Luxe Beat Magazine November 2015

Domaine Carneros Sparkling Wines for Thanksgiving Russian River Valley Vintner Mike Sullivan Culinary Capers in Coorg Discover Oman’s Alila Jabal Akhdar

NOVEMBER 2015

Contents 52

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Travel

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Put a Pin in it! Charleston Woos Visitors with Sultry Southern Charms

Oman’s Alila Jabal Akhdar: Bucket List for the WellHeeled Traveler

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St. Barth Properties

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Live it Up in Lake Tahoe

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Luxury and History at Quebec’s Auberge SaintAntonine Hotel

Discover India and the Subcontinent with Geringer Global Travel Custom Tours Designed for You

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Float Your Way Through Europe Aboard the AmaSerena

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Cruising Southern France with Viking River Cruises

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Leah Travels France: November

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Epicure

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Elegant Weekend Jaunt in Paso Robles

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Meet Michelin-Star Chef Cristina Bowerman

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Panini: The Simple Tastes of Italian Style Bread

Fashion 76

6 Easy Tips for Best Sweater Care 2016 Winter Travel Accessories Guide

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Orange County (Coorg): Culinary Capers in Coffee Country

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Domaine Carneros Sparkling Wines for Thanksgiving

Art

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Russian River Valley Vintner Mike Sullivan

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Four Artists Convey the Power of the Human Spirit

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Feat. Contributor 86

Getting to know Luxe Beat Magazine’s, Kaitlyn Phillips

Business 89

5 Essential Traits Every Entrepreneur Needs

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Quality Business: Applaud Players who Excel

Literature 94

Creative Entertaining: All Year Round

SHERRIE WILKOLASKI Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

MARALYN D. HILL Executive Editor

BENJAMIN BENNETT Creative Director

LILLIAN AFRICANO Managing Editor

NINA AFRICANO Editor

SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM Wine Editor

LEAH WALKER Editor-At-Large

DALE SANDERS Senior Travel & Lifestyle Editor/ Director of Photography

KAITLYN PHILLIPS Assistant Production Editor

COURTNEY LOWDEN Fashion Editor-At-Large

CONTRIBUTORS

COLUMNS Put a Pin in it!

Debbie Stone

Quality Business Tom Raffio

Dana Rebmann Dena Roche Devanshi Mody Glenn Harris Jan Ross Jessica O’Hehir Jia Li

Jill Weinlein Madeline Puckette Rana Florida Renee Phillips Sandra Chambers Sonja Hegman Andras Valerie Grubb

Luxe Beat Magazine is published in English. Our audience is a global market with global contributors. Each writes, using the form of English with which they are familiar. So you’ll see US, UK, AUS, CAN, versions, etc. We hope this eliminates any confusion on spelling.

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Editor’s Letter DINING IN LUXURY is the focus of

the November 2015 issue of Luxe Beat Magazine. It’s that time of year that we start to indulge in gastronomic pleasures. We’re tempting the palate with exotic travels to the India’s Coorg for a culinary caper in coffee country.

Our new Wine Editor, Susan LanierGraham shares with us the bubbling Domaine Carneros and tells us how to pair our sparkling wines for Thanksgiving. Italian author and food columnist Veronica Lavenia shares some recipes from her book, Panini: The Simple Tastes of Italian Style Bread. Put a Pin in it! columnist Debbie Stone takes us on a stroll, to sip and savor the delights of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This issue is sure to have your mouth watering and it’s calorie free read!

As we reflect upon what we’re all thankful this holiday season, I am thankful for the editorial team I work with here at Luxe Beat Magazine. Thank you to Maralyn D. Hill, Lillian Africano and Benjamin Bennett for all that they do to get Luxe Beat Magazine published each month, and the rest of our crew, contributors and most of all our readers.

Everyone have a safe, happy and luxurious Thanksgiving holiday!

Sherrie Wilkolaski Editor-in-Chief

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Letters To The Editor Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Tech-y in Singapore

Jennifer H. San Jose, CA

Dear Tech-y,

Dear Jennifer,

I was so intrigued by the article New technologies help realise Vineyard of Future! I love that Luxe Beat Magazine has contributors interested in how technology affects the world around us.

Can I look forward to more of that in the future?

We are always happy to hear from our readers, but having the feedback on our technology features reaffirms our commitment to this type of content.

You might enjoy our October feature on Technology Guru Sreenath Sreenivasan and our November 20014 feature on Skoop! Mobile Technology. Skoop is literally taking off for large and small businesses that we hope to do an update when some more major and fun breakthroughs are on most smartphones. Our goal is to keep you informed. Thanks so much for writing.

Sincerely, Sherrie Wilkolaski Editor-in-Chief

I found the article A Quick and Quirky Stopover in Quito extremely interesting, and loved the imagery! Is it common for your writers to use tour guides or enlist the help of a tourist company when travelling?

What a great and complex question, as there are many answers. Many of our writers plan out all of their own trips and may or may not use guides.

The majority of us are invited to take part in a trip and it can include a guide. If I am going somewhere on my own, I do not hesitate to seek out a local guide that specializes in what my interests are. It is worth the investment. If one of the editors is on assignment from Luxe Beat Magazine, the destination or property hosting us provides all of our expenses and that usually includes guides. Depending on the destination, it may only be for an hour or two. I hope this helps answer your question.

Sincerely, Maralyn D. Hill Executive Editor

Dear Editor,

Thank you so much for the piece on Modern Travel Accessories. As a person who loves the new gadgets but despises paying for them, I liked that I didn’t have to test them out myself.

Off to Buy Oxygen+ in L.A.

Dear Off to Buy Oxygen+,

Thanks for writing. Please let us know how the Oxygen+ worked for you. I was delighted with my sample, as the older I get, the more the jet lag bothers me. I hope you have a positive reaction.

Sincerely,v Maralyn D. Hill Executive Editor

Dear Editor,

When I was looking for a wine to serve for a Halloween dinner party, I was delighted to find the Luxe Beat Magazine article Black Ink: cult wine for the masses. It was a hit at my party. Do you find many of your readers discover older articles for references?

Samantha, Cape Ann, MA.

Dear Samantha,

Thank you for writing. Yes, many Internet searches find articles on Luxe Beat Magazine that meet their needs. However, it amazes us how consistently popular the article on Black Ink Wine is all year long, but particularly during the Halloween season. We are happy your guests enjoyed your choice and thank you for visiting Luxe Beat.

Sincerely, Sherrie Wilkolaski Editor-in-Chief

Dear Readers, We were happy to receive some letters to the editor this month and hope more of you will continue to write to make comments or ask questions Please send Letters to the Editor to LuxeBeatMag@gmail.com Subject: Letter to Editor 7

Oman’s Alila Jabal Akhdar Bucket List for the Well-Heeled Traveler

By Glenn Harris

Atop a mountain

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he beaten path is a place that everyone knows about and has already been to. It is a predictable and a known commodity. I love to go off the beaten path to explore new and interesting places. I recently found heaven off the beaten path in the Alila Jabal Akhdar atop Oman’s Al Hajar mountain range.

canyons, deserts with ochre-colored sand dunes as far as the eyes can see, lush tropical forests, and oceans as clear and blue as any body of water. The country is very selective about what hotels can open there and each new project must be special. So when I heard about the recently opened Alila Jabal Akhdar, I knew it would be special.

Oman is special place. Only three million travelers go there each year.

It is not a place where you will find T-shirt vendors, strip malls and your typical tourist attractions and gaudy theme parks. What it does have is an abundance of natural beauty that rivals anywhere in the world. There are majestic mountains and imposing

to behold in the varied flora and fauna. You’ll see wild donkeys and goats and their kids jumping and scaling the mountains. As you ascend the mountain, there is a checkpoint for your car to make sure you have the mandatory four-wheel-drive to proceed up this steep mountain.

The roads are perfect and there is a newly built highway that takes you from one side to the other.

Jabal Akhdar is Arabic for Green Mountain. It is a breathtaking mountain range of untrampled beauty and dramatic scenery. The mountain range reaches 10, 000 feet above sea level and features equally impressive canyons reaching to the sea floor. It has vivid colors and hues

Alila Jabal Akhdar is a monument to Oman. It has respectfully taken Oman culture and tradition in a dramatic location and built an authentic and five-star travel experience around it. It is found atop a mountain, literally in the clouds at 5,000 feet above sea level.

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Clouds pass by and you can touch them as they surround you. The air is noticeably lighter, fresh and cool.

It was the middle of June when I arrived, when the rest of the Middle East is sweltering in temperatures over 110 degrees. Here is cool and even chilly at night.

As we finally reached our destination, I was greeted by the staff and I immediately felt personally welcomed. This is a small property of only 86 units, so it allows for a personal relationship with the staff throughout your stay.

The lobby is impressive with local artwork and Omani décor that I loved at first sight.

Travel A must-have on the bucket list of the well-heeled traveler

Jabal Akhdar is Arabic for Green Mountain

Goats!

You will quickly realize that this is nirvana in a hotel: a one of a kind location with plenty of outdoor pleasures, a fantastic and committed staff, exceptional dining, even a world class spa. It is a must-have bucket list experience for the well-heeled traveler. There is a reason why, after it’s highly anticipated debut, that it has been on every luxury travel magazines hot list and has won numerous well deserved awards and accolades such those from Conde Nast and Travel and Leisure. All have come to the same conclusion, Alila Jabal Akhdar is a haven in the heavens.

The hotel is a sight to behold. The architecture is inspired by ancient forts; it used traditional Omani construction techniques and local

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stones combined with contemporary architecture. The entire exterior is made of rocks from the area and perfectly blends with the natural beauty of the environment. The interiors are equally as impressive with a minimalist style infused with warmth and colors that reflect the region’s ethnic influence. Authentic elements of Omani design decorate the interiors, such as copper ornaments and handmade pottery.

The hotel is on the mountain top, so you’ll have close-up views of the deep canyon which will take your breath away. There is a wood fence that surrounds the property that looks like it came from a Texas cow ranch or a John Wayne Western movie. There is also a babbling running water stream throughout

Grand entrance

Travel the property mirroring Oman’s traditional aflaj system of irrigation channels that dates back 2,000 years and is still used to water the areas date farms and other agriculture.

There is a post card perfect infinityedge pool and hot tub. It is a scene that could come from a Swiss chalet; both the pool and Jacuzzi are temperature controlled, so even on cool nights, a dip in the pool is a must-do while here. There is also a lovely indoor pool.

Jabal Ali Akhdar is the epitome of luxury, yet there is nothing ostentatious or stuffy about it. My room was simply fabulous. There was a comfortable king size bed, a lovely sitting area and couch as well as all the modern items you’d expect: flat screen TV, movie channels, fast Internet and a large walk-in closet.

I particularly admired the earth tone hues and wood and stone accents, authentic Omani décor and artwork.

There was even a desk made in the style of an Omani safe from centuries past. The bathroom was straight out of Architectural Digest.

It was literally a separate room with a refreshing rain shower and a deep soaking tub — all perfectly blended with earth tone colors in complement with the out of doors.

Gorgeous gorge views from your suite

Outdoors was an expansive deck with a daybed for taking in the uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountains and gorges while enjoying the refreshing clifftop breezes. Your view is of the clouds and you can watch them float by from the distance or sometimes, right around you.

The cuisine could be defined as uncomplicated gourmet: just the top

Grand drawing room with open fireplace

Omani heritageinspired interiors

Spectacular temperaturecontrolled infinityedge pool

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fresh ingredients, done simply and well. The restaurant, Juniper, offers a good variety of options with a focus on intercontinental and regional Arab dishes. The setting is comfortable and unpretentious.

There are views of the outdoors from inside and they also offer al fresco dining.

For lunch I started with a fresh and tasty fattoush which is a cucumber and tomato salad with pita croutons. I followed with the pan-seared king prawns served with tomato freekeh, buttered snow peas and crustacean sauce.

Dinner was fabulous as well, and there were more people in the restaurant, but it never felt crowded. Candlelight flickered across the tables. One dinner selection was the Angus Beef Tenderloin, which was juicy, flavorful and was accompanied with roasted mashed potato, buttered beans and pepper jus. Absolutely delicious.

The next night I went with the Beef Tanjine, which was wonderfully braised with orange, carrots, celery, raisin andolive couscous. All were fresh, well prepared and delicious.

When you are in a place like this, it’s best to wake early, take in an early morning activity and then go back for a power nap after lunch. I did Heavenly views

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Spectacular temperaturecontrolled infinityedge pool

Travel Brings new meaning to “alfresco”

Rustic fences and clouds at arms’ length

Omani heritageinspired water system

just that and was up at sunrise to prepare for a tour. Prior to the tour, I wanted the necessary energy so went for a nice breakfast at Juniper.

There were other early risers taking in their carbs and calories to burn off later in the day. There was a great selection of fresh breads, cereals, juices and fruits.

Alila Jabal Akhdar is about providing an uplifting experience to its guests.

Food, Nature, and spa are key parts of your stay. There is a Leisure Concierge Team comprised of local experts and professionals at your service to recommend experiences to enhance your holiday.

For those who want to take a break

from their rest and relaxation, there are plenty of activities to engage you. I decided to go on a cultural discovery tour. After a quick chat about what I wanted to do with the resort’s Leisure Concierge, Ali, we were off in a dash. Ali is Omani and proud and passionate of his heritage and of his country and this region in particular. He took me on a

comprehensive and robust walking and driving tour of the area and neighboring villages.

We stopped along the way taking in some of the area’s most impressive vistas for seeing and taking photos.

We went to Jabal Akhdar, a mountain village where the villagers still farm as they did centuries ago, on

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Hand-painted olive branches on walls with Omani heritage decor pieces

Fabulous bath with deep soaking tub and rain shower

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Travel Balcony in the clouds and the daybed to enjoy

Juniper Restaurant

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Simplified gourmet: steak and mash

Do you have a table with a view? Yes we do!

Travel The upper Saiq Plateau in the mountains of Jabal Akhdar

platforms hewn out of the mountainside into grow-able flat land, allowing this area to take advantage of the rainfall and temperate climate to raise all kinds of produce. The region is known as Oman’s fruit bowl and grows peaches, apricots, figs, grapes, apples, pears, and pomegranates, as well as almond and walnuts. This area is well known for roses which are made into rose water for perfumes and cooking.

We wandered through the villages and met some of the friendly local people. Just up the road, we stopped at a 1200- year-old abandoned village, a great photo op. All along the way, Ali pointed out the various villages and towns and gave history and context to the imagery. My time with Ali, my Leisure Concierge, was rewarding, culturally enriching, and gave me an experience to remember.

Alila Jebel Akhdar is a haven to bring your mind, body and soul in alignment. From the experiences, dining, and nature around, you begin your transition to healing. For the body, Spa Alila offers top notch spa service led by the passionate and

Eggs and salmon on toast

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Ali, my Fantastic Leisure Concierge shows me around Jabal Akhdar

Touring the village

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The village of Al Aqr

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capable spa director, Ami from Bali.

When I asked what makes her spa special, she shared that it’s the heart and energy of each and every staff member. She said that while other spas may be bigger and have more equipment, without the therapists who genuinely seek to heal their guests, the guests will never be satisfied. Ami, along with her entire staff, seemed fully committed to revitalizing and healing each of her guests.

The facility is first rate: seven treatment rooms, a Vichy shower and relaxation area. The spa dĂŠcor is reflective of the resort, with deep wood, cream walls and candles and Omani touches. The soft Asian flute music is relaxing as you begin to forget your daily stresses. The spa offers Omani and Asian treatment techniques across a host of healing, cleansing and beauty therapies.

My treatment began with a consultation with Ami. I chose the signature therapeutic massage treatment, which started with a few questions about my specific aches and ailments. Ami then shared three types of oils to choose from, one for relax, one for detox and one for healing. I choose the relax oil and off

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Travel Known as the Oman’s Fruit Bowl, the agriculture platforms of Jabal Akhdar are a sight to behold

The abandoned village of Tanuf

Alila Jabal Akhdar: A must experience for the well-heeled traveler

Ami, rom Bali, is the resort’s committed and inspired spa director

Various herbs and oils to soothe away stress and tension

I went. The spa produces their own Balinese-inspired, community-driven Alila Living products with recipes featuring the curative benefits of fresh, natural, quality ingredients.

The treatment room was beautifully decorated, and there was a separate changing room with a shower. The

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treatment began with a soothing foot bath of sea salts and warm water. From there the deep tissue massage erased weeks of stress in one hour. My therapist, Dewa from Bali, was a wizard knowing which areas to push, pull or rub. He asked how I found the pressure and adjusted accordingly. The therapeutic

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massage used a combination of techniques using fluent strokes of different depths and intensity. Long Balinese strokes improve lymphatic drainage and circulation, the Swedish deep tissue techniques worked to relieve muscle tension and stiffness.

Acupressure points were used for specific stimulation, while Thai

movements added elements of stretching to increase mobility.

Before I knew it, I floated away in blissful oblivion, not a care in the world in complete and utter relaxation. After the treatment I was given a ginger, saffron and honey tea, and I relaxed letting

another level of tranquility set in.

After my short trip here, I was left yearning for a few more days but I will be back. This is a special place worth visiting time and time again.

The Alila Jabal Akhdar is for the refined guest. There are no discos,

shopping plazas or techno pool parties. This is for the person who is seeking an authentic experience of Middle East culture, an incredible natural environment and world class accommodation. This is all about rest and relaxation, getting in tune with yourself, perhaps with a loved one and with Nature.

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Travel

Live it up in Lake Tahoe

By Dena Roche

The best way to experience Lake Tahoe

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C

ome in summer or come in winter; regardless of season there is a multitude of ways to live it up in Lake Tahoe.

The first thing that strikes me about Lake Tahoe is that it’s not how I pictured Nevada or California. The landscape here is pure Colorado meets Pacific Northwest and just looking at it is like ingesting a chill pill.

It may not be right on the lake, but

the most luxurious hotel in an area dominated by casino hotels and cheapie motels is the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe. And skiers, it has ski in/ski out at Northstar that can’t be beat if you can stomach the harrowing mountain drive in snow to get to the hotel. (Better to get a car service, sit back and relax.)

The property is everything you would expect in a Ritz Carlton, meaning luxury and flawless

customer service. Unlike some of their locations in big cities, the Tahoe property reflects the laidback nature of its setting.

When the resort’s signature event is a daily s’mores roast complete with homemade marshmallows dished up by a Marshmologist, you know the place doesn’t take its self that seriously. The night I roast, its blueberry and strawberry lemon marshmallows.

Culinary adventures at the Ritz Carlton

Lake Tahoe is a hikers’ paradise

S’mores in stomach, it’s time to take part in the activities the area is known for to burn the calories off.

From the hotel I have access to a wide range of hiking trails in the Northstar ski town. I take the Sawmill Lake trail and get into the woods and mountains a bit and have views of another area lake. The trails are great if you’re into mountain biking, and, of course, skiing or boarding in the winter.

But really, the lake you’re here to see is Lake Tahoe. One of the deepest lakes in the world, the water is startling clear and reminds me of the oceans around Bora Bora and in the Caribbean.

It’s not unusual to be able to see down 60 or 70 feet, and you get the contrast of green and blue water.

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There is something about being around water that I find instantly soothing and peaceful, qualities I’m trying to cultivate more of in my life. The waters are a bit cold for swimming, even in August, but they’re perfect for kayaking, as my friend and I did, or for jet-skiing or sailing.

To get a feel for the area, drive about 70 miles around the lake, stopping at public beaches like King’s Beach, go hiking near Emerald Bay or ski Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe.

After several days packed with outdoor adventure, I decide to take it easy on my last day and head to the 17,000-square-foot Ritz Carlton spa for the Napa Journey. Just four

hours from wine country, this is pretty close to a local treatment and one that uses all organic ingredients inspired by wine country. Before the service, I relax in the lounge, sipping on cranberry/elderberry infused water that is so good, I ask my therapist where I can buy the drops to enjoy at home. One thing I love is that the spa facilities are open to all resort guests, whether or not they book a service.

The treatment takes place in a couple’s room furnished in warm woods, with big windows overlooking pine trees and the mountains. It starts with a passion fruit scrub that smells divine and feels less thick and gritty than many scrubs I’ve had in the past.

Who doesn’t love making s’mores?

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Travel The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

The stand-out part of the journey is a soak in the $60,000 copper tub.

The therapist tells me it’s the single most expensive item in the hotel.

Copper is collagen building and anti-inflammatory. Studies have found that when skin touches copper, small amounts of the trace mineral are absorbed. I find myself slipping into a Zen spot underneath the bubbles and drinking in the view

instead of the champagne or mimosa that comes with the treatment.

(It was too early and too much wine was coming later in the day.)

The service ends with a massage, during which I’ve asked the esthetician to focus on soothing leg muscles that were clearly screaming, “Stop hiking!”

I surrender to my body’s message and follow the spa treatment with time in a poolside cabana poolside.

My friend and I feast on a fruit plate, work out a new business idea and simply enjoy being together after four years apart.

The Ritz Carlton is located near the upscale community of Truckee, where you’ll find quaint boutiques $60,000-worth of pampering

like Bespoke, an Etsy style store in the real world, or Lorien Powers, a local jeweler. For a relaxing afternoon, head to the Truckee River Winery to play bocce while sipping on some award-winning pinot noir.

Try local dining places like Moody’s for a casual bite or Trokay for fine dining.

Gourmands don’t even need to leave the resort to flex their foodie muscle because Manzanita serves up farm-to-table cuisine. My friend and I split a grilled peach salad with some of the sweetest peaches I’ve had this season. I have another appetizer as my main course, the sashimi of escolar while my dining companion chooses the salmon entree. If you’re looking for something less formal, the Backyard BBQ showcases the first smoker at any Ritz Carlton.

No matter where you end your night, if the weather is good, be outside to see some of the best sunsets Mother Nature can dish out. One night, sitting on a pier on the lake that my friend and I have to ourselves, we’re treated to a changing sky that looked as if it were being painted with Monet’s brush. From orange to red to pink, every five minutes the masterpiece changed. As we sit there toasting our friendship over wine, I realize how amazing this world really is.

The problems I wrestle with in my daily life float away like a cloud overtaken by the beauty, peace and perfection in that moment.

For me, that is the essence of wellness travel.

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Luxury and History at Quebec’s Auberge Saint-Antonine Hotel

By Sandra Chambers

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ocated on one of Quebec City’s richest archeological sites, the Auberge SaintAntoine Hotel literally sits atop centuries of history. The hotel integrates three historical buildings of the 18th and 19th century, as well as a wharf and battery structure that dates back to the end of the 17th century.

Directly across from the St. Lawrence River near the port in Quebec City’s Old Town, this famous hotel has been a member of the Relais & Chateaux Association since 2005. It also boasts a CAA-AAA Four Diamond rating as well as being named one of the top hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller since 2003. It is also currently positioned as the second best City Hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure.

The hotel was opened by the Price Family in 1992 as a small local inn with 23 rooms. In 1988 archaeological digs were begun by the city. Ten different digs on various parts of the site unearthed more than 5,000 objects related to the city’s history. During the hotel’s final renovation in 2003, a largescale dig yielded a number of new artifacts, some dating back to the 1600s.

With 300 years of history to its name, the Price family is dedicated to preserving the property’s history, while providing a luxurious 21stcentury experience. The hotel currently has 84 rooms and 11 suites. Each of the six floors of the hotel is devoted to one of the site’s previous owners and his period in history. More than 700 priceless historical objects are displayed throughout the hotel.

Guests at Auberge Saint-Antoine can relax and workout at LeGYM, the hotel’s signature gym and health zone that features a state-of-theart fitness center, yoga studio, saunas and spa treatment rooms offering a variety of spa services.

Panache Restaurant

When Panache Restaurant debuted in July 2004, it quickly earned a reputation on Quebec’s gourmet food scene from “best new restaurant” awards to its fourdiamond rating from CAA-AAA. Offering traditional French Canadian cuisine with a twist, Head Chef Louis Pacquelin revisits classic dishes with a pioneering approach and a genuine love for local produce, both simple and sophisticated, which vary with the seasons and arrivals.

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“I love to be involved in everything, from all the kitchen stations to the gardener on our farm, and of course our local suppliers,” Pacquelin admits. At only 25 years of age, he comes to Panache from an impressive background in France in several Michelin-starred restaurants, such as the Hotel du Palais with Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Jean-Marie Gautier and with the Coutanceau

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family. He continued his training in the Alain Ducasse Group for five years before crossing the Atlantic.

I recently had the opportunity to experience a few of Chef Pacquelin’s amazing dishes which he prepared for a group of food and wine writers.

Our lunch began with Mise en appétit which was Rabbit on Crostini with mint, followed by a choice of

Foie Gras Casserole with candied melon with Port, or Tomato Carpaccio with ricotta cheese croquette, prosciutto and marjoram pesto.

The four entree choices included: Wild Mushroom Lasagna with sage, smoked beef and parmesan; Homemade Blood Pudding with Espelette pepper, roasted zucchini

and caramelized corn (which despite my reluctance, I tried for the first time and found very tasty); Eggplant with zucchini flower fritters and tomato jam; and Pan-seared Mackerel Fillet with marinated kohlrabi and bacon.

Panache’s Wine Cellar houses over 12,000 bottles of wine (Photo courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine)

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Panache’s Wine Cellar houses over 12,000 bottles of wine (Photo courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine) Panache serves breakfast and dinner daily; lunch Monday to Friday; and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant also offers a seven-course signature menu with wine pairings for $200. The restaurant’s wine list includes more than 700 different labels from 14 countries. The cellar

houses over 12,000 bottles, many of which are private imports and vins de garde.

Café-Bar Artefact

Thé à la Mode--a monthly fashion show and high tea (Photo courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine Thé à la Mode–a monthly fashion show and high tea (Photo courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine)

The bar of Auberge Saint-Antonine, with cozy alcoves and easy chairs by windows, boasts one of Quebec City’s top cocktail menus. The bar also offers a glimpse of the past with a display of historical objects dating from six different eras.

Special events also take place year-round at the bar such as jazz and tapas during the Quebec City Jazz Festival. Returning for its second season this year is Thé à la Mode Fashion Tea. This unique event features up-and-coming designers in an informal fashion show where models come to the tables while guests enjoy a traditional English tea with sandwiches, scones and pastries. These teas will take place at 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (except December) beginning on September 20th through May 16th.

For more information on Auberge Saint Antoine, Panache Restaurant and Café-Bar Artefact see: www.saint-antoine.com.

WRITER WAS HOSTED FOR LUNCH AT PANACHE AS PART OF A TRAVEL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE.

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Float Your Way Through Europe Aboard the AmaSerena

By Dana Rebmann

E

uropean vacations are exciting and exhausting at the same time. When you’ve traveled a long way, you want to see and do it all, but living out of one hotel to the next can take the excitement out of any trip. How do you make vacation easy and entertaining? Keep fun afloat along the Danube River aboard AmaSerena.

River cruising is growing in popularity, but it’s still a new concept to many travelers. Along with the clear benefit of un-packing once, when you dock, instead of looking at a touristy port, it’s the destination you see from your cabin balcony. In one week, AmaWaterways Melodies of the Danube itinerary took me to four countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany.

AmaSerena has 82 staterooms and three suites and can carry 164 passengers. Its not-too-big,

not-too-small size means you can get to know numerous passengers or easily enjoy quiet stretches to yourself. Cabins make great use of space, with luxurious touches that make you feel spoiled. On the Violin and Cello decks, cabins offer twin balconies. Along with a sliding glass door to a balcony big enough to seat two, there is a second set of sliding glass doors that open to a false balcony. The result is a wall of windows that let in fresh air and an abundance of natural light.

Bike aboard AmaSerena

An inside window that can change from opaque to clear allows the light to reach and brighten the bathroom.

There’s a comfortable amount of space to store toiletries above the sink area, but design details give the bathroom extra shine. Multi-jet shower heads and room to move, make the shower a place you might linger. Towels have a loop sewn on the end, so when you hang them on Macaroons

Cheese plate

Travel the hooks and shut the door, they actually stay put, instead of instantly falling to the floor.

The desk area is large enough to open a laptop and still have room for power adapters and the assortment of electronics in the typical carry-on bag. On-demand cabin entertainment includes music, television shows and a variety of movie options. Along with plush bedding, you’ll find expected amenities like a hair dryer, safe and refrigerator with complimentary bottled water that’s replenished daily.

All meals are included and offer a variety of regional specialties and local ingredients. Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks are served at every lunch and dinner. The Chef’s Table is a quieter alternative to the Main Dining Room, where diners can watch the chef prepare their multi-course meal. All passengers can dine at The Chef’s Table one evening during their cruise, at no additional charge.

Regardless of the time of day, something tasty is being served somewhere aboard AmaSerena.

A colorful multi-tiered fruit bowl and fresh baked cookies provide constant temptation in the Main Lounge. A complimentary specialty tea and coffee station is stocked and available round the clock.

AmaSerena in Linz

The heated pool has a popular swim-up bar. A walking track and fitness room is available to help you sneak in a few vacation workouts, but even better is the fleet of bikes available for exploring stops on your own or with a guided tour.

A majority of the shore excursions, including the bike tours, are included in the cost of the river cruise.

Internet access is complimentary and available throughout the ship.

Along certain stretches of the Danube and during peak use, connectivity can be slow. But when it comes to the basics, like checking email or sending a picture or two home, you should be fine. If you want to stay in touch with family and friends, think about sending a postcard; AmaSerena has some beauties on board. They’re complimentary, stamps and all.

Your only job is to write them, the crew will get them mailed and headed home.

REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY DANA REBMANN. DANA WAS A GUEST OF AMAWATERWAYS, BUT AS ALWAYS HER THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE HER OWN.

AmaSerena Stateroom

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Cruising Southern France with Viking River Cruises

By Jan Ross 36

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read the email aloud to my husband with growing dismay.

Staying in Avignon, France, on our own as a prelude to boarding the Viking Delling with Viking River Cruises and cruising the Rhone River for their Portraits of Southern France cruise, we learned that we would not be cruising anywhere anytime soon.

River cruising in Europe is one of the most wonderful ways to see the individual countries but, sometimes, when the snow in the Alps is especially deep and melts into the Rhone River in the spring, it means the river is too high for cruising.

Because the river cruise ships in Europe have to navigate low bridges and locks, high water means no cruising. Though we ended up not actually cruising the Rhone, not the ideal scenario, the situation was handled professionally by Viking, as they made the best effort to transport us to every location we had planned to visit and to help us have the first-class experiences we had planned.

We were instructed to check in at the Hotel Novotel Avignon Centre, where we would spend the first two days of our cruise, hoping the river would subside enough that the Delling could cruise to us from Lyon.

This was not the first two days we had imagined, since we were planning to be in our lovely verandah stateroom by this time, but the hotel is contemporary, comfortable and conveniently located right outside the medieval walled city of Avignon, where we had planned to begin the cruise and tour.

That night, we had dinner in the hotel restaurant where we met the Delling crew for the first time. They shared the plans for the next couple of days and their hope that we would be able to board the ship soon. We never blamed them for our misfortune, as they were just as dismayed as we were and equally anxious for us all to get onboard.

They were charming, friendly, helpful and determined to make sure every passenger had a great experience on the trip. We were very impressed with their dedication and never changed our opinion during the entire week we were with them.

Mia, our Program Director, who was a cheerful and indefatigable leader during the entire trip, announced that passengers faced with the situation had two options: Assume the cruise was a no-go, leave

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and receive a refund for the cruise.

Stick with them, hope the river would lower, and they would get us to the scheduled destinations by motor coach.

A very few people took Viking up on the refund, but most stayed, hoping the river would go down and the cruise would resume at some point.

Unfortunately, this proved to be a vain hope as the river levels never subsided enough to cruise the Delling to Avignon to pick us up.

However, we spent the next day, what would have been our first day on the cruise, touring the charming city of Avignon, and it was a wonderful beginning to our trip.

Avignon is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in southeastern France on the left bank of the Rhone River.

With cobblestone streets, plenty of outdoor dining at the area cafes, and shops selling a myriad of products

made from the lavender which is prolific in the Provence region, it’s a fascinating place to visit.

Surrounded by an ancient stone wall which really makes you appreciate the fortifications needed to defend a city in those days, the city has one of the most visited monuments in France, the Palais des Papes.

A tour of the Palais de Papes gives you an appreciation of the time, effort and man hours required to build this amazing edifice. Avignon became the papal residence under Pope Clement V in 1309. His successors made it the capital of Christianity and transformed what had been a palace into the still standing Palais de Papes.

The International Gothic style of the palace was impressive, and the papal library was equally impressive, being the largest in Europe at the time.

With walls 17-18 feet thick and built on a natural spur of rock, many buildings in Avignon are built, rather astonishingly, right into the existing rock, it was nearly impregnable to attack. Captured during the French Revolution, it was used as a barracks and prison for many years; the soldiers and prisoners caused further damage to the structure, prying off parts of statues and pieces of irreplaceable murals to sell.

We were thrilled to hear that night that we would finally be boarding the Viking Delling after a bus ride to Vienne, where the ship had managed to cruise from Lyon, although it could not cruise to Avignon to pick us up. After finally boarding the ship, we soon fell in love with our new home away from home. We were

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welcomed by the crew, who I’m sure were just as happy to have us onboard as we were to be there, and we began exploring the ship.

The Viking Delling is a gorgeous Viking longship with lots of light colored wood, open areas with plenty of large windows and comfortable seating and very nice staterooms. We were in a Verandah stateroom, which was like a very comfortable hotel room complete with a flat screen television, free movies on demand and a perfect little verandah for watching the river and the scenery.

The open airy atrium lobby is one of the classiest areas on the ship and your first introduction as you enter.

On the top deck is an organic herb garden and solar panels, a small

putting green and a walking track.

There is an elevator available from the middle to top deck and Wi-Fi throughout the ship, although it was pretty spotty in our stateroom and we had to go to the library to actually use it.

One of the nicest areas on the ship and one that is unique in river cruising is the Aquavit Terrace, an open-air restaurant on the bow, with plenty of seating in sun and shade where you can order a casual meal or partake of a buffet. We had several meals there and it became one of our favorite places.

All our meals, whether eaten on the Aquavit Terrace or the lovely dining room, were wonderful, a true gourmet experience. We even had a lunch one afternoon with a focus on the cuisine

of Provence. Everything from an extensive buffet and local wines to a chocolate fountain and scrumptious macaroons were provided.

Traditional French dishes served other nights — like frog legs and escargot — were popular with guests as well. Wine, beer and soft drinks were included at no charge at every meal. Coffee, tea and light snacks were also available at any time; in addition, there was a cash bar in the lounge area.

Shore excursions are all included in the price of the cruise and, because everyone is given a headset, it’s easy to hear everything the very knowledgeable guides have to share, no matter where you are in group.

After boarding in Vienne, we did the

only true cruising of the week as we journeyed to Lyon, where we docked for the rest of the cruise. From there, we journeyed to the sites which had been planned for the cruise. Since we were docked in Lyon, we were able to explore the city in a leisurely manner on our own, but we also experienced a guided tour there, as we did in all the other locations on our itinerary.

I’ll go into more detail about the rest of our experiences in another, more detailed article, about the other towns we visited but suffice it to say, that although our cruise was not the experience we had planned, it was still a wonderful experience in every way.

If you are thinking about taking the same cruise, check out this video and make your plans!

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Leah Travels France November

By Leah Walker

Visit this Museum

Not many people visit Musée Nissim de Camondo. I should know, because I live across the street from this mansion-turned-museum on the edge of Parc Monceau. Count Moïse de Camondo designed his home after the Petit Trianon at Versailles specifically to hold his bulging collection of antiques — and filled it with exquisite and rare 18th century paintings, furniture, and objets d’art, Moïse was from a wealthy Turkish banking family and had two children: Nissim and Béatrice.

A French aviator, Nissim died during World War I. Devastated, Moïse spent the rest of his life creating the museum in memory of his son, which was then bequeathed to France. The mansion is just as Moïse

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left it, giving visitors a look into aristocratic life in the early 20th century. Pick up an audio guide and don’t miss the massive collection of Sèvres china. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Musée Nissim de Camondo, 63 rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris

Sample this Service

Moving from Texas to Paris, I had far more luggage than my airline allowed. Rather than pay for additional and likely overweight bags, I looked to First Luggage. This door-to-door international delivery service picked up my two massive bags in Houston, and within two days, they arrived at my hotel in Paris. Meanwhile, I flew with two small bags, making changing planes

Travel As the owner of Paris by the Glass, Preston aims to give visitors a glimpse of French culture through the lens of wine and food.

Preston offers classes and tastings through Cook’n with Class in Montmartre. This is where I took his ‘Wine & Cheese’ class. During the two hours, I discovered new cheeses (and how to cut each shape), as well as the basics of French wine.

Through Context Travel, Preston leads his gourmet food and walking tours. From market visits to a chocolate-themed walk, his small group tours lead lovers of food and wine through some of the best food addresses in Paris. For those looking to escape the city, he offers day trips to Champagne and the Loire Valley, as well as customized private tours throughout the wine regions in France. www.parisbythelass.com

Meander this Market

In the sunny city of Nice, there’s a bustling market known as Cours Saleya. Located in Old Nice, just behind the Promenade des Anglais, are rows of brightly-colored striped tents covering tables overflowing with locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers.

Specialty items such as jams, sweets and soaps from Marseilles, are also on display. Vendors start selling as early as 6 a.m. from Tuesday to Sunday.

and taxi transfers a breeze. And, no time was wasted at baggage claim.

Imagine arriving at your hotel and your luggage, golf clubs or ski equipment waiting for you. In cooperation with Eurostar, First Luggage even offers same-day delivery between London and Paris, making it perfect for the business or leisure traveler. I am smitten with this service. www.firstluggage.com

Class is in Session

What’s a trip to France without plenty of wine? I say it’s about as sad as an empty glass. I think Preston Mohr would agree. A native of Minnesota, Preston has been eating and drinking his way through Paris and France since he was an undergraduate student in 2003.

On Monday, a flea market takes over.

But this is France, so it’s not your average flea market. Roam the various stalls to find vintage flatware, crystal and china. The old prints, postcards and books make unique gifts, and glimpses of real Chanel and Louis Vuitton items aren’t unusual. Be sure to take a break at one of the many cafes surrounding Cours Saleya. I particularly like Le Marché for its fresh Mediterranean menu and rosé wine, a must when in Nice. www.nicetourisme.com

Book this Spa

The designation of ‘Palace Hotel’ by Atout France, the country’s tourism office, is a lofty one. This award is meant to recognize the finest of the five-star hotels throughout France.

Currently, there are eight such hotels in Paris. As a connoisseur of spas, I’ve made it my mission to slip into the fluffy, white robes and drink the fruit-infused waters at each of the Palace Hotel spas. To date, I’ve managed to visit six out of the eight, one of which is The Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

East meets West in this massive temple to relaxation. Leave your shoes and your worries at the door because it’s all about pampering.

Seven private suites, four designed for couples, feature private changing areas, showers that transform to steam rooms with the turn of a knob, toilets and treatment rooms.

Mood lighting, modern design and Guerlain products set the tone for what’s to come.

Look to one of the spa’s signature offerings, especially the Time Rituals Treatment. Rather than booking a specific treatment, guests are evaluated and the time is tailormade to meet their needs. A steam shower with Aromatherapy Associates body scrub is followed by a traditional foot ritual and tensionmelting massage. Every appointment ends with tea and a special treat from Thierry Marx, Mandarin

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Oriental’s Michelin-starred chef.

Mandarin Oriental, 251 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris

Take this Tour

Pierre Taittinger began making

Champagne in 1932, and now, the Taittinger brand is one of the few remaining family-run Champagne companies left. With some 288 hectares of primarily Chardonnay grapes, Taittinger also grows much of its own fruit. Renowned for its elegance and consistency, the house produces around 400,000 cases of Champagne per year.

The Taittinger cellars are located in the center of Reims, making it convenient for those who want a closer look into the prestigious Champagne house. The cellars are located 55 feet below ground and were originally chalk mines dating to the 4th century Gallo-Roman era.

During the 13th century, the chalk pits were connected by a series of corridors and repurposed as cellars for Benedictine monks at the Saint Nicaise Abbey, which was destroyed during the French Revolution.

Wandering through the underground maze of Champagne, visitors also see vaults and crypts, revealing the cellars’ centuries of history. The

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tour finishes with a bit of bubbly; arrangements can be made for custom tastings. Champagne Taittinger, 9 place Saint-Nicaise, 51100 Reims

Sample this Specialty

In the Poitou-Charentes region, in the town of Poitiers, macarons look much different than the Ladurée

version we’ve all come to know.

In addition to a different look, Poitiers’ le macaroné have a completely different taste and texture. Two sisters by the last name of Chartier created this unique macaron made from Spanish almonds, egg whites and sugar.

The recipe has been subsequently passed down through the family for

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five generations, and now, only three people know the exact recipe.

It wasn’t until 1920 that ancestors of the Chartier sisters created the brand, Rannou Métivier, which is the only remaining company in Potiers making macarons with almonds. Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, Rannou Métivier macrons are available in traditional, pistachio and other seasonal flavors. Rannou Métivier, 30 Rue des Cordeliers, 86000 Poitiers or www.rannou-metivier.com

Chat with a Concierge

I sat down with Lionel Scourvil, Chief Concierge for over twenty years at Hôtel Vernet in Paris, for insight on some of his favorite things from the City of Light.

Leah Walker: What restaurant would you choose for aspecial dinner?

Lionel Scourvil: A restaurant I like is Maison Blanche on the rooftop of the Théâtre des Champs Elysées.

It’s a modern atmosphere, not old fashioned, with a view of the Eiffel

Tower. The chef is famous from the South of France, but Maison Blanche has no star. However, it has an excellent reputation. The food is very good and the view of Paris on the terrace is marvelous. Maison Blanche, 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris LW: What is an ideal Saturday in Paris for you?

LS: I leave Paris on the weekends, because I like the countryside. I like the Middle Age atmosphere, the old stone. There are some cities not far from Paris that are very nice, like Rambouillet. It’s a former medieval fortress, most famous for its castle, Château de Rambouillet. The city is next to a forest and very pleasant.

Rambouillet is only 40 kilometers from Paris and you can take the train, but you really need a car to explore the area. www.rambouillet-tourism.com LW: What classic Parisian experience never goes out of style, even for Parisians LS: There are places in SaintGermain-des-Prés that have been there for decades, like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. They are institutions and not just for tourists. Parisians appreciate these places for their history. The Marais has changed and gone very trendy, but Saint Germain still has the same

atmosphere. Café de Flore, 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris; Le Deux Magots, 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris LW: What is your favorite café in the city?

LS: I think Café Marly at the Louvre.

From the windows, you can see some of the 17th century French sculptures, and from the terrace, you see the glass pyramid. I like this kind of atmosphere—the view and the people—I want a lively place. Café Marly, 93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris LW: What’s trendy in Paris now?

LS: World food is definitely a trend in Paris, even for the grand chefs.

For instance, Joël Robuchon is putting truffles on hamburgers, fusing French food with a typically American dish. When people come to France, they say they want French food, but France is moving.

There is an evolution. What people think about France and what it really is can be quite different.

This can surprise people. Paris is a diverse city with many cultures and the food is reflecting that fact.

The food is becoming international, not necessarily French, although the chef comes from France.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon 133 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris or 5 rue de Montalembert 75007 Parisv

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Put a Pin in it!

Charleston Woos Visitors with Sultry Southern Charms

By Debbie Stone

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t’s impossible to be immune to the allure of Charleston. The city oozes and drips charm, overwhelming your senses with its intoxicating ambiance, gracious Southern hospitality, colorful history and rich culture. I was prepared to like Charleston before my visit, based purely on the continuous travel pub awards it receives for “America’s Prettiest Place,” “America’s Most Mannered City” and “#1 U.S. City.” But I was taken aback

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at the school girl infatuation I felt once I got there. To say I was besotted and smitten with the place would be an understatement. My attraction to the atmosphere and environment was instant and magnetic.

Charleston woos visitors with the rustle of Palmetto fronds in the ocean air and the delicious fragrance of Magnolia trees. It’s a city set in a garden full of cinnamon crepe

myrtles and Lady Banks rose vines with stately antebellum homes that sit behind wrought iron gates and meticulously tended flower boxes.

History seeps from the city’s cobblestone streets and the nearly 4,000 pre-Civil War dwellings that are preserved and cherished by local residents.

The best way to get a handle on Charleston’s past is to take Bulldog Tours’ Charleston Stroll, an

informative and entertaining walking tour, given from the point of view of a local who will make the town’s history come alive. Your guide will regale you with stories dating from 1670 through the Civil War or the “War of Northern Aggression,” as it is commonly referred to in the South, to the present day. It’s an adventure into the past where you’ll learn about the events that shaped this fascinating city.

Travel were drawn to Charleston, such as the French and the British, and each brought their cultural traditions along with them when they arrived.

There were also pirates and sailors who made their way to this coastal settlement, adding a rough and rogue element to the scene. And due to the slave trade, the Africans were part of this eclectic mix.

Landowners at the time viewed the slaves as essential, due to the area’s dependence on an agricultural economy – an economy that made Charleston the wealthiest city in the region. Over time, the town became the Sodom and Gomorrah of the South, with a reputation for being “party central.” Today, Charlestonians will tell you that their city is still a lively place that needs no excuse for festivity.

For those who wish to get their dose of local lore via non-ambulatory means, there’s the ever-popular, horse-drawn Palmetto Carriage Tour, where you’ll clip clop along the main streets, taking in the sights of those “Gone with the Wind” times in bygone style. Among the many buildings of interest in this historical mecca are a number of homes available to tour, such as the Edmonston-Alston House, circa

1825, with incredible views of the Charleston Harbor. It was from this place that General P.T. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Fort Sumter, which signaled the start of the Civil War. An original print of the Ordinance of Secession is among the home’s most notable antiques.

Another stately residence, the Heyward-Washington House or “Charleston’s Revolutionary War House,” was owned by Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the

Declaration of Independence, and features a lovely formal garden with plants popular in the late 18th century. One of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings is the Nathanial Russell House. Built in 1808, the home is adorned with elaborate plaster ornamentation and has a stunning free-flying staircase, as well as a joggling board. This uniquely Charleston invention has been a part of Lowcountry life since the early 1800s and can still be seen

Founded as a colony by eight Englishmen who were given the land

by Charles II in appreciation for helping him get back on the throne, Charleston was initially dubbed Oyster Point due to being built on an oyster bank. In the early years, fear of Spanish invasion caused residents to build a wall around the city for protection. The medieval fortresslike structure lasted for one hundred years before it was finally taken down. Different groups of people

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on porches, piazzas and in gardens around the area. It’s similar to a rocking chair, but in the shape of a bench, and was supposedly created for a woman suffering from rheumatism.

Additional historically significant buildings in town include the old Dock Street Theatre, America’s First Theatre, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon and the Powder Magazine. The latter is the oldest public edifice in the Carolinas and once stored the firepower crucial for defending Charleston. You’ll also notice dozens of churches in the city, as well as hear their bells, which explains another one of Charleston’s monikers: “The Holy City.” On famed Meeting Street, there’s St. Michael’s Church, the oldest church in Charleston. The ground floor consists of private pews that must be bought by a family to sit within, complete with their own separate door. On the second floor, there are open pews for those of more modest means. St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, on Church Street, has had an active congregation since the founding of Charleston, and the French Huguenot Church, also with an active congregation, has an annual service conducted in French.

At the historic Circular Congregation Church, visitors can experience the sounds that define Charleston, including gospel, Gershwin, jazz, Civil War camp songs and light classics in the crowd-pleasing production, “The Sound of Charleston.”

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If you’re a museum-goer, you might want to pop into the Old Slave Mart Museum or the Postal Museum. Make City Hall another one of your stops if only to take a peek inside the council chambers where portraits of famous folks line the walls, including one of George Washington that will make you chuckle upon closer

examination. Spend some time ambling along The Battery, where antique cannons line up and face out to sea, as if ready to defend Charleston at a moment’s notice.

Created as the first line of the city’s defense, The Battery is now a popular riverfront park. Its seawall promenade offers great views of

Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney and Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, as well as some of the most lavish houses in the entire city. These architectural gems with their massive columns and spacious verandas were built by 18th century plantation owners as summer retreats from the oppressive inland heat. You’ll note that a few of

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the historic houses have finials on their walls, which are actually the ends of earthquake bolts that run through the building. They were put in after the 1886 earthquake, which destroyed half of downtown Charleston. The bolts are there to keep the house together, ready for the next seismic eruption.

Other homes display the Charleston Single House style of architecture, distinctive for being one-room-wide with the narrow end of the building facing the street. Two-story verandas, called “piazzas” stretch down the long side. Such residences were well-suited to the hot, humid local climate, as they offered welcome cross-ventilation in the days before air conditioning. You’ll probably also observe that some of the houses in Charleston are painted a specific shade of blue, called “Haint Blue,” to confuse evil spirits or “haints’ and keep them at bay.

One of the most photographed

streets in town is Rainbow Row, dubbed as such for the exterior pastel colors of the houses. The cotton candy hues are said to have represented the items sold in the ground floor stores and warehouses of the late 1800s style buildings.

Pink was for pork, green was for veggies, yellow for grains and blue signified seafood. It’s a virtual rainbow that elicits the welldeserved oohs and aahs from the many lookie-loos.

A popular attraction for visitors is

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the City Market, the oldest public market in the country. Originally a meat market, the mostly open-air venue is now home to an array of artisans selling unique Lowcountry crafts such as sweetgrass baskets made by the Gullah people, descendants of plantation slaves in South Carolina and Georgia. These beautifully crafted coiled baskets are an example of African cultural heritage transported across the Atlantic by enslaved Africans, who used them during the planting and harvesting of rice and cotton. The craft is handed down from generation to generation

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and is usually learned during childhood.

It requires enormous patience and creativity, as there are no set patterns, requiring each artist to develop his/her own style. You can watch the Gullah women and men weave the baskets as you walk through the market.

When you’ve shopped till you dropped and your stomach reminds you that it needs nourishment, you’ll be in for a treat. Food takes star billing in Charleston, a city with over 150 restaurants and numerous award-winning chefs. It can be overwhelming, however, when it

Travel extensive selection of chilled seafood cocktails.

For an overview of Charleston’s food scene, I’d recommend taking Bulldog Tours’ Savor the Flavors Tour, which will introduce you to the area’s varied culinary influences, from Gullah and Native American to French, African and British. You’ll walk, talk and taste your way through the city, sampling tasty specialties from local restaurants, markets, bakeries and other culinary landmarks, as your guide explains the evolution of Charleston’s cuisine over the past 300-plus years. No need for lunch if you take this tour, as you’ll get plenty of goodies to sample along the way. And your sweet tooth will definitely be satisfied, too, with opportunities to try pralines, Charleston Benne wafers and, of course, the proverbial sweet tea that so many Southerners can’t live without.

No trip to Charleston is complete without a visit to one of the area’s fabled plantations: Middleton Place, Magnolia or Drayton Hall. It’s a colonial era Lowcountry experience that gives you a glimpse into the lifestyle of the land barons and their belles. Middleton Place, for example, is home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Known as one of South Carolina’s most enduring icons, these enchanting and graceful gardens or garden “rooms” are laid out with precise symmetry and balance, leading to a climactic view of the well-known Butterfly Lakes and the winding Ashley River beyond.

Owner Henry Middleton served as the second President of the First Continental Congress and his son Arthur was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The main house is a museum of rare family furniture and portraits, while the stable yards are full of craftspeople demonstrating the skills once performed by slaves. comes to narrowing down this unrivaled selection. Just know that you really can’t go wrong no matter where you go. Seafood reigns supreme in the Lowcountry, from steam ‘em and eat ‘em shrimp to Carolina crab prepared a dozen different ways. And if you’re an oyster lover, you’re in good company, as they are found on practically every menu in one form or another.

Dixie Supply Bakery & Café, a hole-in-the-wall eatery featured in Southern Living, is known for its tomato pie, creamy stone ground

grits, bacon bourbon pecan pie and sweet potato cornbread. Charleston Crab House, another favorite dining establishment and watering hole, has been serving local seafood for twenty years. Its Lowcountry shrimp, collard greens, Carolina lump crab cakes, grits and melt-in-yourmouth hush puppies are just a few of the restaurant’s popular dishes.

Fleet Landing is another favorite.

The building it’s housed in used to be the home of the Cooper River Ferry before being taken over by the U.S. Navy. In 2003, it became a restaurant with prime waterfront

location, serving shrimp and grits with Andouille sausage, fresh yellowfin tuna, okra fries, seafood gumbo, fried oysters with Southern Comfort BBQ sauce and crispy whole fried Southern flounder with apricot glaze. For your meal’s finale, try the key lime pie or decadent white chocolate bread pudding. One of the best meals I had during my stay was at Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, a casually hip place serving up such specialties as She Crab soup with sherry, pan roasted wreckfish, popcorn rice, shrimp corndogs and fried green tomatoes, along with an

Throughout your stay in this sultry gem of a city, you’ll find yourself continually embraced by the hospitality of its residents.

Charlestonians are genteel folks who are proud of their history and culture, and they are always more than happy to share it with visitors.

And if you ask politely, you might just get them to tell you the secrets of their slow, congenial lifestyle.

If you go:

For all things Charleston, contact the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at: 800-774-0006 or www.explorecharleston.com

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St. Barth Properties

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ince 1989, St. Barth Properties has been designing dream vacations exclusively on the beautiful Caribbean island officially named St. Barthélemy, though often referred to as St. Barth, St. Barts or St. Bart. The company has a portfolio of more than 190 carefully selected private villas, a branded collection of the island’s most distinctive hotels, and provides a full range of concierge services. Over the years, they have assembled a team of experienced and dedicated specialists who are pleased to turn your vacation dreams into reality. Whether it be a private villa or preferred hotel, St. Barth Properties personally inspect all offered accommodations to not only guarantee each meets strict criteria but also to match guests to the perfect accommodation. With a dedicated and creative concierge team, St. Barth Properties is also at the ready to customize each guest’s St.

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Barth experience, inviting guests to “Live Your Dream”®.

Making Dreams Reality

With warm, mild temperatures year-round, there’s always a good excuse to jet off to St. Barth.

Beginning each year on April 16 and running through December 14, the low-season offers the same sun, sand and surf as the peak season, but with a significant savings.

St. Barth Properties’ Drive, Dine & Relax package is available for guests booking a minimum 7-night stay at select villas during these month. It includes car rental, a private in-villa dinner prepared by a personal chef, cold drinks in the villa upon arrival and a custom embroidered “St Barth Beach Bag” to take home.

The package is available to book at the following five private villas:

Villa Blue Diamond: A luxurious one bedroom villa featuring two pavilions connected by a courtyard-style covered terrace. One pavilion houses a sleek kitchen, a guest bath and a comfortable living room. The bedroom is in the 2nd pavilion and features a king sized bed; glass sliders provide access to the infinity pool. Amenities include Wi-Fi and complimentary VOIP so guests can “phone home” for free.

Villa Enfin: This perennially popular villa is perched on one of St. Barth’s highest points and offers guests a well-equipped kitchen, living room, dining area and guest bath are located in the pool-level main pavilion. The two (king) bedrooms with en suite baths are privately located in separate pavilions making this an ideal rental for two couples to share and enjoy the magic of a St. Barth villa vacation.

Villa Rocamadour: Terraced into the lush hillside of Colombier, this private one bedroom villa is the quintessential romantic getaway. Its main level encompasses a wellequipped kitchen, dining area, comfortable living room and a guest bath. A poolside covered patio is perfect for dining alfresco. Upstairs features a private terrace for taking in the breathtaking views of Flamands – and star gazing.

Villa Matajagui: This stunning two bedroom villa offers sweeping views of both the sea and the surrounding mountains featuring an expansive sundeck with a heated infinity pool, covered dining terrace, bar, amenityladen kitchen and comfortable living room. The lower-level features two elegant king bedrooms with en suite baths and air conditioned gym perfect for those who enjoy entertaining.

Advertorial The island’s most popular villas are often booked for the holiday season a year in advance and require two week minimum stays, so plan well in advance! With a portfolio of nearly 200 villas, St. Barth Properties is able to match up guests with luxurious properties throughout the island.

Whether it is a romantic getaway for two or a glamorous group getaway, there is sure to be a perfect fit. St. Barth Properties offers conveniently located apartments that are within walking distance of Gustavia’s shops, restaurants and picturesque harbor perfect for first time visitors or couples. Larger parties will feel right at home in a villa with five or more bedrooms, giving everyone their own private piece of paradise.

Prices for villa rentals during the holiday period typically begin at $4,000 per week and often have minimum stays from seven to 14-days, depending on the selected property.

For more information about holiday season availability, visit: stbarth. com/christmas-and-new-yearavailability

Say “I do” in St. Barth

Villa Ocean’s 5: This 4 bedroom villa, near beautiful Flamands Beach, boasts spacious and airy indoor and outdoor living spaces featuring a gorgeous pool, poolside terrace and outdoor living area with dramatic seascapes including the neighboring island of Bonhomme. Inside guests will enjoy a spacious kitchen, relaxing living room and 4 elegantly appointed bedrooms featuring a variety of configurations ideal for a gathering of family and friends.

For more information about St. Barth Properties’ Drive, Dine & Relax package, visit: stbarth.com/villas/ drive-dine-relax-package

Celebrate the Holidays on the Beach

The holiday season is always a popular time to escape to a sunny destination and reconnect with family, friends and loved ones alike.

In addition to designing and delivering its signature dream, premium vacations, St. Barth Properties also assists clients in the planning of destination weddings.

Say “I do” surrounded by friends, family and the sweeping views of lush green landscapes, crystal clear waters and dramatic sunsets in St. Barth. Since the recent introduction of greatly relaxed residency requirements and the passing of marriage equality laws, St. Barth Properties has seen an increasing number couples looking to make St. Barth the backdrop for their picture-perfect nuptials.

The company’s experienced team is available throughout the whole process, from venue selection to inter-island flights, accommodations for family and friends, floral arrangements and more to make a dream wedding come to life. Magda Votava, St. Barth Properties’ very own on-island concierge, will be there to guide guests through the legal procedures, arrange for documents to be sent to City Hall and advice along the way.

Couples can also work with the talented event designer and current St. Barth resident Djordge Varda to make their wedding vision a reality.

With a résumé that boasts positions as the resident florist at Paris’s legendary Ritz Hotel and designer extraordinaire for functions and soirées at the Palace of Versailles, Varda can arrange a stunningly simple ceremony on one of the island’s pristine beaches or an elaborate, glamorous affair.

For more information about getting

married in St. Barth, please visit: http://stbarth.com/concierge/ destination-weddings St. Barth Properties is headquartered in the United States, with an office on the harbor in St. Barth. For more information, please visit: www.stbarth.com/ or call 1-800-421-3396.

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Discover India and the Subcontinent with Geringer Global Travel Custom Tours Designed for You

Advertorial

S

ince its inception in 2007, US-based Geringer Global Travel, experts in India and the Indian Subcontinent, serves discerning travelers and travel agents who are looking for personalized, expertly planned travel experiences. Company founder and President Susan Geringer specializes in customized tours to India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, tailoring each trip to travelers’ needs, wants and interests, whether it be adventure, art, architecture, cuisine, culture, festivals, luxury pursuits, religious observances, wildlife viewing, local customs or special immersion experiences. In fact, clients regularly cite the one-on-one experiences that Geringer arranges with local leaders, tastemakers and families as a highlight of their trip, lending a new perspective that delves below the surface into a deeper understanding of the intricacies of Indian society and culture.

An ardent India enthusiast, Geringer has been traveling to the Subcontinent for years, extending her ever-growing network of contacts and always discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations, unique accommodations, superb restaurants and other hidden gems to enhance her clients’ experiences.

“My love for travel began in the late 1960s when I set off on international trips with my parents, but it eventually became focused on one region in particular: the spectacularly diverse Indian Subcontinent,” says Geringer, who has been a long-standing member of PATA, the Pacific Asian Travel Association. “I have been traveling there since 1980 and have gathered a huge store of knowledge and vast network of local contacts. The result for travelers – as well as travel agents for India – is access to an insider’s view of this fascinating corner of the world.”

Personalized attention is a trademark of Geringer’s trips, which all offer hours of personalized planning and consultation, a tailored itinerary based on client interest, hand-picked and vetted Englishspeaking guides, 24/7 concierge service and on-the-ground support.

Her dedication to her clients has resulted in Geringer being continually rated a top-travel specialist to India by luxury travel referral service Zicasso.

Though Geringer Global Travel prides itself on creating customized tours, the company offers many suggested itineraries to assist those undecided

about where to travel. The majority of the tours focus on India, incorporating arranged visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, palaces and religious shrines, guided city walks that include stops at bustling markets and bazaars, and meetings with local artisans, policymakers and aristocrats.

One of the most enduring and popular tours is a variation of the Cultural Rajasthan itinerary, visiting India’s proud northern state, popularly known as “The Land of Kings.” Here, travelers can marvel at the juxtaposition between India’s ancient and modern world in the capital of Delhi, admire the beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, praise the stunning pink-tinged architecture and superb craftsmanship in Rajasthani capital Jaipur, explore the World Heritage preserved fort in Jaisalmer and discover the beauty of Udaipur, the ‘City of Lakes’.

Inspired by her love of the Subcontinent, Geringer has also expanded beyond India to incorporate trips to Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, more off-the-beaten path destinations that contain no less a sense of personalized attention and immersive experiences than her India trips.

The striking topography of Bhutan’s snow-capped peaks, verdant valleys, and sparkling streams is on full display during Geringer’s suggested Beautiful Bhutan itinerary, which winds through Thimpu, Punakha and Paro Valleys and includes a visit to the world’s famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a breathtaking site which has become almost synonymous with the image of Bhutan. Similarly, Geringer’s Return to Nepal itinerary emphasizes the beauty of that country’s varied landscapes and dramatic terrain, from the majesty of Kathmandu, to the wondrous wildlife of Chitwan National Park

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Advertorial

to the breathtaking Himalyan beauty of Pokhara. And, though separated from India by just a narrow strait, Sri Lanka maintains a distinctive personality of deep spiritual sensibility, captivating historical monuments and friendly people, all of which are emphasized in the Enchanting Sri Lanka trip.

For those travelers with a niche interest, Geringer can arrange itineraries coinciding with popular events or specific activities. Take, for instance, the Art, Books & Culture Itinerary, which includes appearances at the Jaipur Literature

Festival spotlighting all writers from Nobel laureates to debut novelists, or the Northeast India Tour with a visit to the Hornbill Festival, showing off the traditional arts of the diverse Nagaland tribes. The Orient Tea Tour celebrates India’s rich heritage as a mecca of tea production, with visits to some of the biggest plantations in Glenburn and Darjeeling, with first-hand instruction on the tea-making process and plenty of delicious tastings!

An additional strength of Geringer’s trips are the knowledgeable tour

guides, drivers and local hosts who can provide an insight into their country’s socio-political and economic environments that only enhances cultural communication.

Any India tours that pass through Jaipur usually include a cooking demonstration and dinner with Thakur Durga Singh, the current custodian of Dera Mandawa Hotel who is descended from the royal Mandawa family and a font of knowledge on India’s history.

Similarly, Geringer’s recent Exclusive Group Tour of Bhutan received additional prestige from being led by its own knowledgeable local, former

UN Ambassador Lhatu Wangchuk.

Travelers looking for a way to give back to the community can find ample philanthropic components in many of the itineraries, from hands-on volunteer work at India’s Kachen Dugyal Memorial Old Age Home to proceeds from a Nepal itinerary going to benefit the construction of a vocational school for teenage children.

For more information about Geringer Global Travel, call 203-216-7106 or contact susan@geringerglobaltravel.com.

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Orange County (Coorg) Culinary Capers in Coffee Country

By Devanshi Mody

T

he car mounts high, high into an endless tunnel of verdant arches. Heavy foliage falls all around from lofty trees.

Then, suddenly, a clearing.

We’ve arrived at the resort on a family-owned colonial coffee plantation. The Raj-era estate has been around a century or more. It’s the resort’s 20th birthday, for which it has offered itself titivation and pretty new lily pool villas. Tradition, however, persists in old-world hospitality. In the reception area I’m offered hot or cold coffee, made with beans from the plantation.

A coffee fiend, I’d like both, but

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decide to behave. A swig of cold coffee and then Noor, the young front office manager, is waving me down tree-shaded ways to my ample private pool villa, which recreates the local kodava homes, with rust-red tiled floors, red-stone walls and and little indoors garden. The bedroom has a four-poster bed and vintage-style furniture. The loveliest amenity is the luxurious pooled garden with pillared verandas laced in a wooden fringe and towering trees that seem to kiss the stars.

In this garden Exec Chef Siva Prasad conducts private suppers. At a live

station, Coorgi specialities, which I insist on exploring, are prepared as a private butler to-and-fros from the stove to my beautifully set table, soon tessellated with cuisine that has its own strident identity, whilst attesting to influences from the neighbouring South Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. But distinctly indigenous are Coorgi soup, Coorgi curry and Coorgi staples, all invariably ricebased, be they steamed, roasted, fried, round, flat or quadrangular.

“Coorgis are rice-eaters,” Chef establishes. No healthier staples possible, alas. I couldn’t care less if the fried jackfruit papadam and

banana chips aren’t healthy. My fingers keep surreptitiously wondering towards them whilst the butler isn’t looking. When he asks if he could replenish the depleted dish, I feel rather foolish.

If I have, as ever, vacillated in my choice of villa -the Coorgi Kodava villa I’m in or the new Lily Pool villa with its flowing, flowered waterbodies- then I’m pleased with my present domicile when I’m told that the garden Kodava Twilight private dining I’ve just experienced cannot be staged in the Lily Pool villa. For all its romance, you can’t

Epicure that impassion Pradeep to the acrobatics of passionate love birds in the lilied villas.

Villa with lily pool

I wisely decide to restrict my love affair to the food. This is, after all, a culinary destination. If buffets are mostly vile, the lunch buffet at the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, The Granary, is a happy exception.

The organic counter, which includes curries, pickles and dessert is rather addictive. Ask and chefs can even create an organic South Indian feast, with vegetables vitally fresh, strikingly hued and subtly flavoured.

Whilst there is a dedicated vegetarian restaurant, Plantain Leaf, specialising in South Indian breakfasts and both South and North Indian thalis (traditional platters), I’m partial to The Granary’s leaner organic offerings. However, I frequent Plantain Leaf for authentic South Indian filter coffee presented in metal tumblers by waiters in ethnic attire — and then proceed to ransack The Granary’s terrific teatime coffee cookies.

Machan

sup in seclusion in the “honeymoon” haven. And yet, many are its seductions. It has a pool you want to skinny-dip in and an inviting mattressed gazebo you want to hanky-panky in. But your amorous shenanigans might well have an avid audience- the villa’s flimsy bamboo fence conceals little from gardeners, workers and wandering guests. Staff swear vigorously that nobody would look, but live romance is surely hard to resist. And whilst young naturalist Pradeep engages one on birdwatching walks around the resort, one’s gaze would inevitably stray from the vibrant feathered fantasies

The only incentive for restraint is the impending bespoke South Indian fiesta arranged for me on a terrace overhanging the lake at the Peppercorn restaurant that’s lit only by lamps and candles. It’s normally a grill restaurant, but my epicurean eccentricities are humoured.

Exclusively for me then: an excursive gourmet excursion into South India.

We begin with curries Coorg is famous for: a spicy pork curry and dry, curry-leafed chicken curry with vegetarian versions in mushrooms and soya respectively. I’ve expressed an academic interest in the nuanced vastitude that is South Indian cuisine. Thus, the miscellany of ladies fingers prepared in three different styles representing three different Deccan states. Spinach, too, lends itself to multiple regional interpretations. Exceptional meal in a madly romantic restaurant.

If I thought the chef brigade couldn’t elevate their fare further, I’m propelled quite literally to culinary heights over the Machan treetop dinner. This time, the Exec Chef being from Kerala (even if his obliging deputy Dinesh is Bengali), it’s an all-Kerala affair, the highlight being coconut curry and nool puttu (soft little coiled nests of steamed rice strings on banana leaf).

After all the gluttony, I convince myself I can kill the calories on nature walks in the forest. Naturalist Pradeep leads. We see fresh elephant and wild dog droppings. I ask: What if there’s a

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Luxury & ELEgancE

with ocean views from every window.

Each suite has a separate sitting and sleeping chamber with a king sized bed and a luxury private bath.

Wake up to beautiful breakfasts served by our lighthouse keepers in the cozy kitchen with fireplace and ocean vistas.

Our living quarters are outfitted with the latest modern technology including wifi, LED televisions, and USB ports.

Come and stay...

Surround yourself with sweeping panoramic views of Maine’s Atlantic Coastline and bask in contemporary luxury and design. The custom millwork, beautiful moldings, coffered ceilings and marble bathrooms are the ultimate in craftsmanship. The views from every window are dramatic, 360 degree ocean views. The Cuckolds is a unique experience, receiving each guest in contemporary luxury through layers of bespoke craftsmanship and design. All honoring the sense of place and Cuckolds history.

Reservations Toll Free: 855.212.5252 www.innatcuckoldslighthouse.com

Photos by Darren Setlow

Epicure Infinity pool

confrontation with the wild? Pradeep is unarmed. He assures me he hasn’t been attacked in six years. Any guarantee we couldn’t be now? No. I let myself be diverted by the tale of the holy river Cauvery, the Ganges of the South, that originates 80 kilometers from the resort at Tala Cauvery. Legend has it that the sage Agastya Muni was smitten by the beauteous Cauvery, Lord Brahma’s daughter. She agrees to marry Agastya on condition that he never abandon her. After their marriage, he wanders off to meditate, enclosing her in a little metal water jar. Absorbed as he is in meditation, he fails to return as pledged. Cauvery believes she is forsaken, topples out of the jar

and turns into the gushing waters of the river Cauvery. Agastya returns, and, aghast at his loss, rushes to the river to pacify his sulking wife. So outraged is she by the betrayal that she expresses her fury by whipping her waters so violently that they turn back the pleats on the sarees of some kings bathing in the river.

Hence, the Kodava people wear their sarees pleated backward. My head, too, is spinning after this myth. But well worth the scenic two-hour drive from the resort is the holy site, with two temples where water flows from the hilled temple to the one below, defying scientific explanation.

Visit Kushalgiri, the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet, where temples are adorned in stunning murals.

The resort hosts cultural performances every evening.

Though I usually spurn such shows as “touristy,” Orange County invites tribals, enabling them and their endangered art to survive whilst treating guests to authentic indigenous culture.

Noor, the front office manager mentions that the resort dispensed with plastic-bottled water, sacrificing revenue to sustain the environment — and even uses fumes from their laundry to steam South Indian breakfast specialty, idli. “They are softer when made with laundry fumes, and when I know there’s idli in the staff canteen I ensure I breakfast at work.” The worthy recycling of

laundry fumes earns Orange County a clean chit!

Having discovered the joys of Ayurveda at their Kabini property, I consecrate an evening to the Vaidyashala, experiencing abhyanga full-body massage. A preludial Sanskrit hymn chanted by the therapist duo hypnotises, followed by an invigorating head massage.

Then I’m laid on a stout dark wooden table. After an hour of four hands tracing graceful strokes over my body amidst immersions of oil, I’m sat in a curious wooden chamber for a detoxifying steam session. I come out feeling cleansed and fresh, like the pristine white lilies in the Lily Pond villas. And as frisky as the lovebirds in them. Well, almost...

Romantic dining

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Shop. Cook. Eat.

Katherine Frelon

To learn more go to www.katherinefrelon.com

Domaine Carneros Sparkling Wines for Thanksgiving

D

omaine Carneros, founded by Claude Taittinger and CEO/ Winemaker Eileen Crane, is in Los Carneros AVA in California’s Napa Valley.

While Domaine Carneros now offers a complex Pinot Noir wine, it is known for its sparkling wines made with certified organic, estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The marine air from nearby San Pablo Bay keeps the Los Carneros AVA cool—in fact, the coolest of all the Napa Valley AVAs. The low rainfall combined with clay soils, loam and shallow hillsides make it ideal for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruits.

Domaine Carneros offers two sparkling wines that are ideal for your Thanksgiving table. Both

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the Brut Rosé and the 2011 Brut Cuvée will pair beautifully with a roast turkey.

Brut Vintage Cuvée 2011

The 2011 Brut Cuvée is the signature sparkling wine for Domaine Carneros. The 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir classic Brut Cuvée has a low sugar dosage of 0.95%, less than 15 grams of residual sugar per liter, 12.1% alcohol by volume (abv) and is aged three years in the bottle. The 2011 season was characterized by a cold late vintage, leading to low yields of very fine quality.

The aroma is filled with pear, apple and honeycomb. The flavors are intense and layered beautifully with pineapple and pear. I loved the tiny bubbles, characteristic of the true

Methode Champenoise, which make this a lovely balanced sparkling wine.

There is a smooth finish creating a creamy mouth feel.

The Brut Cuvée will pair nicely with oysters, goat cheese or even a filet, but should be ideal with that golden turkey for the Thanksgiving feast.

The sparkling wine is widely available at $33 per bottle.

Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé is named for Madame de la Pompadour, the love of Louis XV who introduced sparkling wine to the court of Versailles. This might have a rosy hue, but it is a true brut with 1.1% sugar dosage. Domaine Carneros makes small quantities of this lovely rosé each year, a blend of 58% Pinot

By Susan Lanier-Graham Noir and 42% Chardonnay. As a lover of Pinot Noir, I prefer the Rosé over the signature Brut Cuvée.

To create this complex sparking wine, the Pinot Noir is allowed several days’ contact with the grape skins to enhance the flavor and color.

The winemaker also adds a small amount of estate Pinot Noir wine to the winemaking process to enhance its complexity. The aroma on this one is filled with some of my favorite summer childhood food memories: wild strawberries, juicy peaches, apricots and honeysuckle. This is a dry, fruit-forward wine with spicy hints on your palate. While this one is perfect with your turkey—or the holiday duck—it will pair equally well with dessert or can be served as an aperitif. The Brut Rosé Cuvée de la

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY DOMAINE CARNEROS AND KOBRAND WINE AND SPIRITS.

Wine

Pompadour is available for $37 per bottle.

Visiting Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros is situated about four miles from Napa and five miles from Sonoma. There are three 90-minute tours offered daily

featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the steps in creating sparkling wine in the méthode champenoise style along with a tasting of several wines. You can also arrange a private tasting at the château or a visit to the Sparkling Suite, which includes a tasting paired with caviar and

charcuterie, plus a bottle of your favorite wine to take home.

Reservations are required for the bespoke experiences and can be made by visiting www.domainecarneros.com/visit.

The château is a French-style

estate situated on a hilltop overlooking wine country.

The grand staircase, formal gardens, massive terraces and breathtaking views are unforgettable—and a perfect setting for sampling these classic sparkling wines.

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Russian River Valley Vintner Mike Sullivan

By Sherrie Wilkolaski

S

onoma County is famous for its wine, and that’s no surprise as it boasts acres of vineyards and hundreds of wineries. Among these is the Benovia Winery. With estate vineyards not only in Sonoma County, but also Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, Benovia Winery is responsible for creating small lot wines, specifically Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.

Enter vintner Mike Sullivan. The son of grape growers, he’s very comfortable in the vineyard, where he started working at the age of 18. Then, after pursuing a degree in fermentation science, he discovered his passion for the craft. Today, he resides in Russian River Valley and makes beautifully balanced wines. He was kind enough to answer a few of our questions in a recent interview.

Sherrie Wilkolaski: What makes the Russian River Valley so special when it comes to producing wine?

Mike Sullivan: Many places in California are well suited for growing grapes and making wine, but the Russian River Valley is indeed a very special place. It is the interplay between cold marine air coming off of the Pacific Ocean and the warmer inland valley that creates just the right conditions in Russian River Valley to produce amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Only a handful of places in the world have this combination of cool coastal climate and well-drained, marine sedimentary soils that enable us to produce world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At Benovia, our team

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searched for and acquired three different estate-farmed vineyards in three very different micro-climates, so we could create three distinctly nuanced estate vineyard Pinot Noirs at the heart of our portfolio: the Cohn, Tilton Hill and Martaella estate vineyard wines.

SW: Benovia Winery has an incredible sustainability program.

How does this impact wine production and does it influence the end product?

MS: I think that growing grapes with fewer herbicides and fungicides produces more flavorful grapes and high quality wines. That is why commitment to sustainability starts in the vineyard, where we embrace our role as custodians of the land by implementing environmentally sensitive farming practices. Our commitment to the environment continues at the winery, where we have installed solar panels that produce as much as 95% of the electricity that we use to produce wine. We employ water conservation techniques in the winery and vineyard, including deficit irrigation of vines and efficient barrel, tank and floor cleaning equipment.

SW: Mike you’ve said, “What I love about winemaking is that perfection is unattainable.

Winemaking is about the journey and not the destination.” What is it about the journey that you’re drawn to?

Wine

MS: I love farming, and the journey is a lifelong discovery of how to grow better grapes and make better wine. Every growing season is different and as farmers we adapt to what Mother Nature throws at us. In the winery we adapt also, improving on what we have learned in years past. Harvest only comes once a year, so a winemaker may only have 40+ vintages in a lifetime.

SW: How is it that perfection is unattainable -- and can there ever be that perfect glass of wine? Or is it a blend of a great wine and the environment in which it is enjoyed that creates “perfection?”

MS: For some winemakers the ultimate goal would be to produce one wine in their career that would attain a 100-point score. Although a 100-point score would be nice, my goal is to improve the quality of my wines every year, through learning and improving upon what I did last year. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder, so it would be up to my customers to let me know how I am doing; it is ultimately their decision to purchase and enjoy our wines or not.

SW: What is your favorite type of varietal or blend to work with?

MS: Sometimes called the heartbreak grape, my favorite varietal to work with is Pinot Noir.

It is a chameleon; more than any other wine, Pinot Noir reflects where and how the grapes are grown. It is a very challenging varietal to work with but can also be the most rewarding.

SW: How much time do you spend in the vineyards?

MS: I started my winemaking career in the vineyard, planting and farming grapes on my family’s land, a side of the industry that I love. When you produce single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, there is not much blending to be done at the winery; those wines are an expression of the terroir of the vineyard. Almost all of the character of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a reflection of the quality and intensity of the fruit; that is why I try to spend as much time as I can in the vineyard during the growing season.

SW: What is your favorite time of the growing season?

MS: Harvest is the most special time of the year for me. It is the culmination of a year’s work. It is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It is the time of year where we don’t sleep much and seem to run on adrenaline for a couple months straight. Harvest is the ‘make it or break it’ time for a winemaker, and that is why I love it.

SW: What are you doing to

influence other wineries to become more sustainable?

MS: Planting vines closer together (higher density) and encouraging a smaller vine that requires less water and fertilizer. This is a technique that has been used in France for hundreds of years. This ‘high density’ planting is not done very often in the Russian River Valley and I hope that we might be influential in the way others plant and farm our vineyard.

SW: What is the one thing you haven’t done yet as a winery owner that you would like to accomplish?

MS: My biggest sense of pride comes from making our customers happy.

When I talk with customers and they tell me how much they enjoy Benovia Wines and how they consumed them on a special occasion – that is all the accomplishment I need.

SW: What is your personal favorite wine and food pairing?

MS: A classic for me is Pinot Noir and duck confit, but I also love to make cassoulet and pair it with a Grenache-based wine, like something from the Southern Rhone.

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Elegant Weekend Jaunt in Paso Robles

By Jill Weinlein

F

or my sister-in-law’s birthday, she rented a beautiful home among ancient oak trees in the bucolic city of Paso Robles. She also rented a white, stretch Hummer limousine for a day of visiting wineries and tasting some of the elegant wines in the region.

The draw to Paso Robles is that it’s a idyllic weekend getaway for Californians. Situated in San Luis Obispo County, it’s 206 miles North of Los Angeles and 206 miles South of San Francisco: the perfect meeting ground for our family.

She lives in Santa Cruz and we live near Pasadena.

Paso Robles is now the third largest wine area in California with more

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Epicure teens drove over to the nearby Ravine Waterpark. It’s a cool spot filled with twister slides, a kids water play area, lazy river and kamikaze speed drop and slide and a lot more fun then hanging out with adults at various wineries.

We picked up four other friends at a nearby hotel and drove to the first winery, Eberle Winery. Walking into the tasting room, I noticed two interesting items on the walls. The first was a framed letter near the entrance from President Ronald Reagan on White House stationary, thanking Eberle for his generous gift of Eberle wine. The second item was owner Gary Eberle’s framed Penn State football jersey. As a young man, this linebacker earned a football scholarship to the school.

I learned he was selected on a NFL team, yet got injured after 10 days of going pro and decided to go back to school.

While attending Louisiana State University and studying cellular genetics, Eberle developed an appreciation for wine. He applied to U.C. Davis to study Enology, got accepted, and moved to California.

After receiving his degree in Enology in the early 1970s, he moved to Paso Robles and became one of the winemaking pioneers in the region.

than 200 boutique and small familyowned vineyards. (Napa is still number one with over 400+ family owned wineries and Sonoma is second with almost the same number.)

The five-bedroom and threebathroom house we enjoyed for the weekend had a custom pool with a large spa and barbecue outside, ideal for a Friday night swim and festive barbecue dinner. Inside was a large kitchen, living room and dining area that was spacious for seven adults and three teens.

The next morning an Elegant Image limo arrived at the house to whisk us away on a tour of Paso Robles wine country. As the adults got into the limo that seats up to 13 guests, the

Since we were a big group, we reserved a private tasting outside and a tour of the underground caves.

The affable Gary Eberle greeted us near the entrance of his tasting room. He had his staff member Madison pour our tastings and educate us on the various wines. We sipped six different white and red wines while overlooking beautiful views of the 38-acre vineyard. There is a lawn with a bean bag game that we all enjoyed in between tastings.

Known for their Cabernet Sauvignon grown in limestone and calcareous soil that is laden with fossilized seashells, the owners found actual million year old whalebones while planting their vines.

We learned that the cult favorite

BOB WINE, was the first wine created on the vineyard.

Dr. Robert “Bob” would always bring a bottle or two of this wine on his annual Montana fishing trip with friends. Its first label was made out of duct tape. We enjoyed a taste of

Madison stopped pouring and took us on a private tour of Eberle’s 16,000 square feet underground caves. The $20 per person tasting and tour fee was waived, because we purchased bottles of wine and gifts from their boutique. If you have a group of eight or less, groups can reserve a private tasting and cheese plate paired with the wines for $35 per person.

Next, we drove along winding country roads to the more rustic Whalebone Winery tasting room.

Owned by Dr. Robert and Janalyn Simpson, it’s a smaller family operation with their daughters and nephew offering pours. Two cats sit outside on picnic tables hoping visitors will give them a pet.

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When Indy’s Libertine Liquor Bar landed on Esquire’s “Best Bars in America” list, it was acknowledgment of not only a bar, but a scene that has been building. From our breweries raking in gold at the Great American Beer Festival to our chefs stirring up buzz over our dining scene, Indianapolis is serving up more than the race cars and hoops we’re known for. Take a long weekend and discover the Midwest’s best kept secret for yourself.

For what to see, do, and eat, go to VisitIndy.com | BLOG: DoingIndy.com | FOLLOW US: @VisitIndy

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Bob 2011 made with 70% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot and a taste of Bob 2012. The Boneyard taste was a Rhoneinspired red blend that was big and fruit driven. Their beloved late English bulldog’s face is on the label.

We also enjoyed the Zinfandel offering red raspberry, clove, and cinnamon aromas with each sip and swirl. Since we bought some of the wine, the tasting fee was waived.

Three wineries is enough for one day, so we made our last stop at Jada Winery, with a reserved private tasting outside on the covered patio.

A staff member offered us five different flights of all-estate wines for $10. For an extra $3 we had the opportunity to pair each taste with five artisan cheeses prepared by the Paso Robles gourmet cheese shop, Vivant Fine Cheese. This was my favorite tasting experience of the day.

We started with a white blend offering notes of pear, peach and melon and a chunk of honey Chevre.

Next, The Jersey Girl is an Estate Syrah with aromas of fresh red fruit, and orange peel. This went well with a small square of two-year Gouda. The third taste was from a bottle of Malstria offering notes of plum, grape Jolly Rancher, blackberry fruit rollups and orange peel. It went well with the cow’s milk BellaVitano Gold. We all liked the Strayts tasting made with a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon offering aromas of dried black cherries, cola, soy sauce and balsamic reduction. It paired with a mocha colored Cahill Porter cheese. Last, the Hell’s Kitchen wine was a red blend with smoky black fruits, licorice, and tinges of vanilla. It paired nicely with a chunk of cows milk Seahive rubbed in wildflower honey.

Fully satiated, we had the limo drive us home for a swim and nap before a special birthday dinner at Artisan restaurant, owned by two brothers, Mike Kobayashi and Executive Chef Chris Kobayashi, in the center of the Paso Robles square.

We liked the creativity of the dishes and ordered a multitude of small plates that included burrata with

summer peaches, smoked almonds and speck; foie gras torchon, with blistered fig, maple and sherry gastrique and black walnut; and a field mushroom pizza with leeks, fromage blanc and a drizzle of truffle oil.

Salads included pickled beets with chèvre, candied walnuts, and arugula; and an eggplant caprese, garden tomatoes and pesto. The abalone tostada was similar to calamari. It was on a crisp shell with avocado, grilled corn and a cherry tomato pico.

Entrees included a flatiron steak; cider brined pork chop; wild boar tenderloin; Alaskan halibut; Kobe tip steak; King salmon and Atlantic scallops. We decided to bring our own wine to the dinner and learned that corkage is $20 for the first two bottles and $25 for any additional.

Since we had a large cake waiting back at the house, we waved the dessert menus away and paid the bill.

The next morning after breakfast we all agreed that Paso Robles is ideal destination to splurge and enjoy elegant wine and food. We might make this an annual tradition.

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Meet Michelin Star Chef Cristina Bowerman

By Jill Weinlein

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orn in Rome, Cristina Bowerman is as much a scientist as an Executive Michelin-star chef. After studying Foreign Languages, being a graphic designer and graduating from Law School, she practiced law for two years before enrolling and graduating from the Culinary Arts at the University of Austin, Texas, from the program of the Parisian school, Cordon Bleu.

In 2006, she started cooking at the esteemed Glass Hostaria. Four years later she was the only woman to receive a Michelin star that year.

Bowerman has changed the gastronomical landscape with her molecular approach to food preparation.

Recently Chef Bowerman partnered with Andre Marotti, President of Crateful, to prepare the healthy fine dining recipes for an innovative meal delivery service brought to your door step in Los Angeles.

I had the opportunity to meet Marotti, Bowerman and others on the Crateful team, at a preview tasting of Crateful’s organic cuisine. Here’s what I learned about Crateful and this esteemed chef: 1. Chef Bowerman lives part-time in Rome and Austin, Texas. When in the states, she only shops for organic ingredients. Her go-to store is Whole Foods.

2. “Healthy dishes don’t mean you starve yourself or eat tasteless food,” said Chef Bowerman. Her dishes are a balance of culinary tradition with farm-grown ingredients in a cross-cultural fusion.

She works with celebrity nutritionist Alyse Levine MS, R.D., founder of

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Eating Reset, on each recipe to ensure that each meal is healthy, well-balanced and delicious.

3. Bowerman introduced her Chef de Cuisine Salvatore Sodano from Naples, Italy, who helps prepare the dishes when she travels to Rome and Texas. Sodano is from Nikita in Malibu, California. Andre Marotti dined there often and became friends with the chef. When Marotti was ready to start Crateful, he wanted Bowerman and Sodano on his team.

“He is great to work with,” said Bowerman.

4. Salvatore Sodano’s mother and father were chefs. He knew at the age of 11 that he would become a professional chef. After graduating from university, he moved to Rome and worked in a Michelin-star restaurant. Next he moved to London and had the “best experience of his life.” Sodano enjoys working with the Crateful team.

5. One of Bowerman’s favorite dishes is wild trout with fresh herbs. “ My grandfather loved to fish for trout,” said Bowerman. “Trout is a healthier fish than farmed salmon.” Her dish had the same color as salmon. “It’s the natural color of the fish, while salmon often has additives added to their pellets,” said Bowerman.

6. Other samples dishes included zucchini spaghetti with lemon dressing; chicken scalloppini with white wine, capers and sage; and roasted red beets with orange slices, pistachio and olives.

7. Bowerman makes a healthier ancient grain risotto with farro. It offers the same comforting feeling as the fat-laden Mac-n-cheese, yet the sauce is made with broccoli, spinach and zucchini with Parmesan cheese.

“Parmesan is a dry-aged cheese and lactose-free,” said Bowerman. Sodano made the verde sauce.

8. The three-meals-per-day costs range from $63 $67 per day for a five-day subscription or $47–$53 for a 20-day subscription.

9. Crateful offers four meal programs: Chef (Crateful’s core menu), Fitness (High-performance meals), Vegetarian (dishes paired with ancient grains, cheeses, eggs and vegetables) and Pescatarian (Omega-high seafood with grains and vegetables).

10. Delivery of Crateful is free and occurs overnight to Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Burbank and Pasadena. www.crateful.la.

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Panini The Simple Tastes of Italian Style Bread Recipes from “Panini, the simple tastes of Italian style bread” (New Holland Publishers, 2015)

by Veronica Lavenia

Carrots and capers sauce

A source of inspiration for many recipes – both sweet and savory – carrots are one of the most versatile and tasty vegetables. This sauce is a

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fresh and light idea to use carrots in a different way. Sicilian capers give a truly unique flavor to a very tempting sauce. Great for stuffing toast and classic panini, or over a slice of hot bruschetta, this sauce is a delight to try.

Serves 2 2 large carrots

the juice of one lemon a pinch of sea salt extra virgin olive oil to taste 10 desalted Sicilian capers 4 slices rustic bread Peel and dice carrots. Blend them with the lemon juice and salt. Add the olive oil, diluting, if necessary, with half a glass of water. Spread

over the slices of toasted rustic bread, add capers and serve immediately to prevent oxidation.

Eggs in purgatory

Originally from Naples, yet a dish that quickly spread throughout the south of Italy, ‘Eggs in purgatory’ takes its name from the cult of the souls in purgatory, strongly felt in

Recipes

Naples. In the narrow streets of the historic center of the city there are many shrines (small chapels) dedicated to saints, with a corner reserved for the souls in purgatory, depicted by white figures surrounded by flames. Metaphorically, the white of the egg, in the middle of the red tomato, recalls the memory of the souls (white) into the fire (red) of purgatory, just as it is depicted in

those small chapels. A recipe of the folk tradition, the ‘Eggs in purgatory’, like Pappa al pomodoro and bruschetta, stood among the most iconic dishes of Italian cuisine.

sauce 2 large organic eggs 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil sea salt and pepper to taste 2 Italian bread (or focaccia)

add the eggs and let them cook for three minutes into the tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Stuff the bread with eggs in purgatory and serve immediately.

Serves 2 1 onion a sprig of basil 1 carrot 350g (12oz) of cherry tomato

Cut the onion, basil leaves and carrot (the latter into thin slices).

Add the vegetables to the tomato sauce and cook to reduce the sauce. Add two tbsp of olive oil,

About the Author

Italian author Veronica Lavenia is an international food writer and columnist. In PANINI, Veronica has included traditional family recipes that have been used for many generations, together with recipes born out of a personal experience that helped her to discover how useful it is to share tasty and healthy ideas. Veronica loves to cook what she grows in her family garden and explore new culinary possibilities and alternatives, together with ingredients that are affordable and easily available. To learn more go to www.veronicalavenia.com.

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6 Easy Tips for Best Sweater Care

By Jia Li

Originally published at jiacollection.com and re-published with permission.

I

t’s finally starting to feel like summer is coming, so most likely the last thing on your mind is your cold weather sweater pieces (including both sweaters and sweater dresses).

If you’re anything like us, closet space is a hot commodity so your warmer items are most likely on their way to (or already in) be stored for the summer months under your bed or in your attic.

Before you pack up all your beloved cold weather sweater pieces, stop for one second and consider: what state are you leaving them in to wait for colder weather? Are they clean?

Did you store them properly? Will they look brand new when you dig them out of your boxes come October?

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Since we love our sweater pieces, we decided to share some helpful tips on how to best care for them, so they can last you a lifetime.

1. How to wash your sweater pieces

Part of keeping your sweater pieces looking fresh and new is washing it properly, especially before you put it away for the season. Here are some simple rules to follow: • Turn your piece inside out before washing it.

• You can wash your sweater pieces on the gentle cycle for 5 minutes in a mesh bag. Remove it after five minutes. If you want to wash more than one piece at a time, simply put each one in a separate mesh bag.

• If you don’t have a washing machine with a gentle cycle or timed washing setting, you can also hand wash your favorite sweater pieces in cool water.

Xxxxx xxxxx 4. Get rid of pilling with some TLC

Pilling refers to the small balls of fabric that collect on your sweater pieces. Although they can be a bit annoying, there are actually quite a few solutions: • One of the simplest ways of reducing pilling is to turn your garment inside out when you wash it.

For more details on how to prevent pilling through your garment care, read this article. laundry.about.com/od/ laundryproblems/f/preventpilling. htm • It might sound silly, but you can actually comb your sweater with a special sweater comb or pumice stone to brush out pilling.

• You can shave off excess pilling with a special electric shaver built to remove pillings.

• PopSugar has a great how-to video on these options. Be sure to check it out.

5. Fix that snag/pull and make the sweater pretty again

We love how comfortable sweater pieces are, the downside of sweater material is though, that it snags much more easily than woven fabric because of the structure of the fabric. However, do not sweat, it is actually much easier than you think to fix the snag/pull. Watch this YouTube video how to easily fix a snag pull. (https://youtu.be/--tHHF_ MP_A) All you need is just a needle!

6. How to remove wrinkles from a sweater

• Use special laundry detergent to hand wash, or use baby shampoo!

• Do not leave it soaking for more than a few minutes.

• Gently squeeze or press out the excess water – do not wring!

• Lay flat to dry.

• If needed, iron on low with garment still inside out.

2. How to store your sweater pieces

For all you hanger maniacs out there, back away from your knit clothing!

• Do not hang your sweater pieces on hangers, as it will cause it to stretch out and be misshapen over time.

• Keep your sweater pieces folded neatly.

• Use cedar balls to keep away moths, or (if you have to hang up your clothing), use cedar hangers.

• According to Esquire, if you do find any moth holes, you can put your clothing item in the freezer for 48

hours to kill any moth eggs, and then hand wash.

• If you are storing your sweater pieces for the season, make sure it is completely dry and clean before you put it away.

• Be sure to store it in a place that is cool and dry.

3. Fix any deodorant stains easily

When you wear a piece that is next to skin, no matter how careful you are, you are likely to get deodorant stains on it. But no worries, we have a easy and quick solution for you to fix this.

• For a quick fix, rub the stain with a dryer sheet. It works like magic, and we recommend even keeping one or two sheets in your desk just in case the need arises.

• You can also check out this article for more easy tricks to quickly get rid of unflattering deodorant stains.

Sweaters by nature is less prone to getting wrinkled than wovens, but they still get wrinkled sometimes.

We find the best and easiest way to remove the wrinkles is by steaming the sweater. In this video below, you will see how easy it is to remove the sweater wrinkles using steamer. This technique applies to all sweaters, not just cashmere sweater.

And if you don’t want to invest in or having space for a regular steamer which usually takes a lot of space, try this portable steamer which works just as well. We use it often and absolutely love it!

We think one of the best feelings in the world is finding a fashion item that you adore and that looks amazing on you, but why let that feeling fade as it gets worn out before its time? Instead, follow these simples tips that will leave your sweater pieces looking like you just bought it yesterday. You can keep on loving your clothing you

already have, rather than spending your time and money to invest in new ones. Whether your sweater pieces are heading into storage for the season, or you have sweater pieces for the warmer months, these tips will leave your wardrobe looking fresh and clean regardless of when you invested in it.

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2016 Winter Travel Accessories Guide

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ccessories can make or break your wardrobe, especially when it comes to travel. This winter stock up on some of the best winter travel accessories around. From the perfect skin care for your carry-on bag to cozy cashmere sweaters made for fireside lounging, you’ll be traveling in style. Here is a list of essentials for staying cozy and chic on cold-weather adventures.

BELL - Flannel Button Down

Contemporary womenswear brand BELL offers easy, breezy, 100% cotton pieces made with love in the USA that easily take travelers from the beach vacation to the ski chalet.

Whether you’re jetting to the Caribbean or Courchevel this winter, be sure to pack this comfy essential.

BELL Grey Flannel Plaid Shirt, $242 available at www.AliciaBell.com.

Alekka

Seeking to bring the joy of wanderlust to fashion-lovers with the click of a button, Alekka.com launched in the U.S. in the spring of 2014 offering a highly curated selection of accessories by talented emerging designers, select industryinsider favorites, and unique one-of-a-kind items created by artisans from around the globe.

Alekka aims to capture the spirit of a life well-lived through fashion by offering inspired accessories that one would not find simply anywhere. If you don’t find the perfect gift for friends on your travels, you can also use the site to seamlessly find a travel-inspired proxy!

Donni Charm scarf in olive and fur, $230, available at Alekka.com.

RESCUE Skin: RESCUE is a revolutionary product designed to be a modern,

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Active Cashmere

single skincare solution for the adventure of your life. Formulated to bring cutting-edge adult stem cell technology to every age, gender, and skin type, RESCUE was developed to suit today’s on-thego lifestyle, with a mobile delivery system that provides immediate rejuvenation no matter where life leads – from days on the slopes and nights on the town, to adventures overseas and every flight in between. A perfect sunburn cure, whether on a tropical beach or après-ski terrace, RESCUE travels in your carry-on bag through every airport, making it the perfect accessory for those much-needed weekend getaways. RESCUE Skin Serum Concentrate, available at www. palmiersdumal.com

Active Cashmere by DanRoy is all-purpose luxury cashmere for an outdoor, social and active lifestyle.

The revolutionary water-repellent fabric makes playing in the snow as much fun as an adult as it was as a kid, whether on the slopes or a moonlight snowshoe. These beanies will be available online this winter in fun colors like Cosmos (a heathered navy), Soft Denim, Vionnet (soft pink) and Bourgogne (wine). Active Cashmere, $155 at www.

ActiveCashmere.com.

Carolinna Espinosa –

Travel Dante Boot

Luxury women’s shoe brand, Carolinna Espinosa, is a traveler’s secret weapon to looking both chic and comfortable in any environment!

Made with memory foam cushioning in inside all of their soles, styles like the chic Dante Boot pictured above will make your feet happy whether you’re walking the sidewalks of a ski town or the bustling streets of Europe. Carolinna Espinosa “Adolfo” Booties $345 available at www.

CarolinnaEspinosa.com.

Palmiers du Mal – Simone Sweater + Palazzo Pant (pictured on Him & Her)

Never travel again without looking effortlessly chic and comfortable. A timelessly universal unisex resort collection unisex label, Palmiers du Mal is based in New York and constructed by artisans between Italy and New York. The collection features an array of relaxed-fit garments in intricate 100% cashmere knit patterns such as the Simone Sweater and Palazzo pant, making heads turn no matter where you spend your winter holiday.

Palmiers du Mal Simone Sweater, $1,295, and Palmiers du Mall Palazzo Pant, $995, available at www.

PalmiersduMal.com.

What’s your favorite holiday travel accessory?

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Four Artists Convey the Power of the Human Spirit

By Renee Phillips

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n art it requires enormous discipline and many years of practice to master the human form.

It is not enough to replicate the figure; it is important for artists to evoke thoughts and emotions — to transform viewers — through their art. Artists Rose Adare, Bren Sibilsky, Joanne St-Cyr and Frantisek Strouhal accomplish these tasks. In their own unique styles, they convey powerful expressions about the human spirit.

They have also acquired international recognition, honors and awards for their work.

She has created a compelling series of paintings titled “Restraint & Revolution” that pay homage to the many diverse and colorful subcultures of the 21st century.

This series, which she describes as “the lives and lifestyles of fringe culture,” has become a traveling educational exhibition. Comprised of 30 large oil paintings, the exhibit includes a 45-minute documentary, a 116-page color book, art talks, panel discussions and performances from some of the talents that appear in her series of paintings.

Rose Adare

Adare has achieved a worldwide reputation for her art work, which is included in many private collections.

Her many exhibitions in Europe and the U.S. include the California Palace of the Legion of Honor’s Fine Art Museum in San Francisco, CA. She is a member of the Manhattan Arts

Rose Adare is a Classical Realist painter who currently lives in Hawaii.

Her oil paintings on Belgium linen adhere to the classical master painters’ process of applying many translucent layers of oil paint to achieve luminosity.

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International curated Featured Artists Program and the recipient of the Third Place Award in the current Manhattan Arts International “Hot Topics – Bold Expressions” exhibition.

The artist is a graduate alumna of the San Francisco Academy of Art University, where she was awarded a full, three-year scholarship to the Atelier School of Classical Realism, in Temescal, California. She studied under David Hardy, a highly acclaimed master artist. She is also the co-founder of the annual Muse Studio Showcase: A Celebration of Art and Music.

Visit Rose Adare’s website www.roseadare.com

Bren Sibilsky

Bren Sibilsky refers to her style as “Classical Representation with

Baroque undertones,” The sculptor, who lives in Wisconsin, has created an ongoing series of timeless mythological figures in clay and bronze. Her artistic skills span many forms – from exquisite full standing figures and equestrian statues, to portraits and small scale reliefs.

She also works in charcoal pencil and painting.

Sibilsky’s art reflects her poetic sensibility and exudes grace, will and triumph of the human spirit. She explains, “My artwork is driven from a need to be one with the force of nature and the world in which we live. As a seeker of wisdom, I am powerfully motivated to understand mankind’s place in the universe and the meaning of our existence.”

The international full-time artist is also the founder and an instructor at

Art

the Algoma Atelier of Sculpture and Art in Wisconsin. Her art has attracted many collectors from North America and Europe and has consistently won multiple awards in a range of mediums throughout her accomplished career.

She has been interviewed on WBDK radio, and has been featured in articles published in the Resorter Reporter, Peninsula Pulse, Professional Artist, Green Bay Press-Gazette, and other publications.

Sibilsky’s many one-person and group exhibitions include those at the Miller Art Museum, Fairfield Museum, and the National Sculpture Society, in New York, NY, among others. Her sculpture “Fishers of Men” won a First Place Award from Manhattan Arts International in “The Healing Power of ART” 2015 exhibition. She is also a member of the curated Manhattan Arts International Featured Artists Program.

Visit Bren Sibilsky’s website at www.brensculpture.com

Joanne St-Cyr

Joanne St-Cyr uses symbolism to represent various subjects in the guise of metaphorical references, a visionary state of mind or an abstract concept. Her awe-inspiring allegorical oil paintings are created in the same manner as those of the Renaissance Masters, which requires

Rose Adare, Cupidon: Portrait of Alex Stitt, a LGBTQ writer, fire spinner and psychophilosopher; oil and gold leaf on Belgium linen, each painting 48″ x 24″.

time and patience to allow for drying between layers. She describes this process as a daily ritual.

St-Cyr’s current theme is titled “NATURA,” about which she writes: “The philosophical thread I am pursuing at the moment has to do with the constant duality between man and nature. Man’s extraordinary efforts to try and control nature, our stubbornness to manipulate, reorganize and mistreat her... she

will not go down without a fight!”

Born in Montreal, Canada, Joanne St-Cyr discovered her love for drawing and painting at a young age and started painting in oils when she was 13 years old. The artist now lives in Quebec and has attracted many collectors and accolades from around the globe. She has participated in many exhibitions including the Le Grand Palais, Paris, France, and Musée Marius-Barbeau in

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Art

Frantisek Strouhal, Aurora; oil printing and lithography inks on paper, 24” x 20”

Bren Sibilsky, Fishers of Men, clay, 28” x 12” x 11”.

Quebec, Canada, among others.

and heart.”

St-Cyr has won several awards including Third Prize at Musée Laurier in Quebec, Canada. Her art work has been published in Le Magazin’art, a French Art magazine.

She is also a member of the Manhattan Arts International curated Featured Artists Program.

In his art, figures seem to emerge from surreal, dreamlike pools of warm sepia tones as if bathed or suspended in an ethereal vapor.

He explains, “Light and texture play the important role of portraying the energy and strength which emanate from beneath the surface of the subjects.”

The artist studied Fine Art at Concordia University and UQAM in Montreal, Canada. She has been a member of ‘Institut des Arts Figuratifs’ since 1994.

Visit Bren Sibilsky’s website at joannestcyr.com/

Frantisek Strouhal

Frantisek Strouhal is a mixed media artist who is internationally admired for his unique body of work titled “Art Embracing Awareness.” The human form is essential to the Canadian artist who says it is “the most universal symbol of beauty that can stir and satisfy the mind

It takes Strouhal many hours to build up a depth of ink, layer by layer, and his choices of brushes, papers, and lithographic inks determine the outcome. He uses 19th century techniques and states, “The processes I use are slow but intense; the result is an image that asks for that time back from the viewer.”

Strouhal encourages viewers to contemplate and interact with his pieces in a peaceful manner. “My imagery is meant to serve as an oasis of tranquility, permanence and strength and to capture and highlight what is fundamental to

Joanne St-Cyr, Ré-création (ReCreation), oil on canvas, 18” x 24”.

our being and society.”

The artist was born in Moravia to a family of painters and artists.

He has had many exhibitions in the United States and Canada, including the 2014-15 Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery in Vancouver. He is a recipient of the Gold Medal at the Rotary Centre of the Arts in

Kelowna, B.C., and his art was selected for the Manhattan Arts International curated art exhibition “The Healing Power of ART,” 2015.

He is a member of the Manhattan Arts International Featured Artists Program.

Visit Frantisek Strouhal’s website at frantisekstrouhal.com/

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L

uxe Beat Magazine’s Assistant Production Editor Kaitlyn Phillips has always aspired to be a writer. Her fondness for literature is just one reflection of that desire. “If words are involved, I tend to love it.”

Kaitlyn said. As a senior studying English at Lee University in Tennessee, Kaitlyn is a member of the English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta. She’s also been a staff member for Lee University’s annually produced literature and art journal, Lee Review, since 2013. Among other responsibilities for the Lee Review, Kaitlyn is working on the judging board, proofreading, and editing; she has also contributed a few short stories for the journal. Even with a full schedule of studies and

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extracurricular activities, Kaitlyn has been putting her fervor for publication to work at Luxe Beat Magazine since 2014. A lot of her time is spent researching and organizing articles for publication with Luxe Beat Magazine, creating content for the website and interviewing authors.

Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, Kaitlyn defied convention when it came to her taste in music, preferring punk rock, 80s, alternative, and instrumental – as opposed to the popularity of country and folk that “Music City” is known for. “As long as it’s not country or opera, I’ll enjoy it!” said Kaitlyn.

Nashville has a lot to offer those who don’t conform to outside

impressions, however. Kaitlyn’s favorite locations include the Parthenon and the downtown Art District, which features dozens of galleries that offer everything from contemporary to performance art.

Although Kaitlyn calls Nashville home, she prefers the vibe of Chattanooga, where she attends college. Kaitlyn said, “I like that Chattanooga is artsy and indie.”

In addition to music, Kaitlyn has a passion for photography that she’s further developing in a class at Lee University. Those talents are put to good use when she travels, a preferred pastime. During a trip with her boyfriend to Panama City, they wandered into an artsy little store, Kaitlyn recalls. “The owner told us

about this movement where a writer wrote a short story, and instead of publishing it, posted it on a wall in the store. All of the words were in alphabetical order, so we had no idea what the story was. However, if you bought a word for $25, they would tattoo that word anywhere you wanted, and you became a part of a living, moving story. So, of course we both got tattoos!” The word that Kaitlyn chose is fiery to wrap around her ankle like an anklet, and her boyfriend chose the word muster.

Kaitlyn said, “I’d love to get more some day, perhaps add ‘charms’ to my anklet of all of my favorite things.”

Behind the Screen

A few more interesting and littleknown facts about Kaitlyn!

Featured Contributor

Getting to know Luxe Beat Magazine’s, Kaitlyn Phillips Kaitlyn’s ideal superpower – telepathy Favorite drink – iced coffee with hazelnut syrup Last book read – Sophie’s Choice Favorite pastimes – reading, journaling and writing articles Bucket List – visit every state in the USA Ideal travel locations – Italy, Ireland, England, New Zealand and Greece Ultimate goals – to be a published author and write travel pieces Fiction or nonfiction – “I definitely prefer fiction, though I do draw from real life experiences.”

Favorite holiday – “Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing up in costume, so fun!”

Currently writing – a novella for one of her senior classes at Lee University

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Book Excerpt

5 Essential Traits Every Entrepreneur Needs Business Leader Explains The Personal Qualities That Will Help Your Company Succeed Entrepreneurship remains alive and well in America with thousands of people starting new businesses each year.

But the success of those businesses is another matter. About half will fail in their first five years, according to Gallup.

So why do some new businesses go belly up after a short existence while others prosper?

“Often it all comes down to the qualifications of the person who started the business,” says Randy H. Nelson, author of the Amazon best-selling book The Second Decision: The Qualified Entrepreneur.

“Anyone can start a business because no real qualifications are required to do that. But not everyone is qualified to run a business once it’s off the ground and that’s a huge factor in why so many fail.”

Nelson, who developed leadership skills as a Navy submarine officer and has a track record of starting and building successful businesses, suggests there are five essential traits that every entrepreneur needs to improve the odds of business success: • Discipline. It’s important to be disciplined within yourself to help move your organization forward and to produce good leadership decisions within a managerial team, Nelson says.

An entrepreneur who is disciplined understands that “they don’t know what they don’t know,” he says. “This self-knowledge makes it clear how the entrepreneur’s shortcomings may be affecting his or her company, and so helps the entrepreneur make better decisions for the long run,” Nelson says. This entrepreneur also understands that, for the business to succeed in the long term, a transition

must occur from the business being about “me” as its entrepreneur/CEO, to being about the overall needs of the company.

• Leadership. To help a business succeed, Nelson says, it’s important that the entrepreneur understands that leadership within a company entails knowing your responsibilities and role, and knowing when to share or even delegate responsibility.

• Self-awareness. In some cases, the person who created the company may not be CEO material and needs to understand that and find someone else to fill that role, Nelson says.

“You have to take into consideration your own needs and desires and the needs and desires of the company,” he says. “It’s about the self-awareness journey through which you evaluate your skills and interests in each key aspect of managing a growth company.”

• Understanding of issues and challenges. Within any company’s life cycle, numerous issues and challenges may arise. To lead a successful business, the entrepreneur needs to understand and acknowledge that four issues in particular may pose a challenge to his or her efforts to become the Qualified Entrepreneur that Nelson believes is necessary to success. Those issues are: insistence on autonomy; unwillingness to build structure, cultivate expertise or delegate; boredom; and failure to engage in self-examination.

• Self-assessment. Nelson says it’s a bit ironic that entrepreneurs who are good at holding others accountable for their performances don’t take time to gauge how well they are doing themselves. “It’s important for the success of your business that you be able to do self-performance reviews,” he says.

Entrepreneur”. He co-founded and later sold two market-leading, multi-million dollar companies — Orion International and NSTAR Global Services. His proudest professional achievement was at the Fast 50 awards ceremony in the Raleigh, N.C., area when NSTAR, a 10-year-old company, and Orion, a 22-year-old company, were awarded the rankings No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. Nelson now runs Gold Dolphins,

LLC, a coaching and consulting firm to help entrepreneurial leaders and CEOs become Qualified Entrepreneurs and achieve their maximum potential. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Miami University, Ohio, and was awarded the Admiral Sidney W. Souers Distinguished Alumni Award there in 2011. www.randyhnelson.com

About Randy H. Nelson

Randy H. Nelson is a speaker, a coach, a Qualified Entrepreneur, a former nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and author of “The Second Decision – The Qualified

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Business

Quality Business Applaud Players who Excel

By Tom Raffio

D

uring my more than thirty-five years in the business industry, I have learned, through experience and benchmarking best practice companies, what it takes to run not only a business, but a successful one. What follows is the fourth article in a series of twelve that will position any business for success.

In my last column I discussed how to keep your team happy, healthy, fit, and productive. This is extremely important, especially in today’s competitive fast-paced business environment, where it is increasingly difficult to outwork your opponents.

If your team isn’t healthy, you won’t give your biggest competitors the challenge they need – you will make it too easy for them to win.

When I am out in the community and presenting to high school, college, or MBA students, I am often asked what the secret to my success is and I always respond: work harder than anyone else. That is the simple fact, I am willing to do more than the average person to get the job done and to make myself the best person I can be. Any successful businessperson outworks and outhustles the competition and isn’t afraid to put in the effort.

I will make the calls. This is something I impart to my Northeast Delta Dental employee colleagues, “Never put off until tomorrow, what you can accomplish today.” You get ahead by not taking shortcuts and working harder than everyone else. In 2004, Northeast Delta Dental underwent a major technology systems conversion and we did so without one complaint from a customer or dentist office.

That can’t be said for all insurance companies or banks. How often have you received a message saying “we are experiencing high volumes of claims/ phone calls during our system conversion, please accept our apologies?” I bet you have and I bet you don’t think much about the

quality of that organization.

To achieve this smooth system conversion, we rallied our employees and explained their individual role in the conversion and we communicated how this related to the company’s goals. Each employee was willing to work longer and harder to make sure the team met its goals.

There are no shortcuts. To be successful you must be willing to put in the work, and work harder and longer than anyone else. This will allow you to outhustle and outperform the competition and delight your customers. One example of this is Northeast Delta Dental’s Customer Service Department. If a customer

calls (during normal business hours), the phone is answered by a live person at our New Hampshire headquarters with minimal waiting times and no computerized prompts. Our customers appreciate this, after all, we are here to serve them and help them navigate their dental (and/or vision) plan.

In summary, any successful business leader must outwork the average person and be a role model for his/her teammates. Doing so will foster an environment where your employees will admire you as a leader and you, your employees, and your company, will flourish. And of course, work hard, and don’t take shortcuts.

For example, at the end of a long day filled with meetings, presentations, and emails, I am tired. But, there may be two or three potential customers who have called and are expecting a call back before the end of the day.

Instead of going home and leaving these follow-up calls for tomorrow,

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Creative Entertaining F

eel free to disregard the barrage of entertaining ideas that are currently taking up space on your vision boards– Author Rana Florida has proffered insight for any event you’re sure to host throughout the year! Whether you’re planning a dinner party for friends, or hosting family for the holidays, Rana’s new book Creative Entertaining is full of the most relevant tips and tricks for aspiring and experienced hosts alike.

I grew up in a big Jordanian family in the suburbs north of Detroit.

Every night, my mother would clear away the homework my five siblings’ and I had piled up on the kitchen table and serve us a gourmet Mediterranean feast, whipped up in minutes and perfectly presented.

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Even on weeknights, fresh herbs topped most dishes, and the scent of toasted pine nuts filled the air.

On special occasions, she would lay out a hand-stitched sequined table cloth that visiting family had brought over from Amman and add stylish touches like carved watermelon bowls and rose-cut carrots to the spread. Those occasions might have been special, but they were far from rare.

A week hardly went by that friends and family didn’t gather in our house for food, conversation, and laughter.

A Sunday feast was tradition for as long as I can remember. I don’t know how she did it, but even with just a moment’s notice, my mother could entertain a group of 20 or more,

effortlessly and efficiently. She didn’t need caterers or florists—she had my sisters and me pitch in by picking flowers, vegetables, and fresh herbs from the garden and helping out in the kitchen.

royalty. I assumed that was how every family entertained. My mother’s brisk efficiency in the kitchen and elegance at the table and my father’s welcoming manner rubbed off on me.

All of my aunts shared her talent for hospitality and taught me that one of the nicest things you can do for people is cook for them. The food they served was always fresh and delicious and the presentation gorgeous and chic. The crystal chandelier was dimmed just right, the music festive but unobtrusive, and the place settings just right.

Now, as an adult, those weekly Sunday gatherings are a cherished memory of a bygone era. Our lives today are “crazy busy.” Most of us freak out at the thought of entertaining—with all the responsibilities that work and family throw our way, the thought of whipping up a dinner party at home presents a daunting task, to say the least. Cooking dinner for 10 guests... are you mad?! Whether it’s the hefty price tag associated with caterers, getting the menu just right, meeting everybody’s dietary restrictions, or

I learned from a young age that our heritage as Jordanians was to be welcoming and warm. No matter who the guest, everyone is feasted like

Book Excerpt choosing the right mix of company, the stress of entertaining can keep us from enjoying our own occasions— if we even have them at all.

But we should never be too busy for what really matters in life—opening up our homes and spending time with loved ones. So I’m constantly seeking excuses to gather friends and family for a festive feast. I don’t look at it as work: It’s so much fun to get off my computer and put the emails, conference calls, and meetings on hold to start planning, prepping, and making! I feel transported back to my fifth-grade art class, where I lost myself completely for a few hours in the process of creating. I loved that feeling, of being lost in time, of free flow. In positive psychology, flow is defined as “being fully immersed in the exercise at hand and feeling energized and focused, while fully enjoying the process of the activity.” Cooking, art, design, and creativity capture my attention, motivate me to work harder, and energize me to be more productive.

The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy while performing a task.

All distractions and stress are washed away, and imagination is piqued. Being creative is one of the most pleasurable experiences in the world. Using our hands to form dough or mix ingredients and experimenting with art, design, and décor are at the heart of creative entertaining. Putting together a festive feast for friends with new recipes, spices, and herbs, transforming an ordinary dinner table to an exotic escape, or dabbling in mixology with cocktails from a far- flung locale can bring so much joy.

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you can personalize everything— from lighting to music to the menu—all to your liking.

Doing it right is the key. Red plastic cups, BYOB, and paper plates are not an option unless you’re a college freshman hosting a dorm party.

While I’m not a classically trained designer, events planner, or chef,

I am an avid student of all three. I love dabbling, mixing and matching, and checking out the latest fashions in design, décor, art, and the newest culinary trends. And, as my siblings know all- too-well, I will be the first to tell you if your entertaining is not up to par. My philosophy is simple: If you’re not going to entertain well, don’t bother entertaining at all!

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