-
Explore the Hilltop Gem DAOU Vineyards in Paso Robles, California
Head to the top of DAOU Mountain and explore the hilltop gem DAOU Vineyards! Experience absolutely breathtaking views, unparalleled hospitality at your own private table, delectable tastings and the most sweeping, stunning views of the Paso Robles, California wine region. Our expert guide Ken led us through a delectable tasting of the culinary world that is DAOU including some very rare pours. This Spanish influenced space is gorgeous in every direction and becomes even dreamier after a couple of glasses. From caviar to lobster rolls to fresh made truffle and bacon pizza, it was a delightful experience and will forever remain as a fantastic memory! And yes, they also have…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Fellow Penn State University Alumni Makes His Mark in Paso Robles, CA with Eberle Winery
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Eberle Winery is a family-owned jawn from Penn State University alumni! If you didn’t know, I am as well… go lions! Gary Eberle grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania (also like me) and went to PSU on a football scholarship. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in biology, he went to Louisiana State University where he continued his graduate work studying cellular genetics. While attending LSU, Gary developed an appreciation for wine and changed his academic path to become a winemaker. Gary launched his career as a winemaker and as the “Pioneer” of Paso Robles Wine Region by helping to…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Affordable Cambria Hotel Templeton Joins Paso Robles, California Wine Country
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler The Cambria Hotel Templeton – Paso Robles makes an excellent, affordable home base to explore California wine country! Owned by Choice Hotels International, the brand positions itself in the upper midscale to upscale market, comparable to brands like Courtyard by Marriott or Hilton Garden Inn. The Cambria is about a year old with boutique vibes and modern interior design styling without being too casual, funky or fancy. With price points lingering around $100 a night, it is super close to Highway 101 and all the wineries winding up the mountain. There are 132 rooms stretching across 3 floors and we were in the deluxe suite…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore Organic and Family Owned Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, California
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Robert Hall Winery is an organic, family-owned and operated Paso Robles winery in California! We started our whirlwind wine tasting tour being greeted by a sweet tiger kitty Mcaire with this outstanding regenerative organic certified space where they certainly pride themselves on hard work while slaying their craft. These are some outstanding, award-winning wines that represent perfectly the vibrant and premier Paso Robles winemaking region while expressing the spirit of the valley. The estate-grown varieties have big, bold characteristics and our wines are crafted with rich, complex flavors with some of them only available at the mothership location like the sparkling white to…
-
How to do the Spanish New Year Grape Tradition Properly
Let’s explore the Spanish New Year grape tradition everyone keep getting wrong! Learn the common mistakes New Year’s Eve revellers make with las doce uvas de la suerte to bring genuine luck for the year ahead. Doing it the Spanish way makes the tradition far more fun and meaningful. When you understand the cultural significance behind las doce uvas, it turns from a novelty into something genuinely special. In recent years, Brits and Americans alike celebrating New Year’s Eve have started joining in with Spain’s beloved grape tradition, but many are unknowingly missing the mark entirely. The ritual, known as “las doce uvas de la suerte” (the 12 grapes of…
-
Where Locals Go Instead of the Most Overrated Spanish Landmarks
Skip the tourist traps and discover the authentic Spain locals actually love! Spain welcomes over 85 million visitors annually, making it one of the world’s most popular destinations. But not every famous landmark lives up to its reputation. A lot of the most iconic spots from Barcelona to Madrid leave travelers feeling overwhelmed, squeezed between crowds, and paying inflated prices for experiences that have lost their authenticity. “After years of living in Spain and guiding students through the country’s culture, I’ve seen countless visitors return from ‘must-see’ attractions feeling disappointed,” says James Smith, founder of Learn Spanish with James, an online platform offering Spanish courses and cultural insights led by…
-
Spain’s Most Beautiful Autumn Coastal Road Trips
Explore six stunning seaside routes perfect for October and November road tripping adventures in Spain! Every autumn, Spain’s coastline transforms into something magical. While summer crowds pack the beaches, October and November offer a completely different experience, one where golden light dances on quieter shores and harvest festivals celebrate the season’s bounty. Driving in Spain in the fall requires different preparation from summer trips. Road surfaces can be more unpredictable with morning dew and occasional rain, so we recommend checking tire tread depth before exploring. Your braking system works harder on wet coastal roads and if you notice any unusual sounds or reduced responsiveness, address these issues before your trip…
-
Seven Unusual Travel Superstitions from Around the World
My lucky number is seven. I was born on September 7, my phone number has 7 in it and my house has 7s in the land square footage. So I guess I am also superstitious after all! I don’t know what it is exactly but it gives me peace when I see it and know things are flowing in the right way. Travel stress is certainly a real feeling due to concerns around potential airport delays, disruptions or mishaps abroad. Some say air travel causes more anxiety than filing taxes or visiting the dentist! I would agree with the taxes but am the weirdo that likes the dentist – so…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Easy Hikes for Beginners in Bryce Canyon, Utah
Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Celebrate the summer solstice by hiking Bryce Canyon, Utah! What better way to celebrate the seasons than immersing yourself in nature? We ended up with one of the hottest weeks in June so far and had to make due with the weather we were given. Also we were both healing from various injuries still and had to take it easy. If this was before the summer of hell 2025, I would have been shredding up all those trails in style and thirsty for more minus the heat. But alas, this is part of my story now and part…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
See the Dark Sky Stars at Bryce Glamp and Camp Domes in Bryce Canyon, Utah
Glamping Domes in Bryce Canyon, Utah Photos, video and story by Cassie Hepler Originally we were supposed to stay at another dome home space nearby in Bryce Canyon, Utah. But those domes are twice the price, heavily populated with so many people staying overnight which means everyone is driving by noisily on the gravel roads and a general this is not the fully immersed in nature vibe we signed up for. So the universe worked in our favor with the Bryce Canyon Country tourism board who delivered us to Bryce Glamp and Camp in the town of Holm, Utah, which is established in 2020 and it’s wild to think it…
