Our 1920s bungalow-style home located in the charming town of Healdsburg, Sonoma, only a few blocks from the Plaza, restaurants & shopping and minutes from several wineries. Our home is very comfortable, with a well-equipped kitchen, wi-fi for high-speed internet and several relaxing nooks outside.

We completely renovated our yard, and created several "outdoor rooms" -- a "living room" under our chestnut tree with benches around a fire-pit; a "kitchen and dining room" with our grill and stainless steel prep table, and large dining table with umbrella and copious candles; the "garden spot," with two adirondack chairs under a canopy umbrella in the middle of our vegetable garden. Lush, native plants and flowers, fruits and vegetables and stone walking paths give it the feel of a well-enjoyed European park.

Both of the bedrooms have queen-sized beds, and there are comfortable areas--couch and chairs in the living room, comfortable chairs in the back sun-room, and two window seats--that are great for leisurely lingering (with a glass of wine) over conversation or a book.

Healdsburg has become the gem of Sonoma County's wine country. We are about a 10-minute walk from the historic town plaza, with its bandstand, fountain, and rim of palms and redwoods. Around the plaza are boutiques, restaurants, a bakery, bookstores and more and, during the summer, the area hums on Tuesday nights with a farmers market and outdoor concerts.

Epicureans may already know about the michelin-starred Cyrus Restaurant, just blocks from our house and a couple of blocks off the plaza. The Saturday farmers market is also a focal point for locals and visitors alike.

Use our two bicycles to pedal to nearby wineries. Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley are all easy rides from here. The coast, too, is less than an hour away. Watch the surf and seals from several different beaches that are beautiful drives through rolling hills and pasture-land. For an urban experience, San Francisco is just an hour-and-a-half drive south.

Check out healdsburg.com for more photos and information about the area.

Open to any dates

We're looking to do an exchange in France summer of 2010. We'd like to stay in a picturesque village near Uzes or Nimes.

Lia is a food writer and author and Christopher is in the wine industry, and we're happy to steer you towards our favorite restaurants, local purveyors and wineries for a personal experience of the area. Our three-year-old daughter, Noemi, is a great traveler and loves experiencing new places. We rent houses and apartments nearly everywhere we travel to drop into the local feel, and have exchanged once before.

Lia has lived in Paris and Greece, and speaks French, and some Spanish and Italian. She and Christopher (who speaks Spanish) have lived in Costa Rica, and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America.

We're hoping to plan a trip to France during the summer of 2010 . . . any ideas?

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