How To Be a Travel Wine-o 11.27.10

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend everyone! The blog today will be short and sweet, because I’m off enjoying this time with my family.

You enjoy a glass of wine with dinner and anytime you dine out and belong to a wine club, sign up for wine-tasting classes and make frequent trips to the local winery…or local liquor store, because that’s as close to grape-squashing as you can get. Obviously, you’re well on your way to becoming a proper wine-o and only need to take that next step and plan your wine-centric vacation. While it may only be a weekend trip, don’t hesitate to plan something longer. There are a variety of trips that can accommodate all levels of wine-loving, from “just-discovered wine”-lovers to “Can’t go a day without it”-lovers (although if this is you, you might have a problem).

Save up to $90 on similar hotels and book now to stay at the Sheraton Sonoma County in Petaluma, California between now and March 15, 2011. For only $99 per night, you get upgraded to a deluxe oceanview room. This rate is available every day through March 15, including weekends and holidays. That is crazy and will probably never happen again, so you better book as soon as possible to get your room. You’ll also get two paSsses to visit a local Sonoma winery. Vineyards are only a 20 minute drive to Sonoma and 45 minute drive to Napa. The drive is beautiful, with rolling hills and picturesque views, so the time will fly by. And when you’re tired of wine-ing, drive 29 miles to the fun coastal town of Bodega Bay (where they filmed Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds) and enjoy shopping, amazing restaurants, golf and more!

Spend 2 nights in a Sonoma Wine Country Villa for 50% off. Book by November 30 through Living Social and for just $210 receive a package with 2 nights in the Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa in Bodega, CA, daily breakfast, two glasses of wine and 2 $20 spa credits. 

Stay in Napa Valley and get 50% off your third night at Vino Bello Resort between now and March 1.  Vino Bello is Californiawine country’s newest luxury resort, featuring old world Tuscan design, luxurious condominium accommodations, upscale amenities and more. Must book by January 31.

Tuscany in Spring - 6 nights, including RT airfare, car rental and two-bedroom apartment villa from only $899 per person. Bring your family or some friends, because this price is based on a group of 4 (you can get discounted pricing for fewer travelers though). Add wine and cheese tastings for $99 per person. You will stay at the 4-star Fattoria degli Usignoli, which is just a short 25 minute drive to Florence and offers a bowling green, tennis courts, horseback riding and a gourmet restaurant with an original wine cellar. Book by December 3 for travel in March and April.

Make sure to have a designated driver or take a cab if you're planning on having some drinks. Nothing ruins a vacation more than a DUI.

You can find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! If you want more amazing deals and budget travel tips, choose a medium!

On my growing community of Facebook you can ask my questions and comment on posts, where I will respond if needed. Want to know if I’ve found a deal on trips to Bermuda or Romania or Spain? Message me or post on the wall and I’ll let you know right away! Also, there is a fun giveaway going on. Win free and awesome travel bags from Travelon. You can also get your friends in on it by suggesting they “like” Shereen Travels Cheap, too. They have a chance to win and if they do, then you’ll win an equally awesome travel item for referring them…so the more friends you get to join, the more chances YOU have to win. I might be seeing an iGo in someone’s future. The drawing for prizes will start when we reach 500 fans, so suggest, share posts, beg. Do whatever you have to do to get as many of your friends to join!

My Twitter followers are growing by leaps and bounds every day! If you prefer your deals and tips in a bite-size version, then Shereentrvlschp is where it’s at! While there’s no contest happening on Twitter yet, I DO have a plan for when we get closer to 2,000, so if you’re a fellow tweeter, jump on board now.

Want to get something funky to take on your trip or to buy for the fellow wine-o for Christmas, check out these fun and functional gifts.

Packable Wine Glasses 

Made of virtually indestructible BPA-free plastic, the stem unscrews from the bowl, and both stash in a handy travel pouch for easy packing.

Wine Journal

Sampling local wines is one of the great joys of travel, and with this stylish journal, recording the details of your favorites has never been easier. Each page allows space to list the wine name, variety and producer, and there's also a rating key, terminology guide, and notes section. It tucks into its smart, passport-sized faux leather cover for easy access anywhere, and comes with one extra journal.

Essential Wine Tasting Guide

The size of a credit card, this fold-out guide stores in your wallet and provides a detailed listing of every wine varietal, along with color-coded flavor descriptors, a color chart, scoring table, and temperature serving guide. It's the perfect way to become familiar with wine terminology and make wine-tasting trips even more enjoyable.

Label Lift

What better way to keep track of those special bottles of wine you discover along the way than by taking the label with you? Label Lift sheets separate the top printed layer of a wine label from its adhesive backing. Just apply the clear sticky sheet to the label and peel away the printed surface, leaving the backing still attached to the bottle. This clever process simultaneously removes and laminates the label so you can keep it as a memento of your dining experience.

Wine Skin

WineSkin protects wine bottles from the rigors of travel. An interior layer of bubble wrap provides protective padding, and two sticky seals prevent wine from leaking into your suitcase (in case rough handling leads to breakage).

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Cozy Up and Get Warm 11.24.10

With the temperatures around here close to freezing and snow promised to be on the way, it’s making me think of curling up next to a fire with some hot chocolate and a good book. Of course, I don’t have to be at home to do that, though my dog would love such a scenario. There are so many post-Thanksgiving vacation deals available, that it might be hard to choose, but sometimes after the holiday break, you feel like you need another break, so maybe this year you can give yourself a gift of a nice getaway.

It’s the season of long airport security lines. Please don’t make such a big fuss that you hold up everyone else. If they didn’t have these security measures, you could be the one sitting next to the guy with the bomb in his pants, and I think if you weigh the two options, a quick step into the body scanner at your local airport seems like the better way to go. Are Americans whiners?
And if, like me, you’re just happy to be going somewhere when you get to the airport, regardless of security hassles, here’s a great article on making holiday travel easier.

Jimmy Buffet claims it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere. Well, the same is true for warm weather. Going somewhere warm is the best way to beat the winter blues and feel free from your coat and other heavy clothes. Pack up your shorts and t-shirts and take them to where you can get a tan. Everyone back home will be so jealous of your sunny glow when they are still pasty from the days of cloudy skies and freezing weather.

• Puerto Vallarta: Stay at the all-inclusive Barceló Puerto Vallarta for 35% off. Only $92/night/person between now and December 18. If you want to go after Christmas, you pay just $25 more for stays between December 24 and April 30. This 4-star resort offers only suites with free minibars. Enjoy daily entertainment, fully-equipped gym, 5-star restaurants, free kids’ club and more. 45 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes into central Puerto Vallarta and right on one of the city’s most beautiful beaches. Add massage services, flowers, wine and other amenities to your package before you even get there.  
• South America is experiencing their spring and summer right now. Fly LAN from only $318 roundtrip with their exclusive sale with Expedia. Plus, if you're planning a trip to Lima, Peru, you can make a side trip to Easter Island, Iguazu, or Cuzco, from an additional $187 roundtrip. Book by December 15 for travel throughout 2011.
• Experience the beauty of the islands and book a Hawaiian vacation package. 3-night trips with air from California from only $299 per person. Fly to Waikiki (or other islands for a bit more) and take in a luau, explore the beach, tour a volcano or take a helicopter trip over the island. There are so many options now that you’ve saved all that money getting and staying there. Book by November 28 for selected dates January 8-March 3.

You can find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! If you want more amazing deals and budget travel tips, choose a medium!

On my growing community of Facebook you can ask my questions and comment on posts, where I will respond if needed. Want to know if I’ve found a deal on trips to Bermuda or Romania or Spain? Message me or post on the wall and I’ll let you know right away! Also, there is a fun giveaway going on. Win free and awesome travel bags from Travelon. You can also get your friends in on it by suggesting they “like” Shereen Travels Cheap, too. They have a chance to win and if they do, then you’ll win an equally awesome travel item for referring them…so the more friends you get to join, the more chances YOU have to win. I might be seeing an iGo in someone’s future. The drawing for prizes will start when we reach 500 fans, so suggest, share posts, beg. Do whatever you have to do to get as many of your friends to join!

My Twitter followers are growing by leaps and bounds every day! If you prefer your deals and tips in a bite-size version, then Shereentrvlschp is where it’s at! While there’s no contest happening on Twitter yet, I DO have a plan for when we get closer to 2,000, so if you’re a fellow tweeter, jump on board now.

Maybe you don’t mind packing a coat and sweaters and having to bundle up to hit the hustle and bustle of the wintery city streets. There are so many options for this kind of travel, too. And I won’t dare tell you to cut your coffee and hot chocolate budget here. Instead, save so much on your hotel and other aspects of your travel that you can afford those venti soy white chocolate mochas with whip cream and you’ll walk enough to burn off most of the calories, too! And remember, the faster you walk, the warmer you’ll be, so exercise helps you in at least two ways. Just watch out for those frozen puddles on the sidewalk.

• Curl up next to your very own fireplace at the Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, VT on selected dates in December – March from just $149/night. This B&B is beautiful and offers you breakfast, afternoon tea and pastries, candelit turndown service and views of the snowcapped mountains. Rent a car to explore the surrounding area and be reminded of civilization, since there are no phones or TVs in guest rooms. TVs available by request, but I’m sure you can find other ways to relax. Maybe a quick nip into the Snooty Fox Pub on property for a nightcap. You can also have dinner in the attached restaurant, get an in-room massage or tromp around outside in the 15-acres of property.  Book by November 29.
• Thinking about taking a cruise next year? Book by Friday and get this awesome deal: Mediterranean 12-night cruise for $999 per person and $250 onboard credit per cabin and half off your deposit. THAT'S some real Black Friday savings! You'll be sailing on the Celebrity Constellation to Turkey to Greece, Egypt, Israel, Malta and Spain.

• Do some after-holidays shopping in one of the best shopping destinations in the world: New York City. Stay in a 4-star Times Square hotel from as little as $149/night. That’s 50% off current rates at the Millennium Broadway that offers panoramic views of the city and is only a 5 minute walk from Fifth Avenue (Saks, here you come!) and Rockefeller Center. Book by December 1 for travel December – February and get a room upgrade.
• Speaking of New York, why not relax after a long day of shopping with a 2-hour spa service? Save almost 70% off of a 60-minute massage and mani/pedi at the Jeunesse Spa and Salon. Or, you can add $40 and enjoy an hour-long couples massage instead. Purchase by midnight on November 25 and it can be redeemed by November 25, 2011.

What’s your dream destination? I have three: London, Australia and anywhere in Africa where I can go on safari. Even though I’ve already been to one (London), I keep it on my list, because if I can get back to it, I’ll do it as many times as I can. Maybe some of these deals I found over the week will fulfill those dreams.

• Egypt: Spend a week in Cairo from $999 per person. The package includes roundtrip international flights, accommodations and tours of the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and daily breakfast. You must book by December 8 to take advantage of this deal. Offered selected departure dates in December and January. Add extra tours and options to your package for an additional cost.

• Portugal: While if you wanted to visit Lisbon, it’s a 45 minute drive, you can stay right outside the “most romantic medieval village in Portugal” for a screaming deal. Rent a car and you can get out to see everything you want, though the draws ofPraia D'El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort in Óbidos may make you never want to leave. Right on the water, you can book an oceanview room with a king or two queens for as little as $109/night. You get free breakfast, access to 8 restaurants and bars, an 18-hole championship golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, game room, gym and fitness center, 24-hour room service and complimentary valet parking. You can even bring your dog! Book by Monday November 29 for travel between December and February.

• Tuscany in Spring: 6 nights, including RT airfare, car rental and two-bedroom apartment villa from only $899 per person. Bring your family or some friends, because this price is based on a group of 4 (you can get discounted pricing for fewer travelers though). Add wine and cheese tastings for $99 per person. You will stay at the 4-star Fattoria degli Usignoli, which is just a short 25 minute drive to Florence and offers a bowling green, tennis courts, horseback riding and a gourmet restaurant. Book by December 3 for travel in March and April. Up to a $500 savings per person.

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Wee Ones Like to Travel, Too 11.20.10

Just because you have children doesn't mean you can never vacation again or have to pack up the tent and go camping. Of course, I'm not opposed to camping. I did it all the time as a kid, but nothing beats a good old fashioned family vacation. One where you don't have to do all the work and take freezing showers for a week. Sure, traveling with more than two can be hard on your wallet, but you can save on things to make it more manageable. There's also plenty of things you can do to keep your kids occupied in between "entertainment".

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So, you want to go on a real vacation, but don't think you can afford it with your whole family? Well, you're wrong. Your first step is to pick a destination and your second is to start a vacation savings account. If you can set aside a bit of money each month, it makes it much easier to deal with the cost of a trip of any size, because you can chip away at it all year long. Below are some ways to save that can allow you to stay longer than a few days at your vacation and make the airfare worthwhile.

• Rent an apartment, house or condo. This is always a great option, but especially if you are traveling as a family, because it offers many advantages like cheaper rates than a hotel if you stay a week or more,  more space for everyone to stretch out in, a kitchen to save on your dining budget and more privacy than most hotels offer. Here are some ones to check out.

• Visit a city that offers a pass card where you can visit many attractions for one low price. Here are just a few awesome ones. You buy one card for each person in your party (some even include transportation options) and then you skip the box-office queues at each location and just present your city pass as a ticket.

CityPASS is available in 11 cities

• If a city is safe to drive in, renting a car might end up being less expensive than public transportation in some cases. Do your homework, because in some cities, it would just be more cost-effective to drive your family around than to get multi-day bus/subway passes.
• Does your family love the beach? Instead of heading to the ocean, look into lakeside locations. They almost always have just as nice a beach and many of the same watersports, but at a fraction of the cost.
• Can your kids miss a few days of school? Travel in the Fall, Winter or Spring. Summer rates for everything can be double the price (or more), because that's when families can travel.
• Rent strollers and other baby equipment at your destination. They are available all over the world and can be much less than having to check through your personal ones and risk them getting damaged by baggage handlers. One of the best websites that has links to rental locations is Babies Travel Lite.
• Don't overpack. If you need diapers and formula, buy them at your destination. You don't need to spend an extra $15+ for each bag that needs to be checked through. Carry only what you need for the flight, plus a bit extra in case in case of delays. If you'll be traveling somewhere that might not have convenient stores nearby, you can also use Babies Travel Lite to to send "baby care packages" wherever you are.
• Children under the age of 2 fly for free if you aren't opposed to them sitting in your lap the whole flight. Probably not so doable on a trip across the Atlantic, but not too bad on a flight that's only a few hours long. 
• Don't order off the kids' menu in restaurants. They are almost always overpriced and have a very limited (and repetitive) selection. Choose an entrée that you and your child can share. Not only will there be no waste that way (as can often happen when one is faced with another bowl of mac and cheese or pizza) but there will be a wider selection for them that normally includes a vegetable of some sort. Add a salad if it turns out that the one plate isn't enough.
• If you choose to stay in a hotel or resort, stay in ones where kids eat free. Almost all places offer kids STAY free, so it's not really a good deal. Kids can eat you out of house and home, so that's really the bargain you want to look for. If an all-inclusive is in the cards, find ones where kids stay, eat and play free. You'll be surprised how much that will save you over the course of the week.
• Stock up on snacks. Kids always want to eat when it isn't snack time and can get super cranky if they don't get something in their tummy pretty fast. Vacation is no different than at home. Bring snacks on all your outings to tide them over until it's time to actually sit down and have real food.

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Keep your kids from freaking out and making you wish you never took a trip in the first place. Bring games and toys to keep them occupied. Not only will a few games keep you all sane and having fun, but it will keep your kids from going wild and bothering others around you on planes, in amusement parks and other places.


Fluxx 2.0 is one of my favorite games. It can be played by those aged 8 and over. It's the card game of ever-changing rules, so no matter how many times you play it, it will never be the same game twice. There are several different versions of the game, besides Zombie Fluxx (shown) and they can be used separately or as one big deck. The object of the game is the be the first to reach whatever the "goal" is, but since there are many goals and everyone wants to win, the goal will continue to change throughout the game. You may have 3 cards or 12 cards in your hand at any time, because the rules will continue to change as well. A game can last 5 minutes or 30 minutes, but it will always be a blast. We take this game with us everywhere. We play it on the plane, in our room, at the laundromat. Anywhere there's a flat surface!





Another game I always throw in the travel bag. Keep in mind that we have no kids and still find these games super fun. If your child can add, spell simple words and match pictures, they can play this game! Games go fairly quick (between 5-10 minutes each), so you can use this card game to fill any time lull. As with all Cranium games, it's educational without you realizing it. The cards are also plastic, so they are spill- and slobber-resistant. You know, just in case.









Klutz always makes excellent activity games for kids...and us big kids who like to make finger puppets and tissue paper and pipe cleaner flowers. If you'll be traveling by car, plane or train, the Backseat Survival Kit is a must to include in your child's travel bag. It has enough games and activities to keep them busy for hours...and has a handy zipper pouch for accessories and markers that all come with it.

Are you on Twitter? Me too! Follow Shereentrvlschp for awesome text-sized budget-travel tips and deals. I tweet multiple times each day, just like I post on Facebook. Over 1,400 followers and counting! I'm cooking up another giveaway for when we reach 2,000 followers, so start following now to get in on that. Stay tuned for more details.

Little people have short legs that get restless while sitting with their feet dangling for any amount of time. I hate nothing more than having to sit on a flight with someone kicking my seat the entire time. And please don't give me attitude when I ask you nicely to get your child to stop doing it. If I could, I would sit behind you and make your flight miserable just to show you how it feels, but I can't and I'd like for us all to get along and have a nice ride to wherever we're going. One way to combat restless dangly legs is to give them something to put their feet on...which is not the seat back. The Skyrest Travel Pillow is great for this. It is inflatable, so it takes up almost no space in your carry-on, and it's just the right height for tiny feet. You can remove the cover, too, so it doesn't get dirty from shoes or the cabin floor.