To relax or invest, vineyards worth a look

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Take a beating in the stock market this year? There’s nothing quite like a dose of financial abuse to make you want to disappear to wine country for a week or two. While you’re out there, though, it may pay to turn your head back to investing, if only briefly. Lease or buy a vineyard-or just hide in a villa for a weeks-with a bit of help from BeautifulPlaces.

Sorry for the reality check, but this form of therapy isn’t cheap. The BeautifulPlaces properties are upscale, and the amenities are focused on the high net worth crowd. The Napa and Sonoma Valley properties range from Tuscan estates to Provencal cottages, from Carneros to Dry Creek Valley, CA. As these lavish settings would suggest, guests typically take advantage of the certified nannies, professional photographers and in-villa spa treatments that BeautifulPlaces can arrange. If you’re inclined, get a unique tour of the night sky with the help of an astronomer.

No, I’m not joking.

Of course, if you’re hitting Napa or Sonoma, wine is on your mind. Tours, tastings and custom wine blending experiences can be arranged. Even people like me have access to these activities, though. If you’re looking for something unique, spend some time with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. President and wine guru of Full Circle Wine Solutions, he’ll walk you through an intricate tasting day. This “day” may start months in advance, when Goldstein talks to you about your preferences-food and wine-as well as whether you collect (or, like me, just gulp right from the box glass). When you hit the ground, Goldstein will create wine and meal pairings you won’t soon forget, especially when you’re “cooking” meals in the microwave at home.

If all this isn’t enough, and you just have to buy a vineyard, BeautifulPlaces will put you in touch with Premier Pacific Vineyards. These guys invest in and develop vineyards along the west coast. For serious financial types, this is a great way to get a foot in the door.

Head out to California wine country, but be ready to drop a few bucks along the way. It’s probably worth it. After the way the markets have treated us this year, even the rich deserve a break.

Adventure travel in southern Florida

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’re looking for the sort of travel that gets your heart pumping a bit and you feel as if you’re whole body is engaged in your vacation experience, look to Florida. That’s the idea behind the on-line and print publication South Florida Adventures.

Whether you like to take to the water or are a dry land type person–or want to combine both, the round-up of the publication’s10 top stories of the year is an excellent place to start searching out ideas for adventurous travel. Here are eight of the stories that are specifically travel related. The other two are profile pieces.

Each of these sound quite worthy of combining into an adventure travel week where you could easily combine them into one vacation. I’d say you’d end up with a unique perspective of this part of Florida as a result.

[from Travel Briefs in Columbus Dispatch]

Daily deal – 5 piece Springfield luggage set at Macy’s for $49.99

by Scott Carmichael on

We are now a little too close to Christmas to rely on online orders and shipping, so my daily deal for today is available online and instore.

This “Springfield” luggage set is available at Macys.com and most Macy’s retail stores. The set usually retails for $200, but is currently on sale for just $49.99.

Included in the 5 piece set are 3 rolling suitcases, a beauty case/tote and a travel accessories bag.

The set is available in red and blue. The rolling bags feature a full steel frame construction, and all bags are made of high density polyester.

As always with luggage like this, I would not recommend it for the frequent flier, but if you only take the occasional trip, it should work out just fine.

You’ll find the luggage set here, which is where you’ll also find the instore inventory locator.

(Via: Fatwallet.com)

Impossible to find a good meal at the airport?

by Jeffrey White on

While most of us wouldn’t think about heading to the airport specifically for a good meal, let’s face it: For all the time we spend in them, it would be nice to count on something better than Chilis or food court Chinese from time to time.

Luckily, the New York Times‘ so-called Frugal Traveler, Matt Gross, tackles this very subject this weekend, sussing out where to nail down some good noshes as we make our way through the country’s major hubs this holiday season.

Among the airport restaurants that get a shout-out from Mr. Frugal are Vino Volo at JFK, Figs at La Guardia, Bistro del Sol at Altanta, Dickey’s Barbecue Pin at Dallas-Ft. Worth and La Carreta in Miami.

Got other favorites? Drop us a line.

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When supply and demand becomes gouge and pilfer

by Scott Carmichael on

January 20th will be a pretty big day for any business in the Washington DC area. It probably doesn’t matter whether you are selling doughnuts or special inauguration plates, people will be heading to DC in the millions ready to buy whatever it is you are selling.

With that many people, it is only logical that many of them will plan to stay the night, so naturally that drives the price of accommodations up a little. However, it appears that most hotels in the area have taken “a little” to a whole new level, way beyond what they usually do for special events.

Take for example the Crown Plaza Hamilton, a fairly basic 3 1/2 star hotel in the downtown area. This hotel normally charges between $85 and $100 for a standard room. Care to guess what they want for a night in a standard room during the inauguration?

That’s right, $1000 bucks. And not just anyone can get that rate, you’ll need to reserve at least 3 nights to get that “special rate”.

In their defense, they are by far not the only ones cashing in on this event, even suburban 1 star hotels are charging a staggering $699 a night (compared to their usual $59 rate).