Winters, CA – Off the Beaten Path!

So far off the beaten path, I had never heard of Winters, but this little agricultural town should be investigated. It helps when you enjoy an inside connection as we did, but we have the scoop on what’s hot!

Plan an overnight escape and include a Saturday evening at The Palms Playhouse. A cultural oasis for music, in their 30th year of hosting national touring bands, we were shockingly surprised to enjoy a raucous night of jazzy blues and zydeco, performed by award winning powerhouse singer and musician Carolyn Wonderland. This intimate playhouse hosted Van Morrison’s daughter and singer Shana Morrison last weekend. The venue is located upstairs in the 19th Century Opera House. Eclectic, casual and intimate, I would recommend you pay the corkage and bring your own liquid refreshments and do pre-purchase tickets for the first come seating.

Lodging is limited, another reason to make advance plans. We chose The Abbey House Inn, one of two Winters accommodations. Both Inns are charming, each with distinct advantages. The Abbey House Inn, built in 1905 is a sweet B & B a few blocks from town. A wide porch wraps around the small inn for afternoon cocktails. Five suites, my favorite is the De Winters, downstairs. I haven’t stayed in a B & B for many, many years, but this little gem was well worth the visit. Be careful if you slink into the kitchen in your sock-monkey pajamas for early coffee, as you might bump into an acquaintance! I met lovely bay area travelers; it turned out we had friends in common, truly two degrees of separation these days. Must be good all the time, and avoid jammies that don’t belong out of the bedroom!

Abbey House Inn, WintersCongenial Innkeeper Bruce Smith, knows everyone and can secure a dinner reservation, organize a farm visit and appears on site in the morning to prepare a delectable farm style breakfast. Abbey House Inn has a distinct location advantage, I loved being able to stroll to town for wine tasting, music and dinner and easily pop back for an early afternoon nap.

A few nearby restaurants offer variety and excellent food. We loved the tapas at Ficelle. Owner, Joann Martin, welcomed us and most likely due to our delightful host, she insisted we try many of her menu favorites and then refused to accept payment for our dinner. Small town hospitality with big city flavors, authentic home cooking inspired by her Spanish family meals; make a reservation in summer, as the line circles around the block!

The other local property is The Inn at Park Winters, located on ten acres of unobstructed farmland views. An 1865 Victorian mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens, an almond orchard and bubbling fountains; it is a private oasis best suited for escaping from everything! Growing in popularity as a wedding site, owners John Martin and Rafael Galiano are expanding with small cabins on property.

One of the fastest growing culinary trends, known as the farm to table movement, is bustling in this pocket of 7000 residents. Sustainable agriculture, many community farmers are building popular organic businesses in this area. We spent time exploring Ravi Tumber’s hydroponic tomato ranch in the center of his almond orchards. Separate blog to come. He can’t keep up with the demand for his greenhouse grown juicy red tomatoes.

Another local producer is Brent Wolfe in nearby Vacaville. Wolfe Ranch raises quail, no ordinary bird, he supplies birds to Chez Panisse, The French Laundry and several other bay area dining temples. He also raises pigs and cows. The pigs dine on black oak acorns, reminders of the famed pigs from Spain.

The valley has taken an undeniable shift in the last few years and the locals are enthusiastically participating at the highest level. Back to basics, growing local and limiting the impact on the environment is a passion in Winters.

Look for the postings of  summer farm to table community dinners served in a field, these local purveyors supply a few events and they sell out quickly.

An escape to Winters yields many wonderful rewards and memories!

Winters, CAThe Abbey House Inn www.abbeyhouseinn.com

Park Winters www.ParkWinters.com

Turkovich Family Wines www.Turkovichwines.com

Ficelle Restaurant www.ficelle-restaurant.com

Preserve Public House http://preservepublichouse.com/

 

 

 

Berlin is Buzzing

One of Europe’s most stimulating and energetic capitals of contemporary lifestyle, Berlin is buzzing with its prosperous fashion and art culture. History aside, the lively nightlife, cafes, trendy clubs and bars and numerous museums and palaces, it is easy to enjoy 4 or 5 days exploring.

Hotel-de-Rome-Hotel-Facade-2513We love Rocco Forte properties and their Hotel de Rome is centrally located within walking distance to the main touring sites. The Hotel is a short walk from the central boulevard of Unter den Linden in a building that was once the head office of the Dresdner Bank. Designers Tommaso Ziffer and Olga Polizzi have respected the rich history of the building, maintaining its architectural splendor while adding a contemporary twist.

Children will love the world-class zoo, the endless toy stores featuring an amazing assortment of metal wind up toys and wooden toys. Germany is the capital of darling dollhouses! An enjoyable walk with children begins at the Reichstag, and continues along the edge of the Tiergarten, the central park which was originally the hunting ground of Prussian kings and winds up at the 200-year-old Brandenburg Gate, where thousands gathered to cheer the breakdown of the Berlin Wall. Bike riding in the city is easy and fun.

Museum Island hosts a cluster of museums, located between the Spree River and the Kupfergraben canal. A morning of touring, followed by lunch; don’t miss Pergamon Museum with its 2nd Century B.C. altar from the Greek city of Pergamon. The Museum at Checkpoint Charley features a museum dedicated to the Berlin Wall. Some of the holocaust museums are not suitable for children, haunting in their reminders of Jewish history. Trendy art galleries, excellent shopping in the Miette neighborhood, dynamic and fashionable Berlin is one of the hottest summer destinations.

Hotel de Rome, an architectural gem, is centrally located in Mitte, the heart of historic Berlin, opposite the Humboldt University and next to the “Staatsoper unter den Linden” Opera House. Many attractions including Museum Island and the Brandenburg Gate are within walking distance of Hotel de Rome.

Hotel-de-Rome-Spa-de-Rome-Pool-2523-1Highlights include the hotel’s indoor pool, which is housed in the original bank vault, four historic suites with high ceilings and wood-paneled walls, which were once the offices of the bank directors.

Enjoy Italian-Mediterranean cuisine alfresco on the restaurant terrace, drink in the vibrant bar overlooking Bebelplatz and admire the spectacular view from the rooftop terrace.

Hotel-de-Rome-Roof-Terrace-3863

Photos Courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotel de Berlin