by Stephanie Block What separates a good restaurant from a great restaurant is the way they handle adversity. In this case, the adversity was me. French Laundry is the Bentley of restaurants, the Monte Carlo of restaurants. It is among the best restaurants in the world and is virtually impossible to get into. You cannot…
by Michelle McDermott For centuries, the desert has been a magnet for people in need of healing. For decades, Scottsdale, Arizona has been answering that call. I went on a two-day journey of my own to find serenity, relaxation and restoration. My first port of call was a drive North of Scottsdale along the edge…
by Jen Reyneri I landed on the glorious island of Maui the same weekend as the 25th annual Kapalua Wine Fest. The event, founded by Robert Mondavi, was a welcomed detour on a ten-day sand-filled holiday while visiting a friend. After meeting lovers of the juice from all parts of the globe, I left Maui…
by Holly Dixon Hasselbarth The tall, grey-haired driver waits for me as I step out of the airport in Florence, Italy. As an independent traveler, I have no idea what to expect as the car winds its way through the tiny town of Lastra a Signa and finally to the gates of Villa Pandolfini. A…
by Andrea Clarke The Volvo getting you down? Have a crack at an off-road adventure in the ultimate boys toy! I was blinded by the blazing sun as I nervously squeezed the steering wheel. “It can totally handle it,” my instructor said. “Just trust the car. This is what is does best.” My hot, (but…
by Renee Brincks Five must-see stops on the California coast! Winding 90 miles through breathtaking Big Sur, Highway 1 is the quintessential California road trip and some of its most stunning scenery starts just south of the Monterey Peninsula. The spectacular route presents a constant supply of postcard-perfect vistas, from jagged cliffs to arched-bottom bridges…
by Janice Nieder, Dining Diva Photos by Patty Burness At first I wasn’t sure if I was interviewing the director of the Michelin Guide or the next potential James Bond. Jean-Luc Naret is movie star handsome, suave, sophisticated, and as beautifully appointed as many of the restaurants the guides cover. When I told him that…