Travel and Wine Transport

wine transportI can't count the amount of times I've wanted to bring back wine from Europe, South America or the US and given up.  With a lack of wine transporting solutions at my fingertips, I wasn't about to risk wrapping a Bordeaux in my newly-purchased sweater and hoping it wouldn't get jostled and explode in my bag. No thanks.

Then I read about the eco-friendly VinniBag, and got very excited. Debuting in early March at the Travel Goods Association Show, this inflatable wine bottle protector allows you to bring home your prized bottle of wine (or balsamic, or olive oil, or an awkward travel purchase) knowing it will arrive secure and intact.

VinniBag - $24.95 - reusable travel bag - inflatable air chambers that protect and insulate wine bottles, other liquids, and fragile items - designed to provide superior protection against impact and leakage - stores flat, rolled or folded when not in use

Other Options - three-bottle italian leather tote ($99.95) - styrofoam wine containers ($4.20 - min qty 5) - some people--even wine writers--swear by putting wine in a sock, wrapping in a used t-shirt, putting in the laundry bag provided by the hotel and placing in a secure place in their suitcase - go old-school and bring bubble-wrap and tape with you (and still wrap in a bag for good measure) - use the cardboard box provided by the wine shop or winery and pack it in a secure place in your suitcase

Carry-on liquid restrictions and checked-bag weight restrictions do not make wine transport easy, but we soldier on because savoring that hard-to-come-by Pinot once you're home makes transporting it all worth while.

The Wild Web of Hotel Affiliations

Hotel de Région Ok, so I realize the below post is a little long and information-heavy, but it's also easily scan-able.

knowledge is power.  What I mean by this is the more you know about hotels and their affiliations, the more... a) strategy you can use to accumulate points with one provider b) save with benefits like free stays, room upgrades, restaurant/spa vouchers c) you'll get recognized and taken care of as a loyal customer.

Similar to accumulating points with airline alliances like Star Alliance or One World, when choosing a preferred hotel group to cozy-up to, consider: a) size - the bigger the group, the more hotel types and destinations offered b) lux level - do you prefer only 4 + 5 star properties, or do you like a mix c) where you travel - some hotel groups favor different continents than others

Marriott Marriott International is a lodging company with more than 3,000 properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Their brands include: [Marriott's loyalty program: Marriott Rewards] - Marriott Hotels & Resorts - JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts - Renaissance Hotels & Resorts - EDITION Hotels - Autograph Collection - Courtyard by Marriott - Residence Inn by Marriott - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott - Marriott Conference Centers - TownePlace Suites by Marriott - SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Marriott Vacation Club - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. - The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club - Marriott ExecuStay - Marriott Executive Apartments

Starwood One of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies, Starwood's hotel portfolio includes approximately 942 hotels with 285,000 rooms in 100 countries.  Their brands include: [Starwood's loyalty program: Starwood Preferred Guest] - Le Meridien - The Luxury Collection - Westin - W - Sheraton - St. Regis - Element - Four Points - ALoft

Hilton In 1919 Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas. Since then, Hilton has grown to over 514 properties in cities all over the world. Yes, Paris Hilton is part of 'the' Hiltons. Their brands include: [Hilton's loyalty program: HHonors] - Waldorf Astoria Collection (see full list below) - Conrad Hotels and Resorts - Hilton - DoubleTree - Embassy Suites - Hilton Garden Inn - Hampton - Homewood Suites - Home2

Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a global hospitality company with over 424 properties in 45 countries worldwide. [Hyatt's loyalty program: Hyatt Gold Passport] - Hyatt Regency - Park Hyatt - Hyatt Place - Hyatt Summerfield Suites

InterContinental The world's first international hotel brand with a portfolio of  over 150 hotels in 65 countries. [Intercontinental's loyalty program: Intercontinental Ambassador] - InterContinental - Crown Plaza Hotels and Resorts - Hotel Indigo - Holiday Inn - Holiday Inn Express - Staybridge Suites - Candlewood Suites

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International With the opening of the Fairmont San Francisco in 1907, this luxury global hotel company was born and continues to grow with a strong presence in Canada, the US and 50+ other destinations worldwide. [Fairmont's loyalty program: Fairmont President's Club] - Fairmont - Raffles - Swissotel

Four Seasons Synonymous with luxury (and frequent US Weekly celebrity sightings), Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has over 83 properties in 35 countries. [Four Seasons's loyalty program: unpublished and by invitation only] - Four Seasons

Waldorf Astoria (owned by Hilton) - ARIZONA BILTMORE - THE BENTLEY HOTEL - BOCA BEACH CLUB - BOCA RATON RESORT - THE BOULDERS RESORT - CASA MARINA RESORT - DAKOTA MOUNTAIN LODGE & GOLDEN DOOR SPA - EDGEWATER BEACH HOTEL - EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT - EL SAN JUAN HOTEL & CASINO - GRAND WAILEA - LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB - LAS CASITAS RESORT - THE BEACH HOUSE MALDIVES - NAPLES GRANDE BEACH RESORT - QASR AL SHARQ - THE REACH RESORT - ROME CAVALIERI - THE ROOSEVELT NEW ORLEANS - TRIANON PALACE VERSAILLES - WALDORF=ASTORIA

Trend: Designer-Inspired Hotels & Decor

[travel trends] Looks like hotels are taking a cue from fashion.  With icons like Jean Paul Gaultier designing for Target, and Miley Cyrus and Max Azria collaborating for WalMart, who is to say the same thing can't be done with hotels?  Well, it is...

Recently, stylist Amanda Ross was named as the W Hotels Fashion Director. Part of the Starwood brand, W Hotels' 36 properties are aimed a stylish traveller who appreciates "modern travel and modern living," making the partnership all the more apropos. Ross has consulted for major designers as well as acted as the stylist for NBC's short-lived Lipstick Jungle.  Although her first W project is under wraps, she mentioned she'll be visiting Barcelona this month and also heading to Paris for Fashion Week, and it just so happens a W is opening there next year.

What does 'Fashion Director' Mean? In the case of W Hotels and Amanda Ross' partnership, being the Hotel's fashion director means: - creating a strategic framework for W's global point of view on fashion - working with a designer to create staff uniforms & special collections for sale at W Hotels - styling the look of the rooms, lobbies and other common areas.

Ross' role with W Hotels is talked about as the "First position of it's kind for any hotel".....well kinda.

Armani Armani has collaborated with Emaar Properties to create the "Armani Hotel Dubai" in the world's tallest building: Burj Dubai tower.  Armani's hotel is apparently the first in a series of hotels, resorts and residences to be opened around the globe.  You can already make reservations for the Dubai hotel which is supposed to open today, but rumor has it, the open will have slight delay.

Now Posh? Late in January, there was a media frenzy concerning Victoria Beckam's 40.5 million dollar offer to design a hotel in Dubai with fellow fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld. Media reports note the singer-cum-designer was "stunned by the offer," but since then, no reports have surfaced about whether or not the deal will proceed.

What About Airlines? Most airlines have jumped on the celebrity chef bandwagon, but who is going to be the first to hire a Fashion Director to consult on uniforms and cabin decor?

Kiss Me I'm Irish :: St. Patty's Day

Shamrocks The Irish are nuts for St. Patrick's Day, a national holiday and 5-day festival. Thankfully, they were kind enough to share the March 17th celebrations with countries like Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina partaking in the fun.

St. Patrick's Day Traditions You don't need to travel to Ireland to share in the modern-day celebrations; although, I imagine it would be fantastic to see the Irish celebrate this national holiday on home turf. Either way, here are some ways to bring St. Patty to you and yours: - watch a parade (many cities have annual parades) - wear green - decorate with shamrocks (see significance below) - drink beer (Guinness of course) - eat or make pub food - visit your local Irish Pub - eat green pancakes (at least that's what my mom made me when I was little)

Facts - st patrick was a christian missionary and recognized as patron saint of Ireland - celebrated in Ireland since before 1600s - official public holiday in Ireland - believed to have morphed into a one-day 'break' in the middle of lent (hence the eating and drinking) - why celebrate on Mar 17? that is the day St. Patrick passed - the shamrock's association with St. Patrick: apparently, he used it to demonstrate the Holy Trinity - celebrations now mostly used to showcase Ireland and its traditions vs religious roots

Travel iPhone Apps :: AAA/CAA Savings

AAA/CAA has recently launched AAA Savings, an excellent road trip or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants travel companion pointing you to savings at 110,000+ hotels, restaurants and retail outlets throughout North America.  And here's the piece de resistance, if your car breaks down in the middle of desert in Nevada, you can call roadside assistance via the app and it will pinpoint your GPS location to the dispatcher.  Safety first!

AAA/CAA Travel App Details

  • free
  • pinpoints your location and displays area merchants offering discounts to members
  • provides route maps and directions to your selected location
  • discount details and info are categorized & available with one touch
  • place roadside assistance calls to AAA/CAA and dispatchers will receive your GPS coordinates

Other Travel iPhone Apps we've Reviewed