Begin in Healdsburg, which was listed as No. 2 “Best Small Town to Visit in U.S.,” by Smithsonian Magazine. Downtown Bakery & Creamery (308 A Center St.) has been a staple for savory breakfasts since the café opened in 1987. And it still shines strong as a favorite for sticky buns, croissants, pains au chocolat, home-made jam pockets, donut muffins, bran muffins, blueberry scones, whole-wheat scones with currants and orange, or cheddar cheese and thyme. For larger appetites, the pancakes or breakfast pizzas are a treat, as is the Croque Madame with ham, cheese, ricotta, poached egg, and pickles. You’ll want to get a peek at Alexander Valley, which is one of the most beautiful spots — of many, many breathtaking places — in Sonoma County. Travel a short bit through Healdsburg up to the hillside area, for a visit to Jordan Vineyard & Winery (1474 Alexander Valley Road), and your 10 a.m., by-appointment library tasting. The estate has been legendary since the stone and stucco castle opened in 1972.

The intimate tasting will give you an excellent overview of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, in a guided, one-hour immersion accented by small bites. Then, head off to Francis Ford Coppola’s elaborate estate, just up the road on the edge of Geyserville (300 Via Archimedes), It’s a wonder of a resort from one of Hollywood's famous writers and directors, and gives a great dose of glam, since the enormous European-style chateau is topped with a glass pyramid. what time can you buy wine in floridaThe property boasts a giant swimming pool and a museum brimming with movie memorabilia.buy wine glasses near me On your return, take a jaunt down West Dry Creek Road, a gently curving stretch that is lined with winery after wonderful winery, breathtakingly beautiful vineyards, mountainscapes and a few destinations like the rustic-chic Dry Creek General Store (3495 Dry Creek Road).buy wine on sunday in tx

Next, head back to Healdsburg, for a walking and shopping tour of the downtown Plaza. First built in 1872, this pretty patch of green grass and concert pavilion has grown into a fantasyland of clothing boutiques, tasting rooms, restaurants, candy shops, and art galleries. One World Fair Trade (104 Matheson St.) is a gem, offering beautiful handcrafted gifts from the developing world, with fair pay for third-world artisans. It’s about time for lunch, but rather than a sit-down meal at a single spot, indulge in a walk-around feast with Wine Country Walking Tours. The guided stroll includes exclusive private seated tastings at boutique tasting rooms, plus lots of fine snacks like beignets, honey-drizzled St. Agur blue cheese atop Bosc pears, port with chocolates, freshly baked breads, charcuterie, olive oil, and French pastries. You’re probably ready for a little rest now, so head to your hotel. That might be the ultra-luxury Madrona Manor Wine Country Inn (1001 Westside Road), a beautifully restored 1881 mansion set on eight acres of English gardens and wooded hillside.

Or, for a more budget friendly rest, Raford Inn (10630 Wohler Road) is nestled right in the Russian River vineyards. It feels like a whole other world, here, surrounded by vast open spaces, peaceful quiet, and the stars at night. The 1800s Victorian bed and breakfast is intimate with just five rooms, and featuring fireplaces, private baths, and a complimentary evening wine and hors d'oeuvres reception. Either hotel offers great opportunities for easy hikes exploring surrounding vineyards, or just settling back in the manicured flower gardens — a quintessential Sonoma County experience. Refreshed and rejuvenated, hop back in the car and take a leisurely drive to Forestville, for dinner at the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant (7871 River Road). Dine on a seasonal menu sourced from farm-fresh local ingredients, in a setting both humble and elegant, with a romantic and timeless atmosphere. The 22 craziest party hostels around the world 21 more crazy party hostels around the world

10 places to mix adventure with a beer/wine tour Your top 20 bucket list tripsAyers Rock, photo courtesy Pete Edgeler on Flickr. Australia is enormous, with a wide range of climates. The northern states are typically warm year-round, while the southern states have cooler winters. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring. To compare all resorts in Australia, click here. See our complete list of travel specials for Australia. Typical airfares from LAX to Sydney, Australia Airfares vary by season, but also day of week, and are definitely affected by holidays. The chart above shows the typical minimum and maximum fares for a economy class ticket from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD), by month. Best time of year to go to different parts of Australia Photo courtesy Jon Haase. Sydney, in New South Wales, is in Australia's temperate zone. The Great Dividing Range is a major climate factor, as it creates 4 distinct zones: the coastal strip, the highlands, the Western Slopes and the flat countryside to the west.

Sydney typically sees about 340 sunny days a year, with humidity in summer around 65%. Pictured above is the famous Sydney Opera House. Cairns, in Queensland, is pretty tropical--summers are hot and humid, and winters are dry and mild. Along the coast, you can get cyclones from November through May. Cairns is one of the places from which you can access the Great Barrier Reef, pictured at right. Ayers Rock, seen at the top of this page, is in the Northern Territory (which isn't actually the northernmost part of Australia--that's referred to as the "Top End"), has a distinctly different climate, with a wet season running from October to April and a dry season May to September. In winter, nighttime temperatures can fall below freezing; in the summer, daytime temperatures can approach 100F, with cool, dry nights. Photo courtesy ynwa2005 on Flickr. Photo courtesy Amanda Slater on Flickr. Adelaide, in South Australia, has mild, wet winters (averaging about 60F) and hot, dry summers (averaging 84F).

June is the wettest month, but still averages only a little over 3 inches of rain. In the summer, it's not uncommon to have months with no rain. At left is Jacob's Creek vineyard in the Barossa Valley, one of the important wine regions of Australia. Melbourne, in Victoria, has a reputation for changeable weather, but generally the climate is temperate with warm summers (averaging 77F), mild spring and fall seasons, and cool winters (averaging 57F). Pictured are the limestone formations known as the Twelve Apostles, located on the Great Ocean Road about 100 miles west of Melbourne. Perth, in Western Australia, the rainfall is greatest from May to September. The hottest month is February, averaging 88F; winter temperatures average about 65F. A cooling breeze known as "The Fremantle Doctor" blows in from the sea to keep the city comfortable. Photo courtesy Rich Mulvaney on Flickr. Tasmania, the island southeast of the main continent, the climate is mild and temperate.

With no part of the island more than about 75 miles from the water, the ocean has a big effect on the climate. Because it's much farther from the equator than the rest of Australia, the seasons are more distinct. January and February are pretty dry, with temperatures averaging about 70F. See the Australia tourism website for a detailed description of the seasons in Australia. In Cairns, on the coast of Queensland, tropical cyclones can occur sometimes between November and May. Around Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, you can see thunderstorms, hail and dust storms in the spring months. In Western Australia, tropical cyclones can occur between November and April--most commonly though in January and February. Airfare and Resort Prices High season is from about Christmas through the end of January, when children are on their summer holidays, and the popular resorts fill up with the locals. In the north, June through August is peak season as Australians from the southern areas travel north to escape winter.