For wine enthusiasts, there is nothing quite like heading out to sample some great bottles across the world. Because the way a wine tastes is impacted by the soil and climate in which the grapes are grown, wines from different regions will taste very differently. For people who want to taste extraordinary wines right from the vine, traveling is necessary. If you are planning on visiting vineyards across the world, we have some suggestion to make your experience an even more positive one.

Turn to Smaller Vineyards

It can be tempting to stick to the larger brands, but you will get a much better sense of what wine-making is like if you visit smaller vineyards. You can get a look at what the process is like and to speak to the people who actually do the work. In huge vineyards, this is much more difficult to do, so if your goal is not only to sample wine but also to learn about the process, you might be better off in one of the smaller locations.

Ask Questions

It can be intimidating to walk into someone’s vineyard and ask questions, but most people are more than happy to answer them. They are wine enthusiasts who want to share their love for the process with you, so the more question you ask, the better. As in a classroom, you will be able to learn much better if you are asking questions.

Hire a Driver

Even the small mouthfuls of a tasting can add up, especially if you are doing a tour in the morning. If you are touring a certain countryside, like Italy or South Africa, where a lot of wines are made, you should hire a driver, since the locations will not be very close together and you will need to drive after each tasting. Many hotels, like the Marriott Protea Stellenbosch, are more than happy to arrange drivers for you so that you can enjoy your experience without worry.

Go Early

This is especially important in areas that are more touristy. One of the best things about visiting vineyards is getting to talk to the people in charge. When there are a lot of people, this can become more difficult to do. On weekends, go visit vineyards early, so that you can get the full experience of a working vineyard.

Do Not Drink Everything

It is important to know that you do not have to drink everything in your glass. You can spit it out into the spit buckets that all tasting rooms have. You do not want the alcohol to affect you, especially if you have a long day of tasting ahead of you. Being even slightly tipsy can affect your taste-buds and can make it more difficult to get the full scope of a glass of wine.

All of these tips can help make your experience traveling and tasting different vineyards much easier. You should always rise early to visit vineyards to avoid lots of people, and you should take the time to hire a driver so that you do not risk driving while even mildly intoxicated. There is nothing quite like visiting different vineyards around the world, so if you are a wine enthusiast, it is definitely something to consider.

Planning a wedding can be stressful and increasing numbers of people are choosing destination weddings. The first thing that you need to research is what is required to ensure that you are legally married in the destination that you choose.

Once that is taken care of the rest is easy and you can easily hire someone at the destination to do all of the leg work for you regarding the details like photography, food, hair, makeup, and flowers. This is also a great way to keep the number of guests to a minimum as not everyone will be able to afford to travel. Here are some ideas for your Fairytale Wedding.

Lapland, Finland

If you have always dreamed of a pristine white, snow filled wedding then Lapland, Finland is the place to go. There are several romantic options for weddings in Lapland and you can get married in an ice chapel located deep in the forest, or at the Chapel of the Arctic Snow Hotel which is less than 30km from the fun filled city of Rovaniemi. The Northern Lights House is at the top of the Fell with a stunning view of the Arctic Finnish Forest, and if you’re lucky you’ll be blessed with a visit from the stunning aurora borealis.

Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos in Cyprus is known as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Thousands of couples from the UK get married here each year because of the beautiful weather, the inexpensive prices, and the wonderful legend attached to this place. You can get married at a resort, on a yacht, or say your nuptials on the beach.

Greece

Greece is a fabulous setting for a fairytale wedding and there are so many options to choose from. You can get married on one of the stunning islands, say your vows in a stunning mountain chapel, or get married on a yacht in the stunning Agean Sea. Many of the beaches have dramatic rock formations off the coast or behind them and you can find them in a rainbow of colours like white, red, or black sand, or different coloured pebbles. The food is fantastic and sure to please all of the guests that come for your wedding.

Rome, Italy

What could be more exciting than being married in a city with more than 2,000 years of history? There are many options for couples looking to get married in Rome and you can say your vows in St. Peters Basillica in Vatican City, get married in a castle or one of the other historic churches. Treat your guests to a tour of Rome, enjoy a fabulous dinner at one of the many great restaurants and then head to the Trevi Fountain to make a wish.

Barbados

Barbados is a country that is located in the Caribbean. It is a great place for a fairytale wedding and this dreamy destination is filled with stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, and sunny days all year long. Crystal Cove and Turtle Beach are great areas and you can find many different wedding packages to suit your needs and your budget.