Italy Comes to California

Do you love Italy? The food, the landscapes, the people? I sure do! It was during a tour of Napa and Sonoma, California, wine country, where we found a bit of Italian charm right outside our door. No, it's not Epcot (or even Westcot). Even the cloudy skies can't hide the charm!

The gorgeous Castello di Amorosa is a family owned winery. This beautiful plaza and its fortress walls were built from scratch. No, they weren't there before. The look was lovingly recreated from the minds of the family working with similarly minded architects and designers. The end result? Something you would easily find in those Tuscan hillsides thousands of miles away!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Discovering California

Traveling around the world? Not happening soon. But when it happens again? Great! What about traveling back home in California? Here's some of my favorite posts throughout the years- without Disneyland in sight. Not all, but just a few:

Snapshots of Napa- The vineyards of Napa and Sonoma are world famous for a reason! 

Coast Stories- California as I love it! There's so much more than Disneyland. The natural beauty of the state shines through here.

Outside the Norm- All the quirkiness of San Francisco obscures the beauty of its attractions- sometimes to the detriment of those who've never lived in the State. 

Mission San Juan Capistrano- A bit of California history preserved for the adventurers of today. Sometimes you have to look backward in order to see the future.

The American Rivera- Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in California, Santa Barbara is showcased here.

No Disneyland?- Palm Springs to Newport Beach and beyond, I never get tired of exploring the Golden State. Here's proof a visit there doesn't need to include Disneyland or California Adventure to be terrifically fun!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Sweethearts in Napa

Thirty six years ago, we met on a blind date. Yes, it's really true! It was a three year old girl's birthday party, the daughter of some mutual friends from church. That little girl became the flower girl at our wedding (and later an internationally known surfer. No name though for her privacy.) We've seen many, many changes in our life together- kids, grandkids, career changes, joys, our share of disappointments and more. But God has always been faithful as we have sought to live life the way He designed it to be. 

If you want to know what love looks like, meet my wife. She seems to embody the description of First Corinthians 13, and she is loved by family, friends, and colleagues alike. But not more than her husband. Still beautiful inside and out after all these years!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

A Whole New World Instead of A Disney Vacation

Who needs high prices, long lines, overpriced rooms and those Walt Disney World attractions that seem to go down regularly? Not us!

We ditched Walt Disney World (and, yes, Disneyland, actually) in favor of a beautiful week that didn't require advance reservations to ride a Frozen redo of an old attraction that long needed an upgrade.

Where did we venture? Beautiful Northern California- home to world famous sights and the great cuisine of San Francisco, the wines of Napa and Sonoma, and absolutely lovely, breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Not a regret in sight.

Few kids, quiet restful mornings, relaxing excursions, great meals, and evenings of water views and charming villages in front of the setting sun. Will we go to Disney again? Sure. But not for quite a while. There's  just a great big beautiful world to see.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Snapshots of Napa and Sonoma

Almost a week's adventure, running away from responsibilities and the ordinary to Napa Valley and Sonoma, San Francisco and the East Bay. The Pacific Ocean (whale sitings) and more. The best of Northern California.

Shopping, dining, site seeing and winery tours. My feet in the Pacific Ocean for Father's Day. Sleeping in. Leisurely breakfasts with coffee in bed. 

Beautiful resorts and private homes along quite roads through the numerous vineyards. Serene. Beautiful. A taste of Italy in California. See the next three photos...

Just what the doctor ordered!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)