Champagne Travel On a Beer Budget

Valentine's Day is coming up, and that means a lot of people will be celebrating. When I think of celebrations, I often think of champagne. Sometimes it's sparkling wine or prosecco, but we almost always say champagne. By now, you probably know it's not champagne unless it comes from the champagne region in France. If you love a good glass of bubbles, you're not alone. 

If you want to travel to Champagne, know that, for now, the exchange rate is very favorable for Americans heading to France. That means you can save money getting and staying there and then splurge a bit on a tour. We planned to visit Disney World over the last 5 years, but instead we flew to France twice to enjoy the country and visit Disneyland Paris. We still saved money over traveling to Florida and we were able to feel good about where our money was going and were able to see more of Paris and France itself.

There are 5 zones in the Champagne region and you can hit one or all of them in a trip. If you want to only focus on non-vintage champagne where you won't find most of the tourists, check out the Aube or the Côte de Sézanne zones. If you want to do more than just drink champagne, head to the more touristy parts of the region: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, and Côte des Blancs. The smaller, boutique producers generally do everything on-site, so you can learn about their bottles from start to finish. Here's a little more about where to go and when from Conde Nast. And if you are going to Reims, here are some awesome things to do there.

You can even learn a little more about champagne before you get there. In fact, Fodor's has 10 fun facts for you.

The idea of champagne and the actual bottles first came from Britain, even though we all think it was France. It wasn't until Britain had discovered the predecessor to champagne, sparkling wine, and how to make the bottles much stronger in order to keep them from exploding under the immense pressure created, that the Champagne region learned how to replicate the bubbly drink in their own way.  

Imagine having the chance to try champagne that is almost 120 years old! That's what some lucky souls are going to get to do, now that the bottles have been rescued from a collapsed cellar in the Northern France city of Épernay. Hopefully, they're still drinkable. 

Pair your champagne vacation with a tour of your favorite foods by taking a French journey to explore the country and the origins of those foods like brie and Roquefort cheese. 

If prosecco is more your speed, or you'd rather spend your time in Italy than France (decisions, decisions), the prosecco region is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. AFAR is here to tell you the best vineyards to check out, as well as where to stay and eat. 

There's also the essential guide that can tell you how to get there and around affordably. Also, where to go for the kind of prosecco you like, the benefits of hiring a driver, and other things to do in the region. 

If you want to add on a unique experience and tour, and don't need everything on your trip to be bubble-filled, check out these vineyard tours of the Bordeaux region by way of a British black cab. Wine-Cab sounds so cool to me, and I've not had the opportunity to try them out yet, but we also aren't big drinkers. The rates are pretty reasonable for half-day trips, and it's nice to not have to drive yourself (you have a built-in designated driver) and find your way around or have to navigate public transportation. It's a luxurious little way to experience the region, which gives a bit more of a romantic vibe. 

I hope this helps you plan a wonderful couple's getaway with some of your favorite beverages, while also creating fantastic memories. Tell me some of your top bubbly drinks in the comments.

National Plan For Vacation Day

Tuesday is National Plan For Vacation Day, so let's talk about where you're going this year? I know things are uncertain and scary and we just went through a period of uncertain and scary (did we ever really come out of it), so maybe you aren't actually feeling any different about going anywhere, or you're like me and want to spend time in places actually fighting for, or against, something. 

I'm feeling like a lot of people don't even know their basic history and keep voting for people that are actively harming them, so because I've pretty much boycotted most of the South (Texas and Florida, specifically), we're going to Rhode Island and Massachusetts this fall. 

So, where will you go? Here are just a few places you might want to plan for this year:

Philadelphia 

Rich in historical buildings and activities, like seeing the Liberty Bell (for free!), Philly is an amazing food destination, the people are lovely, and you can do so many things for cheap/free. We went in 2018 and I really think we should plan another trip there sometime soon. There is a ton of art and museums in the city. If you have a rental car, you can easily get around to do more stuff in whatever time you have. We stayed in Hershey to do all the stuff there, but we also visited Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, and Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly proper.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is actually a very affordable Asian foodie destination. While it is an island and might take a few bucks getting there, once you're there, you're going to have so much to see an do, especially if you love nature and getting outdoors. Between hiking trails and national parks, there's plenty for the enthusiast. Consensus is that rental cars are going to eat up your travel budget, if you want to get out of the city, and splurging on a hotel is almost always disappointing, so using local transportation and staying in a mid-range hotel or vacation rental is your best bet. 

Mexico City

Another great city for history and food, more direct flights have been added to this capital, there are a ton of events happening all year, and you get the added bonus of practicing your Spanish, while also indulging in the affordability of Mexico. The city is huge, so you'll want to choose things to do in and around one or two neighborhoods and find a place to stay located in one of those. You may find your trip too short, so don't be surprised if you want to return to explore more of the city on another trip.

Santa Barbara

Like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara can be a bit spendy, but it also has great weather, even if you skip summer - the most expensive season - and choose to go in September or October. As with other cities, you can find a lot of cheap or free things to do, if you know where to look, including going to the beach or zoo, hitting up happy hours for dinner, go hiking, or even take Instagram-worthy pics with local art, like Chromatic Gate near East Beach.

Traveling Solo

If you're a solo traveler, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia has stunning views and is very affordable, Prague is a place to make new friends and explore castles, Sri Lanka in general is packed with historical landmarks and the transportation is great getting your there, and Andalusia, Spain is especially safe for solo women hoping to discover the fantastic architecture, see a flamenco show, and see outstanding sunsets while sipping some local wine.

Warm Weather for Winter

Trying to stave off the SAD and get a bit of sun during these bleary winter months? You could head to Florida, or you could not. Instead, head to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Kingston, Jamaica, or Mexico City (see above) for an affordable getaway that requires sunscreen and sunglasses and to leave your coat in your room.

Comfort and Accessibility 

Just because you've picked a destination to start planning for, it doesn't mean you're done with planning. What are you taking with you? What are you wearing? What do you need? Here are a few suggestions for making your trip just that teeny bit better:

A comfy and chic two-piece track suit for being comfortable on the plane, lounging around your hotel, or mixing and matching with other pieces on your trip.

Got the perfect bag, but it doesn't attach to your roller bag? Get a magnetic elastic strap to give any bag a pass-through sleeve.

A breezy two-piece set for warm weather that will keep you cool and also looking cool. 

A packable puffer to keep you warm, but not take up your entire seat or floor space or carry-on.

Sometimes there are no familiar sounds to drift off to, or you're traveling with children, or you need something to drown out the drunk revelers on your street. This tiny white noise machine is just the thing to help you get to sleep.

And if that doesn't work for you, mix up a packet of DreamWater for an easy fall into rest and don't wake up groggy either. If you've been following me for a while, you know I have tried all the different kinds of DreamWater and swear by them.

Relieve your poor feet after a long day of sightseeing (or hiking) with these Dr. Scholls foot masks. You'll thank me later!

Tired of trying to put your makeup on in a hotel room with terrible lighting in the bathroom? Or you need to get ready while someone is in the bathroom and there isn't a vanity? Get yourself a travel makeup mirror that has 3 lighting settings, adjustable height, and a 10x mirror on the back.

I hope 2026 is a great travel year for you. You can see that many people are using this year as a YOLO year and taking meaningful trips where they can learn something important and bond with family/friends. Where is your next trip taking you?

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A First Timer’s Guide to Exploring West Michigan by Boat

There’s a lot of exploring to be done in West Michigan, whether it’s the stunning coastlines to be explore by boat, or the charming towns to wonder through.

Exploring the area by boat requires plenty of preparation from safety gear needs to understanding regulations and choosing a suitable boat size for Lake Michigan.

Here are some of the basics when it comes to being a first timer and exploring the area of West Michigan by boat.

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Know the regulations and the gear required

Regulations are important to be knowledgeable about because if you’re not following the rules, then you’ll get yourself in trouble.

Michigan law requires that life jackets are provided for everyone and that all boats have navigation lights, sound signals and distress signals on board.

Your boat will also need to be registered and decals are added from the Michigan Dept. of State. Lastly, for Lake Michigan, larger boats offer more stability but smaller boats are fine for the closer and calmer excursions you might take.

Plan your route and stops

Be sure to plan your routes as stops before you go. It’s always good to be aware of what what places you’d like to explore and which areas are going to be points in which you take a longer excursion on foot.

With that being said here are some helpful suggestions to get you inspired:

• South Haven - This is a great place that’s known for it’s beautiful beaches and harbor.

• Saugatuck/Douglas - Offers plenty in the way of quaint towns that are adorned with art galleries and beautiful dunes to gaze in amazement at.

• Holland - A Dutch-themed town with beautiful beaches like the Oval Beach for example.

• Grand Haven - Most famous for it’s pier, lighthouses and the beach.

• Muskegon - Offers state parks, dunes and lighthouses.

• Whitehall/Montague - Provides access to the White River which is known for it’s calmer waters.

• Silver Lake - A unique spot for dunes and lighthouses.

• Inland Waterways - You could also explore the Mainstee River or the Grand River if you’d prefer some sheltered cruising. 

When you’re exploring West Michigan, these are some of the spots you’ll want to include on your excursions via boat.

Key experiences to prioritize

There are a number of key experiences that you should be prioritizing when it comes to exploring West Michigan by boat. These include the dunes as one example. Visiting Silver Lake State Park is a great way of seeing these stunning dunes, but it’s worth being aware of the off-road vehicle areas.

You can also take full advantage of lighthouse hopping, where you can see some iconic lights like the Little Sable Lighthouse and the White River Light Station.

Lastly, you could also consider town hopping, docking in towns like Charlevoix or Grand Haven for shopping, dining and local culture.

Essential tips for first-timers to know

For first-timers who are exploring West Michigan by boat, here are some useful tips worth knowing:

Check lake conditions

Lake Michigan weather changes rapidly, so it’s important to always check forecasts before heading out.

Learn your boat

Understanding basic navigation, anchoring and emergency procedures. It’s worth exploring your boat options with a West Michigan Sylvan boat dealer or ask a lot of questions when renting.

Start small

Begin with shorter trips in protected bays or closer to the shore before you attempt long lake crossings.

With these tips, you can hopefully have a fun and non-eventful time exploring the area by boat.