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Where to Eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Our Favorite Restaurants, Bakeries & Winery
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Carmel-by-the-Sea may be known for its storybook cottages, coastal views, and charming village streets… but let’s be honest: the food alone is worth the trip. On our most recent Carmel getaway, we ate our way through everything from cozy breakfast patios and fresh seafood shacks to Michelin-starred dining and wine country afternoons. If you’re…
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Kenzo Napa: Michelin-Star Kaiseki Dining Paired with Kenzo Estate Winery
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In a valley known for bold reds, lively tasting rooms, and festival-filled weekends, Kenzo Napa offers something refreshingly different. This Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant delivers a serene, deeply intentional dining experience rooted in traditional kaiseki cuisine, thoughtfully paired with wines from its sister property, Kenzo Estate Winery. Elegant, understated, and impeccably executed, Kenzo Napa is…
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BottleRock Napa Valley: Why I Keep Coming Back (2024 & 2025)
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Music, wine, food, and Napa Valley vibes — BottleRock delivers it all. Here’s our BottleRock review. Few festivals manage to feel both high-energy and effortlessly indulgent, but BottleRock Napa Valley does exactly that. After attending in 2024 and again in 2025, I can confidently say this is one festival that truly lives up to…
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Mount View Hotel & Spa: A Classic Calistoga Retreat for Poolside Bliss and Ultimate Relaxation
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When it comes to Calistoga hotels that truly embrace rest, rejuvenation, and Napa Valley charm, the Mount View Hotel & Spa delivers on every level. Tucked right into downtown Calistoga, this historic boutique hotel is all about slowing down — preferably with a mineral soak, a spa treatment on the books, and plenty of…
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The Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge: A Laid-Back Carmel-By-The-Sea Escape
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If you’re craving salty air, fog-kissed mornings, and that effortlessly charming Carmel-By-The-Sea energy, The Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge delivers in all the right ways. Perched just above the coastline, this relaxed coastal retreat feels welcoming, unfussy, and perfectly suited for slow mornings and sunset strolls. It’s the kind of place where you…
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Folktale Winery Lunch in the Wine Garden
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Our lunch at Folktale Winery’s Wine Garden on September 6, 2025, was nothing short of magical. From the moment we walked in, the space wrapped us in that signature Carmel charm—equal parts relaxed, elegant, and wonderfully indulgent. It truly felt like the perfect blend of delicious food, beautiful surroundings, and thoughtful service. We started…
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Burg Rheinfels Castle – Where to Stay While Touring the Rhine Valley
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Part 2 of Touring the Rhine Valley Why the Rhine Valley Works for Every Type of Traveler The Rhine Valley makes an easy and rewarding destination for couples and families who enjoy variety.Days can include castle visits, riverside hikes, and long meals paired with local wine or beer.Kirk and I loved our time on…
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Got Corks?
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If you like wine, then you have plenty of these lying around. I made a square bulletin board with our first collection of corks. When a hoop came loose on one of our wine barrel cocktail tables in the garden I had another idea. See our Mannenkin Pis? You can buy your own here…