Travelers on an Endangered Species Quest

Photo Credit: Suzhou Zoo; Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

Bullet proof glass, surveillance camera and armed guards? China has a reputation of guarding its Panda bears, but how about protecting another almost-extinct species? Known as “China Girl”, the last female Yangtze giant soft-shelled turtle resides in the Suzhou Zoo in China. Initially “China Girl” had called the Changsha Zoo home.

There are just four of these turtle species known - three males and one female - and China recently attempted to breed the turtle to protect its survival, but its attempt was met with failure. Unfortunately, “pollution and hunting almost erased the Yangtze turtles,” as reported in an Associated Press article. Of the four, one of the males is still in its wild habitat.

“This is a story of hope for a species truly on the brink,” said Colin Poole the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Asia Programs.

Travelers venture to China to see its infamous Pandas and China is attempting to preserve other animals as well for the delight of tourists. According to the Associated Press, about 50 percent of China’s mammal species are endangered.

Listed at the top of the World Conservation Union’s Red List, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is the most critically endangered turtle in the world, according to a Turtle Survival Alliance release.

The Chinese, nor are other animal advocates, giving up as there are plans to re-attempt the species-saving breeding next year.

Photo Credit: Suzhou Zoo; South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)

The Suzhou Zoo is also home to the world’s largest South China Tiger breed of eight males and six females. South China Tiger tops the list of the world’s ten most endangered fauna species, with only 47 found throughout the world but can hardly be seen in the wilderness.

Opened to the public in 1954, the Suzhou Zoo’s purpose was to display various rare wild animals, and communicate and popularize science and knowledge about the wild life, according to the Zoo’s Web site.  At the same time, the Zoo also aims at protecting the relocated wild animals which are at the verge of extinction. The Suzhou Zoo has gradually renovated the original cages in an eco-friendly way, and visitors may further understand how to build a harmony among human beings, wild animals and the natural environment when they appreciate these animals. Currently, it contains over 500 animals in around 80 species.

Per the zoo’s Web site, as described in historical files, the current location of Suzhou Zoo was once a temple in Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and then the funeral home in construction of zoo with the history dating back to around 1162A.D.  The turtle pond in the Zoo is the heritage from the Free Capture Pond at the Temple in Southern Song Dynasty (with one soft-shell turtle, while only three are alive in Suzhou including “China Girl”).

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Photo Credit: Starwood

In tough economic times, people are still traveling, but they are paying close attention to budgets and when makes the most sense to enjoy some time away. However, as reported today, AIG went on a major boondoggle to a luxury resort (St. Regis Resort at Dana Point in Monarch Beach, California) after being bailed out by U.S. tax payers, aka the U.S. government. So, is AIG exempt from tightening its belt and doing what is right? They had no problem asking for and receiving tax payers’ monies.

Not sure how a company who just received $85 billion in a bailout package could possibly justify or even reason that a week-long stay at the swanky St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, complete with above average room views including the resort’s Presidential Suite (which was discounted from its every day rate of $3,200 a night to a bargain price of $1,600 per night as stated in an article by The Washington Post).  

It is reported that AIG company executives attended a conference from September 22^nd through September 30^th and nothing was spared for this retreat. In fact, $23,000 was spent for spa treatments.

Photo Credit: Starwood (Spa Gaucin's Orange Frappe)

Perhaps the AIG staff who attended this boondoggle was stressed from destroying their company and willingly taking $85 million of American’s monies. It must be nice to be allowed the discretion to spend $175 on a Divine Grapeseed Mud Wrap or maybe $675 for a Costal Romance spa package.

Who would not want to spend a week at this 400-room oceanfront luxury escape? The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort boasts three swimming pools, a prestigious oceanfront 18-hole golf course, divine spa, a private beach, six breathtaking ocean view restaurants, and more amenities.

This was not a corporate meeting to try to turn the company around, which in the state AIG is, they need to consider holding their meetings in their own offices or in a park, not spending more than $440,000 on a reward vacation to recognize AIG sales people and others. Seriously, there should be zero recognition or bonuses or special treatments, especially travel, for any AIG official for years to come.

AIG needs to take responsibility and treat the $85 billion dollars being given to them as a bailout as American citizens’ monies and how the average U.S. tax payer would treat this money and prioritize spending. A $440,000 extravagant vacation? I doubt that the common tax payer would consider this a wise investment.

AIG should be ashamed and embarrassed for this poor judgment thinking now was the right time to take a luxury vacation. Not only should the executives who authorized this haphazard travel expense be fired, but every employee who willingly went and took advantage of this country’s economic situation should be let go. Let’s see where these AIG staffers vacation next!

Photo Credit: www.spiritair.com

In 2008 the friendly skies have not been so friendly. Travelers have been hit with outrageous fees on top of fees for everything ranging from traveling with luggage to reserving a seat. Capacity has been reduced and routes eliminated. It is surprising the airlines have not started charging a reservation fee for oxygen in case of emergency. Seriously, getting through the ticket purchase process can be just as long and frustrating as going through an airport security line.

Last night, I had the honor of purchasing a ticket for my mother’s pending visit. Based on our locales there is only one airline and one daily flight for non-stop flights, so based on supply and demand theories a premium might be expected to be paid. Luckily, this single flight availability/route is on a discount airline, Spirit Airlines, so we have never had to pay an “outrageous” amount. When comparing other “nearby” airports, there are less expensive flights, but when considering gas prices and time to go an extra hour to this nearby airport, the savings are negated.

I have been purchasing Spirit Airline tickets for more than two years for this particular route and I have been lucky enough to score an insanely good sale price for certain visits. However, regardless of Spirit’s great sale offerings, I was disappointed in my purchasing experience.

The ticket price was acceptable and by waiting an extra day, an unexpected sale was announced which resulted in an additional $25 in savings, which was “lost” as I went through the reservation process and pre-paid the now $15 for first piece of checked luggage fee. But, hey, $25 is $25 and I am not complaining. My recollection of the luggage fee had been $10 for the first bag, so I was left wondering if prices had gone up for this “service”. Where I was shocked is when the seat reservation option came up. Spirit Airlines now charges $10 per seat, per flight, even for online reservations. This is unacceptable. If booking online, travelers should be able to reserve their seat as part of the process and ticket price.

While airlines reportedly are struggling, why tease a customer in with a sale fare only to bait and switch with fee on top of fee. As you approach the end of the buying experience, Spirit Airlines automatically tacks on its fee for its airline insurance, which provides zero protection if the airline goes bankrupt, and $9 for a trial membership in its $39.95 annual exclusive $9 fare club. Both of these items are optional and I did not opt for either, but I felt as though this “suggestive selling” was just more nickel and diming that was unnecessary.

Spirit overall I have had good flying experiences with and again, have scored amazing flight deals. I only wish the Burger King approach would be removed. I highly recommend visiting Spirit’s Web site, www.spiritair.com and sign up to receive its sale notices. A word of caution…be flexible and act quickly.

Photo Credit: Yosemite National Park, as captured by a TripAdvisor traveler.

Regardless of the value of the “green back” or the United States’ “green currency”, green travel is on the rise. More than 18 million Americans can be classified as ecotourists, according to the International Ecotourism Society and a Geotourism Study by the Travel Industry Association and National Geographic Traveler reports nearly 55.1 million Americans express an interest in nature, culture and heritage tourism activities that protect and preserve the environment.

Consumers are more educated today than ever on “green” choices and their attitudes toward eco-tourism have graduated past a hotel’s linen or towel reuse program or because of an airline’s offering of voluntary carbon offsets.

“They (travelers) want to know a company is committed to sustainable travel and tourism,” Brian T. Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International (STI) adds. “They’re more interested in hearing about a hotel’s energy conservation and renewable energy systems or an airlines’ holistic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The American Ecotourism Association defines eco-tourism as “pleasure travel to nature and culture based areas which minimizes ecological impact and supports the well-being of the local community.” Whereas, geotourism is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place - it’s environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and well-being of its residents,” as outlined by National Geographic Society.

TripAdvisor® annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers reveals travelers leaning toward green travel options. “The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities,” as stated in TripAdvisor’s release. “A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year.”

Following are two of the TripAdvisor survey findings:

Park is the Place: Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008. Thirty-three percent of travelers will go cycling and biking, up from 28 percent, and 11 percent of travelers are likely to participate in an extreme sports activity, compared to eight percent one year ago.

Easy Being Green: Thirty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they will visit an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort in the coming year, up from 30 percent in 2008. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said they will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions this year, than they were the year before. Last year, 26 percent said they would be more environmentally conscious.

“An emerging trend is travelers getting greener. They plan to be more environmentally-conscious, and will be more active outdoors this year, taking advantage of some of the outstanding resources in the U.S., such as our beautiful national parks,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

Photo Credit: www.NOAA.gov

In the midst of what is often the strength and height of hurricane season, travelers who have plans to visit Florida, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and other more hurricane-prone vacation destinations are never surprised when a named storm or hurricane steers their way in September or October. But, what is strange and not expected is a hurricane or strong tropical storm threatening the Northeastern coast of the United States, especially Maine. This, however, is exactly what happened with what was briefly named Hurricane Kyle (currently downgraded to a tropical storm as of the 11pm EST advisory on Sunday, September 28^th).

This storm has caused Royal Caribbean to change its itinerary for one of its New England voyages. Based on a Royal Caribbean weather alert, Explorer of the Seas, which departed the Cape Liberty Port on Sept. 25, did not visit Charlottetown, Price Edward Island, on Sunday. Instead the ship traveled through the Saguenay River on Sunday and was scheduled to visit Quebec City on Monday and stay overnight. The rest of the itinerary remains unchanged. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.

This altered vacation demonstrates the importance for flexibility when traveling during hurricane season or other times of the year prone to Mother Nature’s influence. One benefit to cruising is that often, even when a hurricane stands in an itinerary’s path, the voyage can be altered resulting in an unaffected vacation. Once when traveling during Hurricane Ivan, the storm took an unexpected turn to the South, resulting in Royal Caribbean to cancel its port of call to Curacao, but instead calling on St. Lucia as a bonus visit.

To ensure that all bases are covered when traveling, it is advisable to purchase a third-party travel insurance policy via sites including Squaremouth.com or Insuremytrip.com. This type of protection gives added layers that a policy purchased directly through an airline, cruise ship or tour operators do not.

Two months are technically left in hurricane season (Subtropical Storm Laura has developed most recently) and just as it comes to a close, the whipping winter storms will come into play just in time for holiday travel. Flexibility and protection are key vacation survival items needed when traveling.

This Halloween consider having the kids trick-or-treat at a theme park such as Walt Disney World or SeaWorld. These limited edition events allow the kids to dress up and trick-or-treat safely in a not so scary environment that provides fun for all.

SeaWorld’s Spooktactular is complete with friends of the sea including octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more. Throughout the park are candy stations and there is a separate kids’ area for photo opportunities and play area with sea fairies. There is even a Sesame Street “Countdown to Halloween” live musical show. The Spooktacular event beings at 11am on selected days through October and the admission price is included in the general ticket. Visit www.seaworldspooktacular.com for details.

Other special Halloween SeaWorld events include: The Spooktacular Sesame Street character breakfast buffet where Elmo, the Count and others will attend. The breakfast is additional and requires reservations. A special Spooky Spectacular Sleepover on select dates allows families to come up close to predators and scary overnight sleep event in the Shark Encounter. This event is an additional cost, runs from 7pm-9am, and is designed for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Another favorite Halloween tradition sure to delight kids and adults is Mickey’s “Not So Scary Halloween” after-hours party. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is decorated to the nines with Fall and Halloween décor. Kids and Disney characters dress up for this evening of fun and treats. Not to be outdone by the kids, adults alike dress up too.

Starting at 7pm through midnight on select nights through October 31^st, guests can see the special “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and the bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks display that can only be seen during this time. Beyond the safe trick-or-treating stations throughout the park, attractions and rides are open as well. A separate ticket is required. Visit www.disneyworld.com/halloween for more details.

Both of these Halloween special events provide a unique opportunity and vantage point for familiar theme parks! The opportunity to have kids and adults dress up and trick-or-treat in these locations is one to be remembered and a fun way to experience both SeaWorld and Disney.

Photo Credits: Walt Disney World & SeaWorld

Photo Captions:

DUCK-O-LANTERN: Donald and Daisy Duck are decked out in their newest Halloween party-wear in front of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It’s all part of the fun that takes place when the Magic Kingdom hosts “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.” Activities include trick-or-treating, a Halloween parade and Disney’s “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks show. A separate ticket is required to attend. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

FRIGHTFULLY FUN FIREWORKS: Orange-hued fireworks explode over Cinderella Castle while illuminated pumpkins are projected onto the facade during the “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks show. The pyrotechnics show is part of “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party,” an after-hours Halloween celebration that takes place on select nights at the theme park. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

SeaWorld Spooktacular: Mrs. Mackeral leads the way in an underwater fantasea during SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular.

Photo Credit: Tropical Latitudes Travel

Photo Credit: Tropical Latitudes Travel; Aruba’s Natural Bridge before its collapse.

Located outside the hurricane belt, the Dutch-owned Aruba is a tranquil, tropical year-round destination. Travelers have the opportunity to visit this island via land or sea as it is a port of call for some cruise itineraries. The constant sea breeze and miles of white sand beaches against turquoise waters coupled with water sports and sightseeing opportunities, Aruba is a favorite for all types of travelers.

Plenty of official tour operators are available via the cruise ships or through the many hotels, but renting a jeep and exploring for the day is an adventurous way to experience Aruba.

However one chooses to see the sights, here’s a look at just a few non-swim related things to do when visiting this desert-like island:

California Lighthouse: Located in the most northwestern part of Aruba, a tall, white statuesque lighthouse appears. It is named for the for U.S. ship - the California - which sunk in 1910, about two years prior to the lighthouse’s construction. This spot provides magnificent seascape views and is a true trademark for Aruba showcasing its miles of beaches, sand dunes and rocky coral shorelines.

Rock Formations: Aruba is a relatively flat island so when traversing off-road and coming across the island’s rock formations are quite a surprise. On the way to the lighthouse, travelers will stumble across this unique area and will want to be sure to stop to build their own rock formation and take some photos. It is one of the most peaceful areas on the island.

Natural Bridge: Unfortunately, one of the most thought provoking sightseeing areas of Aruba, the Natural Bridge, is no more. In September 2005, the bridge just collapsed as a result of the wave action which created this 100 foot long structure. Aruba boasts other natural archways which have since received more visitors since the demise of the Natural Bridge.

Caves: Along Aruba’s windward coast, deep in its natural rock await caves for travelers to explore. Complete with stalagmites and stalactites, Aruba’s caves do not disappoint. The Guadirikiri Cave, which extends for about 100 feet, features two chambers, where sunlight sneaks in through the roof holes. The Fontein Cave is the most popular of the caves as it is the only one that has the drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings, providing a real sense of island history, as noted on Aruba’s tourism site. There is another cave, the Huliba Cave (300 foot long passageway), also known as the Tunnel of Love, for its heart shaped opening at its entrance.

When attending a music festival weekend, it should all be about embracing the music, and enjoying yourself without having to worry about packing up loads of things to take with you for the weekend.

The most essential item is a tent, just a small one is sufficient as all you need it for it to sleep in to protect you from the elements. Some people arrive with tents that are more like small houses, which are great for a week’s camping holiday with the family, but not necessary for this kind of event. If you arrive in a car and you don’t have a tent, there is nothing to stop you from sleeping in your car if you can rough it for a couple of nights. You won’t have the added hassle of putting a tent up, so from the minute you arrive at the festival, you can start enjoying yourself and go straight to the music tents or arenas to watch the bands or singers.

Whether you do take a tent or not, a sleeping bag or duvet is the most important item as it is pretty hard to sleep anywhere if you are cold, and even the hardest party goers will appreciate a couple of hours sleep at least, wrapped up in a sleeping bag or duvet of some kind. The next most important item is a warm outdoor jacket like the Berghaus jackets.

Anything else is really a luxury, and if you want to embrace the whole experience of a music festival, don’t get bogged down by worrying about what you have or haven’t got with you. Enjoy the music and the atmosphere. Buy food and drink while you are there as there are normally plenty of food stands, and bars to buy alcohol and soft drinks. This means you don’t have to bother spending time cooking on a gas stove, when you could be enjoying your favourite bands. A rucksack with plenty of water and a few snacks should see you through the weekend and the rest can be bought on site for convenience. Water is essential though as dehydration can make you very ill and will ruin the whole experience, so make sure you stock up, and locate the nearest drinking water tap when you get there.

Most people attend these events purely for the music and the whole atmosphere, and want to get the most out of their weekend by seeing as many bands and singers as possible and then the parties continue normally well into the early hours of the morning, so sleep is often very low on the agenda for a lot of people. They are prepared to be tired for a couple of days, so comfort and luxuries go out of the window, as it is a small price to pay to have a fun weekend with friends, watching some of the finest music. An opportunity that may only come along once in a while for many.

You may not have the luxury that you have at home, or would experience in a hotel or bed and breakfast, but if you attend these sorts of events, then luxury is way down the list of priorities.  You may not have the facilities to have a proper wash, or eat proper meals like you would do at home, but for a weekend away at this kind of event, this is something to be expected and part of the fun, roughing it for a few days. It really makes you realise that humans can do without many of the items we use in our everyday lives.

If you really feel like you have forgotten something that would make your weekend more enjoyable, there are usually stalls which sell camping equipment too but my advice is to enjoy the live music experience and don’t worry about anything else.

Photo credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Va.

Photo Credit: www.visitshenandoah.com

The official end of summer occurred earlier this week, but that does not mean an end to vacation fun together. Fall is a popular time to travel and experience the changing seasons. A few Travel Advocate fall favorites include the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive; Williamsburg, Virginia; and a New England Cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers fall cruises visiting a variety of ports of call complete with fall foliage including Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec and more. Cruisers can take in the unique scenic views while sailing. Not to mention the opportunity for fresh lobster and the lighthouse tours. The shore excursions offered concentrate on the history and culture of each city. Prices start at $489 for a 9-night cruise out of Baltimore, Maryland aboard Grandeur of the Seas, $699 aboard Jewel of the Seas for a 7-night cruise departing from Boston, and $1,099 for a 9-night cruise out of Cape Liberty Cruise Port, New Jersey on Explorer of the Seas. To learn more, visit: www.rccl.com

Located just over an hour outside of Washington, DC, travelers can take advantage of free admission to the Shenandoah National Park on Saturday, September 27^th during National Public Lands Day (all National Parks entrance fees are waived that day). Skyline Drive which is an entry point to the Shenandoah National Park is one of the most spectacular vistas one will ever witness regardless of season, but Fall is a favorite and extends colorful views. There is hiking, horseback riding, camping, dining, rock climbing and more. Entrance fees from March to November is $15 per vehicle, $8 per pedestrian and bicyclist and $10 per motorcyclist and are valid on the day of purchase and for the next six days. To learn more, visit: www.visitshenandoah.com

Williamsburg, Virginia is the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia as a town-sized living history museum, telling the inspirational stories of our nation’s founders. Within the restored and reconstructed buildings, historic interpreters, attired as colonial men and women from slaves to shopkeepers to soldiers, relate stories of colonial Virginia society and culture. As Colonial Williamsburg interprets life in the time of the American Revolution for its guests, it also invites them to interact with history. Williamsburg offers an interactive and interesting way to experience history first hand.  This Fall, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum feature an assortment of guided tours and interactive programs for all ages. To learn more, visit: www.history.org

Glass by glass is a growing way to experience a vacation destination. 27 million travelers, or 17% of American leisure travelers, engaged in culinary or wine-related activities while traveling within the past three years, based on a new report from the Travel Industry Association (TIA), in partnership with Gourmet and the International Culinary Tourism Association. 

Photo Credit: TripAdvisor A taste of Tuscany: one of many stunning Tuscan vineyards, documented by a TripAdvisor traveler.

“The study demonstrates that a sizable proportion of the U.S. leisure market does indeed make travel decisions based on a desire for wine and culinary experiences. In fact, it confirms that wine and culinary experiences are a driver of destination choice,” said Laura Mandala, TIA’s vice president of research.

Wine activities included participating in winery tours, driving a wine trail, tasting locally made wines and attending wine festivals as revealed in the study.

Gina Keough, spokesperson for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau, says “Wine-related travel is growing around 20 percent per year.” The popular movie Sideways introduced a lot of people to the local wine country.

TripAdvisor just released its top 10 wine destinations worldwide. Below is its uncorked list:

1. Geaux Bordeaux: Bordeaux, France

Perhaps the world’s most famous wine destination, the Bordeaux region of France has long been renowned for its vineyards that produce everything from delicious table wines to the most expensive bottles in the world. In Bordeaux, the French passion for food and wine unite for a sensational wine-tasting experience.

2. Golden Grapes: Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley has long been synonymous with superb wine and striking scenery, both of which draw millions of wine lovers to the region each year. Home to nearly 400 unique wineries, the valley has a Mediterranean climate that is ideal for growing a variety of grapes, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel.

3. Keen on Chianti: Tuscany, Italy

Famed for its reds like Chianti and Montalcino, the Tuscany region of Italy is a delight for the senses. Celebrated not only for its vineyards and its cuisine, its sheer natural and historic beauty make it one of the world’s most sought-after destinations and a magical place to taste the local “vino.”

4. A Bit of the Bubbly: Champagne-Ardenne, France

The Champagne province is famous for the beloved sparkling white wine that shares its name. Its neatly-tended vineyards amongst a picturesque natural landscape, rich history, and unique culture make this region as vibrant as its effervescent wine.

5. Raising the Barossa: Barossa Valley, Australia

This scenic region in Southern Australia is highly regarded for its Shiraz and its other robust varieties of red wine. Characterized by its visibly rich German heritage, along with its rolling, vine-covered hills, Barossa Valley is a uniquely beautiful destination for sightseers and wine connoisseurs alike.

6. Spanish Inbibation: La Rioja, Spain

Spain’s most famous wine destination, Rioja is divided into three regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. Most recognized for its outstanding reds, the region’s wines are particularly distinctive because of the oak aging and delicious vanilla flavors.

7. To the Moon: Sonoma Valley, California

Nicknamed the “Valley of the Moon” by legendary writer and one time Sonoma local Jack London, the Valley features amazing vineyards, with particularly remarkable whites, as well as beautiful scenery and charming towns.

8. Grand Central: Valle Central, Chile

Just outside the Chilean capital of Santiago, the gorgeous Valle Central set among the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean is internationally acclaimed. Wine enthusiasts will be particularly fond of the Maipo Valley’s cabernets, and the Curico’s chardonnays.

9. Great Escape: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Home to one of South Africa’s most visited wine routes, Stellenbosch is the heart of the Cape Winelands region, with more than 100 wine cellars to visit surrounding the culturally rich center town of Stellenbosch.

10. Blanc Stare: Marlborough, New Zealand

Located on the southern island of New Zealand, Marlborough is widely regarded as the country’s birthplace of winemaking. Famous for its white wine varietals, the region is best known for its delectable Sauvignon Blancs.

“In addition to supplying some of the finest wines to the world, these destinations offer visitors outstanding hotels, restaurants and wine tours,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.