Sitges and Barcelona in 5 days

When we were planning our three week European trip, one of the best pieces of advice we received was to stay in Sitges while visiting Spain. Sitges is a beautiful seaside town, known for it’s hospitality, vibrant art scene and beautiful beaches. Being just 30 min train ride away from Barcelona, it was a perfect base for our last leg of the vacation.
We found a hotel close to the beach with good reviews and were happy with the experience our entire stay. We got breakfast buffet added at the check in. Breakfast at restaurant/buffet Mirador was great – fruit, variety of meats and cheeses, a table with local specialties and a hot feature satisfied every picky eater in our family.
Stay at:
Eat at:
  • Restaurante La Tagliatella – comfort Italian
  • Pic Nic – beautiful view of the ocean, seafood and Spanish dishes. Octopus over mashed potatoes dish is a must try.

Hotel Calipolis

Some days we stayed in Sitges on the beach. The sand is white and the waves are high enough to be fun.
The town itself has Mediterranean look and feel – cobblestone streets, white wash walls, blue accents. There is a restaurant, cafe or tapas bar behind every turn. We haven’t scratched a surface of the food scene that Sitges has to offer. Also it was my favourite place to shop – for casual featherlight cotton dresses, wide pants, everything I touched I wanted to wear.
Then there are trips to Barcelona. A quick 30 min ride to Estacio de Franca station gets you close to El Born. One of my favourite areas in Barcelona. I wondered for a few hours through the streets. So much to see – shops – designer, artisan, specialty are one of the things that make this area trendy and unique.
Barcelona
Getting lost in tiny medieval streets, stopping for bites at cafes, in the evening there is live music. And architecture from breathtaking Santa Maria del Mar to the Palau de la Musica.
El Born is situated between Gothic quarter and Ciutadella Park. One can spend a few hours in those areas as well.
Center of Barcelona is walkable and most of the landmarks can be reached by just walking.
We’ve only had 2 days in Barcelona, but here’s a list of the places we loved:

Sitges Itinerary resources:

 

Rimini family trip 5 day itinerary

This year we were lucky to go on a 3 week European vacation – visiting Rimini, Bordeaux and Sitges near Barcelona.  To say that experience was amazing is an understatement; we’ve stayed for about a week in each country and were able to take in the food, culture and un-rushed travel around each destination.

Here, I wanted to share a 5 day itinerary for a family-trip, as we shared the experience with our 11 year old son and tried to make sure that he enjoyed it as much as we did.

Here’s a quick recap:

  • Stay:  L’hotel Rimini
  • Eat: Ristorante Carlos, Da Roberto, Osteria de Borg
  • Travel: bike, taxi, bus, train (if travelling to nearby cities outside of this itinerary)
  • Visit: Rimini Centrale, Borgo San Giuliano, San Marino, Santarcangelo, Aquafan

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Day 1:  arrive to Rimini (we flew into Bologna as there are a lot more flights coming into Bologna, the night before and took a 1 hr. train from Bologna into Rimini). Checked into a hotel.  Our choice was a budget boutique hotel  a block from the beach – l’Hotel Rimini and I would highly recommend it based on our stay.  While the rooms were small, but nicely updated and clean, it was the service and the personal touch that made our stay really special.  We’ve received great recommendations for local restaurants and reliable taxi company, had incredibly friendly and helpful staff confirming our itinerary and even making a birthday reservation in a restaurant that’s really hard to get in.  We enjoyed a great breakfast buffet, late night bar and a nice little pool in the shade when the heat outside was too much to be at the beach.  On arrival date I would suggest to have a bite at a restaurant across the street – Ristorante pizzeria Carlos.  Check out the beach less than a block away – the beach stays open even though all the services are closed and there is barely anyone on the beach after 6 o’clock.  The water looks like a mirror surface. It’s not clear or see through – but it reflects the clouds and the sunset.  Gorgeous, warm and peaceful.  I enjoyed the ocean in the evening the most.   Do note that we’ve been travelling in August during the heat wave, so the water temperature was incredibly warm and crowds were heavy during the day.  To finish off the day I would suggest to walk along the Viale Regina Elena – just to get the idea of what a touristy street is right there nearby and take in the sight of all the souvenir, shops and fast food and mini-markets.  Personally least favorite of all the visits, but was good for a short walk.   Also some great gelato places along the street for a quick night treat.

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Day 2 – Rimini Centrale – historical part of town that I would break up into two days of visits if you have the time. We took a taxi into town, but later discovered that there is a really easy 20 minute bike ride along the waterfront that would get us there just as easy.  A lot of hotels offer free bikes – although I would only ride bikes with family on the designated bike lanes.  Bike traffic along with car traffic is chaotic and looks crazy to an untrained polite and risk-averse Canadian eye. So go into town as early as you can – it’s beautiful when the stores just start to open and crowds are just gathering.  Find a nice coffee shop to people watch – there is plenty and many have tiny patios with a couple of tables.  Do remember that coffee in Italy is a tiny cup of super-strong espresso and Americano is served with a separate cup of boiling water.  Most of the Must-see in Rimini Centrale are located next to each other and are easy to see in one day walking by foot.  Walking around Arco D’Agusto, Tempio Malatestiano, Domos Del Chirurgo, Piazza Cavour, Museo Della Citto di Rimini, Piazza Tre Martiri – all of the incredible historical sites are connected byl cobblestone streets, cafes and interesting shops along the way.  The best thing is to wander around and explore each block without rushing.

 

Day 3 – Grand Hotel Rimini and Borgo San Giuliano –  take a bike ride along the beach  – our hotel l’Hotel was right across Bagno #61 beach area – the bike lanes take you right to the end of the marina, along about 60 beach sites and merge into the boat commercial marina all with a dedicated bike lanes.  There is a nice stop along the way to explore the Grand Hotel Rimini. Enjoy the views of the classical architecture, Venetian and French antiques,  white marble, beautiful gardens as you take a break from biking.  Grand Hotel Riminl became famous through the Federico Fellini films and is part of Fellini’s storied biography as an inspiration to his work.  After a short walk through Fellini park and exploring hotel grounds continue on the bikes along the marinas towards Borgo Giuliano.  This is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Rimini  located just across the Tiberius Bridge from central Rimini.  It is gorgeous in the evening when many restaurants and cafes open for the dinner service.  We’ve booked Osteria de Borg for a birthday dinner and what an experience it was.  One of the best cooked meats we’ve tried in Rimini, generous appetizers, the magic of the outside patio – blending with local family celebrations, kids playing right in the middle of the most unique and vibrant neighborhood, celebrating Fellini’s works with multiple paintings right on the walls.  There are two other sister restaurants owned by the same group as Osteria de Borg – Trattoria La Marianna (best seafood) and Nude e Crude (famous for their piadinas)

IMG_3504Day 4 – day trip to San Marino.  San Marino is an independent republic located about 45 minutes from Rimini on the top of the hill.  But in reality it’s the fastest transition into a fairytale castle, medieval dream  – it’s the biggest highlight of our trip.  We splurged on a cab to get there and back without any hassle.  I wished we stayed for a night or two to really take in the magic.  Cobblestone streets, picturesque piazzas, breathtaking views, castle towers, museums, little parks with incredible sculptures, shops after shops since there is no tax on purchases, corners, windowsills with flowers – it has an air of adventure and magic.  The day flew by so quickly, we all wished we did not have to leave in the afternoon.  If you have a chance to do San Marino – do it – you will not regret the trip!

 

Day 5 – Santarcangelo and Aquafan.  Santarcangelo is another little town located within 35 minute drive from Rimini.  One word – caves – the whole town has a network of tunnels underneath the ground and there is a tour that will take you through a small portion of it.  We were blown away by the scale of the tunnel infrastructure, the overall small town feel and some great food bites we came across while at Santarcangelo.  We visited in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, missing some of the cool romantic restaurants that looked like they were carved into the cave tunnel.

In the afternoon we went to explore the Aquafan water park – another 35 minute drive away.  I’m a big fan of outside water parks and of course is our 11 year old son. We were lucky to spend a couple of hours doing the rides and then the park was closed down for a dj party at the wave pool.  A different kind of the memorable experience –but it was really awesome – a crowd in the pool dancing and splashing to the dj beats.  Kids, parents, teens – it was an all age party and it was a perfect finish to our time in Rimini.

Cannon Beach Itinerary – Oregon Coast

We have a Christmas Day tradition – quickly open presents early in the morning and then jump in a car and head out on a family road trip while everyone is enjoying Christmas day feasts and visiting relatives.  The board crossing takes minutes and the roads are empty and the end of year’s adventure is waiting.  These past two years our destination was Oregon Coast – Seaside and Cannon beach.  Each time we’ve spent 3-4 nights on the Oregon coast, exploring nearby areas and doing day trips.  Here’s a list of places that we loved and would recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock

Cannon Beach – it has to go first on the list.  The beach near Haystack Rock is an experience one never forgets.  The power of the waves, the solitude when the weather is rainy and gloomy, or unreal  light and clouds when the day is clear, the majestic  rock formations along the beach, the smooth and tightly packed sand – all of it comes together in almost surreal perfection.  There are many ways to enjoy the beach – from an easy 3K run on a packed sand, truly a “rave run” worthy of magazine posts, a family outing with kids running away from the waves on exploring see creatures in tidal pools, a romantic walk along the shore, you have to pinch yourself to believe how beautiful the surroundings are.

Evergreen Aviation Museum

Evergreen Aviation Museum

Wings and Waves Waterpark and Aviation Museum – this will take a day trip and a couple of hours of driving, but the visit is totally worth it.  A location for the infamous Spruce Goose – the largest wooden plane ever built, the home to a fantastic collection of fighter jets, a black bird plane, artifacts from space exploration history, helicopters and much much more.  It has plenty to enjoy for kids and for adults alike.  After a few hours of learning about aviation history, there is a waterpark, right next to the museum with a number of breathtaking slides, great wave pool, hot pool and water playground. The place is impossible to miss, a real plane sits right on top of the waterpark and serves as s base for the four main slides.

Nonni’s Italian Bistro – this would be my top food pick in the area.  A truly authentic, Italian restaurant right in the heart of touristy Seaside town.  I’ve learned not to expect too high quality of the food in highly touristy areas and this is a rare exception where the quality of food is top notch and the prices are reasonable.  Having said that, it must be a nightmare to get in during the high season, as the place is fairly small, so plan accordingly.  However, if you are able to get in, you will enjoy incredible pasta dishes like spaghetti in slow roasted tomato sauce, lasagna, meatballs on polenta with mascarpone, a tight family-style menu of great Italian dishes, fast and friendly service, decadent deserts and more.

Breakfast choices – we’ve tried a few locations around the area and enjoyed these places, each one for a different reason.  Lazy Susan – very atmospheric, old-house charm café, with health food inspired, organic ingredients menu.  Works great for a group of adults that are ready for a few twists on their breakfast staples.  Pig and Pancakes – Cannon Beach Location – is a complete opposite – regular ingredients, mostly heavy and greasy staples in a traditional diner atmosphere.  Perfect choice for families with picky eaters and preference for traditional American breakfasts.  Most notable dish, totally unexpected at a place like this is Crab Eggs Benedict.  Light hollandaise, Huge chunks of real crab meat, melt in your mouth English muffin base, perfectly cooked egg.  Great surprise and a dish worthy of a way more upscale restaurant.  Finally Camp 18 Restaurant – about 25 minutes drive from Cannon Beach and right on the way to the Aviation Museum and Wings and Waves waterpark – it’s a restaurant built in what used to be a logging camp.  Great atmosphere and hearty food.  I’d recommend their breakfast over other meals.  The location and ambiance are really unique – huge log beams, beautiful fireplace, gigantic tree during Christmas time, wooden family-style tables and chairs, a collection of tools displayed along the walls, all make for a memorable breakfast experience.

 

 

 

Seattle Itinerary – Bellevue Wine Country Perfect Date

This weekend heading to Seattle for a two-day trip we did not expect to have one of the best winery trips of our life. We visited Seattle before, we’ve stopped at Bellevue for a quick shopping hit. We did not have a slightest idea that Bellevue had so much more to offer.

We planned the trip around the visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Riesling from that winery is one of our favorites and trying out a few varieties of the same make was always on our wish list. Winery was close to Bellevue, so we decided to book a hotel there, avoiding Seattle downtown traffic gridlock. Heading out to Woodinville we weren’t sure what to expect, but ended up passing by a number of wineries, before stopping at Château Ste. Michelle. The further we drove the more unique and interesting the area turned out to be. From industrial buildings the surroundings changed into beautiful valley surrounded by family estates and wineries at every corner. Chateau St Michelle is one of the largest wineries in the area and the grounds reminded us a lot of the Mission Hill Winery in Okanagan: expansive gardens, beautiful landscaping, multiple buildings and a huge area for a concert stage.

We were not disappointed with the wines, a Riesling wine tasting had a number of interesting takes on the flavors we already loved and we found a number of favorites to take home. Unfortunately as is sometimes the case with very popular wineries, we weren’t lucky with the service we’ve received – not knowledgeable and completely inattentive guest server  left quite a bitter aftertaste from the visit, which was so sad, given how nice the wines were and how much love and care winemakers pour into their craft. We’d still highly recommend the place, and also hope that service standards don’t slip any further.

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Barking Frog

We did not find cafes or lunch options at this winery so we headed down the road to the Barking Frog bistro for a late lunch. Right next to the beautiful Willows Lodge hotel and highly acclaimed Farmhouse Restaurant, Barking Frog is a cozy bistro with Northwestern style menu. We were there just in time for brunch/lunch menu and thoroughly enjoyed  meat lover’s breakfast  and Dungeness crab chopped salad with warm baked bread and home style apple butter. The ambiance, the service, the produce in every dish were excellent, the  setting is nice with lodge-style high ceilings, wooden beams and a stunning patio we didn’t get to enjoy because of on and off rain. After lunch we wandered through the Willows Lodge oriental-style gardens – around peaceful small pond, fountains and taken in the merged tree roots sculpture

The wineries around are easy to walk to, and entire little plaza around the Hollywood Circle has a handful of winery locations offering tastings.   Next time we’ll be spending more time there, but we had to head back to the hotel.  Staying at Westin, in the heart of Bellevue shopping district was great – ample parking underground, beautiful lounge inside and walking distance to many attractions.  That location worked great for our trip and one again we’d highly recommend it.

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Westin Bellevue

Next stop on our trip and what ended up being one of the best meals we’ve had south of the border was the Purple Café and Wine Bar.  This restaurant is right next to one of the wineries near the Hollywood circle, located in the corner of the plaza.  We loved the ambiance, and what was the most amazing is the amount of restraint, smart restraint that the owners exercised when decorating the café.  The only real decoration on the walls are small candles.  The entire wall glimmers with small lights.  Lights on the tables.  Somewhat rustic, somewhat contemporary, but above all, it’s canvas for honest, great tasting and amazing food.  Starters alone were made up of some of my most favorite dishes.  We actually ended up sharing a number (way to many) of starters instead of mains.  Calamari, baked brie, tuna tartar, crab cakes, mushrooms and steaks, burrata, spreads – each one is better than the other.  Incredible taste, incredible service, wine flights – nothing was missed. All the things that we love about the restaurant meal were right there and we wished the time would just stop.  Truly a perfect meal.  Perfect for a date, perfect for a family dinner.  In the middle of wine country, we could not wish for a more perfect experience.

Purple Cafe

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

We’ve rounded up the amazing weekend with a visit to Main Street and the Old Bellevue area.  Concierge at Westin Hotel recommended Gilbert’s on Main as a place for a breakfast.   Just one more thing that we did not expect  to find  in Bellevue.  Small street full of character, cute cafes, small shops, right near waterfront and marina, in the middle of hills and beautiful apartment complexes.  Right around the Downtown Bellevue Park – with fountains, playgrounds and green spaces.  We were truly amazed by all the things Bellevue had to offer.  Great weekend away.  Great 2-day escape and a perfect place for a date weekend.

Hidden Gems Vancouver – European Bistro Crawl

I love bistros.  When I think of a place for a date night, I rarely think of a formal dining room, starched tablecloths and 5-course dinners.  I think cozy, dimmed lights, easy to enjoy, an interesting patio or a view and of course superb food.  Here’s the top three that in a city with hundreds of outstanding restaurants we keep going back to. Each one is located in a neighborhood that’s unique. I like to start out with just walking through the streets and then  pair it with a meal and a glass of wine. Makes for a date to look forward to.

Here are a few favorites:

Absinthe Bistro – Commercial Drive

Adesso Bistro – West End, near Second Beach

Espana Restaurant – Denman, near Second Beach

Stable House Bistro – South Granville

Absinthe Bistro

Let’s start with Absinthe Bistro.  The first time we went there I was blown away with the food that was pure perfection.  And I’m not saying it lightly.  The rotating seasonal menu offers only 3 appetizers, 3 mains and 3 deserts. The dishes that are not complex or over the top, yet they are cooked in a way that every ingredient tastes the very best it possibly can.  The scallops were the best scallops I’ve had in my life.  And so was the mashed potatoes that accompanied them.  And together with lemony creamy sauce and a spinach, that was the best combination I ever wanted to taste with scallops.  The same thing with braised beef – deep, rich, melt in your mouth, paired with parsnip puree, highlighted by the sauce with such a succulent wine taste, you could not leave a drop on the plate.  I can go on like that about every dish.  The fact that those dishes are made by no more than two people in the kitchen, served promptly and warmly by no more than two servers and usually have every single table full and reservations stretching for weeks, speaks for itself.  Absinthe Bistro is a very special gem of a restaurant in the heart of Commercial Drive district.  If you have a special occasion coming up, book the restaurant early, plan to walk along the Drive, explore the quirky shops, enjoy people watching and stop by for a pre-drink in one of the many bars along the way.  Then go to Absinthe and have the best simple meal of your life.

Adesso Bistro is so close to Second Beach and Stanley Park, which are amazing for a date night walk, taking in the sunset, seating on the logs by the beach.  However, if you don’t know where it is, you’ll never find it.  We’ve walked the neighborhood dozens of times, yet never turned into Haro St, one of the small streets just off Denman and not far from Robson.  In a purely residential street, there is a beautiful green patio, with patio lights sparkling late at night, wrought iron chairs and blankets if the breeze gets cool.  The menu is seasonal and features many local ingredients, hand-made pastas and Italian-inspired cocktail menu.  Adesso brings together a unique experience, different from many Italian restaurants in Vancouver.  It’s not pretentious, takes reservations and does not charge high end prices, combine that with two steps away from one of the best beaches in the city and you’ve got the place we’ll be coming back to over and over again.

Espana steak feature

Espana Restaurant is another great option right on Denman.  One of the most authentic Spanish restaurants in Vancouver, they offer a great selection of tapas dishes, sherry flights, and a seasonal frequently rotating mains.  Transported us right back to our Sitges advetnure in Spain.

Stables House Bistro

Stable House Bistro is a relatively new addition to South Granville Dining scene and a really welcome one.  Tucked away near Granville St and 12th Ave., with a tiny patio in the shade of nearby trees, Stable House offers a French twist on Brunch, lunch and a charcuterie bites. South Granville is one of my favorite neighborhoods and had been so for years.  I love the closeness of Granville island, the walking distance to Kitsilano beach or along the shore walkways with view of bridges, mountains, skyscrapers.  I also love walking along the boutiques, stores and visiting Chapters whenever I’m in the area.  However, I never had a place where I enjoyed stopping by for a bite and now we discovered Stables House. It actually reminds me of one of the favourite places in Seattle (Le Pichet) that we made a point of visiting every time we’d cross the border.  Yet now with this bistro being under 30 minutes  away from where ewe live, charcuterie boards and wine lists that combine some of my most favorite items and service second to none (just imagine I walked in once after a long run, and then two months later we came in for a brunch.  The server remembered who I was!). Another bonus is Stables Bistro is on the way home from work – I know for sure we’ll be coming back for casual dates over and over again.

So here’s the list of our favorites in Vancouver, are there any ones you’d add to that list? Please share with us in the comments.

Steveston Hidden Gems and a Date with the Perfect View

Steveston village is just a few minutes from where we live and every year it turns into a more and more enticing place to visit.  Personally I like this as my running destination – a solid 7K run with a reward of a Starbucks and a gorgeous view at the end.  It used to be too busy and too touristy to plan a date around, but lately we’ve discovered a few places that are just perfect for a casual dinner, a date with the stunning view and finally a unique courtyard dinner that transport you into a small European town.

Steveston Garry Point Park

So here’s my Steveston Hidden Gems List:

We love all of these places and frequent them quite often.  However, it is the Catch Kitchen & Bar that’s been so good to discover this year.  Fresh, seafood-focused  food served with great service at a place with the best view.  Seriously, their view can not be beat.  Located just above Blue Canoe restaurant, on the second floor, every seat at a restaurant offers the view point at the Steveston waterfront – the boats, the sunsets, an occasional seal and kingfishers. The ambiance is understated, with lots of light, unobstructed windows, nautical motives, high stem glasses at the every table.  The staff is passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated.  The menu is changing from time to time with the kitchen testing out different dishes. Great ingredients, not over complicated dishes, some of our favorite wines and IPAs available from the bar.

In a place like Steveston, that’s full of restaurants that just take advantage of touristy traffic and lower their standards over time, it’s so refreshing to find a place that’s trying to do things right, and treat clients the best they can and bet on this amazing view that you never ever want to leave.  We’ve gone there for a few afternoon drinks, impromptu date outings and not once regretted the decision.

So if you’re heading to Steveston with your loved ones, kids or even group of friends, here’s the plan:

Start with the nice walk around Gary Point Park.  We know the Pajo’s Fish and Chips are tempting, but save your meal for checking out the Catch Test Kitchen.  Head back towards the Steveston Village and wonder through the Prickly Pear Garden Center.  If you’re there around Christmas they have some of the most unique Christmas decorations and souvenirs.  Kids would love exploring the decorated trees and you just might check off a good number of Christmas stockings and gifts off your list.  Head to the Sweet Spot Bakery or D Original Sausage House located just next door to each other.  Stock up on amazing pastries, quiches or scones.  Or if you’re into charcuterie, pick out deli meats, cheeses and sausages crafted by owners without use of preservatives.

Now you’ve worked up and appetite and the time might be nearing the afternoon. Now is the hardest part – making the choice of where to grab a bite:

Catch restaurant or bar upstairs locations with unbeatable views.  Order a glass of wine or one of the feature cocktails and just look out the window and take in the view.  Mussels and seafood chowder are nice and so are the sliders, served three ways – beef, fried chicken and salmon.  Linger over the appies, watch fishing boats coming back, see if you can spot seals from you spot.  Ask waiter staff about this new place and with that it stays exactly as it is, so that we can enjoy perfect dates with perfect views in Steveston for years to come.

Britannia Steveston Brewing if you crave a beer, seaside cottage style design, some of the best seafood dishes in the area – seafood chowder, crab cakes, fish and chips, halibut if you are lucky to get it in season and if you have a room for desert, a killer toffee pudding.

Porthole Steveston – if you miss your European travels and are looking for an authentic Spanish experience, maybe some live music, wine flights, croquets, olives and flatbreads.

Christmas Date – CinCin

The are some cherished traditions that come with the holidays and make all the rushed shopping, crowded malls and endless “to do” lists all worth it.  Every December as I count down days to Christmas, I also know that just a few days before we unwrap the gifts we are going to once again revisit a tradition of our Christmas Lunch Date.

CinCin pork and octopus

Every year in late December we leave the hustle and bustle of the office life and disappear into a beautiful, festive CinCin restaurant for a lunch meal that we then remember for the rest of the year.  We have not changed the location of our Christmas date, even though there is a myriad of worthy and inviting restaurants all around Vancouver.  The reason is simple,  from first steps into the restaurant hallway, as we go up the stairs, and into the warm terracotta walls of Cin Cin we get magically immediately transported into the rich, warm and golden feeling of Italian Christmas.  Christmas lights, intricate decorations, golden light, wooden stove  – the atmosphere is warm and relaxing and we are ushered to the table by the window- stark contrast between the grey rain outside and golden warmth of where we are.

We are introduced to the seasonal special – irresistible burrata appetizer with truffle oil and micro greens salad.  Suggested by the knowledgeable staff – professional, unobtrusive, knowledgeable of every detail of the menu and the wine list.  Mushroom and chestnut soup is velvety and stunning in its simplicity.  Specialty dishes are made in the wood burning stove  – moist and tender inside and with the golden crust outside.  We’ve tried the roasted pork with the crackling skin and octopus over polenta and a chicken over mashed potatoes.  Both dishes were amazing – balanced and luxurious and rich in taste and textures.  Finished with a shared desert  – a tiny caramel apple tart – a perfect finish to a memorable date.earrings yellow diamonds and gold

The room fills up with more people  – some holding holiday meetings with clients, some meeting up with the friends for another once-a-year tradition, and then others picked this place for a lunch date, just like us.  Gifts (maybe gold and diamond earrings just like these)  and hugs are being exchanged, champagne poured into glasses and it truly feels like a perfect Christmas gathering. Definitely a tradition to be continued.

Kelowna Itinerary – Mission Hill Winery

In the previous Okanagan trip post we’ve suggested  that you start your Winery Day Trip at the bottom of the hill at the beginning of the West Kelowna Trail and work your way to the top .   At the very top of the hill you will reach the magnificent Mission Hill Winery Estate.  If you have started your winery journey  early in the day, it’s a perfect place to stop for a lunch date.  However if you only had an afternoon, I can imagine how breathtaking dinner at the Terrace Restaurant would be. As it is an open air dining, the restaurant is only opened during the summer season, starting in May.

 

We’ve reached Mission Hill gates in the late afternoon.  It’s a good idea to reserve in advance, even on the week day, there was about 40 minutes of wait to get seated at the restaurant.  Which actually worked out great, as we had some time to take in the architecture, the views, walk around the gorgeous green lawns, take pictures  and, of course, sample the wine.  The estate is breathtaking in its scale, artistic vision and the use architecture to compliment the landscape.  Sculptures of people as if frozen in time and in moment are situated all throughout the garden: looking up the tree, gazing through the window at the winery and lake below, sitting down on the grass – as if people that wanted to stay at the Mission Hill Estate forever just turned into stone.

Mission hill table

Wine Boutique Tasting Bar and the store also carries that artistic touch.  Wines, dishes, souvenirs and artisanal treats are grouped around  an art theme and positioned in tasteful groupings throughout the store.  Wine tastings are offered at two stations and a trip to the Mission Hill Cellar is available as a private tour.
After enjoying the grounds and a visit to the store it was our time to get seated at our table at the Terrace.  Every seat at the restaurant has a gorgeous view of the wine fields and the Okanagan lake, with tables located in two long rows  in the open air.  Local, seasonal and stylish menu is offered and dishes are changed based on what  is in season.  It’s impossible to even think of rushing such an experience and we wished we could stop that moment in time.  Servers glide almost invisibly between the tables and take great care to not disrupt the conversation.  The food is light, balanced and tasteful.  Produce tastes of summer, soaking up the sun and perfect taste is not overpowered.  This is one of a kind dining experience where the place, the wine and the food are in perfect harmony.  Where conversation is long and thoughtful and with every bite and every second we wished we could just stop the time and extend the feelings of peace and summer and natural beauty that we are lucky to enjoy in BC.

Perfect Date Wish List – Places to Visit

We’ve talked about some of the memorable places we’ve visited and yet there are so many we dream of experiencing or going back to.  Here’s our “to do” list that will grow with time.  We welcome suggestions and places you think we should visit – share your date favorites in comments!

Seattle

Portland

Vancouver

Okanagan

San Francisco

Toronto

 

 

 

Okanagan Itinerary: Quail’s Gate and Westside Wine Trail

You’ll need more than a day to really enjoy an Okanagan Trip, plan for three days to focus on Kelowna wineries.  Do spend that time together in that beautiful part of British Columbia without rushing and taking in the beauty of the area and the dedication of the winemakers, and it will be the most relaxing, enjoyable and memorable trip you’ll take all year.

Here’s how we started the trip.  We drove to West Kelowna area and stayed in one of the hotels with the lake view.  There is plenty around, we’ve stayed at The Cove Lake Resort, the suite had a fridge, kitchenette which are a must as you will have to try some of the wines and local cheese after the long day at the wineries.

As this was our first foray into the wine country, we’ve wanted to start small and explore a grouping of West Kelowna wineries (The Westside Wine Trail), which happened to be just a few minutes drive from our hotel.

The wineries are located along the winding road leading towards the top of the hill.  I highly recommend you start at the bottom and work your way to the top.  We’ve started with Volcanic Hills winery, and were blown away with some interesting Ice Wines, continued through the Little Straw winery, Mt. Boucherie,  German style whites at Sonoran Estate Winery.  We’ve enjoyed tastings at each one and picked up a few bottles at each of the styles that we’ve liked the most.

Quail's Gate Winery

Quail’s Gate Winery

Some of the wineries are small, with tiny tasting rooms, and as you move up the hill, you come across more and more elaborate stores, larger vineyards, until you hit two of the gems at the top –  Quail’s Gate and Mission Hill Wineries.

Vines

Vines

We were lucky to hit an open reservation at Quail’s Gate winery restaurant – Old Vines –  the night of our arrival at the hotel.   This was an unforgettable dinner, on the outside patio, over- looking the sunset over the vineyard and the lake.  Sometimes things come together perfectly – the weather, the timing, the atmosphere of the place, the server with the great sense of humor and impeccable timing, the wine, the, food, the deserts and the view.  That was that type of dinner date.  We’ve done a sampling of the wines at the Tasting room before setting down for the meal, but made a note of coming back there the next day to fully take in the winery during the day light.  The restaurant is a must try and the experience is unforgettable.  With the menu changing seasonally, there will always be something new to try and be blown away with.