Three Romantic Destinations

San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara

Why? Never have I been to a real-life secret garden. The grounds at San Ysidro are absolutely breathtaking. Not only was it the honeymoon spot for JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy but also the spot where I got engaged. It holds a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to visit again. The grounds are stunning. You could spend hours just taking it all in. The Stonehouse restaurant, next to the gardens, is out of this world and très romantique, with a stone fireplace and twinkling lights above. You really cannot, not be mesmerized when you are here. If you are looking for a romantic spot in the U.S. that is quiet and away from it all, look no further.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Why? I can’t explain what it is about Lucerne but it is still one of my favorite places I have ever visited. When the hubs and I were dating we took a roadtrip around Switzerland and hit all the main places. To this day Lucerne is still our favorite. It is where I fell in love with my husband and knew that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Maybe it is the charming architecture that winds around the beautifully colored Ruess River or the quiet nature of the city. Whatever it is, this is a city to see! What do I recommend doing most? Walking the Chapel Bridge. It is one of the oldest bridges in Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century. It is also extremely rare as it still has medieval paintings under the roof which makes for a very interesting and romantic stroll.

Frescobaldi Winery, Tuscany

Why? This winery is perfectly tucked away in the romantic hills of Tuscany. Dating back to the 1300s it is one of Italy’s oldest and most significant wineries. I fell in love with its undeniable beauty and character. The buildings ooze charm – with flowers hanging from the windows and old barrels scattered around. The winery itself looks over all of Tuscany and you can’t help but feel romance when you look around. Not only is the wine incredibly delicious – their wine is consistently ranked in the top 100 wines every year – but they also make the most exquisite cheese. After our informative tour the staff prepared a charming “picnic style” lunch full of wine, cheese, and cured meats. As the breeze blew we enjoyed an incredibly romantic day.

all images my own except stonehouse :: chapel bridge

Gstaad Switzerland :: Rialto

scroll through the gallery below to see more photos from Rialto in Gstaad Switzerland

Gstaad is one of the most beautiful (and chic) places I have been. Walking the streets that Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, and thousands of other celebrities, royals, and diplomats have walked is always amazing to me. One of the first trips I ever took with the hubby was a road trip around Switzerland. One of our first stops? Gstaad. Being a small town girl I had no idea the clout this quaint town had. Walking the streets you feel you are a million miles from life – which I am sure is the reason it is a favorite amongst the elite. This past summer the hubby, myself, and my parents decided to take a day trip back to Gstaad and enjoy a nice summer lunch in the mountains. The air was crisp and the mountains were completely still – the perfect setting! We stopped off at Rialto and enjoyed one hell of a meal! Being gluten-free I am always a bit nervous to eat at restaurants as you never know if you will be eating a side salad because nothing on the menu is G-free or if you are promised something is g-free only to receive it and it is covered in bread crumbs. Long story short, Rialto was none of the above! It was absolutely divine! While we all enjoyed our meals – the men enjoyed pizza and I enjoyed my greek salad – my mom won the ordering lottery with the pork! It was by far the best pork I have ever had! We all topped off the delicious meal with a few desserts that melted in our mouthes! If you ever find yourself in the mountains of Gstaad be sure to stop in Rialto’s!

Strolling Geneva

Enjoy a stroll through the Old Town of Geneva, Switzerland with the gallery below

When most people think of Geneva, Switzerland they think of the Alps, the Jet d’Eau, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), watches, or chocolate. But, they are missing 50% of the equation – the city itself. Inside the cobblestone streets of Geneva is a quaint city which feels more like a small town. Almost like you drove the Delorean back to the 1600s and are now living amongst the villagers. It is absolutely charming, with its beautiful (and very clean) architecture, its small shops and the smells from the local bakeries filling the streets, flowers hanging from every window, and its open air seating at every restaurant. You really feel like you are a million miles away from real life. Geneva has so much history to its name and you feel that when you are walking around. Whether you are sitting on the longest wooden bench in the world in La Treille, walking past the Reformation Wall with the likes of John Calvin and Theodore de Beze chiseled into stone or standing in the place where famous treaties were signed – it is all extremely historic and beautiful. Since most people don’t share this side of Geneva I thought I would! I hope you enjoy your stroll through the Old Town of Geneva, Switzerland!

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