US-127 towards Frankfort, Kentucky is best travelled in an open car with the wind teasing your hair, and a fine companion as a passenger. My Black Labrador, Madison, accompanied me!!

Sylvan hills, a leisurely pace, and historic towns pepper your trip on the way to Frankfort, Kentucky, home of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Travel during October through April and you can enjoy a full tour of the distillery and experience the process of turning corn into liquid amber. During the summer, skip the tour and march forcefully toward the wonderful tasting room on the property. You’ll be treated to a range of wonderful bourbons and a new triple-distilled Vodka called Rain.

The signature Buffalo Trace bourbon starts sharply, mellows immediately, and lingers for a fine smooth finish. You’ll smell the sweetness of molasses and brown sugar, with the huskiness of roasted caramel. A deeper breath offers slight smokiness from the oak aging. Sip lightly and you’ll reward taste buds with one of the best bourbons you’ll find anywhere along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Indulge today!

A group of us enjoyed the 2004 Wild Horses Pinot Noir last evening with good friends at a business function. We loved it. Wonderful fruit flavors, lots of rich aroma, long legs on the glass, and a very light texture. No lingering tang, and it paired wonderfully with my Florida Black Grouper in rich black bean sauce. I’m an iconoclast about wine. I don’t stick to traditions about reds with meats and whites with fish. I enjoy whatever pairs well. This light and flavorful Pinot worked very well with the strong flavors of the bean sauce on my fish. At $22-$27 a bottle locally, it’s a real bargain. I’d rate it a high 80’s, and I’m stocking bottles for the cellar this weekend.

When it comes to overall luxury spa treatments, there is no doubt that France does both just right; when combining the two, you might leave us wondering which luxury spa in France you will book for your own personal retreat, as France has been touted as offering our world the most and best of what 5-star properties have to offer.

The Luxury Day Spa Collection by Great Hotels of the World eagerly proffers the finest spa resorts in all of France, period. This unique collection of luxury spa resorts, combines breathtaking accommodation with truly serene locations, as well as world class spa conveniences.

All member spa resorts in France are regularly quality assured, inspected nearly daily, and governed by Great Hotels of the World to make certain that the very highest in standards of luxury are continually captured.

Le Mas Candille is situated in the hills of Cannes. Guests can choose from a variety of Eastern-inspired treatments at the Shiseido Spa, which also features stunning and totally private Japanese gardens. Guest rooms have fine French furnishings, private balconies and terraces.

Hotel de la Tremoille gives guests the utmost privacy and serenity in its chic location in Paris, France – very close to the Arc de Triomphe. The spa offers expert massage and treatment programs to cater to each unique personality. The spa also contains a sauna and a multi-jet shower for the ultimate relaxation as well as a fully outfitted training center for guests looking for a more active getaway.

Among our favorite and the most notable resorts would have to be the exclusive Hotel Du Palais; the picture of the spa alone will sell you on all it has to offer. This amazing spa is located on seaside property that is absolutely breathtaking. Hotel Du Palais is located in Biarritz, Basque Country France. The spa, more commonly referred to as the Spa Imperial, is dedicated to well-being, beauty, and overall human health. This spa opened in 2006, and promises a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation, with a remarkable menu of spa treatments. Using only Guerlain products, the spa’s highly trained team of therapists offers an assortment of treatments, including lymphatic drainage, facials, and aromatherapy massages.

Gone are the days when homes were built with a stuffy, formal living room and the children were relegated to the recreation room in the basement. Modern homes are designed to ‘live’ in and that means huge main floor living areas that combine multi-media functionality and ultimate comfort.

Many new homes are being designed with great rooms, which mean a huge family room that is usually next to or combined with a large, open concept kitchen. A great room generally features a large fireplace, lots of windows, and vaulted ceilings. The look is comfort (think Upside Living) and the feel is warm and cozy. It has become the hub of the home and it is so popular now that many families with older homes are redesigning their floor plans to mimic the new homes.

So you have a great room and although the space lends itself to family and togetherness, it really is how you decorate it that makes it luxuriously comfortable and conducive to family life.

For wall colors, keep them warm and neutral. If you want to add color, do it in the carpet, draperies and artwork. Choose overstuffed large furniture in chenille fabric or lambskin leather for a sumptuous look and feel. For the ultimate in luxury, choose sofa cushions and pillows that are down filled.