A weekend getaway to Mendocino

Written by Allison Levine on March 10, 2020

Travel Lifestyle Wine

When my girlfriends and I decided to plan a weekend getaway, we wanted to go to a wine region we had not been to. As wine writers, we thought that might be difficult but it turned out none of us had been to Mendocino County, located north of Sonoma on the coast of California. This hidden gem was the perfect place for a fun weekend and I wrote about it in the Napa Valley Register which I share here.

It’s Mendocino, not Montecito. It’s Anderson Valley, not Alexander Valley. Located just over an hour north of Healdsburg, on the coast of California, Mendocino is the out-of-the-way wine country. It is not near any urban areas. It is remote. It is not carpeted with vines but rather interspersed with other agriculture. It is a secret corner of California and one that I went to explore with some girlfriends and fellow wine writers for a weekend.

Mendocino County is a hidden gem filled with rolling hills along the coast. In addition to wineries, breweries and delightful New England-esque towns to explore, there are charming inns to stay in. Read More +

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: SCMITTS Super Cleaning Mitt by CleanFreakLLC

Written by Allison Levine on February 29, 2020

Travel Lifestyle

With flu season here and the threat of the spread of Coronavirus, we need to do all we can to protect ourselves when we are out in public. As someone who travels a lot, I am on airplanes multiple times each month. I don’t even like to think about the germs on the tray tables, tv screen, armrests or seat belts and do not even want to think about the bathrooms. Yuck! I try to wipe these things down before I use them with a sanitary wipe as I keep a package in my carry-on bag. But, I find that once I open the package, the rest of the wipes start to dry up. That is why the individually packaged SCMITTS Clean Mitt by CleanFreakLLC is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

I was in Washington DC this past weekend visiting friends. As I was getting ready to head to the airport, my friend Kathie handed me two individual packets of Scmitts super cleaning mitts. Scmitts Cleaning Mitts were created by founder Joe Hagen who opened and managed many District of Columbia restaurants for a decade before working at NPR (National Public Radio, Inc) for more than 19 years. In 2016, Joe created CleanFreakLLC.

The SCMITT™ (Super Cleaning Mitt) is the first and only complete portable hard surface cleaning system. It does not require water. It does not need to be rinsed. It is disposable and protective and cleans all in one solution.

The SCMITT™ cleaning mitt comes folded in an individual packet. You open the packet and remove the folded cleaning mitt. You stick your hand in the mitt and pull off the cover, starting at your wrist. The removed cover can be placed into the empty packet.

With your hand inside the mitt, you can wipe down the hard surfaces you want to sanitize. And when you are finished, you grasp the tab inside the top of the SCMITT holding the wrist area with your other hand and pull down to reverse inside out. Tie the two ends together and throw it away. It is that simple. And I never had to touch the dirty side of the wipe.

A box of ten (10) individual packages is available for $9.95 at CleanFreakLLC.com. Whether you travel a lot, like me, or want to keep your car or your office or another public-use area clean, try the SCMITT Super Cleaning Mitt and you will see why it is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Exploring Campania, Italy

Written by Allison Levine on February 11, 2020

Travel Lifestyle Food Wine

As I think about where I plan to travel in this new year, I keep thinking about my trip to Italy last fall. Campania, in the south of Italy had been on my bucket list for years and I finally went. I spent a week traveling around Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia and Naples. I ate, I drank, I went sight-seeing and I wrote about it for Wander with Wonder. I am sharing a portion of the story here and hope you will click the link to read the entire story.

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I have traveled to Italy more than a dozen times and visited many regions. But one region that had always been at the top of my list, yet I had not been to, was Campania. Located on the south-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, Campania is the third most populous region in Italy and home to some of the most famous destinations, including the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and Naples. The name Campania is derived from Latin and translates into “fertile countryside”. It is a region rich in culture, ranging from its architecture and archeology to its gastronomy and I explored this wonderful region for six days. I welcome you to join me as I wander to Italy for exploring Campania.

Visiting Sorrento

Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a coastal town that is a popular tourist destination. The town sits atop cliffs that separate the town from the marinas. It was the perfect spot to begin exploring Campania.

Sorrento is a resort town and is a good place to make as a home base when exploring the region as it is easily accessible by boat, bus or car. The historic center is a charming town filled with narrow streets that are easy to get around on foot.

I found a modern boutique hotel, Palazzo Abagnale & Tritone, located in the center of town. The room was clean and renovated, the staff was friendly and helpful, and a lovely breakfast was offered each morning.

Where To Eat in Sorrento

Sorrento is known for its seafood and it is hard to not eat well here. But, if you are looking for a memorable and delicious dining experience, head to the 1-star Michelin restaurant Il Buco, located in the wine cellars of an old monastery.

Considered one of the best restaurants in Sorrento, Il Buco has been open for more than 20 years and has held its Michelin Star for 14 years. Chef and owner of Il Buco, Giuseppe “Peppe” Aversa, is a very friendly man who visits guests at the table. Il Buco offers a tasting menu featuring fresh fish along with a tasting menu focused more on the land. You can also order from the a la carte menu. I personally selected the “I Trust You” menu in which Chef Peppe created the menu for me.

Day Trips from Sorrento

With Sorrento as a home base, it is easy to plan day trips to give you more opportunities for exploring Campania. There is plenty of time to explore during the day and then to come back and relax in Sorrento each evening.

Read the rest of the story on Wander with Wonder where you will learn about where to eat, drink, sleep and have fun for when you plan your next trip to Campania.