San Clemente Palace Kempinski Opens On Its Own Private Island In Venice

Dining on the terrace at Acquerello restaurant with a view of the Venice skyline The San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, the luxury resort set in a former monastery, is now open on its own private island in the Venice lagoon, 10 minutes by luxury speedboat from Piazza San Marco. The San Clemente Palace Kempinski's 190 guestrooms and suites have sweeping views of the Venice skyline, Giudecca, the lagoon and the Lido, to the gardens or the romantic courtyards. A special highlight is the newly built San Clemente Suite, located in the former monastery laundry, featuring a living room, master bedroom and two bathrooms with massive panoramic windows boasting the best view of Venice. The Marco Polo Suite at San Clemente Palace Kempinski  The San Clemente Suite can also be booked together with the adjacent Navigante Suite (the hotel's second largest suite, with more than 1,075 square feet), along with five Navigante Junior Suites and the Marco Polo Suite--forming a private Palazzo a Venezia.  Guests can arrive to their own private "resort within the resort" via a private boat dock, located just in front of the Navigante Wing and suitable for yachts up to 115 feet. The San Clemente Palace Kempinski also features three restaurants and three bars, including: the fine dining haute Italian restaurant, Acquerello, with an extraordinary view of the lagoon and the Venice skyline; the Mediterranean al fresco restaurant, La Dolce; and the breakfast restaurant, Insieme.  The private island also boasts a pitch & putt golf course, a tennis court, heated outdoor pool and outdoor jogging trails, as well as a Kempi Kids Club for younger guests.   "It is exciting to finally welcome our first guests at San Clemente Island," says Benedikt Jaschke, General Manager of San Clemente Palace Kempinski.  "We have worked toward this moment and now we can finally host guests. San Clemente Palace Kempinski has a lot to offer and we are very much looking forward to our first season in Venice." The San Clemente Palace Kempinski will be open for its inaugural season through November 8, 2016. Nightly rates start from €500 for Superior Rooms, €900 for Junior Suites, €5,500 for the Navigante Suite and €10,000 for the San Clemente Suite, all inclusive of breakfast at the resort's Insieme Restaurant. For more information about the San Clemente Palace Kempinski, please visit:www.kempinski.com/venice. ABOUT SAN CLEMENTE PALACE KEMPINSKI VENICE: The resort hotel has an impressive heritage and is uniquely situated on San Clemente Island in the Lagoon of Venice. Set among a centuries-old park, antique courtyards and monastery buildings, the hotel provides the perfect setting for total relaxation, just minutes from the bustle of Venice. All 190 rooms and suites provide a stunning view of Venice, the lagoon, the gardens or the inner courtyards. The hotel also offers six convention rooms for up to 450 people, and together with the whole complex and its surrounding grounds, it is the ideal place for weddings and other events,with the historic scenery providing an unforgettable setting.   ABOUT KEMPINSKI: Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe's oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski's rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Kempinski now comprises a portfolio of 78 five-star hotels in 33 countries and continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Each one reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts, and prestigious residences. Each one is imbued with the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotels, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2014.

Latest Epic Cruise: New York To Australia And back

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 arrives in New York on July 14, 2015. (Photo: Diane Bondareff, AP Images for Cunard)

Want to travel from New York to Australia and back without ever getting on an airplane? It'll be doable in 2017 for those willing to hop on a Cunard ocean liner.

The storied line plans to send its flagship Queen Mary 2 on an epic, 132-day voyage from the Big Apple to Australia that also includes stops in Africa, Asia and Europe.

The unusual itinerary will kick off Jan. 3, 2017 with a trans-Atlantic crossing to Southampton, England followed by a trip down the west coast of Africa to Namibia and South Africa. From there, the ship will head east across the Indian Ocean to Australia for an extensive stay that includes 14 port calls.

The Queen Mary 2 will return from Australia via Asia, where it'll stop in Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia before turning back west to Sri Lanka and then Dubai. The ship then will pass through the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea for stops in Egypt and Jordan before transiting the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. Stops in Italy and Portugal will be followed by a return to Southampton before a final leg back to New York.

USA TODAY

Epic cruise: Cunard ship to circle globe in 120 days

The Queen Mary 2 will travel over 37,000 nautical miles in all during the voyage and visit 33UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The sailing will include nine maiden calls for the 11-year-old Queen Mary 2 including Le Port, Réunion; Kangaroo Island, Australia; Hobart, Australia; Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei;Keelung, Taiwan; Jeju Island, South Korea; Busan, South Korea; and Busselton and Port Arthur, Australia. The latter two are firsts for the entire Cunard fleet.

Fares for the sailing start at $22,399 per person. Shorter segments of the sailing will be available at a lower price.

Cunard this year is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a series of events involving the Queen Mary 2 including a historic meet-up with its two sister vessels, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, in Liverpool, England. Scroll through the carousel below for a look at the three vessels together:

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Cunard's three 'queens' -- Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth -- sailed together into Liverpool, England for the first time on May 25, 2015.  James D. Morgan

The Top 10 Villa Holidays In France

Our experts' pick of the top 10 self-catering and villa holidays in France for 2015/16, including villas in Normandy, Brittany, Languedoc, Provence and the Dordogne

All prices are for property rental for a week in spring or summer unless stated otherwise. They are subject to availability.

1. Earthship Perrine, Normandy

Just outside the village of Gers, in the rolling farmlands of south-westNormandy, stands the only "Earthship" in Europe available as a self-catering holiday rental. A glorified greenhouse with a capital G, Earthship Perrine was constructed to a model developed in Taos, New Mexico, as an eco-friendly “home of the future”.

Its walls, half-buried in the rich Norman soil, consist of used car tyres rammed full of earth; its south-facing façade is entirely glass, enclosing a plant-filled conservatory corridor off which lie three large, warm (and somewhat dark) bedrooms plus a kitchen, bathroom and living area. The whole structure is off-grid, and self-sufficient for power and water, without stinting on things like comfortable beds and a wood-burning stove.

From £78 a night through Canopy & Stars (0117 204 7830;canopyandstars.co.uk).

Greg Ward

2. Château du Bec, Normandy

Circled by a broad, tranquil moat, overlooking its own lake and swathes of woodland, the thousand-year-old Château du Bec is 14km south of the seaside resort of Étretat. Though repeatedly rebuilt since the 10th century, it remains a magnificent vision, with its turreted towers and forbidding gateway.

Its interior spaces have been radically transformed, however, to give it two ultra-modern, architect-designed self-catering apartments, each capable of sleeping four, and two b & b suites, L’Atre and La Rotonde. The latter on the ground floor, does indeed have a round bedroom, encircled by curving walls of ancient exposed stonework. There’s also a b &  b cabin in the grounds, with its own lakeside terrace.

From £110 a night; self-catering suites from £430 per week, £280 for a weekend (00 33 6228 32 417; chateaudubec.com).

GW

^{Chateau du Bec in Normandy}

3. Châteaux of Brittany

Countless rental homes and cottages are available along the Breton coast. For something truly exceptional, though, how about renting a castle? The easy-to-use Oliver’s Travels website lists a dozen genuine châteaux in Brittany, capable of accommodating from 10 to 35 guests; all are ideal for hosting large-scale get-togethers. Among the pick of the crop are the Château de Moulin, commanding views of both St-Malo and Dinard from a seafront hill-top; the Manor de Chalandes, set in magnificent gardens near the Loire which comes with its own spa; and the imposing Château le Bois near Rennes, which has a private fishing lake.

Château de Moulin from £7,991; Manor de Chalandes from £5,486;Château le Bois from £1,448 (0800 133 7999; oliverstravels.com).

GW

4. Grabels, Languedoc

As in Provence, so in Languedoc it makes sense to take one’s country break near a big town. Thus, when the need arises, one may get away from getting away from it all, and get back in among it. Montpellier’s the place for this. It’s among the liveliest and most elegant of all French cities, with a full roster of culture, bars and restaurants dotted about a superb old centre, a magnificent main square and, in Antigone and beyond, France’s most ambitious modern developments. Grabels, a charming village about seven miles out, is where we find the Villa Emma - a contemporary spot of decadently luxurious standards: loads of glass, light and air, lawns, pools, four fine double bedrooms, lolling areas for eight and more. Beyond Montpellier, the Med is but a hop. Behind Grabels, the Hérault high country leads quickly to the Cévennes. This is, in short, a great base - and a pretty smart place to return to.

From £1,826 with French Country Cottages (0345 268 0796; french-country-cottages.co.uk).

Anthony Peregrine

5. Pézenas, Languedoc

Maison du Pézenas has the sort of contemporary gleam you see in design magazines, plus mandatory terraces, gardens, big pool and a built-in sense of entitlement. Pézenas centre is under a mile away, with its period drama of narrow streets distinguished, in the past, by Molière and Clive of India (though, sadly, not together). It’s 30 minutes to the beach or the shellfish of the Etang-de-Thau, rather less to the Hérault hills and Héric gorges so remote that they get yesterday’s sunshine.

AP

^{Maison du Pézenas}

6. Var, Provence

Stick a pin in a map of Provence and it will land in a pleasant villa somewhere lovely. The truth is that in Provence, prettiness, warmth and, hence, villas are ubiquitous. So I’ll simply choose one of my favourite bits - the hill country around Fayence, where the Var département starts to rise towards the Alps, strewing gorges, vines, rocks, torrents and perched villages as it goes. British-run Pure France has an outstanding collection of top-end properties in the area (and, if you’re not going top-end, why go at all?). These include the stone-built, 10-sleeper Bastide de Cavaroux, far up a hill and with a wow factor (pool, gardens, general sumptuousness) to convince the meanest among us that we are fleetingly part of the élite.

From £2,930 (0203 514 2359; purefrance.com).

AP

7. Aix, Provence

It’s an excellent idea to spend one’s Provençal country holiday not too far from a fine town so, when it arises, the craving for culture, shops, bars and hubbub may be assuaged. Step forward Aix-en-Provence, brainiest city in France, most civilised in the south. A past involving Good King René, nobles, jurists and Paul Cézanne informs present elegance, enhancing everyone. Walk along the wide, tree-lined Cours Mirabeau and you’re a better person already. Villas du Monde has some cracking properties in the surrounding countryside - not least an eight-sleeper (romantically termed B398) with great pool and gardens, nine miles from Aix centre. Deeply bucolic itself, it’s also within hailing distance of the Luberon and the Camargue, to assuage further rustic cravings. Ideal, really.

From £1,650 (0033 800 800 565; villasdumonde.com).

AP

8. Rocamadour, Dordogne

Few properties plunge guests into the heart of la belle France quite like Château de Cantecor in the Lot, south-west France. Snug between chestnut forests three miles from the town of Rocamadour, this château means business. It has turrets and watchtowers. It has history harking back to the 12th century. And the valley view from its self-catering gîtes is magnificent. The holiday house in the former watchtower sleeps three. But the real thrill is the luxurious tree-top cabin with two stylish double bedrooms and a decking terrace for starlit dining and view swooning. Gîtes share the swimming pool and barbecue built in the chateau’s former bread oven.

From £890 for the treehouse, £420 for the watchtower (0033 5 65 33 73 50;amadour-hotel.com/fr/gites-de-cantecor.php).

Nicola Williams

^{Rocamadour (Photo: AP/Fotolia)}

9. La Clusaz, French Alps

It can be hard to get away from it all in the French Alps. Not so at Les Ecotagnes, a romantic cluster of treehouses and 18th-century chalet with hot tub in the forest not far from La Clusaz. So off the beaten track is it that guests park in Les Villards-sur-Thônes and tackle the final off-road climb up to 1,350m by 4x4. At the wheel is Hugo, a ski teacher and first-rate chef who runs Les Ecotagnes with passion and care. The luxurious treehouses built by his father have wood-burning stoves and sleep two. Water comes from a mountain spring, and flaming torches light the forest path leading to the main chalet, where dinner is served around a shared table. Les Ecotagnes is open from May to mid-November.

From £130pp a night half-board in a treehouse, including 4x4 shuttle, is £130 a night in a treehouse (0033 6 70 02 10 14; ecotagnes.com).

NW

10. Montreal, Burgundy

Burgundy’s medieval villages make a great base for exploring the local area. In the golden light of midsummer they are picture-postcard perfect, with panoramic views across the wild Morvan national park. Better still, they are low-key lively, with bars, restaurants and cafes on your doorstep. Vezelay is the most famous of these villages, but accommodation can be hard to find in the summer months. Better to head to nearby Montreal, which is less visited but equally picturesque, with 600-year-old houses, a remarkable church and a view to die for. From here you’ll be able to explore the Morvan, the local chateaux and basilicas and the region’s vineyards. Casamundo has villas for rent across Burgundy, including a lovely three-bedroom cottage in Montreal.

From £480 (020 3514 9377; casamundo.co.uk).

Giles Milton

For our other expert holiday selections in France see our top 10 beach holidays in France, activity holidays in France, culture holidays in France and food and drink holidays in France.

This article was first published in November 2014 and updated and republished in July 2015

It Isn’t Too Late To Book The Ideal Provence Vacation This Summer

Provence Emotional Escapes introduces three new gorgeous luxury villas for your dream vacation. Whether you envision a Provencal gourmet escape with a personal chef, an outdoor getaway filled with tennis, hiking, and biking, a retreat with your own personal lavender field, or the ultimate Provencal shopping adventure, these luxury homes offer something for every kind of traveler.

Rent a Provence Emotional Escapes luxury villa and encounter an entirely new way to travel. Enjoy a cooking class in Provence, tour a Chateauneuf du Pape vineyard, discover the lavender harvest in the Luberon, the possibilities are endless. At the end of each day you will find yourself in your very own short-term dream home to fully enjoy a stress-free vacation. Should you desire an intimate meal cooked in your villa by a private chef, an in-home spa treatment, a walking tour, a yoga session, a cooking class or a language lesson, Provence Emotional Escapes, will find you the perfect luxury service provider to complete your holiday experience. Provence Emotional Escapes’ portfolio of luxury rental properties has been amassed over 12 years with most discerning clients in mind. The company relies on local managers at each of their destinations to seek out the best properties for their clients and to ensure that their current portfolio of properties are being maintained at the highest standards. They corner the market on offering an unprecedented selection of quality rental properties in the most beautiful destinations in France.  Their local specialists work together to pool regional knowledge, offering expertise on a global scale. Just relax, indulge, enjoy, breathe and let Provence Emotional Escapes do the rest. www.provence.emotional-escapes.com

Fontaine de Saumane (Isle sur la Sorgue, sleeps 18)

Fontaine de Saumane is a spectacular property dominating the countryside close to Isle sur la Sorgue and the Luberon. Undoubtedly one of the most stunning properties in Provence, it has all that a discriminating visitor could want: a long and fascinating history; an impeccable and careful restoration, which, while keeping many aspects of the ancient building, melded them perfectly into the newer construction. The estate has a superlative location close to the Luberon, with views on the national park and the Monts de Vaucluse. La Fontaine de Saumane is centrally located, thus an ideal place from which to visit the many Provençal attractions travelers want to see.

This is a grand estate was restored by English designer and architect, Giles Vincent with both comfort and authenticity in mind. The main house has seven bedrooms, each with bathrooms en-suite. There is an apartment in the main house as well, and a guest house set away from the main house, with two bedrooms, sharing a bathroom. The estate was named after the many magnificent water features on the 40 acre site. La Fontaine de Saumane has an extraordinarily rich history. During its existence the property has been used as a tile making factory, and at one point as a Benedictine Priory. It was given over to agriculture and silk worms in the 19th century before silk worms were devastated by disease.

Key features include:

·        10 minute drive from L’Isle sur la Sorgue, the famous market and antique center, 30 minutes from Gordes and the Luberon, with many of the perched villages classified among “france’s most beautiful villages,” 30 minutes to Carpentras home to the oldest synagogue in France, and 40 minutes to some of the most famous Cotes-du-Rhone wine villages of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueras, and Beaumes-de-Venise

·        An on-site housekeeper and gardener

·        Fresh bread and croissants delivered daily

·        Tennis, jogging, hiking, biking and extensive parkland at your doorstep

·        A quick drive to Bedoin, one of three access points cyclists take to climb the world famous Mont Ventoux, the highest mountain in Provence, made famous by the Tour de France

Chateau Condrieu (Isle sur la Sorgue, sleeps 10)

A stunning, historical luxury vacation rental enjoying an elevated, dominating position with far-reaching views over the Ventoux valley, Château Condrieu was built on remains of a 12th century fortress, but has been enhanced with all the modern conveniences. Making for a truly hedonistic stay, the on-site chef will prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for you daily so that you can enjoy the site, its vistas and your vacation to the maximum. You can expect to be treated to regional and seasonal specialties during your stay: asparagus, mushrooms and strawberries in the spring; cherries, peaches and melons in summer; mushrooms, game and truffles in fall and winter. Meals can of course be accompanied by the fantastic local wines. The house is filled with special finds from the world-famous antique center of L’Isle sur la Sorgue, just minutes away.

La Maison des Fragrances (St-Remy-de-Provence, sleeps 13)

Enjoy your own personal lavender field at La Maison des Fragrances, a luxury vacation rental in the outskirts of St-Rémy-de-Provence, one of the most beautiful small towns in Provence. This beautiful home owned by descendants of the family that introduced aromatherapy to France, boasts 20 acres of olive orchards, pine groves, lavender fields and cypress trees, a large swimming pool and total privacy. Just a few minute walk from the center of town, there are six bedrooms with bathrooms en suite, sleeping 13 guests. Past meets present in this stunning home. The interior is a mix of beautiful, authentic Provencal furniture in a home that has been fully modernized. The estate is quite large, with a large welcoming entry courtyard, lots of tables under mature trend trees for outdoor dining. St-Rémy-de-Provence, is known as a sophisticated country town with some of the best Provence has to offer including:

·        Central location, with great historical significance including the ancient Roman town of Glanum, the birthplace of Nostradamus and St. Paul de Mausole, with its 12^th century cloister and chapel, and the hospital where Van Gogh lived for most of the last year of his life

·        Excellent cafes and restaurants including excellent regional cuisine and world renowned Michelin star restaurants

·        Famous Wednesday morning Provencal market, excellent permanent foods, local boutiques and galleries

·        Close to excellent Alpilles vineyards as well as Cotes-du-Rhone, Chateauneuf-duPape, Gigondas, and Vacqueryas

Qatar Airways: All-New Level Of Comfort For First And Business Class Passengers

First and Business Class passengers can look forward to staying relaxed and refreshed when flying with Qatar Airways. The airline, recently crowned Airline of the Year at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards, is renowned for its signature inflight hospitality and is the first international carrier to carry products by two of the world's most renowned Italian brands: Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty and Missoni.
Exclusive amenity kits by Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty and sleeper suits from Missoni are two of the latest luxurious touches offered to Qatar Airways’ premium passengers, reiterating the airline's commitment to delivering five-star indulgence in the skies.
Every element of the new Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty amenity kit has been given a signature touch. The exclusively designed kitsoffer an unprecedented level of sophisticated luxury and comfort; ensuring passengers are kept refreshed and relaxed throughout their journey.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "We are delighted to collaborate with these renowned luxury brands to provide our First Class and Business Class passengers with refined luxury and comfort on board. These brands are distinguished by their sophistication, superior quality, luxury and eminence – attributes that also define Qatar Airways' signature service for our passengers."
Featured are Giorgio Armani Fragrances & Beauty products from the mythic 'Acqua di Gio' and 'Armani pour Homme' together with Armani men skincare products, and the new feminine Giorgio Armani fragrance 'Si' range and 'Crema Nera Extrema supreme reviving cream', as well as eyeshades, socks, earplugs, a nourishing lip balm by Rituals Cosmetics and a hair brush for female passengers.
First Class passengers on overnight flights will also enjoy stylish and luxurious sleeper suits designed by Italian fashion house Missoni paired with Missoni slippers. The exclusive Missoni sleeping kit has been created to guarantee comfort and relaxation.
In addition to the new range of amenity kits and sleeper suits, a collection of Rituals skincare products are also offered in Qatar Airways' First and Business Class restrooms. The range includes items such as hand wash, fragrance and lotions.

First hotel in Latin America Joins Curio - A Collection By Hilton

Hilton Worldwide and PKF hotelexperts Latin America announced that Anselmo Buenos Aires will join Curio – A Collection by Hilton, a global brand of distinctive upper upscale and luxury hotels, hand-picked for travelers who seek local discovery and authentic experiences. The signing of Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton was announced at the recent 2015 NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, exactly one year after the launch of the Curio collection. The hotel will be the first Curio hotel in South America when it opens in July of this year.

Hilton Worldwide hosted a cocktail reception at the Hilton Buenos Aires hotel in honor of the addition of Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton to its portfolio on Thursday, June 18.

“Our location in the heart of Buenos Aires backed by the Hilton engine will set us apart in the Latin America market,” said Carlos Alonso, managing partner, PKF hotelexperts Latin America. “But it’s our love for Argentine culture, and our passion for making guests feel inspired by making new discoveries, that will make us an integral part of the Curio – A Collection by Hilton culture of being individual and independent.”

The hotel was converted from an historic mansion built in 1906, which is rumored to have been originally owned by Anselmo Aieta, a famous tango musician and composer. To this day, the property maintains its original 1900s façade complemented by a modern design comprised of spacious rooms and upscale restaurant and bar concepts. The hotel will have its own internal plaza, reflecting the local Argentine culture by providing a place for guests to interact and feel at home.

“The Anselmo Buenos Aires is not just the first Curio hotel in South America, but also our first in the Curio collection to bring to life a piece of history that was never before part of the hotel industry,” said Ted Middleton, senior vice president, development – Latin America, Hilton Worldwide. “This gives us the chance to further shape the brand with new, independent properties that are meaningful in their respective destinations.”

The 50-guestroom Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton will be located in the historic neighborhood of San Telmo. The hotel will face Plaza Dorrego, a major attraction due to its cultural, shopping and gastronomical offerings. On any given day in the plaza, there will be a combination of locals and tourists alike, browsing the Sunday antique fair, enjoying tango dancing and experiencing the cuisine and friendly culture at restaurants, bars and cafes.

"We are excited to introduce Curio to South America, and it’s so fitting that our first property in the region is in Buenos Aires, the heart of passionate Argentine culture, arts and cuisine,” said Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio - A Collection by Hilton. “The eight opened hotels currently in the Curio collection are defined by the independent properties themselves, and there’s no question the rich history of Argentina as embodied in the original architecture of the Anselmo mansion will make a memorable impact on visitors.”

As members of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, all Curio hotels, including Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton, participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn both Points and Miles on the same stay and no blackout dates on reward stays. In addition, HHonors members can use Points to purchase unique experience rewards, premium merchandise, make charitable contributions and more.

California’s Paso Robles Wine Route: Top 10 Guide

Villa San Juliette, Paso Robles

Paso Robles is the fastest growing wine region in the US, with over 200 wineries, yet its tasting rooms are far less busy – and its hotels and restaurants more affordable – than more famous Napa and Sonoma

Take the scenic Pacific Coast highway through California and turn inland roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Paso Robles, 20 miles up state route 46, is in the heart of California’s Central Coast wine region. Paso, as locals know it, is in San Luis Obispo county, where the Salinas river runs out of the Santa Lucia mountains. The city of Paso Robles has a quaint downtown surrounded by 20 square miles of coastal mountain terrain.

Although wine-making in the region dates back two centuries to when missionaries first began growing grapes, it’s only recently that the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA, a federally recognised wine classification) has become a region to watch. In the past decade the numbers of producers and acres under vine have doubled, and now the Paso Robles AVA is the fastest-growing wine region in the US, with over 200 boutique and family-owned wineries producing zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and other varietals from Spain, Italy, Bordeaux and the Rhone.

The terrain offers plenty for the eye: flat river valley floodplains give way to sweeping slopes dotted with homesteads, farms and wineries, with most vineyards sitting on rolling hillsides between 500 and 1,000 feet above sea level. One of Paso’s charms is its as-yet-undiscovered feel: on-property tasting rooms are cosy and nowhere near as packed as those in Napa valley, and are more often than not manned by the vintners themselves. And Paso’s charming historic downtown has great new places to eat and drink without the crowds – or the higher price point – of its more famous northern counterpart.

WINEMAKERS TO VISIT

Bianchi

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In September 2014, Bianchi’s zinfandel beat stiff competition to be crowned California Zinfandel Champion. Of the 93 wines entered, only four won double gold; Bianchi’s was one, the other three were from Sonoma, a wine region neighbouring Napa. Known for estate-grown and hand-crafted wines, the Bianchi family’s wine producing heritage dates from 1974, when Joseph Bianchi and his son Glenn set up shop on the banks of the San Joaquin river, eight miles from downtown Paso. Winemaker Tom Lane attributes the brand’s recent success to the 2011 zinfandel’s subtle layers, something he strives to achieve in every vintage through experimentation with fruit from different vineyards, changing harvest times, new yeast strains, and fermentation and aging regimes in spicy barrel types. A glass-walled tasting room overlooks flat fields of vines that begin to sweep upwards to the rear of the property and, inside, a fireplace and warm earth tones create a welcoming setting for winter tastings. Outside, a patio borders a lake teeming with koi carp gliding beneath miniature sailboats.
• 3380 Branch Road, Paso Robles, +1 805 226 9922, bianchiwine.com. Tasting room open daily 10am-5pm, $5pp for a tasting of five wines of your choice

Justin Wine

In 2000, Isosceles, vintner Justin Baldwin’s local interpretation of a big Bordeaux, was named one of the top 10 wines in the world by Wine Spectator magazine. Baldwin now has 25 vintages under his belt and Isosceles – a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot – remains the winery’s flagship and best-seller. Its other labels are delicious, too, particularly the big bold reds made using old world methods, such as harvesting by hand and small barrel-ageing in French oak. Sixteen miles from downtown Paso, its tasting room and restaurant have panoramic views of vineyards that undulate with the rolling hills. There’s also a three-room inn, where stays (from $375 a night for two) include a complimentary tasting experience: choose from a “deconstruction” or vertical tasting of different vintages of Isosceles, or a library tasting hosted in the Chateau, Justin Baldwin’s former home.
• 11680 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles, +1 805 238 6932, justinwine.com. Tasting room open daily 10am-4.30pm, tastings $15, no reservation necessary; tours 10am and 2.30pm daily, $20pp, reservations required

Halter Ranch

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In the Westside Adelaida District, 12 miles west of downtown Paso, Halter Ranch produces only estate-grown, sustainably farmed Bordeaux and Rhône wines. You can swing by the tasting room for a tipple and a picnic without prior announcement but the three-hour excursion tour ($45pp) by Land Rover is worth calling ahead for. On the tour, guests cruise through all 281 acres of vineyards, descending from lofty Lion’s Ridge – with vistas of sloping patchwork blocks dotted with copses nearly 2,000 feet above sea level – to a tasting beneath the spreading branches of the Ancestor Tree, one of the largest live coastal oaks on record and the name of the winery’s Bordeaux-style flagship wine. The 2011 Ancestor reserve – a blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot – scooped four-star gold in the Orange County Wine Competition and a gold in the San Francisco International Wine Competition in 2014. Consider picking up a bottle of the 2012 Ancestor ($55) to add to your collection.
• 8910 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, +1 805 226 9455, halterranch.com. Tasting room open daily 11am-5pm, $10 for four/five wines; fee waived with bottle purchase

Red Soles

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At Red Soles, six miles from downtown Paso, romance abounds. Lacking equipment, Randy and Cheryl Phillips crushed their first barrel of grapes with their own feet in 2004; that first stomping of petite sirah and zinfandel grapes later became the couple’s first vintage, called Kick-Off. Every wine in their portfolio is estate-grown over 200 acres of vineyards – half are east of Paso Robles and the other half are at the Templeton Gap winery – but only a small proportion of the grapes they grow become Red Soles wine; the rest are sold to large wineries. Randy and Cheryl also run the Hacienda-style, terracotta-coloured tasting room. Stop by to sample the nutty, chocolatey 2012 Estate Syrah ($40), produced in the Côte Rôtie-style with 10% viognier crushed and fermented with syrah, or bring a picnic and grab a bottle to enjoy on the vine- and oak -ringed lawn.
• 3230 Oakdale Road, Paso Robles, + 1 805 226 9898, redsoleswinery.com. Tasting rooms open daily 11am-5pm, $10pp for tasting of six wines plus a brandy; fees waived with a bottle purchase

Villa San Juliette

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Nigel Lythgoe, producers of Pop Idol, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, bought Villa San Juliette, 12 miles from downtown Paso, after falling in love with the region. Lythgoe and partner Ken Warwick both keep apartments in the chateau building and are known for offering good (read large) pours at the tasting room when in town. Guided tours of the 168-acre property take place daily; alternatively you can opt for a private wine and cheese pairing or a picnic lunch of artisanal pizza, crab cakes and charcuterie on the patio overlooking the vineyard and pond. Romantique ($60) – a rich composition of 2010 malbec, petit verdot and cabernet sauvignon – delivers its own raspberry, currant and mocha-nuanced music. If you’re feeling competitive, you may want to take up the So You Think You Can Taste Challenge: four wines, poured blind ($15pp).
• 6385 Cross Canyons Road, San Miguel, +1 805 467 0014, villasanjuliette.com. Open Mon, Thurs-Sun 11am-5pm, Tues-Wed by appointment only

WHERE TO EAT

Thomas Hill Organics

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 Photograph: Alamy

Originally conceived by owner Debbie Thomas as an organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) showcase of local produce, Thomas Hill Organics has evolved over time into a relaxed, elegant restaurant. A high-ceilinged dining room, anchored by an L-shaped bar and a brick wall lined with hundred of bottles, leads to a breezy outdoor patio with a not-so-subliminal message – “WINE” – on the wall in letters several feet high. Local ranchers, bakers and growers provide chef Christopher Manning with quality organic produce for his creative farm-to-table cuisine: his pan-seared scallops with celeriac, linguiça sausage, purslane and baby beets ($31) are delicious with a glass of Bianchi’s sparkling.
• 1313 Park Street, Paso Robles +1 805 226 5888, thomashillorganics.com. Open Mon-Thurs 11am-3pm and 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-3pm and 5pm-10pm, Sun 10am-3pm and 5pm-9pm

La Cosecha bar and restaurant

Spanish for “harvest”, this is chef Santos MacDonal’s second outlet: his other is Il Cortile, also in downtown Paso. MacDonal and his brother Jorge, both alumni ofGiorgio in Malibu, reign supreme in the kitchen, serving dishes inspired by Spanish and South American cuisine with an emphasis on herbs and spices that speak of their Honduran roots. Local gourmets gather in the long, narrow cosy space after work to enjoy Paso wines complimented by selections from Spain, Argentina and Chile; they linger late into the evening for dishes such as octopus salad with rocket, cannellini beans and chimichurri sauce ($12), and grilled pork chop with pear honey glaze and local vegetables ($27), from the easy-to-navigate, pairing-orientated menu.
• 835 12th Street, Suite A, Paso Robles, +1 805 237 0019, lacosechabr.com. Open Sun, Tues-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, closed Mondays

Artisan

What started as a childhood dream for food brothers Mike and Chris Kobayashi (at the time aged 14 and 11 respectively) has now, luckily for Paso locals, been realised. Artisan is very much a family affair: while Mike runs the restaurant, Chris – a graduate of the culinary academies in San Francisco and Napa, and formerly of the Clift Hotel and Brix restaurants – runs the open kitchen and his wife Shandi runs the organic farm a few miles away in Templeton. The huge, street-facing windows are more often than not packed with locals enjoying a glass of zinfandel and yet another warm Paso evening. Inside the elegant, contemporary dining room, hungry patrons indulge in meatballs with ricotta gnocchi ($14) and garlic and wild boar tenderloin with fennel risotto, feta, roasted apple and mostarda pickle ($33) complimented by a carefully selected, Central Coast-focused wine list.
• 843 12th Street, Paso Robles, +1 805 237 8084, artisanpasorobles.com. Open Mon-Thurs 11.30am-9pm, Fri 11.30am-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm

WHERE TO STAY

Bike Lane Inn

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In Templeton, this guesthouse-cum-homestay with two bedrooms is a cosy launch pad for cycling or driving tours.Owners Elaine and Scott McElmury opened their home of 13 years to travellers in 2011 and still live on the property. The Syrah room has a queen bed, private bathroom and opens onto a vine-enveloped patio; the Merlot room has a pillow-topped queen mattress with a private bathroom. A patio with loungers overlooking the family-owned Templeton feed mill is a great place to mingle with other guests; on cooler evenings , games and a stone fireplace make the guest lounge a great place to relax. At weekends, Elaine serves a breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, ham or sausage and toast or pancakes and also offers complimentary glasses of cabernet from the private John Alan winery, nearby. The McElmurys also have two bikes for guests’ use.
• Doubles from $90 B&B, open weekends in autumn/winter and during the week on request in the summer. 749 Gough Avenue, Templeton, +1 805 434 0409,bikelaneinn.com

Paso Robles Inn

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The rooms at this downtown hotel encircle a heated pool, gardens and a koi carp-filled pond. The area is known for its natural mineral springs and if you follow your nose to the nearby Paso Robles Hot Springs, you’ll reap the rejuvenating benefits celebrated by Native Americans and missionaries in times gone by. Alternatively, opt for a deluxe mineral spa room and you’ll find a spa tub, rich in sulphur compounds and trace minerals, on your private patio. All rooms have a kitchenette, and in-room spa services, such as citrus body scrubs and hot stone massages are available. There’s also a steak house and lounge restaurant on site.
• Doubles from $130. 1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles, +1 805 238 2660,pasoroblesinn.com

Contributed by Gemma Price, www.theguardian.com