Wine Lover's Guide to the Columbia Gorge

With more than 1,000 vineyards producing around 3 million cases of wine per year, Oregon is a prime spot for wine connoisseurs in search of an alternative to Napa and Sonoma mainstays farther south. The Columbia River dividesJav XXX

 Oregon and the state of Washington to the north, and both sides of the river feature numerous wineries under the shared Columbia Gorgeappellation. The region produces a diverse array of varietals, including syrah, cabernet, and riesling, and is equally attractive for its spectacular forest and river landscapes and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities.
WHERE TO DRINK

Start your visit in the town of Hood River, the de facto windsurfing capital of the world and home to many of the Oregon side of the river's finest wineries. Local classics include the Marchesi Vineyards, run by a winemaker from Piemonte in Northern Italy. Cathedral Ridge Winery, operated by a fourth-generation winemaker, offers wine-and-cheese pairings and educational tours plus tastings straight from the barrel. Other local tasting rooms of note include Viento Wines, Mt. Hood Winery, and Naked Winery.Jav New

While there are enough wineries in and around Hood River to keep visitors happily imbibing all day, those who want to explore further afield should drive out to Maryhill Winery in the arid eastern edge of the region. While Maryhill’s wide selection of merlots, cabs, and chardonnay is enough to make the drive worthwhile, it’s especially fun to visit during their annual concert series, when the winery invites local and internationally renowned artists to perform in their outdoor amphitheater.
WHERE TO EAT

Back in Hood River, there are plenty of great dining options, from local takes on traditional pub fare at Double Mountain Brewery, to seasonally inspired fine dining at Celio. Stonehenge Gardens is perhaps the most romantic of them all—it's set in a restored Victorian house surrounded by English gardens and serves classic European fare paired with local wines.
WHERE TO STAY
If you plan to spend the night in the area, consider Columbia Cliff Villas, which overlook the Columbia River from a cliffside perch on the west side of town. Many of the rooms at this upscale property come with perks such as fireplaces and deep soaking tubs; villas and condos are available for longer stays. Jav Uncensored

How to Spend 3 Days in the Florida Panhandle

Once dubbed the Redneck Riviera, this 28-mile stretch of Florida shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico is now clustered with hip beach towns sporting high design, fine dining, and—best of all—no crowds. Whether you lust after architecture (the region’s New Urbanism design, marked by walkable neighborhoods, inspires architects nationwide) or can’t get enough of fresh-catch seafood, say hello to this lesser-known corner of Florida. Pro tip: rent a two-wheeled beach cruiser to feel even more like a local as you zip past emerald-green waters (there’s a reason it’s called the Emerald Coast) and sugar-white sand. And bring comfortable shoes: this is a walkers’ paradise.Jav hd
DAY 1

While two airports service the area, the smallest, newest, and most convenient is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (airport code ECP) in Panama City. United, Delta, and Southwest all fly into this LEED-certified airport that opened in 2010 as the country’s first airport to earn the eco-friendly certification.

Arrive mid-day and check into your accommodations. The first thing you should do is lock in a bicycle rental (not difficult to do as there are more bike-rental places than gas stations along 30-A) as your main form of transportation this weekend. Sip a Hemingway cocktail and take in the sunset at the area’s only rooftop lounge—Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach, open since the spring—overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Fire pits and hammocks help you ease into your vacation in this New Urbanism town that celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. The houses have all been built under tightly regulated design guidelines, creating a cohesive look of deep eaves, metal roofs, and high ceilings, all in nature-inspired hues or stark whites reminiscent of the West Indies. Multiple boardwalks lead to the beach.

From casual to fancy, Downtown Rosemary Beach is filled with many dining options along Main Street. Save some of those for later and book a table at Havana Beach Bar & Grill—either the indoor dining room on the ground level or right where you already are, on the roof. Dishes span Spain, France, and Portugal—entrees include paella featuring Gulf shrimp and grouper with chorizo—culling from local farms whenever possible. Cap off your first meal with a Mojito trifle.
DAY 2Jav Censored HD
After a hearty breakfast at the super-cute Cowgirl Kitchen Market & Café in Seagrove Beach, where dishes highlight a Southern twist ( the “Heartache” features pimento cheese and praline bacon on a biscuit), try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding with YOLO Board + Bike in Santa Rosa Beach. You can rent by the hour or for a half day.

For lunch, head to Seaside, a New Urbanism community along the Gulf of Mexico made famous in the 1998 Jim Carrey film The Truman Show. The airstream trailers permanently parked on the Central Square are food trucks serving lunch bites like grilled-cheese sandwiches from The Meltdown to grass-fed hot dogs from Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs. Linger in Seaside a little bit longer: this was the town that, incorporated in 1981, spawned the rest of the region’s development over the past two decades. A farmers market on Saturday mornings is held behind food truck Raw & Juicy. Browse the stacks at Sundog Books and be sure to check out the record-shop upstairs, Central Square Records, also a fun place to pick up rock-themed gifts.

Burn off your lunch with a self-guided walking tour of Seaside’s brightly hued cottages that look like a movie set (which, of course, they once were). Next, head to nearby Deer Lake State Park for a hike on the boardwalk along coastal dunes and wind down with a glass of wine at the area’s newest wine bar, Neat in Alys Beach, another New Urbanism community where all of the buildings are white and inspired by Antigua, Guatemala, and Bermuda. In addition to sipping wine in the Tasting Room, you can pick up a bottle for later from its Bottle Shop.

Taste local oysters sourced from Apalachicola (named for the small town) at Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill in Grayton Beach. Happy Hour is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, folding in deals on oysters on the half shell. If you like shellfish, this is your place, with fresh-out-of-the-water oysters prepared several different ways: raw, grilled, steamed, and baked (nine options total, including Rockefeller). Depending on the time, catching the sunset from Grayton Beach State Park is a must.

Enjoy one of the few nightlife spots at The Red Bar, a locals’ institution in Grayton Beach with boho flair. Pay homage to another local business by ordering a cold brew from Grayton Beer Company. Live jazz performs most nights.
DAY 3

Get up early so you can snag some donuts from Charlie’s Donuts, a truck parked in Alys Beach. Donuts in decadent flavors like red velvet are only served until they run out.

Hit the local shops selling everything from beachy tunics to handmade soaps along Main Street in Rosemary Beach. Alys Beach’s Alys Shoppe is another great spot for picking up preppy beachwear (cue polos and fedoras for the guys and tasseled scarves for women). After spending time in these pedestrian-friendly beach towns, you might even feel inspired to pick up some home décor, like a throw pillow from Rosemary Beach Trading Company.

For lunch, dine outdoors at La Crema Tapas & Chocolate on Main Street in Rosemary Beach. Start with Serrano-wrapped figs and saffron scallops; end with chocolate-dipped bacon and chocolate molten cake.

Relieve yourself of any sunburn or sore muscles with a spa treatment at WaterColor Inn & Resort. Treatments inspired by nearby waters include Seascape Serenity, 80 minutes of pampering including a green-sea-algae body wrap. For your last dinner, get a window seat at Fish Out of Water, a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the beach at WaterColor Inn & Resort. From the ceviche to the key-lime pannacotta, Southern cooking techniques shine through with the help of local ingredients and the chefs’ whims.Watch jav
WHERE TO STAY

The bulk of options are vacation and cottage rentals, but if you don’t want to cook your own meals, check into The Pearl Hotel in downtown Rosemary Beach, a block from the Gulf of Mexico and just south of 30-A. Behind its black-and-white striped awnings are a Havana-inspired eatery, rooftop pool, and spa. With just 55 rooms, it’s been open since 2013. The brightly hued WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach right on 30-A boasts a private beach, a pool overlooking the water, four dining options, and a spa.

Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company and Cottage Rental Agency in Seaside are a one-stop shop for finding a place to crash. You’ll have a full kitchen and an outdoor living space (either a porch or a courtyard), and be in close proximity to amenities, in keeping with the New Urbanism philosophy.
WHEN TO GO

Outside of holiday weekends, autumn is a great time to visit the region because many of the residents are second- or third-home owners now occupied with school activities in their primary city of residence. Temperatures tend to hover between the high 70s and mid-80s.
GETTING THERE

If you’re using Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, you’ll likely get routed through a hub city if you don’t already live in one. On United, flights go through Houston, while Delta’s connections are through Atlanta. Southwest utilizes Nashville and Houston. Four commercial airlines service Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (airport code VPS): American, United, Delta, and Allegiant. Cities that fly directly to VPS include New Orleans, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, and Washington D.C.

Spend 3 Days in the Lot Valley, France

If you’re looking for French country charm, fine wine, and stone villages steeped in history all at affordable prices and removed from the tourist crowds, look to the lesser-traveled Lot department in southwest France. Along the loops of the Lot River, west of Cahors, lies a scenic valley lined with vineyards bearing grapes that have made Cahors’s wines famous since Roman times. Rows of vines lead to hilltop chateaux and surround medieval stone villages with colorful weekly markets. Almost every small vineyard offers a casual tasting room , and restaurants among the vineyards are elegant yet accessible. Small bed-and-breakfasts provide a romantic, French-country atmosphere. Beyond the serenity, what makes this side of the Lot Valley unique are miles of riverside paths and gentle trails dedicated to walkers and easy cycling. You can stroll through green and gold vineyards in picturesque scenery.Jav online
DAY 1

Start your three-day visit in riverside Puy L’Eveque, an impossibly picturesque pile of medieval towers and stone houses in the middle of the valley. Once you arrive, grab your shopping basket and set off for the area’s most colorful and aesthetic open-air market in nearby Prayssac. En route, stop in at Artisan Pâtissier Franck Tonel, on Puy L’Eveque’s main street, for the best chocolate croissants and walnut tarts around. Offerings at the market include artistic arrangements of fresh truffles, girolle and cèpe mushrooms, walnuts, apples, and the famous prunes d’Agen. Drop into the Prayssac tourist office in the market area and pick up a free map-guide to the local vineyards and, if you plan on doing any cycling, the Veloroute Circuit No. 1 map.

Dedicate the rest of the morning to exploring the vineyards, by car or by velo (bicycle). V-Lot can deliver rental bikes to your hotel, including electrically assisted bikes if your cycling muscles are rusty.

With more than 80 vineyards, ranging from world-renowned La Grezette (acclaimed by wine expert Robert Parker) to family-owned farms, the Cahors appellation is most famous for its hearty malbec-based red wines, best paired with beef, venison, or the local specialty, magret (duck breast). What may impress you most are the affordable prices for this excellent wine. Your map will tell you which vineyards have tasting rooms, what the hours are, and whether English is spoken–most often, it is.

Insider Tip: Avid oenophiles can read up on the history of the local vineyards in “Families of the Vines,” by Michael S. Sanders.Jav Uncensored HD

Aim for lunch in the charming courtyard of Le Caillau, a 300-year-old former winery surrounded by vineyards. A fresh-and-innovative, bargain lunch menu du jour features a main course, dessert, and a glass of local wine and coffee. Not that hungry? Share a platter of cold cuts, cheeses, and salad washed down with a carafe of the excellent house wine. Don’t skip dessert, which is outstanding here: buttery English-style cakes, and fruit crumbles with cream.

To work off lunch, hop back on your bike (or car), and head west along the veloroute signed Cahors, toward the tiny village of Grézels, where you’ll find a great photo op of vineyards and village, lorded over by the impressive, hilltop, 17th-century fortress of Chateau de la Coste.

If you’re driving, follow the signs, just past Grézels, to Belaye, up a winding, very narrow road to a viewpoint with panoramic views of the valley and two loops of the river.

You may not be wildly hungry after a late lunch, but if you get a little puckish once you’re back in Puy L’Eveque, cross the bridge and head for the stone tower of Le Pigeonnier, where the specialty is crepes and salads. From the restaurant terrace, you’ll have a picture-perfect view of the village at sunset.
DAY 2
After a light breakfast, drive or cycle 4 km west to Duravel, a storybook village that was once a Roman garrison before it became a prosperous medieval town with a monastery. Climb up to the restored remnants of the medieval wall for a sweeping valley view. The tourist office in the Mairie(town hall) has an excellent map of the village’s notable buildings, each marked by an informative plaque in English.

One of the Lot Valley’s celebrated historical treasures is the vaulted crypt in the village’s 11th-century church. You can pick up the key at Marty’s Boulangerie near the church and let yourself in to soak up the Romanesque atmosphere. Stone steps lead down to the vaulted crypt, where you’ll find 900-year-old columns with exquisitely carved capitals. Even if you’re not religious, the atmosphere here feels sacred.

For lunch, the gastronomic highlight in these parts is a meal at elegant Le Gindreau, a Michelin-starred restaurant presided over by Pascal Bardet, a former pupil of Alain Ducasse. Not only is this Michelin-starred restaurant relatively affordable but it’s also not pretentious or stuffy. At $65, the three-course lunch is a deal, offering main-course choices, along with delightful extras like exquisite amuse-bouches and a basket of delicate breads with flavored butters. If the weather is fine, book a table on the tree-shaded terrace, overlooking the countryside. The menu features traditional local specialties, updated in lighter, imaginative versions: foie gras, game, pigeon, an array of mushrooms and, particularly in the fall, truffles. There’s always seafood on the menu, too. The wine list focuses on local wines and the very helpful sommelier can suggest wines by the glass to complement your menu choices.

There isn’t much in the way of nightlife in Puy L’Eveque, but Le Stromboli, an excellent pizza and grill at the top of town, is lively and has a terrace with a bird’s eye view of the village.
DAY 3
Today’s the day to get out on the river. From the dock at the foot of Puy L’Eveque, take a one-hour, narrated cruise in a Gabare, a replica of the boats that once carried Cahors grapes downriver to Bordeaux. You can also rent a kayak or canoe and do the paddling yourself.

Join in the time-honored French custom of a long, leisurely lunch in the country, at Clau del Loup, a quintessentially French country hotel and restaurant in Anglars-Juillac. Here’s your last chance to indulge in foie gras, duck, and goat cheese in an elegant dining room or on a garden terrace shaded by huge trees.Jav Censored
GETTING HERE
Four trains a day from Paris arrive in Cahors, the closest long-distance train station. Closest airports are Bergerac and Toulouse. Puy L’Eveque is 35 km west of km Cahors, 83 km southeast of Bergerac, and 136 km north of Toulouse.
WHEN TO GO
Summertime in the Lot Valley is filled with village festivals, concerts and wine fairs. Tourism winds down the last two weeks of August as European families head home in what is called La Rentrée, the return to school and work. So, autumn is very tranquil, usually cool but sunny, and wildly scenic as the vineyards turn to russet and gold. In mid-September, grape-picking gets underway.