Wine and Spirits Travel

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My day started as I wish it would every day, with a four-handed massage at Immersion Spa at Borgata’s Water Club. Peggy and Nancy massaged away any bit of tension that was left in my body and I soon forgot that I was going on four hours of sleep. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to take full advantage of the spa’s facilities, which include a fitness center, whirlpool, steam bath for each sex and a co-ed pool with awesome views of Atlantic City and food service in comfortable lounge chairs.  There was just too much more of Atlantic City to see. I bid farewell to my room at Borgata with some photos of the view (above) before heading over to Caesars. The only complaint of the voyage so far was the trip between hotels. Though it was only 2-3 miles, it took over an hour to complete with parking. It appears that everyone in Atlantic City checks in or out on Sunday afternoons. I waited 30 minutes to get my car and 20 minutes to park it at the next hotel. The parking situation

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Atlantic City and there couldn’t have been a better way to get reacquainted than a celebration of a friend’s birthday hosted at The Borgata , with a little Caesar’s Sex and the City partying sprinkled in. Gail and I have been friends for more years than I care to mention and she was celebrating a milestone birthday of which she doesn’t care to mention.   We gathered on the Jersey Shore with her family at The Water Club Hotel in Atlantic City.  I had been to the Borgata years ago after its renovation and it had always impressed me with its modernly elegant style.   The Water Club is a magnified extension of that classiness, as only the Borgata can do it.  The rooms are large and contemporary, with extra features like flat screen TVs and large enclosed showers.  As nice as they were, however, we were not about to spend much time in our rooms. Dinner was at Fornelletto , an eclectic combination of Northern and Southern Italy.  After a long day

Bloomington is known as a popular college town that houses the University of Indiana. It’s also the home of Indiana’s largest winery and I had the pleasure of visiting Oliver Winery on my trip there. Oliver Winery certainly deserves its label as the state’s largest. It’s a place with many personalities that show through in more than 40 wines. Here you will find the ordinary and the extraordinary in a rare combination of home grown and home blended. From the moment you step into the shop/tasting room at Oliver you know this is something different. The store is filled with unusual sauces, dips, chocolates, jellies and cheeses that all of one thing in common – they come from the Midwest. As tempting as it was to walk away with a sauce called Mediterranean Pinot Grigio from Ohio, Crazy Charlie’s Salsa from Indiana and Zzans Chocolate from Michigan, I remembered that I was there to check out the wine. There are two personalities to Oliver Winery. The first is in its namesake, a col

The movie hasn’t even come out yet and the celebrating has already begun.  Parties on both coasts are celebrating the excitement and independence of one of entertainment’s most famous quartets. Since traveling and drinking were always a part of the Sex and the City mantra, it’s no wonder that it’s inspired some drinks Carrie and Big would be found of. You can find “Sips and the City 2” at your local Houlihan’s for the entire month of May.   Check out these SKYY Vodka and Moët Chandon induced creations: Red over Heels SKYY Infusions Grape Vodka Soda Lemon Juice Ménage á  Trois Red Wine Blonde Ambition SKYY Infusions Ginger Vodka Honey Syrup Lemon Juice Park Avenue Princess Moët Chandon Imperial Champagne Marashino Cherry Liquer Fizz & Tell X Rated Liqueur Navan Liqueur Moët Chandon Imperial Champagne The properties of MGM Mirage in Las Vegas – ARIA, Bellagia, Vdara, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Luxor, New York-New York, Excalibu

I've had a tough time in the last six weeks with the balancing act we call life.  Unfortunately, this blog -- which got off to a great start -- has suffered.  I'm happy to report that I've finally got everything under control and am currently working on a number of stories that will regularly appear.  So, welcome me back into your internet world and come visit at least twice a week because that's when I've committed to being reporting what's new, exciting, delicious or unusual in the world of Wine And Spirits Travel.  I'll be doing lots of traveling in the next few months near and far.  And, to make sure you don't miss anything, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter>

My inbox fills up fast with interesting wine, spirits and travel ideas. I can’t even begin to check them all out personally, but some definitely look worth passing along. I’ve decided to make this a monthly column. I’ll clear out my inbox while giving my readers some ideas to plan for the weeks ahead. Italy and wine, there’s no doubt that the two go together and you don’t have to twist my arm to get interested in a tour that involves both. Hallmark Travels is offering a weeklong Puglia Wine Tour that looks like it would quench anyone’s thirst. It includes visits to six wine makers with tours of the cellars and visits with vineyard experts before tastings with local foods. Hallmark even offers a video sneak peak on their website to get you ready to say “Ciao.” It may be the last pairing you’d expect to hear about from Moet Hennessy’s Director of Communications, but Jeffrey Pogash let me in on an event that he was most proud of. The Hot Dog Lore brought together America’s ballpark sta