Kia Ora! 

by Ryan Christoff, Travel Consultant/New Zealand Specialist, Wings Travel Group

Welcome back for part 2 of my New Zealand story!  I hope you all enjoyed part 1 which contained some of the adventure that NZ has to offer.  I’d like to share a little bit about the cultural side. 

Every place on Earth has a history to it, whether it be natural history or a cultural history.  New Zealand’s cultural history, started about 1000 years ago.  One of the last Polynesian migrations brought the Maori people over to the islands of NZ.  There is debate on exactly when the Maori arrived, as the Maori’s do not keep a written history, but rather a verbal one.  As we all know, verbal information can get a little mixed up, but the generally consensus is that the Maori arrived around 1000 to 1250 AD. 

 

Currently, there are about 600,000 Maori people living in NZ.  Many have adopted the modern lifestyle, but still hold their roots very close.  This is particularly evident in the special Maori shows that are performed.  One of the nights during my trip, we were fortunate to visit Mitai, which is one of many Maori cultural shows that are performed on the islands.  After being seated, the host entertains the crowd with stories of the great Maori people.  We were then led outside where Maori warriors led us to a seating area, where we were entertained through original song and dance.  The performance was amazing and we really felt the spirit of the Maori culture!  We were then led back inside to enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi, which is a feast of traditional food cooked on hot stones under ground.  Being able to enjoy this was truely a once in a lifetime experience! 

Another culural experience we encountered was at Te Puia, a cultural site in Rotorua.  Here, a Maori guide led around the compound, discussing the heritage of the Maori people, their everyday life, and how they interact today.  We were shown two very important aspects of Maori life, weaving and carving.  Maori are known for their intricate weaving ability and their distinct wood carvings.  We were then led to some of the some spectacular thermal springs and mud pools.  Rotorua is a very active geothermal area and is a recommended place to see! 

I wish I could go on and on about NZ!  If there’s one bit of information I can give, it is to go to New Zealand and experience all of these wonderful things for yourself!  Telling you about it is one thing, but to see it and experience it is totally different!    Please, do youself a favor, and visit this great land.  I promise you the long flight over will be well worth it!

By Ryan Christoff

Travel Consultant/New Zealand Specialist for Wings Travel Group

New Zealand…a land of adventure, culture, mystery and intrigue.  There’s so much to tell of “The Land of the Long White Cloud”, that I don’t even know where to start.  I’ll try and summarize the best I can…this is going to be a difficult task, so bear with me!  I know…I’ll separate into 2 parts!  Bingo! 

For those adventure lovers out there, NZ has it all!  First up….Bungy jumping.   Bungy jumping originated in this country from a man named AJ Hackett.  I was fortunate enough to be able to partake in this adrenaline activity, and jumped off New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower in Auckland!  What an exhilarating feeling!  I know what you’re thinking…I’m crazy!  That may be true, but their safety record is perfect!    Want another rush??  Try going to Queenstown in the South Island.  Queenstown is the “adventure capital of NZ”.  Right outside the city they have the Shotover Jet, which takes you on a ride through a very shallow river, whipping you around turns and narrowly missing huge granite rock walls!  Oh yeah, then they send you into a 360 degree turn on a dime!  Did I mention they’re doing all this at about 50 mph??  Yeah, it was intense! 

Something more peaceful you say?  Well, you’re in luck!  Try heading over to the west coast to Milford Sound.  The Sound is located in Fjordlands National Park.  Here, you can hop onto one of the boats that will take you out onto the Sound, where you will experience some of the most serene environments you will ever come across!  Imagine cruising along the tranquil water, gazing up at the huge rock walls left behind by glaciers of years past, with beautiful waterfalls cascading down into the sound, while the sun sets over the water.  If you do the overnight cruise, you will get to experience some kayaking on the sound early the next morning.  Just being out on the water and paddling along at your own pace is very relaxing! 

Last, but certainly not least in the adventure portion, is hiking.  New Zealand is a very accessible country and lots can be viewed by simply driving to wherever you need to get to.  But, there are many hidden gems along the way that only a hiker will get to experience.  We took a 20 minute walk one day, starting at a back country road which ultimately led us to Lake Matheson, where we were able to see Mt Tasman and Mt Cook (NZ’s two highest peaks) with a perfect reflecting lake in the foreground!  It was amazing!  (as evidenced by the first picture in this post)  Another day we made our way to Franz Josef Glacier, where again, another 20 minute walk led us to spectacular views of the magnificent glacier! 

 

So, I did my best to sum up the adventure part.  It was difficult to pick out just a few things, but I think you get the picture!  New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places I have ever experienced, and I certainly hope one day you will get to experience it as well! 

Stay tuned for part 2!

Kia Ora!

By Kate Murphy

President Wings Travel Group

I had not been to San Francisco in years and the minute we drove into the city I was asking myself—why?  Why hadn’t I, silly me!  It is a fabulous vacation destination.  It is friendly, clean, has great public transportation, fabulous food, delicious California wines, interesting neighborhoods and a fascinating climate, just turn a corner and it can drop or go up 12 degrees.  The fluctuation is due to a constant wind that can pick up or die down but doesn’t ever go away.  Don’t visit expecting to have good hair days and make sure you always dress in layers so you can easily adjust to the changing temperatures. 

There is a good reason to visit the sites where all the other tourists go because they are why this city is so famous.  Some of San Francisco’s most famous sites are: Golden Gate Bridge (drive over it to see Muir Woods and Sausalito), Fisherman’s Warf (shop, eat), Pier 39 (shop, eat, people watch), Alcatraz (fun boat ride and tour, wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly), Cable Cars (go ahead lean off and have someone take your picture), Chinatown (shop, eat), Lombard Street (drive down if you have good brakes), Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill (great view, interesting murals depicting 1930’s California), the Painted Ladies on Postcard Row (take your own picture or just buy one of the many, many postcards depicting them). 

Have breakfast at Mama’s, 1701 Stockton St, no reservations but absolutely worth the wait, clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl for lunch at Pier 39, then dinner at Cliff House for the unbelievable view and to finish a true San Francisco dining experience a chocolate sundae for dessert at Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. 

Destinations have a story. Wings Travel brings them to life.

AZAMARA JOURNEY

May 2011

Sue Stechman, CTC 

Azamara Club Cruises did a fabulous job! I am convinced that small ships are the only way to travel when considering foreign ports of call. The average amount of cruisers that Azamara Journey holds is 650, so there are virtually NO LINES for anything. No lines to get on or off the ship, no lines for the dining room or buffet, no lines at the bar making for a wonderful cruise experience.

 

The staff was professional, approachable and friendly and I was very pleased with the overall service. The ship was elegant and sharp. Azamara Journey was beautifully decorated with none of the glitz you often see on the mass market cruise ships. The public rooms were very sleek and beautiful in a way that was reminiscent of elegant cruising on ships from years ago. My cousin sailed with me, who has been a career long interior decorator and she was very impressed as well, so that additionally speaks well of how tasteful the ship was. Understated elegance.

A few of the outstanding features were the nice wooden deck chairs, with 4 inch thick cushions, covered each day with two large white fluffy pool towels. No plastic deck furniture this was luxurious. The dining rooms were beautiful and the staff was ever so attentive in refilling the never-ending glass of wine. The unique shows and speakers onboard where varied and well received by the guests; and the shore tours were outstanding. The ship sent a crew member along on each excursion so you always had an Azamara representative with you. Another great feature they offer is the FREE shuttle in to town at every port. For example, although we left our tour group twice, once in Sicily and once in Sorrento, we knew that as long as we were in the main town, we looked for the Azamara booth, or shuttle stop and we got back to the ship with ease and with no cost involved. Azamara’s unique and cost saving features like the shuttle, unlimited wine and beer, anytime dining, and the inclusion of all gratuities makes it a great value for any cruiser. And everyone really enjoyed the long port time, they refer to as “Port Immersion.”  We were the first ship in to ports each day and often the last to leave. So when other cruise lines guests were frantically getting in last-minute shopping, and being hustled back to their ship around 4 or 5pm, many Azamara guests were relaxing at cafes, taking dinner in town and enjoying the ports that had emptied out after other visitors had left.  

Ports of call:

I sailed out of Athens, and flew over a day early so we could spend a day and night there before sailing. My ports of call included Santorini in Greece, Malta, Sicily, and 2 days in  Sorrento, Italy.   The cruise ended in Civitavecchia, where we disembarked and took the train to Rome for 2 additional nights. 

I loved each of my ports of call, and was very surprised at what a great port of call Malta and Sicily turned out to be.   Malta was probably the most discussed port among the cruiser’s because everyone was so completely surprised by it and it’s beauty. Azamara’s itinerary was a wonderful blend of ports. We only had one day at sea to enjoy the shipboard activities, and normally I enjoy a cruise with a few more sea days, but in this case, I wanted as much port time as I could get, and Azamara delivered.

Azamara delivered in every way!  I look forward to sharing this experience with my clients.  I can sell Azamara with confidence because clients will truly get the cruise experience they are entitled too!

An Azamara Club Cruise cruise vacation lets you sample the finer way of living at an affordable rate. Contact Wings Travel and get started today.

Come Visit the Birth of the Park Model at Yellowstone national Park with Globus

By: Globus
Every 90 minutes or so, hundreds of onlookers gather to admire the gush of Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser – a spectacle that remains as enthralling today as it was back in the summer of 1870, when Cornelius Hedges, a member of the scientific party to study the Upper Geyser Basin, first beheld it. After spending weeks on a grueling horseback trip to reach the remote Yellowstone plateau, the American adventurers were so astonished to see the 100-foot-high explosion of sparkling water that they threw up their hats and shouted for sheer joy at the sight. That very same night, Hedges apparently proposed to his fellow expedition members while sitting around a crackling campfire that this volcanic hotspot in the Rockies, which has 250 geysers and 10,000 geothermal features, should be protected from development and turned into the world’s very first “national park.”

Lobbying for the preserve in Washington, DC would be a long and complicated process, but on March 1st, 1872, Congress did pass the bill that protected Yellowstone: A staggering two million acres would be “set apart as a Pleasure Park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” This was a unique concept, and one that would be copied around the world. But in 1872, the idea was still experimental, and Congress made no provision for management of the park or protection of its wildlife: The first superintendent, Nathanial Langford, had no salary, no staff, no budget and was only able to visit Yellowstone twice in his five-year tenure.

Destinations have stories. Globus and Wings Travel bring them to life.

Film Locations and Festivals

 

Have you watched a movie filmed in a familiar setting and recognized buildings, a restaurant or a street? Have you ever wanted to visit a location after seeing a film? Watch the “Borne Identity” and you will see many Parisan locations. If you are ever in Prague, look for the many easily identifiable scenes from the first “Mission Impossible”. Just outside Asheville, North Carolina in Lake Lure, you can see the spectacular backdrop for “Last of the Mohicans” and “Dirty Dancing”. Where are the terrific scenes in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy filmed? You probably know that New Zealand doubled for Middle Earth.

Researching and then visiting a film location is terrific entertainment as is visiting one of the over 1,600 film festivals held each year. If you are a film buff, there is no end to the game of identifying and then finding the locations of famous movie scenes. All you need is a Blockbuster account and a good travel consultant and you are not just off to the movies, but also on a very unique scavenger hunt.

The internet is a great place to begin locating your favorite movie settings. Go to Google, and use a search term resembling the following: ‘set location for “dirty dancing”‘. Most likely, you will get back dozens of search results assisting you with locating scenes, sometimes with great directional detail and, on occassion, with the actual lattitude and longitude geocoding for you GPS owners! If you are traveling to a destination already, try a search styled as follows: ‘”film locations” Seattle’. You will be rewarded with references to scenes from “Sleepless in Seattle” along with detailed directions for locating the spots familiar to fans of the movie. Many cities, such as New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, Vancouver or Chicago have appeared in so many movies that the challenge will be to decide from which movies you wish to choose!

A film festival is an event that lasts anywhere from a day to over a week and features films, films, films. They are held all over the United States and in several other countries as well. Many film festivals such as the well-known Toronto International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival are well established, each with over a twenty-five year history, while new festivals are popping up every year.

Many film festivals offer a variety of films including independent films, documentaries, gay and lesbian themed movies, full-length feature films, comedies, foreign films, music videos and more while others stay with one theme for the length of the festival. There are usually a few film premieres at each film festival and some, such as the Breckenridge Film Festival, are adding strong educational components to attract more visitors.

In addition to dozens of film showings, many festivals are located in areas that are worthy of a vacation alone. Who wouldn’t want to visit the beautiful mountains of Utah? The Sundance Film Festival makes that region even more attractive. When there isn’t a film playing that you want to see, you can ski the fantastic slopes. Want to visit France? Why not do it during the Festival de Cannes, one of the most famous and oldest film festivals in the world?

Choosing a festival

What festival to attend depends a great deal on your idea of fun. At many festivals, you will see big name stars touting their new movies and walking the streets, shopping in local stores and eating in the same restaurants as the attendees. Often the media will interview the stars about their feature films and their reasons for attending. Many times, it is possible to sit in on these live interviews an opportunity to see and in some cases, visit, with the actors and actresses, directors and producers who make the films.

Festivals typically double as business venues for writers, directors and producers shopping their scripts, hoping to make contact with the elusive financier or actor. As with the stars, there are often open interview sessions with directors, producers and writers.

Legendary film critics also frequent film festivals. It is always fun to watch the critics while they see a film for the first time and to hear their initial reaction. Maybe you will even get a heads- up on the next academy award winning movie.

If it is your goal to see and meet these famous people, choose one of the better known, more established film festivals. Almost every film festival has a web site. Visit the sites and see who has attended that festival in the past. The list of past attendees will be a good indication of the caliber of stars, directors, producers and media that are attracted to this particular film festival. Next, visit with your travel consultant to find the best possible travel package to your destination. The most well attended festivals book early in advance and accommodations can be at a premium. Your travel consultant will have access to professional booking tools and hotel allotments that they can often tap into for hard to get bookings.

Film festivals are also an important networking venue for those hoping to enter the film making industry. Since so many important “players” in the industry are located in one spot, the festival creates an opportunity to make key business connections in a short period of time.

Location, location, location — always an important factor in any vacation or trip, location is also something to consider for a film festival vacation. Depending on your funds, you may wish to choose a trip close to home or one in a vacation resort. Again, if you want to combine the festival with other activities, explore the area to see the offerings. Don’t forget to factor in the climate. If you hate the cold and snow, you sure aren’t going to want to attend the Sundance Film Festival high in the mountains of Utah in January.

Many film festivals have added educational components such as workshops, presentations, classes and hands-on experiences in addition to the film viewings. There may be numerous opportunities to be exposed to all aspects of film making at a festival. Want-to-be actors, directors, writers, producers and filmmakers can get advice from the pros. There may be actual readings, production sessions and meetings with agents. Some carry workshops on public relations and marketing films. You may even learn how to finance a movie.

Perhaps the most important factor in planning a film festival vacation is the types of films you want to see. Some festivals host a variety of types of films while others will stick to one particular theme. As mentioned above, there are usually several films premiering at a festival.

Popular themes for film festivals include: independent films; documentaries; comedy; foreign films; gay and lesbian; full-length features; black films; outdoor and nature films; and music videos. There are even such niche film festivals as the Bicycle Film Festival, the Screamfest L.A. Horror Film Festival and Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival.

Just as for any successful vacation, proper planning is essential. Some of the more popular film festivals are booked well in advance. Once you choose which festival you wish to attend, have your travel consultant check out the local accommodations. Depending on your price range, you may wish to stay at local motels or hotels, local bed and breakfast or maybe even camp. Ask your consultant to check for the availability of tour packages that might coincide with your visit, and which could mean additional savings by combining air, hotel and rental car. Taking along the children? Determine what opportunities are available for all family members and arrange child care at the accommodations in advance if necessary. If you are traveling to find famous locations for films, your timing is much more a matter of personal preference and budget.

Ask local establishments if they have special film festival packages on lodging and passes to the movies and events. Some festivals have featured accommodations where film goers get better rates. This information is usually listed on the festival web sites or ask!

Check out the transportation situation at the festival. Not only do you need to know how you are getting to the festival, will you need transportation once you are there? It may be a small town and having a car would be a waste of time and money. Many festivals are doable by walking or utilizing local public transportation but find out in advance so you aren’t stranded in an out-of-the way hotel with no means to make it to the films! Get a map of the town to see the spots where films will be shown in relation to hotels and restaurants.

Determine if the festival has any dress requirements. Many festivals do require black tie for special events or screenings in a high-end hotel or venue.

Most film festival locations have plenty of restaurants and eating establishments but find out in advance if you need to make reservations. Some restaurants may be leased to corporate sponsors and you will be left making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in your hotel room without proper planning.

You will also need passes to some events at the festival. Some festivals allow you the opportunity to purchase various types of passes depending on how many films you wish to see, events you wish to attend and days that you will be attending. You may be able to purchase individual passes or packages. There will be a great deal of entertainment and many parties at a film festival. Find out if they are private or open to the public and if your passes include any of these parties. Are workshops and presentations included in the passes? You may need additional tickets for such extras. Order your passes and tickets in advance.

Keep in mind that not all festivals have open screenings and events. Notably the Cannes Festival is largely closed to the public at large and invitations and passes provided to industry insiders. Research carefully the rules and regulations of the particular festival you wish to attend.

The highlight of a festival is usually the closing night when the “Best Ofs” are awarded, the best documentary, best feature film, best foreign film, best actor, best writer and so on, sort of like a mini-Academy Awards ceremony. The event may be fancy or rather casual, depending on the overall climate of the festival. Awards are usually distributed and it is a good time for “star gazing.”

Film festivals and film location vacations add a new dimension to travel. Planning in advance makes sure you make the most of your trip and avoids disappointment.

Ready? Lights…camera…travel! Contact Wings Travel and get started!

Pack Your Bags For Australias Great Barrier Reef With Globus

 

By: Globus

For nature-lovers, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef is a quasi-religious experience. The 1600 mile long organism, which can even be identified from space, is actually a web of 2,900 self-contained reefs that lie between 40 and 100 miles off Australia’s north-east coast. From a plane, the Reef looks like a giant blue rash, but beneath its placid waves lie canyons of brilliant coral, each one a mini-galaxy of sea life, including wildly colored fish and anemones, giant turtles, moray eels, sharks and manta rays so large they can blot out the sun’s light as they pass overhead. The clarity of the water, the intensity of color, even the quality of the antipodean light are like nowhere else on earth. Most visitors fly into the booming tropical city of Cairns, then head north along the verdant Cook Highway to Port Douglas – a former gold rush port that was a virtual ghost town in the 1960s but is now one of Australia’s most glamorous resort destinations. (It lured Bill Clinton while President in 1996, and again in 2001). From here, high-speed catamarans run out to submerged platforms on the Reef, a jumping-off point for snorkelers and tours on glass-bottomed boats. (Companies also offer tanks for certified divers, but snorkeling is just as impressive: In fact, the colors of the Reef are most brilliant in shallow, sun-filled water.) It’s an unforgettable experience: the Pacific pumps back and forth like a giant lung over forests of stag horn coral, whose tips glow like electric Christmas tree lights. Clouds of tropical fish explode off the sandy ocean floor, green sea turtles glide purposefully by. And don’t miss the giant clams – mega-mollusks, each four foot wide, 500 pounds in weight and dressed in lurid velvet, they gabe up invitingly from their beds of soft coral swaying in the current. A kick of your flippers takes you down to admire the vibrant colors shimmering in the slanting sunlight. And when you touch their sensuous lips, the century-old shells close slowly into fixed, happy smiles.

Encounter unforgettable adventures when you plan your trip with Globus. Escape to the most exciting reef in the world, The Great Barrier Reef, when booking with Globus and Wings Travel today!

Imagining Paris without the Eiffel Tower is like London without Big Ben or San Francisco without the Golden Gate Bridge. But no sooner had the architect Gustav Eiffel beaten his 700 competitors in the design competition for the 1889 Centennial Exposition, celebrating a century since the French Revolution, than a vocal outcry began to halt construction of the edifice. Three hundred famous French artists and writers signed a petition in the newspaper “Le Temps” denouncing Eiffel’s radically modern design as “useless and monstrous,” a blight upon the elegant fabric of the City of Light. Others critics were even more vicious, describing the proposed tower as a “tragic street lamp,” a gymnasium apparatus…incomplete, confused and deformed,” “a giant ungainly skeleton,” “a half-built factory pipe,” “a carcass” and even “a hole-riddled suppository.” Nature-lovers argued that it would disturb the flight patterns of Parisian birds. Even as the iron lattice began to rise, Parisians continued to refer to it by the less-than-flattering nickname, “the metal asparagus.” Of course, no sooner had the tower opened in 1889 than the rabid criticism evaporated. At 984 feet, the Eiffel Tower was by far the tallest man-made structure on earth and remained so until the Chrysler Building was completed in New York 40 years later. The view of Paris from the top swayed the hearts of many skeptical artists: It provided a breathtaking shift in how we see the world, as mind-altering in its way as the first NASA satellite images from space. But this new acceptance of the tower didn’t stop the French government from threatening to dismantle Eiffel’s creation when its 20-year lease expired in 1919. Fortunately, the antenna installed at the top had become essential for telegraphing, so the tower survived. Today, it is Paris’ number one tourist attraction and the most widely-recognized monument in Europe.

Great storytellers don’t use scripts. They use itineraries. Contact Wings Travel and follow your Globus itinerary to see Paris’ Eiffel Tower today!

The Galapagos Islands are famous for a variety of unusual creatures, from marine iguanas to blue-footed boobies. You will get closer to the wildlife than you would anywhere else in the world. The archipelago lies 600 miles off the coast of South America and is reached via a short flight from Quito, Ecuador. The isolation and late discovery by humans, along with a historical lack of predators has set the stage for a unique environmental experiment and developed into perhaps the greatest showcase for evolution to be witnessed anywhere. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and step ashore and discover it for yourself!

Santa Fe (Barrington) Island. This island stretches over an area of 9.3 sq. mi. where you will find a forest of the archipelago’s largest cacti. Among the island’s land species are the land iguana and lava lizard. In addition to admiring nests in seaside cliffs, visitors can snorkel alongside seals in the turquoise waters of the picturesque lagoon.

Floreana (Charles) Island. With a surface area of 67 sq. mi., this island was named after Juan José Flores, the first president of Ecuador, whose administration took possession of the archipelago in 1832. Between December and May, pink flamingos and green sea turtles nest here. At the “Devil’s Crown” underwater volcanic cone, visitors can observe unique coral formations.
Genovesa (Tower) Island. Stretching over 5.4 sq. mi., Genovesa Island is the remainder of a large submerged crater. It is also known as “Bird Island” due to the population of swallow-tailed gulls, which are the only nocturnal hunters of the species. Visitors will also see blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, swallows and other tropical birds.

Baltra (South Seymour) Island. Baltra Island covers an area of 10.4 sq. mi. and is the site of the archipelago’s main airport, built during World War II by the United States military. The military barracks can still be seen there today. The arid island is populated with wild desert flora, mostly cactus, and offers excellent spots for surfing, snorkeling and diving.
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island. Spread over an area of 381 sq. mi., Santa Cruz is home to the archipelago’s largest settlement, the town of Puerto Ayora. Its highlands are famous for their lava tunnels while Black Turtle Cove is one of the area’s best beaches. The crystal-clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and surfing.

Bartolomé (Bartholomew) Island. This island is a mere 0.4 sq. mi. across. Here, visitors will find Pinnacle Rock, a stone tower in the shape of an obelisk reminiscent of the archipelago itself. At Bartolomé Island, visitors can see the Galapagos penguin, seals, lava formations and recently-formed volcanic cones.

Isabela (Albemarle) Island. This island is home to Galapagos penguins, marine and land iguanas, boobies, pelicans, Sally Lightfoot crab, Galapagos hawks and Galapagos doves, in addition to lush and interesting vegetation. On the southern tip of the island, Puerto Villamil is the archipelago’s third largest human settlement.

What are you waiting for?
Contact Wings Travel and explore the Galapagos Islands.

A tour of any of the great wine country regions of the world is an opportunity to explore culture, history, cuisine and wine in a single trip. Without exception, the scenery is beautiful, the people passionate, and the wine — nothing short of phenomenal.

What is a wine tour? It’s a tour through a region that has developed a substantial vineyard and winery presence. Usually, a wine tour consists of visiting the wineries and tasting rooms to sample their current wines, often paired with food. Sometimes, a tour of the winery itself is included, and visitors can see where the wine is grown, processed, barreled, aged and eventually bottled.

Most people would first think of areas like the Napa Valley region of California or the Burgundy region of France as ideal locations for wine tours, and that’s with good reason, as those are outstanding locations. However, there are vineyards the world-over. For the majority of United States travelers, wine regions are within a few hours driving distance of their homes or an easy weekend fly-drive retreat, provding plenty of options. And if you are looking for a truly great epicurean vacation, you’ll pleasantly discover that the experience ends up being about much more than the wine.

A number of tour operators specialize in regional wine country tours. Your Wings agent has access to excellently priced tours of wine regions throughout the world, offering a variety of accommodations from luxurious villas to budget hotels. In many wine regions, wineries have formed “wine trails” to make it easy for visitors to find the participating wineries and to sample the wines. Often, tour operators can provide discounted passes to each of the tasting rooms at the different wineries. Along with your Wings agent, you are sure to create experiences that would be hard to find on your own. On the best tours, you’ll discover small, unknown producers, meet top winemakers and in some cases, even receive an invitation into a home of a vigneron. Top tour operators can give you the opportunity to enjoy meals and tastings as guests of the estates – just one example of the kind of event often not available if you travel on your own, even if you visit the same cellars. However, many tour operators can even arrange independent, self-drive opportunities with the same privileges as their group tours.

Top Regions to Tour
If you want to tour some of the finest wineries and taste some of the world’s finest wines, certain regions are considered the regions to tour. They consistently produce excellent wines year after year, and some have been doing so for literally thousands of years.

Tuscan, Italy – Italy’s most famous wine region has over 157,000 acres of vineyards throughout its picturesque countryside. The Italians have been making wine for thousands of years, and Italy boasts the largest output of wine in the world. Its climate and soil are ideal for growing grapes, and nowhere is the setting more ideal than Tuscany. The region is most famous for producing Chianti, a wine that pairs naturally with most Italian foods.

Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone, France – France has many wine growing regions, and each is worth a visit. The Burgundy region is especially popular because it is legendary for producing both excellent red and white wines. The rich history of wine making dates back to when the Romans first invaded the area. Visitors can tour old and new wineries that produce several well-known wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Beaujolais.

Australia – In the past few decades, Australia has emerged as one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world. Although many wineries have been around for over a hundred years, the public has only recently taken a serious interest in this region. More than 70 wineries in the New South Wales region are located just a few hours drive from Sydney. Wineries here are best known for producing excellent Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

USA – In the United States, the most popular region is certainly California’s Napa Valley, which is also one of the world’s newer wine regions. Its wine making history dates back less than 200 years, but those years have seen the birth of more than 260 wineries famous for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Not to be outdone, however, Oregon, Washington State and New York all boast thriving wine industries and vineyards. Smaller regions include the Texas Hill Country, as well as areas in Connecticut, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Germany – German wines have historically been mostly white, made from Riesling grapes more suited to the northern climate. German wines are produced around the Rhine and its tributaries, and the vineyards are sheltered by mountains so steep that while they catch the most sunlight, they are difficult to harvest mechanically. Germany’s 13 regions include Ahr, Baden, Franken, Hessische Bergstrasse, Mittelrhein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut, Sächsische Weinstrasse and Württemberg.

South Africa – Cape Town is the trailhead of the South African vineyards. The local wine industry has become a global force, producing approximately 3% of the world’s wine production, ranking as 9th largest producer in the world. New wineries are opening at a fast clip. Pinot Noir and Reisling varietals are predominant.

But this list is far from comprehensive. Chile, Spain, Portugal and dozens of other countries have robust wine economies where local vineyards have adapted varietals to changing climates and soil conditions.

Considerations
Tell your agent if you would prefer to travel independently or with a fully-guided tour group. In an independent setting, your agent will create an itinerary of wineries to tour, as well as any special events to attend, transportation, and lodging. You will then be on your own to follow the itinerary, which offers a great deal of flexibility.

A fully-guided tour provides you and other travelers with a knowledge-packed tour of the wine region. You will not have to worry about transportation, and the itinerary will include fixed times to visit wineries and other attractions as well as some free time to enjoy the wineries on your own. A fully-guided tour is an excellent choice for those who are going to regions so large that the options can be overwhelming, or for those who would rather leave transportation and other logistics to someone else. In addition, most tour companies provide a multilingual tour guide able to speak both English and the language of the region.

Remember, too, that you can travel a little more creatively. Hike or bike your way through wine country, and have an experience you could never get from a car or bus!

Prepare for your journey by reading about the region and its wines. Your Wings agent will obtain any materials from the tour operator to assist your studies, including maps, itineraries or brochures. If you’re going to a region where you don’t speak the language, learn a few choice phrases in the language before you go as a courtesy to your hosts.

If you are planning to purchase a lot of wine while you are on your trip and want to ship it back home, research your home’s laws concerning importing alcohol from outside the country. Your wine could sit in customs for days or weeks before delivery, and in the heat of summer, wines could go bad while they are waiting to be delivered.

Many of the great wine regions offer seasonal festivals when it is time to bring out the new wines. Bigger wineries will hold their own festivals, while smaller wineries will often team with others in the region and have a festival where guests can taste the new offerings from all of the wineries in the same location. Travelers who time their wine tours right have a chance to experience a true cultural celebration. Many wine regions also offer activities such as spas, cooking classes, museums, arts and crafts festivals, music festivals and other events – just ask your agent what’s available.

Most wine regions also offer restaurants that showcase both local cuisine and wineries. Also note the growing trend for restaurants that allow you to bring a bottle of your own – visit wineries during the day and choose a favorite bottle or two to enjoy with your meal in the evening.

It’s impossible to come away from a wine tour without also getting a lesson in local culture. Most winery owners are not only passionate about their wine; they are also passionate about the land and region that supports their lifestyle. It is not unusual to hear about an immigrant family that bought a piece of property years ago and was told by their neighbors that they could never operate a successful winery on the land – and who eventually proved them wrong.

Those who choose a wine tour come away with much more than just a few new bottles of wine. They leave having experienced a deeper cultural appreciation of wine and those who make it.

What are you waiting for? Contact Wings Travel and get started.