A Weekend Guide to Exploring Tallahassee

Another month in 2020 means another staycation for me! There’s no better time to “explore your own backyard” and this time I explored my state’s capital: Tallahassee, Florida.

Tallahassee’s rolling landscape is unique among Florida’s other major cities. I was blown away by the amount of green spaces throughout the city. With thousands of acres in parks, you can enjoy hundreds of trails for walking, hiking, and cycling. Art enthusiasts will be happy to know that Tallahassee also boasts over a dozen museums and 24 galleries.

Plan a weekend getaway or staycation in Tallahassee, and check out all my favorite places to visit…

ACCOMMODATION IN TALLAHASSEE: 

Hotel Duval, part of the Autograph Collection, is a boutique hotel in downtown Tallahassee that dates back to 1951. Thanks to a recent multimillion-dollar renovation, this property perfectly blends contemporary comfort with historic grandeur.

I enjoyed the old-world charm in the lobby with fixtures such as vintage photographs and an antique record player. But once I arrived in my Sapphire Suite, I was treated to a modern and elegant studio-style room. My suite featured a seated bar area, ample living space with a desk, large l-shaped couch, tv, and king-sized bed. The bathroom was also modern with a walk-in rain shower and plenty of counter space.

While you can enjoy LeRoc Bistro at the hotel for breakfast or lunch, and a steak dinner at Shula’s 347, I also recommend grabbing a drink at Level 8 Lounge. Their rooftop bar is perfect for enjoying a cocktail upon arrival, and admiring the views over Tallahassee.

DINING IN TALLAHASSEE: 

From fine dining to historic bars and family-owned eateries, there are so many delicious spots to enjoy in Tallahassee.

SoDOUGH Baking Company – This simplistic and modern bakery is well known for serving Brioche doughnuts made from scratch every morning! If you’re in the mood for something more savory, I’d recommend any of their hot pressed sandwiches on Brioche toast. I enjoyed one with ham and Swiss cheese; simple yet so tasty thanks to the quality ingredients.

Jeri’s Midtown Cafe – This charming cafe is housed in a lovely former house, and has the coziest garden patio that is perfect to enjoy lunch outside. At Jeri’s, they are known for delivering “love on a plate” which is certainly true. Both their food and staff are absolutely incredible. For a healthier lunch, I recommend Jeri’s Wonder Salad with quinoa, olive tapenade, baby heirloom tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles and more! They are also well known for their brunch.

Il Lusso – I recommend visiting this Italian restaurant for a wonderful date night experience. They serve the finest quality prime steaks, seafood, handmade pasta, wine and more. We enjoyed the Charred Octopus with eggplant, Beet and Goat’s Cheese Agnolotti and an 8 oz Filetto steak.

Dao – This is another great dinner spot in Tallahassee. Dao serves the finest Asian fusion in the city. Their sushi is fresh and flavorful, and I recommend any of their tuna rolls. I also enjoyed their Chinese dishes like chicken fried rice.

Other local food recommendations – Proof Brewing Company for quality beer, Table 23 for brunch, Bar 1903 for inventive cocktails in an historic setting, and Eve on Adams for another great rooftop bar.

WHAT TO DO IN TALLAHASSEE: 

As I mentioned before, there are so many museums and green spaces to enjoy in Tallahassee. With the nice weather and wanting to stay safe outdoors, we opted for visiting the parks instead on this trip. However, in terms of museums, I’d recommend the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, Goodwood Museum & Gardens, and the Tallahassee Automobile Museum… just to name a few!

Dorothy B. Oven Park – This lush park features six acres of gardens with azaleas, camellias, palms and other local flora. You can also admire a classic 1930s manor home which is available to the public for event rentals. I’d especially recommend visiting during the holiday season when they display over 250,000 twinkling lights and festive music!

Kavas Day Spa and Boutique – When you need a break from exploring Tallahassee on foot, head to Kanvas and enjoy a relaxing spa treatment. With its turquoise blue walls, there is a wonderful atmosphere of tranquility here. I thoroughly enjoyed my 60-minute massage.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park – This was definitely my favorite park we visited in Tallahassee! This state park is a masterpiece in floral architecture with its picturesque brick walkaway, secret garden, reflection pool, and lush greenery throughout. You can easily spend hours here exploring and taking photographs. This area is part of the Lafayette Land Grant awarded by the U.S. Congress to General Marquis de Lafayette in 1824 for his help in the Revolutionary War.

Other sightseeing recommendations – Lafayette Heritage Trail if you enjoy hiking, Cascades Park for more outdoor exploring, and Hearth & Soul for some retail therapy!

Tallahassee, Florida is a city rich with culture and history and I enjoyed all the time I was able to spend outdoors admiring the natural landscapes. A special thanks to Visit Tallahassee for hosting me, but as always, all opinions stated here are my own.

from Luxury Travel Blogger – Carmen Edelson

Discover What St Petersburg, Russia Is Famous For

St Petersburg is one of the most beautiful, historical, and culturally-rich cities in the world. It’s famous for its magnificent architecture, world-class museums, vast network of rivers and bridges, and its centuries of fascinating history.

St Petersburg was the original capital of Russia, until Moscow replaced it after the October revolution in 1917. However, it’s still considered the country’s cultural capital and its historical centre is protected by UNESCO. The vast amount of things to see and do make the city Russia’s most popular tourist destination. Getting there has become easier since the launch of the St Petersburg Visa.

Here  are just a few of things which make St Petersburg one of the most famous cities and best places to visit in the world.

Jaw-dropping architecture

St Petersburg is renowned for its breathtaking, eclectic range of architecture which reflects centuries of culturally-rich history. The city has developed a colorful style which includes Baroque, Neoclassical, Modern and Soviet architecture, giving it a truly unique and magical feel.

Visitors to St Petersburg are constantly treated to with sensational views of the city and some of the best photo opportunities imaginable. There is so much to see, but a few of the cities must-see architectural highlights include:

The Winter Palace: The spectacular Baroque palace is the city’s most famous building. It was the home of the Russian Emperors from 1732 to 1917 and still plays a central political role.

Grand Peterhof Palace: Built for Peter the Great, the stunning two-storey palace and grounds include more than 80 original marble statues and sculptures and many of the ruler’s own artifacts.

Catherine Palace: The stunning 18th-century palace is filled with fine art and surrounded by a 1400-acre park with numerous bridges, fountains, ponds and other exquisite features.

If you want to stay in one of the city’s beautiful buildings, and are looking for luxury, consider the highly-recommended Corinthia Hotel.

Thriving arts scene

Russia’s cultural capital is home to some of the best art collections in the world. It has some of the most famous, well-established galleries as well as new ones popping up regularly.

The city boasts collections of contemporary art as well works from the 18th and 19th centuries and before. Artworks by famous artists such as Kandinsky, Repin, Serov, and Chagall are on display.

You can find some of the best collections at:

The State Hermitage Museum: Hermitage is the second-largest, and arguably the greatest, art collection in the world. It’s been open since 1764 and has continued to grow and improve. It’s an absolute must-see.

Erarta Gallery: The largest and best contemporary art gallery in Russia is definitely worth a visit. It homes over 2,800 pieces from over 300 artists from different parts of Russia and always has exciting new temporary exhibitions as well as film screenings and other events.

The Russian Museum: The vast museum includes an incredible range of Byzantine, Baroque, and Soviet works. The building alone, the impressive Mikhailovsky Palace, is worth the trip alone.

Steeped in history

The city tells a fascinating tale and even its name has a story. It changed to Petrograd at the start of the First World War because ‘St Petersburg’ sounded too German. It then changed to Leningrad after Lenin’s death in 1924, and back to St Petersburg 1991 following the fall of the Soviet empire.

Perhaps the most tragic event in the city’s history was the 900-day siege by the German army during World War II when almost a million people died. The city also played a key strategic role in the Russian Civil War.

There are various well-presented museums that display relics and artefacts from bygone periods such as the State Museum of Political History of Russia, the Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad, and the Central Naval Museum.

Bridges, rivers, and picturesque walks

St Petersburg is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ as there are 342 bridges over its network of rivers and canals. They form an integral part of the city’s infrastructure and many of the country’s greatest engineers and architects have left their mark on them.

The bridges and waterways make for unforgettable walks and photos. You’ll inevitably encounter many as you can’t get anywhere without crossing one, but there are a few technical masterpieces which shouldn’t be missed…

The Palace Bridge: Connects Palace Square with Strelka (Vasilevsky Island) and offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city. It’s also one of the main gathering points during the White Nights.

Anichkov Bridge: The stunning 19th-century bridge crosses the Fontanka Bridge and is famous for its four equestrian statues that stand in each corner of the bridge, known as ‘The Horse Tamers’.

Bank Bridge: Possibly the most pedestrian bridge in the city. It’s close to Kazan Cathedral and includes four elegant golden-winged griffons.

If you’re planning a trip, find out more about Visiting St Petersburg. You may also want to find out where St Petersburg’s top restaurants are.

from Luxury Travel Blogger – Carmen Edelson

Staycations in Florida: Aloft Delray Beach Hotel

If you’re a fan of Marriott hotels, Alfot properties are under the same umbrella, but even more contemporary and hip. The Aloft Delray Beach is no exception, offering an ideal location in Downtown Delray, and only a few minutes drive to the beach. Urban luxury is one of the best ways to describe this hotel. It was the perfect location for a fun bloggers weekend hosted by Scott Eddy, a talented travel influencer and visual storyteller who hosts the new Lifetime TV travel series: Video Globetrotter.

Interested in planning a staycation to Delray Beach this year? Keep reading for a great discount code!

Aloft Delray Beach Hotel:

Every inch of this hotel, starting with the lobby, is sleek and modern with the latest technological amenities for all the savvy travelers who stay here.

Accommodations:

I had the pleasure of staying in a Sweet Suite, featuring a plush king-sized bed, separate seating area and work space, as well at city views of Delray. The furnishings were both chic and comfortable, as well as being colorful yet tasteful. Perfectly balanced!

The spacious bathroom was much appreciated, especially thanks to the separate walk-in shower and tub. It’s always nice to have both to choose from. And if you’re enjoying a relaxing staycation here, soaking in the tub at the end of a long day is always nice.

Pool Area:

If you’re really looking to unwind at the Aloft Delray Beach, I would head straight to their Splash Pool Deck. Here you’ll discover a wonderful pool with colorful seating from blue sun loungers to orange day beds and more. We had fun playing around with their inflatable pool toys – especially the colorful unicorn! Even if you’re not interested in swimming, there is plenty of space to relax and enjoy a cocktail with their outdoor bar and stylish lounge seating. This is also a great place to enjoy panoramic sunset views of Delray Beach.

Dining: 

Speaking of cocktails, we had a fabulous time at Aloft Delray Beach’s eclectic W XYZ Bar located in the lobby. Here you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails created by expert mixologists. The food offerings were equally nice with a vast selection of dishes, presented buffet style, but with individual small dishes you could grab.

We mingled in the bar with our food and drinks. This is perfect for any setting, whether it be social or for business. The Tiki Tok is the signature drink, and I highly recommend it!

They also have a wonderful 9,000 sq. ft. Ex:Change meeting space, complete with state-of-the-art AV equipment and complimentary Wi-Fi. In fact, there’s complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

Breakfast at Aloft Delray Beach is very convenient thanks the Re:Fuel on-stop shop in the lobby that also offers healthy gourmet snacks and grab-and-go lite bites. Here we picked up tasty breakfast pots which I brought up my room to enjoy in the mornings. I had the “The Original”: seasoned fries, poached egg, cheese sauce, bacon and scallions.

While I’d recommend eating and drinking at W XYZ Bar at least one time during your stay at the Aloft Delray Beach, there are plenty of dining options nearby as well. If you’re a steak lover, I’d highly recommend Cut 432, their happy hour specials are great as well. El Camino is great for Mexican food, and La Cigale features upscale and delicious French, Italian and Greek dishes. Lastly, Deck 84 is a fun place to dine al fresco with views of the Intracoastal. Their weekend brunch is very popular!

Delray Beach Attractions: 

As far as nearby attractions, there is plenty to do around Aloft Delray Beach! You can choose between white sandy beaches, multiple art venues, restaurants, and local shopping. You’re also only a short drive (15 minutes) from Boca Raton. In terms of beautiful and fun outdoor spaces, I would recommend the beach of course, as well as Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Atlantic Dunes Park, and the Delray Beach Golf Club.

Whether you’re hoping to visit Florida in the future, or are eager to plan a staycation before the end of the year, Aloft Delray Beach is perfect for those looking to get away and have some fun in style. Use special code T5425 (enter in the Corporate/Promotional Rate section) for special room rates of $105 through 12/2020!

from Luxury Travel Blogger – Carmen Edelson

Uncorked Wine Tourism: Destinations Worth a Try

Wine tourism, or enotourism, first appeared in the late 1900s and has captured many hearts (and pallets) since then. Many places across the globe, from Napa Valley to South Africa, offer local wine tours, which include visiting vineyards, learning about the winemaking process, wine tasting, and sometimes even taking part in the harvest. But how to decide where to go?

Choosing a tour destination is never easy, and everything depends on your preferences and ability to travel. Are you looking for new experiences or a path well-traveled? Want to stay close to home or visit an exotic country? What wine do you love the most, and what budget do you have? Of course, everything nowadays depends on where travel restrictions allow you to travel at the moment.  In the list below, you will find the best destinations according to your preferences.

And don’t worry about the coronavirus! The industry adjusted to the current situation — for example, Florence’s wine portals have opened once again – for the first time since the 17th century. They are “wine windows” where wine and food was sold during the plague.

If there are no wineries near you, and you want to abstain from traveling — you can always go to a local or online wine shop, and the seller will help you choose the perfect wine for you.

Here is our list or the greatest wine destinations that are worth a visit when you’re in the area – or maybe even worth organizing wine-oriented trip just to see them:

1.   Chile

Chile is one of the world’s top wine producers, as its geography makes it an ideal ground for the vineyards. Autumn months are the grape harvest season in Chile and, therefore — the best time for the wine tour. The wine tastings are accompanied by picturesque landscapes, cheerful celebrations, and light-hearted people. One of the most famous Chilean wine destinations is Vik Vineyard – it’s a whole experience of wine tasting, dining experience and lodging in one – a perfect holistic experience for people who want to discover the country.

2.  Uco Valley, Argentina

This valley will strike you with its breathtaking beauty: dry land, punctuated by green crops, situated at the foot of the Andes. The air is thin and cool, and the wine produced here doesn’t often hit the international market, so the tour allows you to have some unique tasting experience. The best way to go is mid-April when the harvest has already started, and the Andes are still snow-capped. This region is famous for its Malbec and Semillon varietals.

3.   Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley has hundreds of wineries to explore, each with its own character and history, offering experiences for every budget range. Due to their topography, wineries produce different types of wine, and, because most of them are family-owned, every trip will feel like home. And if you don’t want to travel — you can always explore Napa Valley online.This region is most famous for its Cabarnets. Some of the world’s most famous wineries can be find here: Robert Mondavi, Castello di Amorosa, Opus One, Stag’s Leap – most of them remain undamaged by the recent Glass Fire that ravaged the area.

4.  Paso Robles, California

Home to award-winning wines, Paso Robles is situated in a unique geographical region, optimal for growing the best varieties of wine grapes. The harvest in Paso Robles takes part in late autumn, which is the most interesting time for the visit. The area’s heritage is the Zinfandel variety, so make sure to try it.

5.  Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is the leading destination among wine lovers, as it is home to the most known wine varieties. For the most incredible experience, visit Haut-Médoc, Saint-Émilion, or Pomerol appellations, where the best wine in the world is produced. But what not everybody knows is that you can actually find wine for every budget range – local wines can be kind on your wallet. There are a lot of wineries you can choose from, both urban and outside of the city.

6.  Languedoc-Roussillon, France

France’ (and the world’s!) largest wine-producing region, Languedoc-Roussillon, is wildly popular among wine lovers on a budget and tourists who flock to the Mediterrenean coast of France. Instead of focusing on single varietal wines, most producers here blend different varieties, bringing them to perfection.

7.  Langhe, Italy

Situated in Italy’s most popular wine region, Piedmont, Langhe is famous for its red wine. Red wine from this region is considered the world’s best. You can visit one of the family-run wineries or go to a wine bar to taste a full spectrum of local wines. And of course, you will taste wine with every meal you have in this region — don’t worry, the wine lists are long.

8.  Cape Winelands, South Africa

Combining breathtaking landscapes with wine tasting is one of the best ways to spend a vacation in Cape Town. South Africa is far away but very accessible – so if you want to enjoy its beautiful views, see the exotic animals and taste South Africa’s famous Pinotage, this is your ideal destination.

9.  Kakheti, Georgia

Having the oldest winemaking tradition in the world, Georgia is a must-visit destination for any wine lover, and Kakheti is its largest and most famous wine region. The wine shops are on every corner here, and a large number of wineries to be small and family-run. However, one of the best ways to explore Kakheti and learn more about Georgian wine is with the help of a guide. Wine in Georgia is considerably cheaper compared to other of the world’s most premiere regions, so even if you’re on a budget you’ll get a rich experience both wine and local culture wise.

Conclusion: 

People have never stopped loving wine, and the winemaking tradition stretches over millennia. If you are tired of beach vacations, why not try something new, and combine the beautiful views of vineyard valleys with relaxed wine tasting, see new countries and learn more about different traditions of winemaking. Whether you’re a lover of white, red, or rosé — you’ll find something that fits your palette.

from Luxury Travel Blogger – Carmen Edelson