Top Vacation Spots

Wine Tasting Events in Bucks County

OriginalVision — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:51:40 GMT

Any wine lovers out there? Well, for those of you visiting Philadelphia this summer, you may want to check out Crossing Vineyards and Winery for some special wine events:

Wine Tasting for Dummies - $25 per person

Sunday, July 13 2008, 2 PM
Sunday, August 10 2008, 2 PM
Sunday, September 21 2008, 2 PM

Don't let the "for dummies" dissuade you. It's always good to get more wine knowledge, even if you're not a total wine idiot.

Wine Tasting for Singles - $30 per person

Friday, July 18 2008, 7 PM
Friday, August 15 2008, 7 PM
Friday, September 19 2008, 7 PM

Great for those of you traveling alone or with other single friends. Who knows, maybe you'll meet somebody who comes from your neck of the woods.

Pairing Wine and Chocolate - $30 per person

Sunday, July 20, 2:00 pm

Did you know that wine and chocolates go together? Red wine with chocolate will make you taste chocolate in a whole 'nother light. The cost includes wine and chocolate sampling, instruction and learning materials.

Wine Tasting in Riedel Crystal - $99 per person

Sunday, July 27, 2:00 pm

If you think all wine glasses are created equal, think again. I attended a wine tasting in Riedel Crystal once and it totally changed how I viewed wine glasses. The shape of a glass really does change the taste of wines. The price includes instruction, wine, Riedel Tasting Kit (retail value $125.00) and 20% discount on any other Riedel purchase. The address is: Crossing Vineyards and Winery
1853 Wrightstown Road
Washington Crossing, PA
215-493-6500
info@crossingvineyards.com

Last Minutes Travel Deals to Some Hot Spots!

OriginalVision — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:53:43 GMT

Have you been reading lately that many hotels have been slashing their rates to attract more visitors to Las Vegas? The bad news is that with gasoline prices soaring higher some people aren't making their regular treks to Vegas. Of course, with bad news often comes some good news, and the good news here is that there are more deals tha ever before.

I'm passing along a link here for $50 off a Vegas "Flight plus Hotel" package to be redeemed before June 30, 2008.

Take $50 Off Las Vegas Last Minute Packages. Use PROMO CODE: VEGAS50LMD. Expires 6/30/08.

I also have a couple other promotional offers to pass along:

Hawaii Vacations Will Make You See Stars! Save $150 off 4th of July Trips to Hawaii! (CODE: HAWLMD150)

and

Plan a Star-Spangled Weekend to The Nation's Capital! Save $50 on a 3-Night Hotel Stay! (CODE: SAVE50)

Both of the above promotions expire on June 30, 2008 as well.

Hopefully you can use one of these promotional codes to save some money on an upcoming getaway.

International Spy Museum - Washington, DC

OriginalVision — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:46:23 GMT

Want to give your kids a trip they can brag about to their friends? Why not treat them to a week at Spy Camp at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. While they're off breaking codes, using spy gadgets and preparing for other "top secret" missions, you can take in all the wonderful sights of our nation's capital: The Washington Monument; Lincoln Monument; The Vietnam Memorial; The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; Arlington National Cemetery; The Capitol; Library of Congress; Jefferson Memorial; National Cathedral; and the Supreme Court Building. But, you will want to save some other sites for the kids.

The International Spy Museum is the first (and, actually, the only) public museum in the U.S. which is dedicated solely to espionage, offering exhibits and programs for children and adults.

The Spy Camp is offered this summer from Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8, 2008 for ages 10-13 for $415. Ticket price includes snacks, spy tools, and a Spy Museum t-shirt. No adults are allowed.

But, don't worry, the International Spy Museum has programs you'll love as well, such as a speakers series and the Spy City Tours, which is offered through Grayline Bus Tours. The Spy City Tour lasts for two hours and visits over 25 of Washington's most notable espionage sites. You will also be treated to first-hand accounts of espionage by intelligence insiders. The cost for this tour is $79, and it takes place on Tuesday and Saturday at 10am.

You can get more info by going to www.SpyMuseum.org.

Here's a link you can use to get some money off your trip to Washington, D.C.
Plan a Star-Spangled Weekend to The Nation's Capital! Save $50 on a 3-Night Hotel Stay! (CODE: SAVE50)

Laguna Beach June Vacation Special

OriginalVision — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:41:54 GMT

Here's a cool offer I just discovered: Inn at Laguna Beach is offering 25% off ocean view rooms Sunday through Thursday during the month of June, 2008! All you have to do is call the Inn at Laguna Beach, (800-544-4479) and ask for the Hot Web Special # 302.

They offer the following amenities, including:

..::Complimentary continental breakfast served in your room

..::Feather beds

..::Beach chairs, beach towels, and umbrellas in each guest room

..::Heated pool, jacuzzi, and sun terrace with ocean view

They're located at 211 North Coast Highway, close to all the great restaurants and shops of Laguna Beach, the Laguna Playhouse and the Laguna Art Museum. And, of course, the're situated right on the beach. For many years now they've also been the recipients of AAA 'Three Diamond' and Mobil Three Star Award.

I was just at the beach over the weekend and snapped this photo not far from the Inn at Laguna Beach.

Dr. Beach's Best Beaches List for 2008 Now Released!

OriginalVision — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:29:29 GMT

Dr. Beach has done it again!

Dr. Beach has come out with his "Top 10 Beaches List" today. And they are:

1. Caladesi Island State Park - clearwater/Dunedin, FL

2. Hanalei Beach - Kauai, Hawaii

3. Siesta Beach - Sarasota, Florida

4. Coopers Beach - Southampton, New York

5. Coronado Beach - San Diego, California

6. Main Beach - East Hampton, New York

7. Hamoa Beach - Maui, Hawaii

8. Cape Hatteras - Outer Banks of North Carolina

9. Cape florida State Park - Key Biscayne, Florida

10. Beachwalker Park - Kiawah Island, SC

For those of you not familiar with Dr. Beach, he has been selecting the best and healthiest beaches every year since 1991, using 50 criteria, including water and sand quality. You can discover more about Dr. Beach by going to drbeach.org.

Was very glad to see Coronado Beach so high up on the list, as it happens to be a favorite of mine. Though not on the list, but one that I think is incredible is Jekyll Island off Southern Georgia. I just spent some time in Savannah recently, staying on Tybee Island and venturing south to visit Jekyll Island. I wish I had had more time to spend there, but, hey, I did get this fabulous photo.

Late Cruise Deals - Get 'Em While You Can

OriginalVision — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:45:47 GMT

Want to save a little money on your cruise this year? Holding out for just the right last-minute cruise deals? I don't blame you. While cruising can be an economical way to travel (if you go lightly on the shore excursions), it's still a hefty amount of money to plunk down per person. I know my Alaska cruise last year was about $1300 per person for a room with a balcony. Now, we didn't have to buy our meals, but, still, it's a lot of money.

Anyway, I just received some late cruise deals for you to check out. Some expire the beginning of May, some the end of May, so do check out the expiration date.

Expires 5/5/2008

Receive Up To $750 Onboard Credit When You Book With Azamara Cruises! (Expires 5/5/08)

Expires 5/11/2008

Spring For It Sale: Get Upgrades, Onboard Credit and More with Norwegian Cruise Lines!

Expires 5/29/2008

Spring For It Sale: Get Upgrades, Onboard Credit and More with Norwegian Cruise Lines!

Receive up to $100 Onboard Credit with Royal Caribbean!

Expires 5/31/2008

Celebrity: Spring Clearance on Close-in Alaska, Caribbean, and Europe Cruises!

Explore the New Ships on the Block - Cruises From $399!

Just FYI, the $399 cruise deal above is for an inside stateroom on a 3-Night, round-trip Bahamas cruise leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on the Holland America cruise ship Eurodam, with stops in Nassau, Bahamas and Holland America's Half Moon Cay. With this special an ocean view room will run you $449 and a room with a balcony goes for $599. That's all per person.

There are other really cheap cruise deals as well with the $399 link, like the 6-Night round-trip Western Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Freedom out of Ft. Lauderdale, starting at $419 per person. And, there are cheaper Alaska cruises as well, like the 7-Night round-trip Norwegian Pearl Alaska cruise out of Seattle starting at $699.

Whichever cruise you choose, have fun!

Save 50% on Weekend Car Rentals!

OriginalVision — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:39:41 GMT

Taking a weekend getaway between now and June 30, 2008? Then you'll be happy to know you can save 50% on your weekend car rental at Budget Rental Car with this handy link:

Save 50% on Weekend Rentals with Budget Rental Car!

I've rented with Budget before and have always found them to have good prices and decent cars. My other favorite car rental company is Enterprise. But, alas, no dollars off coupon from them. But, when I get one, you'll be the first to know.

Another savings I can offer is a weekly compact car from Budget from $119 a week. But, this link expires May 21, 2008. But, if you need a car by then, go ahead and use this link:

Small is Beautiful! Rent a Compact Car w/ Budget From $119/ Week!

American Airlines Cancels 1,000 Flights

OriginalVision — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:22:37 GMT

Notice the sky above you getting clearer? That's because more and more flights keep getting canceled. American Airlines has canceled another 1,000 flights because it is reinspecting their fleet of MD-80 jets. MSNBC News Services reports that this could leave 100,000 travelers looking for new flights.

Add these cancellations to the recent cancellations of airlines going bankrupt (Aloha, ATA and Skybus) and you have the makings of some anxiety going into the busy summer vacation season.

What can you do with all these cancellations and bankruptcies?

Consider purchasing travel insurance, particularly with a company which will cover you if the airline you chose goes out of business. While an airlines which cancels a flight will put you on another flight, there's not always a guarantee that another airline will honor your ticket on an airline which goes bankrupt. With travel insurance at least you don't lose the money you spent on your tickets. And, I wouldn't assume the bankrupted airline will give you a refund. It’s not likely that will happen, since they’re filing bankruptcy for a reason.

Last Minute Cruise Vacation Deals

OriginalVision — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:38:50 GMT

Still haven't made your reservations for a cruise vacation this summer? What are you waiting for?

If you're waiting for a better deal on your cruise, then here are some savings you might like, as well as onboard credits to be used with spa services as well as shore excursions, which, if you don't already know, can add up.

If you haven't already taken a cruise vacation to Alaska I would highly recommend it, especially before there are no more glaciers left to see (okay, realistically, the glaciers aren't disappearing that fast). But, an Alaskan cruise really does take you to places that are very difficult to get to otherwise. And the scenery is spectacular.

Anyway, these deals expire on April 30, 2008, so do go and check them out.

Receive up to $100 Onboard Credit with Princess Cruises!

Get Premium Cruising & up to $100 Onboard Credit with Holland America!

Get Up to $200 Onboard Credit with Royal Caribbean Europe Cruisetours!

Royal Caribbean Offer: Get up to $100 of onboard cruise credit. Use for spa services, shore excursions and more!

Celebrity Cruise Offer: Set sail in style and save now with great fares + get up to $100 onboard credit!

Spring Clearance on Cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe with Celebrity!

Tours of Wine Country - Guided or Self?

OriginalVision — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:34:45 GMT

Are you interested in visiting wine country this year? Deciding where can be pretty tough: California, New York, Washington? Or, maybe somewhere in France or Italy? Once you've narrowed it down to a particular region or appellation, you have to decide which wineries to choose. More tough decisions. Then you have to decide if you're going to go with guided tours or set out on your own. Will the decisions never end?

In future posts I can help you decide which wineries to visit. But, right now, I'm going to discuss guided wine tours vs. self-guided tours.

Why You May Want a Guided Wine Tour

1) Automatic Designated Driver

This is an important factor that many do not take into consideration right away. Many people think they'll just have a few sips here and there, what's to worry about? Well, for many people, a few sips of wine can quickly add up.

2) You Get to See the Countryside

When you're driving around looking for the winery, you aren't as able to look around at the beautiful countryside. With a tour bus or van (or even a tour limo) you get to see so much more than when you're the one driving.

3) The Planning's all Done for You

If you don't know the area or the wineries, it may be tough to decide which ones to visit. If you choose a guided wine tour, all that decision-making has been done for you.

Why You May Want a Self-Guided Wine Tour

1) Self-Guided Tours can be Cheaper

With guided wine tours you have to pay the company much more than you would if you just drove around yourself.

2) There's More Freedom of Choice

When you choose a guided tour you have to go to the places they take you to. There's no freedom to visit some small label that's off the tour. While not having to decide which wineries to visit may appeal to some people, many people want to read up on certain labels and plan their tour accordingly.

3) You Don't Get Stuck with Jerks

There's nothing worse than being stuck for a few hours with obnoxious people who just see the wineries as one big bar. When you choose a self-guided tour you can escape those obnoxious people.

Whichever tour you decide, remember to have fun but be responsible. If you're taking your own self-guided tour, you might want to designate one person who will have very little or no wine. And, if you're in a guided tour, remember that many people visit wineries to sample wines, not to get drunk. Again, there's nothing more obnoxious than someone puking right outside the tour bus in front of the tasting room.