5 Affordable Wine Getaways

Not all vacations are created equal. I don't get away to go hiking or rock climbing, but I also don't go on shopping trips. I like to see and eat as much as possible, but I know not everyone likes to travel like I do. Maybe you like to go RVing or spend your time diving off different coasts or even put a majority of your budget towards golfing around the world. If you are a wine-lover on a budget looking to just relax and unwind, here are some unique destinations that allow you to incorporate tasting some new wines into your activities.

San Diego – When you think of wine, you might not think of San Diego, but the truth is, the West Coast is packed with vineyards and wineries and San Diego is home to one of the finest. Orfila is a boutique winery close to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which means there are plenty of other nearby attractions if you don’t plan to spend your whole trip drinking wine. Just there for wine? Make sure to rent a car, as most of the wineries in the area are a short drive from downtown (think 45 minutes to an hour). Most have picnic grounds as well, so you can save a bit more by bringing your own lunch and snacks.

This photo of Bodegas Andreu Sole is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Puerto Rico – A fantastic budget destination in itself, Puerto Rico is also a country of delicious wines and spirits. While you may spend a bit on your plane tickets getting there, you will save considerably on your hotel, dining and wine tastings or tours. Puerto Rico only has one winery, but what a winery it is. Bodegas Juan Andreu Sole in Parador Guánica is open on weekends and the wine they produce is unique, just like their culture and food. While you can certainly enjoy wine other than that pressed in the region, you will not want to miss their not-too-sweet, fruity blend Doce Calles (Twelve Streets) and possibly some samples of the artisan liquors created on the island. All this and the bonus of being next to the water on a tropical island. Another plus? You don’t need a passport to visit!

This photo of The Hess Collection Winery & Art Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Napa Valley – Wine country as you know it, but way more affordable than you believed, especially in the winter. Napa has so many wineries that if you want to visit more than one or two, look into a wine tour on a shuttle bus that will take you to a handful of vineyards and lunch. You’ll splurge some on these tours, but you’ll see the best the valley has to offer and you won’t have to worry about a designated driver. Another great way to see many wineries on a budget is to sign up for daily deal sites like Groupon and Living Social. They often sell certificates for discount wine tours and tastings, especially in the slow season (AKA winter).

This photo of Jiko - The Cooking Place is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Orlando – Walt Disney World isn’t the only thing worth seeing in Florida. Of course, you can drink wine at Epcot, but you could also engage in some free wine tours and tastings at wineries like Lakeridge. Or try a futuristic experience with tasting machines at The Wine Room. Look to participate in wine tasting days that include wine and nibbles in the rate. Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom lodge offers South African wines with fruit and cheese on Wednesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings at Urban Flats are set aside for wine and appetizers.

This photo of Niagara Vintage Wine Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Ontario, Canada – Canada has figured out how to make tremendously good wine in their cool climate. The grapes develop complex flavor as they ripen slowly on the vine, making them perfect complements to food. The wine you taste in the region will be unlike any that you’ve tried elsewhere. All the wine-grape growers of Ontario are committed to sustainable winegrowing, using eco-friendly techniques. The grapes are cultivated using no pesticides or herbicides, while also conserving water and energy.

So, with these destinations in mind, you can choose your favorite, kick off your shoes and enjoy a glass – or many – of some delicious wine you probably had never had the chance to enjoy before. Trying local wines on your travels is a great way to learn about different wines from different parts of the world. See how it’s made, sample the various types of wine and go home relaxed and ready to start your year off right.

Super Useful Travel Links

Happy Friday everyone! I thought this week would never end, but the weekend is almost here. You won’t be shocked to know that with all the stress of the week, I have been thinking more than ever about getting out of Dodge. Unfortunately, I don’t have the budget for it, so I found some links to make your next week easier, more enjoyable and more affordable. Enjoy!

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Ever wonder what happens to all the unused or partially-used bars of soap in hotel rooms if you don’t stick them in your travel bag before you leave? You might be surprised to know that something called the Global Soap Project exists and how they recycle hotel soap.

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So, if you’re like me and hate LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), you’re in good company. The airport knows that travelers hate connections and layovers there and they have very low satisfaction ratings in all categories. In order to combat this and make the lives of travelers a little better and less stressful, they are implementing new volunteer program. In fact, it’s so good, I might even consider not rerouting my next flight to ANY OTHER AIRPORT. What is it? It’s dogs! Volunteers bring their dogs and walk the terminals for 2-hour shifts, visiting with travelers and letting them pet the dogs and restore the calm in their life. Read more about PUP here.

Those cutie therapy dogs aren’t just at LAX. They are doing the rounds in Boston, too. This isn’t travel-related, but it’s awesome, so I share. If you want to visit Beantown on a budget, check out my last post.

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Next week, if you are also saving up for a big trip and also have time to get out for a day, make your way to your local national park, because it’s National Park Week and all the parks that require an entrance fee are totally free.

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Everyone knows mini-bars are crazy expensive and most of us don’t even use them. I mean, I can get a whole meal for $12 and bring my own bottle of water to drink in my room. Some hotel chains realize that they are just losing money on mini-bars (I assume on having to replace expiring snacks and extra electricity used) and are going to do away with them. Soon, you may not be tempted by those miniscule packs of nuts and tiny bottles of scotch at 3am.

This photo of Boston Children's Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Summer is coming, which means soon, everywhere you go will be packed to the gills with tourists and locals alike. Want to find some neighborhood gems that have yet to be discovered but are still crazy good? USA Today brings you 10 Best Neighborhoods that Tourists Haven’t Found. Go now, before people read this article and make them the new trendy spots.

This photo of Selena Travel Mongolia Day tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Something you may not know about me is that I have always wanted to go to Mongolia. Maybe it’s because it seems so mysterious. Maybe it’s because I love Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Maybe I’m just interested in places where it’s so cold in the winter that you have to drink homemade vodka just to stay warm. In any case, Thrillist must have gotten in my head and they tell you some of the cool (awful?) parts of visiting Mongolia on a unique tour. It’s even budget-friendly, aside from airfare.

And I want to leave you with a little toot of my own horn. This week a local book review company gave my book, Shereen Travels Cheap, a pretty glowing review. Read it now on Night Owl Reviews.

Have you seen any interesting travel links lately? If so, I’d love for you to share them!

We Heart You, Boston

This week has been a hard one for the fine people of Boston, as well as all the visitors who were running in or supporting the marathon. Bad things happen and we can only hope they get resolved and move on. I am sending good thoughts for the victims and their families and decided we should honor them and their city with a post on fun things to do in their fair city.

This photo of Fenway Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Boston, Massachusetts is an overlooked seaside destination. It is chock full of restaurants serving clam chowdah, historical buildings and museums, but it also is home to Fenway Park, an awesome aquarium and the famous Cheers bar. 

This photo of New England Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Save money on sightseeing with the Boston CityPASS. Valid for 9 days from first use and covers the top 5 Boston attractions for just $51 per person (adult). See the best of Boston with your pass and have plenty of time to do it in. There’s something for everyone and you save almost half off admission prices!

• New England Aquarium        
• Museum of Science 
• Skywalk Observatory 
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 
• Harvard Museum of Natural History OR The Old State House

This photo of Samuel Adams Brewery is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Like beer? Take the Samuel Adams Brewery Tour. At just a suggested donation of $2 per person, it's likely the most affordable tour you'll ever go on. Not only can you taste test some delicious brew, but you can watch the process of making beer from start to finish. Also awesome? Sam Adams doesn’t even need your money to run these tours, so your donation goes to local charities. You get to do something good and drink free beer! Arrive early, especially on Saturdays, because tours can fill up quickly.

If you didn’t rent a cah to pahk in Hahvad Yahd, you can take the T around town. That’s their subway system. It’s easy to use and even easier by using Urban Rail, which has printable maps and helpful tips and ways to use the rail system to get around. And when you aren’t in Boston, you can use it all over the world for public transport maps. Did I mention it’s free? 

Be your own tour guide with Stray Boots' treasure hunt tour games. Through clues and fun facts, you can see the city from a unique perspective. This is the perfect way to go on a tour without all the structure and it’s great for kids and adults alike. Each tour can last two to three hours, even more if you choose to spend more time at any of the stops along the way.

This photo of The Midtown Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor

If you need help finding a great vacation deal to Boston, then BookIt has you covered. Save even more with their 99-hour sale that ends on Friday at midnight (EST). Hotels have lower rates and may even include free activities and other extras and bonuses. Who doesn't want a sweet deal made even sweeter with things like free Wi-Fi and breakfast. So much extra savings!

What do you like most about Boston (or look forward to seeing the most when you visit)?