Category Archives: Wine

Eat well, drink well in the Veneto region

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Sure, pasta is king in Italy, but in the Veneto region, pasta takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. You are on the coast, so there is plenty of great seafood, including squid ink risotto and fabulously prepared octopus. You could be basking in the glory of the region and enjoying great food as well as Prosecco and special wine selections if you travel with GetAway on our group trip to the Greek Islands followed by our bonus Veneto trip in 2027.

Balcony at Juliet House – Verona

Salute! Great drinking choices

 The Veneto region is slightly smaller than the other wine-producing regions in Italy, but it generates more wine then any of the other regions. It is a geographically transitional area so the climate differences create areas where specific grapes can flourish.

Vineyard landscape in Soave

The region can be split into three different producing areas. The Northwest is the foothills of the Alps. The cooler climate gives fresh, crisp whites. In that same area, just north of Verona is Valpolicella and the subregion of Valpantena — giving us fruity intense reds, like Amerone. Traveling east of Valpolicella is Soave, home of the dry, white wine.

Vicenza gardens

Vicenza and Padua are in central Veneto and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Nero are produced there.

Anytime is a good time for Prosecco

Prosecco reigns supreme in the Northeast region. In 2019 this area received a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for its continued stellar production of Prosecco. Sweeter than champagne with bigger bubbles, Prosecco holds the lively taste of apple, pear, lemon rind, perhaps a hint of light flowers and even tropical fruit.

Sunset on the Piave River

The Northeast corner on either side of the Piave River, in the areas of Verona and Treviso is also the leading producer of Grappa. Using grape seeds, stalks and stems left over from the wine-making process, gives us the intensely flavored Grappa. Designed to be sipped after a hearty meal, it is served in a smaller glass and has a higher alcohol content than wine.

Grappa!

There are a number of wine route/Prosecco tours you can take, or take advantage of the many vineyard tours available in the region.

 

Aperoal Spritz is great on a hot day

We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the spritz. Order it in any bar, it is three parts Prosecco, and two parts Aperol (an Italian bitter make with gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — it has an orange hue) or two parts Campari (a pinkish bitter made with fruit and herbs).

 Mangia! Savor the cuisine

 Sure, you can get the traditional pasta in the Veneto region, but it takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. The pasta you get here is bigoli, a thick spaghetti made with buckwheat or whole wheat and eggs.

Bigoli pasta with duck meat sauce

Polenta is served as a side dish with meat and game. It looks like grits when served, or is formed, then sliced and toasted. It is made of corn ground finer than traditional polenta found in the United States and it is often white rather than yellow.

Mixing up a big batch of Polenta

There are substantial rice paddies around Verona where the paddy fields are flooded and irrigated by the River Tartaro. The rice is cultivated along strict guidelines and carries the country’s status of PGI or Protected Geographic Indication.

Radicchio Rossi di Treviso

Radicchio, grown near Treviso, also carried the PGI designation. Radicchio Rossi di Treviso is unique to this region. It can only be grown in limited areas around Venice because it requires nutrient-rich soil and spring waters. It also has strict cultivation processes including harvesting. Certain varieties are harvested and the heads tied and kept in darkness for two weeks. Another cultivation method involves harvesting and then washing the heads over and over again in tanks of water

It is served grilled with olive oil, which removes much of the bitterness, as a poultry stuffing, with pasta or in a tapenade.

Treviso

If you are offered the chance to have a dish that includes white asparagus, don’t pass it up. It has a milder, sweeter flavor than its green counterpart. It grows underground in the perfect sandy soil around Treviso.

Mussels

You’re near the coast, so expect mussels, crabs, anchovies, sprat (herring-like fish) and octopus.

Sarde in Saor

A great bonus is that there is a variety of fabulous cuisines in different areas. In Vicenza, try the asiago cheese. Creu is a hot horseradish sauce that usually accompanies meat and sometimes stew. It is made by mixing fresh horseradish with bread crumbs, vinegar and olive oil. Baccalà alla Vicentina is stockfish (an air-dried variety of fish) cooked with onions, olive oil, sardines, milk, cheese and parsley served with polenta.

Pandora cake

Enjoy rich stews in Verona with polenta as a side. Brasata all’amerone is beef braised in wine and pastissada de caval is a horse meat stew. For dessert, Pandora, a brioche style cake dusted with powdered sugar.

Oca

Padua options include lots of tasty chicken dishes as well as Oca in Padovana, a rich goose dish. You’ll find horse meat on the menu here, included with pasta, risotto or cut in small dried strips and put on pizza.

Squid ink Risotto

Depending where you are, you can order bigoli in salsa which is pasta in anchovy sauce, risotto al Nero di seppia which is risotto with cuttlefish ink, sarde in saor (sardines preserved in a sweet and sour marinade) and baccalà mantecato which is (oddly enough) North Atlantic salt cod soaked, cooked in milk and then pounded with olive oil to make a mousse or pate. It is eaten with polenta.

Focaccia

Risi e bigi is risotto with peas and pancetta. Try the focaccia, oven-baked bread topped with a variety of ingredients. Salvia Fritter is fried sage leaves. The leaves are lightly battered in a batter of flour, olive oil, egg whites and salt, fried and then sprayed with salt.

Cichéti, small plates like tapas

 Bar patrons out in the afternoon take advantage of cichéti at bars called bàcari. With a glass of wine or a spritz, enjoy small servings usually accompanied by some type of crostini. Polpettes are one of the popular items, small meat or fish balls. A version of sarde in saor is also served. It is usually sardines fried in oil and then flavored with raisins, pine nuts and white wine vinegar. It hits all the notes — sweet, savory, sour and salty. There may be sandwiches, little squids, hard-boiled eggs, olives, vegetables and items served on polenta.

Hungry for travel? Thirsty for adventure?

GetAway Travel has just the answer. Give our travel advisors a call and start your vacation plans, (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

The Beaujolais Region: France’s “Little Tuscany”

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The Beaujolais and the Burgundy regions of France are great spots for adventure and including them in a fabulous river cruise is a great idea!

The Beaujolais Region is nicknamed “Little Tuscany” because of its rolling hills covered with vineyards, quaint villages, great wine and beautiful castles. It reminds visitors of Italy’s lovely Tuscany.

Beaujolais, France

Time slows down and enjoyment ramps up when you take a cruise on the Rhône River through the area. No packing and unpacking, leisurely tours through stunning countryside and exciting dinner fare that reflects what is available in the area. Have we piqued your interest? Good! GetAway Travel advisors can help you pick the best cruise to take you through the Beaujolais area.

Let’s talk wine!

 There are wine tours and wine tasting options available everywhere your ship docks, but there’s always something to do if you don’t want to drink wine. The wines are nicely aged reds, easy drinking reds and even some sparkling and white options. The diversity of flavors and textures are due to the different soil types, elevations and microclimates and the gamay grapes.  Each wine carries the distinctive influence of the specific vineyard where it is produced.

The Beaujolais region is larger than any single district of the neighboring Burgundy Region. The vineyards here stretch for four miles along the Saône River. The granite-heavy soils and warmer climate make it ideal for producing lighter flavored grapes and fruity, zesty wines.

There are three distinct wine areas in the region.

The granite soil of the Region of the Crus adds a complexity to the wines which are usually aged for several years. The Beaujolais Villages area has granite and sandy soil. Here, more structured and textured wines are produced and they fare well aged between three and six years. The Regional Appellation Beaujolais area produces very fruity red wines with the help of the clay and limestone soil. Beaujolais Nouveau, white Beaujolais as well as sparking wines are produced here.

Golden Stones Country

 Thirty-nine villages in the southern part of the Beaujolais Region are in the Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones) area. Ochre colored stones were used to build homes and even castles in this area and when the light hits the golden limestone, they shimmer and glow. Oingt, Ternaud, Marcy, Charnay, Jarnioux, Pommiers and Bagnois are among the villages in this area.

Village Oingt

Oingt, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, overlooks the Azerques Valley and surrounding mountains. Panoramic views from the village include the Beaujolais vineyards, the Rhône and Lyon.

Window in Oingt

There are perfectly preserved half-timbered homes here and charming artisan shops. More than a dozen artists live and have workshops in the village creating everything from distinctive jewelry to kintsugi, a Japanese pottery. The history of mechanical music instruments is chronicled at the Mechanical Music Centre Museum. There are phonographs, music boxes and mechanical pianos.

Village Oingt

The Fortress from the Middle Ages used to be the home of the Lords of Oingt. The museum has fossils, carved stones, ceramic items, documents from the middle ages and panoramic views of the area.

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Amalfi Coast features lemons, olives, wine and fabulous cuisine

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The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its contribution to Mediterranean culture. That includes the lemon experience, “heroic” vineyards and olive groves and the world’s oldest pasta. If you’re looking for a vacation with fabulous scenery, lovely historic sites, and tours of terraced lemon and olive groves along with vineyards and unforgettable cuisine, GetAway Travel stands ready to help.

The lemon experience

 Lemons from the Amalfi Coast are distinctly different from those hard, waxy fruits you pick up at the grocery store. Amalfi lemons are knobby, football-shaped juice-packed wonders of nature. Fragrant with a balanced acidity that doesn’t evoke the lemon-sucked pucker, some are so sweet they can be eaten like apples. They can be purchased at street vendors cut up, sprinkled with a little salt, lightly drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with mint.

Their leaves are wrapped around vegetables and limoncello cheese is famous around the world. Traveling along the coast you can buy cookies iced with lemon frosting at street stands as well as granita di Limone which is sort of like a lemon slushy.

The Aceto Family is your host when you take the Lemon Experience tour in Amalfi. They have been growing lemons for six generations. Learn the art of terraced farming, also called “heroic” farming because the rocky, steep terraces don’t lend themselves to mechanical equipment. It takes heroic human effort to cultivate and harvest the lemons as well as olives and grapes at other farms on the coast. The produce is loaded into crates which are then brought out on the shoulders of employees and family members.

The Museum of Arts showcases the tools of the trade for lemon growing. There is equipment and documents that show the evolution of terrace farming. Take a cooking class and learn how to make the classic lemon tort or lemon jam. At the end of your tour or class, try the limoncello and its variations. Buy and take lemons with you, or ship them. And, for heavens sake, don’t skip the classic delizia al limone even if you are counting calories. It’s a lemon delight of sponge cake filled with lemon cream, brushed with limoncello and topped with lemon-based whipped cream.

Delizia al limone

Olives and wine

 Get your olive fix at Sorrento Farm. Olive grove tours are conducted under the olive trees, very fitting, and you get the history and an idea of the tradition and farming techniques. See tools from the process, everything from pruning to pressing, and finally the end product.

Sample a variety of olive oils, the farm produces 20 or so, flavored with oranges, truffles, chillies and, of course, lemon.

Terraced vineyard on Amalfi coast

Small-scale wineries are scattered throughout the coast. The indigenous grapes have a unique flavor due to the sea breeze, volcanic soil and heat of the sun.

Vietri sul Mare

Le Vigne di Riato is a lemon grove and vineyard directly above Vietri sul Mare. You can take a tour there or at Cantine Apicella or Ettore Sammarco near Ravello. Marisa Cuomo Winery is the best known winery in the area. Run by women, their wines celebrate the grapes of the region. Tenure San Francesco features wines from recipes that are 100 years old. Guiseppe Apicella is an organic boutique winery that only produces about 19 bottles of wine a year. It is in Tramonti.

You can taste a wide variety of coastal wines at the Le Tre Sorelle Wine Room in Positano. Ask for a flight or try one of the more than 40 wines sold by the glass.

Pasta, seafood and marvelous cuisine

 One of the oldest pastas in the world, ndunderi, a ricotta and pecorino cheese gnocchi, UNESCO recognizes it as a pasta created during Roman times. Minori lays claim to being the birthplace of the pasta, but there are fabulous dishes throughout the region.

Scialatielli ai frutti di mare

Scialatielli ai frutti di mare is a pasta dish packed with seafood including redfish, blue fish, shrimp, sea urchin, octopus, mussels and usually several more additions depending on the catch of the day. The pasta noodles in this dish are made with milk instead of eggs.

Colatura di Alica

Cetera, in addition to being the tuna capital of the world, supplies the area with Colatura di Alica, a fish sauce condiment made by stacking anchovies, fish, salt and flavorings together. This amber-colored liquid has an intense flavor and is used in spaghetti dishes.

Rigatoni alla Genovese

Rigatoni alla Genovese is cod cooked in oil and lemon peel and Zuppa di Cozze is a tasty mussel soup.

Parmigiana di melanzane

Parmigiana di melanzane is an eggplant dish where the vegetable is layered with tomato sauce. But you can also get eggplant in a sweet dish. Melanzane al cioccolato is eggplant and chocolate and depending where it is ordered, it could be layered with ricotta or a liquor and flavored with cinnamon, lemon and candied orange.

Moscardini

Moscardini con le patate is baby octopus simmered in red wine vinegar combined with potatoes boiled in saltwater. It all comes together with white wine, olive oil, herbs and garlic. Try cuppo d’Amalfi from any street vendor — fried fish and squid served in a paper cone.

Gnocchi

Is the Amalfi Coast calling to you? Then make a call to GetAway Travel! Call (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Experience the Canadian Rockies by rail

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The sweeping grandeur of some scenery is best experienced from above and from afar. Let’s face it, standing a foot from a glacier is not as impressive as standing 50 feet from a glacier and seeing the gigantic span of multi-colored ice. So it makes a lot of sense to take in mountains, valleys, waterfalls and rock formations from a glass-enclosed rail car to get the full majesty of panoramic views. GetAway Travel invites you to adventure in the Canadian Rockies with us in 2015. Journey through the clouds starting in Vancouver…

Vancouver and Kamloops

 

 You might say, “hey, Vancouver looks familiar…” And, you would be right. This bustling Canadian city is the darling of TV and film producers. It provided a backdrop for, to name a few TV shows: The Good Doctor, MacGyver, Battlestar Galactica, Alcatraz, Riverdale and the X-Files. And the city played a big part in these movies: Deadpool 2, Star Trek, Godzilla, Twilight Saga, The A Team, X-Men, Elf, Ghost Rider, Happy Gilmour and many more.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Get the full impact of the mountains on one side, the ocean on one side and the city on the other, by taking a walk on the Capilano Suspension Bridge. A wooden walking suspension bridge perched 230-feet above ground offers fabulous views.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

One of the city’s coolest landmarks is the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Bing Thom designed it to create an awesome acoustical experience. The concert hall, with its curved maple walls, is shaped like the inside of a cello. There’s a 25-ton acoustic canopy over the concert stage and the glass-to-ceiling walls in the lobby, are breathtaking.

Vancouver downtown and cruise pier

“Where the rivers meet” is the English translation of Kamloops which became somewhat of a boom town with fur trading as well as the gold rush. Well-known now for hosting a myriad of  sports tournaments, Kamloops also boasts a number of world-class wineries.

Kamloops, BC, Canada

Privato Vineyard and Winery is a family-run boutique winery. It produces Burgundian style wines including small batches of pinot noir and chardonnay. It also has a nice line of sparkling wines.

Monte Creek Winery is the largest winery in Kamloops. In addition to the great wine, the store also sells local farm products, books, honey, gift items and, of course, wine! Enjoy the stunning views of the river valley from the winery while tasting French-oak fermented chardonnays, cabernets and merlots.

The Thompson Valley lies between 300 and 400km from the Pacific Ocean. At 50.6 degrees north latitude, the Thompson Valley is one of the northernmost wine regions in the world

Kamloops has something called the Back Alley Art Gallery tour, but visitors can experience all or just a bit of what the tour offers walking around the city. There are 30 outdoor murals, the majority in city alleyways, that offer a unique art adventure.

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Switzerland’s captivating charm and mountain scenery

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Matterhorn peak reflected in Lake Stellisee, Zermatt, Switzerland

Switzerland is a pretty amazing place with some pretty amazing scenery, neighbors, history and cuisine. You can find cuckoo clocks, cheese, chocolate, castles and charm throughout the country. The Alps run through most of the country, but the most photographed mountain is the Matterhorn. Near the border of Italy, the Matterhorn is the mountain of mountains. GetAway Travel can map you an itinerary around the Alps, around Zurich or from one end of Switzerland to the other. Let’s talk about Geneva, Lausanne, Zermatt and, of course, the Matterhorn. 

 No, you don’t have to ski to love it 

 Of course you can ski in Switzerland, and snowboard, cycle, skate, snowshoe and hike, but you can also enjoy amazing scenery that will give you a lifetime of memories without doing any of those things. If you want to start with the Matterhorn, then Zermatt is where you want to be. There are more than 200 miles of slopes in the area for all levels of skiing expertise, but there are also more than 60 mountain trains that you can ride to get you close to the slopes without touching a ski.  

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is home to some fabulous international resorts and part of its charm, in addition to the shops, chalets and restaurants, is there are no gas-powered vehicles. You park in a huge lot three miles from the city and get shuttled in. 

Ski Slopes in Zermatt

The huge, graceful Matterhorn dominates the area. Described by some as a pyramid and others as a jagged tooth, three faces of the mountain are in Switzerland and the fourth face is in Italy. 

Climbing it is an adventure to be braved only by the experienced. There are plenty of other challenging climbs that guides can direct you to. 

Gronergrat Railway

But don’t skip the marvelous chance to experience the mountains and the scenery — take a train. The Gornergrat Railway is Europe’s highest mountain railroad. It takes 45 minutes to take the six-mile trip up the east side of the Nikolai Valley and then around the sweeping curve up the slope of the Riffleberg. The rail line also runs above the Gorner Glacier to the Gornergrat Observatory giving visitors a spectacular look at the Matterhorn as well as the glacier. 

Gronergrat Observatory

The Matterhorn Museum details how the history of Zermatt is tied to climbers. A relief of the Matterhorn shows the routes climbers take, there are artifacts and exhibits and outside is the quirky Marmot Fountain. Bronze marmots cavort in cascading water and behind the fountain is a life-size bronze of a large, horned mountain goat. 

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France beyond Paris

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When you think of France, Paris is the first city that comes to mind. It’s an iconic destination because it’s home to the Arc D’Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées. But there’s plenty more to see and do in France. There’s vineyards, chateaus, museums, monuments, beaches, woods to explore and different cuisine to try. If you’ve “done” Paris, let GetAway Travel plan you a memorable trip somewhere else in the country that has so much to offer. 

 Strasbourg embraces dual cultures 

 Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France. The region is the part of France on the border of Germany. The area passed between French and German control several times in the 1600s. The area soaked up the culture of both countries and reflects an interesting blend of French and German influences.

Take a trip on the Alsace Wine Route and tour wineries and some of the quant villages around Strasbourg. But the city itself is gorgeous with its picturesque canals, half-timbered houses and stunning architecture. 

The Strasbourg Cathedral, or the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, is a prime example of gothic architecture and many say it has more charm than the Notre-Dame de Paris. When you finish admiring the architecture outside, there’s a gorgeous astronomical clock inside. Hike the  322 steps to the top platform for phenomenal views of the city.  

Learn more about the region and its history at the Alsatian Museum and don’t forget to visit the city’s main square, Place Kleber. It’s worth a visit any time, but during the Christmas market season, there’s a skating rink, a gigantic Christmas tree and a wonderland of festive decorations. 

The whole city has an eclectic feel because of the dual influences as well as the fact it has the second largest student population in all of France. 

 Rugged, friendly Brittany 

 The long, rugged coastline of Brittany in the northwestern most part of France, is dotted with resorts and vacation homes. It is known as the Pink Granite coast because the sand and rock has a sort of blush-tinted hue. 

It is an area with an amazing diversity of landscapes — from moody moors to verdant forests and sweeping seascapes all intermingled with medieval villages and fairy-tale castles. 

Saint-Malo is a Breton port designed as a citadel, or fortified stronghold, and the medieval fortifications are still visible around the city. You can tour the Château de Saint-Malo which dates to the 14th and 15 centuries and visit the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent which was a part of a complex that housed bishops. Visit the palace, the cloisters, the cathedral and the cannon’s houses. The interior, including the stained glass windows, is stunning. 

Quimper is a picture-postcard of a city in Brittany. There are pastel-painted half-timbered homes, cobblestone streets and pedestrian footbridges decorated with flowers. The Musée of Beaux Arts features works from Dutch and Flemish painters as well as paintings from post-Impressionist Masters. There is a museum devoted to faience which is a tin-decorated pottery made in Quimper. Brittany’s rich cultural heritage is on display at the Musée Départemental Breton.  

A fact beach-goers should pay attention to: Brittany has the fastest tides in all of Europe. 

 Marseille: a port city with a rich past 

 The oldest and second-most populated city in France, Marseille was named the European Capital of Culture in 2013 and it still has a wide variety of theaters, concert halls and museums.  

The MuCEM is the newest addition to Marseille’s cultural offerings. It is a museum dedicated to Europe and the Mediterranean. Permanent and rotating exhibits highlight the historical and cultural influences that shaped the region. You can also explore the attached ruins of Fort Saint-Jean. The island fortress of Château d’If should be familiar to readers, it played a part in Alexandre Dumas’s classic, “The Count of Monte Crisco.” On the highest hill near the city is the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. Constructed in the Neo-Byzantine style, the church’s dominant feature is a gilded Madonna. 

 The Palais Longchamp is an amazing complex of museums and gardens. It is more of a monument than a palace. It was built to acknowledge the engineers who worked 15 years to construct a series of canals to bring water to the drought-stricken area from the Durance River in the Alps. There is, of course, a stunning fountain and other water features as well as two museums. The Musée des Beaux Arts has three centuries of paintings and the Museum d’Histoire Naturelle has 80,000 animal specimens and 20,000 plant exhibits. 

Shop and stroll on La Canebière. There are clothing boutiques, bakeries, cafes and local artisan shops. A fantastic Christmas market is held here every year. Does it look familiar? The avenue was featured in French Connection 2. 

 Culture, castles, cuisine, wine — whatever your area of interest, the advisors at GetAway Travel can craft you a vacation that hits all the marks. Reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Break out the bubbly! Exploring the Champagne region of France

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If there’s a celebration, nine times out of 10, there’s Champagne. It’s that iconic bubbly beverage that is photographed showing the fabulous fizz in stunning glasses. But it’s just a pretty pretender if what you are drinking hasn’t been produced in the Champagne region of France. 

Reims

GetAway Travel invites you to contact us and book a trip to explore the Champagne region and get up close and personal with the drink that has launched thousands of special moments. 

Why is it special? 

Since the 1600s, 3 grapes: pinot noir, pinot meunièr and chardonnay grapes make what we call Champagne. The hills and plains in Eastern France between Paris and Lorraine are renowned for producing the famous sparkling wine known as Champagne. The area is about a day trip by bus from Paris. 

The taste of grapes varies depending on the area where they are grown, which is one of the reasons Champagne processed and produced in the Champagne region has very distinctive characteristics. The amount of each grape included in the blend or cuvee is proprietary to each Champagne producer.  

The grape mix is fermented into wine and the wine is then injected with a yeast. The second fermentation series creates carbon dioxide which puts the bubbles into the bubbly. 

Champagne must age at least 15 months, but some are aged much longer. When you walk the streets of Reims and Epernay, two of the larger cities in the Champagne region, you are likely walking over millions of bottles of Champagne stored in tunnels and cellars beneath the earth. 

Cathedrals, castles and Champagne 

Reims Cathedral

Reims, was the traditional coronation spot for most of France’s kings. Reims Cathedral is one of France’s greatest representations of gothic architecture. It was badly damaged in WWI, and then restored to its original splendor. Its twin bell towers and rose-stained glass windows are featured in many publications. 

Detail – exterior of Cathedral in Reims

Reims is home to some of the major Champagne producers including Taittinger. Of course tours and tastings are available but be warned — tours include the cellars and tunnels. It may be 85 degrees outside, but it’s in a chilly mid-40s where the Champagne is stored. Pack a light coat. 

Marc Chagall windows – Reims Cathedral

If you are fascinated by Art Deco, check out the Villa Demoiselle in Reims. This grand mansion has been transformed into a museum that features Art Nouveau as well as Art Deco furniture and fittings. Reims is very pedestrian oriented, and you can stroll along the streets and visit Champagne retailers, smaller tasting rooms and restaurants. 

Reims Cathedral nighttime light show

Visit the Chateau de Sedan in the region. The mid-16th century castle/fortress once housed nearly 4,000 residents. On your tour you will likely meet up with medieval costumed characters. 

Nigoland in Dolancourt is a theme park that includes a great roller coaster, a drop tower attraction and a forest and gardens. The Troyes Cathedral has a superb rose window, and it houses art as well as renaissance era sculptures. 

While you are in Troyes, you can see an 18th century apothecary with a fabulous collection of ceramic jars and painted medicine boxes. 

Don’t skip a side trip to Epernay 

 Epernay is about 15 miles from Reims and Champagne producers such as Moet-Chandon and Perrier-Jouet are headquartered there. There are many smaller cellars and Champagne houses all within walking distance along the Avenue de Champagne. It is estimated that there are more than 200 million bottles of Champagne beneath the streets. 

In the chalk caves

Admire the incredible stonework at the Portal Saint-Martin. The oldest monument in Epernay has fabulous stone renderings of animals. It is all that is left of the Abby of Saint Martin. Relax and smell the roses at the Jardin Botanique De La Presir. This botanical garden features plants from all over Europe as well as 500 types of roses. There’s a labyrinth as well as topiaries sculpted into monster shapes! 

 The seasoned, well-traveled travel advisors at GetAway Travel can help with your dream trip to the Champagne region of France and also help you book your smaller cellar and site tours before you go so you won’t miss a thing. Contact Sue or Paul, (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Stunning scenery and adventure await travelers to New Zealand

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If fabulous landscapes from mountains to beaches, as well as the opportunity to walk on a glacier and drink fine wine are on your bucket list, New Zealand is the place you want to be. For its size, the islands of New Zealand pack some big bang for your buck. Your travel advisors at GetAway Travel can package you up a vacation that involves adventure or sightseeing, or some of both! 

 A natural paradise 

Without question, New Zealand is recognized as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has scenery that takes your breath away, plenty to do and see for all ages, friendly people and, this might surprise you, some of the finest wine in the world. 

The temperate climate means you can go snow skiing one day and water skiing the next. You can go bungy jumping in Queenstown and zorbing in Rotorua (you’ve probably seen videos of this) which is rolling around the countryside in a large transparent ball. There’s geothermal marvels and glowworm caves, too! 

You can get an idea of how gorgeous the scenery is if you’ve seen “The Lord of the Rings” or any of the “Hobbit” movies. 

World’s largest Hobbit

The indigenous population, the Māori (Mau-ree) are naturally friendly and outgoing and love to share their culture and heritage. And, as we always say, be respectful of local culture and landmarks because you are a visitor and would expect the same if they were visiting you. 

Let’s hit some highlights 

 New Zealand is two islands, somewhat uncreatively known as North and South islands. Together they are about a 1,000 miles long and at the widest point, about 280 miles across. There are five million inhabitants on the islands. 

Auckland

Rotorua is famous for geothermal features and representations of the Māori culture. There are bubbling mud pools, boiling geysers, colored rock formations and the resorts feature hot springs bathing. The surrounding area is studded with Māori villages including Mitai, Whakarewarewa and Tamaki. They have cultural shows that feature traditional music and dance as well as hangi meals. Hangi cooking is cooking large meals in pit ovens using heated rocks. The meat and vegetables come out extremely tender and flavorful. 

Waitangi on the North Island is a major historical site. In 1840 the Māori chiefs signed a treaty with Britain giving it ruling power. There is a museum on the treaty grounds as well as a fascinating ornately carved marae (which is a Māori meeting house) and a ceremonial canoe. 

Hokianga Harbour is perfect for camping, dune boarding, dolphin watching and horseback riding. Coromandel Peninsula has hiking trails, some eclectic quaint towns and Cathedral Beach on the peninsula is thought by many to be one of the country’s most beautiful beaches. 

Tongariro National Park is a dual UNESCO site, certified for both its cultural and historic significance. It has three volcanic peaks, Mount Tongariro, Raupehu and Ngauruhoe. 

One of New Zealand’s premier wine producing regions, as well as its oldest, is Hawke’s Bay. More than 200 vineyards are clustered in this temperate area. It is famous for its sauvignon blanc wines, some have even said they are the best in the world! Napier in Hawke’s Bay has a large collection of Art Deco architecture buildings. 

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. The New Zealand Parliament Building is known as the “Beehive” due to its unique architecture and you can book a tour of the Weta Workshop. A film special effects company, it was founded by Peter Jackson, director of “The Lord of the Rings” and the “Hobbit” movies. Speaking of the Hobbit, if you are fond of the shire, Waikato is the place to go for a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set. 

The Beehive, Wellington

Kaikoura is a great spot for whale and dolphin watching. If you visit Fiordland Park, nearby Anau has glowworm caves. 

Dusky Sound, Fjordland

Nelson is known for having the greatest number of sunshine hours per year in the country. There are numerous dining spots that highlight the area agriculture with farm-to-table cuisine as well as fine local wine. 

 Let’s eat… and drink! 

 Mutton is on the menu, but don’t pass up having lamb. Served roasted with vegetables or cooked in a hangi, it’s delicious. Vegemite and marmite — ok, not many people refer to yeast extract as tasty. Try it once. Marmite is a little sweeter than Vegemite. Put a thin layer on buttered toast and you can say you tried it. 

Hobbiton

Venison is also on the menu, but it’s not like your usual venison. The deer here are farm raised and the venison is not tough or gamey.  

New Zealand co-opted fish and chips from the Brits, but in New Zealand you can pick the type of fish you like. Speaking of seafood, it’s great here. Don’t pass up the abalone, Bluff Oysters or green lipped mussels. Chow down on a sausage sizzle which you can pick up at a street gazebo. It’s a sausage eaten on white bread with tomato sauce, mustard and fried onions. Likewise, mince pies can be purchased at the dairy store which is New Zealand speak for corner convenience store or at any gas station. Mince is the traditional filling, but there are lots more to choose from including vegetarian or vegan. 

Rail Station, Dunedin New Zealand

The wine is fabulous. There’s a drink you must try — Lemon & Paeroa, which is a carbonated lemon juice and mineral water drink. And there is craft beer aplenty. Local favorites include Garage Project, Parrot Dog and Heyday. Oh, there’s sweet things, too. Pavlova is like eating a meringue cloud with whipped cream and fruit, peanut slabs are candy bars with peanuts, pineapple lumps are chocolate lumps with a pineapple center and hokey pokey ice cream is vanilla ice cream with toffee bits. 

The Giants House, Akaroa

 New Zealand is starting to sound pretty interesting and like a great place for a vacation, right? Reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Savor the ambiance, wine, history of Bordeaux

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A port city on the Garonne River, Bordeaux is known for its cultural sites, great weather, proximity to Paris and, of course, the fact that it is the hub of France’s wine country. The city and the surrounding countryside are a fascinating destination even if you don’t have a sip of wine. Your travel advisors at GetAway Travel have been to Bordeaux and can set up a trip for you based on personal experience! 

 It’s wine country! 

 We’ll talk wine first. Bordeaux IS first and foremost, wine country. The only area that makes a bigger imprint on the world wine scene is in Italy. Bordeaux has great weather the year round and it’s actually where Paris residents like to visit. You can’t throw a stone without hitting a vineyard. Grapes, and wine lovers, love Bordeaux. It’s the soil, the water, the weather, the way the wind blows and years and years of experience that make the wine renowned around the world. The Left Bank is cabernet sauvignon and the Right is merlot with white and dessert wines interspersed into both areas. 

Even if you don’t go to Bordeaux because its the wine reputation, take at least one vineyard tour. You are visiting the second largest wine producing region on Earth, you owe it to yourself to take a vineyard tour. See the vat rooms and cellars, see how wine is made and stored. Be one of the people that experience tasting world-class wine on the grounds of a chateau. 

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

About the vineyard tours, you need an appointment. After all, making the best wine in the world is work and you are actually entering a workplace. Tours usually last an hour to an hour and a half and, of course, end with tasting. Your travel advisors can discuss vineyard tours with you when you book your vacation.  

GetAway group at Chateau Lafite Rothschild

You want to pace yourself and not book oh say five or six tours in a day. That’s not going to work because of the distance between vineyards and the tasting time. Tasting means sipping wine, not throwing down a glass like its last call.  

 Two wine museums 

 Two museums devoted to wine? Yes! The Musée du Vin et Du Négoce de Bordeaux or the Bordeaux wine and trade museum is located in the historic Chatrons district. Built in 1720, it was the former wine cellar of Louis XV. Trace the history of three centuries of wine including the background behind wine trade, the work of coopers — the makers of wine barrels — learn about the invention of the bottle, shop for souvenirs and wine and your visit will end with wine tasting. 

The Cite du Vin looks a little like a UFO. It is all things wine, in a world-wide context, as an immersive interactive experience. The world’s largest wine museum, it opened in 2016. It has eight floors of exhibits as well as a wine bar, wine library, permanent as well as temporary exhibits and it should not be missed! 

The Cite du Vin is set up to celebrate wine and its history. There are spectacular panoramic images of wine regions around the world, Videos, touch screens, a fun (yes, fun) explanation of fermentation. The portraits of wine are surrounded by wooden bottle sculptures. Touch the portrait and it will tell you about the wine. Aroma machines waft the fragrance of wine around and famous historical figures as well as present day chefs and winemaker give virtual chats about their favorite wine. 

 There’s a lot more than wine 

 The central area of Bordeaux has one of the world’s most amazing 18th century cityscapes. It has modern stores, theaters and retail establishments, but they are all in the framework of old century buildings. There are no glass-fronted office buildings and the tallest structures are cathedral towers and church spires 

The Musee de Beaux Arts is renowned for its extensive collections of French and Dutch art including works from Van Dyck, Ruebens, Titian, Chardin, Delacroix, Corot, Boudin, Bounard and Matisse. 

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in France is the Primatial Cathedral of St. Andrew of Bordeaux or the Bordeaux Cathedral. A stunning example of medieval gothic architecture, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII were married here. The cathedral’s north entrance is considered the royal entrance and a recessed area above the door shows images that appear to be the last supper. The Grand Theâtre de Bordeaux was built by architect Victor Louis and atop the 12 front columns are large statues of muses and goddesses. The facade is particularly striking at night because the front as well as the statues are lighted. 

St. Michael’s Basilica is constructed in a form of late gothic architecture. It is the largest church in Bordeaux and the second tallest church in France. 

The Miroir d’Eau is the largest reflective pool in the world. A UNESCO world heritage site, it was designed with the help of a fountain architect. 

Shopping? Oh yes, the Rue Sainte Catherine is the longest pedestrian street in Europe. And you can truly shop until you drop. Start at the north end and wander through clothing stores including major outlets and work your way to the south which features regional shops as well as restaurants and cafes. 

 If Bordeaux is your cup of tea, or idea of a wine paradise, GetAway Travel can help with your vacation. Reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Port wine: A Portugal treasure

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Port wine is to Portugal as Champagne is to France. Each of those spirits have to be prepared using strict guidelines and their ingredients have to be sourced from a certain area. The only sparkling wine that can be called Champagne must come from the Champagne Wine Region of France and the only wine that can be labeled “Port” has to be from the Douro Valley of Portugal. 

Whether you are a port person or a champagne connoisseur, GetAway Travel can construct a trip for you. We’re working on a port-forward trip right now! It takes you to the Douro Valley and it’s aboard a fabulous modern ship designed for river cruising. 

What’s all the fuss about location? 

 The narrow Douro Valley has its own microclimate which makes it the optimal area to produce grapes used in port. In the 1700s, Portugal’s prime minister took measures to distinguish the specific area of the Douro Valley as being the only area where true port could be produced. It set production standards, the same way there are standards set for only some sparkling wines to be known as champagne. 

Port Casks aging at Offley

The unique aspect of the valley is that the soil as well as the terraced vineyards, were transformed by hand. The vineyard owners worked the soil to produce specific grapes and the terraces were set up to retain water as well as drain water if needed. More than 80 types of grapes are produced in the valley. Many of the vineyards have to still harvest by hand because of the way they are set up. 

Port wine must be at least two years old before it can be sold to the public and producers are only allowed to sell 30% of what they make so there is always port wine aging with producers. The port “winters” in the valley in barrels or kegs because that type of climate helps the fortifying agent mix with the wine. It then is moved to Porto (where it gets its name) because the humid, mild climate there is better for continued aging. 

Port tasting in Porto

 Tell me more about port 

 Port wine is not a chugging wine, it’s a sipping wine most often served with dessert or even as a dessert. It is considered the most delicious dessert wine on the planet! 

It is a fortified wine (more on that later) and it is richer, sweeter, heavier and higher in alcohol content than normal wines. It has an alcohol content somewhere between 19 and 20%. Heady stuff, but it goes great with fine cheeses and rich desserts. 

There are two main kinds of port, ruby and tawny. 

Ruby is slightly less sweet than tawny and it has berry and chocolate undertones. Tawny has caramel and nut nuances, but aged tawny can also have undertones of graphite, hazelnut, almond, butterscotch and graham cracker. 

There’s also white port, rose port and vintage port. Vintage port is rare, it is made from the best grapes of a single type of grape. Port houses declare a port wine as “vintage” only a few times in a decade. 

very old Vintage Port

 Do they still stomp the grapes? 

 Yes, yes they do — and here’s why. Those bitter seed nibs in grapes do nothing to add to the taste of port and feet stomping the grapes slide over the seeds and they can be drained out later. Some vineyards do employ mechanical feet machines to crush the grapes and they cross their fingers not a lot of the seeds get crushed. 

The harvested grapes, all picked in one day, are put in granite treading tanks and stomped to release the juice and the pulp from the skins. It is a synchronized process to make sure all of the grapes get crushed. When that is done and the skins are floating to the top of the tanks, the treading continues to keep moving the skins under the juice so fermentation starts. When about half of the natural sugar has fermented, the treading stops and the skins are allowed to sit on the top of the tank and the juice is drained out. The wine is then fortified with a distilled grape spirit called brandy. The sugar turns to alcohol and that’s where the high alcohol content happens. 

View from Taylor tasting room in Porto

 Tell me more! 

 Drink port with rich cheeses like bleu cheese, chocolate and caramel desserts, salted and smoked nuts and even sweet, smoky meats. You can add it to chocolate cakes or chocolate sauces and it can be simmered to a thick sauce, similar to a balsamic glaze. 

Rosé port should be served ice cold. It’s very trendy to serve it cold in the summer with a twist of lime. 

White port should be served cold, tawny port should be cool, like about 50 to 58° Fahrenheit and ruby should be served at cellar temperature which is about 60°. Port should be stored on its side and set upright about 24 hours ahead of serving and decanted if possible. The shelf life of port is about halfway between wine and liquor. 

We could talk about port all day, but we’d rather you learn more on a trip to the Duoro Valley. Contact us about that trip, or any other fabulous trip you’ve been thinking about. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel