Wine Reviews Ratings

posted by admin on Aug 19

One of the most unique cities in France, La Rochelle can be considered a top Atlantic city in France. It is located almost right in the middle of the Bay of Biscay coast, and is home to some of the oldest and interesting cultural history in Europe.

The city was founded roughly a thousand years ago and has been important in most French conflicts. La Rochelle played a major role during not only the Hundred Years War, but also the French Revolution, and World War Two. Although high in altitude, the city experiences Mediterranean temperatures for most of the year, making it a very popular destination. Visitors come to marvel at one of the largest man made structures in Europe, the bridge that connects La Rochelle to the Isle of Rhe, is a sight to behold. The beaches in La Rochelle are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and anything else you can imagine! There’s no reason not to grab some lunch to go and head to the ocean. There are beautiful landscapes to take in, as well as seaside restaurants and villas that can accommodate you.

Another great thing about La Rochelle is the city’s proximity to so much diverse landscape. Take a rental car in La Rochelle inland to Poiters, or south to Bordeaux to tour some of the finest wine country in Europe. You may want to heat north to Nantes or Quimper, where you could catch a ferry to England. Wherever you want to travel, you won’t soon forget a visit to La Rochelle.

Located on the northern coast of France between Caen and Rouen, Le Havre is a popular access point by ferry from both Ireland and England. Originally named after King Francis I who founded the city in 1517, the city has evolved into a popular travel destination for international visitors. Resting on the banks of the Seine River, Le Havre is well known for having beautiful old cathedrals and churches, several interesting museums, and the cultural center known as the Volcan is a must see. One church that is particularly impressive is Le Havre Cathedral, which was built nearly 500 years ago. With so much to see, Le Harve is a city that won’t disappoint.

From Le Havre, you have easy access to other interesting towns and cities. Caen and Rouen are only a short drive away, and many people stay in Le Havre during D-Day anniversaries, due to its close proximity to the allied invasion sight, and head north to Omaha Beach to pay respects. You could also head south west and visit Rennes, or the coastal city of Saint Malo. Wherever you wish to go, you won’t be disappointed on your next French vacation if you make Le Havre one of your main travel destinations. There are several locations where you can pick up Le Harve rental cars, as well as typical European public transportation. Both of these cities will provide you with an experience of a lifetime if you know where to look on your next vacation in France.

posted by admin on Aug 18

12. Great Ocean Road

This is without doubt one of Australia’s most scenic drives which takes close to four hours to complete. Stretching from Torquay through to Warrnambool, you will see cliff faces, ocean rock formations, rainforests and stretches of coast that can not be described. The road close to the Port Campbell National Park offers incredible scenery, and there are plenty of camping spots and accommodation offered along the way if you want to spend more time here. With waterfalls and walking trails inland and the best drives in the world along the coast, you need to experience this incredible Victorian hot spot on your vacation.

13. Philip Island

Known for its penguins and incredible sunsets, the remoteness and natural beauty of this island captures the heart of everyone who visits. Located south of Melbourne, the main town is Cowes which also has great beaches. There are plenty of walking tracks, and wildlife to see. The Philip Island Wildlife Park has to be seen, as well as the Koala Conservation Centre. The Penguin parade is by far the drawcard to this island, the best time being dusk as they return from a day out fishing.

14. Yarra Valley

Known for its wines, the Yarra Valley has a country appeal and also a great place to bushwalk, cycle and drive. One of the prettiest towns is Marysville, with amazing waterfalls and walks nearby. This area is perfect for a getaway day trip or overnight stay, with plenty of camping spots and accommodation to choose from. There are a number of national parks in the Valley, including the King Lake and Yarra Ranges National Parks. You will leave feeling relaxed and invigorated after your stay here.

15. Dandenong Ranges National Park

The Dandenong Ranges are made up of forest parks and beautiful gardens. A popular way to see the ranges is from the Puffing Billy steam train that takes you through scenic areas you normally would never see. Ferntree Gully National Park is a must with plenty of walking tracks and superb scenery. Located under an hour from Melbourne, it is a great day trip alternative with plenty to see and do. The Sherwood Forest and Thousand Steps are some of the natural attractions that draw plenty of locals and tourists to this incredible part of the world. The view from the Mount Dandenong Observatory also well worth the viist.

16. Apollo Bay

Located at the base of the Otway Ranges, and one of the most well known towns of the Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay is the perfect place to relax and enjoy incredible ocean views. It is the ideal base to enjoy all this area has to offer, and you can do as much or little as you like. The harbour is a great place to picnic and watch the fishing fleets, or you can take a day trip to one of the waterfalls in the hinterland. You won’t want to leave.

17. Bairnsdale

This is an ideal base to visit the lakes and wilderness area of East Gippsland, and is very pretty with the Mitchell River close by. It has everything you would expect in a city yet it is more a country town, and there is such unique wilderness on its doorstep that it can’t be missed. There are a number of fascinating museums in town, but the best attractions are further out, with Raymond Island, Fairy Dell, Colquhoun Forest and Lakes Entrance all less than an hour away.

18. Mount Beauty

The name says it all. With scenic beauty in every direction, and easily accessible at the foot of the highest mountain in Victoria (Mount Bogong), Mount Beauty boasts incredible views and is close to plenty of amazing attractions. The popular Falls Creek is not far away and skiers often use this town as a base, as well as in the summer months to visit the Bogong plains. The drive here can be steep in some areas, but there are a number of picturesque lookouts, such as View Point, which will make the drive worthwhile.

19. Mornington Peninsula

This is one of the most ever changing scenic destinations in Victoria. With natural bushland, rugged coast lines, vineyards, orchards and farms dotting the countryside, the Mornington Peninsula is a relaxing and inspiring place to visit. Known for its superb wines, especially the Pinot Noir and Cardonnay, there are plenty of vineyards to stop in to wine and dine. With bed and breakfasts and a number of good camping grounds it is great to visit for a day trip or overnight stay.

20. Milawa

This is a very pretty little town set in the King Valley wine producing region, located in Victoria’s high country. It is a great base for touring the area to visit the local produce including cheese, nuts, berries, honey, olives and of course, wine. Known for the famous Brown Brothers label, your palate will be satisfied as you enjoy a day trip to this hidden but incredibly picturesque region. Visit the Milawa Cheese Café and the Old Emu Inn. The Alpine National Park and Wabonga Plateau feature many walking trails with some sensational lookouts. There are plenty of festivals throughout the year, and the entire region is a top place to visit.

21. Halls Gap

Located in the Grampians National Park, just over 250 kilometres north west from Melbourne, Halls Gap can be found at the foot of the Mount William ranges and is the perfect base to visit the Grampians. There are plenty of bushwalking tracks, lookouts and waterfalls which will take more than a few days to explore. Abseiling, fishing and canoeing are popular, but for the less adventurous the Wildlife park and Zoo feature plenty of Australian wildlife. Some of the best inland fishing can also be found here. For all types of travellers, this is a une and relaxi

posted by admin on Aug 15

Most of us a familiar with the statistics showing that holiday time has one of the highest suicide and depression rates of the whole year. Even if you are not feeling overtly depressed or even suicidal it is quite possible that you may be one the millions of people who have feelings of loneliness and sadness this time of year. So what is it about the holidays that causes us to feel so sad?

The problem is not with the holidays themselves but with the many stories and beliefs we hold about them. It’s important for us to understand that we never have an emotional reaction unless we have perceived something and judged it in some way – good or bad. Once we see the truth or “what is” about the holidays we no longer will be affected by any story that our minds put forth.

Some things we may believe are:

You should never be alone this time of year, everyone should be with someone.

You should connect with your family this time of year.

You should not go on a vacation holiday time without your family.

If you are not with people at the holidays you are not loved. If I were in a relationship I would not be alone now.

I have no friends where I live now and the holidays are making it worse.

I have nothing to do and no parties to attend, no one wants me.

These are just a few things you may be thinking as there are many sad stories of holiday woe, so do make note of what lies your mind has been proposing to you so you can move past them. This is how I approach these thought-forms so I can enjoy the holidays with an open heart, gratitude and joy.

First, I recognize that my family also has many beliefs about the holidays that they feel compelled to hold me to. While I respect my family and do my best to be with them (since it brings them so much joy) – there have been times when I’ve been exhausted and personal time took precedence over being with my family. If this is the case for you – don’t defend yourself to your family as you are not a victim. Simply let them know what is going on, what you are doing and do your best to find a way to connect with them again as soon as you can. That is being respectful to both dreams. Know that there is no absolute rule that you must be with family at this time of year – but also look at the reasons why you might not want to be with them. If you have any fear on your side born of judgment of any of your family members then you are not acting from love but from your fear-based thought-forms.

Second, if you’re alone at the holidays it’s because you’ve created your life that way, not because the world is against you or that you’re unlovable. If you’ve just moved to a new city and you don’t know anyone – join a club and go to their holiday activities, take a class in holiday cooking or wine tasting, or even commit to volunteering at your local hospital. Notice how your mind will create the exact conditions you need in your life to prove to you what you already believe about yourself (that you are not loveable).

Third, neediness is the expression of a victimized mind that has no self love. If you think your holidays would be better if you were in relationship this is simply not truth. The most important relationship you have is with yourself. And if that is fulfilling you will not need anyone else. Yes, of course it’s lovely to have a companion in life as we are social animals – but neediness is not love.

Last of all, the bottom line is that the holidays are just another set of days in your life – no better or worse than any other days. It’s only because you assign great importance to these days do they become painful. I encourage you to purposely spend your holiday with yourself doing fun things like ice-skating, holiday window shopping, catching up with movies, listening to beautiful music in the tub, having a massage, and just relaxing. Learn to take actions that prove to you that you love yourself rather than using the holidays to prove that you are not loved.

With all my love & blessings. Sheri Rosenthal

posted by admin on Aug 12

Home to of almost a third of New Zealand’s whole population, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city. However, the term city should be used loosely when describing Auckland, as it’s really a mix of urban and marine.

Auckland offers a very multicultural lifestyle with a wonderful watery backyard containing over 50 islands. Situated between the Hauraki Gulf to the east and the Manukau Harbour to the South, Auckland is one of only a few cities in the world to boast access to two harbours on two independent bodies of water.

Auckland is surrounded by a real variety of different geographical landscapes. A half hour journey from the city centre could take you up a volcano, through a rainforest, along an empty black sand beach, across the harbour to one of the islands or to a vineyard to sample some of the region’s best wines. Auckland’s proximity to such varied geography, in addition to it’s warm climate and easy layout creates a lifestyle commonly ranked in the world’s top ten.

With a population of 1.3 million, the Auckland region is home to over a quarter of Kiwis.

Things to do in Auckland

Vineyards and beaches can be found to the north, south and west of Auckland. Visitors can encounter New Zealand’s unique bird and tree species, including the giant kauri tree in the native forests of the Hunua and Waitakere ranges.

Auckland’s multicultural society is reflected in it’s many islands, each one with it’s own character and activities. Visitors can choose between Rangitoto, Waiheke, Motuihe or Kawau, Great Barrier and Tiri Tiri Matangi a bit further out. Whatever island you choose to visit, you will be able to find ultimate relaxation or an island adventure, just make sure you take gear to match.

With influences from Polynesia, Japan, Europe, South America, the Mediterranean and Thailand, Auckland’s culinary scene offers an exciting array of choice to all its visitors.

Auckland is well known for its art and fashion scene making it a haven for visitors who enjoy shopping. A walk around the city will give visitors an idea of the creativeness on offer to them, and also the chance to sample the excellent local theatre and the Auckland live music scene.

Main towns in the Auckland region

Auckland City – largest urban area in New Zealand

Great Barrier Island – a large island with a small population

Pukekohe – major attractions include motor racing, horse racing and garden fresh vegetables

Rangitoto – volcanic island erupted from the seabed around 600 years ago

Waiheke Island – pleasure-loving island famous for its many vineyards

posted by admin on Aug 10

For the traveler who is seeking a truly luxurious vacation, a European River Cruise is the way to go. You first fly to a chosen city in Europe then board your boat on one of the many wonderful rivers throughout Europe. The advantage of this type of cruise is that you can see many cities in a chosen region, never needing to pack and unpack. You will also be certain of your accommodation because the food is always excellent on these cruises.

These cruise boats offer elegant surroundings and the common areas are luxurious with rich woods, elegant fabrics and burnished brasses. All have numerous decks for viewing the exquisite scenery.

These floating hotels cruise the mighty rivers of Europe and many of the cruise lines have special itineraries depending on the time of year. There are arts and music cruises, wine tasting cruises that will take you the some of the finest wineries and vineyards in Europe’s wine country. Watching the changing of the seasons from your deck can be a real treat. Some cruise lines include shore excursions in your ticket price. This is a real value when you compare the Euro versus the dollar.

Because there are so many companies in so many different countries that offer European River Cruises it is best to work with a travel agent who is familiar with the different itineraries. Different lines in different countries will offer different accommodation with different experiences.

When planning your next trip abroad you should consider a European River Cruise because the luxuries that you would aspect from anywhere in the world will be yours while you get to see the great cities of Europe.