What-to-Do-in-Monterey?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d11-Fireside-Monterey--The-Spindrift-Inn?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner Photo courtesy of Spindrift InnIf you’ve ever been on Cannery Row, you’ve passed by the Spindrift Inn—yet, with its unassuming entryway and discreet location, you might not have known it.  To step outside of its lobby is to arr... Travel Inn and B&B Reviews Series Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:48:19 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-6291-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d11-Fireside-Monterey--The-Spindrift-Inn?cid=exrss-SF-Luxury-Travel-Examiner