Australian Wine Festivals

Early Australian wine production dates back to the 1791, when grapes were imported from Europe and wine was shipped back to the United Kingdom. Slowly but surely, Australian vineyards in New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia sprouted up.

The industry was furthered by the Land Selection Act, which freed up land that had been locked for gold rush mine development and the removal of trade barriers when the federation was established in 1901.

The industry experienced ups and downs during the world wars, due to space constraints, overproduction and changing British government rules, but by the 1950s, the industry was thriving, with South Australia leading the way. Australians have grown to love and appreciate wine even more over the years as their wineries gain international recognition.

The Australian wine export market totaled 2.8 billion dollars in 2007, with an annual growth of 9%. The biggest competition comes from California, France and Italy, which are still holding their own in the global market.

New marketing strategies have been targeting the upscale markets, since many view Australian brands as being a good wine to grab if it's being promoted. While Australia is often seen as a newcomer to the wine-making scene, its success, particularly in Shiraz production, is impressive.

One of the best times to experience Australian wine is to come during one of the Australian festivals. Every month, the Victorian Wine Regions feature a Showcase Series at Fed Square in Melbourne, which features wine from a particular region.

You can chat with winemakers and experts from the selected region and try different wineries all in one convenient location. If you come during January, then there's a Tasmanian Fruit Wine Festival.

Melbourne's Food and Wine Festival is in March and the Barossa Vintage Festival in April can't be beat! Brisbane has a nice Fine Wine Festival in July and the Hunter Valley has a "Jazz in the Vines" series in October. Lastly, the Margaret River Wine Region has a festival in November.

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Travelling During Thanksgiving With Travel Guides

Sometimes, we think we know what's best for us. You think, "Hey, I've flown to Connecticut every year to be with my family. I know what I need to do." Yet every year you're running through the airport, getting bumped from flights, dealing with whiny kids and paying an extra $25 for luggage.

This is why many Americans refer to travel guides to help them gain extra travel advice that could make their next trip different from the last. Sometimes it's one simple suggestion, like bringing a portable DVD player that could ultimately save the day.

Travel guides frequently recommend New England and New York City for Thanksgiving travel. In New England, you can visit the historic Richard Sparrow House (built in 1640), walk through the Burial Hill Fort, go to the Old Court House (circa 1749), see the Howland House (where a Mayfair pilgrim lived), visit costumed travel guides at the Harlow Old Fort House and (of course) go see Plymouth Rock!

You might want to also visit the Mayflower, the Pilgrim Monument, Plimouth Plantation, the Pilgrim Hall Museum and Cape Cod. In New York City, the big draw is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the longest running parades in America; dating back to the 1920s. You can visit http://www.gonyc.about.com/cs/thanksgiving/a/tdayparade.htm for more detailed travel advice pertaining to the parade.

According to AAA, 82% of all Thanksgiving Day travelers will be driving to dinner this year, rather than flying. A Mapquest poll about Thanksgiving travel found that most drivers have more than an hour to travel for Thanksgiving dinner and 25% have road trips exceeding 200 miles.

Travel guides say that most people leave on Wednesday or Thursday, so try leaving on Tuesday to beat the rush if you can. Most travelers leave Thursday night or stay for the long weekend, so Friday would be an ideal day to return. Additionally, most people are driving between the hours of 9 and noon, so plan accordingly for a stress-free trip!

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Relaxing Family Holidays For Thanksgiving

Sometimes, you just need to get away. Nothing beats the sense of rejuvenation and refreshed state of mind following a holiday weekend, but for many people the stress and anxiety of planning family holidays prevents them from taking all those vacation days.

In a recent survey, one-third of adults admitted they felt anxious before leaving on long car journeys with their kids. However, there is some valuable travel advice that can help ease the burden.

Even if you're flying to a far-off destination, your family holidays can be stress-free if you follow some sound travel advice. Travel aficionados always recommend flying early and nonstop to avoid late-day logjams.

They also advise snagging some inexpensive travel insurance from Quote Wright, which will save you from a huge headache, should something go wrong. Lastly, why not hire an agent to look for the best holiday accommodation and travel plan?

Family holidays are best when all the details are worked out well in advance. That's why all-inclusive cruises are such an enticing travel plan. There are exceptional deals around Thanksgiving weekend if you're looking.

Your travel agent will have it all covered for you: costs, transportation, all-you-can-eat-and-drink, accommodations, onboard entertainment and port stops. There is so much to do on a ship; your kids won't have a dull moment!

Many ships also have babysitting centers so you and your spouse can enjoy some quality time together. Whether it's just your core family unit or your entire extended family too, you'll never forget a family holiday to the tropics!

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