Nestled in the picturesque Sierra Foothills of California, Amador County boasts a flourishing wine region of over 50 wineries that you may, or may not, be familiar with, that is renowned for its bold Zinfandels, Barberas, and other robust varietals. With a rich viticultural history dating back to the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, the region’s vineyards benefit from warm days and cool nights, yielding wines of intense depth and character. The region knows what it is, and what it is not, and has a unique sense of place. Dotted with small family vineyards, each possessing a love of the land and a ..read more

Celebrity Cruises‘ winning formula continues with their newest award-winning resort at sea, Celebrity Ascent – the fourth and most innovative ship in their highly awarded Edge® Series. Celebrity Ascent features 32 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges, including the newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud. Ascent does not disappoint, with all the best features of Celebrity’s Edge Series – from the huge atrium Martini Bar, the inviting multi-deck Sunset Bar designed by Nate Berkus, to the open-air Rooftop Garden where two cantilevered floating pools offer breathtaking views over th ..read more

New York City casts a romantic spell on us, with the iconic skyline, glistening lights, and winter’s embrace. Restaurants along quaint cobblestone streets offer intimate settings for you and your Valentine. From carriage rides through Central Park, to Broadway shows, New York is a stage for heartfelt connections. And for that luxurious weekend getaway, Arlo Hotels has got you covered with its romantic and cozy-style rooms that will certainly make for togetherness. Here are four different Arlo properties for you to experience: Arlo Midtown 351 W. 38th St., New York, NY 10018-2914 When it come ..read more

Our Aegean Odyssey on Celebrity Reflection, as chronicled in the last issue of Metrosource, wrapped up in one of my favorite cities in the world, Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is one of Europe’s most visited cities and in terms of tolerance, openness, and live-and-let-live attitude, has surpassed Paris and Amsterdam as a center for gay living and gay culture. Gay marriage is legal and LGBTQ rights are fully protected in all of Spain. It’s a normal daily occurrence to see same sex couples walking through the city center holding hands… and no one turns to look. Now, inc ..read more

A year in the planning and five years in the making, we planned our summer vacation around a Celebrity Cruise to the Greek Islands. Embarking in Rome and ending in Barcelona gave us ample excuse to extend our trip to explore these ports in more depth and experience the magic that comes with these historical spots. Our holiday began in Rome, arriving at the Palazzo Nainer. This upscale 4-star boutique hotel is welcoming and friendly, and perfectly situated for walking throughout the city – in 15 minutes you can walk to many of the sites – Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon ..read more

Some hotel suites are junior, and some are royal or presidential, but when your hotel suite is large enough to host your rock-star fantasies, then there’s every reason to indulge. In fact, now that you know you’ll be living like a rock star at the DOUGLAS in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, rewind the camera and let’s start this journey anew. For those of us who live on the East Coast, there’s something magical about flying cross-country against time and then landing in the West beneath an endless blue sky. That Western blue sky and the brilliance of the Pacific, shimmering beneath the sun. For some ..read more

It’s surprising how many cities lay claim to being “the Paris of ….”  There’s Bucharest, Romania which calls itself “The Paris of The East.” And so does Prague, Istanbul, Beirut and Shanghai. There’s Montreal, “The Paris of North America,” not to be confused with Buenos Aires, “The Paris of South America.” Not to be outdone, Kansas City was given the moniker “The Paris of the Plains” in the 20th century Jazz Age.  We nominate a new Paris of the East, Budapest, Hungary. We think it’s the perfect place to honeymoon. And we’ve even found the perfect hotel. Budapest has everything Paris ..read more

In preparation for immersion into an 8°C polar plunge pool, it’s necessary to breathe correctly. That’s what the Wim Hof Method instructor told us, a group of travel journalists on the verge of hyperventilating. Shivering in our swimsuits, we stood in front of the ice-cold Roman bath at Sommerro House in Oslo, uncertain as to who would plunge first. According to the extreme athlete Wim Hof, also known as the Iceman, prolonged exposure to arctic waters is beneficial in combatting numerous physiological ailments. Fortunately, we didn’t yet know that the Iceman’s corneas had frozen solid and bli ..read more

California is the capital of progress. Even before the time of the gold rush, our state has been synonymous with discovery and innovation. Agricultural lands clash brilliantly with the Pacific shore to form a cutting edge of pioneer ingenuity.  And the gays are also no strangers to progress. Harvey Milk transformed a humble campaign for city commissioner into a global invitation for queer folks to live and love openly in San Francisco. So, what happens when you combine the tastes of Northern California with the tastemakers who define LGBTQ+ aesthetics? The perfect pairing, naturally. The ..read more

Two doors face you in the Tamina Therme at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz: one leads into the “textile sauna” for clothed individuals – and the other into Saunawelt (Sauna World) where scores of health enthusiasts wander in the nude. For some people from the States, the prospect of public nudity might be daunting, yet when in Switzerland, it’s best to follow local protocol, especially in matters related to health and well-being. Furthermore, as you remind yourself, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is home to the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre. Olympic bodies, enough said. For nearly 800 years, ever since the dis ..read more