Wine and Spirits Travel

I’m always excited when I find a place that easily combines the wine and travel theme, so when I found one that was just a few hours away, I couldn’t wait to check it out.   Lynfred Winery turned out to live up to this spirits traveler’s expectation – both in the wine and the accommodation. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of spending a week at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton .  It’s hard to describe the opulence of that hotel, with a touch to every detail that made you feel like you were in a Roman palace.  I’ve stayed in some great places since then, but nothing quite like that – until I stepped into the Italian Suite at Lynfred Winery .  The suite is one of four.  Each is unique and named after a wine region of the world.  And each seems to remember every luxury, from heated floors to marble bathrooms (with perfect Jacuzzi tubs).  The fireplace and cozy living room just begs for a bottle of wine – and you don’t have to go far to get it. Just below the incredible suites is the actu

I had been told before my arrival that 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, was incredible.  I had heard this before and I had been to hotels that were truly incredible.  I pictured the rooms filled with old artwork, a huge soaking tub and automatic drapes that would close out the light in a minute. I was very wrong about the idea of "incredible" as this hotel gave it a totally new meaning. While spending three days at 21C, I was constantly fascinated by something I hadn't seen before.  Is it a modern hotel with art, or is it a modern art museum with a hotel?  I'm really not sure, but I liked both. The current exhibit (they change about twice a year) featured 76 pieces of art by 35 living artists. The term "pieces of art" is the only way to describe the collection of sculptures, paintings and, well, "art."  Whether you like them or not -- and there were strong opinions -- they are all intriguing.  I happened to like nearly all, finding

I have had my share of five star restaurants from Paris to Portland, but ask me where I want to go for a celebration or I quiet evening with friends and I don’t think twice – Melting Pot . There’s something about bonding over a pot of fondue that makes dinner more of an adventure than the finest steak.  Some people think of fried chicken and pasta as comfort food, for me it is fondue.  I remember my mom putting together the Swiss cheese or chocolate fondue as a treat when we had company.  Through the years there have been restaurants with fondue that have come and gone out of my life.  It was five years ago that I discovered Melting Pot in Tucson, Arizona .  My   longtime friend Jaimee was visiting me while I stayed at the Hilton El Conquistador on business.  It was a two week trip and, though I enjoyed their restaurants, I was ready for something new when I spotted a brochure for the Tucson Melting Pot.  We were on our way. Though Melting Pot offers entrees from chicken to shrimp,

Though I have been to more all- inclusives than I can count, I was a Club Med virgin.   Everyone told me that Club Med Sandpiper wasn’t the best example for my “first,” but when the opportunity to go there presented itself, I really wanted to give it a try. There are many reasons why Club Med Sandpiper isn’t a good example of the company, which began in 1950 as the first all-inclusive chain and now has 57 resorts around the world.  They didn’t originally include drinks as part of the plan and the idea was for minimal furnishings and group dining.   They have evolved over the years, altering plans to include drinks and less communal meals.   They have also continually renovated resorts.  And Club Med Sandpiper  is last on the list. For awhile, it looked like they weren’t going to keep the only remaining (there used to be a resort in Colorado) Club Med on U.S. soil,  but this complex in St. Lucie, Florida was meant to stay.  The plan changed with the idea that this property w