Sherman's Travel

Even without snow and ice in the forecast, December and January temperatures have a way of keeping otherwise outgoing people indoors. So if skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing aren’t exactly your cup of hot cocoa, you might be scratching your head wondering what to do with a few spare vacation days or a long weekend this winter. One idea is to hit the road with a wine tote, journal, and a designated driver. In the United States, star-studded California tends to be the biggest magnet for oenophiles, but the East Coast has dozens of its own wine trails too, many of which are a short drive from New York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. Plus, by visiting some of these small wineries in the off-season, you’ll avoid the crowds that can choke parking lots on warmer spring and summer weekends. Read more

Can’t tell the difference between a pinot noir and a pinot grigio? Well, maybe you can tell the difference between those. But if you’re going on tours of world-renowned wineries, you’ll probably want an experienced sommelier with you to help you along. That’s where Food & Wine Trails comes into the picture: The culinary travel providers are offering a complimentary Sommelier, Car & Driver program to guests aboard select Silversea Cruises’ 2012 Mediterranean trips.

When the ship docks, spend half a day touring the exquisite wineries of Livorno, Italy, Marseille, France, and Barcelona, Spain, with your own personal wine guide. Sip on the best Tuscan reds in the Bolgheri region, enjoy full-bodied Provencal vin in Bandol, or drink the bubbly Spanish Cava in Penedes. If you choose to indulge in a day filled entirely of wine tastings, travelers can opt to extend the tour for a charge of $300.

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