If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

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.

————————

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

Related posts

• Tuscany in LA (0)
• Smoky Mountains National Park Road Trip (0)
• Santa Cruz - sample California’s best (0)
• Sandy Key Perdido (0)
• Perdido Key, Orange Beach Alabama (0)

Rome City Break Guide

Known as the Caput Mundi or the Capital of the World, Rome has a enourmous amount of sights to see, all of which can be enjoyed either by foot, or on the tour buses which circle the city.

With a population of aproximately 4 million, Rome is Itay’s largest city. As the capital of Italy, it boasts the residence of the President of the Italian Republic and the Italian Prime Minister. The Italian Constitutional Court is also located within the city of Rome.

As the birthplace of the Catholic Church, it also is home to the Vatican, the Pope, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Part of the allure that makes this the third most popular city to visit in Europe, is the religious sights, the people, and the activities that surround them. With the many Basilicas in and around the city, each built at different times throughout history, you will need to make a list of those you most want to see and plan your time accordingly.

For the children there is the Bioparco or the zoo. This 18 acre zoo has quite a collection of animals and it will give you a break from classical Rome while you roam among the beasts and beauties to be found in this park.

Of spiritual and historical significance is the Coliseum in Rome. In the 1st century AD this Coliseum was built and then went on to host the gladiators, condemned prisoners, and hungry lions as they fought each other in front of thousands of spectators. The Coliseum was eventually abandoned and was damaged by earthquakes in the ensuing years. For Christians, it is a sight where we recall our history; for budding archaeologists and history buffs, this is a sight to study for ancient building techniques; for those interested in how plants migrate, it is a sight to study for the myriads of exotic plants that were planted inadvertently when seed pods fell from the animals that were brought in to fight in the great arena.

Rome has a rich history of Christianity and Catholicism, of art and museums. There are also modern works of architecture, standing side by side with the old, classical lines of the city. For a city break with culture and variety, Rome is an excellent place to begin. It’s easy to get to from just about everywhere and it has an extensive city wide transportation system for your convenience. Got a few days to spare? Rome makes a great destination for a short weekend break.

————————

Exciting city breaks to Rome at directline-citybreaks.co.uk/rome . All the latest prices & offers on Rome city breaks.

Related posts

• Trieste Italy Short Breaks (0)
• Eating out in Rome (0)
• Western Sicily Vacation (0)
• Vist Apulia, Italy (0)
• Visit Paris - Tourist Attractions on the Right Bank (0)

Discovering the hidden Tuscany: Lower Maremma and the City of Tufa

The Maremma is a vast area covering part of southern Tuscany and a small part of northern Latium. This area was once the heartland of the Etruscans, the fascinating and mysterious civilization which dominated central Italy before the emergence of Rome and whose legacy is still discernible all over the region.

The Maremma can be divided into the Alta Maremma (upper or northern Maremma), and Bassa Maremma (lower or southern Maremma).The Alta Maremma extends from Grosseto northwards to Cecina River just south of Livorno while the lower Maremma extends along the Albegna and Ombrone rivers down the coast to the Argentario and beyond, The latter is the least populated area of mainland Italy and, despite being a great destination for the historian, nature-lover and sun-worshipper alike, it is still remarkably off the beaten track.

The charm of the Maremma is enriched by its livestock-raising traditions. The ‘butteri’, skillful cowboys, were talented enough to beat Buffalo Bill in 1911 when he challenged them to a contest at breaking colts. The local cattle-rearers are still proud of that victory after a century and they hand down their skills from father to son.

Leaving behind the small village of Talamone, the Via Aurelia Etrusca leads to the mouth of the Albegna river and to the Tombolo di Giannella, a sandspit which joins Monte Argentario, once an island, to the mainland. The sea currents have built a second sandspit, or “tombolo” between the “island” and the mainland thus forming a large lagoon, which is known as the Laguna di Ortobello,. The scenery of the Monte Argentario, which reaches 635 metres at its highest point is dramatic, with headlands, bays and shingle beaches.

Orbetello is set in the middle of the lagoon by the same name and is linked to Monte Argentario through a road built over an artificial bank (the dam), which has divided the lagoon into two stretches of water (the Eastern Lagoon and the Western Lagoon). Orbetello is a lively and busy town whose principal resource has always been fishing. Local seafood is widely considered to be the best in the Maremma so if you happen to be there around noon, take your chance to visit one of the many restaurants offering local specialties.

Before heading inland to explore the main Etruscans centres, it is worth visiting the hill-village of Capalbio, with its perfectly intact medieval centre. Capalbio is also know for some ‘unusual’ attractions such as the Tarot Garden, getting its name from 22 gigantic statues that represent the tarot cards. If you are lucky enough and you happen to visit Capalbio during the second week of september, you will have the chance to see many Italian celebrities hanging around and you can also attend the traditional wild boar festival. During other periods of the year, you can always pay a visit to the Pieve di San Nicola, the Collachini Palace or the Vulci National Museum in neraby Canino.

Leaving the coast, the road travels deep into the hills of the Marrema with the towns of Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana forming a triangle enclosing the protected area known as “City of Tufa” (from the volcanic rock used for centuries as building material). You will almost certainly fall in love with Pitigliano as soon as you will have the chance to lay your eyes on it. Build on a stone spur in a wild landscape, Pitigliano blends perfectly into the rock. From its position high above the lush valleys and twin rivers, Pitigliano affords stunning views, ones which have been enjoyed for many centuries as the local Roman and Etruscan ruins are testament to. The undeniable influence of the Jewish community, which dates back to the 15th century, has earned Pitigliano the nickname ‘Little Jerusalem’, and Jewish culture and cuisine are still very important in the town.

Northwest of Pitigliano you will find Sovana, another important Etruscan town dating back to the 7th century BC or even earlier. The ancient capital of this part of the Maremma and once a rival to Siena, Sovana is now a little village with ancient ruins and Romanesque architecture. North of the town is the Etruscan Necropolis containing over 100 tombs, many of which can be explored, beginning with the most spectacular of them all, the famous Tomba del Sileno.

Just a few miles down the road from Sovana, Saturnia is another stunning place to visit. This little village is filled with traces from eras dating back to the Romans, as well as a handful of absolutely mouth-watering restaurants. If you would like to indulge in a little pampering or even an acne treatment,  the local spa complex which grew up around the sulphur springs, waterfalls and streams is a magnificent place to visit. The Etruscans who built the town are thought to have used these bubbling turquoise waters in their religious ceremonies.

–

This article is part of a series meant to describe some travel itineraries in the lesser known areas of Tuscany. You can find similar articles covering the Casentino Valley, Lunigiana and the smaller islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.

————————

Born in the USA, but happily ensconced in the Island of Elba since 2001, Bob McCormack is a freelance writer with a very special passion for food and wine. His travel articles and Elba Islands hotels and restaurants reviews have appeared in numerous national and international publications.
Visitelba.com

Related posts

• Western Sicily Vacation (0)
• Vist Apulia, Italy (0)
• Venice - Romantic Canalside Breaks (0)
• Tuscany for romantic rural vacations (0)
• Trieste Italy Short Breaks (0)

Top 10 family holidays

When thinking about a family holiday, you will want to consider something that all family members can enjoy. There are locations all around the world but what follows are some of the top locations. Number one on the list are the resorts of the Caribbean & Mexico Beach resorts, particularly all-inclusive are a great place for the family to get together. With a choice of water sports, pools, a myriad of activities plus the new water park features.

We then have Florida, which has something for everyone. Orlando is close by with the popular Disney World and Sea World. Something you might want to remember about Disney World is that it is huge; it has four different theme parks in it, two water parks and twenty-two resorts. In fact, Downtown Disney is the size of Boston!

There is much information online to help you get the best of your Walt Disney world vacation. Whilst in Orlando you might want to check out Universal Orlando, Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn and of course SeaWorld Orlando marine park which is a unique Discovery Cove experience. You can of course spend your time on the beach as well with Space Coast nature reserves, Kennedy Space Centre, Clearwater and of course St. Pete.

Another destination is New York; here there are a variety of things for everyone in the family to do. In the Museum of Natural History, you can read more about what New York has to offer and also find the best Mesothelioma lawyers, online.

Next is Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is only 3 hours from New York City. Here you can find an Amish country nearby. Hershey is also known as “Chocolate town USA” which was built by chocolate tycoon Milton Hershey so that his employees had a place to live. Hershey added an amusement park, which now has roller coasters and is open during the summer and also for Halloween and Christmas Candylane. While in Hershey you can stay at the classic-style Hotel Hershey, which has a kids club for the young ones, a spa for the adults and is chocolate-themed.

Next is Williamsburg, Virginia which is great for educational fun, you can stop by Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Europe theme park and Water Country USA. In Williamsburg, history comes to life with actors and volunteers portraying people from 230 years ago.

There are even more family friendly places for you and your family to spend their Holiday Vacation.

————————

Use the search facility on directline-holidays.co.uk to find some great deals & offers on singles holidays

Related posts

• Renting Holiday Accommodation Online (0)
• Paris 10th Arrondissement - the Right bank (0)
• Holiday Home Comforts (0)
• Cyprus vacations for Summer or Winter (0)
• Half Term Breaks for the Best Travel Deal (0)

Hua Hin is located 200km from the South of Bangkok on the East Side of the Malay Peninsula. The drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin is an easy journey, taking about 2 hours to 3 hours, tops in heavy traffic. This is one of the many reasons why many foreigners and locals alike invest in Hua Hin Property due to its proximity to Bangkok city. The new highway is almost 100% completed or one can also take a flight from Bangkok, arriving in Hua Hin in only 40 minutes.

Hua Hin is much bigger than one would think. Regular Travel books do not include all the surrounding villages that are considered part of Hua Hin by most foreigners living here. Here is a breakdown of the areas:

Bor Fai : North of Hua Hin City; and known for its scenic mountain views and amazing sunsets.

Hua Hin Center: This area is rapidly changing with a major facelift so to speak. New shops, restaurants and services are opening on a monthly basis. If one enjoys city living in a country style environment, this is it.

Hua Hin West: This area is well known for its calm mountainous living surroundings and Sea Views.

Khao Takiab: This Quaint Fishing Village is 5km south of Hua Hin’s town center. This area offers many new condominium choices, restaurants, and boutique resorts on a long stretch of white sandy beach.

Khao Tao: This area is 10km from the center of Hua Hin and is quickly becoming a major area for foreigners when it comes to exciting new developments. I especially like that it has both lakes and the sea.

In the last few months, we have seen an increase of foreigners moving to Hua Hin, Thailand as the financial crisis escalates back home for many in the West. The substantially lower cost of living in Thailand, and the housing offers in Hua Hin are the main attraction. For a fraction of what it costs in the West, one is still able to enjoy a comfortable and even luxurious lifestyle in this beach town.

Many are turning to renting a home as a temporary option until the dust settles and this has caused a recent surge in the residential leasing market. In response to this demand, developments with unsold finished homes are furnishing and making them available as rentals. This is good news as it offers clients more choices; and newly furnished homes at reasonable prices.

————————
Make sure that you obtain a travel insurance quote before leaving home.
Maddy Barber co-owns Hua Hin Finder, a professional residential leasing and real estate agency that has been selling and renting homes in this beautiful sea side town for over 5 years now. Search properties for sale and rent in Hua Hin at huahinfinder.com

Related posts

• No related posts.

The Abama Golf Spa Hotel is situated on the west coast of the island and benefits from Tenerife’s year-round sunny weather making it the perfect winter break destination. The addition of its own private man-made sandy beach below this Moorish influenced hotel makes it the prefect weekend break destination. A coach or taxi from Tenerife South airport takes less than half an hour to deliver you to the extensive tropical gardens surrounding this hotel and 18 hole golf course. There are nine swimming pools, one reserved for adults only and one with dedicated children’s facilities plus childminding service. Rooms are in the main hotel or you can book a villa with its own gardens and terrace. Indulge yourself at the health spa with hydrotherapy treatments and a special dry flotation tank to finish.

Blog Promotion

Related posts

• Half Term Breaks for the Best Travel Deal (0)
• Visit Paris - Tourist Attractions on the Right Bank (0)
• Trieste Italy Short Breaks (0)
• Top Paris Sights (0)
• Pet Friendly Hotels in Birmingham with WiFi (0)

Officially known as Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus is known for its sunny ecstasy and is one of the major tourist destinations of the world. A holiday in Cyprus is always a great idea whether you are making a plan with your family or with friends.

Things to see in Cyprus

Some of things to see when holidaying in Cyprus are:

Hala sultan tekksi - this historic and ancient mosque adds to the beauty of near by Larnaca’s airport as well as the Larnaca salt lake, at whose edge the mosque stands.

Limmassol castle - situated near old harboir and the medieval museum of Cyprus, this castle is also accompanied with a zoo, municipal gardens and an archeological museum of Limassol district.

Cyprus museums and archeological monuments’ the island is surrounded with remarkable historic collection in its various museum houses, such as Byzantine museum, district archeological museum, Tornaritis-Pierides Paleontology Museum and natural history museum. The ruins of kition are also quite a remarkable thing to experience when holidaying in Cyprus. Read more »

Related posts

• Guide to Greek Island Holidays (0)
• Cyprus vacations for Summer or Winter (0)
• Cyprus top beaches for sun and sea (0)

The New Forest in Hampshire offers miles and miles of walks in heathland and wooded areas, with the chance to see tall trees such as Redwood and Sequoia. This is a great place for a short break with your dog, where he can roam with you in safety. The New Forest Ponies are literally everywhere, but they are not worries by dogs scampering around their feet. Main centres to stay in the New Forest include :

Lyndhurst - busy small town with some good shops, but the main road cuts through the centre. Be prepared for traffic noise if you stay in a place on the main thoroughfare. The Lyndhurst Park Hotel set back from the Southampton Road but is within walking distance of shops and bars and the company accepts dogs in all its hotels. Call 0808 144 9494 for more information. Nearby is the smaller Knightwood Lodge hotel. This hotel is set behind a field where you are sure to see wild ponies grazing. It has a pool and spa, dogs are accepted in two self catering cottages that form part of the hotel complex. Call 023 8058 2052. www.knightwoodlodge.co.uk. Read more »

Related posts

• Visit Surrey, England (0)
• Vacation rentals more and more popular (0)
• Pet Friendly Hotels in Birmingham with WiFi (0)
• Lake District Heritage Vacation (0)
• Find cheap internal flights in the UK (0)

Titilaka Inkaterra Puno, Lake Titicaca, Andes
Lake Titicaca, on the Peru/Bolivia border, is the location of Inkaterra’s new 18-room lodge (opening in February) with spectacular wraparound terraces and panoramic views. Suites on the private peninsula have heated floors, large bathrooms and signature spa treatments such as the Andean Hot Stone massage. Further information from Original Travel (020 7978 7333; www.originaltravel.co.uk).

Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa, Chile
In the Altiplano of the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile, this boutique hotel, opening in January, will have 32 contemporary rooms, with terraces and views of the Licancabur Volcano. There will be a spa with a wide range of treatments and an indoor pool. Further information from the Ultimate Travel Company (020 7386 4646; www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk).

La Casona, Cusco, Peru
Built on the site of the Palace of Inca Manco Capac, founder of the Inca Empire, in Cusco, this small hotel, which opens in February, will provide a luxurious start or finish to the Inca trail. In the old quarter of Cusco, the former 16th-century Spanish mansion has 11 open-plan suites, open fireplaces, large bathrooms and therapy tables for in-room massage. Prices start at £300 b & b for a 100 per cent carbon neutral stay. Further details from Inkaterra (0800 458 7506; www.inkaterra.com). Read more »

Related posts

• No related posts.

Here are more reviews of the new generation of hotels that are now opening up for travellers seeking hotels with character. We have already reviewed some of the best new hotels in Europe, here is the pick of places to stay in India and the Indian Ocean islands : Here are the current top places to stay in Europe:

1. Four Seasons Mumbai
The Four Seasons hotel group has now developed its first property in India, and it is going to make an impact on the city of Mumbai. The Worli district is the place to be in the fast expanding capital, central to the bustling heart of former Bombay. Spacious rooms overlooking the Arabian Sea in the 33-floor glass tower give a breathtaking first impression. The hotel offers its guests S-class Mercedes transfers around the city and helipad access close to the hotel entrance. Read more »

Related posts

• No related posts.