It was a fruitful excursion. Bartholomew Park, just outside of the town of Sonoma, continues to produce a luscious Merlot.  One that will make you forget the snide comments in Sideways. The Zin is smooth and rich.  This historic property is always worth  a visit.

A pleasant surprise was finding that Hawkes has established a tasting room just off the Sonoma plaza as well. I am generally not a fan of in-town tasting rooms as I like to see the vineyards. However this saved me me a drive to the Alexander Valley. The tasting was unhurried and the staff friendly and knowledgeable.  Hawkes is known for its Cabs and they are wonderful. They are elegant and restrained, not overly aggressive fruit bombs. Imagine Grace Kelly, not Kim Kardashian. Best of all, the wine club comes with free shipping.

My next stop to LynMar — home to some wonderful Pinot Noirs — in the Russian River Valley. I wanted to drive a bit to ensure that the wine didn’t overtake me. The wine was delightful and the tasting room was elegant. The tasting experience, however,  felt more like Napa than Sonoma: a bit of attitude hung in the air and the tasting fee was not waived even after an $80 purchase on what they acknowledged was a slow day.

I decided to return to the town of Sonoma for one last taste prior to returning to San Francisco. Having had a good experience at Hawkes’ tasting room and with a few spots open in the case I would take home, I decided to try Adobe Road. The Cab, Syrah, and Petite Syrah were all full and supple. Amanda, overseeing the tasting room, was friendly and expansive with details on the wines even though it was nigh upon closing time.

The ride back to San Francisco was a bit laborious as the Infineon Raceway was letting out. Watch the schedule when you visit.

On your next business trip to to the Bay area, be sure to make time for an excursion north. Rewarding wines are only an hour away.

Read the original Saturday Night Stayover post on Sonoma here.

I’d like to share three lesser-known attractions with you. The first is a trip to the Boston Harbor Islands. This off-shore national recreation area is easily reached by ferry and offers a great escape from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown. Head out for a hike and picnic and take in both nature and history while you are at it. It is a perfect half-day excursion.

The second is a walking tour of Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston. Take the Red Line from the Boston side and you’ll be there in under 10 minutes. I suggest a walk in the Brattle Street neighborhood just outside of Harvard Square for a 60-90 minute urban hike rich in beautiful architecture and historic sites. The houses, now some of the most valuable real estate in the country, includes several that date back to the Revolutionary War period.

To trace one of my favorite routes, start in Harvard Square and head west on Brattle Street. Either side of the street offers much to see so take one side on the way out and the other for your return. Continue on Brattle until you reach your first traffic light at Fayerweather Street. Turn right on Fayerweather and walk until you see Reservoir Street. Take a right again. Take your next right on Highland Street. Go one block until you hit Appleton Street. Take a right. Now take your next left on Brewster Street. Just across from the intersection of Brewster Street and Riedesel Avenue you’ll see Robert Frost’s former house. Take a right on Riedesel and this will bring you back to Brattle. Take a left on Brattle and walk back to Harvard Square.  There are many potential variations to this route so explore to your heart’s content.

If you are starting or ending around mealtime, stop by Casablanca in Harvard Square for a juicy burger or some of their north African inspried cuisine.

The third destination requires a train or car ride north to Salem. There you will find the Peabody Essex Museum, an outstanding museum that is often overlooked by those who stay in town. The Peabody Essex has an outstanding collection of artifacts relating to the China Trade and New England’s seafaring roots. The collection comprises more than one million objects. A must-see is the “Chinese House” that was brought from China and painstakingly rebuilt by hand at the museum. However the Peabody Essex also hosts contemporary exhibits including photography, fashion, and much more.  

On your next business trip to the Hub, find a way to spend an extra night and explore some of the many interesting and unusual sights that make Boston a favorite city for many. See our Boston page for hotel and restaurant recommendations.

I was in Israel at the beginning of 2011 and had the chance to explore some of the local offerings. The rocky hills in the north of Israel are hospitable to a range of grapes, from cabernet sauvignon to merlot to cabernet franc. Some of the wines are New World-style single grape offerings while others are Old World-style blends. The best of them are complex and rich.

This was a business trip (look for our new pages on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem) so my chances to escape to wineries was limited. A particular treat was a Cabernet-Merlot-Shiraz blend called Danielle from the vineyard owned by a friend of a friend. Sorry, you won’t be able to find this on the shelves of your local wine store. It had luscious notes of berries and chocolate. It started smoother and ended smoother with a long, elegant finish. I would have sworn that it came from northern California rather than northern Israel.

I did visit Carmel Winery, an estate founded by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, owner of Chateau Lafite in Bordeaux. It was a rainy afternoon on my last day in Israel yet it could not have been warmer in the the tasting room. The staff was friendly and accomodating. In fact we benefitted from a slow afternoon and received the attention of everyone on duty. We tasted the lovely Carmel Mediterranean, a blend of Carignan, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, with a splash Viognier. It is an elegant wine with deep color. There were cherries on the nose and leather across the mid-palate leading to a dry finish.

The more widely available wines from their appellation collection were quite drinkable and would be welcome falafel on a Wednesday night or risotto on Thursday (Italian food is everywhere in Israel). I left with a bottle of the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvingon, “100% from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, grown in the Kayoumi vineyard, in the foothills of Mount Meron. The wine was aged for 15 months in small French oak barrels.” When I open it, I’ll be sure to give a full review.

Some Carmel Winery wines are avaibable in the U.S. and the tasting room is well worth a visit should you find yourself in Israel. There are many wineries in the area and Carmel is a great place to start.

The Cots are served regularly by train although getting back by rail on a Sunday can be a challenge so you should consider a car (or taxi as far as Oxford where train service gets a bit more regular). Renting a car locally is more difficult than it should be as locations are quite scattered.

The first thing you must do is choose a north or south as it is too much to cover all of this region in two days. We chose north largely because the village of Broadway was described as among the most authentic hamlets and one that was not completely overrun with tourists. The south seems a bit more celebrity filled and, frankly, we were happy to leave the glitz in Soho. It’s lovely that Elizabeth Hurley has a farm there but I don’t want to have to compete with her for a dinner reservation.

Broadway was as described: a lovely collection of limestone buildings along the main road offering interesting shops as well as the essentials of food stores, a pharmacy, tea room, and the like. It was better outfitted than the other towns in which we spent time: Stow in the Wold and Chipping Campden (though each of these offered their own charms and was good for about an hour of diversion not counting tea and scones).

There are numerous guest houses and hotels available. We chose Southwold House, a B&B on the edge of the village. It was highly recommended on Trip Advisor and those kudos turned out to be well-deserved. The innkeepers, Alison and Trevor, could not have been more gracious. They even made loan of a sweatshirt when the weather turned nippier than we’d expected. The room was spacious and the breakfast delicious each day. Best of all, they reoriented our dining plans — we’d gotten it all wrong by relying on the Internet. Most of the best dining spots in town had not yet found a Web site necessary.

The Cots are the center of the slow food movement in Britain and even the smallest eateries bragged about the local sources of their food. Much of the greenery was organic and the meats were free range and grass fed. We had three spectacular dinners (The Swan, Russell’s — where it pays to go early for the prix fixe, and The Brasserie). Look for lots of lamb and whatever is in season from the fields. All three dinners together cost about what one dinner had in London.

Just above Broadway is the village of Snowshill (pronounced “snawzil” by the locals and the picture perfect setting where the beginning and end of Bridget Jones’ Diary were filmed) and a National Trust site at Snowshill Manor. It features one of the most lovely gardens we have ever encountered; small but full of surprises and interesting plantings. The manor house full of interesting things from samurai armor to antique bicycles. The owner was a bit of an eccentric and amassed an incredible collection of objects to amuse his guests. In fact, he didn’t live in the house but rather in an old rectory that appeared to be outfitted for the 17th century, not the first half of the 20th when Mr. Charles Wade was in residence. It was easy to spend two-to-three hours there. The little cafe also puts on a simple but enjoyable lunch that includes local ingredients. We had a delicious cottage pie.

The walk back to town is downhill and passes several fields of sheep and you can pick up the famed Cotswold Way walking trail if you’d like a ramble. Beware the ample sheep  poop though.

A bit farther afield is Hidcote Manor which features elaborate Arts & Crafts gardens. The Manor house is not open for touring but there is a cafe similar to that at Snow’s Hill. Both also have interesting gift shops with interesting mementoes such as leather gardening gloves (£10) as well as the usual books, DVDs, and such.

It will be a quiet, romantic weekend in the Cots and you’ll find yourself longing for Wellies and a Barbour jacket — actually a rental business for such items would have been welcomed as sturdy, rain-resistant gear would have been useful (beware unsettled August) but too bulky to pack.

Will we return? But of course. How else to take advantage of the chance to rent a sleek, sexy Morgan motor car for a day or two. It just wouldn’t fit into the agenda this time round.

Among the highlights: restaurants L’Ecallier du Palais Royal for traditional Belgian cuisine and Lola for something more nouvelle; the Royal Windsor Hotel representing a long history of luxe and the Hotel Amigo if your taste is more contemporary. Bring home some specatacular leather goods from Delvaux or delicious choclate from Mary Chocolatier.

Have you spent time in Brussels? We’d love to add your suggestions to our Executive Nomad guide.

As biking has become more popular, bike rentals have become more available at a wide range of destinations. A simple Web search will likely turn up options and for just a few dollars you can get a glimpse of the city you are visiting that isn’t possible any other way. Most rental agencies will offer you a helmet and lock as part of the rental.

Some hotels are beginning to offer bicycles as a service to their guests. Both the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA and the Liberty Hotel in Boston have a mini-fleet ready for the road. The Chic Cyclists blog reports that in addition to these, Element — the LEED certified Starwood offering, the James Chicago, and the Bowery NYC have two-wheelers on hand.

One of the great advantages of bike riding on a business trip is that you don’t have to bring a lot of gear. In fact, you can ride in business attire (as you’ll observe many commuters doing in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and other European cities — and more and more often in the U.S.). You simply moderate your speed so that you don’t build up a sweat. Of course that’s easiest in a flat city.

On my recent ride in San Francisco , part of a Saturday Night Stayover, I was happy that the ferry was an option for the ride back as the ride back up to the bridge is one serious hill (and, truth be told, I was returning with four bottles of wine that added to my ballast:) .

Have you pedalled your way across town while on a business trip? Have a business biking story to share? Leave a comment below.

How much more satisfying, though, to be a bit more selective. I’ve taken to visiting small museums (and have recommended the best I’ve found in the One Hour Tourist section of each of our city pages) where the temptation to gorge is naturally limited. When visiting a large museum, I hunt for the smaller, off-beat exhibitions that aren’t so heavily trafficked.

The result is getting to spend more time with the art at hand. It’s a welcome antidote to the working life where it sometimes feel that if the thumbs stop texting, breathing too will cease. No worry, it is possible to simply sit and enjoy a painting or sculpture without endangering one’s health. In fact, focusing on a single object — letting it speak to you, challenge you, or wash over you as the case may be — can be a wonderful restorative.

I spent nearly an hour looking at Monet’s Water Lilies in Paris and felt positively rejuvenated. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Frick Collection in New York, the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC, the Delacroix Museum in Paris, and many others (even the Chocolate Museum in Barcelona ♥) offer wonderful opportunities to spend time with special art. I’m a big fan of the British approach to museum admissions — most have no fee — for this very reason. It’s easy to grab a few minutes during a commute or between meetings to duck into the National Portrait Gallery when you don’t have to plunk down 5 or 10£ just to get in the door.

Be careful, though, as this may become popular. “Slow looking, like slow cooking, may yet become the new radical chic,” Bloom says.

What are your favorite small museums or quiet galleries in the big museums? Have you found ways to sneak a little culture in your business trips? Your fellow Nomads would love to know.

A guest post from one of your fellow Nomads, Siobhan Ford:

There really isn’t much that can top Paris in springtime. Already a city of inimitable beauty, Paris is radiant during the mild, fresh days of early spring. The city’s blooming parks and tightly-packed sidewalk cafes flood with people seeking a few precious hours in the sunshine, and when the long days finally fade into evening, the city remains alive with energy.

I was lucky enough to spend a whole week in Paris in April, meaning I could explore all the city has to offer at a rather leisurely pace. But for those of you whose busy schedules don’t allow for meandering through the arrondissements, here’s a handful of places you should visit in between all your meetings.

Le Timbre (literally, “the stamp”), is named for its size-the entire restaurant isn’t much bigger than a well-appointed hotel room. But the eloquently traditional French cuisine makes bumping elbows with fellow diners worth your while. I had a beautiful dish of escargot and black lentils for a first course, a welcome change from the standard garlic butter preparation. My main course was simple lamb and potatoes, perfectly seasoned. The menu appears daily on a large blackboard by the tiny open kitchen, and there’s a small but well-rounded wine list that includes some very reasonable bottles.

Paris‘s street markets are part of the city’s unique fabric. If you can spare time on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Friday morning, stop at the Marche Raspail, located between Rue de Rennes and Rue de Cherche Midi. Eager merchants man stall after stall of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, pungent cheeses, fresh fish, and earthy spices. You won’t leave hungry or empty-handed.

On a clear day take your purchases and walk 10 minutes to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Medici-inspired park in the 6th arrondissement. You can’t lounge on the immaculately kept lawns, but you can pull up one of the many dusty green metal chairs scattered around the park, break out your baguette and saucisson, and enjoy a sunny lunch break.

Should you find yourself with an hour to kill and an artistic hankering, head to the Musee Rodin. Many of the sculptor’s major works are on display outdoors in a lush garden that you can loop through quite quickly. Unlike the Louvre, which can leave even the most ardent art-lover overwhelmed, this museum will simply fill you with appreciation for Rodin’s genius and send you on your way.

Finally, it’s my firm opinion that no trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at Fauchon, the pink-awning-bedecked emporium of gourmet food and pastry. The New York City and various French locations are nothing compared to the flagship store on the Place de la Madeleine, which is actually two separate stores sitting on adjacent corners. One is devoted to luxury food items of all kinds, while the other houses takeaway dishes and Fauchon’s famous pastries. The latter are delicate, dainty, exquisite concoctions filled with explosions of buttercream and ganache. I saved mine for my last night in the city, and savored every beautiful bite.

What are your favorite spots in Paris?

First up is one of our favorites: Sonoma, CA. We find Sonoma more relaxed (and relaxing) than its neighbor Napa. Head across the Golden Gate Bridge and continue north on Highway 101 until you see the signs for Route 12, Sonoma. The signs are clear from there. You’ll be in downtown Sonoma in about an hour after you cross the bridge (depending, of course, on that famous California traffic).

We stayed at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. Our junior suite was exceptionally comfortable and featured a wood-burning fireplace (with handy wood bundles provided), a spa tub, and a small balcony. Our Guest Services Manager was responsive and helpful when we set up the trip and service throughout the weekend was top notch. The spa services were professionally given (the tandem massage is unforgettable). They also have a golf course. The Sonoma Mission Inn lived up to its reputation and exceeded our expectations.

Bonus: if you are a Fairmont President’s Club member (or join when you check in), you get free Internet access in your room.

The principal attractions of Sonoma are food and wine. Very close to downtown Sonoma you’ll find the historic Bartholomew Park, Gundlach-Bundschu, and Buena Vista wineries. At each winery you’ll find an engaging, unintimidating staff and truly exceptional wines that you won’t encounter every day (there are several releases available only at the winery). Ravenswood is also nearby and offers releases not in wide distribution.

There are several dozen other wineries within an easy hour’s drive. You will find a mix of varietals throughout the area but there are some areas of concentration — head west toward Forestville for Pinot Noir (2007 was a gangbuster vintage) or north for Zinfandel.

You’ll find plenty of shopping (mostly locally owned independent shops), historic attractions, and dining around the plaza in Sonoma as well. The restaurants we recommend are The Girl and the Fig (“country food with a French passion” using local ingredients), Meritage (amazing house-made pasta), and Café Le Haye. Recommendations are recommended for each and you are welcome to bring a bottle of wine you’ve purchased on your winery adventures. If you want something more casual, check out Maya or La Casa for Mexican fare (the latter quite casual and kid-friendly and also an easy place to stretch your pesos) or The Red Grape — a family-owned pizzeria with innovative wood-grilled pizzas and a good selection of wines by the glass.

Sonoma is a wonderful place to spend a day or a weekend exploring northern California’s natural beauty and bounty.