5 Secret Wine Regions You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Óbidos is most certainly on the list of must-see destinations for those visiting Portugal. But many may not know that just an hour away from the famous medieval town (30 minutes by car and another 30 by boat) is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country: Berlengas.

Getting to the Faroe Islands, an archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, has never been easy from the United States, but a new flight route from New York could change that.

While there’s no shortage of culinary festivals, many are overshadowed by lackluster ticketed events, standoffish talent, and mobs of hungry guests—which is why celebrated chef Michael Mina launched Georgetown Wine & Dine last year. Since the event was received with such a positive response, it’s returning this fall on November 2 and 3 at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, with proceeds benefitting the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

Travelers can now get their fill of French favorites via 459 (and counting!) different culinary experiences along the country’s new Vallée de la Gastronomie food trail. (No marathon required.) It’s a food and wine lover’s road trip dream come true – and summer and fall offer up some of the trail’s best experiences. 

It has the same chalky soil as the Champagne region and its wine has the same protected status – and often beats French fizz in blind tastings. Now Sussex has launched a plan to attract many more visitors to its 138 vineyards, aiming to increase the value of wine tourism from £25m today to £283m by 2040.

Walk into almost any newly opened restaurant or wine bar these days and you’ll find natural wines on the wine list. Even if they’re not actually described as natural, the chances are many on the list will be. If you’re wondering what exactly natural wine is, you’re not alone. 

Planning a road trip this summer? For the sake of safety and peace of mind, your own and others’, add this to the pre-departure to-do list: a review of your driving habits. After all, while there’s nothing you can do to change other drivers’ bad habits, you are at least in control of your own.

Enter the Clos Du Bois “Spring in Sonoma” sweepstakes by April 26, 2016, for a chance to win one of the two grand prizes: trips for two to Sonoma, including air, three nights’ hotel, and $700 spending money.

Vacations are good for you. They’re psychologically restorative. They broaden your outlook. They promote physical vitality and good health. And, lest we dismiss them as petty indulgences, they increase workplace productivity.

Enter the General Assembly Space “Go Places: Burgundy” sweepstakes by October 2, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a 10-day trip for two people to Burgundy, France, including air, hotel, market and vineyard tours, and wine tastings.

Ever waited near a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint for another traveler, raised your voice at a TSA employee, or brushed away an agent’s hand? You might be on a secret TSA watch list and not even know it.

According to a report in the Post-Gazette, people who live in the Pittsburgh area can now load up at those wonderful “Airmall” shops airside at Pittsburgh airport without having to fly anywhere. A new pilot “myPITpass” program allows people without tickets to go airside, as long as they show the usual ID and go through the usual TSA screening, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays.