Interview with a Winemaker: Ryan O’Connell, NakedWines
Carpe Travel sits down with Ryan O’Connell for its Interview with a Winemaker series to share his story, how his French winemaking is unfolding in the US.
Author: Elaine Schoch
Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.
Best Family Friendly Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Looking for easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? This list outlines seven family friendly hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Happy National Piña Colada Day!
Did you know today is National Piña Colada Day? When I visited San Juan, Puerto Rico my family stayed at the Caribe Hilton hotel. Upon doing my research I realized a bartender at THIS hotel was responsible for creating the infamous Piña Colada. Apparently Ramón ‘Monchito’ Marrero Pérez is said to have made the FIRST…
The Fourth of July Photo Essay: Celebrating Independence Day
The immigration officer stood up from his desk, waved us forward yelling, “NEXT!” The Husband handed him our two blue passports, a stack of papers and Princess Two’s red, Russian passport. The two blue passports were opened, checked and set aside. He turned to the red passport, it was opened and held with one hand…
20 Things to Know About Paso Robles
It’s Wine Wednesday! Time for a little wine trivia for you wine lovers – and those traveling to Paso Robles. The Paso Robles wine region is California’s third largest and fastest growing wine region and it’s becoming quite the wine destination for travelers. Here are 20 fun facts, try quizzing your friends on your next…
Check-In: YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center
When I think of the YMCA, I tend to think of Carolina, my spin instructor who likes to push me to my limits every week. I have never thought of the YMCA as a vacation destination, until now… Living in Denver, I’ve made my way to Estes Park on several occasions to hike, fish and…
Travel Trivia: 25 things to know about Rocky Mountain National Park
Twenty five fun and interesting facts about Rocky Mountain National Park. Quiz yourself or your friends the next time you’re in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Check-In: Sand Castle Inn Seaside CA
The few motels I’ve stayed in have not been somewhere I could shower without wearing flip-flops. Think Spring Break, college, $25 and five people sharing a room. I’m past that stage in my life…and prefer to stay in higher-end places. With that said, on a recent press trip to Monterey County in California we stayed…
California | Central Coast | Interview with a California Winemaker | Interview with a Winemaker | Monterey
Interview with a Winemaker: Scheid Vineyards
David Nagengast, Scheid Vineyards winemaker chats with Carpe Travel for its Interview with a Winemaker series to discuss wines in Monterey, CA.
California | Check-In | Monterey | Reviews
Check-In: Hotel Review of Quail Lodge & Golf Club
Carpe Travel’s editor shares a full review of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, a top spot to stay when sipping Monterey wine country.
California | Central Coast | Interview with a California Winemaker | Interview with a Winemaker | Monterey
Interview with a Winemaker: Caraccioli Cellars
Caraccioli Cellars is a family owned and operated vineyard with roots deep in Monterey County. More in Carpe Travel’s Interview with a Winemaker series.
Interview with a Winemaker: Blair Vineyard
Jeffery Blair with Blair Vineyards shares his insights and experiences making wine in Monterey County in Carpe Travel’s Interview with a Winemaker series.
I want to be in an Octopuses Garden…at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Looking for things to do in Monterey? The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a MUST! Here’s a little preview of the aquarium and its Tentacles exhibit.
15 Things to know about Monterey, CA
Planning to visit Monterey, California soon? Here are a few fun facts you can quiz your friends or kids on the next time you’re visiting Monterey.
The Steinbeck Center Celebrates 75 Years
I read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck back in high school, have you read it? Seen the movie? It’s a classic tale – and Pulitzer Prize winner – that’s set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Most of us can probably relate to many of the same challenges people in the book were…
Why are you traveling with kids?
Creekside Cellars is a kid friendly winery in Colorado
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
No running. No jumping. And keep your hands to yourself. Three rules that don’t usually go well with kids. Or so I thought when we were given a short introduction by staffers at The Wild Animal Sanctuary. I’ve visited countless zoos and driven through different types of animal parks but never have I visited a…
Things to do in Toronto: St. Lawrence Market
As one of the major markets in Toronto, with the other being Kensington Market it’s seriously a foodies mecca. And for good reason…
Travel Trivia: 15 Things You (I) Don’t Know About Beaumont TX
There are a lot of things to do in Beaumont, not to mention a lot of history. What you should know…
Review of the RideSafer Travel Vest for Kids
I don’t like to lie to my kids, and I rarely if ever do. So, when we grabbed a taxi cab during a trip to Florida and had to ask Princess Two to “pretend” to be five-years-old, when she was only four, we were in that gray area. A very gray area that she couldn’t…
Things to do in Beaumont TX: Gator Country
Imagine a teacher looking outside the window at the playground before recess to check the weather and instead of seeing cumulonimbus or cirrus clouds she sees an alligator. A REALLY BIG GATOR. Who’s she gonna call? Gator 911. Yes, it’s not a joke, there really is a Gator 911 and this really happened, or so…
Wine on a Plane: World’s Best In-Flight Wine Lists
Did you know airlines are judged on their inflight wine selections? I didn’t but I do love having wine on a plane. Not only are they “judged” on the wine selections but they’re given an award for their list of wine. The annual Business Traveller’s Cellars in the Sky awards, which recognizes the best business and…
REVIEW: Things to know about Disney’s Castaway Cay
Visiting Castaway Cay on your Disney Cruise? A review on Castaway Cay and things to know before you go.
Things to do in Cozumel with Kids: Chankanaab Park
I’ve been to Cozumel in Mexico a few times, but this past Thanksgiving marked the first time I’d traveled there with with kids. In other words, no Senor Frogs or lazy day at beach with a bucket of Corona – we needed to find things to do in Cozumel with kids. Enter Chankanaab Park. The park…
A Winemakers Tale: Adam Campbell, Elk Cove Vineyards
Welcome to this month’s edition of A Winemakers Tale where I feature interviews with winemakers from different wine regions around the world. Seeing as I’m still feeding (or rather sipping) my mild obsession with Oregon wine country I have discovered yet another AMAZING Pinot Noir to grace my dinner table. It seemed only fitting to try and interview its…
Things to Do in Memphis: Beale Street
Beale Street is the birthplace of rock and roll, and recently was named one of America’s Favorite Iconic Streets. I recently had the opportunity to explore the Beale Street and it’s definitely iconic.
A Winemakers Tale: Alexandrine Roy, Winemaker for Phelps Creek Vineyards & Domaine Marc Roy
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are two of my favorite summer wines. This summer I discovered two new favorites from Phelps Creek Vineyards in the Oregon wine country. I recently had the privilege to interview its winemaker, Alexandrine Roy who brings a bit of old world to new world winemaking. Alexandrine is a fourth-generation winemaker at Domaine Marc Roy in the village of…
New Orleans Cemetery Tour (photo and history tour)
A New Orleans Cemetery Tour may be a little creepy but is also a great history lesson on the city’s electric past. Take a tour with this photo essay and a few tips for your New Orleans Cemetery Tour.
Things to do in Memphis: Visiting Graceland
If you’re in Memphis, visiting Graceland is a must. Haven’t gone yet? Take a little tour with this photo essay, including things to know before visiting Graceland.
Things to do in Denver: A Day in Washington Park Denver
We weren’t lost according to The Husband (then boyfriend) but we had no idea where we were. And that blue dot on the map on my iPhone that now saves the day had yet to be invented. To top it off the air conditioner in the rental car was broken. We were hot. Mad. And…
Interview with a Winemaker, Austin Hope of Hope Family Wines
Carpe Travels sits down with Austin Hope, the winemaker and president at Hope Family Wines to learn more about his wines and background.
Sometimes a Souvenir Can Be Much More Than Just a Souvenir
It wasn’t just any courtroom. It was a Russian courtroom, in Chita, Siberia – The City of Exiles. The famed city in Russia where prominent intellectuals, including the Decembrist and many more were exiled. A “closed city” that foreigners and many Russian citizens weren’t allowed to visit until the collapse of the Soviet Union. I…
Paso Robles Wine in Pictures
Ten years ago the Paso Robles wine region was home to only 35 wineries, that number has since grown to more than 200. As Matthew Liberty noted in a guest post for Carpe Travel, Paso Robles is not so much an up and coming region since its already up there, but that seems to be…
Travel Inspiration: The more people who travel, the better the world is
My kids teach me a lot. Sometimes I think they teach me more than I will ever be able to teach them…especially when it comes to life. Children don’t filter themselves, their thoughts or what they loudly blurt out in a crowded airplane or elevator. They live life without filters and have this built-in tolerance…
Vacation Unplugged: How to unplug and enjoy your vacation
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” If you’re one of the ‘50% of U.S. travelers expected to leave unused vacation days on the table this year’ I’m talking to you. When I was working in an office for someone else and had two weeks of vacation to use, I used it….
Proudest Travel Accomplishment: A scared little girl taught me we can conquer the world
I was recently asked what my proudest accomplishment was that I achieved while traveling. I had never really thought about that. My first thought, getting over my fears and just traveling. I mean, that’s pretty big, right? But when I stopped to really think about it there is one instance that has given me the…
Being in the right place at the right time = an unforgettable day of wine tasting in Montalcino
Wine tasting in Tuscany? How Montalcino wine tasting at Caparzo turned out to be the best day of the Tuscan wine experience.
Things to do in New Orleans (where to eat, drink and listen to music)
There are so many things to do in New Orleans. Our editor has some recommendations on how to eat and drink like a local in New Orleans.
Literally stuck on the side of a mountain with no where to go but up…
Sometimes the worst decisions make for the best stories…like driving 11 miles from Telluride to Ouray via Imogene Pass.
10 Travel Safety Tips For Kids
A lot of the basic safety rules we teach kids apply when traveling but I sat down with a child safety expert to get a few more Travel Safety Tips For Kids.
Vacation Home Security: New Rules in Today’s Digital World
According to the FBI the summer months of July and August have the highest rates of burglaries, usually about a 10 percent increase over other times of the year. Why? Simple, summer vacation. However, with the increased usage of social medi and sharing our whereabouts all day, every day – including our travel schedules – we…
Where to Stay in Carlsbad, CA
Per our adventures in Carlsbad, CA I wanted to share a few recommendations on places to stay in Carlsbad. I did include the one we stayed at and a few we checked out for our next trip since there will be more. Many more. I told The Husband I could live in Carlsbad. And for…
Are Airport X-ray Scans REALLY Safe for Laptops?
So are airport x-ray scanners safe for laptops? The answer is no. At least according to me they aren’t. On my first jaunt to Russia I chose only to take my laptop and iPhone, forgoing the iPad. I mean really, that should be enough, right? But no. It happened to me. What everyone says isn’t…
Things to do in Moscow: A Visit to Red Square
We’ve made three trips to Russia since November and really have only been able to experience a little taste of what Moscow has to offer. On the list of things to do in Moscow – Red Square, The Kremlin…and shopping. Things to do in Moscow It was a Sunday when we first went exploring in Moscow and…
Napa Valley: Charles Krug Winery – 150 years in the making
The last of my Mondavi visits this trip to the Napa Valley was to Charles Krug Wineryin St. Helena. There are still more Mondavi family wineries to visit next time though…I had not realized how excited I was to visit Charles Krug Winery until we were driving down the long, olive tree lined driveway to…
Napa Valley: Newton Winery
A visit to Newton Winery was a must on our visit to Napa Valley. They produce wines we’ve only enjoyed out and about, but never at their winery so this trip we made it priority. I had not realized just how far up Spring Mountain Newton was when I booked the 11am Newton Winery tour,…
Regusci Winery in Napa Valley
I don’t believe in coincidences. When people say something to me it feel like there’s a reason. So, when TWO different groups of people recommended I visit Regusci Winery when were in Napa Valley it was a clear sign we needed to head that way. Regusci Winery in Napa Valley Now, to be honest, both groups of…
Sipping in a Robert Mondavi Winery Tour
After having read The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty, I became a little obsessed with the Mondavi family, it helped that I loved their wines. So, during one of our Napa Valley wine vacations, I made it a point to sip in a little more Mondavi than I…
Napa Valley: Opus One
I’m mildly obsessed with Robert Mondavi and his family’s story in the Napa Valley. The Mondavi family really helped shape what the Napa Valley wine industry is today by introducing higher quality wine making equipment and techniques to the area. They also put the Napa Valley on the wine map for the rest of the wine world through strategic…
Great Colorado Fall Foliage Drives
Today officially marks the first day of Fall. For many of you it still feels like summer but for those of us in Colorado Fall is right outside our windows. The leaves are just starting to change in the Front Range and are starting to peak in mountains. There are only a few weeks left…