Wine Regions that Toast the Most from Coast-to-coast

Wine Regions that Toast the Most from Coast-to-coast

(ARA) - When planning a trip to "wine country," many think of California's Napa Valley first and foremost. But what would the reaction be if you told your friends you were taking a trip to wine country -- in Arkansas, Texas, or Indiana?

You won't be alone if you venture to one of these rapidly-growing wine regions, or to one of the many popular food and wine destinations in Washington, Ohio, Oregon or Michigan. Just to name a few.

You could call it a classic example of supply and demand, as it appears the number of vineyards and wine-themed travel destinations are growing along with the number of food and wine enthusiasts. More and more travelers are using the enticing combination of food and wine as the focal point of a vacation getaway.

In fact, online travel agency Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) recently identified the fastest-growing food and wine destinations in the United States. It may come as no surprise that Napa Valley is still king, almost doubling its growth in Orbitz bookings since 2005, but there's growing competition from its neighboring states to the north, as well as others in the south and Midwest.

Other regions graded highly include the second-ranked Texas Hill Country, Arkansas Wine Country (3rd) and Ohio's Grand River Valley (6th). Aside from perennial favorites including Sonoma and a handful in Washington and Oregon, these destinations may be lesser known to those outside of their home state. But lesser known does not necessarily translate to smaller quantities when it comes to the number of wine touring options for travelers.

For instance, it may come as a surprise to folks not hailing from the Buckeye State that Ohio alone features 97 wineries.

A few travel tips for budding wine enthusiasts:

1. Book your flight and hotel as a package versus booking ala carte for added savings.
2. Think outside the box and do your homework. You might be surprised to learn of a number of good wine regions that could be within short driving distance.
3. Plan to road trip? Book a pre-paid hotel room to manage your costs up front.
4. Don't drink and drive! Online travel agencies like Orbitz.com now let customers book car service within certain destinations for their wine sipping excursions, or ask the hotel concierge about a local car service they trust.
5. Pack light. When touring vineyards and wineries, you're surely going to want to take some of your favorites home with you. Save the shipping costs and take home what you can readily pack or carry.

As wine producers' high season approaches, thousands will pack their bags and fire up their taste buds for a pilgrimage to a favorite, or perhaps a new food and wine destination. And whether that brings them to New York or Florida, Rhode Island, Missouri or Virginia, or points in between, they can travel the country and probably never run out of harvest celebrations or elegant wine tastings.

For more information about booking a wine-tasting excursion, log on to www.orbitz.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent