Now more than ever, it’s important to prioritize having some fun. You want to escape the stress of work and home and go somewhere relaxing. You also want a destination that isn’t overly crowded, stuffy, or expensive. More than anything, you just want to go somewhere where you can just be yourself.

You want Lodi, California.

Lodi is one of Northern California wine country’s best-kept secrets. A scenic masterpiece, it’s located at the point where the San Francisco Bay Area transitions into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lodi is widely known as the Zinfandel Capital of the world, famous for producing the grapes that make up a portfolio of more than 125 award-winning varietals. But there is so much more to this place than wine.

Whether its eating at one the award-winning eateries, paddle-boarding, hiking, or just wrapping yourself in the luxury of a resort hotel, Lodi has something for everyone who is looking to get away, unplug from the workaday world, and destress for a few days.

Lodi isn’t just about the wine–but if, to you, unwinding doesn’t happen without a glass of bliss, there is no better wine destination on the globe. Lodi has more than 85 boutique wineries, some of which are run by 5th-generation winemakers. Zinfandel is a staple, but Lodi also leads other California wine grape growing in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc. In fact, Lodi has 110,000 acres for wine growing, with 23,850 of those as Certified Green Acres under the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) for sustainable wine growing.

You can always find a friendly Lodi vintner ready to line up bottles for a personal tasting or lead you through a tour of the vineyard and production facilities. On most weekends, there’s at least one winery holding a unique event for connoisseurs and casual sippers alike.

Who can relax on an empty stomach? Lodi has you more covered there, too. No matter what you’re craving, from American comfort food, farm-to-table fare, or fine dining, you can find it fixed up by some of the best chefs in the country.

For instance, Steve Ding’s Woodbridge Crossing features fine dining in a beautifully restored 19th-century brick building in downtown Woodbridge. The eatery is famous for its prime rib, but you can also find bottomless champagne brunch on Sundays. And of course, it features a full assortment of Lodi wines.

If your taste buds are calling from something more international, there’s Pietro’s Trattoria, a farm-to-fork Italian eatery that specializes in pasta, chicken parm, and homemade gnocchi. There’s also Thai Kitchen, a quaint hole in the wall where you can find big and authentic Thai flavor. (Try the green papaya salad, a perfect marriage of spicy and sweet with a unique peanut crunch.) Or for sushi, look no further than Sushi Komachi for the freshest Japanese delicacies infused with a California flourish.

There are also hours of outdoor recreation for the adventurer in you. Scenic trails, both short and long, abound around the Lodi Lake Wilderness Area, home to millions of migratory birds and lush vegetation. Lodi Lake Park is also ideal for family kayaking, paddle boarding, rafting, tubing, canoeing, and fishing.

After a day filled with wine, food, and fun, you want to relax. Lodi has accommodations for every comfort level and budget. And if you grow to love Lodi as much as many visitors do, there are also vacation houses for rent that will make this destination and its people your home away from home.

For more information or to plan your visit, head to www.visitlodi.com.

The post 85+ Award Winning Wineries In Lodi, California appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Culpeper, Virginia, situated just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park is an unexpectedly charming destination boasting excellent cuisine, fun boutiques and antiques, award-winning wine and craft beer, and an abundance of history. Here are just a few reasons it should be on your summer travel list:

Eat and Drink – Culpeper is one of Virginia’s hottest, under the radar dining destinations. Whether you’re in the mood for smoked barbeque or the freshest hand cut sushi, there are a myriad of eateries from which to choose. But it goes much deeper than what’s on the menu. The farm-to-table movement is alive and well here, borrowed from a centuries old agricultural heritage, and our chefs prepare what is fresh, right from the farm. Within a 100-mile radius of Culpeper, Virginia visitors can find 20+ Michelin-rated restaurants ranging from 1–3 stars. There is also an uprising of incredible chefs that are cooking up some unforgettable meals for locals and visitors alike. Home to one of Virginia’s most awarded wineries, Virginia’s first tri-fecta brewery, winery & distillery, as well as Virginia’s greenest winery the Culpeper, Virginia region is also the perfect destination to plan a getaway to explore some of Virginia’s award winning libations.

On The Water – Situated between the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers as well as home to several large lakes, Culpeper, Virginia offers visitors a variety of ways to get on and enjoy the water this summer. Choose to spend the day soaking up the sun and floating down the river tubing on the Rapidan River or choose to rent a kayak, paddle board or canoe at Lake Pelham Adventures. If you prefer to enjoy the water views from land you can choose to picnic, fish, stroll, and even sip Virginia craft cocktails next to one of the ponds, lakes and rivers here.

Scenic Drives & Mountain Views – Culpeper sits squarely amid some of the most beautiful views in Virginia. There are many ways to experience them—on foot, by kayak and more—one of the most accessible to all is the abundance of scenic drives around the region. For wine lovers you can plan to take a day trip exploring a handful of the 60+ wineries within 60 miles of Culpeper, Virginia, or stay close by and spend the evening sipping award-winning wines while you watch the sunset at a local vineyard. Pack a picnic and take in stunning views of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline drive which runs105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Map out a day trip to stop by a few nearby historic sites along The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway which crosses Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Crossing 180 miles from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, the byway tracks through historic sites from the Revolutionary War and Civil War including battle sites, museums, state parks, presidential homes, historical towns and more.

Rest and Relaxation – Plan a full spa day pampering yourself with a manicure, pedicure, and body scrub or hot stone message. If you are looking for a less traditional relaxation experience you can check out a goat or sunset yoga class at one of the local farms. Sometimes all you need is a little retail therapy to unwind and recharge, exploring the unique shops and boutiques on Davis Street is the perfect solution. You can also find locally made and grown products at the seasonal downtown farmer’s market as well as at local farm stores too.

The post 4 Reasons why Culpeper, VA Should be on Your Summer Travel List appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day especially when your day includes hiking, canoeing and a host of other adrenalin pumping options.  Start your day of exploring with whatever fuel you need to dive into one of Mother Nature’s jewels.  Locally owned coffee shops and diners are found throughout the region.  Best of all, local traditions are served up with local flair.

There’s a good chance, if you were raised in this part of Appalachia, you know how to make noodles.  Homemade noodles are the base of the best comfort foods.  They are served up in the Hocking Hills with big chunks of beef or chicken in gravy over mashed potatoes.  Of course, the mashed potatoes are the real McCoy too.

Special occasions call for a special experience.  What may look like a simple cabin holds a treasure trove of taste.  Fine dining in the heart of the forest increases the romance factor exponentially.

Two of the most popular comfort foods with the folks in these parts are BBQ and Pizza and both are found in all corners of the Hocking Hills.

Here the food scene is all about comfort.  Local eateries are serving up their best family recipes and traditional techniques for a welcome break from franchise dining.

Be sure to visit during the Annual Comfort Food Cruise, a self-guided tour of more than a dozen local restaurants serving up a sample of a signature comfort food.  The Hocking Hills Comfort Food Cruise takes place in January.

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