Calpe, Spain

Back in December, I spent a week in Calpe, Spain for work. Calpe looks like it would be an incredible party spot in the summer since it's perfectly situated on the beautiful Mediterranean; however, in December it was a complete ghost town. My coworker described it perfectly, "it feels like Galveston after a hurricane." Litterally. No people. No open restaurants. No shops. Deserted. 

One day however, we were able to break away from the conference room to go hiking with some of our team members and sponsors. In Calpe just along the coast, there is a giant hill that juts out into the water and overlooks the coast, beach and their big boardwalk. 

On our hike up this point, it started to rain. While huffing it up the hill, we turned around to see this beautiful rainbow arching over the entire city and the water. It was incredible. Here is a picture of me at the top of the point looking down over Calpe and the rainbow:

As I keep looking back at the pictures from that day, I keep thinking about all the other colorful photos I've seen as of late. Instead of a colorful piece of art, why not blow up and frame a few photos that look something like this:

For more colorful photos, check out my Pinterest board. Have a Happy Thursday!

HOTEL: Midwest Mansion

I have to say that I was so surprised to find this little gem in the MidWest. When I was in Madison last Fall, we stayed at the delightful Mansion Hill Inn in Madison, WI.

It's architecture and history was wonderful but even better was the kind and accommodating staff that was ready to help with anything to make our stay more comfortable. The rooms were well decorated and extremely welcoming and made you feel right at home.

I wish all hotels were like this! It would make life on the road a lot more enjoyable.

Have a great week!

Wine In Provence

During our trip to France a few weeks ago, we enjoyed a wine tasting and cooking class while we were in Aix-en-Provence. Wine in Provence, run by American Hillary and her British partner Ben, is a cute little company which offers an incredible look at this beautiful city and a one-of-a-kind experience!! Though I would not recommend for any highly trained chefs, it was a great way to see the markets and select shops throughout the city and enjoy some wonderful local company and wine.

Here are some incredible photos from our day in Aix:

First we started in the local markets. Aix has the only open air market in the world that's there 345 days a year.

From there we proceeded to an olive oil shop for an olive oil tasting of some locally made flavors. These were to be used later in the day to make our salad.

After that, our group proceeded to a local boulangerie to buy bread, a fromagerie for some delicious locally made goat cheese and finally their favorite local wine shop for the most important provisions.

Once we concluded all our shopping, we all ventured to Hillary's adorable apartment just off the main town square to begin cooking and tasting.

And finally it was time to enjoy...

Absolutely delicious & an experience I would highly recommend to anyone traveling in the South of France!

Thanks Wine In Provence! :)

Tahoe

Today we arrived in Tahoe (well, really Truckee California) for the Start of the race tomorrow. We have a busy day to prepare for all our sponsors and guests to arrive tomorrow. I have never been here before so I am really impressed with the beautiful scenery and landscape. Our home away from home for the next three days will be the Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe, which is a gorgeous property. I would love to see it in the winter all covered with snow!

Hope you're having a Happy Friday! Have a great weekend and wish me luck :)

Home Again

I was in California this week for work scouting for some events I have there in late May. I discovered an adorable little spot that I can't wait to return to with the Mr one of these days for some R&R and wine tasting: check out the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa!

Actor Fess Parker purchased the 714 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara Country in 1989, originally with the intention of planting a small vineyard. As his daughter Ashley explains, “Fess is from Texas, so he can’t do anything small,” so the small vineyard grew to a full functioning winery and followed with the addition of the inn and spa.

Mrs. Parker personally designed each of the guest rooms at the inn with “wine country elegance,” though the Inn is currently under a renovation to update it's charm (yay!). Amenities include guest parking, breakfast for two, a wine tasting for two at BIN 2860 International Wine Shop, a tasting at the Fess Parker Winery & Epiphany Cellars and turndown service.

The Champagne Spa offers a tranquil poolside setting and a list of wonderfully relaxing treatments from massage to skincare. A new addition, Petros Restaurant, has earned many accolades at its Southern California location, and now opens doors inside the Inn. Featuring the California-Hellenic cuisine, Petros brings you the best of Greece with the freshest Mediterranean ingredients.

They also have this charming wine cellar for a small event or dinner with friends: so cute!!

Their back patio is also just divine!

There is so much to do in this great area of California. Not only is Santa Barbara only 45 mins away but the Dutch town of Solvang is a mere 15minute drive. Here's a photo taken while I was there this week. As you can see, Sunny California was not so sunny :)

In addition, here is a pic from Gibralter. If you are into cycling, you would not want to miss this climb.

I can't tell you what a serene place this was. Hopefully I can get back there soon! Hope you're having a good week!

Paradise

I am blessed to travel a fair amount for my job and also to have a husband who enjoys travel as much as I do, so I am always looking for fun and beautiful places to visit. My top three criteria are always the same

1) a perfect place to relax and recharge

2) must be culturally stimulating with incredible cuisine

3) I want to experience beauty

There is one place, I went for work nearly a year ago that I am dying to revisit: Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg, California. The food, accommodations and decor were splendid. It is top of the list for a get-away weekend with the hubby.