Ice Cream Review: Café Kantary, Cape Kudu Hotel in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Café Kantary in the Cape Kudu Hotel on Koh Yao Noi

Address: Tambon Ko Yao Noi, Chang Wat, Phang Nga, Thailand

Website: Cape Kudu Hotel - Café Kantary

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Scoops

Beach day and ice cream? I think that's all you need in life. Or maybe that's love and ice cream... Anyhoo, when we went to Koh Yao Noi in Thailand and stayed at one of my favorite hotels ever (Cape Kudu Hotel – new blog post coming soon), there was an amazing cafe called Café Kantary that served pizza, pancakes, desserts and ice cream! After all the other food that wasn’t agreeing with me in Thailand, familiar food was super comforting! Make sure you pack your Pepto even if you don’t think you’ll get sick!

Inside this place was adorable! Much like the Cape Kudu hotel that it is connected to, it had an upscale cafe vibe with a splash of seaside decor. A full coffee bar, to die for pastries on the right and 12 ice cream options on the left, the sensory overload made it very difficult to choose my snack! 

Koh Yao Noi is a pretty small island! It was hard to research where to go and what to eat. This place was everything I needed! From fruit sorbets to green tea ice cream, there was something for everyone here. 

Again, as we saw at Ice Love You Cafe in Chiang Mai, Café Kantary also had a blue mint chip ice cream! 

All cones were homemade! Strawberry, chocolate, or plain waffle cones were all superb options. Of course, I simply couldn't turn down a PINK cone! Like geometry, that was a given. As for the ice cream, I tried a few of the local flavors including the green tea ice cream, which tasted like iced tea. I tried a few of their sorbets which were fine, but I was in a chocolate mood so I got a Double Chocolate Chip with a blue Mint Chocolate Chip on top! 

It was a perfect sunset snack after our buggy ride around the island! So good that we took it to the pool side and enjoyed the island views (and those comfy lounge chairs)! 

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Hotel Review: Cape Kudu - Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Cape Kudu Hotel

Address: Tambon Ko Yao Noi, Chang Wat, Phang Nga, Thailand

Website: CapeKuduHotel.com

After Chiang Mai and quick trip for a dive in Khao Lak we were ready for some relaxation and headed for the islands! We heard how Phuket was overcrowded and that the islands nearby are just as nice! Friends recommended Koh Yao Noi and after some research we decided it would be the perfect spot! The Cape Kudu Hotel sounded nice, had raving reviews on almost all travel websites and was listed at a great price. Everything in Thailand is so cheap!

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I fell in love with the Cape Kudu hotel from our first step into the lobby. Not only are they located on the beach but also the entire hotel is basically my coastal home design dream! *See how to get to and from the hotel at the bottom of the post

Lots of seashells and starfish everywhere - my kind of place! We stayed here the first few days of January and the Christmas tree was still up - just for a little bit! 

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OUR Cape Kudu HOTEL ROOM

Our host at the front desk guided us to our room and showed us all the fancy features our room had to offer: free waters, tea & coffee, fresh fruit, a refrigerator, room bug repellent, laundry bag, room service book, etc.

Since we had been traveling non-stop for a few days, we were really looking forward to crashing and not having to wake up early. The bed was soft, yet firm, the perfect balance for a restful sleep.

We had a corner room, so we had a nice window behind the seating area! It made the room that much brighter during the day.

The best and cutest Do Not Disturb sign ever! How clever! I was extra excited because we had JUST seen an octopus while diving in Khao Lak that day!

We needed a late night snack so we ordered a brownie with ICE CREAM, of course. YUM!

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THE PORCH

The porch to our room was definitely my favorite spot in the mornings! With a swing and ocean views, what more do you need?! Well, could have done with less bugs...

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BATHROOM

The bathroom was spacious and gorgeous. The tub and shower were separate, and I liked that the shower had a removable nozzle so I could wash my feet easily at the end of the day. 

Also, in the closet Cape Kudu provided lightweight robes, flip-flops, a beach bag and slippers for you to use during your stay. The bathroom amenities were nice, the shampoo reminded me of my shampoo at home! It had a lemongrass sage smell to it.

This laundry bag made me laugh out loud! "Laundry today or naked tomorrow!" Yup, sounds about right! 

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POOL

The infinity pool was phenomenal! The lounge chairs were bean bag-ish but firmer so that you wiggle your way into your comfy spot.

The water temperature was on the cool side, which was perfect after some sun bathing! With a view like this, there was no motivation to leave!

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BEACH AND ACTIVITIES

Across the road from the hotel was a private beach were the hotel sets up lounge chairs and umbrellas to enjoy some sunshine in the sand.

I even found a swing! 

The front desk was so helpful in booking activities. We booked a private longtail boat to take us out to the islands and it was worth every penny. With a guide, a driver and just us, we could take our time on the islands and they knew where to take us before it got too crowded. 

We also rented a scooter and toured around the Island for a few hours. We also used it to get to dinner one night.

There was room that was like a rec room complete with pool table but also a business office with computers setup.

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RESTAURANTS

Hornbill Restaurant 

We mainly had breakfast and linner here. That's right I said linner. For breakfast, the most amazing buffet spread you've ever seen is available including an omelette/pancake/waffle bar, where chef will make them any way you'd like! 

Thai Roti is a specialty in Thailand and is a wheat flour pan-fried bread with Muslim origins. It is most popularly served as a snack topped with sweetened condensed milk, white sugar and banana or even chocolate. It tasted like a fried pancake!

We'd fill up around 10a or so and definitely not be hungry for lunch. We'd roll over and lounge by the pool after, digesting the eggs, sweets, and bacon! 

In the afternoon, we had the most AMAZING hamburger! After thai food not settling with my stomach so great, this was the perfect comfort food! Pro tip: Bring Pepto, no matter how tough you think your stomach is! 

Café Kantary

Around the corner from the Hornbill Restaurant was the Café Kantary which served everything including coffee, pizza, pastries, and ice cream! 

See more in our Cafe Kantary blog post!

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GETTING TO AND FROM CAPE KUDU / KOH YAO NOI

It wasn't easy to get to Cape Kudu, but the hotel made it simple! A large car picked us up from our hotel in Khao Lak and took us to the dock where a speedboat took you to a from the Bang Rong pier to Koh Yao Noi. However, we went diving that day at Richileau Rock and missed the last boat. We paid extra and ended up getting a private longtail boat to the Koh Yao Noi dock. 

By the time we left the dock the sun was going down and during our ride it was so dark out, you could see the bioluminescent plankton glowing green in our waves as we were coming in! SO MAGICAL!  It took us about an hour to get to the dock on Koh Yao Noi where a car was waiting for us to take us to Cape Kudu.

On the way back to the mainland, we booked it in advance and took the speedboat back to the Bang Rang pier (30-40 mins) where another driver took us to the airport (20 min drive).

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Top 10 Best Things To Do in Moorea - French Polynesia

During our 3 week Honeymoon, another stop was Moorea in French Polynesia. This was our first break after going nonstop for almost 2 weeks and boy were we ready for relaxation.

We booked our Moorea portion through Tahiti Legends, who booked everything including our transfers from airports and hotels. We stayed at the Sofitel Moorea, in an overwater bungalow, which is something everyone must do in their lifetime! 

Here's our list of the best things to do in Moorea:

1. Nothing 

We made some drinks in our room from the alcohol that we bought at the duty free shop in the airport, then sat on the patio of our overwater bungalow and played cards. When we got too hot, we jumped into the water for a few minutes, then hopped back up on the patio and continued to play cards. Talk about fun and relaxing!

2. Snorkel

There was plenty to see right off of our bungalow balcony (or right through the floor), including tons of coral, fish, seas slugs, etc. We bought rash guard T-shirts with UPF 50+ protection and definitely needed them. The sun is very intense and we burned quite easily even with 50 sunblock. Plunge right in!

3. Wake up and Swim

First of all, sunrises in Moorea are gorgeous, try and wake up early for one! Here is a video on how to wake up in Moorea for a perfect start to your day:

 

4. Take a Buggy Ride around the Island

We rented a buggy through Moorea Fun Roadsters. We had booked a buggy the night before, and without a problem they delivered it to our hotel the very next morning! A map was provided, including the best places to stop (which we did almost all of them), and we were on our way. We went back and forth between renting for 4 or 8 hours, but we decided to do the 4 hour which was the perfect amount to go around the entire island and make stops. 

Before you return you have to fill it up but it doesn't use much gas and it cost about $8 to fill it back up! The road was bumpy at parts but overall it was a blast! It was like riding in a fast go kart around the island!

See our full review here: Buggy Around Moorea

 

5. Feed the Fish Under your Bungalow

In our Bungalow, there is a spot with glass flooring which you could watch the fish swim around under your feet! We had some bread and decided to have some fun:

6. Massages

We booked a couples massage and it was perfect. After traveling for 2 weeks, we were ready for relaxation and getting those knots out of our backs from lugging around bags. We had a private room for the two of us and after the massage, there was a shower in the massage room to rinse off all oils before putting our clothes back on. 

7. Lounge by the Pool

Even though we could jump in the ocean off of our balcony, the pool had warm calm waters without worrying about coral or fish below you (and they had some fancy tropical drinks). 

8. Go on a Hike

There are a few trails around or you can walk around the top of Belvedere. We rented the buggy to get to the top for great views! Watch out for the wild chickens!

 

9. Star Gaze at Night

Living in Los Angeles, you definitely don't see enough stars, but in Moorea, there are millions of stars to see right off your hotel balcony! Don't forget the bug spray!

10. Polynesian Dance

Experience the culture of the Tahitian Polynesian dance! This occurred nightly at the Sofitel Moorea's main restaurant.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW: Monkeypod Kitchen in Kaanapali - Maui, Hawaii

Updated January 2026

Monkeypod Kitchen

• Location: Whaler’s VIllage - L/1, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761

• Website: Monkeypodkitchen.com

• Menu: Monkeypod Kaanapali Menu

Whether you’ve been to Maui or if it’s your first visit, this is a restaurant you cannot miss! On our mini moon after getting married in Maui, we stayed a few nights in Wailea and discovered this amazing restaurant called Monkeypod Kitchen. With a variety of GREAT choices, we really enjoy the Mai Tai’s, Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes (they’re GREEN - see below) and the Rosemary Roasted chicken wings with garlic and chili flakes! I know it sounds so simple, but they are so good. Some recipes for these below as well!

Monkeypod Wailea

Quick Verdict: Monkeypod Kitchen in Kaanapali is famous for its Mai Tais and laid-back open-air vibe, but reviews are mixed on food quality, service, and price. It’s great for drinks and atmosphere — decent for a casual dinner.

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Monkeypod History

Owned by Merriman’s, another favorite of ours, we hoped for the best and were not disappointed. Everything from the drinks to the main course were well above average, the only downside was the location. We normally stay in Kaanapali and Wailea is pretty far for dinner, but all that changed this year. Whalers village in Kaanapali opened their own Monkeypod location as of October 2017. 

Check out their menu here: Monkeypodkitchen.com It changes often!

MONKEYPOD KITCHEN DINING ROOM - Kaanapali Location

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DRINKS AT MONKEYPOD

We were glad they finally received their liquor license 2 days before we arrived so we could try their cocktails! They have the perfect Monkeypod Mai Tai topped with honey foam, giving a more natural sweetness. 

Mai Tai Recipe found online:

1. Add lime juice, orgeat, orange curaçao, Old Lahaina Light Rum to mixing glass.

2. Shake with 1 cup cubed ice about 30 seconds and pour into highball glass.

3. Float dark rum.

4. Top with honey-liliko'i foam and garnish with pineapple half moon

They also have a nice wine list. ;-)

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Appetizers at Monkeypod Kitchen

• The Rosemary Roasted Chicken Wings are a must, dusted with chili flakes and garlic, these were definitely a favorite. To top it off, they came with an amazing dipping sauce.

• We also ordered the Pumpkin Patch Ravioli, roasted squash, chèvre, spinach, toasted walnut sage pesto, a perfect fall treat.

• Kauai Shrimp & Hamakua Mushroom Potstickers were really good, didn't taste too fishy!

• The Garlic Truffle Oil Fries were phenomenal. 

APPETIZERS AT MONKEYPOD KITCHEN IN MAUI - Chicken Wings and Fries

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MAIN COURSE AT MONKEYPOD

For the main course we tried the New York Strip Steak topped with house-made chimichurri sauce along with greens and jalapeño mashed potatoes. The savory steak melts in your mouth and the mashed potatoes are green from the jalapeño but not spicy (no seeds)!

Monkeypod steak and jalapeno mashed potatoes

Other sides included: 

• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with peppers, onions, parmesan cheese

• Griddle Top Upcountry Cornbread paired perfectly with the steak! 

• and MORE Jalepeno Mashed Potatoes, because YUM!

BY THE WAY, if you want to make those delicious green Jalepeno Mashed Potatoes, here is the Monkeypod Recipe as found by Chef Chan Blog:

Ingredients (Serving Size: 3-4 People):

• 1 Jalapeno, seeded and cut into small pieces

• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil

• 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

• 3 Cloves of Garlic, peeled

•  8 Small to Medium Idaho Potatoes, peeled and quartered into even sizes

• 4 Tablespoons of Butter

• 1 Cup of Milk (Almond Milk works just as good!)

• A pinch of Salt (Optional)

Recipe:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and boil until potatoes are soft but not falling apart in the water. This takes about 8-15 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.

2. In a blender, combine the jalapeno, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Blend until it becomes pasty. Place mixture to the side.

3. Once the potatoes are done, place them into a large bowl. Add the butter and milk to the potatoes. Using a fork or mixer, mash the potatoes until the butter melts and no chucks of potatoes are left. [If you like your mashed potatoes extra creamy, add more milk until desired creaminess is reached.]

4. Lastly, combine the jalapeno mixture to the mashed potatoes. Adding salt is optional.

5. Pair with a delicious piece of steak, pork chop, or fish and enjoy!

See full recipe here green Monkeypod Jalepeno Mashed Potatoes: Chef Chan Blog

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Dessert at Monkeypod Kitchen

They have the best PIE! Try the chocolate cream pie, it is so good! Want something other than chocolate? Try their Strawberry, Banana, or Coconut Cream pies! You can also try their Tropical Dreams Gelato & Sorbet for 7.95 with options of: Tahitian vanilla, chocolate, island hop Kona coffee, or featured flavor sorbet.

Chocolate Pie at Monkeypod Restaurant

I can't wait to go back next year!

Love Monkeypod? Let us know what you ate in the comments below!

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Flying in 2019: Travel Tips and Tricks for the Airport and Flight

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).

As jet setters, we fly often and have gone through many airports and sat on many flights. It’s hard to make the time go by fast when you’re flying, but here are some tips that will get you from airport arrival to landing:

Check-in to your flight in advance and get your mobile boarding pass!

Check-in for your flight 24 hours in advance so you don’t have to wait in those long lines at the airport. This can also be a great way to get your mobile boarding pass and get a good seat assignment if you weren’t able to select your seat when you booked your flight. 

Bring Snacks and Stay Hydrated

Airport prices are usually pretty high, save money by bringing your own snacks with you. Most airports have installed water bottle refill stations, I always bring an empty water bottle with me in my carry-on luggage so I can fill it up once I get through security. If I forget my water bottle, I’ll always buy one at a store after security. Amazon sells a great compact water bottle perfect for traveling with!

Baiji Bottle Collapsible Silicone Water Bottles

Sports Camping Canteen 20 Oz. - Easy To Clean And Store.jpg

on AMAZON

Travel Outfit

I love to wear a long flowy top (shirt or sweater, depending on the weather) and leggings. When you’re cramped in that middle seat for 5 hours, at least you’re comfortable! I always wear socks since most airports make you take your shoes off when going through security. Although I have TSA Pre and I don’t have to take off my shoes, I try to avoid boots or heels so the sensors don’t go off. Sneakers usually work best! Airports and airplanes can either be extremely cold or too hot, so always pack a sweater or hoodie and wear layers to peel on and off. Also, try wearing compression socks to avoid fatigue and bloating.

Compression Socks,(3 Pairs)

Women & Men - Best Running, Athletic Sports, Crossfit, Flight Travel

on AMAZON and so many different colors and designs to choose from!

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 TOP TRAVEL ELECTRONICS

Bring a Portable Charger

Not all airports have convenient outlets or charging stations or sometimes they are all occupied! Make sure you bring a portable charger, my favorite is the Mophie Powerstation that already has a cord built in!

Mophie Powerstation Plus

External Battery with Built in Cables for Smartphones and Tablets (6,000mAh) - Space Grey

on AMAZON.COM

*Cheaper options available on AMAZON as well

Load up your iPad or Laptop with entertainment!

24 hours prior to my flight, I download movies, TV shows from Amazon and Netflix and a few games to my iPad. You must refresh any downloads within 24 hours you plan to view them or the app will require internet. You will have to take your laptop and any other large electronics out of your bag when going through security, so make sure to pack your laptop or any other electronics with easy access to them. If flying international, you’ll have to take out all electronics in most countries.

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Checked Luggage Tips

Secure your luggage!

Whether you’re checking luggage or not, you should get TSA approved locks. In the event your luggage gets into the wrong hands, your belongings will be safe. They are also useful when you check in or out of the hotel and leave your bag with the bell desk. You can never be too careful. Take a picture of your luggage in case your checked luggage gets lost, having a photo of it in addition to your checked luggage tag can make it easier to find.

TSA Luggage Locks (2 Pack)

4 Digit Combination Steel Padlocks - Approved Travel Lock for Suitcases & Baggage

We have at least 4 of these - available in other colors on AMAZON.

Beautiful Bag Tags

Also, if you are checking your luggage, get a bright luggage tag or tie a colorful ribbon on the handle of your suitcase so you can find it in the sea of luggage look a-likes.

7 Pack TravelMore Luggage Tags For Suitcases

Flexible Silicone Travel ID Identification Labels Set For Bags & Baggage - Multi Color Pack

AMAZON.com

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The BEST Carry-on Bag

Looking for a great carry-on? From a weekend in Vegas to 4 days in Hawaii or 2 weeks in Thailand, this Travel-Pro carries it ALL! You can easily compact everything to maximize your space! Even pilots and flight attendants use this bag!

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OTHER HELPFUL PACKING LISTS FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP:

ICE CREAM REVIEW: Coconut Glen's Ice Cream - Maui, Hawaii

Coconut Glen's Ice Cream

Maui, Hawaii

• Address: Mile Marker 27 1/2 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708

• Website: http://coconutglens.com/

• Pricing/Value: Good size scoop for the value

• Vegan Options?: All vegan options - Ice cream is made of coconuts from the Maui jungles!

Along the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii, there is an amazing little ice cream stop, called Coconut Glen's. Check out our full post on the Road to Hana: Click Here. They serve organic, vegan, dairy free ice cream, using coconuts from the jungles of Maui. At first, I was skeptical... Vegan? That's not real ice CREAM. 

Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii

FLAVORS OF THE DAY - Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream

Since I like coconut, I figured, why not let's see what it's all about. The flavors were all written on a chalkboard and changed regularly. I tried most of them before I made my selection, and all of them tasted like real ice cream. The consistency was nice and not like a sorbet, which I thought it was could to taste like.

I went with the coffee toffee and banana rum raisin, they were delicious! Josh had the vanilla bean and chocolate chocolate. Classics.

“And it is tradition, that the great gong is rung, to announce his ice cream, is the best under the sun.” We hit the gong and it was time to drive back to Lahaina. 

Great place! Don't miss out! Make sure you check the operating hours before heading over!

Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream - Look at the cute dog!

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Don’t forget to pack these for your trip:

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10 Things You Must Do in Sydney, Australia

We had a BLAST in Sydney, Australia! See what made our Top 10 list of things to do!

This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

1. Take a Tour of the Opera House

As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes! 

You can even book the tour through Google: CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS

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2. Get up close and personal with the Animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park  

I love animals and this was probably my favorite day in Sydney. You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala in the sanctuary. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him everyday. Also, there are kangaroos that are just hanging out and they'll let you pet them!

Make a day out of it and book the Blue Mountain and Wildlife Tour - More info here - they’ll even pick you up and drop you off!

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3. Take a Beachwalk Along the Australian Coast

We did the 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. It was a beautiful walk on a summer day! This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was more intense than California sun and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt. I recommend hats and something to cover your shoulders if you go in January!

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4. Sydney Harbor Bridge

It's especially stunning at New Years with fireworks shooting off of it, but you can also do a bridge climb during the day. Or, you can get on a ferry and go under it, or even walk across it. The possibilities are just endless. The bridge is located directly across from the Opera House.

You have to check it out on New Years Eve!

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5. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish. Also, the high point were the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.

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 6. Visit the Blue Mountains and Scenic World

Check out what makes the blue mountains blue and hear the tale of the sisters trapped in the rock formation in this Aboriginal legend. My favorite part was visiting Sceneic World and taking a gondola over the beautiful Eucalyptus forest! We had a blast with our tour that picked us up from the hotel and took us to the mountains, Scenic World and the Wildlife Park to visit the animals up close and personal!

Book your tickets here for the BEST tour on Viator: Blue Mountain and Wildlife Day Tour

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7. Visit the Taronga Zoo and Take in the Views!

The zoo is built into a hill, leaving you with breath taking views of Sydney and lots of fun animals to visit!

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8. Visit Olympic Park

The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.

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9. Find the Speakeasy, the Baxter Inn

It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail! 

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10. Play in Luna Park

We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival like amusement park with a scary entrance and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the fun house. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. We were definitely the biggest kids there!

Buy tickets ahead of time here through Google Maps: Luna Park Tickets

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I think it goes without saying, HAVE SOME ICE CREAM!

Messina Ice Cream is my favorite!

Gelato from Gelatissimo is sooo good!

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Little Fairy Penguins Parade in Melbourne, Australia

Penguin Parade

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Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia

Booked through Viator: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Evening Tour

One of my favorite days in Australia, we observed the Little Fairy Penguins return from fish hunting all day and returning to their burrows to feed their families. These little penguins are the cutest penguins I had EVER seen! They are smaller than most penguins, standing just about a foot tall with beautiful slate-blue coloring. The Australians call them Fairy Penguins, but New Zealand calls them Little Penguins, therefore I am calling them Little Fairy Penguins!

Sunset over Philllip Island, Melbourne, Australia

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BOOKING THE TOUR

We booked our Penguin Parade tour through Viator: Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade Evening Tour to see the fairy penguins (it was about $100 per person)! Although we booked it the night before, we should have booked further in advance!

A bus picked us up near Finders Street Station in Melbourne (just down the street from our hotel) and the drive was just about 2 hours through the countryside outback! Our driver/guide was informative and kept us entertained for the duration of the ride, I just couldn't wait to see these little penguins! 

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FIRST STOP: PHILLIP ISLAND

We stopped at the Phillip Island visitor Center where they had a cafeteria and a gift shop. We grabbed a bite and walked around the grounds where there was a large rock in the water that looked like a little island that was full of barking sea lion.

We boarded the bus again and were on our way to the Penguin Parade. As we were driving our guide spotted wildlife and we saw our first wallaby in the wild!

FIRST WALLABY SIGHTING IN THE WILD!

HAD TO TAKE A WALLABY SELFIE!

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PENGUIN PARADE ARRIVAL

We arrived in the parking lot and saw these cute signs warning to look under your car. Apparently, some of the penguins lose their way, ending up in the parking lot, hiding under cars. When you go, be careful, and triple check under your car before you leave!

We walked into their visitors center where they had another cafeteria and a gift shop. The tour came with a coupon for a free drink so we redeemed our coupon - the cafeteria had sodas and light snacks. I ran into the gift shop and had to get a magnet for our collection on our fridge!

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SEATING FOR THE PENGUIN PARADE

Finally, it was time to get our spot for the parade! There were little pathways built to lead to the bleachers and among the path were some of the burrows of the penguins as well as more wild Wallaby!

The viewing section was set up almost like a football stadium where bleachers were set up facing the ocean, with paths for the penguins to come between. 

WAITING FOR THE PENGUINS TO ARRIVE FROM OUR PENGUIN PLUS VIEWING SECTION

We opted for their upgrade option, the Penguin Plus Viewing Platform. Here, we had a closer observation point, accompanied by a wildlife ranger who helped provide information as the penguins were approaching. The area is limited to 150 people and the penguins come so close.
We got a spot early on to make sure we were a close a possible.

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THE PENGUIN PARADE

THE FIRST FEW START THE PARADE, MAKING THEIR WAY BACK HOME TO THEIR BURROW

After we waited a little while, we started to hear them before we could even see them! As they started to emerge out of the water, you could hear them to call to their families and the baby penguins came out of their burrows to meet their parent (and EAT).

Interestingly enough, the penguins would start to run for the shore in groups. Some would head to shore and make their way home, while others played it safe and would head back into the water in fear a larger bird such as a hawk, would swoop down and grab them. 

What you're hearing is the sound of thousands of fairy penguins coming in from hunting all day, returning to their nests nearby.

We were told not to take pictures, but I had to document the moment. Too many people don't understand how to turn off their flash, therefore ruining the experience for everyone. There were some other tourists in front of us that kept taking pictures and they kept getting yelled at. They ask not to take pictures because the flash can hurt the penguins eyes, leaving them almost blind, unable to find their burrow.

HUNDREDS OF PENGUINS COME BACK LOOKING FOR THEIR FAMILIES

Before we knew it, hundreds of penguins started to flood in, waddling around! 

As we started to walk back along the path the penguins were directly below on the trail next to us. Here, we saw them up closely admiring their cuteness! 

It was hard to leave, but finally got on the bus to head back (we did check to make sure there weren't any little penguins under the bus first). We loved these penguins and were so glad we experienced their nightly parade! 

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Christmas in Los Angeles - Lights in the Venice Canals 2022 Update

California Christmas - Celebrate the holidays at the beach!

Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade (December 3, 2022)

Another great way to enjoy Venice Canals Christmas lights is to attend its long-running and popular boat parade. It usually runs on the first Saturday of December. The Annual Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade has been held since 1983. It starts at 3:30 pm at the intersection of Eastern and Carroll Canals. Watch the brightly decorated boats from one of the bridges or bring your own festive vessel and join the parade!

KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS AT THE 11TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING OF THE VENICE SIGN ON DEC. 3RD  This year’s sign lighting is presented by Fat Sal’s!

• Saturday, Dec 3, 2022

• 6:15 – 10:00 p.m.

• For all Dec. 3rd event details: VeniceChamber.net

Related: Marina del Rey, CA - Marina Lights Boat Parade December 10, 2022

On the second Saturday of December, join the Marina del Rey community for their most festive celebration of the year. The fun begins at noon with the family-friendly Burton Chace Park. At 5:55, fireworks precede the parade, which begins at 6 PM and runs until 8 PM. More info here.

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We discovered a new area filled with Christmas cheer, the Venice Canals! I start my hour long commute most mornings through the Venice Canals and love watching the ducks and boats float in the water as I drive by. I noticed last year that a few houses looked decorated during the day, but never really saw them in all their glory lit up at night. After dinner one night, we decided to walk through the canals to check out the Christmas spirit and we were pleasantly surprised to find there is a light competition among the houses for the best in show!

Venice Canals CHristmas Lights

History of the Venice Canals (per Wikipedia)

The Venice Canal Historic District is a district in the Venice section of Los Angeles, California. The district is noteworthy for its man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy, in Southern California.

The canals are roughly bounded by Eastern Court on the east, Court A on the south, Strongs Drive on the west, and Court E on the north. There are four east-west canals (Carroll Canal, Linnie Canal, Howland Canal, and Sherman Canal) and two north-south canals (Eastern Canal and Grand Canal). The lit canals with gondoliers and arched bridges drew widespread publicity and helped sell lots in the development.

Celebrities such as Lenny Kravitz have lived in the Venice Canals.

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Location & Parking for the Venice Canals

There is a parking lot located at the end of Venice Blvd (just before Pacific Ave). If you walk southwest you can enter on the walking paths on the sides of the canals off of Canal Street.

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Venice Canals Association - Best Dressed Homes Contest

Apparently there is an annual contest among the homes in the neighborhood for “Best Dressed.” All the homes are very different in design, color and shape, and so are their holiday decorations. This house was the first place winner of 2018, second year in a row!

Venice Canals Christmas Lights

Yup, that was all on one house! My personal favorite was the house with the flags that matched the bridge with the Eiffel Tower:

Venice Canals Holiday Lights

Venice Canals Paris Eiffel Tower

We found the third place winner around the corner with a lovely bright display!

Venice Canals Christmas Lights

We fell in love with so many of these charming homes!

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Bridges in the Venice Canals

Most of the bridges had a specific theme to them, Peace, Wish, Flags, all relating to the overall theme of “It’s a Small World” and “Peace on Earth.”

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Boats with Christmas Decorations

There were a couple of the paddle boats decorated but I like the big boats in Marina Del Rey better!

Even the ducks decorated the boat! How cute! I’ve see the neighborhood library book exchanges where you take a book/leave a book but I’ve never seen it on a boat with a bench to enjoy your book on:

Venice Canals Book Exchange

There is also an annual Venice Canals Boat Parade, which had a theme this year of “It’s a Small World” see more here.

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Other great places to go see Christmas displays in Los Angeles:

Descanso Garden’s Enchanted Forest of Light

We first went to this beautiful display 2 years ago and it has definitely become more popular! Waltz through the one-mile garden and enjoy the fabulous lights! 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Tickets $30. See more in our post: 5 Reasons to Visit Descanso Gardens: Forest of Light

El Segundo Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane lights up on the second Saturday in December and has been known to have the flashiest neighborhood displays in SoCal. El Segundo police have been known to block off the street during prime times to create a safe, pedestrian-only viewing experience, and you may even spot Santa posing for photos with kids. East Acacia Avenue and California Street, El Segundo 

Woodland Hills Candy Cane Lane

Going strong since 1952, the home-owners of this Woodland Hills neighborhood are known for going crazy with Christmas decor! I used to go every night during the holidays as a kid. Nowadays there can be tons of traffic as visitors are encouraged to drive slowly and safely through the area. Lubao Street and Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills

Or there is ALWAYS Disneyland! :)

Disneyland Christmas Castle Lights

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Here are some more posts about Los Angeles:

Christmas in Los Angeles - Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light

5 Things You Must See at Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light

Descanso Gardens: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

I LOVE Christmas! I mean LOVVEEEEEEE Christmas! We went to Descanso Gardens to see their holiday lights, although it wasn't quite Disneyland spectacular, it was an enchanting evening and a perfect night out with friends! We went December 2016 so there may be some slightly newer enhancements this year!

General Admission is $30 or save $5 if you are already a member. Buy tickets here.

Parking was free and there were plenty of spots. Don't forget your coat though, it was pretty chilly for Los Angeles! 

Here are the 5 gardens you CANNOT miss this Holiday season!

1. Color Changing Tulip Garden

There were little food stands and bars throughout so you could sit and have cocoa or wine or wine cocoa! There is also a restaurant called Maple but all reservations were booked up the week we were going, so plan ahead! 

It was about a mile walk all the way around. It was a few more steps if you were circling around trees and jumping on lights! :)

2. Hanging Lights on Trees

The colors of the reflected lights added extra enchantment here. This was my favorite part! 

Sing it with me... "IIIIIIIIII wannnna swingggg from the chandelierrrrrr"

It’s hard to see, but these beautiful shimmery lights looked like millions of colored stars! 

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3. Lights you can step or JUMP on

Ok, sometimes the lights were too bright, but these did make fun sounds when you stepped on them!

These lights were even better! The lights lit up as you stepped (or jumped) on them!

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4. Japanese Garden

Next up was the Japanese garden filled with glowing red lanterns.

5. Enchanted Forest of Light Garden

My favorite part was the Enchanted Forest with the pretty trees lit to look like fairies or some kind of majestic creature lived there! 

Don’t miss out, buy your tickets today! General Admission is $30 or save $5 if you are already a member. Buy tickets here.

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Stumped what to get that special someone? See our holiday gift giving guide here!

See other LA related Posts here:

5 Reasons to Visit Fa La Land Christmas Pop-up in Los Angeles, CA

My sister and I went to the MOST WONDERFUL place of the year! We went to Fa La Land, a Christmas Pop-up in Downtown LA! This place was overboard festive filled with everything Christmas from elves on shelves to ball pits to SANTA! It was like the Museum of Ice Cream but filled with CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS instead!

GET TICKETS HERE: https://www.falaland.com/

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Here are 5 reasons why you must visit FA LA LAND ASAP:

1. VISIT MRS. CLAUS

As you enter and pass the colorful swirly twirly gumdrops you enter Santa Land and meet Mrs. Claus! She helps you write a letter to Santa and put it in the mailbox. If you ask nicely, she’ll even take a selfie with you!

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You must choose your fate… Naughty… or Nice…

Once you enter the room, you are greeted by a very friendly elf and have a golden ticket stamped with 1, 2 or 3… we’ll get to what that means in the end. Then you spin the Naughty or Nice wheel which definitely says everything about your behavior. Trish and I both got “Nice.” Wahoo!

2. SPIN THE NAUGHTY OR NICE WHEEL

Other items in the room included a countdown to Christmas, oversized Nutcrackers and a wall of Elves on Shelves!

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Next you enter the forest of bright colors filled with creatures!

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After we hopped on through the Christmas tree room, we entered Candyfornia which reminded me of Candyland and jumped into the gum drop ball pit!

3. JUMP IN A CANDY BALL PIT

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Next, we had a dance party at Fa La Fest… it was better than Coachella!

4. DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING

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Last but not least, we met the big man himself! SANTA! I KNOW HIM! Side note, ELF is the best Christmas movie EVER! I could quote it all day.

5. MEET SANTA CLAUS

He asked what we wanted for Christmas and took pictures and selfies with us then gave us gifts! Santa is the best! The ticket we received from the first room indicated which box our present would come out of!

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We left smiling and our cheeks hurting from smiling so much! You MUST visit Fa La Land before it leaves LA!

GET TICKETS HERE: https://www.falaland.com/

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Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma Weekend Itinerary with map!

Where to go Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma - map included

For my 31st birthday, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. Gathering all my friends at a loud bar doesn't have the same ring as it did when I was 21. People told me I would slow down at some point, but I think I've just figured out better use of my time. ;-) So Josh and I decided to explore wine country! Now we go back every year for my birthday!

Related Post: Planning a trip to Napa? Start with our Napa Valley Travel Guide for hotel, restaurant, winery recommendations and more!

Here’s my map that I made to see which vineyards/wineries (Instagrammable for sure) I wanted to go to:

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Getting to NorCal Wine Country from Los Angeles

We just did a weekend getaway leaving Los Angeles late Friday night and coming back late Sunday afternoon.  Since it was a such a quick trip, we decided to stay in Santa Rosa and Napa instead of San Francisco because the commute to San Francisco is about an hour each way.

Oakland had cheaper and more desirable flights times on Southwest, so of course we used points and our companion pass that we earned with points. We got a decent rate on a rental car from Alamo and by 9:30p on Friday night, we were on a crazy rainy road to Santa Rosa. 

There was a toll bridge for $5 which was well worth not driving the extra hour or so that google maps suggested to avoid toll roads. It took us about an hour to get to Santa Rosa from Oakland (not bad)!

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RESTAURANT & BREWERY: Third Street Ale Works

Address: 610 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

We drove straight to the Third Street Aleworks before it closed for a bite to eat (and maybe a beer or two). It reminded me of a grungier BJ's Brewery, with a bigger selection of their own brews made in-house. For a little over $20 they brought out their taster collection of 18 beers in 4-ounce glasses. I, of course, liked the IPA's and made Josh drink everything else, especially the sours. 

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Where to Stay in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

HOTEL: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

Address: 170 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa, California, USA, 95401

We checked into our hotel for the night, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country which had been renovated recently. The lobby had a lodge feel with a beautiful Christmas tree in the center of the room. They even had warm apple cider for guests! The hotel rooms were very modern and beds were pretty comfortable. Had a perfect night sleep for a full day of drinking. 

See our full review here: HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

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RESTAURANT & BREWERY: Russian River Brewery

Address: 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

The next day, we were contemplating on going to breakfast or getting in line for the Russian River Brewery. We went RRB! Business opens at 11a and there was already a line for people to run in and get their Pliny the Elder supply for the weekend. We couldn't decide what beers to get so we decided to taste them all (it was cheapest that way, at least that's how we looked at it). It's 5 o'clock somewhere.

We consumed Pliny the Elder, Belgian Sours, IPAs, all before noon! After some tasters, some pizza bites (they were so good), and a purchase of 12 bottles or so, we left satisfied and happy.

PRO TIP: we brought bubble wrap and a wine travel case to bring back on the flight, which meant we had to check our carry-on but it was worth it!

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Best Wine Tasting at Santa Rosa Wineries

See our full post of our favorite Sonoma County Wineries here: Best Wineries to Visit in Sonoma

WINERY: Korbel Champagne Cellars

Address: 13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446

• Reservations Required?: Nope, but click here for their free tour hours!

• Cost?: $ FREE! That's right, free tastings! No purchase required! 

• Food?: There is a little cafe that has snacks and sandwiches.

Champagne is my favorite type of wine and you can always find a bottle of Korbel in my fridge! For over 135 years, Korbel has mastered making the perfect bottle of champagne. Free tours are offered throughout the day and FREE wine tasting are provided in their tasting room. 

Afterwards, we went to my favorite place in the land of a trillion bubbles, Korbel Champagne Cellars. Apparently, their Natural champagne has been served at the celebratory presidential inaugurations since 1981 and the actual winery has been in existence for over 132 years.

Korbel offers 4 complimentary champagne tastings. Beware of their red Rouge champagne. It's different. They even have an organic champagne! 

They also offer tours but we didn't really care to walk around the grounds for hours (it was cold), we had other places to explore and it was getting dark fast. 

WINERY: Kendall-Jackson Winery

Address: 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton, CA 95439

TASTING COUPON: Click here to print a Two for One Tasting Coupon for our Estate Tasting. Offer available for up to 4 guests.

• Reservations Required?: Nope

• Cost?: $$ Wine flights range from $15-25 - try their Stature! 

• Food?: Wine and Food pairing available by Appt or there is always a chocolate or cheese pairing available.

Our next stop was the Kendall-Jackson Winery. We almost skipped it but it's one of my Dad's favorite wines, so we had to get him a bottle or something for Christmas. We stepped up to start tasting and looked at all their different options. We explained to our host how we'd like to get a special bottle and he recommended the Stature Chardonnay which was $100 a bottle and probably the best Chardonnay I've ever had. Compared to their everyday Chardonnay, the Stature was smooth, fruity and had a rich taste. We ended up buying a bottle for my Dad and signed him up for their wine club for the year!

KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY

Josh and I are a bigger fan of red wine, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, so we asked what was the best of the 8 or so that they offered. Of course their Stature version was the best, but we were looking for a more affordable price point. We ended up loving the Hawkeye Cabernet which had a deep cherry taste with some Earth taste to give it full body. We ended up liking it so much and because we signed up for the wine club, we bought 6 bottles and 2 of the Stature! 

It was getting dark and late, so we drove to our hotel in Napa to take a nap-a. Haha ;-)

NIGHT APPROACHING KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY

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Where to Stay in Downtown Napa Valley

BED AND BREAKFAST: Cabernet House - Old World Inn $$

Cabernet House, Old World Inn is the best place to stay in Napa, California. Not only is it affordable, but their prime location gives you access to everything - restaurants, shops, and of course wine tasting rooms! Their rooms have different themes, my favorite was the Starlight Room which had a skylight above the bed!

See our full review on the Cabernet House here: HOTEL REVIEW: CABERNET HOUSE

HOTEL: River Terrace Inn - A Noble House Hotel $$

Address: 1600 Soscol Ave Napa, California, 94559

The location of the River Terrace Inn was perfect. Located in downtown Napa Valley, walking distance from restaurants and shopping, and also along the river. The only problem was the walls of the room were a little thin, but if you have enough wine, you won't notice. They had a great outdoor area with wine and fire pits! 

Andaz Napa Hotel

HOTEL: Andaz Napa - Hyatt $$$$

Address: 1450 1st St, Napa, CA 94559

The Andaz Napa is designed like a boutique hotel and doesn’t look like your typical Hyatt property. Located in the heart of Downtown Napa, this gorgeous hotel is the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day. The rooms are large with a cozy fireplace separating the living room and bedroom.

See our full review on the Andaz Napa here: HOTEL REVIEW: ANDAZ NAPA

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Restaurants in Napa, California 

RESTAURANT: TORC

Address: 140 Main St, Napa, CA 94559

Their wine selection was full of great choices including many from the local wineries and their food was very farm to table from local farmers prepared in an open kitchen that is part of the restaurant. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some cocktails, jamon (cured ham) and cheese. For dinner, we enjoyed an amazing steak, mac n cheese, pork, and some excellent ice cream for dessert (of course).

I made our reservation about a month in advance through Opentable.

 RESTAURANT: COLE'S CHOP HOUSE 

Address: 1122 Main St, Napa, CA 94559

We love a good steakhouse, Cole's Chop House, was our kinda place! I made the reservation about 2 weeks in advance through Opentable. Ribeye steaks topped with sides of a delicious Red Wine Veal Reduction sauce and the Peppercorn Sauce along with a side of Yukon Gold Mashed potatoes, were the ticket here.

Not to mention a very sweet Birthday dessert - brownie sundae with caramel gelato. Mmmmm.

RESTAURANT: JAX DINER

Address: 1122 1st St, Napa, CA 94559

For brunch, we went somewhere to get a big breakfast and we were successful. Jax had amazing beignets covered with powdered sugar as well as free tater tots if you showed the coupon on Yelp. So we got both of course on top of their special of the day on the chalkboard: Bacon Eggs Benedict (which you would think you couldn't have enough bacon, this was a little over the top, delicious but filling).

We also got the French toast bites but they were more of a crouton consistency instead of bread like.

You're probably thinking, how many people came to breakfast? Oh, just the two of us. Smart thing we did was take some of the food to go to eat after wineries. ;-)

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Favorite Wineries for Wine Tasting in Napa

I recommend picking 3 wineries to stop at on your last day. This way you can spend some quality time at each one and enjoy your tastings!

BEAUTIFUL FALL IN NAPA

ME: WHAT IS THAT? JOSH: A BUNNY WITH A LIGHTSABER. DUH!

Bunny Foo Foo with a Star Wars Lightsaber at Hall Winery in Napa Valley

WINERY: Hall Wines - Wine Tasting Room

Address: 401 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574 (St Helena Location)

• Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended 

• Cost?: $$$ Tastings: $40, Tours starting at $40

• Food?: Not really

I was excited for Hall since they specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, winning many awards for their 100 point cabs! Also, not going to lie, I love bunny foo foo, especially when he is holding a light saber (Star Wars was released in theaters that weekend). Speaking of, they had amazing art throughout the winery, in the gardens, in the tasting room, everywhere!

This vineyard had more of a modern flair with an artistic eye, making it more unique. Their tasting bar was setup on the second floor near floor to ceiling windows with spectacular vineyard views. 

WINERY: Mumm Napa

Address: 8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

• Reservations Required?: Reservations are recommended but not required for fewer than six guests. Call 866.783.5826 to make a reservation. Limited walk-in seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

• Cost?: $$ Tastings are $25 to $35 on the patio/salon; Tours are $40 

• Food?: Cheese/Crackers and snacks

Mumm Champagne is one of my favorites and couldn't wait to visit. I loved my visit and tasting so much, I even joined their wine club. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is very friendly. I can't wait to come back again and again! 

We walked up around 11a without a reservation and were seated immediately. Since it was December and on the cooler side, we opted to sit in the salon for our tasting.

WINERY: Castello di Amorosa

Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515

• Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended - 707-967-6272

• Cost?: $$$ Starts at $30 just to get into the castle and comes with a tasting. Designated Drivers also need to pay an entrance fee, even if they aren't drinking! There are guided tours and food pairings as well.

• Food?: Yes, see the Royal Pairings Menu

This 13th Century Tuscan inspired castle is picture perfect! You can visit the knight’s hall and their flagship cabernet sauvignon is a must try. Animals from goats to chickens surround the castle, including some gorgeous peacocks! Not something you see everyday in Napa.

The tour seemed worth it if we had more time: Reserve a tour with a guide through the Castello, including the lower levels which feature our Torture Chamber, Armory, and Grand Barrel Room, followed by a tasting flight. Of course the torture chamber and armory semi appealed to us, we will definitely come back to this one.

WINERY: Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery

Address: 1445 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574

• Reservations Required?: Yes, call: (707) 963-2134

• Cost?: $$$ Bar Tasting – $45 or Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting (90 min) $60 per person Mon-Thu, $75 per person Fri-Sun

• Food?: From house-cured salumi and slow braised meats to vegetables from their garden and Grandma Dee’s handmade ravioli, Chef Joshua and the entire culinary team collaborate on a unique menu that embodies the season and pairs perfectly with the wines.

Had to make a reservation for this one, but since it was December and not too crowded I called a coupe of hours before and was able to get a reservation. The tasting was more expensive than other vineyards, it was $45 per person, at least it included cheese, bread and olive oil! I highly recommend venturing into their gorgeous Venetian caves the tour with barrel tasting is $75. Check out that chandelier! The wines were good, but I think they were overpriced. The tasting room is beautiful decked out with venetian paintings, tiling, marble pillars and expensive wines.

Currently, our family produces cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, sangiovese and sauvignon blanc from our Napa Valley vineyards, as well as pinot noir, chardonnay and limited amounts of syrah, sauvignon blanc, sparkling grenache and mourvedre from our Cinghiale (wild boar) Vineyard in the King Ridge region of the Sonoma Coast.

WINERY: Domaine Chandon

Address: 1 California Dr, Yountville, CA 94599

• Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended - call 1-888-242-6366, Opt. 2

• Cost?: $$ Tastings $20 and up 

• Food?: Snacks are available

The grounds here looked like a giant beautiful park. Upon entering the winery there is a wall of upside down wine bottles artistically designed and lit. The tasting room gets pretty busy but just elbow your way up to the bar and you'll get served. The servers also make specialty cocktails if you ask nicely!

This was our last stop of the day and I love my bubbles! I felt like I had tasted most of the champagnes Chandon had to offer, but our bartender had a special drink he makes that tastes like apple cider.

ME IN MY HAPPY PLACE!

The specialty drink, called Spiced Apple Punch, had the following in it:

·       2 oz Spiced Simple Syrup (1 cup water; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 small piece nutmeg)

·       2 1/2 cups apple cider (unsweetened)

·       1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

·       2 oz honey

·       750ml (1 bottle) Chandon Brut Classic

After our 3rd winery, the trip was over and it was time to head to Oakland airport for our 7p flight. I was sad that it was over but had a wonderful birthday weekend! Thanks, Josh! :) 

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Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Holiday Gift Guide for the Traveler Under $50

The holidays are coming and so is my birthday! Here are gifts for pretty much anyone on your list because who doesn’t like to travel?! Some of these items are even great for everyday use.

This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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Luggage Under $50

Pretty Personalized Duffels

On Etsy for $45

Perfect for a weekend getaway, galavanting across Europe or great for basketball practice!

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage - 20-Inch, Carry-On

On Amazon

Carry-ons are important, this model has maximum capacity, is light weight, has four wheels to maneuver around easily AND comes in a variety of colors (blue, green, black, red, orange, etc)!

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Jewelry and Watch Gifts Under $50

I love all kinds of jewelry! Here are some great options for any lady or man in your life!

Airplane Ring

Only $34 on Etsy

Stackable Name Rings

Only $25 on Etsy

Airplane Bracelet

Only $43 on Etsy

Travel Jewelry Box

Only $22 on Etsy

Perfect for organizing all jewelry without getting necklaces and bracelets tangled.

Personalized Men’s Wrist Watch

Only $49.95 on Etsy

Check out that fancy leather and classic face. Sure to look great on any man in your life!

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Electronics and Accessories Under $50

Here are some great options for the techy type.

Portable External Battery Charger

On Amazon

Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the smallest and lightest external batteries. Ultra-compact, high-speed charging technology power bank works for iPhones, the Samsung Galaxy and more.

Perfect for charging any device on the go!

Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones

On Amazon

Perfect to drown out the screaming baby or chatty neighbor on the plane!

World Map Mac Computer Decal

Under $5 on Etsy

Comes in all colors and the decal can be used almost anywhere such as computers, walls, phones, car windows, etc.

Flamingo Phone Case

Under $20 on Etsy

There are so many phone case options and designs at such a great price.

Leather Apple Watch Bands

Under $50 on Etsy

These bands come in all sizes and colors!

Floral Shop on Casetify

See beautiful designs for all devices on Casetify: Click Here

Macbook Sleeves on Casetify

Holiday designs and more on Casetify.com

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Must Have Travel Items Under $50

Here are some items anyone could use!

Trendy Luggage Tags

Under $15 on Etsy

Check out all of the different colors and designs (and free shipping)!

Collapsible Water Bottle

On Amazon

Great travel accessory - Lightweight Silicone Travel Mug. Even has a filter for coffee or tea! Could be good for the office, too!

Travel Umbrella

On Amazon

EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella w/Windproof Double Canopy Construction - Auto Open/Close Button

Travel Pillow

On Amazon

Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Neck, Chin, Lumbar and Leg Support - For Traveling on Airplane, Bus, Train or at Home - Best for Side, Stomach and Back Sleepers - Adjustable, Bendable Roll Pillow by Dot & Dot

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WINERY REVIEW: Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California

WINERY REVIEW: Scribe Winery

Address: 2100 Denmark Street, Sonoma, California

Reservations Required?: Yes, must be made in advance - Call: 707.939.1858

Cost?: $$$ but includes a meal and tasting for $60 per person

Food?: YES! Awesome food at that.

Website: http://scribewinery.com/

There are so many options when looking at Napa and Sonoma for wine tasting it’s overwhelming! I’ve been to Napa quite a few times and there is always a new place to discover and tons of wine to try! We went to Scribe on our last trip and it was divine! Food was served, wine was poured, good times were had by all!

Related Post: Planning a trip to Napa? Start with our Napa Valley Travel Guide for hotel, restaurant, winery recommendations and more!

With a drive-way lined with palm trees, this is a true California vineyard! A beautiful house sits atop the property with a fabulous patio to enjoy wine along with a few courses AND a stunning view! Inside, the house was so cute and chic, looking like it came straight out of a home and garden magazine. 

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ABOUT SCRIBE

The history of the winery is interesting. The winery was founded in 2007 on a property that pioneered pre-prohibition Sonoma Valley winemaking. As stated in their About section on their website:

Managed by fourth-generation California farmers and brothers, Andrew and Adam believe that the best wines are a result of a healthy relationship between man and nature, and that a vineyard managed in harmony with the greater ecosystem results in more site-specific wines that represent a sense of time and place. When vinified with non-interventionist methods, the result is a distinct wine that faithfully reflects what the vineyard naturally expresses.

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FOOD AND WINE

Scribe was on my list of wineries to visit last year but for the price of the tasting it seemed too expensive. Wrong! Not only do they have generous pours, but a delightful meal that goes along with the tasting at cute picnic tables.  

Scribe is known to produce vibrant, terroir-driven wines, my favorite wine was the estate Chardonnay, not too buttery and rich, but refreshing.

For $60 per person, we tried the Hacienda Menu including 4 wines paired with the perfect food. We started with olives, almonds and radishes with our first course. We were pleasantly upgraded with a second course including salad, then a third course with a chicken dish and focaccia bread!

The wines were pricey, but we did get a bottle of their sparkling wine and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. 

We’ll definitely be back!

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ICE CREAM REVIEW: Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco, California

ICE CREAM REVIEW: Bi-Rite Creamery

San Francisco, California  

3692 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

San Francisco is known for many things and ice cream is definitely one of them. One of the most popular ice cream destinations is Bi-Rite Creamery. Part of the Bi-Rite family, the Bi-Rite Market opened in 1940 and eventually opened their own creamery in 2006. They serve homemade organic ice cream and also have a soft serve window. We went on a warm day in February and the line was about 20 mins long wrapping around the street corner. Go with cool friends, it makes the line go faster.

Once you take a step inside, it's very small, the ice cream freezer case is right there, but the faces behind the counter are warm and friendly! See all flavors here: MENU

They not only make the ice cream in house, they also have a bakery attached and make all brownies, marshmallows, toffee in the ice cream. They also make toppings such as peanut brittle and hot fudge. If you're lactose intolerant, don't worry, you can join in on the fun too, they offer a vegan, dairy-free ice cream daily! SO MANY OPTIONS!

Happiness is definitely one scoop at a time.

I took my delicious coffee toffee, Cookies & Cream, chocolate cone and decided to eat it in the park across the street. I texture had the perfect balance of creamy and soft. My favorite was the cookies and cream. I tried the rose, salted caramel, and a peanut butter fudge type.

Since it was so warm, my friends and I walked across the street and decided to enjoy our ice cream, and the views, from Dolores Park. 

Related Post: 10 Hella Cool Things to do in San Francisco

We were definitely a fan of Bi-Rite and will come back next time we are in SF! 

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Looking for more things to do in NorCal? Try these:

5 Best Wineries to Visit in Sonoma County for Wine Tasting (with map)

GUNDLACH BUNSCHU WINERY in Sonoma Valley

5 Best Wineries in Sonoma, CA for Wine Tasting (map included)

We love visiting Sonoma and Napa but are always overwhelmed by where to go in our short time we are there! So many wineries, so little time! What is the most picturesque winery? Which winery has the best wine? Is Sonoma far from Napa? It can get confusing, so let me give you a little tour! Also, I suggest you check out the 7 Best Kept Secret Wineries in Napa! Open that in a new tab to check later!

Sonoma County borders Napa County and encompasses Sonoma, Santa Rosa, and Russian River Valley. See the google map below!

We knew we wanted to stop in Santa Rosa to go to the Russian River Brew Company, so we decided to spend the night at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma on Friday night so that we could have a full day in wine country! 

From Santa Rosa, there are 2 ways to get to Napa:

1. Up the 101 through Russian River and come around via the 128 through Yountville, Callistoga, and Rutherford.

or

2. Drive through Sonoma on the 12. Either way, you will find wine, see our favorite wineries in Sonoma County!

I even made a google map to help me lay out the land to see where the vineyards are:

When we head up to the Napa/Sonoma area, we love staying at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma or the Cabernet House! Also, check out our perfect weekend itinerary from last year: Wine Tasting Weekend in Northern California

ONTO THE WINERIES! :) 

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BEST SONOMA WINERIES FOR WINE TASTING

Scribe Winery - Sonoma

SCRIBE WINERY

Address: 2100 Denmark St, Sonoma, CA 95476

• Reservations Required?: Yes, must be made in advance - Call: 707.939.1858

• Cost?: $$$ but includes a meal and tasting for $60 per person

• Food?: YES! Awesome food at that.

See more in our detailed post on Scribe: Winery Review: Scribe Winery

With a drive-way lined with palm trees, this is a true California vineyard! A beautiful house sits atop the property with a fabulous patio to enjoy wine along with a few courses AND a stunning view! Inside, the house was so cute and chic, looking like it came straight out of a home and garden magazine. 

Scribe Wine was on my list of wineries to visit last year but for the price of the tasting it seemed too expensive. Wrong! Not only do they have generous pours, but a delightful meal that goes along with the tasting.  

My favorite wine was the estate Chardonnay, not too buttery and rich, but refreshing.

For $60 per person, we tried the Hacienda Menu including 4 wines paired with the perfect food. We started with olives, almonds and radishes with our first course. We were pleasantly upgraded with a second course including salad, then a third course with a chicken dish and focaccia bread!

The wines were pricey, but we did get a bottle of their sparkling wine and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. 

I would definitely go back to this one!

See more in our detailed post on Scribe: Winery Review: Scribe Winery

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GUNDLACH BUNSCHU WINERY

GUNDLACH BUNSCHU WINERY

Address: 2000 Denmark St, Sonoma, CA 95476

• Reservations Required?: No, but they are recommended. Make yours today: GunBun.com

• Cost?: $$ Range of flights $20+

• Food?: Cheeses and snacks can be found at the Donkey bar (no reservation required)

Not only fun to say but great wine too! Call it GunBun for short!

We had some time to kill before our tasting at Scribe, so we stopped at GunBun right next door, no appointment required. It’s the oldest family owned vineyard by 6 generations and is bonded winery #64 in California. They know what they're doing here. 

Kathryn, our wine hostess, was lovely and went into great depth of the history of the vineyard and its founders. With 320 acres, the grounds were gorgeous and they even have cave tours seasonally ($45 per person). 

Specialties included more red wines, we especially liked the Cabernet and Malbec best, but also really enjoyed the cuvée as a bonus tasting! If it had been a tad warmer, we would have loved to sit on the patio.

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BEST RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY WINERIES FOR WINE TASTING

Korbel Winery

KORBEL CHAMPAGNE CELLARS

Address: 13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446

• Reservations Required?: Nope, but click here for their free tour hours!

• Cost?: $ FREE! That's right, free tastings! No purchase required! 

• Food?: There is a little cafe that has snacks and sandwiches.

Champagne is my favorite type of wine and you can always find a bottle of Korbel in my fridge! For over 135 years, Korbel has mastered making the perfect bottle of champagne. Free tours are offered throughout the day and FREE wine tasting are provided in their tasting room. 

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BEST SANTA ROSA WINERIES FOR WINE TASTING

Kendall-Jackson Winery

KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY

Address: 5007 Fulton Rd, Fulton, CA 95403

TASTING COUPON: Click here to print a Two for One Tasting Coupon for our Estate Tasting. Offer available for up to 4 guests.

• Reservations Required?: Nope

• Cost?: $$ Wine flights range from $15-25 - try their Stature! 

• Food?: Wine and Food pairing available by Appt or there is always a chocolate or cheese pairing available.

Kendall-Jackson makes my favorite Chardonnay so we had to check it out while we were there! Also, take a stroll through their garden and say hi to the chicken coop! 

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Paradise Ridge Winery

PARADISE RIDGE WINERY

Address: 8860 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood

• Reservations Required?: Nope

• Cost?: $$ Tasting Fee: $15 -$20 refundable with a 2 bottle purchase

• Food?: Wine and Cheese tastings. There are tables outside for picnics! 

Unfortunately, the Russian River Estate is closed as most of the vineyard was lost in the Tubbs 2017 fire. Their Kenwood location is up and running as they rebuild! 

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Planning a Napa Valley Trip?

If you’re visiting Napa for the first time, these guides can help you plan the perfect trip:

- Where to stay in Napa Valley

- Best time of year to visit Napa

- Napa Valley itinerary (2–3 days)

When we head up to the Napa/Sonoma area, we love staying at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma or the Cabernet House! Also, check out our Wine Tasting Weekend in Northern California itinerary and the 7 Best Kept Secret Wineries in Napa.

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HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sonoma County

I love our annual trip to Napa for my birthday weekend! It’s a great way to relax and enjoy some tasty wine. Having a Hyatt Credit Card gives us an annual free night and spending it in Napa is definitely the way to go. We fly into Oakland on a Friday and drive to Santa Rosa to stay at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma County.

When staying in Sonoma, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma County is the best place to stay. Located in the heart of Santa Rosa, this Hyatt is not far from wineries and walking distance to many restaurants and shopping areas. Most importantly, it is a quick 5 minute drive from Russian River Brewery, our favorite place to stop for good brews! I know it’s wine country and I love it all, but this brewery is one of the best!

Related Post: Planning a trip to Napa? Start with our Napa Valley Travel Guide for hotel, restaurant, winery recommendations and more!

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Lobby

The lobby has a rustic outdoor chic decor with shovels above the fireplace and wooden sticks holding up lamps. In December, a beautiful Christmas tree is placed in the middle of the lobby for all to see and admire! Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree…

Also, coffee is available in the morning but in the afternoons there was usually Apple Cider or Hot Cocoa out for guests (free of charge)! Such a great perk!

Just off the lobby is the patio with an enormous fire pit, perfect to enjoy a glass of wine from the vineyard you stopped at that day. ;-) This is the view for most rooms, there isn’t much of a view otherwise!

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Bedroom

The rooms are a decent size for 2 people with a very clean and modern design. I love that there are outlets EVERYWHERE and even USB ports to charge almost anything. Your standard amenities were available: safe, big TV, iron, and mini bar. The room is fairly quiet, you can hear people in the hall if they are talking by your front door, but it wasn’t too noisy.

Had a nice sized closet for a weekend stay! I always think it’s weird when they put the hair dryer in the closet!

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Bathroom

The bathroom renovation makes the bathroom feel twice as big with their fresh design. With a standing shower and a sink in the corner, this bathroom had all the space I needed.

Nothing makes me happier than a nail file! I ALWAYS need one!

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If you go to Russian River, you must try Pliny the Elder and order their pizza bites!

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HOTEL REVIEW: Cabernet House, an Old World Inn - Napa, California

Cabernet House Old World Inn Bed and Breakfast in Napa Valley

Napa has quite a few options of places to stay and I loved our stay at the Cabernet Inn. This bed and breakfast had a different theme for every room.  It wasn’t quite like the Madonna inn, but still a nice place to stay! 

Related Post: Planning a trip to Napa? Start here with our Napa Valley Travel Guide! AND don’t miss Sonoma County Wineries

Located near the heart of downtown, nothing was too far! Restaurants, shops, wine tasting rooms all found within walking distance!

Also, the room rate was under $200 a night and came with breakfast! What a steal! We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

This post contains affiliate links in which if a room is booked, I receive a commission at no cost to you. Please save this link! 

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Related Post: Napa and Santa Rosa Weekend Itinerary

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Best Room at Cabernet House - Starry Night Room

We chose the room, Starry Night, which had a skylight above our bed! At night we saw the stars and even the moon orbit from window to window! 

There was also a patio that had a jacuzzi tub. Not a whirlpool jacuzzi, a bath tub. Weird, right? 

We probably would have used it if it wasn't 40 degrees outside. Speaking of bathtubs, the bathroom had a footed tub with an old fashioned toilet where you pulled a lever to flush! 

I loved this room, I would definitely stay in here again!

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Bella Tuscany Room

The house had multiple bedrooms upstairs, but there were only 3 bedrooms downstairs. It was perfect, our friends picked the Bella Tuscany Room and it happened to be right across from us. 

Decorated with an Italian flair including some fine Tuscan accents, this room was a fairly good size! But it also had a bathtub in the middle of the room. Again, weird, right?

But these hedges and doors were adorable! This room had very little natural light, but was fine for a quick night stay!

Check out more themed rooms here: Cabernet House Rooms

Find the BEST rate for a room at the Cabernet House here: Booking.com

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Common Areas

Since this is a bed and breakfast that used to house a family (see the history toward the bottom of this page), it is basically a large house with the works including a family room, dining room and kitchen. Since we went in December, it was decorated for Christmas and felt like home!

There was fresh coffee in the morning and hot water for french presses, hot cocoa, or tea available 24/7.

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Breakfast Served at Cabernet House

Served from 8:30-10am

For breakfast, we waltzed out in our sweats and socks and sat at the dining room table. There were a couple of ladies who had prepared the food and were serving the dishes. It was almost like a restaurant except everyone gets the same thing. I grabbed a coffee and when I came back to my seat a place setting was setup for me. Minutes later, one of the ladies brought me a plate that had an egg souffle, a cranberry muffin, and fresh fruit. DELICIOUS! 

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Happy Hour

The inn hosted a wine and cheese party at happy hour in their wine cellar from 5:30-6:30pm at their main location, Hotel Napa Valley, featuring local Napa wines. As we were finishing up, the power went out. Not creepy at all when you’re alone with your friends in a dark basement. Emergency lights lead us to the first floor and we discovered the whole block was out! 

Extras!

1. For a small fee, the Cabernet House can provide massages in your room, wine, flowers, and even offer breakfast in bed!

2. Room service hours are from 8:45-10:00am and from 3:00-11:00pm.

3. At 7:30pm, small handmade chocolate nibbles (made from Ghirardelli and Callebaut dark chocolates) are provided until they run out! 

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Parking in Napa

There was a parking lot in the back but there weren't any spots available. Luckily, there was a ton of street parking and we parked right in front.

History of the Cabernet House

This hotel is rich in Napa history! Per the Cabernet House website, it was built in 1906 by E. W. Doughty, a master craftsman responsible for building many of Napa’s landmark homes and churches, including the Noyes Mansion, current home of Wine Spectator Magazine. Doughty also built Napa’s library and train stations. Many of his buildings still stand more than 110 years later, a testament to Doughty’s skill and expertise. 

Doughty built it to house his family and as such, it is a classic contractor’s home, full of rich architectural detailing he could show to potential clients. 

In the 1970's, a spa tub builder added a few spas in the shape of grapes and years later her actually purchased the house! He began the extensive restoration and renovation to convert the home into one of Napa Valley’s very first bed and breakfast inns.

One of the inn’s first guests back in 1980 was Paul Newman, who stayed here when he raced his cars at Sears Point.

Read more here: Cabernet House History

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Convinced yet?! Find the BEST rate for your stay at Cabernet House just like we did by clicking here: Booking.com

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Best Bed and Breakfast in Napa Valley

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HOTEL REVIEW: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa - Best hotel in Maui, Hawaii

Our Best Kept Secret, Stay at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa in Hawaii!

The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa is located on the Ka’anapali Beach stretch of hotels and is the last hotel buried into Black Rock. This place has EVERYTHING: gorgeous ocean front views, the best snorkeling on the island, a great pool, a relaxing spa, delicious restaurants, what more could you need?! It’s about 45 mins to an hour from the airport with a gorgeous coastal drive and just 5 minutes away from Lahaina.

Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii

I might be a little biased on the review because two of the biggest events of my life have happened at the Sheraton Maui, first I was proposed to then we came back with our family and friends and were married on the property making this place unforgettable.

Don’t forget to wave to Oprah on your way (her pad is up on the mountain on your drive in).  

Relative Post: See How to Spend 4 Days in Maui

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Where to stay in Maui: The Sheraton Resort

The resort first opened in 1963, and is massive! Depending on where your room is, you’ll definitely be hitting your daily step goal. There are some pictures of what it looked like when it first opened in the hallways.

Everything you could possibly need is on the property: restaurants, spa, bars, gift shop, snorkel, and other water activity rentals. Nearby, there is access to zip-lining, snorkeling, golfing, shopping, hiking, star gazing spots, anything you can think of!

Check out what to do: The 10 Best Things to do in Maui

Parking is always available and conveniently located next to Whaler's Village, a shopping center with clothing stores, an ABC Store (good for snacks and booze for the room), and restaurants.

Resort fee and Parking

A resort fee of $26.04 is charged per night, per room that is in addition to our rates and that will be automatically added to your bill by the hotel. The Resort Fee provides the following:

• Complimentary valet parking on the day of arrival

• Shuttle service to the area Westin hotels and town of Lahaina

• Adult pool floats

• A resort photo session and digital keepsake

• A signature tote bag

• Access to PressReader

• Local telephone calls on Maui

• Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and public areas

• Access to the fitness center and coin-operated laundry room

• Access to the Maui Ocean Center educational Hawaiian marine life hale near the pool

• Trolley service in Kaanapali

• 25% off greens fees at the Kaanapali golf courses

• Cultural activities like lei-making and hula demos

• In-room coffee and tea

Parking fees:

• Electric car charging stations: 4, For a fee

• On-site parking, fee: $24 USD daily

• Valet parking, fee: $32 USD daily

How to get to the Sheraton Maui

• Airport shuttle service, fee: $60 USD (one way)

• Alternate transportation: Hawaiian Executive Private Car Service; on request

• Estimated taxi fare: $100 USD (one way)

• Uber and Lyft are available but prices can range from $50-100 depending on availability.

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Guest Rooms

All the rooms were newly renovated this year giving the rooms a fresh new modern look. We like to stay in Building 6, where all rooms are deluxe ocean view rooms. Although it is located on the opposite side of the hotel, the building is on a bluff above a drop-off, leaving the area quiet and private.

The bed is a perfect balance of firm and soft, allowing for a good nights sleep.

These rooms are fairly large for 2 people, and also have an empty mini fridge and a microwave, perfect for things like wine and popcorn (my faves). There are not mini bars in these rooms, so stop at an ABC Store and stock up on your way in! 

The bathroom has a shower tub combo, with a shower head that you can use as a hose, which is great for washing sandy feet! Their amenities are pretty standard with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and shower cap. The best part of the renovation of the bathrooms is they added a bidet!

Honestly, it’s the view here that keeps us coming back. I mean, can you blame us? 

Sheraton Maui Views

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POOL VIEWS AT THE SHERATON MAUI

Swim time!

The lagoon-like pool consists of two big pools that funnel like a river to connect and even has a small slide. There are usually bean bag floaties available in the pool which are perfect for towing your Mai Tai around. They just added some lounges around in the pool cabanas!

You’re also a few steps away from swimming in ocean! Although it is the Pacific and thought to be cooler waters, sometimes the ocean is warmer than the pool! The Sheraton is located against black rock, which is the perfect place to snorkel! You can typically see turtles in Maui almost anywhere, but I always have the best luck when snorkeling around Black Rock. If you go in the little shallow cove, they are usually eating in there!

Although the black rock is dark and jagged above water, a beautiful reef lies below the surface where you will often see huge green sea turtles swimming around along with tons of aquatic life including butterfly fish, beautiful colored wrasse, rays and you might even find an octopus (if you look very closely). Watch where you swim, many vacationers like to jump off Black Rock into the water! If you’re adventurous, plunge away, but be careful climbing up the rocks! 

Please protect the reef and get some reef-safe sunscreen:

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Restaurants at the Sheraton Maui Resort

There are 5 restaurants on the property and beach access to more hotels and Whalers Village. You won’t go hungry, that’s for sure.  

Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii

Breakfast views from ROCKsalt

Coral Reef Breakfast (fka ROCKsalt)

I’m not typically a buffet person but everything here is amazing! There is something for everyone bacon, eggs, frittatas, pancakes, waffles, fruit, French toast, and there is also an omelet station where the chef makes it right in front of you! Definitely try the guava juice! 

Drinks at the Cliff Dive Grill

WATCH THE CLIFF DIVERS FROM THE CLIFF DIVE GRILL

Cliff Dive Grill

Located by the pool, great for lunch or an afternoon snack. Can’t go wrong with their burger or chicken sandwich. At sunset, the cliff diver lights all the torches around the pool and along the top of black rock, then jumps into the water. 

Mai Tai Bar

Similar to the Cliff Dive Bar, located next to the pool and a short walk from the beach, Mai tai’s are a must here! Food is also served here, sandwiches, burgers, fries, but this bar is only open from 10a-3p. Head over to the Cliff Dive bar for Happy Hour!

Shave Ice!

A Shave Ice spot replaced the hot-dog joint and I couldn’t be happier! It’s open earlier in the day and great for taking down to enjoy on the beach, by the pool, or even on your room balcony!  

See more of our favorite restaurants in our post, 10 Best Restaurants in Maui. 

Maui Nui Lu’au

Discover the remarkable stories, history, and culture of the Valley Isle and Kaanapali through the songs and dances of Maui and the Pacific at the Maui Nui Luau! Pro Tip: You can get discount tickets for the Maui Nui Lu’au HERE!

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ENTRANCE TO THE SPA AT BLACK ROCK

The Spa at Black Rock

We love getting our annual couples massage at the resort, especially after a few scuba dives or doing a trip to Hana (see our favorite things to do in Maui and Road to Hana posts for more on that).

We usually get a basic full body massage for 50 mins ($130), but this last time we went for the 80 mins ($180) and it was worth every penny. The spa rooms are patio like with natural sunlight peaking from the top, complete with soothing Hawaiian tunes. The spa offers a variety of massages and invites travelers to relax on the massage tables around the resort! There are a couple closer to the ocean for that soothing sound of waves crashing.

Ahhh.. it’s relaxing just thinking about it. 

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Perfect for a Destination Wedding 

Josh proposed to me up on Haleakala at sunrise while we stayed at the Sheraton in 2013. As we started wedding planning on our balcony, we decided we wanted to get married on the lawn directly below us. A year later, we were married on that exact lawn (Moana Lounge) and hosted our reception on the ocean lawn with 70 of our closest friends and family. It was literally the best day of our lives in our favorite place.

If we weren’t already sold on the location, the ice cream bar option sealed the deal! ;-) We had a lovely coordinator for the day from the hotel and they worked with the best vendors!

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Would you stay here?! Have you stayed somewhere you loved? Let us know in the comments below! 

We always find the best rates on Booking.com - always check there prior to booking anywhere else!

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Indulge in the Hidden Delights of the Museum of Ice Cream: A Sweet Wonderland of Art, History, and Unforgettable Experiences - Los Angeles, California

Update: Please note as of January 2025, the only locations open are in Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, and Singapore. The location in Los Angeles, California, is no longer open and closed in 2018.

Check out the official Museum of Ice Cream website for current locations and tickets.

We went to my happy place, aka the Museum of Ice Cream, on April 30th, 2017. I loved everything about it since it was slathered in pink and involved ice cream and other sweet novelties. It's an Instagram haven, a social media dream, and a place to play in plastic sprinkles. Did you miss your chance to purchase tickets? I'll give you the grand tour!

Also, check out the best ice cream in Los Angeles ranked with a map: Best Ice Cream in LA

Welcome to the Museum of Ice Cream, where art, history, and unforgettable experiences swirl together in a sweet wonderland. Indulge your senses and embark on a whimsical journey through this delightful institution that celebrates the iconic frozen treat. With its vibrant and interactive exhibits, the Museum of Ice Cream invites visitors of all ages to dive headfirst into a world of pure imagination. Step inside and be greeted by a sensory explosion of colors, flavors, and textures. From a magical candyland, a sprinkle pool filled with joy awaits you, offering the ultimate Instagram-worthy moment. Explore rooms inspired by ice cream flavors like mint chocolate chip, strawberry, and vanilla, each one carefully curated to immerse you in the essence of these tasty treats. Gain a deeper understanding of the history and cultural significance of ice cream through fascinating exhibits that showcase its evolution over the years. Whether you're a die-hard ice cream fan or simply looking for a unique and interactive museum experience, the Museum of Ice Cream promises to deliver a memorable and delightful adventure. Come, indulge your senses, and let the magic of ice cream transport you to a world of pure sugary bliss.

Last summer I saw the Museum of Ice Cream in New York and thought, "I MUST GO, would it be unreasonable to buy a plane ticket just for it?" I didn't end up going and I'm SO GLAD it came out here. I started seeing rumblings on Facebook and my dear friends from all over tagged me in the Museum of Ice Cream post is coming to LA. My next question was, "WHEN/HOW DO I GET TICKETS?!" Luckily, we are platinum American express card holders and I was able to purchase my tickets on presale for $29! I ended up purchasing tickets a month in advance and for the next month anytime someone tagged me in a Museum of Ice Cream post, I simply let them know they were not to worry, tickets were sold out, but I was all set. 

Hot Pink Telephones

I sat with my sister the night before picking out the perfect outfit to represent my love and affection for ice cream, saying, "the shirt with popsicles, strawberries, or plain bubblegum pink?" The big decision was the ice cream backpack or my Kate Spade ice cream purse. I feel like I chose wisely. 

NOW ENTERING THE MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM!

There was a long line outside, which went relatively fast since they would let 12 people in at a time. You have a guide for the first 2 rooms and then you are on your own. There is a guide in every room to give samples, information, and make sure people are flowing from room to room. The only thing was, once you enter a new room, you can't go back. 

We were given our first ice cream tasting of the day, and I was excited it was McConnell's ice cream. The flavor was earl gray and biscuit, it wasn't amazing and kinda disappointing.

There were many rooms, here is a collection of those rooms to get the coolvibe:

VEN-ICE CREAM... I GET IT!

THIS ROOM IS BANANAS.

The next room had banana wallpaper that was banana scented and cute swings!

Hanging yellow and pink Bananas at the Museum of Ice Cream art sculpture

Ice Cream CONE textured WALLpaper TO MATCH MY sweet Ice cream BACKPACK.

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Next up, the mint chip room, where they are literally growing mint chip. “A fresh start is always an option. This room is for you.” So true! Also start fresh with the mochi! YUM!

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This room had a fun house mirror and an arcade game with sun block. Didn't seem ice cream enough to me but it had lots of PINK!

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The Popsicle and Gummy Bear Room

MELTING POPSICLES art exhibit at the Museum of Ice Cream

Trying to pull a popsicle off the wall

I WANT A PINK ONE! 

Giant Gummy Bear sculpture Art

MY NEW FRIEND!

In the Gummy Bear Room, there were giant gummy bears, and they give you a sample of gummies! They lady running the room had 3 fun trivia facts about Gummy Bears, and Josh knew the answers to all three questions! When was the Gummy Bear invented? Where? What flavor is the green gummy bear? 

IF YOU PRESS THE BUTTON THE LIGHTS ALONG THE WALLS OF THE ROOM CHANGE COLORS RAPIDLY.

RELATED POST: Check out the best ice cream in Los Angeles ranked with a map: Best Ice Cream in LA

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Charcoal Ice Cream Exhibit Room

Black Charcoal Ice Cream Sculpture by Abel Bentin

Peruvian Artist Abel Bentin designed this room, expressing the corruption of the world. Pretty dark and depressing for an ice cream museum if you ask me. 

Black Charcoal Ice Cream Sculpture by Abel Bentin

In this room, they served cones with charcoal cookie dough. It didn't taste very good. It was warm and the consistency was weird.

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THE SPRINKLE POOL

There was about a 10-minute wait for the sprinkle pool, which they let you in 8 at a time. Upon entering the room, you take off your shoes and put your belongings into their lockers on the side. You then have about 3 minutes in the sprinkle pool. They are made of plastic and aren't actual sprinkles! 

Sprinkle Pool - PLASTIC SPRINKLE filled pool at the Museum of Ice Cream

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Finally we made it to the last room where they serve ice cream sandwiches. Instead of cookies they used pancakes and put vanilla ice cream in between - I Scream for Breakfast. 

There was a gift shop at the end that had a few things, but nothing worth buying really. I was hoping for a spot to buy ice cream or a cone, but that didn't exist either. We took pictures of the merchandise instead.

I think I need an Ice Cream Sandwich swing for my porch!

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RELATED POST: Check out the best ice cream in Los Angeles ranked with a map: Best Ice Cream in LA

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