A Quick Tour Of Italy – Small Town Lombardy

If you are planning a tour of Europe, why don’t you consider the Lombardy region of northern Italy? Depending on your particular interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. There are even some parts of Lombardy that are relatively undiscovered by tourists. This article presents Lombardy outside of its capital Milan or the beautiful Lake districts. These are described in companion articles in this series.

Over the millennia Lombardy has been in the hands of numerous invaders. The list includes the Etruscans and the Gauls, then the Romans, Franks, and Goths, and finally the French, Spaniards, and Austrians. Did we forget the Lombards? All of these invaders left their mark, some more and some less. Keep local history in mind as you tour this impressive region. Read more »

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Relaxing Wine & Dine Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

Before Winter’s cold sets in, enjoy the last of the Fall Colors by grabbing your Road Trip Planner and create a wonderful Wine & Dine Weekend Getaway for two. A 3-Day Weekend of wining and dining, walking through vineyards or sun-dappled trails and getting a breath of fresh Fall air will breathe romance into your life and relaxation into your veins.

The TOP WINE PRODUCING STATES in the U.S. are: California, Washington, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina. But WINE IS PRODUCED IN EVERY STATE so you can easily build a road trip within driving distance of your home or via a short flight.

Below are some Wine & Dine Weekend Getaways to help with your road trip planning, including some of the top-rated vineyards in the country as well as those wineries offering visitors a beautiful setting and a fun experience.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA: Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County produces excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. The Cottage Inn by the Sea at Pismo Beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You can venture to the region?s wineries on your own or take their Coastal Wine Tour, which includes the popular Edna Valley Vineyard. TOP RESTAURANT in the area: F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: A verdant valley, and a lovely place for a road trip, includes Napa, Sonoma, and Healdsburg. Here you can find the Monte Rosso Vineyard, one of California’s oldest vineyards. Known for its firm Cabernet Sauvignons as well as intense, old-vine Zinfandels. TOP WINES from this area: 2002 Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zinfandel; 2003 Rochioli Estate Grown Pinot Noir from the The Rochioli vineyard in Healdsburg.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Add Santa Barbara to your road trip planner because it offers you the Pacific Ocean on one front, the Santa Ynez Mountains at your back, and in between, prime wine country. The Hotel Mar Monte is a historic hotel built in the tradition of Spanish Colonial architecture. They offer a package tour to three wineries if you’d rather not explore on your own. Or choose staying at the Estero Beach Hotel Resort in San Ysidro, nearly at the Mexican border. Nearly two dozen wineries can be found in the Mexico Guadalupe Valley. BONUS ACTIVITY: Try a bike tour to a winery or a horseback-riding adventure to the Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard.

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: In the nation’s fourth-largest grape-growing state, the Chateau Grand Traverse winery overlooks the Grand Traverse Bay. You can sample their award-winning varietals, including their Rieslings. BONUS DESTINATION: Nearby, you?ll find the Old Mission Peninsula, which leads you into 7 wineries like the Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery and Peninsula Cellars.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: For some hands-on fun, sign up for Wine Camp at Long Island’s renowned wine-producing North Fork region. Wine Camp’s packages vary as do the participating vineyards but you?ll enjoy activities like winemaking, tasting techniques, food pairings, and wine blending. The price includes lodging, some lunches & dinners… and a case of wine! But weight loss pills are not included.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON: To see a 6-generation family-owned establishment, enjoy a trip to Willamette Farms in Newberg. For a more drama-infused history, check out what used to be called Seven Springs Vineyard. The grapes from this vineyard were sought after by many top wine producers in the world. Then it was cut in half after a legal settlement in 2001, only to be reunited six years later with an exclusive, fifteen-year lease to the Evening Land partnership. FINAL VINTAGE: The St. Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006.

TEXAS: What often springs to mind when people think of Texas are those BIG 10-gallon hats. And yes, Texas is getting BIGGER… in wine production. This Lone Star State boasts more than 110 bonded wineries and wine aficionados are noticing their award winning wines. The following three vineyards rise above the rest because they go the extra mile for their guests: Bella Vista Cellars, in Wimberly; Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine; Flat Creek Estate, west of Austin. Any of the 3 would make an excellent anchor in your road trip planning, whether you create 3 individual weekend getaways or a wine-themed week’s vacation. FUN FACT: A ten-gallon hat actually only holds ¾ gallon. Its name was derived from the Spanish galón word meaning braid.

OAK GROVE, VIRGINIA: One place I’d recommend adding to your road trip planner is Ingleside Winery, one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia. This winery was built in 1834 and the vineyards cover about 70 acres. Their wines have consistently earned top honors in state, national, and international wine competitions. BONUS LODGING: Ingleside Vineyards has two 2-bedroom rental cottages set within the vineyards and also a stunning four-bedroom Leeds Cove retreat, which overlooks the Rappahannock River.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: You can secure a great wine package when you add the Hotel Vintage Park to your road trip planner. Enjoy wine tasting at Pike Place Market’s tasting room, and an evening wine hour in the hotel’s lobby. Or check out Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Seven Hills Vineyard is now one of Washington’s best known vineyards.

Getting away for an extended weekend, indulging in respected wines and eclectic dishes, enjoying the view from your hotel window…yes, these are the things that await the Road Trip Planner who heads for wine country.

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Tripwiser is a fun place to visit! Our free social trip planning service leverages the collective wisdom of travelers worldwide and makes trip planning interactive and enjoyable.
http://www.TripWiser.com

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Catalina is ideal daytrip from Southern California mainland

Boarding the Catalina Express at Dana Point, we have the feeling we’re going to escape Southern California traffic and congestion in VERY short order. We are right. Within minutes, we’re “at sea” in the channel between Los Angeles and Catalina Island – no horns honking, no crawling along the freeway and no worries.

We’re on our way to Avalon, the picturesque little town built near the southern tip of Catalina Island. It’s just a 75-minute ride from the dock at Dana Point, and even a shorter distance from other points closer to L.A. Our slight trepidation about potential seasickness quickly evaporates as we see how well our sleek craft cuts through the moderate waves on what will become a perfect sunny Southern California day.

Along the way we see merchant vessels as well as a half-dozen or so 30-odd-foot pleasure craft obviously rigged for fishing and congregating at what must be a prime fishing ground. Later, to the port side we run a race with dozens of dolphins who seem intent on showing that anything man can do, they can do better.

Arriving in Avalon, the colorful, ornate – and yes, expensive — with the combination of spectacular hillside homes and luxury yachts, it seems like we have just arrived at the French Riviera. Not bad considering a roundtrip ticket on the Express was only about 45 bucks and when all is said and done, we’ll be home tonight for dinner.

But it’s obvious from the gear being packed off the Express that there are many more overnighters than daytrippers. On this particular voyage, the hold is chock-full of suitcases, packs, tents, coolers and everything that would allow one to wander off and get to know the island upclose and personal.

For us it’s a quick diversion from the rat race. We soon get our bearings on Crescent Street, the aptly-named street that follows the contour of the harbor. About six streets intersect with Crescent, all heading mauka (island-speak for “toward the mountains”). It’s in this tiny little grid that you find most of the shops, restaurants and other tourist services.

We’re traveling as a family today – mom, dad and three-year-old – so it’s a burger joint for lunch. But the burgers are tasty and quite reasonably priced. You’ll also be able to find finer dining and pricey menus to go with it.

On this warm summer day there is an abundance of families visiting with kids of all ages. But it’s also not difficult to find couples holding hands or checking into one of several boutique inns, or frolicking in the unusually warm ocean. In fact, Catalina is one of those places that can pull off being a destination for both families and romantic couples. They peacefully co-exist on this little island, and neither experience seems negatively impacted by the other.

As Gwen Bronson explains, there are many opportunities for a couple to slip away on the island and do what romantics do. The many hotels and inns, just by themselves, are pretty darn romantic and, as Communications Director for the Catalina Chamber of Commerce, Gwen’s doing her job to point that out. But she’s also figuring we might want to look at one of several romantic adventures such as sea kayaking up the coast. In a very short distance you will find a beach that is not accessible by anyone who does not have a boat.

“Just visit the market and pick up your picnic lunch first and go about a half hour up the coast,” she says. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, you’ll have the whole beach to yourself.”

Or rent a golf cart and drive the many roads around Avalon – just $40 an hour. Horseback riding is always good for a romantic mood, as long as it doesn’t create any physical limitations. Botanical gardens are here for communing with Nature.

Like most visitors to Catalina, we find plenty to keep us occupied for the day. We enjoy people-watching in the outdoor cafes and exploring the winding roadways that climb out of Avalon to spectacular views of the harbor. In general, we just soak up this island atmosphere, recognizing it may be a while longer before we get back to the real French Riviera or anywhere else in the world with such island charm.

Our day on the island goes by quickly and the trip back to Dana Point is a relaxing end to a perfect Southern California daytrip. Soon we are back in San Diego, completely refreshed and relaxed, and ready to share stories about our daytrip to the “Riviera”. Read more »

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The Top Ten Cruise Destinations

It is therefore wise to ask yourself what you expect from a cruise before making a decision. Are you looking for black tie glamour, informal luxury, to travel only with people your own age, plenty of entertainment, beautiful surroundings and nature, a good deal or activity and are you traveling on a shoestring?

That is why the top ten cruise destinations are based on previous experience and include cruise holidays in a variety of temperate zones. In effect, there is something here for everyone:

Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are a tropical paradise everyday of the year with its green clad volcanic cliffs and awe-inspiring tropical fauna and flora. Visit the magical Dolphin Cove, the fascinating Sealife Park and of course the Polynesian Cultural Centre.

The Caribbean

The best time to cruise the Caribbean is in January and February as the weather is perfect most days, but there is often threat of hurricanes from Mid June to the beginning of December. You can visit all the Caribbean islands as there is only a short distance between each of them, but the Caribbean is not as tropically lush as Hawaii.

Antarctica

Cruises to Antarctica are usually expensive so not suited to those on a low budget and cruise ships do not operate in the Antarctic winter, from March to September. These cruises combine a unique blend of comfort and adventure with soaring glacier cliffs, icebergs and penguin colonies.

The Mediterranean

The warmest months and the best time for sun seekers to visit the mediterrannean is from May to September. It should be noted that many of the
ports are often very busy during the summer, but there are certainly a large amount of destinations worth visiting, including the Greek Islands, Costa del Sol, Liguria Coast and the French Riviera.

Fjords of Norway

The best time to visit the Fjords of Norway is from June to August when it is not so cold. Cruises around these natural wonders are breathtakingly beautiful and humbling, as you sail inside enormous, yet narrow fjords surrounded by high cliffs.

Alaska

The best time to cruise to Alaska is in the warmest months of June to August, as daylight is longer for sightseeing and taking photographs. It’s a special place to cruise by glaciers and snow caped jagged peaks on your way to numerous photogenic ports.

Mexico

November to April is the best time to cruise to Mexico, as they are cooler, dryer and less humid than the summer months. If you are looking for a relaxing cruise then this is perhaps not the most suitable choice as Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco and the other ports of call on the Mexican Riviera are full of life and music.

South Pacific

The South Pacific covers a broad area and its destinations include the fertile tropical paradises such as Fiji and Tahiti.

Galapagos

The Galapagos Island are home to giant tortoises, seal lions, penguins, fur seals, marine iguanas and are a place that Charles Darwin visited to observe the unique wildlife.

The Baltic Sea

A cruise to the Baltic Sea is not for the faint hearted in the colder months, but June to august is ideal for visiting Tallinn, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

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http://www.directline-cruises.co.uk will provide you with the latest cruise holidays as well as essential information on cruise lines, cruise ships, fat burner pills for diners, ships’ cabins and full cruise itineraries from every major cruise line including Cunard, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, RoyalCaribbean, Princess, Fred Olsen and P&O cruises.

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Cheap Flights From Luton Airport: Central Hub For No Frills Flights

London’s Luton Airport is comfortably among the top ten busiest airports in the United Kingdom. As a major hub for no frills, low cost airlines in Europe, cheap flights from Luton Airport are often more frequent to other UK and European destinations than from other airports in the UK.

Among the low cost carriers at Luton are those that are household names in Europe, including Ryanair and EasyJet. EasyJet’s main hub is Luton Airport. As its main rival Ryanair and other carriers are also at the airport, it is not unusual to find cheap flights from Luton Airport as they are often competitively priced. This is often the case if a new carrier sets up an operation there in direct competition with one of the other airlines. Ryanair has often employed cutthroat tactics in the past when in direct competition with other airlines; adding additional low-cost flights to a route so that the new airline finds it almost impossible to compete. If you are looking for cheap flights from Luton Airport, or anywhere else in the UK, a glance through the business section might not do any harm to see who’s competing with whom!

Cheap Flights from Luton to the Emerald Isle: An Authentic Irish Experience

If you want to take a quick trip to Ireland, Aer Arann, an Irish operation, runs flights from Luton to two of Ireland’s regional cities. It may be a good idea to check the rates against the carriers that run to Dublin. But you can probably get cheap flights from Luton to Ireland on a small carrier like Aer Arann for a variety of reasons. While the more established low cost carriers focus on big name destinations including Ireland’s capital, Dublin, Aer Arann will take you farther afield, to Ireland’s west coast city of Galway and the “sunny southeast” (Waterford city). The air fares are competitive because landing and maintenance costs at the regional airports won’t be quite as expensive as at Ireland’s capital. In fact, they often need business from the smaller carriers to remain operational.

A cheap flight to Galway is a painless way to get to the more scenic part of the country and avoid the busy and congested roads that now blight Ireland every weekend. The west of Ireland is famed for its clifftops and rugged landscape. The culture is cosmopolitan but far more bohemian and authentically Irish than the east coast. You may even hear Gaelic being spoken, as the west coast is one of the few regions left in Ireland where many of the natives speak it fluently.

Another option is to fly to Waterford city, in the south east of Ireland. It is known as the “sunny south east”, but sunny is a relative term in Ireland. Also nearby is Rosslare, an Irish hub for ferries to France and the UK, so if you plan to travel through Europe in ways other than by air, you could take a liner over to France from here many residents are also using moving companies Los Angeles.

Cheap flights from Luton are readily available to many destinations, not just to Ireland. What’s more, flights can be booked to practically anywhere in Europe.

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Huzaili Aris loves to travel and reveals more tips on how to get dirt cheap airline flights at his website. Get travel destination tips and fun vacation ideas by visiting http://funvacationideas.com/

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Making The Best Of Cheap International Student Flights

As a student, there are plenty of opportunities to travel and broaden your cultural horizons. Student work programs are frequently available between one country and another and the costs of a trip are often subsidized by universities and other institutions. Booking cheap international student flights lets you travel and broaden your horizons despite your limited student budget. You may not be able to afford Vegas vacations yet, but you can still see new places cheaply.

How the International Student Identity Card Helps you get Cheap International Student Flights

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is an internationally recognized student ID card; the only one of its kind. At about £9 sterling in the UK, it costs US $22 but the hike in price is because it comes with medical insurance for the American student.

Signing up for the ISIC means that you’re a member of a club of nearly five million students an avail of cheap international student flights at a flash of the card.

A network of student services that are both affordable and specialized are available to the ISIC holder. However, even those who are not full time students can benefit from discounts through the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) and the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) for those under twenty-six.

With the ISIC identification, you are recognized as a student. You have access to some 1,200 cheap international student flights, domestic flights, ferry journeys, bus rides, and numerous other discounts.

You also get to stay at discounted rates in many youth hostels and hotels around the world. Thousands of discounts can be had globally on museum entrance fees and admission to cultural sites and events, as well as entertainment attractions and venues.

Cheap International Student Flights: Why not Work to Pay off the Costs of Travel?

Let’s face it: Fuel costs are rising, making the possibilities of travel less and less attractive. They are prohibitively expensive, even with discounted air fares and cheap international student flights. However, many countries run programs with other countries allowing students to visit and work. If you live in Pittsburgh and you want to visit somewhere like Europe, why not apply for a student work visa and e-mail your résumé to your intended destinations?

Europe is a one-stop region where you can find and visit amazing prehistoric and historic sites. While working in one country, you can save up and then visit other countries using cheap flights that cost a fraction of the transatlantic air fare. Ancient cultures are represented by landmark sites everywhere on the continent from Italy and Greece to Britain and Ireland.

Student programs will offer far more details rather than merely where to get your discounted cheap international student flights. You will be given advice on where to go at night (and more importantly, where not to go!). You will be told which parts of the country it is easier to find work. You can also get advice on accommodation and employment, making getting a job and a place to stay very easy. You’ll also receive information on the cultural differences and the beliefs and traditions of the various nations so you don’t make any embarrassing cultural gaffes.

In working in somewhere like Europe, you can learn about the culture from the inside out, rather than just the outside in, as a tourist would.

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Huzaili Aris loves to travel and reveals more secrets on getting cheap airfare at his website. Learn how you can get your hands on insider information that can help you save hundreds of $$$ on your next airline vacation trip by visiting http://www.travelingcheapguide.com/

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