A Journey To Napa Valley

Most well known for its vineyards and wineries, the area called Napa Valley is much more than just your ordinary glass of wine.

Divided into specific regions for simplicity sake, the regions each produce and offer their own unique and special features and events. Regions within Napa Valley include:

Calistoga

St. Helena

Oakville/Rutherford

Yountville

Napa

Outlying Regions

From spas and tours to festivals, sports, arts, shopping and other attractions, find out a bit more about what these wonderful destinations have to offer you aside from the obvious.

Calistoga - Most northern of the inner regions, Calistoga is well known for its “healthy” take on life. Known for its spas as well as its unique geothermal features, this is still one of the top areas for spa or health travel today. Balloon rides are a popular way to see the sites of the geologically active area of California.

St. Helena – Home to the Culinary Institute of America, food is king at these beautiful destination.

Oakville/Rutherford - Destination for fine dining, recreation including limo tours, bike tours or spa retreats, relaxation in all the rage in this part of the Valley.

Yountville – Sports, recreational activities and attractions make this a popular region of the Valley. Hot air balloons, antique shops, golf, arts and shopping as well as fine dining, biking and spas are all easy to find and popular throughout the year.

Napa – The largest area of the Napa Valley this is by far the most cosmopolitan of all. Sports, recreation, dining, parks and beaches, shopping, world famous attractions, bike rentals, and tours make Napa the most well known and popular of all areas in Napa today.

Outlying Regions – Including American Canyon, Angwin, Lake Berryessa, Pope Valley, beaches and parks are the most popular of the activities within this region. It is also well known for its recreational sports as well as shopping, spas and dining.

If wine is not what you seek, it does not mean that Napa does not have what you are looking for from a vacation. Much more than wine, take a closer look and experience the other amazing features of this top California destination for travel.

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews tips, advice, information and news about travel and destinations with you. Learn more about travel and enjoy your vacations more by becoming a more informed traveler with Tradewinds as your partner in travel.

How To Pack Better – Lighten Your Load With These Tips From Tradewinds

We often leave things like packing until the last minute. However, our tendency to grab now and think about it later can lead to certain disaster upon arrival to our destination. Realizing, of course, to late, that we have forgotten many items and have packed items unnecessary to our trip, the only way to avoid this disaster from occurring is to plan early. Take advantage of tips on travel including how you can better pack with tips from Tradewinds Travel Club.

• TSA rules – If you are planning on taking a portion of your trip by air, knowing the rules and regulations in regards to TSA and your airline will help you plan what to and not to bring with you. TSA offers a website with more detailed information in reference to your carry on luggage. Rules such as 3-1-1 and prohibited items will simplify many of your decisions in regards to your luggage.

• Toiletries - Creatures of habit, none of us likes to use products for our skin or hair that we are not sure are going to be right for us. For this reason, most everyone packs their own items such as shampoo, gel, face wash, shampoo makeup and other products. If you are planning on traveling light, you will want to learn how to better accomplish this as it can take up much of your valuable space. Instead of packing whole bottles, instead purchase small refillable containers and then fill them with your products. If you traveling with only a carry on, these products must all fit in 1, 1 quart bag and be less than 3 oz to be allowed on the plane.

• Clothing – This is one of the biggest areas for improvement for many travelers. Rather than packing for space, we pack whole outfits. The problem with this is we are often packing too much. Rather than packing whole outfits, pack shirts, pants/shorts/skirts that will fit with more than one outfit. Color coordinate your whole wardrobe and save space.

• Extras – Often we simply do not know what we will need. From alarm clocks to towels, bathrobes, or even some of our toiletries, many of these items are offered as amenities as our accommodations making it a waste of space in our bags and taking up extra room. Know more about your accommodations and plan what you can actually leave at home and save space.

• Valuables – This is less about space and more about being wise. If you luggage is lost or damaged and you have decided to bring a valuable item which is also lost or damaged, the restrictions on baggage claims may lead you to lose out. You may not only not be able to replace the items but may not be able to get the full replacement value either.

Choose carefully and plan ahead for what you bring with you on your next vacation and make better use of your time and money. Become a more informed traveler and learn more about travel with news, advice and tips to help you from your friends at Tradewinds Travel Club.

Your Safety In A New Environment

Travel is about getting to know and embracing other cultures and experiencing as well as enjoying all the amazing and unique features that the world has to offer. Understanding this, you can be sure to be introduced to a host of new things which may or may not be good for your health. Destinations such as the Hawaiian Islands or other Pacific and Caribbean areas are known for their beauty but are also known for their unique and well adapted plants, animals and insects. If you are not from the area, you may be unaware of what to expect or what to do if you encounter such things. For your safety, it is important that you know more about your destination to avoid health risks when you travel.

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews a few of the most common safety tips regarding your travel to some of the worlds most popular destinations for travel and how you can avoid issues and complaints when you travel.

The Ocean – A Top Safety Issue

While the ocean is amazing and great for relaxing and enjoying, it can also be dangerous. A list of the most dangerous issues regarding the ocean and your trip include:

• Rip Tides – Rip tides and currents are found everywhere and can become safety issues quickly in areas such as the Gulf Coast, the Yucatan Coastline and the Hawaiian Coastline frequently. Understand how to get out of a rip tide before you swim in an area where this may be an issue.

• Fish/Sea Creatures – Animals in the sea are not out to get you however, if they feel threatened or just don't see you, you may become an unfortunate victim. PAY ATTENTION.

• Drowning – Even a great swimmer can drown under certain circumstances. Pay attention to your safety and get out if you get tired.

The way to prevent issues regarding these items is to make sure you pay attention to your children, swim only where there are lifeguards present, make sure you are a good swimmer before you go, understand how rip currents work and how to get out of them and also pay attention to lifeguard warnings regarding dangerous creatures in the area.

Sunburn – Vacations are generally spent outside. The sun is both welcoming but can be dangerous if the right precautions are not taken. You need to wear sunscreen at all times outside, even if it is overcast. If you are in water, make sure to wear waterproof sunscreen and apply int frequently. A bad sunburn may not only ruin your trip but can easily affect your health and well being. As this is a frequent error on many travelers parts, be sure you pay attention to protection your skin and avoid having issues when you next travel.

Other health related topics that you will need to research before you go for your health and safety include issues regarding animals in the area which you may not be used to, insects and even diseases which may be present and require vaccinations before you travel. You can learn about topics such as this on the government website or from those who live or who have visited these destinations before.

Your safety is ultimately in your hands when you travel. It is up to you to become a more informed traveler and know what to expect so you can help protect yourself. Do your part, and pay attention to rules and regulations in place for your safety and make the most of your vacation.

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews topics and information about travel to help you become a more informed and prepared traveler. Enjoy all your vacations more by knowing before you go.

Making The Most Of Your Journeys A Review From Tradewinds Travel Club

Where you go is dependent on a number of factors from money to interests and time off, however, for most people, a vacation means a trip far from home. As wonderful as it is for us to get far away from the hassles of everyday life and journey to a tropical paradise or perhaps a cruise ship or a mountain top, sometimes a vacation can be just as special nearby.

Often, we can forget that our homes and the nearby areas around us have so much to offer. For the travelers who visit our states and cities each year from long distances, they look at our homes as much more than we do, they look at our homes as an escape. We look at our cities and towns and even our own state as the place that we would want to escape from and may not take the time to really appreciate all the area truly has to offer. What we need to remember is that it is not how far away we travel that makes our vacation special, it is how we truly appreciate it and what we do with the time that makes it spectacular.

The Big City

If you live in any of the worlds large cities, it may be easy for you to forget about the many wonderful sights and activities offered and just remember the price for the “tourist related attractions”. For example, if you live in New York, Chicago or even London, you may be annoyed by the throngs of visitors who make this their destination for travel and simply head for the hills during your holiday. However, if you really stop and embrace all these top destinations for travel have to offer, you may see that they are popular for a reason. Arts and cultures, activities and events, you may not ever stopped to enjoy, you may find yourself missing out on.

Outside The City

If you are living in an area known for its mountains, beaches, lakes and rivers, you may be seeking a more cosmopolitan escape and simply drive past these stunning areas without even taking a moment to appreciate all it has to offer as well. We easily get used to our mountain views in the Denver area or even the stunning sunsets may become mundane if you let them in places such as California or any other states or countries known for their beach destinations. The object is for us to stop and remember that these places are unique and beautiful in their own way.

The point of this all is that your adventure can be near or far as long as you know how to appreciate it. Remember to take advantage of the unique and wonderful features of any area and you will learn to truly enjoy what the world has to offer you when you travel. Tradewinds Travel Club reviews tips and advice on travel to help you make the most of your experiences with us.

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews and welcomes you to spend time learning more about the amazing destinations in the U.S. and abroad with us.

Travel Tips And Tricks For The Wayward Vacationer

Your Health and Safety

Two of the most important features of planning your vacation revolve around your health and safety when traveling abroad.

Common Travel Illnesses

Illnesses can come in any shape or size from minor to serious. Bearing this in mind, below is a list of some the more common illnesses affecting travelers.

• Upset Stomach
• Jet Lag
• Colds/flu

Most of the above issues can be avoided by making sure you get plenty of rest, eat right and wash your hands frequently

For Your Health

Travel Hygiene is an important part of staying healthy. For this reason, your hygiene is key to your health and perhaps the most important tip for all travelers. Stay clean, wash frequently, carry hand sanitizer and cover your mouth to avoid getting sick when you travel.

Food And Drink While Traveling Abroad

Sometimes, the easiest way to stay safer and healthier is to make sure you eat and drink carefully. Some of the most important food and water tips include:

• Make sure all food is cooked thoroughly.
• If unsure of the water, drink bottled water
• Eat foods your body is used to
• Drink alcohol in moderation
• Stay hydrated
• Never leave drinks unattended

Your Basic Health Care and Medications While Traveling

Helping Ensure Your Safety

There are some things you can do to help ensure your safety when you travel abroad. Generally, these include:

• Knowing the location of the nearest Embassy or consulate
• Registering your trip with the Department of State
• Learning about the areas
• Ensuring you are aware of travel warnings and advisories at your location

Your health and safety are of the utmost importance when you travel. Be sure to be smart and travel carefully to avoid complaints and make the most of your travels.

Tradewinds Vacations welcomes you to learn more about travel and vacations around the world. Take advantage of the tips and reviews to help you from Tradewinds Vacations and make the most of your time and money when you travel.