As you may recall from my 2023 Outlook post, I don't really plan on traveling this year and may not travel much at all in the mid-term. But before I made this decision, I had booked a stay in Napa and ended up turning that trip into a last hurrah, living it up in California. … [Read more...] about Living It Up in California – Introduction
napa valley
Model Bakery + Castello di Amorosa
On our last morning in Napa, we decided to maximize what little time we had left. So, we left the hotel and went into the town of St. Helena to grab breakfast at Model Bakery and to go exploring. … [Read more...] about Model Bakery + Castello di Amorosa
The French Laundry Experience
After our blissful in-room breakfast, our pampering session at Atrio Spa, and our brief visit to Beringer Vineyard, it was finally time for the moment we've been waiting for; The French Laundry Experience. … [Read more...] about The French Laundry Experience
A Brief Visit to Beringer Vineyard
After our visit to Atrio Spa, we headed back up to our room. Being that we had a few hours till we needed to head to dinner, though, we decided to pay a brief visit to Beringer Vineyard. … [Read more...] about A Brief Visit to Beringer Vineyard
Atrio Spa at the Las Alcobas Napa Valley
Ahead of our highly anticipated celebratory dinner in Napa, I decided to take the pampering up a notch by scheduling a spa day. Thankfully, I didn't have to look far and booked our day at the Atrio Spa at the Las Alcobas Napa Valley. … [Read more...] about Atrio Spa at the Las Alcobas Napa Valley
Las Alcobas Napa Valley Room Service
On the morning of our one full day in Napa, I decided to give the Las Alcobas Napa Valley room service a try for breakfast. After all, my goal for the day was to have a splurgy belated birthday celebration for my lovely wife. … [Read more...] about Las Alcobas Napa Valley Room Service
Review: Acacia House by Chris Cosentino
For dinner on our first night at the Las Alcobas Napa Valley, we decided to stay on property. So, we headed to the only restaurant at the hotel, Acacia House by Chris Cosentino. … [Read more...] about Review: Acacia House by Chris Cosentino
Review: Las Alcobas Napa Valley
During our Gourmet Adventure Through Northern California, we stayed at three different hotels. And the stay I was most looking forward to was the one at the Las Alcobas Napa Valley. … [Read more...] about Review: Las Alcobas Napa Valley
Review: Bouchon Bakery Yountville
After checking out of the Courtyard Merced began the 2.5 to 3-hour drive to our next hotel, the Las Alcobas. But before getting there, we made a pit stop in Yountville for a light lunch at Bouchon Bakery. … [Read more...] about Review: Bouchon Bakery Yountville
Booking The French Laundry the “Easy” Way
Later this year, Mrs. Island Miler and I are traveling to Northern California for a wedding. But it also happens to be her birthday, so I've decided to turn this trip into a round birthday for her. And part of this, of course, means securing some fantastic dining, which is easier said than done. So here's my story on booking The French Laundry. … [Read more...] about Booking The French Laundry the “Easy” Way