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Annecy, France-Old Town I saw so many amazing places and incredible sights on my two week journey through the Alps, but one place in particular just touched my soul and made a huge impact on me. That place was Annecy, France. Annecy is a small alpine town in southeastern France (right by the border with Switzerland) that is nestled in the French Alps and situated right on Lac d'Annecy. For planning purposes, Annecy is about 40 minutes drive from Geneva, Switzerland; an hour and ten minute drive from Chamonix-Mont Blanc; and accessible by train from Paris. Annecy is called the "Venice of the Alps" because of the canal that winds through the center of the old town. From the moment I got off the bus, I was mesmerized by the scenery and the vibe of this place. I was immediately enchanted by the cobblestone streets; the full, colorful flower boxes; and the pastel colored buildings that line the canal in the Vielle Ville ("Old Town"). Not to mention the crystal blue water of Lac d'Annecy and magnificence of the surrounding mountain peaks of the French Alps. I had never heard of Annecy before my trip, but now I am contemplating getting a tourist visa and living in Annecy for an extended period! That's how much I loved it! Best Things to Do In Annecy: Stroll around Old Town and take in the sights and sounds of the area. There are frame-worthy pictures to be taken around every corner. You will especially want to snap a photo in front of Palais de I'lle, the historic turret that divides the River Thiou into two canals. It was built in the 12th century and is one of France's most photographed locations! The streets are lined with charming cafés and coffee shops, boutique stores and historic architecture. You feel like you have gone back in time and entered into the setting of a romance novel! I loved just wandering around and listening to the mixture of languages being spoken. But I especially love to listen to the magical sound of the French language. It is my goal to learn how to speak fluent French at some point. Palais de I'lle in Annecy, France If you are in Annecy on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday morning, you are very lucky! There is an open air market on these days selling fresh cheeses, meats, vegetables and fruits. I even picked up freshly made specialty Salted Carmel/Almond Nougat (which I ate before snapping a photo for this blog...oops!). You can often have samples of the cheeses and meats before you purchase. One cheese that is special to the area is Reblochan De Savoie. You have to sample it or eat a dish made with it (see below). It is delicious! You can also get Raclette, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese that is melted on an open fire for the best cheese fondue. Yum! You can purchase these cheeses in a vacuum packed bag so that you can bring it back home with you on the plane. Make sure to get to the market early because it closes down at 1:00. Take a cruise on Lake Annecy (or Lac d'Annecy if you want to sound like a local). Lake Annecy is the third largest lake in France and has the honor of being the cleanest lake in Europe! You can see the evidence in the pictures below. There are several cruise options varying in length of time, boat size and whether or not you get a meal. We opted for the short one hour commentary cruise (although commentary was only in French so I didn't get the full experience). Regardless, the views were amazing and it was fun to get out on the water on a beautiful day. Check out the Château d'Annecy, a castle that sits on the hill above the Old Town. There is a steep walk up from the center of Old Town or you can reach it by car. The castle now hosts a museum with local sculpture and art and a nature exhibit about animals and fish native to the area. There are also great views from the top of the hill. I didn't have time to go inside to the museum, but it is 5 Euro for adults and kids under 12 are free. Learn to Paraglide! I did not do this on this quick visit, but would seriously consider it if I do return for an extended stay. Apparently Annecy is the most famous paragliding site in Europe. I can only imagine the views from above as you set off from a peak in the Alps over the crystal blue Lake Annecy! Oh my! I left several things on my bucket list for my eventual return to this beautiful town! I still need to check out the Jardins de l'Europe (a large park right next to the lake with beautiful scenery and art sculptures), bike around the lake, lounge on the beaches, visit the Castle Museum, and so much more. Oh yeah, and as I said, I want to become fluent in French! I figure immersion in the culture for a month or two is the best way to accomplish that. Favorite Local Food in Annecy: One thing there is no shortage of in Europe is good food and Annecy is no exception! Annecy has several local dishes that you have to try when you visit. Our tour guide recommended that we try Tartiflette which is a dish using the local Reblochon cheese mentioned above with potatoes, lardons and onions. It is a signature dish for Annecy. Of course I took her suggestion (I mean, she is the expert!) and found a quaint little cafe, Le Beau Soleil, to try it out. Le Beau Soleil sits alongside the canal and had lovely ambiance for my relaxing lunch. You can find the menu here (but you may have to hit the Google translation button to view it in English). I ordered the Tartiflette des Aravis (which is the Tartitflette dish with bacon...which was actually just little bits of ham), a fresh salad and a glass of white wine. It was literally one of the most delicious meals of my whole trip! C'est très magnifique! If you don't go for the Tartiflette, another great option is to order Raclette fondue which is available almost everywhere. Raclette is a popular meal in Switzerland and France and you must try it at least once on your journey through the Alps. But my guess is you will have it more than one time because it is that good! After walking off my fullness from the Tartiflette, of course I had to sample the ice cream at Le Glacier des Alpes. It is considered to be one of the best ice cream shops in France! They have over 45 flavors so it is hard to choose (even for the most decisive), but I don't think you can go wrong with whatever choice you make. Again, there is no photo because I was too excited to begin enjoying my cone! I hope you can feel my love and enthusiasm for this charming little town. I was so unexpectedly surprised by the area and can't wait to go back! I definitely left my heart in Annecy. Who knows, maybe by the time you are planning your trip I will be living there and speaking fluent French so I can be your personal tour guide! Au Revoir!

Barcelona, Spain I can't believe it! Pretty soon I will set off on an adventure through Spain! I have been wanting to get back to Europe for a while now and an opportunity to join some friends on a group trip presented itself. I haven't been to Spain before so I am super excited! We are going on a journey organized by Gate 1 Travel starting in Lisbon, Portugal and then heading over to Spain to explore Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol, Granada, Madrid and Barcelona. As I have shared before, I do love planning my own trips and truly enjoy doing the research to figure out what I want to see and do. But there is a definite advantage to booking a group travel trip and letting them handle the details of booking the hotels and planning the itinerary. All I have to do is think about what I want to pack (which as you may know is no easy task for me!). It is also nice to have them transport your luggage to each hotel room you stop at along the way. No lugging my huge suitcase up flights of stairs this trip! Phew! In addition to packing, there is always a bunch of organizing to do before leaving home for an extended trip. To make sure I don't forget anything, I have a checklist of all the things I need to do before leaving for an international vacation. My Checklist: Doublecheck entry requirements (passport, visa, vaccination requirements) and make sure all documentation is in order. Passport must have an expiration date more than six months past the return date. Make a copy or take a picture of passport and visa documentation in the event they are lost or stolen. This will provide all the information needed to obtain a replacement. Make sure I have enough medication to pack for the length of my entire trip. Given the frequency of airline delays and cancellations these days, I always pack up to an extra week of medications in case I am delayed getting home. If I don't have enough for this time period, refill prescriptions the week before departure. Make sure I have a sufficient supply of eye contacts to get me through my entire trip. If not, order new supply a week or two before departure. Locate my universal plug adapter, voltage converter and determine the required plug types for my destination. If I don't have what I need, make sure to purchase. Contact cell phone provider for information on roaming charges or international calling plans at my destination. Research tipping standards for location I am visiting, consider services I will be receiving that will require tipping (tour guides, trip organizer, tour bus driver, etc), and secure enough cash to cover these gratuities. Which leads to the next checklist item... Secure local currency for places I will be visiting so I have some handy for tips, small purchases, etc. Generally there are better rates of exchange overseas, but need to make sure I have enough to use when I first arrive. I usually find a bank ATM once I arrive to withdraw some cash. If you want to get currency before you leave, allow plenty of time to order the appropriate currency from your bank. This may take a few days. Call my credit union/bank to find out about ATM withdrawal fees and to advise of travel plans so they don't deny my card for possible fraud while I am abroad. Arrange for a pet sitter to take care of my cats while I am away. Make sure I have enough food and other supplies for the entire time. If not, restock. Arrange for mail to be held while away. Start to assess packing needs based on travel plans and climate of location so I can purchase anything I might need for my trip. A girl always needs a couple of new outfits when going on vacation! Start gathering all my items together so I am not scrambling trying to find things the night before! I am working on checking things off this list now so I can just relax and get excited for my Spanish adventure as it gets closer. If you don't already, be sure to follow me on Facebook (Rambleandroamblog) and Instagram (rambleandroamblog) to catch live and up to the minute updates of the beautiful sights of Portugal and Spain. See you on the flip side!

Ronna Phelps, the owner of Pongo Lifestyle is a lover of Great Apes, especially orangutans. She was a Volunteer Keeper's Assistant for orangutans and gorillas for 25 years. During that time, she became educated about these creatures and their habitat and became aware of the deforestation of palm oil crops and the direct impact that had on the existence of orangutans, gorillas and other inhabitants of the rainforest. Here are some facts listed on the Pongo Lifestyle website about the impact the Palm Oil Industry has had on orangutans: 80% loss of habitat over the last 30 years 90% population loss over the last 10 years 50% probability of extinction in the wild within the next 10 years In response, Ms. Phelps created a palm oil free skin care line named Pongo in honor of the orangutans. "Pongo" is the scientific name for the orangutan. Pongo became the first nationally and internationally distributed palm oil free body and skin care line. Ms. Phelps has since developed several other product lines: Rainforest Kisses (lip balms and bath products) Grape Ape (a line of kid's products) Rock of Apes (a body care and clothing line with a rock and roll edge) Camp Pongo (outdoor products) Pongo Pet (accessories and grooming products for pets) and Indah (body care with an exotic mix of floral and spice). All of these product lines came together to form Pongo Lifestyle, a business with a mission to sell luxurious cruelty-free and palm oil free products. Proceeds from the sale of items at Pongo Lifestyle help support Orangutan Project, Center for Great Apes and Orang Tan Repuiblik. The store's design is beautiful and artistic. There are amazing wall murals everywhere that were painted by a local artist. The store is filled with an eclectic mix of items, including all of the Pongo product lines created by Ms Phelps. I loved exploring all the nooks and crannies of this store admiring the selection of products, the merchandising displays and the artwork. And I felt good that my purchase helps out the Great Apes and orangutans. My sister and I spent a long time chatting with Ronna and her assistant learning about Ronna's background and the history of the Pongo product lines and the opening of the physical store location at 5738 South Rapp Street. Her story was so interesting and inspiring and her love for the Great Apes and orangutans was apparent. You can follow the store's instagram for more insight into its' products and mission! "ONE CHANGE DAILY CAN HELP GREAT APES AND OTHER INHABITANTS OF THE RAINFOREST" -Rhonna Phelps

I am going to start a new Travel Throwback series that highlights some of my favorite past trips. If you have been to any area I spotlight in a Travel Throwback blog, please feel free to comment with your memories of the locale or, even better, if you have been there more recently fill us in on any changes to the area or new things to see and do! A Not So Hidden Gem in Paris! My first Travel Throwback features the charming village of Montmartre in France. Back in August 2017, we took a family trip to Europe on our way to drop off my oldest daughter Madison in Florence, Italy for a semester abroad. We started our journey with a couple of days in Paris. Because we didn't have a lot of time, we shook off the jet lag to begin exploring. We did our usual "get our bearings" thing doing a bus tour around Paris. We decided on a whim to hop off of our Hop On/Hop Off tour bus to check out the big white church that sits high on a hill overlooking Paris. It turned out to be my absolute favorite part of our Paris adventure! Sacre Coeur Means the Sacred Heart of Jesus The big white church was actually the stunning Basilica Sacre Coeur which is surrounded by the charming village of Montmartre. Once we hopped off the bus, we had to climb steep cobblestone streets and what seemed like hundreds of stairs to reach Sacre Coeur. If you aren't as brave (or if you realize there is an easier way unlike us), you can actually hop on the little white Montmartre train that will wind its way up the steep hills through the village providing tour commentary as you go. The train will get you to the base of the hill that Sacre Coeur sits on, and then you can take a funicular to the entry of the basilica and avoid all those steps! Or you can climb the hills and stairs and arrive at the top sweaty and out of breath like we did. The choice is yours. However you get to the top, once you arrive you will be treated to the stunning architecture of Sacre Coeur. It is totally white and due to its color and location can be seen from almost anywhere in Paris. As you can imagine, the views of Paris once you reach the top of the hill are spectacular. If the dome on top of the basilica is open you can go up to the top and get a panoramic view of Paris. Either place is definitely the spot to grab that Instaworthy photo looking down over Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background. I have poured over my photos and unfortunately cannot find my pic of Paris from the Montmartre viewpoint. Unbelievable! If you are reading this blog and have one, PLEASE share in the comments so people can see the awesome view. Going up to Sacre Coeur with a bottle of wine to sit on the steps and watch the sunset would also be an amazing experience! Village of Montmartre After you have taken your amazing photo and have checked out the largest mosaic in France inside the Sacre Coeur, you will wander down the cobblestone streets into a quaint bohemian style village filled with art galleries, cafes, boulangeries, and small shops. Montmartre was an artist haven in the early 19th and 20th centuries and you can almost feel the ghosts of Renoir, Pissarro, Van Gogh, and Matisse wandering along the streets. If you go to Place du Tertre just behind Sacre Coeur, you will find an open space where current artists are creating art before your eyes. You can also get your portrait drawn or painted by one of these artists if you like. There are several art museums paying homage to the artistic history of Montmartre, including a museum devoted to Salvador Dali. Montmartre is a perfect place to immerse yourself in art and art history if that interests you. Ahhh...the French Macaroons If you are feeling a little hungry or thirsty from all that climbing, Montmartre has no shortage of cafes for you to grab a bite to eat and glass of wine (of course!). We also stopped at a boulangerie and picked up some of the best Macaroons I've ever had! They were fresh and there was the widest assortment of flavors I have ever seen. Nothing like eating a French Macaroon in France! Moulin Rouge and Nightlife We weren't there for the nightlife, but apparently it is noteworthy so if you are in the area in the evening (perhaps after watching the sunset) you will want to check it out. You especially want to check out the famous Moulin Rouge. Maybe you can even take in a cabaret show while you are there! Make Sure Not to Miss Montmartre! When you plan a trip to Paris, you obviously think of the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre, Champs D'elysee and the Arc de Triomphe. But make sure you leave time in your itinerary to visit Sacre Coeur and Montmartre. I promise you will not regret it. It could end up being your favorite part of Paris too!

When traveling these days, you never know how the day is going to go. If you are lucky (as I have been lately...hope I didn't just jinx myself), it will be super smooth from Point A to Point B with no disruptions. However, most of the travel stories I am hearing lately tell tales of unexpected delays, being stuck on the runway for hours, cancellations, diversions...you name it. Because the unexpected is not necessarily an unusual occurrence when airline travel is involved, you need to make sure that your carry on has everything you need to handle these complications like a pro. Here is a complete list of Carry On Essentials to make sure you are ready for whatever your travel day throws at you! Carry On Essential s: Identification -Driver's License or Passport (Be aware of upcoming REAL ID requirement effective May 3, 2023) Cash and Credit/Debit Cards -Make sure to always bring some cash for tips and those instances where a credit or debit card is not accepted. Travel Documentation -Documents that have all the detailed information regarding your trip. Boarding passes, printed out itineraries, printed out confirmations for booked tours, hotel reservations, etc. I like to keep all these documents in a folder for easy access. You can't always depend on wifi or cell phone battery and you may need to access these documents in a pinch. Cell Phone and Charger (or Power Pack for extended battery life) Lap Top and Charger Earbuds or Headphones -If you have Apple headphones, don't forget a converter so you can plug in if you want to utilize the onboard flight entertainment. Alternatively, you can buy a bunch of cheap headphones at the dollar store and just keep them in your carry on so you always have headphones that will work on the airplane jacks. Medications -Always bring your medications with you and not in your checked bag in case your luggage doesn't show up at the same place you do! Make sure to pack a few extra days' worth of medication in case you get unexpectedly stranded somewhere. Extra Change of Clothes and Undies -Again, important if you and your luggage end up going on separate trips! Also nice if you have a long, overnight flight so you can freshen up in the morning and feel rejuvenated upon arrival. It is also nice to have an extra sweater or sweatshirt with you if you get cold during your flight or the temperature at your destination is a little cooler. Travel Toiletries -Follow TSA's 3-1-1 Rule for Carry On toiletries. The 3-1-1 Rule is that each person can carry on liquids, gels or aerosols in travel size containers of 3.4 oz (or 100 milliters) that fit into one quart size clear bag. Things to think about bringing are toothpaste/toothbrush, mouthwash, lotion, contact solution, makeup remover, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, etc. Being able to freshen up during a long flight by brushing your teeth or taking off yesterday's make up is great. Extra Contacts/Glasses/Sunglasses -Throw in some extra contacts and your regular eyeglasses so you are not stranded if your luggage takes a detour. Also make sure you have a couple of pairs of reading glasses if you are of a certain age where they are required to read small print...I wouldn't know anything about that [smirk]. And don't forget your sunglasses if you are going somewhere where the sun will be shining! Valuable Jewelry -You may want to keep your valuable jewelry with you so you can feel confident that it is safe and secure and you won't lose it if your luggage is accidentally misplaced. Snacks -Given that these days the food on the plane amounts to a bag with 5 tiny pretzels, I always like to make sure I have packed some snacks in my bag. Even on shorter flights I pack a bag of almonds, some Luna or Kind bars and maybe some chocolate for my sweet tooth. You may want to pack a bagel or a sandwich so you have something more substantial to eat in the event of a long layover or flight delay. Also make sure to pack some gum or breath mints so you don't overwhelm your seat mates with bad breath after you eat that Everything Bagel! I am a Diet Soda addict so I always purchase one at the airport store so I don't have to wait for the flight attendants to make their way to my seat. I usually also grab a water bottle for hydration, but you can also bring along a refillable bottle to use once you are through security. Book or Magazines Tylenol or Advil Pen -Especially important on international flights as you will have to fill out Customs forms before arrival. Covid Essentials -In the post-pandemic travel world, be sure to pack hand-sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and extra face masks (in case they are needed to enter some tourist sites or local market places). With these items in your Carry On bag, you will be equipped to handle any crazy travel hurdle placed in your path. It will still be frustrating, but at least you will be as comfortable as you can be while trying to get to your destination or get back home! Happy (prepared) Travels!

For a more detailed description of the places referenced in this Quick Guide, check out my Best of Nashville-Ultimate Guide here . Best Places To Stay: In the Gulch. Many Air Bnbs in this location. Downtown Nashville. I recommend Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown . Best Way to Get Your Bearings: Old Town Trolley Nashville Tours . Best Things to Do: Honkey Tonk Bar Crawl (Of Course!) Country Line Dance Lessons at Wildhorse Saloon Ryman Auditorium (See a show or take a tour of this historic location.) Gaylord Convention Center/Grand Ole Opry Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smokey Distillery Country Music Hall of Fame Johnny Cash/Patsy Cline Museum Best Places to Eat: Hot Chicken at Prince's or Hattie B's Assembly Food Hall Biscuit Love Milk & Honey Yee Haw Brewery Goo Goo Chocolate Store Best Places to Shop: The Gulch -Kittenish, Parish Boutique, Paddywax Candles, The Turnip Truck Urban Fare, Urban Outfitters, Lululemon, and other design studios and clothing boutiques. Marathon Village -Antique Archealogy (owned by Mike Wolfe of American Pickers), The Ville Merch, Boswell's Harley Davidson, Jack Daniels General Store, Nashville Olive Oil Company, and other jewelry and home decor stores. Also moonshine and whiskey tasting at Tennessee Legend Distillery. Broadway -Located near Assembly Food Hall, features many high end chain stores as well as the Nash Collection for that trendy Nashville sweatshirt.

For a more detailed description of the places referenced in this Quick Guide, please check out my blog Best of San Antonio-Ultimate Guide here . Best Place To Stay: No question here, stay somewhere on the Riverwalk! I highly recommend Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk . Best Way to Get Your Bearings: City Sightseeing Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus . Best Things To Do: Walk or Cruise the Riverwalk Tour the Alamo Historic Market Square La Villita Historic Art Village Pearl Shopping District Gruene Historic District/New Braunfels Best Places To Eat: La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe Domingo

For a more detailed description of the places referenced in this Quick Guide, please check out my blog Best of Austin-Ultimate Guide here . Best Places To Stay: There are several different "Districts" in downtown Austin that each have their own distinct vibe. You should pick a hotel that is located in the District that is situated closest to the things you are most interested in. Here is a summary of some of the more popular entertainment Districts: Congress Ave Historical District Sixth Street Entertainment District Rainey Street District Red River Cultural District Second Street District I stayed at the Driskill Hotel in the Sixth Street Entertainment District which is the oldest operating hotel in Austin. For a complete description of each district and more details on the Driskill, read my blog here . Best Things To Do: Congress Street Bats State Capitol Tours Lady Bird Lake University of Texas-Austin Campus South Congress ("SoCo") Shopping Esther's Follies Bars on Sixth Street Zilker Park/Barton Springs Pool/Zilker Botanical Gardens Best Places To Eat: Jo's Coffee -Breakfast Tacos Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ Moonshine Bar and Grill 1886 Cafe & Bakery Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

The Iconic Golden Gate Bridge Where To Stay: Chancellor Hotel -Boutique Hotel in Central Downtown right by Union Square Travelodge by Wyndham Presidio San Francisco -Budget hotel right across from Presidio What To Do: Walk, Bike or Drive Across the Golden Gate Bridge Presidio-Hike/Bike Trails, Museums, Monuments, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center Cable Car Ride Lombard Street Fisherman's Wharf Take in a Baseball Game at Oracle Stadium Alcatraz Tour Painted Ladies on Alamo Square (for those Full House fans!) Haight Ashbury Land's End for hiking trails with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge! Bike or Cruise to Sausalito Day Trip to Yosemite Muir Woods National Monument to see the Redwoods Where To Eat: Boudin Bakery Chinatown-Any where! Ghiradelli Historic Square Copita Restaurant (in Sausalito) In-N-Out Burger

Where To Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C. - Located in Georgetown Hamilton Hotel What To Do: Smithsonian Museums International Spy Museum Bus Tour of the Monuments (especially cool to do this at night when monuments are lit up!) Walk around Georgetown Go Down to Georgetown Waterfront (to shop, eat or catch a party boat!) Grab a Drink at a Speakeasy. There are several, but I went to a cool one called The Mirror ! Dip Your Toes in the Fountain at the Washington Monument Where To Eat: Capital Burger Via Sophia (in the Hamilton Hotel) Nick's Riverside Grill (on Georgetown Waterfront) Angolo Ristorante Italiano (in Georgetown) Georgetown Cupcake

Iconic Gruene Water Tower About half way between Austin and San Antonio (or approximately a 45 minute drive from each) is the Gruene Historic District located in the city of New Braunfels. You will know you have arrived when you see the historic landmark water tower. Gruene (pronounced "green") is a charming rustic Texas town with a unique history. It is most famously known for Gruene Hall, built in 1878, which is the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas. Historic Gruene Dance Hall Gruene Dance Hall: The historic dance hall is 6,000 square feet and maintains its original layout and structure. Gruene Hall has live music every day so check the schedule and try and catch a show in this historic venue! Many country music stars have played in Gruene Hall over the years, including Willie Nelson, The Chicks, Lyle Lovett and George Straight. You never know if the musicians you see here will make it big in the future! Gruene Shopping: While waiting for the show to start, spend some time shopping at one of the many specialty boutiques or antique stores lining Hunter Road that runs through the middle of the town. Two of my favorites were The Dancing Bear and The Gruene General Store. The Dancing Bear was a cute gift store with unique collectibles, home decor, specialty foods and garden accessories in its outdoor garden area. The Gruene General Store hasn't changed much since it opened in 1925 and was selected as one of the 40.best places to visit in Texas! It has a soda fountain, homemade fudge and souvenirs all in an enchanting nostalgic setting. Shopping at the Gruene General Store The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar: Be sure to make time to grab a bite to eat at the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar before you head out of town. The Gristmill is included on the National Register of Historic Places and is located beneath the Gruene landmark water tower in the ruins of a 1878 Cotton Gin overlooking the Guadalupe River. There are multiple levels of dining and an outdoor beer garden. We sat on an open air patio nestled in a grove of trees overlooking the River. It felt like we were eating in a tree house! The food was delicious and the setting was beautiful. Gruene Mansion Inn: If you are having so much fun in Gruene that you want to spend the night, your only option with be the Gruene Mansion Inn . I did not personally stay here, but it looks charming. It is a unique boutique hotel with 30 rooms and a "Pantry" that is stocked with delicious, locally curated grab-and-go items. It is located in the former home of one of the original Gruene family members so you can really feel a connection to the town! Although it is small, there is so much to see in Gruene Historic District. You can catch a show in the oldest dance hall in Texas and shop in a General Store that is on the list of the 40 best places to visit in Texas. That is pretty amazing! So make a quick side trip on the drive between Austin and San Antonio...you won't regret it.

Where To Stay: Sonoma- El Pueblo Inn Napa What To Do: Wine Tasting/Tours-Of Course! Hiking Shopping at Sonoma Plaza, downtown Napa or Main Street in St. Helena Drive Around and Take In the Amazing Scenery Where To Drink: (Note: There are literally HUNDREDS of wineries and vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valley. The ones listed below are just ones that I personally visited and enjoyed.) Beringer Schramsberg Vineyards Domaine Carneros Inglenook Charles Krug Winery What To Eat: El Molina Central Gott's Roadside Charles Krug Winery-Wood-fired pizza served May-Early November the girl & the fig (this is a recommendation from a friend)