Carmel, California - Ocean Avenue

Here's the setting at the end of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. #carmel #carmelbythesea #travelingcynthia #traveltips #oceanavenue

Insider's San Diego - Christmas

San Diego's best Christmas tradition: Mission San Diego de Alcala's Candlelight Musical Meditation.

#travelingcynthia #travel #traveltips #christmas #sandiiego #missionsandiegodeacala #insiderssandiego #insiderstravel

Coronado - Christmas - Boat Parade

Boat parade on Coronado at Coronado Cays Yacht Club jump starts the season. #coronadocaysyachtclub #coronadoisland #travelingcynthia #travel #traveltips #sandiego #boatparade #christmas #coronadocays

The Del Coronado - Christmas

Christmas at The Del.

#thedel #thedelcoronado #coronado #christmas #christmastree #travelingcynthis

Cheekwood Estate - Nashville - Christmas

A peek into Christmas at Cheekwood, the Maxwell House Coffee mansion in Nashville. 

#cheekwood #maxwellhousecoffee #visitmusiccity #christmas #nashville #travelingcynthia

Nashville - Music City - BB King's - 2nd Avenue

 Last stop: BB King's on 2nd Avenue for music and Southern food. 

#bbkings #nashville #visitmusiccity #travelingcynthia #musiccity #music

Nashville - Celebrity Homes

Nashville's Grayline Celebrity Homes Tour. Here's Martina McBride's mansion. 

#graylinetn #nashville #nashvillecelebrityhomes #martinamcbride #travelingcynthia #visitmusiccity

Nashville - Ryman Auditorium

My #Nashville love affair continues at the historic #Ryman Auditorium with performances by Vince Gill and stars of the ABC series "Nashville," the girls who play Rayna's daughters singing a duet.

Discovering the Best of French Influences in Switzerland's Countryside

JustLuxe.com
by Cynthia Dial

A trip to Switzerland can be like visiting three separate countries—France, Germany and Italy—all uniquely distinctive, all wonderfully special, all within Switzerland. Constricted by time, I chose a French-style excursion through the country.

Photo by Cynthia Dial

“Good afternoon,” said the driver. “Welcome to Geneva,” saying the name as if it were an imported chocolate. And with that greeting my introduction to Switzerland’s French region—Lake Geneva and beyond—began. My purpose was to explore the area’s exceptional food and drink, along with its extraordinary lodging; and this promised to be a gourmet odyssey.

On the shores of Switzerland’s largest lake and at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain of Mont-Blanc lies Geneva—noted for its iconic flower-laden clock and its 459-ft waterspout spewing from the lake called Jet d’eau. Celebrating 2,000 years of history, this city is the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking, the International Red Cross and the United Nations European headquarters. It is home to 30 master chocolatiers, 40 museums, 15 five-star hotels and 10 gourmet restaurants starred by Michelin’s guide.  

I discovered Geneva from Hôtel Président Wilson, the kind of hotel with a seawater pool, Spa La Mer (Switzerland’s first spa using La Mer Crème) and the Royal Penthouse Suite (one of the world’s most expensive at $75,000 per night), which has entertained such guests as the King of Saudi Arabia and Céline Dion.

Their restaurant Bayview helmed by Chef Michel Roth (One Michelin star), appeals to the beluga set. The highlight of my four-hour, eight-course extravaganza: marinated Brittany sea scallops served with DuBarry cream soup and colored cabbages, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, D. Villard, Genève, 2011. Chef Roth’s philosophy: “I like guests to feel as though they have been invited for dinner at a friend’s, while at the same time discovering some surprising and original dishes.”

Nearby, Crans-Montana, a ski resort can be reached by train to Sierre, followed by a short walk to the funicular and a 12-minute ride up the mountain. Situated amid the Alps, it’s at the intersection of summer fun and winter wonderful. Made famous by nature—rich pastures accentuated by the bells of resident cows, valleys sprouting thousands of wild flowers, hillside vineyards and a plethora of mountains—it has been compared to such Swiss resorts as Gstaad and St-Moritz (but with 300 days of sunshine). Resident Sir Roger Moore explains: “Nowhere in the world will you find a place more peaceful or more beautiful.”

Whereas Hotel President Wilson is ritzy, LeCrans Hotel & Spa is cozier. Illustrative of lifestyle in the mountains, the luxury chalet is defined by traditional Alpine-style architecture, expansive wooden decks, floor-to-ceiling windows and snow-covered peaks appearing like surround sound. The hotel's restaurant, LeMontBlanc (16 points Gault Millau), is a great experience that includes a chef's table menu that is served in the kitchen. (Note: Like Michelin, Gault Millau is one of France’s most influential restaurant guides). The eight courses and eight pairings were enhanced at its conclusion by a cone of homespun cotton candy and the dessert wine, Blandice Banc, Varone 2009. 

Located in the Swiss Riviera on the shores of Lake Geneva, Vevey pays homage to its rich history. The narrow streets are filled with pleasures for the pedestrian—artisan’s stores, chocolateries and sidewalk cafes. The scenery is serene: a placid lake, strolling promenade and chair-like seating upon rocks overlooking the water. Its charms are so enticing Charlie Chaplin selected the setting as home for his last 25 years. The town’s tribute to its most famous resident is a life-size sculpture of the actor. As Nestlé’s headquarters, Vevey’s iconic fork sculpture sticking into the lake announces that the Nestlé Food Museum is nearby.

A vineyard train runs through the grape-growing region of Lavaux, Lake Geneva region’s UNESCO wine area representing an 800-year tradition and featuring 250 winegrowers. Here the vintners have created exceptional wines in a confined territory of almost 3,500 acres—with Chasselas representing over two thirds of the local production, followed by Gamay and Pinot Noir. The area’s most special event is the Vintners’ Festival, a traditional celebration in tribute to the wine world which occurs four to five times each century. Think Mardi Gras meets Carnival meets Rose Bowl Parade and you’ve got the picture. The next festival is scheduled for 2019.

Created in 1842, Hôtel des Trois Couronnes in Vevey remains one of Switzerland’s oldest prestigious hotels and one of Europe’s finest. Red carpet runs the length of its front steps to an open, multi-level entrance hall set with marble columns. Since its opening it has provided accommodation for such illustrious guests as Emperor Bonaparte, the Prince of Wales and Tchaikovsky; and the hotel’s love affair with its guests continues. Assistant manager Sébastien Cheneval explains: “The Swiss work to get a smile from you—to make you happy.”

Chef Lionel Rodriguez with Restaurant Les Trois Couronnes (15 points Gault Millau, 1 Michelin star) focuses on Southern French cuisine and regional products. “Our restaurant’s menu evolves along two themes, ‘gourmandize’ and well-being,” explains Rodriguez. My dinner didn’t disappoint. Its highlight was the starter: sea bream tartar with citrus and crunchy endive.

Lausanne’s (a French-speaking city in Romany) old town, the Cité, testifies to the past existence of a lively medieval town. Situated on a series of steep hills (locals claim this typography is responsible for its ladies’ lovely legs), it is headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and home to a cathedral considered a jewel of Gothic architecture. Terraced vineyards seem to be everywhere, typically overlooking Lake Geneva. And not surprisingly, locals appreciate good wine as much as they love good food. 

Beau-Rivage Palace is one of the city’s two five-star hotels and ranked among the world’s 50 best luxury hotels. Surrounded by 10 acres of private gardens and an interior of fresh hydrangeas, marble floors, stately columns and crystal chandeliers, the lobby felt luxurious and worthy of an evening gown. Its Ballroom Sandoz (1908), an architectural masterpiece of the Belle-Époque, was the setting of Diana Ross’s wedding. For nearly 150 years the hotel has been the world’s most attractive palace resort with a guest list including such social luminaries as Somerset Maugham and Coco Chanel, who purportedly visited to escape the boredom of her Paris home.

Its notable restaurant is Anne-Sophie Pic Beau-Rivage Palace (18 Gault Millau points, Two Michelin stars). An example of the chef’s artistry is Simmental beef smoked with Arabica coffee, orange blossom spinach and garlic mousseline. And with its Cinq Mondes Spa (the first of its kind in Switzerland), it is little wonder its accolades continue to grow.   

In my quest for the finest food, the tastiest wine and the most luxurious lodging, I discovered a region overflowing with the best. As Mae West once said: “Too much of a good thing is wonderful.”

If you go, you should know: Fly to Switzerland on Swiss Air and travel within Switzerland on a Swiss Pass (provided by the Swiss Travel System, it covers rail, road and waterway travel). For more information, visit www.MySwitzerland.com.

Nashville - Bluebird Cafe

Heaven in Nashville is an evening at The Bluebird Cafe. 

#travelingcynthia #bluebirdcafe #bluebirdcafeTN #Nashville 

Chrustmas - Rockettes - Grand Ole Oorey

What better way to welcome the Christmas season than the Rockettes Christmas show at the Grand Ole Oprey in Nsshville.

#grandileoprey #Nashville #rickettes #christmasshow #christmas #travelingcynthia

Christmas in Nashville at The Hermitage Hotel

Nothing ushers in the Christmas season better than The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville.

#nashvile #christmas #thehermitagehotel

Nashville - Waylon Jennings - Country Music Hall of Fame

Waylon Jennings at Country Music Hall of Fame.

#countrymusichof #countrymusichalloffame #waylonjennings #nashville #travelingcynthia #visitmusiccity

DFW - Air Terminal Food - Salt Lick BBQ

Never mind my disparaging quote about airports. They're all redeemed by DFW's recent addition of Salt Lick BBQ near A17 by Sky Train. It made for a delicious layover.

#bbq #barbecue #dfw #saltlickbarbecue #airlineterminalfood

Travel Quote - Airports - No Language on Earth

As I have a 6:30 am flight tomorrow, this quote hit home with me.

Photo by Cynthia Dial

“It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression, 'As pretty as an airport.'” 

Douglas Adams

#travelingcynthia #airport #airlinetravel #quotes #douglasadams