I've loved going wine tasting ever since my experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria. Wine is an integral part of their culture and many families have their own vineyard to produce wine for their own use. I had the opportunity to drink wine paired perfectly with the local cuisine. I even helped a family make wine on a weekend getaway to their village.

It's not just the wine that draws me to visit vineyard after vineyard. I love meeting the people behind the wine and learn more about their family history. Visiting breathtaking vineyards where the wine is made and relaxing in nature adds to the experience as well. I've explored dozens of wineries in California, mostly in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Clara Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Napa Valley. I've also gone wine tasting in Italy and France. I enjoy it so much it has become a tradition to visit a new winery every time I visit Europe. Many wineries will offer a lunch and wine pairing experience if you love great food too.

If you like to cruise, there are now amazing wine river cruises to choose from. You'll visit a region of your choosing and stop in a different picturesque town every day or so. Ask me more about wine river cruises.

​Click the link the button below to get your free Winery Tours guide, then contact me when you're ready to plan your next wine focused trip. 

I'll be hosting three luxury cruises this year through Distinctive Voyages. The first one is to Alaska in May. I've cruises to Alaska before, but have never stayed on land. This itinerary includes 3 nights at a lodge in Denali. The other one is a cruise around New England and Canada in September. Contact me for more questions about these two itineraries. There are over 300+ itineraries to choose from. Only a select group of travelers will receive the following perks while aboard the ship. 

Distinctive Voyages include:

1. The Distinctive Voyages Host - For novices and experts alike, every cruise is filled with questions: What time is my dinner reservation? How much should I tip the staff? Where is the gym? What’s the best way to get to the city center from the dock? On a Distinctive Voyages’ cruise, you will have easy and constant access to a Distinctive Voyages Host who is always ready to answer your questions. Hosts are carefully selected because they know both the ship and the itinerary inside and out. They will personally take care of you throughout your voyage, helping you locate lost luggage and arrange private guides at ports, as well as recommend off-the-beaten-path experiences.
2. The Private Cocktail Reception - ​​The Private Cocktail Reception is your introduction to your exclusive group. Occurring early in the cruise, you’ll meet and become acquainted with the other VIPs in the Distinctive Voyages group. These acquaintances will soon become fast friends as you see them throughout the journey and on your Exclusive Shore Event. The reception will be organized by the Distinctive Voyages Host, who will discuss the itinerary in depth, review the details of your Shore Event and answer any questions you might have. It truly is a wonderful way to begin your cruise adventure.
3. The Exclusive Shore Event - Guided by local experts, the Exclusive Shore Events are specially-chosen excursions that reveal the true nature of the people and places you will visit, helping you connect to the culture in a very personal and unforgettable way. These excursions are only available to the members in your group. Some cruise lines may offer excursions to the general public that are similar, but a Distinctive Voyage adds extra experiences to make them extra special to you. Plus, these groups tend to be much smaller, which leads to a more enjoyable affair. 

Ask me how you can join me on the cruise to Alaska or about other Distinctive Voyages!