Rolling Stone : Wineries on Tour

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Wineries on Tour

On of the many delights of travel is to visit a winery and sample its produce. Often this is best done by taking a "winery tour" with a mini bus load of enthusiasts. A day trip may take in a visit to 4 or 5 wineries and include a leisurely lunch at one of them. Cape Town in South Africa springs to mind, as do the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. During my travels I have visited many wineries in South America, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. Here are some of my articles about these wine regions:

Wine tasting destinations in Chile reviews the Classic French grape varieties grown in vineyards at different altitudes, from maritime, Central Valley and foothills of the Andes.

Wine tasting destinations in Argentina The Malbec grape is the favorite red and is grown in the irrigated foothills of the Andes, but also at high altitudes.

Wine tasting destinations in Brazil and Uruguay Brazil is the third largest producer of wine in South America, after Argentina and Chile. Wine regions are mainly in the SE and include Uruguay, growing classic European varieties.

Unusual tasting destinations What are the most northern, and southern latitude wineries? Also considered are the wineries at the 2000 to 3000 meter altitude in Mexico and Argentina.

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Accommodation in Managua and Granada

Accommodation in Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a tourist town with a wide spectrum of accommodation, ranging from five star hotels (5), to large backpackers (2) to numerous small family guest houses, or hospedajes. Hostels can be found from the website Hostel World and provide private rooms for US $20 to $45. Large backpackers, Casa Azul and Compass del Sur are listed with Backpackers Chileand offer economical accommodation ranging from $10 to $20 dorms to shared rooms with a buffet breakfast for $3.50. They are similar to a large South African backpackers and offer tours, excursions, Spanish classes, you name it and they'll provide it.

Most economical are the family guest houses or hospedajes costing $10 to $15 per person, and listed in guide books like Lonely Planet. A family may rent out to travelers a couple of rooms in a large family house. If you are lucky you may get to share their kitchen to cook meals and learn some Spanish for free at the same time. So you learn how a Chilean family operates. In Puerto Varas I have gone back and stayed at the same hospedaje three years in a row. (and with a different companera each time, which confused mama)

Cape Town for backpackers

Backpackers are very well accommodated in Cape Town. There are dozens of exciting backpackers to choose from. A little booklet called "Coast to Coast" lists them all, with details for booking. The same information is on the Internet for Southern Africa, just put in "Cape Town" for the region.

I shall not recommend any backpackers because that would be unfair and half the fun is finding a good one that suits you. Important factors in your choice are that the backpackers should have good Internet facilities, a good kitchen and dining area, a travel bureau office, a swimming pool, and be close to a popular restaurant, plus any more factors? Many backpackers have ALL these facilities and are converted mansions of old. Lucky you!