Celebrities, beaches, wine, red tiles and beautiful gardens are just some of the things that made the relaxed town of Santa Barbara famous. Most visitors to the city spend their time at the beach or near the fancy boutiques along State Street, which is also home to some of the fanciest Airbnbs in Santa Barbara. But there are …
Visiting Mission San Antonio de Padua in California
Just a few miles north of Paso Robles, in the middle of the Hunter-Liggett Military Base, lies the most remote mission in California. Mission San Antonio de Padua was the 3rd mission build by Father Junipero Serra, the Franciscan priest who founded the first nine of the 21 Spanish missions between downtown San Francisco and San Diego. A Brief History of …
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The Captivating History of Hearst Castle and its Controversial ‘King’
Coastal California has always been a place of big affluence and monster mansions. But nothing comes close to Hearst Castle, the glamorous San Simeon estate of William R. Hearst, a newspaper magnate who made history in the early 1900s. There are many tales and unpublished anecdotes about Hearst Castle, but perhaps the most intriguing one is its own.
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Bacara Resort & Suites – Is It Worth the Steep Price?
The Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta, California, has all the essentials of a luxury seaside resort — tennis courts, a full-service spa, several infinity pools, fine dining venues and, of course, dramatic Pacific Ocean views. There is even a 1,000-acre ranch that borders the Los Padres National Forest where guests can take scenic hikes through …
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La Bellasera Hotel & Suites – Luxury Accommodations in Paso Robles
I was kind of worn out as we pulled in front of the four-story building of La Bellasera Hotel that afternoon. Traffic had been a nightmare on Highway 101, coming from Los Angeles. I could hardly wait to kick off my shoes and hop on a clean bed. The lustrous marble floors of the lobby gleamed like polished bronze …
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Interview With Efraín Villa, from “Aimless Vagabond”
My Travel Blogger Interviews series continues this month with Efraín Villa, the editor, writer and photographer of Aimless Vagabond. An adventure lover and self-confessed travel junkie, Efraín never misses an opportunity to wander far and wide across the world. But in the process, he doesn’t fail to entertain his readers with funny and inspiring anecdotes. His style of writing is so naturally bright and entertaining that it’s difficult not …
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Château d’Amboise – Randezvous With the Dark Side of History
Overlooking the tranquil waters of the Loire River, the majestic silhouette of Château d’Amboise keeps guard over the large valley below. Château d’Amboise was the place of residence for the kings of France for over 400 years, so its destiny is inextricably linked to the history of France.
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Château de Chaumont – a Castle Entangled in Intrigue and Rivalry
From the bald hill with the same name, Château de Chaumont keeps watch over the river below. Located in the center of the Loire Valley, the castle was originally a fortress that protected the town of Blois. Château de Chaumont is one of France’s largest and most impressive historical sites. Like most castles in the …
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Aboard the Mocanita, Romania’s Nostalgic Steam Train
Romania is one of the very few places left in Europe where you can still experience the bygone era of the steam engine locomotives. So if you ever find yourself in the region of Maramures, Romania, don’t miss riding the Mocanita – Viseul de Sus – the last steam forestry train in Europe. The nostalgic …
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