Sweet summertime is finally here, and its time for great summer vacations! The kids are out of school, the bags are packed and its time to hit the road! Here are some great locations, activities and tips to remember when traveling this season.
First, location, location, location! The beach is the most popular destination but which one? This year why not try visiting the Gulf Coast? They’ve had a rough couple of years, and many may be afraid to swim in the water for fear of oil, as per the spill of 2010. However this should not be a worry for beach-goers, as the beaches are white and clean as ever. Plus, many people are needlessly afraid of the waters, so rates are affordable. Try the crystal waters of San-Destin resort in Destin, Fl or the pure sugary beaches at Casino Beach in Pensacola, Fl. Gulf Shores and its neighboring Orange Beach are also both great laid-back destinations with lots of local attractions. All four places are close to golf courses, go carting, and water parks. If you’re visiting Orange Beach you’re right on top of the fabled Cat-Man Do bike trail, which is rumored to be haunted, so it’s a great night ride. Pensacola is home to the Naval Air Museum, and twice each summer the Blue Angels air team puts together an air show on the beach. If you’re traveling for the Fourth of July, Destin puts together a beautiful fireworks show, which many enjoy from their boats by the jetties.
Not sold on the beach? Make a visit to a national landmark, like the Grand Canyon and take part in the hikes, explorations and discoveries the country has to offer! If you’re traveling in the West, head on out to Vegas or California for a great time. Maybe an “adult” trip to the Santa Barbara wine valley, or a tour of the California “Happy Cows” cheese process? And for the vacationers on the East coast? Maine is a lovely destination in the summer. Its not scorching hot, and the beaches beg for a family to relax and allow their worries to melt away on them.
No matter what the destination take some summer travel tips with you on the road.
1. Don’t over pack! Plan out what you think you’ll actually wear on the trip, and don’t bring anything else. Remember you’ll be buying souvenirs and presents for everyone back home; plus who really wants to lug around three suitcases?
2. Conserve fuel. Gas companies raise their prices in the summer, so if you can manage taking one car, do so. Try traveling early in the morning or in the afternoon, when temperatures are cooler and traffic is lighter.
3. Have fun! Its your vacation that you’ve been working for all year! Turn off that cell phone, don’t bring the laptop and enjoy family and the warm breezy summer days.
Hopefully these tips have planted a few great summer vacations in your head and now all you need to do is pick your dates and go. Happy travels!

There has probably never ever been a time in the modern era when wine has been more popular than it is today. People everywhere are searching out great wine. This is because wine is such a great addition to almost any event, either formal or informal in nature. And, above all else, wine is a delicious partner to great food as well.

California red wines are spearheading this new, unstoppable wine “addiction.” California produces many of the world’s best red wines. One of the most famous viticulture regions of California is located in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. It is famous for many reasons, but the least of these reasons is the 2004 movie Sideways, where it plays perhaps as important a role as its Oscar-nominated actors.

In Santa Ynez Valley, you can find a winery with some of the very best red wines of California – and one of the best Chardonnay wines as well. The name of the winery is Sobriquet Winery, and its owner, Chris Stanton, is an exceptional craftsman, breathing life into each of his creations so that we may delight in the magic of truly great wine.

Sobriquet Winery boasts many award winning wines such as a 2008 Syrah, a 2008 Grenache, a 2009 Pinot Noir, and a 2009 Chardonnay. All of them have either won awards or received great praise (90 plus ratings) from wine press publications such as Wine Enthusiast.

So if you really want a great wine for your next dinner party or special event, look no further than the Sobriquet Winery. Just go to the winery’s website by clicking on one of the links. The website offers Wine Club members a significant discount on these great wines as well as occasional sales that will not only make your wine palate happy but your wallet as well.