Where to eat, drink and shop in Healdsburg.

Healdsburg is one of the most appealing towns in the Sonoma Valley. Just ten miles north of Santa Rosa, it's a nice blend of sophisticated and sleepy.

The historic plaza, which provides a shady respite on warm days, is lined with stylish shops and restaurants. There's even plenty of free parking off Healdsburg Avenue between Matheson and Mill Streets.

If you don't have time to visit a lot of wineries, Selby Winery, Hauck Cellars, Rosenblum Cellars, Topel Winery, Souverain, Gallo, Lake Sonoma Winery, Artiste Winery, Todd Hollow Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson, and La Crema all have tasting rooms within a block or two of the town plaza.

Credit card-sized tools for travelers.

Back in the day, we never went anywhere without a Swiss Army knife.  After all, what could be better than having scissors, tweezers, a screwdriver, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, and a sharp knife all packed into a 3-½ inch package?

We still find our Climber II model indispensable  for road trips.  But Homeland Security frowns on carrying on knives, no matter how innocuous.   And lately, we’ve been trying to carry on our luggage wherever possible.

Ischia -- an Italian island for those seeking the road less travelled.

Ischia isn't exactly off the beaten path, but it's much less popular than its glamorous neighbor, Capri. But no less beautiful.

Reached by a 45-minute hydrofoil ride from Naples, Ischia is only 18 square miles. There are several up-market resorts on the northern end of the island, near the town of Lacco Ameno.

We stayed at Mezzatorre, with a package we purchased through Luxury Link. The views, public areas, and facilities are all wonderful. But this property isn't for everyone. First of all, the location is kind a remote. There's a free shuttle to Lacco Ameno, but you'll have been there and don't that in about 15 minutes. And it's a steep walk from the restaurant to some of the rooms.