Hotel Winters in Yolo County, California, opened in 2019. It offers a taste of casual luxury in the small, charming farm town of Winters and is a perfect base for exploring nearby wineries, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
We're Michael & Therese
Award-winning Photographers & JournalistsWe are Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian, the husband-and-wife team behind the HI Travel Tales curtain – and, yes, despite travel’s occasional travails, we remain happily married and always look forward to the next trip together. We are veteran travel journalists and photographers — not Instagram bikini influencers (no one wants to see Michael in a bikini anyway!)
HI Travel Tales is dedicated to inspiring meaningful travel adventures around the world with a focus on immersive travel experiences. We discover the unexpected and extraordinary even in the most common of destinations. Our award-winning writing and photography guides travelers and non-travelers alike on a journey of discovery and wonder.
We love sharing stories from other travelers, too, and have a growing slate of wonderful contributors. We are also surrogate parents to a rather large and still growing family of stuffed animals who all have names and invariably fight over who gets to go on the next trip (Michael sometimes insists two go, hiding one in Therese’s carry-on.)
Featured in a podcast
Want to know what it’s like to work with your spouse – and stay married? Then listen in to two CoupleCo podcasts featuring Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian below.
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We’ve won a number of travel writing and photography awards along the way.
Recent Travel Posts
We are travelers. Always have been. We engage. We explore. We immerse ourselves everywhere we go. We are both uber-curious and enthusiastic about sharing our experiences. Here are a few of our latest travel stories.
Floating in a hot air balloon with Yolo Ballooning Adventures
Flying in a hot air balloon over Yolo County in Winters, California with Yolo Ballooning Adventures is spectacular and fun. Finish off the sunrise balloon flight with a bubbly rosé at Turkovich Family Wines.
Biking the Presidio and San Francisco waterfront on electric bikes
The perfect way to really experience and explore the San Francisco Waterfront — and the Presidio park — is on an electric bike or e-bike. Some of the best overlooks and views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen when biking the Presidio and the waterfront.
What to do in Presidio San Francisco: adventure, views, history, dining
The Presidio of San Francisco was once a military base and is now a 1,500-acre urban park. The Presidio is now a major recreation destination with miles of hiking trails, bike routes, and numerous scenic overlooks. Crissy Field, Fort Point, Baker Beach and numerous historic buildings housing restaurants, businesses and museums make a visit to the Presidio a must.
Cornell Hotel de France on Nob Hill: Best San Francisco boutique hotel
When visiting San Francisco, go for historic charm in one of the best San Francisco boutique hotels. The Cornell Hotel de France is a centrally located gem of a Nob Hill Hotel that will transport you to France with its whimsical paintings and charming French décor.
Adventure Cat Sunset Sail – Best Views in San Francisco
One of the very best views in San Francisco can only be had from the deck of a sailboat. Jump on an Adventure Cat sunset sail to see the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
San Francisco Pier 39 attractions: restaurants, views, and sea lions
Pier 39 remains one of the top San Francisco attractions, from the barking sea lions on a back dock to family-run restaurants with some of the best San Francisco waterfront views. Step into a number of the Pier 39 restaurants and enjoy excellent dining with an unbeatable sunset view.
We love sunflowers! Best sunflower photos and sunflower facts
Everyone loves sunflowers. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty and adoration in the Western world. In China, they symbolize long life and good fortune. To Native Americans the sunflower represents harvest and bounty. Enjoy a gallery of our best sunflower photos and fun sunflower facts.
The best railbike adventure – Find railbikes near me
Railbikes have been used on railroad tracks since the 1800s. It wasn’t until recently that individuals and companies began designing railbikes and offering railbike trips for the public. Railbiking companies are numerous. Our guide will help you to find the best railbike adventure near you and to understand what railbiking is.
Sunflower photography tips – How to take great sunflower photos
Sunflowers offer incredible photo opportunities to a photographer with a bit of imagination and planning. Sunrise to sunset and every bit of light in between, knowing how to take great sunflower photos in the sunflower fields is the key to success. Our sunflower photography tips will help.
Yolo County Sunflowers – A viewing guide to the best sunflower fields
Yolo County has some of the best sunflower fields in California – and early summer is the best time to see Yolo County sunflowers. Our viewing and experiencing guide will help you respectfully enjoy these sunflower fields on a summer tour.
River Fox Railbikes – Railbiking adventure near Sacramento
Riding historic train tracks on a railbiking adventure with River Fox Railbikes near Sacramento, California. Pairs of riders pedal two-seat, motor-assisted railbikes along relatively flat railroad tracks.
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