The event is FREE and open to the public. Chocolate Tasting Tickets will be available each day of the event. You may purchase a 6-sample ticket for $10 or a 15-sampling ticket for $20. Take my word for it from past experience — spring for the 15-sampling ticket. It’s well worth the upgrade!

W: www.ghirardellisquare.com
A: 900 North Point Street,
San Francisco, California

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Le Seigneur des Agneaux

Le Seigneur des Agneaux began life five years ago as a sheep farm until Annick Balayer was bitten by the donkey-bug which happened quite by accident. Her precious sheep were being killed by the coyote,so she brought in a couple of donkeys to protect them and it was love at first bray. Now Annick and her family are the only donkey breeders in Canada, and after spending an hour listening to her donkey lore, touring the farm and interacting with her herd of donkeys you’ll be hooked too. You’ll learn all sorts of interesting facts about the world of donkeys—such as the reason people think they are stubborn is because they won’t come when being pulled…but all you have to do is push them instead. She extols their many virtues and uses: They are natural protectors, have a great sense of humor (I’m not kidding-ask her to tell you the story about how one of them hid her keys when she had been ignoring them) using their milk to make a unique, healing soap, and because of their kind, trusting natures she invites children with special needs to spend time with them. She’ll pack up your favorite donkey for a hike in the woods but make sure you come back in time to enjoy their 3 course “Sheppard’s lunch” made with their farm-fresh lamb bacon, pate or sausage followed with a caramel or chocolate dessert made from donkey milk.

Bleu Lavande

You’ll sniff out the way to your next destination long before you arrive at Bleu Lavande, a wonderland of over 200,000 lavender plants. Ask owner Pierre Pellerin, to tell you his inspiring Rocky Balboa-ish tale of how he refused to give up on his lavender scented dream, as he takes you on a tour of the farm, where you can visit the interpretation center to learn about the history and farming of lavender, the distillery where the certified 100% true lavender essential oil is extracted and the expansive boutique, which features a variety of lavender products

Balnea Spa

Take one out-dated summer camp strategically located in a private reserve perched over the scenic Lac Gale, throw in a visionary couple plus a few million dollars and voila…you get Balnea, one gorgeous high-caliber spa offering wonderful treatments from around the world. The spa menu tempts with panoramic outdoor saltwater whirlpool baths of varying degrees, a dry Finnish bath, hot Turkish steam room, ice-cold plunge pool, even a sweat lodge, which are all surrounded by heated terraces, (perfect for their yoga classes) waterfalls and forest ponds. A roster of massages and body/facial treatments will ensure that you leave in a state of bliss.

Aux Jardins Champetres

I give two thumbs up to Aux Jardins Champetres for both my fave eatery and sleepery since it combines a cozy antique filled country inn, with a sumptuous garden restaurant that features sophisticated artisnal food.

Two caveats: It’s BYOB (which presents a perfect opportunity to try some of the bottles you’ve picked up at the nabe wineries,) and they offer only a handful of rooms so I’d suggest reserving ahead.

After spending a few laid-back days exploring this delightful area I feel like I had only scratched the surface and am already planning a return visit this fall—that is if I don’t land in jail after trying to get through customs with foie gras, lamb pate, monk’s cheese and ice wine—just kidding…….kind of.

P.s. There are tons of other foodie attractions – wineries, cheese shops, farmers’ markets – way too numerous to list. Luckily they are all catalogued in the Eastern Townships’ tourist guidebook, given out for free at information centers, shops and inns or else you could contact

Canton-de-L’Est, (Eastern Townships)
20 rue Bon-Bosco Sud
Sherbrooke, Quebec J1L 1W4
#1-800-355-5755

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Do you have a special occasion? Then borrow one for a week or if it’s really want you want keep it for months. Want to borrow more than one? You can but with a maximum of two at a time.

This is Canada’s first designer handbag borrowing service, just visit www.shouldercandy.com, choose your handbag and it will be sent to your door in around 3 days.

You’ll be sent a weekly bill without membership fees, shipping charges or any time limit.

Carry that designer bag of your dreams on your shoulder without paying the high street price tag or check out Shouldercandy’s Handbags for Sale section.

Shoulder Candy is owned by Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Kryk.

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Domaine Pinnacle

Domaine Pinnacle is a family owned orchard and cider house, where you can learn, tour, and taste, as well as stock up on their smooth, sweet, lush estate-bottled Ice Wine. This award-winning golden nectar is created from a blend of six different apples and can be drunk as an aperitif, dessert wine, or just about anytime. Cause for a celebration? Try Domain Pinnacle’s new Sparkling Ice Cider-first in the world!

Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du –Lac

The Saint-Benoît-du-Lac abbey was founded in 1912 and offers a haven of peace and serenity and some damn fine cheese.

This Benedictine monastery is situated on a hill by Lake Memphremagog and is very medieval looking with its majestic gray-brick towers and spires and stunning brick interior arches of yellow, red and gold.

We were lucky enough to score Pere Boldoc, the charming 81-year -old head of the abbey, for our tour guide. I’d swear he winked at me ( if monks are allowed to wink,) when he told me, “The other day when I was speaking about the importance of the Vow of Obedience, one of the sister’s said that this vow would be my favorite–since I’m the one giving all the orders!”
He explained that the 50 monks spend their days praying and working in their orchard, cheese factory, farm or boutique. The gift-store is stocked with a variety of monk-made products, although they are most famous for their cheeses, which include a rich blue Ermite, a nutty-Swiss St.-Augustin, and their firm L’Archange made from goats milk. Just as I was gathering up my selections, which included some delish dolce-de-leche ice cream that Pere Boldoc turned me onto, a bell chimed, which meant that there was only 5 minutes until prayer time so I had to quickly slurp down my ice cream as I scampered up the stairs just in time for their service, which is still held in a hauntingly beautiful Gregorian chant.

Savon Des Cantons

After cleansing your soul at the Abbey, stop in at the nearby Savon des Cantons to learn the benefits of using their all –natural soaps for cleansing your body. Savon des Cantons is the first interpretation center about soap in the province of Quebec. Attend a demonstration and you’ll be amazed at all the research that went on to develop their products. Before you leave, stop by the boutique, where the staff will happily help you choose a soap that is just right for your particular skin. (Their “Precious” soap made my skin so soft that I have learned enough French to order more off their website!) Or if you are a DIY, make your own soap at the fun en Bulles soap bar where you can select your trademark fragrance, color and herbs.

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The area offers an easy meandering drive, but you’ll definitely want to park and stroll through the villages or perhaps bike the miles of trails that unfold along green rolling hills, inviting lakes, wineries, orchards and farms.

The Eastern Townships have so much to see and do that I suggest spending a few minutes doing preliminary research on their well-organized website. Several self-guided tours are offered: The Wine Route, a breathtaking Summit Drive, a historic Township Trail, an Agro-tourism exploration, as well as detailed descriptions of the different townships and villages.

Not a planner? You’ll still have a marvelous time if you simply go where the wind blows—unearthing treasures at the many antique stores, artist colonies, cheese shops, or wineries, stopping to dine at intimate restaurants that feature farm-fresh products, sleeping in historic country inns or romantic B & B’s. You‘ll sample delicious regional wines, sip sparkling cider, nibble some foie gras, maple products or stinky cheese. You’ll marvel and learn from the local vintners, farmers and producers that live on donkey farms, lush lavender fields, even a Benedictine abbey.

Part’s 2 & 3 will include “My not-to-be-missed stops”.

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For years I have been searching for ANYTHING that makes a coach seat feel like less of a coach seat, AKA Torture Chamber. I’ve tried blow up pillows of all sizes and shapes, back rests, even one full scale inflatable bed that was supposed to rest on top of your whole seat, (I don’t know what planes their developers flew in but after my bed was inflated there was only about 3 square inches of space left for me!) and all of these ended up in my Goodwill pile.

With little hope I opened the box containing the patent-pending “TravelRest-The Ultimate Travel Pillow”. Eureka! I could just kiss John Mittelstadt (see below) for designing this snazzy little guy. Plus, it folds up very small, is sooper light, and inflates with just a few puffs. For $26.95 it turns a coach seat into….well… at least a much comfier coach seat.

Dear fellow traveler,

If you’re like me, you find it difficult to sleep while sitting upright (Research shows that sleeping upright takes 50% longer - if you’re comfortable). The TravelRest pillow was born from necessity. What I truly desired was something I could lean my entire body into, and at the same time rest my head against without falling over.

One day…on a flight to the far east, I decided to tether my airline pillow to my seatback using my shoelaces. Eureka…my first TravelRest!

After years of research and design TravelRest is now available; so make the best of a cramped flight or long drive. Our patented shape and unique tethering system delivers comfort, style, and ease of use.

John Mittelstadt
inventor and fellow traveler

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Slow Food was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 as a rebuttal to fast food restaurants. It then became a cause to advocate fair trade, to promote sustainable farming practices, and to preserve and celebrate traditional foods. Now, Slow Food organizations are in 131 countries across the globe. Local chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame, who has long embraced bringing food to the table straight from the farm, will be seen around town as a key organizer.

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit www.slowfoodnation.org or buy them at the door.

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The Balmoral’s number one restaurant – the first in Edinburgh to receive a Michelin star – has teamed up with The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart to create Youth Food Week–Michelin dining geared for the young people of Edinburgh. (I wish this great concept would come to the States!)

Taking place 14-18 October, the event offers a younger market the chance to experience Michelin-starred dining at the leading restaurants in the city. From just £21.50 (lunch at The Kitchin and Martin Wishart) and £27.50 (dinner at number one), 18-25 year olds can sample a three-course menu with accompanying wines, created by each of the participating restaurants and designed to specifically tickle their tastebuds.

Number one’s Jeff Bland says: “The idea for Youth Food Week came about because we wanted to address the growing concerns regarding the lack of young Scottish talent joining the restaurant industry. Our aim is to help educate young people on the excellent local produce that is growing on their doorstep. Our suppliers have been extremely supportive in the project and together we hope to educate their palates and bring a unique dining experience to some young adults.”

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