Napa Valley in California; Tuscany in Italy; The Rioja region in Spain; and….Michigan? While the aforementioned destinations are top of mind as a wine lovers paradise, don’t overlook this lesser known but beautiful hidden gem just 90 minutes out of Chicago.
All up and down the southern shore of Lake Michigan are more than a dozen individual wineries often set on lush grounds offering a number of varietals. Some tasting rooms are private and require …
If I ask you to describe a sommelier, you’ll almost inevitably picture a man. White and middle aged, perhaps a little portly, and with a slightly intimidating air.
The exact opposite of Karla Abarca, who gives a huge grin as she swirls some wine around in her glass, raises it up with her tattooed arms, and takes a big, appreciative gulp. She’s a tiny powerhouse, young and lively, cheeky and irreverent, and she giggles when …
Baja California’s raw beauty and stunning contrasts draw visitors year-round. Most common is the entry point at Tijuana, just south of San Diego. While convenient to accessing the area’s coastal towns of Puerto Nuevo, Roasarito and Ensenada, the border crossing is large and somewhat confusing, and drivers need to be quick on their toes to catch the right road out of town. Coming back into the United States, this crossing can be a nightmare, with …
Bordeaux, France is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and of course, its renowned wine industry. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, there’s something for everyone in Bordeaux and the surrounding areas. Here are some suggestions for things to do on your next visit.
Explore the City:
Bordeaux is a beautiful city with much to offer. Start by taking a stroll along the riverfront and admiring the historic buildings, such as …
Australia shows up on more people’s bucket lists than most other destinations and for good reason. This continent-nation offers an amazingly wide mixture of landscapes, wildlife, and adventure, providing a veritable palate of opportunities for anyone wishing to enjoy an exhilarating travel experience in ever-changing locales: there is no single “Australian itinerary.” With that said, and knowing Australia has so much to offer, here are my five top reasons to visit Australia.
The variety of …
The first time I visited Santiago five years ago, I loved it so much that I thought it could be fun to live there for a while. It felt big enough to be lively and small enough to manage, with stunning scenery and a cosmopolitan flair.
Now I’m sitting on the balcony of my tiny apartment watching the snow on the Andes turn delicate shades of pink in the sunset. I’ve become more Chile-street-smart these …
Sitting amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia – yes, the mountains actually do have a bluish tinge – Roanoke is a city in which many cherished old red-brick buildings have been re-purposed into cool restaurants and hotels. With a population of about 100,000, it’s a surprisingly-cosmopolitan city, with sophisticated cultural amenities, important historical sites, excellent dining and nightlife, a vibrant downtown, and more memorable experiences than many larger cities. And here are some …
Now is the time for wine and nature lovers to rejoice; not only do Sussex vineyards produce beautiful wines, they also provide opportunities to sample, tour the vineyards and meet the Vintners.
Fizz On Foot, which offers guided walk and wine tasting tours, combines the great outdoors with walks through great British wine country. From a one-day buffet lunch and wine-tasting tour to a four-day, several vineyards trek, you’ll see the spectacular Sussex countryside as …
