Winter Road Trip Destinations

Winter Travel is a good time to learn how to "go with the flow" because even though you have to do additional ROAD TRIP PLANNING to have the extras on hand before you embark on the trip, traffic delays may require you to "stop and smell the roses" even when those roses have you stalled in bumper-to-bumper traffic waiting for the road to clear up ahead.

This is where your ROAD TRIP PLAN B comes into play. If you're a couple, this is a nice time to pull out a CD, kick back and rest your eyes while enjoying the music. If you're a family, pull out those car games, watch a DVD together, or simply start a round robin conversation (What I'm most looking forward to on this trip is...?). Keeping everyone comfortable and in good spirits will be the order of the day, and if you've planned for such things, it can actually be a fun time, albeit cramped.

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When planning your itinerary, pay extra attention to towns or cities near roads you think may pose traffic delays or closures. Add activities to your itinerary that could keep you and your passengers occupied if delayed for more than four hours. That way, you can pull off and go shopping, take in a movie, enjoy a long lunch or early dinner, or stroll through a museum. Add a couple of nearby hotels to the unscheduled section of your trip planner just so you'll have the information on hand should the traffic delay be more than 8 hours.

ROAD TRIP PLANNING SAFETY TIPS
* If you are traveling with your family by car, get your vehicle inspected and check the weather conditions immediately before the trip.
* Cancel the trip if you are traveling to winter destinations and the weather forecast predicts a snowstorm.
* Some roads are not recommended unless you have a 4x4 vehicle.
* Carry snow chains
* Include a Delay of Game kit filled with snacks, car games, energy drinks, portable DVDs, portable games, blankets.
* Stow an emergency kit in your trunk containing batteries, blankets, collapsible shovel, flashlights, food, gloves, ice scraper, rubber boots, ski caps, and water for those times when you may be stuck in your car for 8 hours or more.
* ALWAYS keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full. Do not drive that last quarter tank assuming you will get to the next service station.

And now, putting the above precautions aside, and the reason you're doing all this planning is...WINTER ROAD TRIPS ARE FUN! Just getting to your destination is more exciting because snow transforms the landscape from the ordinary to the extraordinary. And once you get to your destination, there's toasty fireplaces, snow boots creating puddles by the front door, and steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Not to mention activities you can only do during Winter like sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides!

So what are some PRIME WINTER DESTINATIONS? Here are some to get you started on your Road Trip Planning.

FOR THE FULL-ON WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE:
* Alaska Experience with All Alaska Tours (this Road Trip can give you the Winter touch even in the Spring)
* Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario
* Banff & Jasper National Parks in Canada
* Lake Tahoe in California & on the Nevada side
* Mount Rainier in Washington
* Pigeon Forge Winterfest in Tennessee
* Salt Lake City in Utah

However, Winter does not always mean knee-deep in Snow: Here are some grand Winter Road Trips where you'll be hard-put to find snow (other than possibly some frosting atop distant mountains).
* Sedona Arizona - Red rocks, jeep tours, hot air balloon tours, shopping, spas, dining, festivals...great for a couple needing some time away from the kids.
* Las Vegas , Nevada - Vegas isn't just about gambling & night-life, though it certainly carries both in abundance. Vegas offers winter visitors a plethora of daytime activities to enjoy.
* Virginia Beach, Virginia - Go whale watching.

Winter getaways offer activities you won't get to experience any other time of the year so maximize your fun by planning a winter road trip now!

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Romantic Wine & Dine Weekend Getaways During the Fall - SocialiteTravel.com

Catch the last of the vibrant Fall Colors by using your Road Trip Planner to create a Romantic Wine & Dine Weekend Getaway. A 3-Day Weekend of wining and dining, of walking through vineyards or sun-dappled trails and getting a breath of fresh Fall air will breathe romance into your life and relaxation into your veins.

The TOP WINE PRODUCING STATES in the U.S. are: California, Washington, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina. But WINE IS PRODUCED IN EVERY STATE so you can easily build a road trip within driving distance of your home or via a short flight.

To get your road trip planning started, below are some Wine & Dine Weekend Getaways to consider, including some of the top-rated vineyards in the country as well as those wineries offering visitors a beautiful setting and a fun experience.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA: Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County produces excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. The Cottage Inn by the Sea at Pismo Beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You can venture to the region?s wineries on your own or take their Coastal Wine Tour, which includes the popular Edna Valley Vineyard. TOP RESTAURANT in the area: F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: A verdant valley, and a lovely place for a road trip, includes Napa, Sonoma, and Healdsburg. Here you can find the Monte Rosso Vineyard, one of California's oldest vineyards. Known for its firm Cabernet Sauvignons as well as intense, old-vine Zinfandels. TOP WINES from this area: 2002 Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zinfandel; 2003 Rochioli Estate Grown Pinot Noir from the The Rochioli vineyard in Healdsburg.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Add Santa Barbara to your road trip planner because it offers you the Pacific Ocean on one front, the Santa Ynez Mountains at your back, and in between, prime wine country. The Hotel Mar Monte, a historic hotel built in the tradition of Spanish Colonial architecture, offers a package tour to 3 wineries or you can explore on your own. Or choose staying at the Estero Beach Hotel Resort in San Ysidro, nearly at the Mexican border. Nearly two dozen wineries can be found in the Mexico Guadalupe Valley. BONUS ACTIVITY: Try a bike tour to a winery or a horseback-riding adventure to the Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard.

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: In the nation's fourth-largest grape-growing state, the Chateau Grand Traverse winery overlooks the Grand Traverse Bay. You can sample their award-winning varietals, including their Rieslings. BONUS DESTINATION: Nearby, you?ll find the Old Mission Peninsula, which leads you into 7 wineries like the Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery and Peninsula Cellars.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: For some hands-on fun, sign up for Wine Camp at Long Island's renowned wine-producing North Fork region. Wine Camp's packages vary as do the participating vineyards but you?ll enjoy activities like winemaking, tasting techniques, food pairings, and wine blending. The price includes lodging, some lunches & dinners... and a case of wine!

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON: To see a 6-generation family-owned establishment, enjoy a trip to Willamette Farms in Newberg. For a more drama-infused history, check out what used to be called Seven Springs Vineyard. The grapes from this vineyard were sought after by many top wine producers in the world. Then it was cut in half after a legal settlement in 2001, only to be reunited six years later with an exclusive, fifteen-year lease to the Evening Land partnership. FINAL VINTAGE: The St. Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006.

TEXAS: What often springs to mind when people think of Texas are those BIG 10-gallon hats. And yes, Texas is getting BIGGER... in wine production. This Lone Star State boasts more than 110 bonded wineries and wine aficionados are noticing their award winning wines. The following three vineyards rise above the rest because they go the extra mile for their guests: Bella Vista Cellars, in Wimberly; Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine; Flat Creek Estate, west of Austin. Any of the 3 would make an excellent anchor in your road trip planning, whether you create 3 individual weekend getaways or a wine-themed week's vacation. FUN FACT: A ten-gallon hat actually only holds ¾ gallon. Its name was derived from the Spanish galón word meaning braid.

OAK GROVE, VIRGINIA: One place I'd recommend adding to your road trip planner is Ingleside Winery, one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia. This winery was built in 1834 and the vineyards cover about 70 acres. Their wines have consistently earned top honors in state, national, and international wine competitions. BONUS LODGING: Ingleside Vineyards has two 2-bedroom rental cottages set within the vineyards and also a stunning four-bedroom Leeds Cove retreat, which overlooks the Rappahannock River.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: You can secure a great wine package when you add the Hotel Vintage Park to your road trip planner. Enjoy wine tasting at Pike Place Market's tasting room, and an evening wine hour in the hotel's lobby. Or check out Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Seven Hills Vineyard is now one of Washington's best known vineyards.

Getting away for an extended weekend, indulging in respected wines and eclectic dishes, enjoying the view from your hotel window...yes, these are the things that await the Road Trip Planner who heads for wine country.

Hot Links: California Hotels, Washington Hotels, New York Hotels, Oregon Hotels, Texas Hotels, Virginia Hotels, Idaho Hotels, Pennsylvania Hotels, Michigan Hotels, Missouri Hotels, North Carolina Hotels, Road Trips, Vacation Packages

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