the wheatsheaf inn | cotswolds

{view from our room}

Although, it's been awhile since we've mentioned our UK road-trip, it's not because we don't have some amazing hidden gems still up our sleeve. We simply like to spread the goodness out. And, you're in for a treat today because we're highlighting our favorite spot from our entire trip to England, Scotland, and France... The Wheatsheaf Inn. We loved it so much, we both have to get our two cents in...

Mr. H: I've never stayed somewhere that has such a clear sense of identity. I feel like The Wheatsheaf is an old friend with a quirky personality that you appreciate more and more over time. The staff are great, and not in that stoic, cold manner that is so common at hotels. They remember your name (again, more as a friend) and have genuine conversations. My favorite's were James, who checked us in, James (I think that was his name) behind the bar, and Angie behind the bar. I love that they all wear Converse's - it perfectly suites the place. The fact that you check in at a neighborhood bar is fun and inviting. I loved walking downstairs in the evening to be greeted by locals having a drink with their dogs in tow. The focus on art and design is clear at every turn, and the food does not disappoint. Mrs. H. and I are already dreaming about our next trip.

Mrs. H: The Wheatsheaf has an amazing history - which you know I'm always a sucker for - but it goes so much further than most historic inns. It pays an ode to the past yet is conceptually cutting edge. The decor, moody paint colors, art all have aspects that fit the region and history of the inn all the while mixing in components that make it current with a sort of rustic-chic juxstaposition (i.e. worn out antiques mixed with industrial coffee tables and staff dressed in jeans and white Converse sneakers). Our room was wonderful - amazing art, great technology (for you tech lovers), and an ahhh-may-zing soaking tub with the most delicious smelling bath products I've ever used (not exaggerating, I was obsessed). Although, if you're one of those people who has to have a shower, you'll want to specifically request it because most of the rooms only have tubs. Make sure you take time to explore the inn because the garden, the Game Bar, and private dining room can't be missed! 

After exploring The Wheatsheaf, stroll off property around the lovely town of Northleach. The medieval church and warm, Cotswold stone cottages feel as if the town was stopped in time. Give yourself a day to do nothing and enjoy The Wheatsheaf/Northleach, but be sure to schedule time for exploring the rest of The Cotswolds. The towns and villages of The Cotswolds are incredibly charming and tranquil. Plus, the drives between them feel like you've been transported into Pride & Predjudice (a plus for me, more than Mr. H since I wish I could be Elizabeth Bennet). Next time we go back, we'll defniitely stay at The Wheatsheaf. What better way to explore the English countryside than starting your morning with a Bloody Mary from The Wheatsheaf's complimentary Bloody Mary bar and the ending the day curled up infront of the fire with a hot buttered rum?

-mr.&mrs.h

{above images courtesy of The Wheatsheaf}

Adventurer Profile: Beth McCabe

We are thrilled to highlight Beth McCabe as our newest "adventurer" in our Adventurer Profiles. We became friends with Beth during our time at Blackberry Farm, where Beth serves as an Event Manager. Although her job sounds glamorous - and there are many perks (celebs, beautiful events, etc.) - the chaotic schedule that comes with running events at one of the world's leading resorts can be consuming. Still, Beth manages to find time to keep travel a top priority in her life. 

We all have crazy lives and schedules that can prevent us from really living life - and many of us find ourselves falling into the trap of existing through the day-to-day. But, life is such a beautiful gift and it's so critical to find a work/life balance that  allows us to suck in every drop of life at work and at play. Beth always inspires the two of us to do just that. As you read Beth's top spots and travel tips, we hope you too are inspired to make time for travel so when you look back on this life you can say you worked hard and played hard. 

MMH: Do you have a favorite place you've traveled? 
BM: I suppose I have become a repeat offender and throw it back quite often.  So, when I fell in love with New York City so I moved there for 4 months to do an “internship” my father likes to say that I was on his Full Scholarship.  We differ in terms.  Needless to say, I try and make it there at least twice a year.  Then I have started to make an annual Napa Trip.  However, if I had to narrow it down, I would have to say Great Britain in general.  My mother lived in England for 2 years.  My my older sister, Campbell, and I decided to piggy-back a trip to see her that just happened to fall over the Open Championship in 2007 (this was not a coincidence).  On the day of our departure… I may have missed my train in Manchester, therefore missing my flight to the States.  My mother scooped me and we spent the day in a little town called Knutsford, England and traveled all over.  I am in love with British sense of humor and landscape.  Oh and a girl has to love some Italy… so I have quite a few.

MMH: What does your perfect Saturday look like? 
BM: Fall: Football… Tailgate, crisp weather, the end.  Not Fall: Waking up on a trip in a great city with coffee and my sisters or best friends, The Wall Street Journal...Run/Yoga…cocktails, great food and new things.

MMH: Has working at one of the top destinations in the world changed your view of travel? 
BM: 100%.  I have always been a constant trip-planner. Whether it is a sporting event, concert, or visiting friends wherever they may be.  But working at Blackberry Farm has given me the a new desire to see the places I read about on a daily basis.  I pass the airport (tiny) every morning on the way to the Farm and I am always yelling at the planes “take me with you!!!!!!”  I think most of all Blackberry Farm as given me a greater appreciation for superstars in different industries, such as Chefs, Vintners, Musicians and even Athletes, thus making me want to experience their talents firsthand.   

MMH: If you can narrow it down to one, what is your favorite city/town you've visited during your travels? 
BM: Barcelona, Spain. I lived there during my Junior Year of College and was blown away by the culture, lifestyle and architecture.  I hope to go again sooner than later to see and experience it as an adult versus a College Sorority girl.

MMH: Favorite hotel? Why?
BM: Auberge du Soleil.  It is nestled in the hills of Rutherford, California.  It is the perfect setting, luxurious, but understated in the details which are important in the Hospitality Industry which I have learned!  Oh, and surrounded by a view of the Napa Valley Vineyards.  Yes, please.

MMH: Top three restaurants?  
BM: Freeman’s in the East Village, New York, New York– my loveable little sis (Haley) introduced me and I have been addicted since.  Husk in Charleston, South Carolina.  French Blue in Napa, California.

MMH: Most memorable travel experience? 
BM: Might be a toss up - The Vatican on Palm Sunday or St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin.  Total contradiction, but both experiences I wouldn’t trade.

MMH: Any other travel tips?  
BM: Be open to new people, experiences and cultures.  Being from the South there is a certain stigma of being a “certain way” so I think sometimes people miss out in the beauty of diversity.  My mother instilled the importance of travel at an early age and I have been lucky enough to see some of this beautiful world.  I am not finished, planning my next trip currently.

MMH: Beth, thanks so much for the interview. We love the way you live life and are honored to have you on the mr.&mrs.h guide!
-mr.&mrs.h

the fountain | edinburgh, scotland

{via}

Please don't snub your nose at me when I say that on our recent trip to France and the UK, I enjoyed the food in the UK the most. I realize I risk losing "hipster points" due to this admission.

Nonetheless, England and Scotland offered simple, yet delicious, gastronomic experiences that were well suited for our tastes and needs (i.e. our wallet). One of our favorites, The Fountain, was especially memorable. We both felt like we had stumbled upon a magazine in restaurant form.

The gastro-pub's design was pleasantly fresh and not at all stuffy or frumpy. Likewise, the menu reflected this by taking traditional Scottish dishes and giving them a fresh twist.

I'm certainly no Master Cicerone (beer's answer to Sommeliers), but we both enjoyed our beverages of choice (a Tennets for me and Innis & Gunn for Mrs. H).

The Scottish really nailed it when focusing on fish & chips and meat pies (we ordered both at The Fountain). They are warm and hardy, which is exactly what you want after trouncing around the chilly countryside of Scotland in Ruby.

When we go back to Edinburgh next year, we will definitely be paying a visit to The Fountain.
- mr.h

mr.&mrs.h's favorites at The Fountain:

// DRINK //

➺ You can't go wrong with any of the Scottish beer on the menu

// MAIN //

➺ Scottish beer battered haddock, thick chips, smashed peas & tartare sauce

➺ Braised shin of beef pie with chive mash

// DESSERT //

➺ Bread pudding

musée de l'orangerie | paris

{via}

Paris is known for so many wonderful things... love, lights, food, annnnd museums. Most people will tell you that you can't miss the Louvre when going to Paris. And, I can't disagree - the Louvre's collection is unparalleled. However, Mr. H and I didn't go to the Louvre this time. We skipped the Mona Lisa and opted for the Orangerie instead - and I'm so glad we did

{via}

The Orangerie is home to Monet's Water Lilies as well as works by Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, and Renoir, among others. The building itself is beautiful - it was built to shelter the orange trees of the Tuileries Palace. 

{via}

It's a beautiful walk from the Louvre through the Tuileries Gardens to the Orangerie. And, thankfully the lines aren't the ridiculously long lines you have to sit through at the Louvre. We only waited 10 to 15 minutes here. Plus, the museum is small, which allows you to take all the art in versus feeling overwhelmed and dazed by the time you leave.

{via}

The Water Lilies are breathtaking. Unlike the Mona Lisa, whose small scale tends to leave most first-time viewers underwhelmed, the Water Lilies are massive. You are completely encompassed by them when you walk into the long, oval room. 

{via}

One of my favorite things about the Water Lilies is that Monet painted them with the intention of creating a space where Parisians could escape a the exhausting pace of the city and find the calm and peace that he found at Giverny (his garden). 

{via}

I was amazed that Monet realized the need for such spaces almost 100 years ago. Now, our insanely busy culture needs places like the Orangerie more than ever. It's incredible to walk into the room and feel the speed and tension of the city melt off of you as an atmosphere of peace takes over. Because of that aspect of the Orangerie, it is my favorite museum in Paris.

-mrs.h

Park House & La Locanda | Gisburn, England

{image courtesy of Park House}

As Mr. H mentioned in yesterday's post, our road trip in Ruby the Fiat was one the highlights of our trip. I would definitely reccommend renting a car and exploring the precious towns that dot the UK's countryside. However, a word to the wise: give yourself more than enough time to get to your destination. There are several reasons for this... one, it gives you to freedom to make a spontaneous detour to see one of the many castles, churches, and other attractions along the way; two, takes much longer to get places when you are driving on small, country roads (even with a GPS). We learned this the hard way on our trip to the Park House B&B in Gisburn. We left Edinburgh with more than enough time to arrive around 5:00 pm. However, we weren't prepared for the winding track roads and rain that met us on the way. We  ended up arriving in Gisburn at 7:00 pm. 

Park House's lovely drawing room

All the stress from our drive melted away when we were greeted by the wonderful Proprietor, Howard Williams. He showed us to our lovely room, Room 3, which was coated in Farrow & Ball's Lamp Room Gray and had a perfect view of the 12th century church across the street. B&B's can conjure up notions of dusty, garish Victorian furniture and creepy, porcelain dolls, but Park House is so far from that. Our room was immaculately clean, cozy, and well decorated. The common rooms downstairs were the same and the service is excellent.

our cozy room

view from Room 3

When we booked our room, we noticed several guests' reviews mentioned the Park House's Friday to Sunday Special, which includes dinner at the award-winning Italian Restaurant, La Locanda (a two-minute walk from Park House). We decided to follow the advice of these reviews, which was one of the best decisions we made in all of our trip planning. La Locanda is amazing! It was hands dow the most amazing Italian food I've ever had outside of Italy. The owners, Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi, are dedicated to sourcing local ingredients to create authentic and excellent Italian cuisine. This strategy, coupled with their Italian hospitality, has led La Locanda to become England's most award winning Italian restaurant outside of London. It was a meal I'll never forget!

{images courtesy of La Locanda}

I would advise anyone who wants to plan a road trip through the UK to make sure to go through the Ribble Valley, stay at Park House, and eat at La Locanda (even if you are staying on a Saturday and can't do the Friday to Sunday Special... trust me it's more than worth it). Gisburn would be the perfect "base" from which to explore the stunning surrounding area. I'm already dreaming about our next visit!!
- mrs.h

mr.&mrs.h's Quick Guide to Gisburn:
EAT // La Locanda
Antipasta
➺ Pere al Gorgonzola
Pasta
➺ Tortelloni  di zucca con amaretti
Secondi Piatti
➺ Pollo mozzarella e speck
Dessert
➺ Tiramisu 
➺ Panna Cotta

SLEEP // Park House 
➺ Room 3

Adventures with Ruby...the little red Fiat

It was love at first sight

I consider myself to be an excellent driver, and my long list of speeding tickets and fender benders only reveal the miserable state of other drivers worldwide. So when Mrs. H and I decided to take a road trip in the U.K., I was excited about driving. I'm not scared of a manual, and surely driving on the other side of the road is no problem.....and roundabouts don't even deserve mention - easy.

Well, picking up a car at Marble Arch in London wasn't exactly the best place to start our adventure. Let's just say it felt like I was a 13 year old who stole my parents car in the middle of New York City. And, that humongous roundabout - how do you know where to turn?

Once we missed the first turn, it was all over. Our directions to our friends house in Wimbledon were irrelevant, and without a navigation system, we were at the mercy of pedestrians. It didn't make me feel any better that every person we asked for directions said, "Wimbledon??? hmmm.... wow."

Three hours later, our seven mile journey to Wimbledon was over. But that was just the start - no time to rest. On to York we went. Driving to York was fine. It was the country roads that followed that were terrifying.

Apparently there are "track roads" in the U.K. that used to be country roads for horses. I'm really not sure how they've been updated other than throwing some asphalt on them. The little "Rubix Cube" (another pet name for Ruby) could hardly fit on the track roads, which looked more like golf cart paths, so I'm not sure how we survived the SUV's with horse trailers that flew passed us.

A slightly terrifying track road

I will say, though, that driving ended up being incredibly exciting and fun. We saw so many things from the road that we would have never seen otherwise. Stay tuned for some of our favorite places we visited with Ruby.

Faithfully waiting

The world through Ruby's eyes

We loved seeing the sheep in Scotland

Scottish sky

Your average road-side cottage

Never knew roads could be so beautiful 

We miss you Ruby - Mr. and Mrs. H

afternoon tea in heaven... a.k.a. Ladurée

After weeks of living out of our suitcases, it feels great to be home again. Where to start? Since we began the European portion of our trip in Paris, it's seems best to begin with a Parisian post. But, we could never cover Paris in just one post. So, I'll begin with our favorite sweet spot in the City of Love.... Ladurée. 

Ladurée is one of the city's most beautiful and tasty patisseries. Established in 1862 on rue Royal, this pastry shop makes the most heavenly macaroons I've ever tasted. It's the perfect stop amidst a stroll along the Champs-Elysées. If you choose to sit outside and enjoy the weather, make sure to still walk inside and take a look at this iconic building. It will transport you to the glory days of Paris. The perfect shade of green that coats the building with a ceiling that includes painted angels baking the pastries makes Ladurée one of the most romantic spots for an afternoon tea in Paris. You'll literally leave feeling like you just had afternoon tea in heaven after tasting the macaroons and other pastries. 

What to order:

➺ A sampling of macaroons - the flavors constantly change, but lemon was our favorite. 

➺ A sampling of tarts and pastries... you can't go wrong with any you choose!

➺ If you are a tea person, this is an iconic salon de thé (tea salon) in Paris and the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea. 

➺ For you coffee drinkers, don't worry the café is delicious here too. Mr. H and I were exhausted when we arrived at Laudrée so we ordered a café au lait for an extra jolt of caffeine.

Bon appétit!

-mrs.h

back in the states!

Stay tuned... European adventures coming soon!!

-mr.&mrs.h

Bon Voyage!

Bon Voyage! We're heading "across the pond" for the next few weeks. While we're gone, you can stay up-to-date by following our adventures/travel tips on Instagram @mr_mrs_h. Can't wait to share our favorite spots once we get back!

-mr.&mrs.h

Tel Aviv

{all images via}

Have you read Cereal Magazine's blog lately? They recently posted the above images from a trip to Tel Aviv. I loved the way these images capture the city. Tel Aviv is probably the most "fun" city in Israel. It's beachy and laid-back -- with an almost European vibe, but still has the rich, Israeli flavor that permeates the entire country. Here's my quick run down of "The White City"...


Tel Aviv: 
EAT | Jaffa's fish restaurants off the beach are awesome and I can't get enough of the old-school street fare in Israel -- hummus, shwarma, shakshuka, kebab or falafel
SLEEP | pricey: Renaissance / Artplus Hotel  || cheap: Old Jaffa Hostel & Guest House
PLAY | Jaffa - old port, flea market, old city / Tel Aviv - market 
-mrs.h