If you’re an avid traveller, you’re likely to have taken all the ‘usual’ vacations – from beach breaks and mountain retreats to spa getaways. And if you don’t get the opportunity to travel much, you’ll undoubtedly want your trips to be extraordinary and well-worth your time. The reality is that while there are countless types of fulfilling recreational pursuits out there, travellers are always looking for new and interesting ways to spend their vacations. After all, everyone wants to come away with a holiday experience that’s not only unique, but unforgettable.

A gem in the realm of vacations has long been the culinary tour. Yet this type of getaway has kept a perpetual sense of novelty, quite simply because there are so many ways to relish it. When you go to a beach, you can expect sun, sand and waves; but when you take a tour reflecting all the cultural and culinary influences upon the cuisine of a region, you might come away with much more than you bargained for. Simply put, if you love travelling, enjoy trying new things and can’t get your fill of good food, a culinary tour is the perfect type of vacation for you.

No matter where you go these days, there’s something delicious to eat. But there are certainly parts of the US which boast a rich culinary history. One of these is undoubtedly New Orleans, Louisiana. Sure, New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration and Jazz Fest; but the city, known as “The Big Easy,” is also world-renowned for its culinary customs. New Orleans is noted for its mix of cultures, each of which has held on to its past traditions in some way – and food, like music, just happens to be one of the most prominent of these traditions.

Tour the city’s most famous kitchens and dining rooms – particularly in the French quarter and along Bourbon Street – and learn about the many ethnic influences that have helped shape its history and unique cuisine. Pick up on the culinary contributions of historic restaurants in the area, dating from 1840 to present, and learn the distinctions between Creole and Cajun foods! No matter how you go about it, you can’t go wrong with a culinary tour in New Orleans.

Alternatively, why not combine a culinary tour with a wine-tasting excursion? Napa Valley, California is undoubtedly the ideal destination if this idea strikes your fancy. Napa Valley is the American capital of food and wine, and a region which attracts countless visitors from around the world each year. By touring a winery, you can come to appreciate the various processes involved in producing an exquisite wine – from harvesting and fermentation to ageing. And aside from all the fantastic culinary treasures and premium wines, you can expect stunning, picturesque scenery. Whether you’re a novice or an accomplished wine connoisseur, a wine and culinary tour in Napa Valley is guaranteed to delight you. Moreover, Napa Valley is just 30 miles north of San Francisco, so you could easily make your way down to try the culinary treats of the “Golden Gate City” – which includes those in America’s largest Chinatown.

If you’re considering a culinary tour, rest assured that you’ll find a number of fantastic options for accommodation – regardless of whether you’re off to the east coast, west coast or deep south. A culinary tour is truly one of the best ways to become acquainted with a city’s culture and unique character – so why not book a culinary tour today and prepare to have your taste buds dazzled!

We will be in Napa Valley this weekend and are looking for a restaurant that provides a true Napa Valley experience with lots of great food. We aren’t sure if we will be there for lunch or dinner, so if you have a recommendation for each that would be wonderful.
Thanks in advance.

PJ Steak – 6725 Washington St., Yountville ($20-$30)

Proper wine etiquette is essential to make your wine tasting experience very contented and pleasurable. There is a set of code of behavior that a good number wine lovers stick on to especially while they are on wine tours. Napa Tours educate and polish wine lover’s sense of taste. Napa valley boasts for the various wineries that it has to offer. Good taste demands certain rules and regulations. Let us see;Tasting area protocol  You are expected to taste white wines first when you are at a winery’s tasting room. Then red wines can be tasted. Desert wines are reserved for the last. While tasting any of these wines, you ought to taste light bodied wines first. You can then taste fuller bodied wines. Water and crackers are the two most common palate cleansers. They can be taken after sipping each wine.It is not a wine etiquette that you ought to finish the glass of fine offered to you. The left over wine can be disposed at the jars provided in the winery tasting room. If you visit a winery with a prior appointment then it is good manners that you make a purchase. Common Restaurant Wine decorumWhen you decide to enjoy wine at a restaurant then make sure you follow these tips to make the difficult job easy. Choose a wine that goes well with the entrees that you have ordered. Order by glass when you have ordered is too different.To attend to your queries Sommeliers are present in the restaurant. It is etiquette to avail yourself services that they have to offer.Ask for suggestions rather than technical questions. The waiter will be pleased to serve you and make your experience a wonderful one.Avoid touching or smelling the cork when the waiter places it on your table. Swirl the wine which is in your glass, smell it and then taste it. Corkage manners Many restaurants do provide corkage services to all; customers. This includes those who bring their wine with them. But in few places it is not appreciated to abruptly bring a wine bottle with you to the table. Make a call to the restaurant and confirm if they allow corkage.Request for the fee that should be paidProper etiquette demands that you offer the waiter to taste the wine when he serves.The obligation of the Host at PartiesMake sure your guests are at ease when wine is being served.Allow the wine to come to room temperature. Serve wine in clean glasses that are specifically made for wine drinking.

My husband and I are planning a trip in late summer. We like B&Bs but don’t want to spend a lot of money on a place to stay – then again, we don’t want to stay at Holiday Inn either. We aren’t familiar with the area so are open to any of the towns in the valley.
Also would be interested in smaller winery suggestions. Not interested in Beringer, etc., or where there will be big tour buses and crowds.
Any suggestions are appreciated!

Anyone have any suggestions for hotels, restaurants, wine tours? We want to stay in a nice safe place for under $200…is that even possible? Also, recommend some nice hip restaurant/bars or other fun activities.

If you require guidance for enjoying a trip to the California wine country, you need to look for popular tours or resources that are available. Many self-planning guides are accessible for visitors to complement the wine tasting experience and make your adventure unforgettable. Family owned wineries in Santa Barbara, Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley and the Medocino area, offers activities like wine tasting seminars, walking vineyard tours and have retail stores from where you can buy endless varieties of wine and wine related products. To make your trip more memorable, some of the counties include more activities in addition to touring the wineries and wine tasting like Mystery Theater, mountain biking, etc.As you know drinking and driving are not encouraged, a tour of California wine country can be enjoyed by many means like limo, bus, jeep, plane, train or for the adventurous, by hot air balloon. Many tour packages are available which can satisfy your desires and pocketbooks. California wine country is massive and covers most of the state; you need to select counties, such as, the wildly popular Sonoma and Napa valley tours. Vacation or Trip can be booked online and be made as unique as you want.Some tour operators offer surprise packages which can be modified on an urge so you don’t miss a thing, and of course, you can always visit again! Discuss with your destination wineries and note about weather conditions and what they would suggest to make your trip incredible, for all the right reasons. You need to do your research well in advance, i.e. searching the most popular tours and what activities various vineyards offer. There are lots of on-line guides available, with astonishing photographs of California vineyards, travel recommendations, and historic information. These places are extremely popular; so you need to do your reservation beforehand.You can make your trip as exclusive as you want by just enjoying and experiencing the visit to California wine country. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, then probably a pretty, attractive bed and breakfast surrounded by panoramic vineyard views would be just the ticket! It is likely to take on other attractions as well, but depends on the area you plan on visiting. >From a romantic getaway to a jolly group tour of the wineries, there is something for each person. Research and reservation must be done earlier. With whatever amount of time and money you have available, there is a unique experience awaiting you in California wine country!

It was bought for us by some friends from the states approximately 7 years ago. they told us to let it lie for about this time. I can’t find out anything about it! Is it a special wine? Any feedback would be appreciated

a tour just for one day and would be able to have wine testing in vinyards.

California has become a dominant wine region in the world. The quality of wine produced by the vineyards is simply outstanding. The Napa Valley and Sonoma County areas are where the action is at. Fortunately, there is an inexpensive, tremendous way to experience them.

The Napa and Sonoma wine regions consists of two long valleys with branches extending off of them. The valleys are jam packed with vineyards as you might imagine. These valleys reek of money, but are actually a conflicted destination. Yes, there are some unholy expensive resorts that are tucked back into the area. If you want to break the bank, you can certainly stay at any of the places advertised online. If money is tight like with most of us, there is a cheaper approach that is actually better.

Napa and Sonoma are both pretty quiet areas. The nightlife is very limited, which seems odd until you realize something. Both valleys are full of little towns where people live their normal lives. The valley is not really oriented towards massive tourism. It is more subtle. One of the subtleties is the weekend housing rental market.

You can use Craigslist and other sites to find weekend rentals in Napa and particularly in Sonoma. These homes are cheap, but incredible. A few years back, I stayed in a 3 bedroom home with a one bedroom guest house for a wedding. There were 3 couples splitting the rental and it ran us about $40 each a day. Oh, the home was situated on the top of a hill overlooking the valley and had its own vineyard as well as a huge hot tub. It was a tremendous experience.

Now a word about transportation should be mentioned. Visiting vineyards entails a certain amount of alcohol consumption. You can get a DUI in either of these areas just like you can anywhere. To avoid this, you can get a cab or retain the services of a wine tour limo. Either is worth the cost and money well spent. There is little reason to ruin an otherwise perfect weekend by getting a DUI!

Napa Valley and the Sonoma region are both excellent places to visit. The vineyards have quality offerings and the locations are simply beautiful. If you are considering a trip, try checking for short term vacation rentals to get the most for your money and a great experience to boot.