Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope Podcast

Dreamin’ California’s Coast

Joseph latest pod cast takes him and his wife, Julie, on a anniversary tour of California’s romantic coast. They begin in their hometown of Topanga and then follow the golden state’s winding shoreline north to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and to the edge of the Big Sur. Highlights of their adventure include strolling through the vineyards of Malibu’s little-known, but star-studded wineries, pedaling along the beach in Santa Barbara and wine sampling, oyster shucking and feasting on barbeque in San Luis Obispo County. California Dreamin’ takes on new meaning when they imagine life among the splendor that is Hearst Castle in San Simeon – where the rich and famous once played at being common folk. Watch for Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope’s Dreamin’ California’s Coast airing now on PBS and Public Television stations nationwide.

The Sancerre Wine Festival – a taste of France’s Loire Valley

In June this year, Julie and I explored the Loire Valley wine country, which stretches through central France from the Muscadet region on the Atlantic coast to the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé regions, southeast of the city of Orleans.  We based ourselves in the eastern Loire near the town of Sancerre, a medieval hilltop village overlooking the Loire River.  It’s at the epicenter of the production of Sancerre, our favorite white wine.

The Loire River runs through central France crossing through the Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire.  It is considered the garden of France due to the wealth of vineyards, orchards and crop fields, which blanket the landscape from the river’s edge.

A section of the region’s 300 square miles has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It was described by UNESCO as “an exceptional cultural landscape of great beauty comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments — the châteaux — and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire River itself.”

There is much to see and do in the Loire Valley.  While the main attraction for most visitors is visiting the close to 300 amazing chateaus, which range from the hilltop Château d’Amboise to the over-the-top fairly-tale Château de Chambord, we were following the Sancerre wine trail.  Our path led us to the Sancerre Wine Fair, a two-day spring festival that showcases 200 vintners and more than 400 wines.

The all-day event features wine tasting, music, food, art, crafts and plenty of French joie de vivre – joy of life.  As if that wasn’t enough, the fair takes place in the atmospheric wine cellars of Les Caves de la Mignonne at the foot of the town.  At the fair each of the villages of the appellation have their stalls and a legion of winemakers offer tastings of the wines of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux-du-Giennois and Châteaumeillant.  The purchase of a 5€ (about $6) souvenir glass gains you admission to both days of tasting, learning and enjoying.

For information on the Sancerre Wine Fair and the wines of the Central-Loire Valley go to Vins-Centre-Loire.com.  For information on all that there is to do and see in Sancerre visit Tourisme-Sancerre.com.  And while you’re at it check out La Maison des Sancerre, which offers an interactive discovery of the Sancerre wine appellation, at Maison-Des-Sancerre.com.  To catch up on Julie and my visit to the area, as well as our recent explorations in Paris, Burgundy and Bordeaux, read the fall issue of our online magazine, listen to our podcasts and take a gander at our trip photos on Facebook, Istagram and Twitter.  If you want to watch our Rhone Valley and Bordeaux, France television shows go to Amazon.com.  If you want a DVD of our shows you can buy them on our website at travelscope.net.

Cruising Vietnam’s Halong Bay

Vietnam’s Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.  Yet most visitors only discover a quarter of this natural wonder.  The rest of its gems are hidden in the unexplored region known as Bai Tu Long Bay.  That’s where Indochina Junk takes their guests.  It’s well worth the time and investment to view the magnificent unsullied beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay.   Along with feasting your eyes upon the more than 1,900 limestone islands that populate the bay, there is the opportunity for kayaking, fishing, swimming, cave and cove exploring and feasts on the beach.  In addition, there is the rich fisherman culture to discover.

 

Since the beginning, Indochina Junk has worked on developing luxury boats that bring guests to the remote areas in the bay and through the help of onboard expert guides introduce visitors to the natural and cultural riches of the area.  In addition, a cruise aboard one of Indochina Junk’s vessels also helps to sustain the company’s “For a Green Halong Bay” project, which helps fisherman who live in the bay and encourages them to protect and preserve this natural treasure by cleaning the bay of touristic and commercial garbage.

 

For more information on Indochina Junk’s Halong Bay cruises, packages and tours go to Indochina-Junk.com.  During Julie and my recent cruise of the bay I got the inside scoop on the cruise and its activities from the cruise director.  His interview is part of my latest pod cast.

Palan Palan at Hotel Tugu Bali

Canggu Beach is the new hip surfer spot in Bali where there’s everything from temples and meditation halls to happening bars, cafes and restaurants.  A block from the Indian Ocean and tucked away in an elegant and culturally rich world of its own is the Hotel Tugu Bali.  It’s Canggu location on Batu Bolong Beach is close enough to all the action, while also being a truly sublime and luxurious experience.  The hotel is a treasure chest of Balinese art and history.  So, much so I think it is one of Bali’s best cultural museums masquerading as a 5-star resort.

Everything about the resort is top-notch.  The food is superb, especially breakfast.  The menu consists of healthy, organic juices, egg dishes, exotic combination plates and, of course, Balinese specialties.  Breakfast came with our accommodation and it was truly all-you-can-eat –- as in, order anything and everything you want from the extensive and exciting menu.

This gentle, elegant, quiet hotel is at the center of all that matters on Batu Bolong, one of the several beaches that make up the Canggu Beach Area.  If you sign up early to enjoy the hotel’s very reasonably priced and tasty Indonesia dinner with the show, you’ll get ringside seats.  Non-diners can still take in the show from seating areas that surround the lobby.  It is an outstanding experience.

Find more info on Hotel Tugu Bali here. https://www.tuguhotels.com/hotels/bali/

The Walker New York - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

In New York, New York — Location, Location, Location, is my mantra for picking a room in the Big Apple.  In that regard, nothing could be finer than the Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village – a location with history, character and culture.  Rather than a sterile city lobby, the Walker presents an elegant parlor decked out with comfy chairs, a welcoming fireplace, art deco wall-coverings, a library of early editions and original art.  You soon realize that you’ve discovered one of the Manhattan’s boutique gems.  Situated between 5th and 6th avenue on West 13th Street, its location is superb offering its guests history, character, culture and convenience.  Over a cappuccino in the hotel’s stellar eatery, the Society Cafe, I spoke with Sales Director Linda Bajraktari about the hotel and its iconic neighborhood.  For more information on the Walker go to WalkerHotel.com.

When you’re traveling where you stay becomes an important part of the experience.  Greg Kooser of House of Kooser is dedicated to making that experience a special one.  His company represents 27 boutique-style hotels worldwide. Over the years we’ve stayed at a number of his properties such as the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood, the Le Saint in Paris and the Bernic and Roger Smith Hotels in midtown Manhattan.  During our stay in New York at the collection’s Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village, a property that exudes luxury, style and hospitality, I spoke with him at Rosemary’s, a cool Italian bistro at 18 Greenwich Avenue, a short stroll from the Walker.  For more information on the House of Kooser go to HouseofKooser.com.

Celebrating at Le Carnaval De Quebec

Sure of its charms and with a French joi de vivre, Quebec City’s gracious yet simple style delights visitors with rich history and contemporary flair. Founded in 1608 on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the capital of Canada’s Quebec Province is one of North America’s oldest cities and the only walled city north of Mexico. Old Quebec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Narrow winding streets invite visitors to enjoy the sidewalk cafes, art galleries, museums and boutiques. History is everywhere both inside and outside of its four centuries-old gates. A funicular connects the Upper Town (Haute Ville) and Lower Town (BasseVille), which dates from colonial times. In Lower Town, the Petit Champlain Quarter brims with art and antique galleries. The Old Port is a perfect spot for a river cruise, while river-front Parc des Champs-de-Batalle is idyllic for cycling.

While most visitors come to Quebec City in the summer, the rest of year and, in particular winter, have their own pleasures.  At the top of my list of winter joys is the Carnaval de Quebec, which fills the streets of the historic town for ten days in February.

During our recent visit to Quebec City for the Carnaval, guide Steeve Gaudreault showed us around.  In the Market Old Port of Quebec, I spoke with him about the festival and the city.

For information on the Carnaval de Quebec, Quebec City and the entire Quebec region visit QuebecRegion.com. And watch my Quebec City summer adventure on PBS or stream on Amazon.

El Presidio, San Francisco’s Newest Neighborhood

The Presidio of San Francisco, the 1,491-acre National Park on a former military post which offers the most iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, is San Francisco’s newest gathering place.  From its educational visitors center to its hip restaurants, art galleries, renovated historic hotels, hiking and biking trails, nature preserves and entertaining attractions, El Presidio is one of San Francisco’s most exciting and evolving neighborhoods.  The birthplace of San Francisco, the Presidio continues to be true to its ancient roots by honoring its Native American beginnings while it features it more recent military past.  Of its 870 structures, 470 structures are on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The ancient home of the indigenous Ohlone people, the military base it became has sported the flags of three different countries.  Today an army of locals and visitors descend on the property to take in its entertaining and unique attractions, such as the Walt Disney Family Museum and the Presidio Theater, stay in one of its two hotels, play a round of golf or, from April to October, gather on the former parade grounds for a free Sunday Presidio Picnic of food, music and family activities.

In my latest pod cast I speak with publicist Lisa Petrie of the Presidio from the Lodge At The Presidio, the park’s newest accommodations.  For more information on The Presidio and its facilities, events and attractions go to Presidio.gov.  Watch clips from Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope‘s San Francisco television show, which features the Presidio neighborhood, on Travelscope.net or buy a DVD of the show at  Amazon or by calling us at 888-876-3399.