A Vineyard in Rioja

The Rioja region is Spain’s largest and most famous wine region, yet it’s still relatively undiscovered by tourism. There are over 500 wineries in operation, but many do not offer tours, or offer tours only by appointment or only in Spanish. It can be difficult to get around the area without a car. But, with some careful planning, you can arrange a few days of touring and tasting even if you are traveling without a car or don’t speak fluent Spanish.

You can still tour the wineries of the Rioja region by bus and train, but a bit more coordination is necessary, and you may have to spring for a taxi to reach a few of the further out wineries.  The rail company Renfe services Logrono and Haro, and Alsa runs regional buses between most of the smaller towns.

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As I mentioned in my previous entry, I joined my husband last weekend up in Flagstaff, since he had to work a job up there and the hotel room was, therefore, free.

On Saturday night we went out on the town. We’re trying not to spend a whole lot of money, these days – I think everyone is feeling that way, lately. So our goal was to have as much fun and hit as many places as we could, for as little money as possible.

First we stopped at Altitudes and had a beer ($3.25 each – we like microbrews, domestic beer is cheaper), and we split the hummus plate with veggies and pita triangles ($6.99). We lounged there for a good hour, watching college football and conversing with the bartenders. Grand total spent (including a $5 tip): $19.84.

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My husband and I spent a wonderful, leisurely afternoon yesterday at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the 90 degree heat, we managed to stay comfortable among the shady lanes, blessed with a lovely breeze and a cool glass of lemonade.

We were happy to discover that our visit coincided with two extremely popular exhibitions currently on display in the Gardens. One was the Butterfly Pavilion, which runs annually from March through May, and which keeps us coming back every year. It adds an extra $3 to our general admission (we’re not Garden members, otherwise it would be free), but it’s always worth it.

The pavilion is accessed through an “airlock” so none of the inhabitants can escape. With a gentle warning from the administrators we were instructed not to touch any of the butterflies, but to allow them to come and go as they pleased (and sometimes they were “pleased” to land on us).

The other exhibition currently on display throughout the park is the collection of Chihuly Glass Sculptures. This exhibit has been present in the Gardens since November 22, 2008, and runs through May 31st, 2009. They truly add a unique and beautiful element to the lovely features of the Gardens.

The use of such vibrant colors against the desert landscape was truly dramatic.

There was another fine example of exquisite glass artwork around every corner.

The Gardens are lovely at any time of year, though they truly shine in the spring months when all the desert plants are blooming.

The Desert Botanical Gardens are part of a park complex that includes the Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park. Admission for non-members is $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under twelve, and $7.50 for students aged 13-18. Self-guided audio tours are available for an additional $3, and special exhibits and events (such as the extremely popular Spring Jazz in the Garden concert series) may also be an additional charge.

Whether you’re looking to create a unique family memory, or you want to spend a day in solitude and quiet contemplation, or you wish for a romantic outing to share with a loved one, the Desert Botanical Gardens are an excellent choice to wile away a sunny afternoon.

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to Phoenix.

My husband and I are constantly on the lookout for weekend day trip ideas. Our weekends are spent filled with the awareness of all the useful things that we’re supposed to be doing around the house, yet we are severely lacking the willpower to do those things. One Saturday afternoon not too long ago, our desperate escape from the horror of chores took us in the direction of Scottsdale, and the Arts District.

The Old Town area of Scottsdale is a treat for window shopping enthusiasts, and a mecca for Southwestern oriented artwork and decor. Parking can sometimes be a challenge, though it’s easier during the day than at night, when Those Who Wish To See and Be Seen come out to play.

Art galleries mingle seamlessly with souvenir stores and restaurants. Every Thursday the art galleries host an evening Art Walk from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., displaying their artwork and crafts along the walkways and sidewalks. Come for the art, stay for the free wine!

It’s easy to spend hours looking through the hundreds of shops in the area. My husband and I broke up the day with regular stops for refreshment, first at the Rusty Spur Saloon:

Then at the Sugar Bowl:

There is absolutely no way to forget that you are in the heart of the Southwest.

Nothing says Arizona like a good old fashioned cow skull:

Scottsdale is family and pet friendly – though they discourage pets coming into the stores and restaurants themselves. To get there from Loop 101, exit on Indian School Road and travel west to Scottsdale Road. If you’re taking the 202, exit on Scottsdale Road and travel north to arrive in the Old Town area. The heart of the Arts district is on Scottsdale Road and Fifth Avenue.

The Old Town area of Scottsdale – just like the rest of the city – is an excellent place to spend very little money and enjoy the sites; alternately, you can spend a WHOLE LOT of money and indulge in some truly unique arts and crafts.

We talk a lot about family vacations on this blog.  We give you tips for traveling with kids and point out things for families to do and see.

But what about traveling without your kids?

For couples with children, a getaway as adults and not as parents can be rare.  And the longer you’ve been parents, the easier it is to find yourself alone with your significant other in a hotel room asking “what should we do now?”  (I mean, you know, after you’ve done that.)

15 Things To Do On A Vacation Without Your Kids

(And for those of you without children who get to travel with adults frequently, don’t laugh at our need for some guidance!)

1. Go to an amusement park

While it’s true that most amusement parks market themselves as gateways to “family fun”, they are also great places for adults to have fun.  Imagine going on the roller coasters together – without having to worry about height restrictions or taking turns sitting with the stroller.  When you visit an amusement park with other adults, you almost never find yourself crawling out of a ride that’s just started because someone is afraid of the dark.

You’re never too old to throw your hands up in the air and scream at the top of your lungs.

2. Go to a casino

You don’t have to gamble your life’s savings to enjoy a trip to a casino.  Even if you only play the penny slots or place the minimum bet at the tables, it’s nice to spend some time in a place that caters to adults.  And casinos are masters at making sure grown ups have a good time.

3. Lay on the beach

I adore taking my kids to the beach.  Truly, I do.  But it’s also nice to be able to lay on the sand and close my eyes without worrying about someone drowning.  Take a book and allow yourself to get lost in it, or venture out into the water and enjoy the waves that would normally be too big for children.

4. Eat dinner late

As a parent, meals are about getting people fed before they get cranky and overly tired.  When you take a vacation without your kids, take the opportunity to skip the early bird crowd and enjoy a restaurant with ambience.  This is your chance to take advantage of the available 8pm reservation slots at a place you’d never get to enjoy otherwise.

5. Take a nap

A great vacation should allow time to relax.  One of the most indulgent things to do on a vacation is head back to your hotel room and take a nap.  Don’t set the alarm or feel guilty about all the things you’re not accomplishing.  When was the last time you slept until you woke up all on your own?

6. Have drinks in a restaurant you can’t afford

When I go to a place like New York City, I tend to get most of my nutrition from street vendors.  What can I say – I usually travel on a budget!  But when you’re not traveling with kids, you can get dressed up and be part of that trendy restaurant, even if it’s just to grab a few drinks at the bar (before you head off for hot dogs on the corner).

7. Visit a museum

I’m a huge proponent for exposing children to art and culture.  Museums provide great learning opportunities for kids.  But going as an adult without kids provides a great opportunity for you to enjoy the exhibits without shushing anyone or having to enforce the “no touching!” rule.

If you go to a museum alone, you’ll have plenty of time to sit and ponder without interruption.  If you go with another adult, you might find you have something totally new to talk about together.

8. Attend a dinner theater

Dinner theater is good, cheesy fun.  Let yourself laugh at corny jokes.  Revel in being in a room full of other adults and not having to cut anyone else’s meat.

9. Take a walk

When you get to explore a new city without having to worry about little ones darting off into traffic or running into strangers, you find you notice details that would otherwise get ignored.  Allow yourself to get lost in the architecture.  Stroll hand in hand with someone who isn’t tugging to break free.

10. Get a spa treatment

A trip to the hotel spa is rarely on the family vacation itinerary.  Taking a vacation without your kids provides the perfect chance to pamper yourself with a spa treatment you’d never splurge for at home.  If you’re traveling with your spouse, I highly recommend couple’s massages – even if one of you scoffs at first at the idea of fluffy robes and candles.  You’ll both come away relaxed and grateful for the time to unwind together.

11. Take a carriage tour

One of my favorite ways to learn about a new place is with a guided carriage tour.  A good guide will provide you with all sorts of information and interesting details about the things you’ll see.  And you can’t deny there’s something romantic about riding around in a carriage.

12. See a concert

When I was younger, I used to save for months to see my favorite band play.  Even the best iPod and home stereo system can’t compete with the thrill of live music.  One of the greatest vacations I’ve taken as an adult was a trip to Vegas planned around a Prince concert.

The next time you hear your favorite 80s band is doing a come back tour, consider booking a room and making a vacation out of seeing them perform one more time.

13. Go skydiving/bungee jumping/zip lining

In other words, be adventurous!  Do something that scares the crap out of you!  Get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping in ways you can’t experience when you’re being the responsible adult.

14. Go shopping.  Together.

Yes, really.  Maybe a husband and wife shoe shopping marathon isn’t ideal.  And maybe one of you cringes at the very idea of stepping into a mall.  But when was the last time you visited a store with breakables?  Your everyday trip to Great Clips and the grocery store is not the same as browsing through antique shops or fawning over fancy electronics.

When my husband and I get the chance to shop together, we find ourselves talking about things we want, things we love, and things we can’t imagine anyone being interested in buying.  But we’re talking - and not about work or school or whose turn it is to fold laundry.

15. Go dancing

Who cares if one – or both – of you has two left feet?  The mantra on vacation is “I’ll never see any of these people again!”  Let your hair down and don’t be afraid to make fools of yourselves.  There are few things more romantic than spending a night together on a dance floor.

As an avid traveler, I wholeheartedly support frequent vacations with your kids.  It’s important to let them see the world and get exposed to new places – and experiencing those places as a family is great.  But it’s also nice from time to time to remember who you are without your kids and nurture the parts of you that have nothing to do with nurturing other people.  Get out there and live a little!

Beautiful Percheron Horses

“Dashing through the snow, in a two-horse open sleigh …”

Well, we did have to diverge from the song a bit on our recent winter sleigh ride. Our group of 20 couldn’t be pulled by a single horse, even a single 2300 pound Percheron. But what a magnificent ride they gave.

Brandt’s have been doing horse drawn wagon and sleigh rides for years. With temps just above zero, we bundled up on the sleigh, sang some songs and enjoyed a smooth ride through the woods east of Antigo, WI.

Family Enjoying a Sleigh Ride

The ride includes a stop to make a big fire in the woods where we heated up some soup, cooked hot dogs on a stick and passed a few bottles of wine and whiskey to warm our innards.

Brandt’s takes reservations and the father-daughter team are great about answering questions, adjusting the ride to suit your needs and giving all the little ones a turn to hold the reins where they also get a view of these giant Percheron horses.

It’s a semi-annual tradition for my family and one that I’m sure will continue.

With its upscale restaurants, landmark buildings, beautiful bridges and breathtaking views, San Francisco always tops the lists of favorite US cities and tourist destinations.  Many people come to visit during the summer months and get disappointed by the cold fog and damp weather. However you would be pleasantly surprised if you made a trip to the city during this time of year.  The winter months often bring cold temperatures but very blue skies during the day and nights full of stars.

San Francisco is almost more beautiful at night during the holidays than any other time of year – and that is saying something.

During the holidays living in the City is such a gift: the bright lights on the Embarcadero Center row of buildings, outlined to look like giant present boxes; the beautiful window displays in high-end stores like Gump’s and multi-colored lights adorning neighborhood parks and homes. Walk through any of these areas of the city and you can’t help but smile and get a little more into the holiday spirit.

If you are visiting the City or planning to in the future and want to experience a uniquely San Francisco evening, I have the perfect recipe for you. The itinerary will need a little planning but should only require one phone call for the dinner reservation.  This evening is a local favorite for a romantic date but it can be adjusted for just a great night out with friends or family.

First thing you want to do is plan on wearing some warm layers of clothing, especially a scarf and gloves.  San Francisco at night, during this time of year, can be very cold. Wear some nice holiday clothes and comfortable shoes and you will be set for the evening.

Begin the evening with a drink at the beautiful Big Four Restaurant on Nob Hill. Located inside the Huntington Hotel, this secret spot doesn’t have the view that you can get from the Top of the Mark, but this is the place locals go. Filled with beautiful dark wood, the bar area is rich and a historic reminder of the robber barons that built San Francisco.

After a glass of wine or cold cocktail, walk slowly across California Street, watching out for the cable cars and taxi drivers heading across town. Criss-cross the street and stroll through Huntington Park, a wonderful small city park situated between Grace Cathedral and The Fairmont Hotel.  It is one of my favorite parks to visit at night during the holidays because the neighborhood association installs beautiful old-fashion lights in the trees.

Walk through the park towards your dinner reservations, at Venticello Ristorante on Taylor Street. This wonderful Italian restaurant has a warm intimate setting that reminds you of San Francisco society pages from the 1920s. I have had dinners where I have watched patrons walk in that could have been related to Grace Kelly or Kim Novak, in their style of dress and manner. The food is classic Italian with homemade pastas, risotto and roasted meats. The fireplace and wood oven add warmth to your dinner setting along with a backdrop of cable cars going up and down California Street.

After your dinner walk down Taylor Street to Jackson Street and catch the Powell-Hyde Cable Car, with its maroon colored sign, to head towards the waterfront and Hyde Street Pier.  The cable car ride will be very chilly but you can cuddle up inside the center of the car or wrap your scarf tighter and hang onto the outer poles like a local.

Your ride will take you up past Nob Hill and across Russian Hill until you head down Hyde Street to the end of the line. Hop off and turning your back to the bay, walk into The Buena Vista Cafe – home of the perfect Irish Coffee!

Irish Coffee

The recipe of this famous drink was created in 1952 when the restaurant owner and a well known travel writer worked to re-create a highly touted “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland.

The Irish Coffee served here at the Buena Vista is the perfect night cap any night of the year, but especially in winter.  How and when you decide to end your evening is up to you, but after all the lights, rich foods, fresh air and drinks – I recommend taking a cab home. Enjoy!

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to San Francisco.

Photo credits to bill lim, tinou, shayne kaye and rick