Wine and Spirits Travel

There's only so many days in the week (and hours in the day). It's impossible to keep traveling and still get all the work done. That's why I sometimes have to rely on word of mouth when it comes to wine and spirit travels. As I prepare to cover my first South Beach Food and Wine Festival , here's some adventures you might want to check out: You don't see a lot of skiing trips that involve liquor, but I found one that combines them both (off the slopes, of course). The Above the Clouds travel package started in December, but there's still time to check it out. The trip will take you through the snowy mountains of Vail and Beaver creek with plenty of time for sport, gourmet meals and mixology classes, thanks to a partnership with Zacapa Rum . It's a group package that could fulfill many dreams. Check it out -- and make sure you let me know how it went. If you are thinking of Vegas(and I'm planning a trip as we speak), St. Patrick's Day may b

One of the reasons I moved to the Champaign-Urbana area was to be part of a college town.  I grew up and lived most of my adult life in areas without that atmosphere. A taste of it during visits made me hungry for more.  It's like an infectious disease that you don't want to get rid of.  The feeling that you forever want to cheer for your team.  Whether you are a local, an alumni or just a fan, there's a hotel right in the middle of sports land at the University of Illinois , where you can get right in the action for that team, or your home team when they come to town. The IHotel opened in August, 2008, complete with a Houlihan's for spirited cheer before and after the games (and during for those who can't get tickets).  It is directly across a short road from the Big Ten action of Illini men's basketball at Assembly Hall, down the block from the football team's Memorial Stadium and a nice walk to the Atkins Tennis Center or Huff Hall, where the current