We started with creative little bites like a pillow on a pillow (goat cheese in a pastry served on a pillow), clam chowder served in a mini hush puppy, and crudités with a delicious dip served in a fishbowl-like vase. After that, I knew I was in my version of an amusement park. We then fell down a rabbit hole…

1. whipped yogurt with black sesame, pickled plum shiso
2. warm asparagus with microgreens and thin slices of egg that even I liked (I don’t usually like eggs, but I’m glad I didn’t tell them that!)
3. tuna venison, kohlrabi, sorrel and caviar
4. cod borage with smashed tuber roots
5. coal roasted sturgeon with onions
6. grilled squab with chrysanthemum and fresh chickpeas
7. beef in madrone
8. explorateur cherry leaf with shaved baguette
9. citrus snowball verbena
10. date hearts of palm custard with caraway
11. forest mignardise

Closely resembling the tuna course... I wish my photos looked this good!

While the food had firm roots in the Napa Valley, the wine was an around the world tour and everything was perfectly paired! We were welcomed with a Roederer Estate 2000 “l’ermitage” brut from Anderson Valley (served with the bites and crudités) and then…

1. Rebholz “im Sonnenschein” grosses gewachs, riesling, pfalz germany 2006
2. Cold Heaven Cellars Sanford & Benedict Vineyard vionier, Santa Rita Hills 2008
3. School House chardonnay, Spring Mountain, 2008
4. Remelluri blanco rioja, Spain, 2008
5. Les Cailloux “Cuvee Centenaire,” Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, 2011
6. Whitehall Lane, reserve cabernet sauvignon, Napa Valley 1997
7. North Coast Brewery “la merle-saison” Belgian farmhouse ale, Fort Bragg, CA
8. Domaine Fontanelle, rivesaltes ambre, longuedoc-rousilion, France 1999

As hard as it was to describe my dining experience, I couldn’t begin to write my report on the hotel until I got this all out on paper. My thoughts on the beautiful grounds and rooms at Meadowood will come in Part 2!

This year, the iconic west coast drive seems to be on the collective travelers’ minds, especially international travelers heading to the US for their summer holiday. Lately, I’ve booked trips with itineraries that include Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, San Francisco, Napa Valley and even Las Vegas and Palm Springs … All of them driving and all of them adding a personalized spin on the vintage summer vacation.

I completely understand the draw and the romance of the idea! Feeling the pull of a California road-trip? Consider these great hotels for your “pit-stops” along the way:

• Fairmont Girardelli Square
• Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
• Post Ranch Inn
• Four Seasons Santa Barbara

See all of the Virtuoso hotels in Southern California and San Francisco and Northern California.

If you live on the east coast or are planning a road trip through the area, I definitely recommend considering putting this region on your itinerary!

You can see more pictures on my Flickr page.

1. Romance: Capella, Ixtapa was designed for it. The rooms, the lighting, the restaurants, even the smells are all orchestrated to help you fill your stay with sweet, intimate moments. This place oozes with it… in a good way!
2. Views: The hotel doesn’t have a beach. But, what it lacks in sand, it more than makes up for in wow-factor. Built in tiers on an ocean-side cliff, Capella’s 5 “towers” are connected by stairways and verniculars. The door to your room opens onto a private terrace with sweeping views of the ocean and little rocky islands. Beautiful bougainvilleas and colorful birds frame the view. You won’t be able to resist the urge to snap pictures and they will most certainly be inadequate to describe the views to your friends back home.
3. Plunge Pool: Speaking of your private terrace, all 59 suites are outfitted with a private plunge pool to help you soak up those views and the sun. The pools in the lower room categories are under shade and have smaller surrounding terraces. If your searching for sun, book a room at a higher category.



4. Food: Despite its small size, Capella offers great dining variety and, most importantly, quality. Breakfast and lunch are served in Las Rocas Restaurant located conveniently next to the infinity pool. Dinner can be enjoyed in the air-conditioned A Mares Restaurant (my personal favorite) or in the open air seafood grill tucked away under the pool with great close-up views of the waves crashing on rocks below. You need at least 3 nights at A Mares alone to feel like you’re getting a taste of the full spread of menu options! Head to Terrace Bar for after dinner drinks and off the cuff entertainment and magic tricks from the bar tender.
5. Price: With a hotel as special as this, you would expect to pay a pretty penny (or peso), but that’s not the case at all! Capella is running some great promotions with 3rd or 4th night free and, by booking through me, you’ll receive added value with Virtuoso Amenities which include complimentary continental breakfast daily, complimentary dinner for two, and room upgrade on arrival (subject to availability).

Bonus reason: Capella, Ixtapa is located only 1.5 miles from Playa Linda. The hotel provides guests with bikes free of charge and there is a paved bike path the whole way there (be careful! It is downhill there and uphill back!) You’ll pass a crocodile habitat and see nesting spoon bills along your ride! If you’re really looking for adventure, schedule an excursion that includes an 8 mile bike ride (round trip) through the ecological park and kayaking and snorkeling around Ixtapa Island.

See more pictures form my trip on my Flickr page.

The trip itself was a whirlwind: 26 hours in the air and 36 hours on the ground. I got a chance to experience Qatar Airways, including their popular business class service, along with two Ritz-Carlton hotels, the Sharq Village and Spa and the Ritz-Carlton, Doha.

For those who crave an urban vacation, Doha has much to offer from traditional markets to unique museums to an incredible display of modern architecture. And, with a warm desert climate and a knack for luxury, this city has quite a bit to offer those seeking a resort experience.

Read on for detailed notes and view all of my pictures on Flickr

The Flight:
While British airways and Lufthansa provide routes to Doha you will most likely find yourselves on a Qatar Airways flight, which has daily direct service from New York, Washington, DC and Houston.

The most challenging part of my trip was getting to Washington Dulles airport right in the middle of rush hour in time for a 9:45 departure. If you’re departing from DC, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to battle the beltway traffic. However, once I was at the check-in counter and in the capable hands of the Qatar Airlines crew, everything was smooth sailing. US routes on Qatar Airways do not offer first class service and your options are economy or business class, which is better than most airline’s first class services. In Dulles, business class passengers are given access to the Virgin Airways lounge and you’ll be very comfortable as you wait for boarding. Once on board…

• Be sure to try on the very comfortable pajamas provided to each biz class customer. Your seat fully reclines and you’ll be able to get a full night’s rest during the red eye flight to Doha.
• For a pre-flight or dinner drink, I highly recommend any of the selections off of the amazing wine list. I sampled the Champagne, Syrah, and Bordeaux on my flights. All were delicious!
• The service from the flight crew is impeccable. You won’t want for any creature comforts during the 12-17 hour journey. Indulge in the delicious meal options; my favorite was the mezze platter. And, for a snack mid-flight, I recommend some buttered popcorn while you enjoy the over 900 entertainment options on your video screen.

If you are flying business class on your return, or if your connecting to another flight via Doha, you’ll be treated to the airlines amazing priority terminal with comfortable check-in seating areas, a smooth security operation, and an amazing lounge with multiple food and drink options all free of charge. First class passengers are provided access to a spa with massage treatments, a sauna and day rooms for longer layovers.

The Hotels
If you are looking for a city experience, head to the Ritz-Carlton Doha near The Pearl with access to shopping and restaurants. For a resort experience, Sharq Village and Spa is the right fit with low-lying 2-story buildings, a private beach and several pools, this hotel almost has a Caribbean feel to it. Both hotels offer features and amenities that are great for families or couples and you might consider combining a stay at each for the best balance during your trip.

Sharq Village and Spa:

Stress will just melt off of your shoulders immediately upon arrival to this unique resort. Enjoy some spiced Turkish coffee or fruit punch and a cool towel while you sit at individual desks for the check-in process. You’ll hear bubbling water fountains and chatter from conversations in the lounge and restaurant, all housed in the main building. Your room will be in one of the smaller buildings designed with traditional middle eastern architecture, most of which are either on the beach or surrounding one of the pools.

The rooms are large and very comfortable with terraces or balconies arranged in small buildings each with 14 rooms and a central courtyard. The individual buildings can be reserved for a villa-style experience that is great for groups and large families. The spa and gym facilities are in their own building, which has a gorgeous interior featuring a 2-story waterfall, exposed beams and organic design. The beach, with views of the new downtown directly across the water,  is perfect for a game of volleyball or a stroll along the water. My favorite feature was the large cabana-style lounges at the shisha bar on the roof of the main building.

Ritz-Carlton Doha:

With a large, stunning lobby that serves as a social hub for the local residents, the Ritz-Carlton Doha is definitely a place to see and be seen. Don’t be surprised if the Amir is a few tables over enjoying a coffee while you are people watching in the lobby!

The look and feel of this hotel is definitely a departure from the resort-style of Sharq and you will feel more connected to the buzz and energy of the city here. But, you will still have access to excellent amenities including indoor and outdoor pools, multiple restaurants and lounges, and a very large spa with sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi tub. Instead of a beach, you’ll have access to the marina with its own bar and great walking paths along the water. The Ritz-Carlton Doha has easy access to The Pearl and Lagoona shopping malls.

Almost all of the rooms here have a water view and are large in size. The suites are perfect for large families and are arranged with large living spaces with access to multiple bedrooms. A limited number of club-level rooms keep the lounge intimate and quiet, a great feature for those seeking privacy.

Touring the City

The city of Doha offers a variety of activities and opportunities to explore the culture. The vibe of the city is very laid back and residents take the time for leisurely pastimes including visiting spas, shopping, watching horse racing and relaxing at a shisha lounge. Soccer is a popular sport here and Doha is preparing to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup. The highlights from my tour of the city include:

• Souq Waqif: the crowds don’t come out till after the sun goes down and the temperatures cool. So, visiting the Souq at night was the perfect time to get a feel for the local nightlife. Of course alcohol is not permitted, so the local families gather at the market for coffee, juice, hooka, live music and shopping. It was a great place to take in the energy of the city and taste the local flavors.
• Katara: this new cultural center of the city features unique art galleries, theatres, restaurants and beaches. While it almost has a feel of Epcot center, I can imagine it will become a very popular place after the nearby artist residents and hotels are completed. The city has big plans for cultural expos leading up to the World Cup.
• The Pearl: a planned city with housing for 40,000 residents, this new city within a city features high-end shopping and dining, marinas and yacht clubs, and more waterfront exploring opportunities. It isn’t quite finished and many buildings are still under construction, but this area is poised to be quite the draw when it is complete. For now, be sure to see the visitors center where they have a large-scale model of the entire planned island.
• Museum of Islamic art: for me, this was the highlight of the trip. I loved the art and the architecture. The lobby alone is worth the visit and the exhibits on patterns and the intersection of islamic art and science are not to be missed!

I currently live in a historic neighborhood of DC called Takoma. This isn’t your typical DC neighborhood of row houses. Instead, the streets are full of large, mature Oak trees and lined with bungalow cottages built in the 1920s. We share a border with Takoma Park, Maryland and our area is lovingly called the “Berkeley of the East,” which is fitting seeing as David is based in the actual Berkeley in the West! If you are a vegan traveling in Washington, DC, definitely head north to Takoma and you won’t be disappointed! Restaurants like the famous Mark’s Kitchen, My Little Bistro, Middle Eastern, and Roscoe’s Pizzeria all have excellent vegan and vegetarian menus.

Speaking of Roscoe’s, DC has become a battle ground for the quest for the best neapolitan pizzeria. Everyone has their favorite and, if you ever visit my city, you must try at least one during your stay. Feel free to choose from Roscoe’s, 2 Amy’s, Seventh Hill, Pizzeria Paradiso, or Red Rocks. Which will be your favorite?

Washington, DC

Washington, DC is a popular place for family vacations for obvious reasons, including the excellent museums and memorials (something I will be posting about in the near future). But with a long list of luxury hotels, great shopping, and theater options to choose from, East coasters could also easily pull together a great weekend getaway or romantic escape. Imagine spending the weekend in a suite at the Ritz-Carlton (they actually have 4 locations here), Four Seasons, or Willard InterContinental and filling your time with a show at the Kennedy Center, a visit to the International  Spy Museum, and a delicious meal at the Blue Duck Tavern. I might have to book this itinerary for myself! If you are thinking about a trip to Washington DC in the future, I’d be happy to pull some ideas together and help you find the area’s hidden gems!

As I settle into my new role working with David, I look forward to getting to know his client base and taking on even more clients. Feel free to reach out, say hello, and tell me how I can help with your next travel adventure!

cheers,
Jessica