Long Island Wineries

A few years ago, a group of us woke up early on a Saturday and piled into a extended limousine to head out to the North Fork of Long Island for a tour of the wineries.  It is about a two hour drive from Manhattan.  There are a number of car services who specialize in these tours and will help to plan your trip.  

One of our first stops was Water's Crest.  We were a bit taken aback when we pulled up as our expectation was to visit a vineyard as opposed to a strip mall.  Looks can be deceiving, though. Their tasting room quickly changed our opinion.  The owners are knowledgeable and were especially friendly to our group.

Sadly, I have come to learn that our favorite spot along the tour is now only open for private events.  They may have closed operations entirely as indicated by the Yelp listing and it looks as though there hasn't been much activity on their Facebook page.   

Another great spot along our tour was Pellegrini Vineyards.  Their tasting room is spacious and they have a beautiful courtyard with views of the vineyard.  

There are a number of great wineries and the landscape is absolutely beautiful.  It is a great trip idea for birthdays or celebrations of any sort.  It's also just a great reason to get friends together for a fun day!

Yoga & Spa Retreat in Dahlonega, GA

A friend and I were in need of a little getaway for some relaxation and rejuvenation.  We came across this adorable spot in Dahlonega, GA.  We flew into Atlanta, rented a car and headed to the hills.  It is about an hour or so outside of Atlanta.  You literally travel a dirt road to get to the location.  There is a beautiful farmhouse with a bed & breakfast feel.  We stayed in one of their rustic cabins, but the beds were comfy and we enjoyed the flashback to summer camp.  The resort offers a number of packages.  We opted for the 3-Day Mind, Body & Spirit, which includes daily yoga classes as well as two 60-minute spa treatments.  Meals are also included.

We had a fun a time exploring the area as well.  Who knew Georgia had wine country?  We strolled around the quaint downtown area popping into the shops, art galleries and enjoyed some wine tastings as well.

We both love a good hike and what better way to balance out the wine tasting.  There are a number of great hikes with beautiful waterfalls in the area.  We opted for Raven Cliff Falls as it was a decent trail, but didn't require any special footwear other than sturdy sneakers.  The pay off to the hike was a beautiful waterfall and a serious fresh air fix.