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Listen to Jim on
(The Stuart Bocking Show)
"Sydney Radio Station"
954 2UE
This show is syndicated around Australia on
3AW Melbourne
4BC & 4BH Brisbane
6PR & Magic Perth
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Jim regularly writes for leading industry
magazines Food Service and Club Life. Click
on articles to read more.
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Travel
Jim
with wine sommelier's aboard QE2 World Cruise
2006
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Travel Tips
http://www.wotif.com
Hotels, accommodation, flights and other related
leisure pursuits (worldwide).
www.ase.net
Hotels, flights, car hire etc (worldwide).
www.atc.net.au
Official website of the Australian Tourist
Commission.
www.quickbeds.com
www.villageitalia.com
This website contains a various selection
of Italian vacation rentals from villas, farmhouses,
castles etc. in Tuscany.
www.lastminute.com
Hotels, flights, car hire and other leisurely
persuites (Australia only).
www.cia.gov
/publications/factbook
The CIA's world fact book. Plenty of information
on history, natural hazards, commercial facts,
transport etc. This covers every country in
the world.
www.embassyworld.com/embassy/directory
Search for any embassy in any country.
It includes addresses, telephone numbers,
email, web addresses, together with local
info including jobs.
www.carigslist.org
An excellent website which has apartments,
houses, cottages etc for private hire throughout
the world. Whether it is in the big city or
a quite rural retreat this site has it all.
Place under world and not any particular country.
www.seatguru.com
Check out your airline seat before you travel.
Place under world....
www.tripkick.com
Hotel rooms from around the world. Ditto
www.holidayautos.com.au
Car Hire in Australia |
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Jim aboard QE2/06
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Private tasting at Schramsberg Winery - Napa
Valley, California
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www.apluswines.com
www.krimart.com
One of the biggest makers of Sparkling wines
in the Ukraine
www.tbilvino.ge
Wines of Georgia, featuring wines made from
an established Georgian winery from indigenous
Georgian grape varieties.
www.acorex.net
One of the biggest wine companies situated
in the Republic of Moldova
www.moldovawineguild.md
This site provides you with all the information
you ever wanted to know about the various
wineries and wine regions of Moldova
www.abraudurso.ru
Established in 1870 this Russian Sparkling
wine house is known as Abrau Durso
www.newyorkwines.org
All you ever wanted to know about the wine
regions of NY State featuring the Lake Erie
Region, Niagara Escarpment, Finger Lakes,
Hudson River and Long Island Region.
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www.ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en A very
informative website for people residing in
Australia who wish to know more about renewing
or gaining British passports. It’s packed
with lots of other important and helpful information.
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
For those of you wanting to visit Australia
and take advantage of reciprocal medical agreements
between Australia and a number of other countries
then this website can assist you when planning
your trip, especially from a travel insurance
point of view.
www.check-in.com.au
Fast and secure last minute reservations service
with over 50000 properties in Australia &
New Zealand.
www.travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au
For those passengers who have
special medical needs when traveling. This
is a very informative site, click on the ‘special
needs’ link. Also check out www.traveldoctor.com.au
sydneyharbour@yhansw.org.au
For the budget conscious who want to be in
the heart of the city with fabulous views
of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House,
then look no further than the best youth hostel
in town.
www.ubid4rooms.com
‘Make me an offer’ - that is how
ubid4rooms works across a wide range of hotels
in both Australia & NZ. Similar to ‘wotif’
and ‘last minute’.com, if you
like the idea of an auction bidding war.
www.vaustralia.com.au
V Australia is the newest long haul international
airline serving LA/USA from Sydney, Brisbane
& Melbourne.
www.kununnurratourism.com Rural tourism
in the Kimberley in NE of Western Australia
www.australialiasnorthwest.org.au
Rural tourism in the WS of Western Australia
www.kimberleytravel.com.au
For travel around Broom and Roebuck Bay
www.cablebeachclub.com
Considered the best resort north of Perth
www.lovebirds.com.au
B&B type accommodation in the center of
Broom
www.rendezvoushotels.com
A resort within 5 minutes walking distance
to Cable Beach
www.kimberleysafaris.com
For those who like the great outdoors of the
Kimberley
www.needtoescape.com
www.atn.com.au This website is for countrywide
tourism around Australia, which includes links
to accommodation and car rental sites together
with places to go and things to see and do.
www.travelaustralia.com.au This website
is more specific to regions of Australia.
www.oztravel.com.au A great site for
links and recommendations for food, wine,
travel and accommodation etc.
www.citysearch.com.au A terrific website
devoted to each capital city in Australia,
what's happening, what's on, where to go and
what to do.
www.greatwinecapitals.com This link gives
you much information about the major wine
capitals of the world and includes places
to stay, things to do and how to get there.
It also has many more pieces of information
related to the area in question.
www.immi.gov.au
– For all your visa (especially student
working visas) enquiries
www.tasmanianwineroute.com.au
– Wineries of Tasmania
www.greenpointwines.com.au
– Domain Chandon Winery situated at
Coldstream, Melbourne. Top rated restaurant
and winery.
www.balgowniewestate.com.au
– Accommodation, winery and restaurant
situated in Yarra Valley, Melbourne.
www.tabilk.com.au
– A winery with wetlands and wildlife
reserve situated at Tabilk in Melbourne
www.tarrawarra.com.au
- Tarrawarra Estate situated in the Yarra
Valley, Victoria. Complete with wine bar and
café
www.hermitagelodge.com.au
– Lodge accommodation situated at Pokolbin
in the NSW Hunter Valley
www.greymasts.com.au
– A guest house situated in Robe, SE
of Adelaide
www.robe.com.au
– Robe Visitor Information Centre
www.robe.sa.gov.au/robelifestyle
- Properties available in Robe, SE of Adelaide
www.draytonswines.com.au
– NSW based Hunter Valley Winery
www.zema.com.au
– South Australia, Coonawarra based
winery
www.kiolavineyard.com.au
– NSW winery situated in the Hilltops
region
www.sheppartonfestival.net.au
- A festival based on the NSW/VIC border
www.suncountryonthemurray.com.au
– All you wanted to know about this
NSW/VIC border region
www.visitmildura.com.au
– Mildura is situated on the NSW/VIC
border
www.swanhillonline.com
- What to do, where to go in and around Swan
Hill situated on the NSW/VIC border
www.echucamoama.com
– All you wanted to know about Echuca
Riverboat, Wine & Food Jazz Festival which
is situated along the River Murray at Echuca
www.greatshepparton.com.au
– Shepparton region of NSW
www.visitvictoria.com
– Information about all regions of Victoria
www.winestream.com.au
– All your Australian Wine ‘PR’
needs can be found here
www.songlinesestate.com.au
– McLaren Vale based winery
www.discovertasmania.com.au
– Check this site out before you travel
to Tasmania
www.qualia.com.au
– One of the newest resorts on Hamilton
Island in the Whitsundays
www.ozonehotel.com
– This hotel is situated on Kangaroo
Island off South Australia
www.puretasmania.com.au
– A real wilderness tour of outback
Tasmania
www.alyanaretreat.com.au
– A retreat away from it all situated
in Denmark, Western Australia
www.bluespiritretreats.com.au
– An eco retreat situated in Margaret
River, Western Australia
www.australiasoutback.com/aboriginalart
- Buy Aboriginal art direct from Aboriginal
communities in outback, Northern Territory
www.kakaduculturecamp.com
– Traditional Aboriginal owners show
you Kakadu Park and their surrounds
www.byronbaynow.com/surfing
- This is a good site to visit should you
plan a surfing holiday on the mid north coast
of New South Wales
www.parks.sa.gov/simpson_cp.
- For those of you who like the great outdoors
of The Simpson Desert, South Australia &
Northern Territory
www.mthotham.com
– For those adventure seeking snow skiers
www.fallscreek.com.au
– Australian adventure skiing
www.margaretriver.com
– Plenty of information can be found
here from the M/R Visitors Centre
www.canberraballoons.com.au
– Hot Air Ballooning over the Nation’s
Capital
www.lizardisland.com.au
– Scuba dive around the coral reefs
of Lizard Island
www.divincairns.com.au
– Great Barrier Reef Diving
www.exmouthwa.com.au
– Exmouth Visitors Centre, Western Australia
www.tiwiart.com/tours.asp.
- Explore the Tiwi Islands situated north
of Darwin
www.rottnestisland.com
– An island situated of the coast of
Perth, Western Australia
www.tourkangarooisland.com.au
– An island situated off South Australia
not far from Adelaide
www.wilsonisland.com
– An island situated on the Gt Barrier
Reef not far from Heron Island
www.lordhowisland.info
– Snorkelling, bushwalking, scuba diving
and much more
www.bestresataurants.com.au
– The Best Restaurants of Australia
can be found here
http://www.eatanddrink.com.au
- A more serious food and wine guide to Australia
combined with critiques
www.yourresataurants.com.au
– Top restaurants with verve, style
and panache
www.barossatours.com.au
– An Epicurean delight around the World
Famous Barossa Valley in South Australia
www.fairwaysresort.com.au
– Fairways Resort is situated on the
beautiful Mornington Peninsula SW of Melbourne
www.allseasonshouseboats.com.au
– Cruising the Murray River around Mildura,
Victoria
www.paravion.com.au
– Fly tour of the SW wilderness of Tasmania
www.freycinetseacruises.com
– Enjoy a boat tour of the magical Wineglass
Bay in Tasmania
www.cablebeachclub.com
– Cable Beach Resort situated in Broom
in North Western Australia
www.visitcanberra.com.au
– All the information you require about
the Capital of Australia
www.visitnsw.com.au
– All the information you require when
visiting New South Wales
www.goldcoastwinecountry.com.au
– Wineries situated on the Hinterland
on Queensland’s Gold Coast, south of
Brisbane
www.freightercruises.com.au
– A less salubrious but more interesting
way of cruising from Australia to UK
www.broomehelicopters.com
For your next helicopter flight over Broome
www.newnorsica.com
A monastic mission situated 132km north of
Perth
www.nigalooreefretreat.com
Cape Range National Park in Learmonth, WA
www.novotelningaloo.com
Exmouth
www.potshotresort.com
Potshot Hotel Resort is a motel in Exmouth
www.exmouthwa.com.au
All your information needs for this area.
www.ronroozen.com.au
A beach house overlooking the beach in Margaret
River, WA
www.8nicholson.com.au
A boutique B&B in the Perth suburb of
Subiaco
www.empirerestreat.com
Set amongst a bush setting in Yallingup
south of Margaret River
www.therichardson.com.au
Top accommodation for the industry executive,
West Perth
www.kimberleycostalcamp.com.au
Admiralty Gulf north Kimberley
www.capelodge.com.au
Top end luxury accommodation in Yallingup,
south of Margaret River
www.frangipani.com.au
Located near Cable Beach in Broome, WA
www.transperth.wa.gov.au
All your transport needs in Perth
www.ehf.com.au
Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle
www.fremantlecolonialaccommodation.com.au
Cottages & ensuite rooms in Fremantle
www.terracecentral.com.au
A small B&B Hotel in Fremantle
www.fremantlewa.com.au
Fremantle Visitors Centre
www.margaretriver.com
Margaret River Visitors Centre
www.holidayautos.com.au
Car Hire in Australia
Hunter
Valley (Australia) Restaurants:
Rock
Restaurant, Pokolbin www.rockrestaurant.com.au
Terroir
Restaurant, Pokolbin www.hungerfordhill.com.au/terroir
Esca
at Bimbadgen Estate www.bimbadgen.com.au
Mojo’s
on Wilderness, Lovedale www.mojos.net.au
Leaves
& Fishes, Lovedale www.leavesandfishes.com
www.mountainwatch.com
All your up-to-date information on Australian/New
Zealand ski fields
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www.norton.com.ar –
One of the most well known wineries situated
in Mendoza. A wine bar and BBQ area is also
available.
www.familiazuccardi.ar
– Winery, museum and restaurant available
at Bodega Familia Zuccadi situated in Mendoza
www.tapaus.com.ar
- Highend distillery making Grappas, Brandies,
Spirits and Liqueurs situated in Mendoza
www.cavaswinelodge.com
– Located amidst the snow capped Andes
in Mendoza each lodge is dotted throughout
the vineyards also features winery, restaurant
and luxurious spa
www.mdzviajes.com.ar
– Operadores Mendoza is a specialist
operator in private tours of the wineries
of Mendoza
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Brazil |
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www.wineofbrazil.com
All the information you could possibly want
on the wine regions of Brazil.
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www.newwinesofgreece.com
Everything and anything to do with Greek wine
& food can be found on this website –
simply brilliant. You would be surprised with
the quality and modern day take (on winemaking
techniques) of Greek Wines.
www.visitgreece.gr –
Greece Tourism Organization
www.gnto.co.uk
– UK based National Tourism Office
www.hatzmichalis.gr
– One of the better wineries of Greece
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www.vecchioolivo.it
A magnificent villa (for hire) set in a rural
setting in Trevino, Italy
www.santamargherita.com/
- An Italian winery situated in Foss Alta
Di Portogruaro region.
www.sartorinet.com
– An Italian winery situated in Valpolicella-Verona
www.vol.it/bolla
- Bolla winery situated on the outskirts of
Verona, Italy
www.ivponline.com
– Villa rental in Umbria
www.primitaly.com
– More accommodation in and around Umbria
www.san-vito.com
– Situated between Florence & Siena
this 126 hectare property offers wines, olive
oils, farmhouse accommodation nestled in between
olive groves and forests
www.coltibuono.com
– A former Abbey, with the old monks’
cells now converted into luxurious rooms.
Everything you could ever want for an away
from it all escape situated in Chianti
www.castellodigabbiano.it
– A quiet stay is assured at Castello
di Gabbiano with all the mod cons of the 21
century mixed with medieval charm of centuries
past. Situated in Chianti Classico
www.vinoturismo.it
– Situated a few miles from Florence
and nestled in between forests, olive groves
and vineyards with 3 private apartments and
10 bedrooms complete with swimming pool and
much more
www.verrazzano.com
– Accommodation, winery, restaurant
and landscaped parks and gardens are set in
the most tranquil and idyllic setting. Situated
in Chianti Classico
www.riservadifizzano.com
– Apartment complex situated high in
the hills of Tuscany with restaurants, gardens
and parks, swimming pool, vineyards and olive
orchards.
www.toscana-in-com
- A group of farmhouses, holiday apartments,
villas and B&B’s located in the
centre of Tuscany, in the hills of Chianti
region.
www.vinalo.com
– Accommodation, restaurant with Italian
cooking classes also available, winery situated
in Florence
www.termedisirmione.com
– The Grand Hotel Terme situated on
Lake Garda at the old village, Sirmione
www.sicilyhotels.com
– Offers a wide range of boutique accommodation
in and around Sicily
www.italiantourism.com
– The latest and most up to date website
on Italy packed with lots of information on
travel to Italy
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www.quintanova.com/hotel
- An up-market hotel situated in the Duoro
Valley overlooking the vineyards and the River
Duoro
www.quintadoprtal.pt
– A guest house with 13 beautifully
appointed bedrooms with panoramic views of
the Duoro with all mod cons including a gourmet
restaurant
www.qunits-das-aveleiras.com
– A wine museum with restaurant and
accommodation available and is situated in
the historic centre of Torre de Moncorvo,
in the Duoro Valley
www.adegademoncao.com/home.html
Adega Cooperative de Moncao – A magnificent
winery and lodgings in the Vinho Verde.
www.solardeserrade.pt
A beautiful manor house of Serrade, an excellent
B+B and much more set in a magnificent setting
of gardens, vineyards and situated in Vinho
Verde
www.quintapacos.com
Another place of residence worthy of note
should you find yourself in the Vihno Verde
region.
www.hoteldoreguengo.pt
Reguengo Estate situated in Vinho Verde with
accommodation which is first rate.
www.soalheiro.com
Soalheiro Estate situated in Vino Verde with
excellent accommodation in a beautiful and
tranquil vineyard setting
Travel
Machu Picchu
All Travel Machupicchu, guide complete about
to Machupicchu.
www.allmachupicchutravel.com
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Portugal |
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www.quintanova.com/hotel
- An up-market hotel situated in the Duoro
Valley overlooking the vineyards and the River
Duoro
www.quintadoprtal.pt
– A guest house with 13 beautifully
appointed bedrooms with panoramic views of
the Duoro with all mod cons including a gourmet
restaurant
www.qunits-das-aveleiras.com
– A wine museum with restaurant and
accommodation available and is situated in
the historic centre of Torre de Moncorvo,
in the Duoro Valley
www.adegademoncao.com/home.html
Adega Cooperative de Moncao – A magnificent
winery and lodgings in the Vinho Verde.
www.solardeserrade.pt
A beautiful manor house of Serrade, an excellent
B+B and much more set in a magnificent setting
of gardens, vineyards and situated in Vinho
Verde
www.quintapacos.com
Another place of residence worthy of note
should you find yourself in the Vihno Verde
region.
www.hoteldoreguengo.pt
Reguengo Estate situated in Vinho Verde with
accommodation which is first rate.
www.soalheiro.com
Soalheiro Estate situated in Vino Verde with
excellent accommodation in a beautiful and
tranquil vineyard setting
www.theyeatman.com
A brilliant hotel situated on the banks of
the River Douro in Oporto. A magnificent new
building on the outside with old world charm
of an English Country Manor on the inside.
The food in the main dining room is simply
exquisite and the view is something to die
for as are the prices of the food served in
the main dining room. Reviewed May 2011
www.arneiros.com
A beautiful homestead situated in the middle
of a cork forest about 1hr NE of Lisbon. The
food is homemade and special as are the local
wines. Comes very highly recommended if you
want a rural retreat with peace, good food
& wine and views of the countryside. Reviewed
May 2011
www.cavesvinhodoporto.com
A great website, all the information you could
ever want about any of the Port houses situated
in Oporto and the Douro.
www.amorimcork.com The world’s biggest
producer of cork. Anything and everything
you ever wanted to know about cork or cork
products can be found on this website.
www.viniportugal.pt
A great website for checking out various wine
routes in Portugal covering all wine regions.
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www.shangri-la.com
– Two excellent properties
for couples and families (Tanjung Aru Resort)
in Kota Kinabalu & (Rasa Ria Resort) Dalit
Bay Golf & Country Club.
www.suteraharbour.com
– A great family style resort with everything
the name implies Inc golf, fishing, tennis
and much more.
www.portview.com.my
– A top seafood restaurant situated
on the esplanade in Kota Kinabalu (KK).
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www.wine.co.za
www.sasev.org
www.african-terroir.com
– A Cape Town based wine & Spirit
importer.
www.uitsig.co.za
– A Constantia (CT), based winery
with an excellent restaurant attached which
comes highly recommended.
www.meerlust.co.sa
– One of the best noted wineries based
in Cape Town.
www.kwvinternational.com
– KWV are the biggest winery with individual
boutique brands based in Paarl, Cape Town.
www.wandie’splace.com
– Wandie’s Place is a surreal
restaurant based in the middle of the shanty
town of Soweto-Johannesburg. While it comes
highly recommended, extreme caution should
be taken in getting there. Once there, your
car and personal security is guaranteed. A
must on your next visit!
www.vineyardventures.co.za
– If you’re looking for a personalized
visit of the vineyards of Cape Town and beyond
then look no further than Vineyard Ventures.
I used them on my last visit and would highly
recommend them.
www.rustenvrede.com
– One of the few wineries in South Africa
(CT) to make red wines only. Well worth a
visit!
www.spier.co.za
– A magnificent resort based in Stellenbosch
(CT). It has its own winery, horse riding
in a rural tranquil setting and comes highly
recommend.
www.southafrica.net
– Tourism South Africa
www.vergelegen.co.za
- A stunning homestead situated in Stellenbosch
www.devonvalleyhotel.com
– A 28 room boutique hotel with breathtaking
views of the Devon Valley & Helderberg
mountains situated in Stellenbosch
www.lourensford.com
– A 4,000 hectare wine estate with restaurant
and conference facilities situated in Stellenbosch
www.kleinzalze.co.za
– Complete with a golf course, winery,
lodge and restaurant situated in Strellenbosch
www.zevenwacht.co.za
– A beautiful homestead complete with
lodge and restaurant and award winning wines
situated in Stellenbosch
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www.acevin.org
Website for La Asociaci6n Espaliola de Ciudades
del Vino
(Spanish Association of Wine Towns)
It features more than 45 towns linked by the
common denominator of exceptional winegrowing,
and its concomitant economic, cultural and
other aspects. One of this organization's
major achievements is the creation of the
Rutas del Vino de Espalia brand (Wine Routes
of Spain), which certifies tourist itineraries
that take in wineries, gastronomy, hotels
and local history and art. (Spanish)
www
.rutadelvi nosomontano. com
Official website for La Ruta del Vino Somontano
(Somontano Wine Route)
It provides information about the wineries
along the route, plus restaurants, hotels
and specialist travel agencies (with links
to their own websites, opening times, telephone
numbers and so on), and is also a good source
on the area as a whole: Sierra de Guara Natural
Park and its gorges, Vero River Cultural Park
and the towns Alquezar and Barbastro. There
is also a useful road map. (Spanish)
http://www .Iariojatu rismo .com/tu rismo
-en 01 og i co La Rioja's tourist website
Good information about La Rioja's various
wineries, themed museums, wine events and
festivals, hotels and vinotherapy spas. It
also gives addresses of companies offering
wine tasting courses, sporting activities
in a vineyard setting and gastronomic tourist
events.
(English, German, Spanish)
www
.rutadelvi noderiojaalavesa. com
Official website for La Ruta del Vino Rioja
AJavesa (The Rioja Alavesa Wine Route)
This page offers addresses for the wineries,
restaurants, specialist wine
shops and hotels along the route, links with
their individual sites and other useful information.
It also offers information about the area's
different municipalities, mentioning outstanding
buildings, traditional festivals, tourist
offices and so on. (English, Spanish)
www.paseosdelvino.com
Website for Paseos del Vino (Wine Walks)
Paseos del Vino is an association comprised
of nine bodegas in La Rioja including Amezola
de la Mora, Bret6n, Marques de Vargas, Muga,
Murua, Fern8.dez Remfrez de Ganuza, Roda,
Luis Cafias and Valencisco, that is working
to energize and strengthen wine tourism in
the DOCa Rioja. It offers tourists different
personalized travel packs that combine culture,
nature, gastronomy and wine through visits
to the bodegas within the association, tastings,
vinotherapy sessions, hot air balloon rides
over the vineyards, etc. (English, Spanish)
www
.enotu rismealtpenedes. net
Official website for Las Rutas del
Vino y del Cava Penedes (Wine and Cava Routes
of the Penedes)
This page suggests possible itineraries grouped
according to different criteria: routes that
can be explored by train, by car, in town
and so on. Each circuit includes a road map
and information about the wineries, hotels,
restaurants and other establishments it features.
Complementary routes for walkers or modernist
architecture enthusiasts, among others, are
also suggested. (English, French, Spanish)
Designation of Origin (DO)
www.riberadelduero.es
Website for the Regulatory Council for DO
Ribera del Duero (English, Spanish)
www.riojawine.com
Website for the Regulatory Council for DO
Rioja (English, French, German, Spanish)
www.dopenedes.es
Website for DO Penedes (English, Spanish)
www.dosomontano.com
Website for the Regulatory Council for DO
Somontano (Spanish)
Rioja Marques de Riscal, Wine City
www.marquesderiscal.com
Bodega de Juan Alcorta Ysios
www.domecqbodegas.com
El Fabulista
www.bodegaelfabulista.com
Bodegas Carlos San Pedro perez de Viiiaspre
www
.bodegascarlossampedro.com
Dinastfa Vivanco Wine Culture Museum
www.dinastiavivanco.com
Bodega Baigorri
www.bodegasbaigorri.com
www.spain.info
– all your information needs can be
found at this address
www.arzak.es
– The best restaurant featuring Basque
food situated in San Sebastian
www.elbulli.com
– The best restaurant in the whole
of Spain situated in Roses
www.axialvinos.com
Covinca winery situated in Longares
www.bodegasysios.com
– Spanish winery situated in Laguardia
(Alva)
www.donjacobo.es
– Spanish winery situated in La Rioja
www.bodegasfaustino.com
– Spanish winery situated near Logrono
www.remirezdeganuza.com
- Spanish winery situated in Rioja Alavesa
www.bodegasmuga
– Spanish winery situated in Haro (La
Rioja)
www.marquesdeulia.com
– Spanish winery (Bodegas Senorio de
Ulia) located in Labastida Alava
www.lacasadelcofrade.com
– Spanish winery (La Casa del Cofrade)
situated in Albelda de lregua (La Rioja)
www.elriojaylos5sentidos.com
Spanish winery (Prorioja) situated in Logrono
(La Rioja)
www.zortziko.es
– A Bilbao based 2 star Michelin restaurant
serving Basque food
www.luxurycollection.com/marquesderiscal
- Situatel at the vineyards of Marques de
Riscal in La Rioja
www.hotelcondeduque
– Gran Hotel Conde Duque situated in
Madrid
www.elbullihotel.com
situated in the hills of Seville and an off-shoot
of the world famous El Bulli restaurant in
Roses northern Spain
www.hotelclaris.com
situated in the Eixample district of Barcelona
www.hotelpalacepenalba.com
A top notch hotel with magnificent gardens
situated in the northern province of Asturias
- Figueres |
Traveleyes UK is a Leeds based tour company
specializing in tours for the blind or visually
impaired. If you have a friend that may be
interested, the website is www.traveleyes-international.com
www.cmccmotorhomes.com/4.html
Rather than hire a car while in the UK, buy
one and sell it on departure. Check out this
site.
www.bookingbuddy.co.uk
A great website for cheap flights from the
UK to Europe
www.kayak.co.uk
A very worthwhile website for flights from
UK to various ports in USA.
www.opodo.co.uk
A great website, one that is devoted to cheap
flights from UK to the Eastern parts of Europe.
www.the-vineyard.co.uk
Special country boutique hotels for the wine
hedonists which is situated at Newbury, Berkshire.
www.northcotemanor.com
A boutique hotel specializing in wines for
the wine/food afficianado, situated at Blackburn,
Lancashire
www.hotelduvin.com
Part of the Hotels du Vin group and its siter
properties in the Malmaison Group.
www.hotelterravina.co.uk
situated in Netley Marsh, Southampton
www.manoir.com
A boutique hotel specializing in food/wine
situated in Great Milton, Oxfordshire
www.hopestreethotel.co.uk
Boasts the most extensive wine list in the
northwest. Situated in Liverpool.
www.waddesdon.org.uk/five_arrows
Stands at the gates of Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
www.raddisonsas.com
Europe’s only Wine Tower situated at
the Radisson Hotel at Stansted Airport
www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk
Summer Lodge Country House situated in Evershot,
Dorset
www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk
Acountry house owned by the Duke and Duchess
of Devonshire and is situated in Yorkshire
www.chestergrovenor.com
Gourmet evening and wine dinners are the norm
ar this hotel situated right in the heart
of Chester
www.kinnardestate.com
A top country mansion with a flare for food
and wine of the highest standard, situated
in Perthshire, Scotland.
www.welcomehomes.co.uk
www.uptownres.co.uk
www.thisislondon.co.uk
www.visitbritain.com
www.londonpass.com
www.liverpoolworldheritage.com
www.visitliverpool.com
www.bbc.co.uk
(British Broadcasting Corporation)
www.baa.com
(British Airports Authority)
www.britishairways.com
www.thompsonfly.com
(Airline)
www.flybe.com
(Airline)
www.thomascook.com
www.
easyjet.com (Airline)
www.ryanair.com
(Airline)
www.uk-air.net
(Airline)
www.nationalrail.com
(All UK Railways)
www.defra.gov.uk
www.direct.gov.uk
(A-Z of Government Services)
www.dti.gov.uk
www.brightonpier.co.uk
– The famous Brighton Pier in southern
England
www.royalpavillion.org.uk
– A Russian style building/pavilion
situated in Brighton.
www.brighton.co.uk
– All your tourism needs in Brighton
can be found here
www.london-marathon.co.uk
– Provides all the information you require
to complete this marathon
www.camelvalley.com
– English winery situated in Bodmin,
Cornwall
www.biddendenvineyards.co.uk
– English winery situated in Ashford,
Kent
www.denbieswineestate.com
– English winery situated in Dorking,
Surrey
www.englishwinesgroup.com
– English winery (Chapel Down) situated
in Tenterden, Kent
www.threechoirs.com
– English winery situated in Gloucestershire
www.fatduck.co.uk
– The top restaurant in Berkshire and
one of the best in the UK
www.londonwinefair.com
– The London International Wine &
Spirits Fair
www.englishwineproducers.com
– A comprehensive website featuring
the wineries of the UK
www.themerchanthotel.com
The most opulent hotel in Belfast, Northern
Ireland
www.booking.com
– All your hotels booking can be found
here for city and regional towns across the
UK
www.colchesterguide.co.uk
– Up to date information on the town
of Colchester
www.hotels-colchester.co.uk
– A limited number of hotels situated
in and around Colchester
www.travel.ciao.co.uk/
- All your travel and insurance needs
for UK and the world.
www.owlpen.com
The Grist Mill (Owlpen Manor), near Uley,
Gloucestershire. So quintessentially English.
A beautiful old manor set in magnificent grounds
will transport you to another world.
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/15265
Chapel House Penycwm, Pembrokeshire. A beautifully
restored 18th century chapel overlooking the
Pembrokeshire coast.
www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk
Rose Castle Cottage is located in Coniston,
Cumbria. One of the most picturesque locations
in the Lakes District. Think of Beatrix Potter
and you’ve got it in one.
www.bruern-holiday-cottages.co.uk
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Located in the
grounds of the most famous Bruern Abbey, a
typically English country house surrounded
by natural beauty.
www.landmarktrust.org.uk
A small selection of country cottages situated
near Bude, Cornwall with many cottages overlooking
the sea set high on the rocky outcrop.
www.holiday-rentals.co,uk/9050
Station House, Thuxton, Norfolk Close by the
local railway line with only the odd train
passing through carrying day trippers. A magnificent
set-up in a beautiful part of the world.
www.alnwickcastlecottages.co.uk
A beautifully restored cottage situated in
the grounds of the Duke of Northumberland’s
estate.
www.scottscastles.com
Perthshire, Scotland. Claypotts Cottage –
Amid the beautiful Scottish highlands, surrounded
by lochs and glens and the rugged moorlands.
A truly magnificent setting to get away from
it all.
www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk
Over 400 properties to view in rural settings
around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
www.landmarktrust.org.uk
Holiday homes that have been totally renovated
and lovingly restored.
www.english-country-cottages.co.uk
Over 3,000 properties available throughout
the UK from hideaway cottages, country homes,
castles and much more.
www.marsdens.co.uk
Holiday home specialists centred around the
West Country
www.scottscastles.com
Your choice of Scottish Castles throughout
the whole of Scotland
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk
Holiday properties world wide |
New
York - B&B
& Boutique Hotels in NY and surrounding
Boroughs;
www.athomeinbrooklyn.com
A great B&B situated
on Prospect Park West right in the middle
of Brooklyn
www.akwaaba.com
Situated in the historic part of Bedford-Stuvvesant,
this Italian like villa comes highly recommended.
www.fortplace.com
Fort Place B&B, St George, Staten
Island. An old Victorian charmer which
is beautifully decorated and is close
to Staten Island Ferry
www.ravelhotel.com
Long Island City which is now the in place
to be. Comes with rooftop restaurant and
some of the best views in Long Island
.
www.jtbandb.wordpress.com
Jumel Terrace Books B&B Hamilton Heights,
Manhattan. For those of you in the literature
world then this could be the place for
you.
www.victoriabedandbreakfast.net
Victoria B&B, new Brighton, Staten
Island. This Italianate guest house is
situated in a quiet part of Staten Island
and serves a breakfast to die for.
www.micasatucasa150.com
Mi Casa Tu Casa Guesthouse, South Bronx.
Don’t be put off the words “South
Bronx”; parts of it are now gentrified.
www.nuhotelbrooklyn.com
Nu Hotel, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. A boutique
hotel surrounded by many local family
restarants.
www.bluemoon-nyc.com
The Blue Moon Hotel, Lower East Side,
Manhattan. A fantastic location of this
22 room Lower East Side Hotel - within
walking distance to East Broadway.
www.bblodges.com
A lovely townhouse in the now fashionable
East Harlem, Manhattan.
www.vaustralia.com
V Australia is Australia’s number
2 long haul international airline serving
Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from LA
-USA
www.sanfranciscosightseeing.com
The United States Dept of Agriculture, Foreign
Agricultural Service has information on
world markets, trends and world agriculture
production. Information and reports are
available for nearly 130 countries prepared
by this dept. Export/import data and WTO
tariff schedules are available. Search by
keyword, including country and commodity.
This site is update daily.
-
www.greylinessanfrancisco.com
- This
coachline company takes tours of SF, Napa
Valley, Alcatraz & Bay Cruises including
Monterey and Carmel and much much more.
www.sfvisitor.org.usa
- SanFrancisco
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
www.handlery.com
- The
Handlery Union Square Hotel is a Family
run hotel located in downtown San Fransisco.
www.sfbhc.com
- San
Fransisco Bay Hotel Collection.
www.pier39.com
- Premier
Festival Market Place on the Bay is the
No 1 attraction in San Fransisco.
www.kimtongroup.com
- The
Kimpton Group has a number of Boutique hotels
and restaurants in Aspen, Boston, Cambridge,
Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Portland,
Salt Lake City, San Fransisco, Seattle,
Silicon Valley, Tacoma, Vancouver BC & Whistler
BC.
www.scenic.com
- Scenic
Airlines has flights over the Grand Canyon,
Yosemite National Park and much more.
www.seaworld.com
- The
famous San Diego Seaworld which includes
the Haunted Lighthouse.
www.disneyworld.com
- The
world famous Disneyland Theme Park in Anaheim,
California.
www.usda.gov
- The
United States Dept of Agriculture, Foreign
Agricultural Service has information on
world markets, trends and world agriculture
production. Information and reports are
available for nearly 130 countries prepared
by this dept. Export/import data and WTO
tariff schedules are available. Search by
keyword, including country and commodity.
This site is update daily.
www.atf.treas.gov
- The
site of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms has information on alcohol regulations
in the US. Includes publications, pressroom
and labeling laws.
www.wineinstitute.org
- Industrial
and statistical information, events, ATF
regulations and regulations regarding direct
interstate wine shipments in the USA with
the individual state laws, as well as information
on American viticultural areas.:
www.fao.org
- The
website of the Food and Agriculture Organisation
of the United Nations. Has a wide variety
of information on agriculture as well as
the Uruguay Round Agreements, economies,
news and more. There is also access to statistical
database that allows the user to search
for statistics on wine production of wine
and population by country including year.
www.wcoomd.org
- The
World Customs Organisation has 153 customs
organisations around the world as members.
Click on the region of your choice and find
duties and regulations for importing wine
into those countries. Choose the customs
website option. If the customs organisation
you are seeking has a website you will find
the link here. This site is in both English
and French.
www.justcalifornia.org
California
travel guide, Disneyland, Los Angeles, Hollywood,
San Francisco, PalmsSprings,beaches,mapas,hotelslakes,mountains
and other tourism information
for the state of California USA.
www.e-winegifts.com
www.finewine@nycap.rr.com
.......These are retail and e-commerce wine
stores in the state of New York".
www.calzonesf.com
– Italian Restaurant/Wine Bar in San
Francisco
www.sfwinecomp.com
– San Francisco International Wine Competition
www.duckhorn.com
– Duckhorn is a famed Napa Valley Winery
www.zunicafe.com
– A great Restaurant/Café in
San Francisco
www.vinarobles.com
– A winery based in Paso Robles, CA
www.hornblower.com
– If you want to take a cruise around
the harbour in San Francisco Bay then I highly
recommend Hornblower Cruises
www.eberlewinery.com
– A famous winery situated in Paso Robles,
CA
www.hotelcheval.com
– A brilliant Boutique Hotel situated
off the main square in Paso Robles, CA
www.aventurewine.com
– Stephan Vineyards based in Paso Robles,
CA
www.jlohr.com
– J.LOHR Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA
www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com
– SF Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.calwinexport
– Wine Institute of California
www.supershuttle.com
- A shuttle bus company situated at all major
airports and cruise terminals throughout the
USA
www.tropicoolmiami.com
– Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.marmara-manhattan.com
– Apartment living in New York situated
on the Upper East Side
www.phillipsclub.com
– The Phillips Club (apartment living)
in New York, situated at Lincoln Square
www.sanmartinrest.baweb.com
– A great (inexpensive) Mediterranean
Restaurant situated on 49th St, Manhattan,
NY City
www.danielnyc.com
– A Frenchman in NY City showing them
how to make the best burgers, situated on
West 44th St
www.frenchlaundry.com
– Situated in Yountville in California’s
Napa Valley, considered the best restaurant
in California
www.tfewines.com
– Sutter Home Winery situated in St.
Helena in Napa Valley, Cal
www.casanuestra.com
– Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards
situated in St. Helena in Napa Valley, Cal
www.peju.com
– a family run boutique winery situated
in Rutherford, Napa Valley – Cal
www.stsuprey.com
– A winery situated in Rutherford, Napa
Valley – Cal
www.sterlingvineyards.com
Take a cable car ride to the top of the hill
were this winery is situated in the Napa Valley
www.sceneontv.com
– For those of you who loved the US
hit TV show the Sopranos, this site gives
you a guided tour of their hangouts in New
Jersey
www.mgmgrand.com
One of Las Vegas’s top restaurants situated
in the MGM Grand Hotel.
www.venetian.com
Bouchon Restaurant is situated at the Venetian
Hotel, Las Vegas. Thomas Keller (French Laundry)
is working the pans, do I need to say anymore?
www.venetian.com
TAO, a mixture of Thai, Japanese, Chinese
food. The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas
www.sushiroku.com
Sushi Roku is a top restaurant featuring the
best of the best of Japanese cuisine, situated
at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
www.carnevino.com
Carnevino is an Italian Steak House situated
at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas.
www.visitlasvegas.com
All you want to know to plan and make your
trip a memorable one.
www.skyloftsmgmgrand.com
Accommodation in Las Vegas
www.palms.com
Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
www.redrocklasvegas.com
Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
www.palazzolasvegas.com
The Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino, Las
Vegas.
www.sebastiani.com
Sonoma Valley winery
www.schramsberg.com
Napa Valley winery specialising in top quality
sparkling wines
www.duckhorn.com
Napa Valley winery
www.cakebread.com
Napa Valley winery
www.buenavistacaneros.com
Sonoma Valley winery
www.silveroak.com
Napa Valley winery
www.montelena.com
Chateau Montelena Winery, Napa Valley
www.silveradovineyards.com
Napa Valley winery
www.macarthurplace.com
An excellent (high end) Country Inn &
Spa in Sonoma Valley
www.beveragexperts.com
Chicago based company specialising in beer,
wine and spirits to the trade and consumer
www.winespokenhere.com
Napa Valley based wine consultant and PR company
www.globalwineco.com
A consultancy and PR company based in Sausalito,
south of Sonoma & Napa Valleys and just
across the bay from downtown SF.
www.pier39.com
This is one of the most exciting places to
visit whilst in San Francisco (situated on
the wharf along the Embarcadero)
www.pinotreport.com
All you ever wanted to know about the most
‘fickle’ of red wine grape varieties
www.larkcreeksteak.com
A fantastic up-market steak house situated
on the Fourth Floor of Westfield Nordstrom
Shopping Centre in downtown San Francisco.
Great food, service and vibe.
www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com
For all your tourism needs when visiting San
Francisco
www.amusebouchewine.com
A top winery situated in the Napa Valley
www.montelena.com
It got rave reviews for its wines in the now
famous Paris Tasting of 1976 and made headlines
again in 2009 in a new movie based on the
same story called “Bottle Shock”
www.elbonita.com
A motel situated in St Helena in the Napa
Valley - not the best motel around, a throw
back to the 1950’s, but it’s clean,
comfortable and cheap for the Napa.
www.riverterraceinn.com
A comfortable hotel ideally situated in the
Napa Valley. It has position, position, position
with its own wine bar. Comes highly recommended
www.thecarnerosinn.com
Boon Fly Café at the Carneros Inn on
the Sonoma Hwy, Napa Valley. Great food at
very reasonable prices with many entrées
(mains) at just over US$20.
www.bountyhunterwinebar.com
A wine bar and bistro overlooking the river
in downtown Napa Valley. Great food &
wine at very good prices.
www.mustardgrill.com
Situated at St. Helena Hwy, Yountville, Napa
Valley. A dining institution in its own right.
Comes highly recommended.
www.heitzcellar.com
One of a select few wineries in the Napa Valley,
St Helena to be precise, to offer ‘free’
wine tastings. A rarity in this part of the
world.
www.thecaliforniaguide.com
Packed with information covering Northern,
Central and Southern California. For all your
information on attractions, hotels, restaurants
and affordable travel.
ESTA
is short for Electronic System for Travel
Authorisation to the USA. This is the official
government website for all those applying
for a US entry visa known as the Visa Waver
Program (VWP). There are a number of scams
for this purpose out there on the internet
so make sure you visit the correct website
which is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
As this went to print (on this website on
22/3/11) the cost was US$14 which includes
US$10 for the VWP Application and US$4 Processing
Fee. The official US Government travel website
is DiscoverAmerica.com
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The
Rest of The World
‘Great
Rail Journeys of the World”.
www.scotrail.co.uk – The Caledonian
sleeper leaves London 6 nights a week (except
Sun) for Fort William in the western highlands
of Scotland.
www.seat61.com/Spain.htm
or www.raileurope.com.au
This train leaves Paris every night for Madrid
and Barcelona. The train is called the ‘Epsilos’
or “trainhotel”. You can select
from the “gran” class sleeper
with private toilet and shower, or the “turista”
class which comprises of a four bed shared
compartment.
www.raileurope.com.au
The TGV is the very fast train from Lille,
Paris to either Marseilles or Nice. The countryside
is breathtaking especially when you reach
the French Riviera. Trains in France are still
under government control and not in the hands
of private companies.
www.sbb.ch
Take the train from Zurich to Innsbruck
– the train travels through beautiful
valleys, forests and the famed Arlberg Pass.
The Alps are breathtaking no matter what time
of year you travel.
www.pageandmoy.com
This train (the Marrakesh Express) takes you
on a sojourn through the Moroccan countryside
from Casablanca, Meknes and on to Fez, Rabat
and Marrakesh. I did part of the journey from
Marrakesh to Casablanca which was brilliant.
www.rockymountaineer.com
From Vancouver to Banff and Lake Louise. The
scenery (especially in winter) is spectacular.
www.danube-express.com
Transylvania – The Danube express is
a private train featuring the best of what
train travel has to offer; not quite the Orient
Express, but not far off it. Take your pick
from Istanbul, Prague, Budapest and Vienna.
There are many ways to vary your journey and
arrival and departure cities for this train.
www.greatrail.com
The Venice Simpson-Orient Express from Venice
to Paris is the ultimate in luxury rail travel,
although short, spending one full day and
a night aboard this train in either direction.
www.mymr.co.uk
This rail journey is a must for Harry Potter
fans or the more grown up who remember the
British show ‘Heartbeat’. The
rain runs from Pickering in North Yorkshire
to Grosmount via Goathsland or ‘Hogsmead’
station in the Harry Potter movie. The scenery
through the Yorkshire Dales is beautiful and
tranquil; the train line now stretches to
Whitby.
www.ifly.com
For those transit airport travelers, it offers
comprehensive airport guides, discount parking
and information on shuttle buses. It also
offers an up-to-date flight status (when at
the airport), airport resources and traveler’s
tips. A brilliant resource to check before
departure.
www.goodnightandgodbless.com
For those who prefer a quieter life with time
to reflect then this site is for you. An accommodation
site like no other, for those people who would
like to stay in a monastery or convent during
their travels. It has quiet places to stay
in UK, France, Ireland, Italy, Austria and
the Czech Republic.
www.worldexpeditions.com.au
A terrific site built around ‘volunteer
tourism’. If you want to spend part
of your holiday helping others less fortunate
than yourself then visit this website.
www.wineintelligence.com
A website that is packed with factual information
on what’s happening in the world of
wine.
www.smtdc.com
If you wish to take a train (if you could
call it that) from Shanghai International
Airport to downtown Pudong (the CBD), Shanghai,
then take the train journey of your life for
the most exciting eight minute trip. I love
it.
www.greatwinecapitals.com
Great wine capitals of the world featuring
eight major global cities.
www.vrbo.com
Vacations Rentals By Owner – A brilliant
site by dealing direct with the owners for
houses and apartments from around the world.
www.carigslist.org
An excellent website which has apartments,
houses, cottages etc for private hire throughout
the world. Whether it is in the big city or
a quite rural retreat this site has it all.
www.seatguru.com
Check out your airline seat before you travel.
Place under world....
www.seatexpert.com
– Another website for the same purpose
www.tripkick.com
Hotel rooms from around the world.
www.flatsets.com/Global
- Check out the seat pitch and configuration
of partner airlines before you fly (not all
have the same seat pitch, flat bed or level
of comfort).
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Jim McMahon travels and lectures widely in
the area of food and wine. He was a member
of the National Council of the Australian
Society of Wine Education representing Queensland
and then NSW from 1990-1999, and is sought
after for writing/speaking and wine judging
engagements worldwide.
Photo QE2 2006
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"Kingston Estate" Wines
539
Greenhill Road
Hazelwood Park South Australia
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