Food and wine vacations: Indulge in decadent travel

By Nina Kokotas Hahn

Raised in an Italian family where food was the focus of every celebration, I’venever been shy about my love for great food. After spending several college years as a fine dining server, my taste buds became more refined and also woke up to the wonderful world of wine.

Traveling has always been a big part of my life, too, so it’s only natural that food and wine vacations are at the heart of so much of what I love — adventure and discovery, great cuisine and vino, the company of friends and family, savoring something new, finding comfort in the familiar, not having to cook.

If you feel like I do, now is an especially perfect time to plan a food and wine vacation. Check out the fantastic food and wine deals going on right now at Orbitz and book your travel to one of these incredible destinations.

New York City

An unparalleled culinary mecca, New York City can whisk you around the world in one fell swoop by way of its remarkably eclectic and truly inspiring dining options. And spring is a great time to enjoy all this city has to offer: Stroll the parks, shop the most glamorous stores and enjoy the shows, but most importantly, plan your days around your meals. From favorites like Chinatown’s Dim Sum, fresh bagels and hot corned beef to expertly designed menus and wine lists in New York City’s most extravagant, decadent restaurants, you’ll leave feeling like you took a whole lot more than a bite of this apple.
Related resource: New York hotels

New Zealand

An unspoiled green paradise, New Zealand’s incredible landscapes include lush forests, gorgeous coastlines and snow-capped mountains. This diversity packs a powerful punch across New Zealand’s 1,000-mile wine country, where the perfect blend of climate, geography and green agricultural techniques are producing internationally acclaimed wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet/Merlot blends. Don’t stop at the wine, though: the country’s distinct cuisine includes Pacific Rim-inspired salmon, lamb and shellfish, as well as the delectable pavlova. Visit August 28 to kick off the weeklong Whitanga Scallop Festival celebrating Coromandel Seafood and cuisine.
Related resource: New Zealand vacations

New Orleans

Picture the New Orleans French Quarter: smell the chicory coffee and hot beignets; experience spicy Cajun and rich French Creole dishes like red beans and rice, etouffees, and seafood Gumbo;  hear Jazz played like never before; savor a beautifully stacked muffaletta for the first time; bask in the warmth of Southern charm. This is New Orleans, a uniquely gorgeous, culturally rich and often mystical city elusive of any proper description. You’ve simply got to see it for yourself. Visit May 25-29 to enjoy the annual New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, a five-day food extravaganza featuring world-class winemakers, celebrated chefs and grand tastings.
Related resource: New Orleans hotels

Napa Valley

Whether it’s your first or 15th visit to Napa Valley, one thing’s for sure: True oenophiles never tire of California’s spectacular grape land andits abundance of varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Zindanfel. Count on visits to wineries that range from the rising star to the renown. Sip award-winning California wines poured by master winemakers and friendly viticulture experts. All of this while enjoying an outstanding selection of fine restaurants, spas and hotels set against the breathtaking Napa Valley countryside. Visit July 16-25 for the Festival del Sole featuring popular musical artists, five-star meals and wines from the best vineyards, or travel  late summer through fall to experience the Harvest Season or “Crush,” when the grapes are picked, crushed and celebrated.
Related resource: Napa Valley vacations, California vacations

Mendoza, Argentina

Home to most of Argentina’s wineries and the fifth largest wine region in the world, the bountiful Mendoza province is your own viticultural oyster. With nearly650 wineries—some planted at the highest altitudes in the world— you can taste varieties like the robust Malbec (the Argentine “national variety”) alongside the more traditional Cereza and Criolla Grande. From March to April, celebrate the Vendimia annual wine festival with parades, street fairs, grape blessings and more. Festival or not, one thing’s for sure: you’ll enjoy all of Mendoza’s wine and culinary delights at a fraction of U.S. prices.
Related resource: Mendoza vacations, Argentina vacations

You’ll be hearing from Nina Kokotas Hahn a lot. She recently joined Orbitz Worlwide as a Writer-Editor and has been globetrotting since infancy. She’s also the daughter of a travel agent and knows a thing or two about finding great travel deals.

Tagged: California, New York