One of the questions I often get asked is âWhat are the best travel resources to use when planning a wine trip?â
After sipping my way through 30 countries and half of the United States, Iâve pretty much nailed the whole planning and packing process.
Iâve tested A LOT of different tools and products in my many years of travel. And letâs just say Iâve mastered the art of safely transporting wine (lots and lots of wine!).
So, hereâs the deal. Iâve sifted through the heaps of options out there. And Iâve compiled a handpicked list of my go-to travel planning websites, trusted booking platforms, and must-have packing essentials.
Plus, Iâve thrown in some insider advice and money-saving tips to ensure your next adventure goes off without a hitch!
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Trip Planning
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is one of my go-to tools for planning a wine tripâŚhotels, restaurants, tours. Even if Iâm booking elsewhere, checking the reviews on TripAdvisor is always my starting point. Plus, itâs a great way to compare prices across a number of platforms.
Itâs even a great resource for researching wineries. I wouldnât take the overall rating at face value. But read individual comments to get a sense of the vibe, whether the customer service is good, and if they have options for food. Plus, you can usually tell whether they cater to large groups or have a more intimate tasting experience.
Google Sheets
Iâm all about keeping things organized, especially when it comes to my wine adventures. Thatâs why I love using Google Sheets to track my bookings and trip details.
I create a dedicated sheet for each trip, and itâs a game-changer. Whether Iâm at home or on the road, I can access all my essential info right on my mobile phone.
If you travel frequently, create a tab for each trip. It makes it easy to toggle between current trips and reference past ones.
Flights
Skyscanner
When it comes to scoring the best deals on flights, Skyscanner is my go-to resource. I love their whole-month view for comparing prices and finding the ideal departure and return dates.
You can also explore nearby airports to uncover hidden savings. Plus, get notified when thereâs a lower price with fare alerts. Make sure to download the mobile app too in case you need to book a flight on the go.
And if youâre feeling adventurous and donât have a specific destination in mind, just type âeverywhereâ in the search field. Skyscanner will show you the cheapest flights to top destinations worldwide from your airport.
And if youâre still on the fence about where to go, take my wine destination quiz to find your perfect match!
Accommodations
Booking.com
Booking.com is my favorite website for finding and booking hotel stays. Itâs easy to use. And it defaults to displaying the total price, so I know exactly what Iâll be paying. Plus, most properties offer free cancellation.
And, if youâre like me and book frequently, their âGeniusâ program gives you increasing perks like discounts, free breakfast, and room upgrades. Penthouse suite? Yes, please!
VRBO
One of my best travel tips for saving money is cooking your own food. But thatâs not the easiest thing to do in a hotel room.
VRBO is awesome for finding stand-alone vacation homes (no shared spaces here!) hosted by property owners throughout the world. Iâve noticed their prices often edge out Airbnb because VRBO takes a smaller cut (though not always). And itâs like having a home away from home, even on a wine adventure.
Harvest Hosts
If you own a self-contained RV, this camping membership is an incredible way to fully immerse yourself in wine country. With more than 4,000 unique host locations in the U.S., including 800+ wineries, you can stay overnight with no camping fees. Wake up among the vines, stroll over to the winery for a wine tasting, and maybe even meet the winemaker.
Wine Tours & Tastings
These are the sites I use for booking wine tasting tours, sightseeing adventures, day trips, and multi-day journeys. Also, check out my wine region travel guides for tailored tour recommendations specific to your destination.
Viator
Viator is a great site for finding the best wine tours throughout the world. Theyâve got an extensive selection thatâs hard to beat. Whether youâre looking for private drivers, small group tours, or budget-friendly options, theyâve got it all.
Viator is also fantastic for sightseeing adventures and experiencing local culture. And most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the adventure. Because letâs face it, travel can be unpredictable.
GetYourGuide
If youâre all about sustainable travel, GetYourGuide is the way to go. Look out for their âeco-certifiedâ icon on tours, emphasizing their environmental commitment.
While they may not have as many options in North America, theyâre great in Europe and other global destinations.
TravelStride
If youâre not the DIY traveler type, I recommend checking out TravelStride. This is the best place for finding and comparing multi-day tours from top providers.
Search a large database, filter by trip style, budget, and duration, and find your perfect adventure. Be sure to create a free account and select âMember Savings eligible tripsâ in the Deals & Savings filter for special discounts exclusively for TravelStride members.
Priority Wine Pass
For U.S. wine regions on the West Coast, I love the Priority Wine Pass for saving money on wine tasting fees, bottle purchases, and more. They offer an annual, 30-day, or 3-day wine pass that gets you all kinds of discounts at 350+ wineries in California, Washington, and Oregon.
They also partner with hotels, restaurants, and transportation companies to save you even more on your wine travels. And with the included concierge service, you can get a personalized itinerary that focuses on wineries that match your wine style.
Car Rentals
Kyte
Kyte offers fantastic car rental prices, available in select U.S. cities. Whatâs cool is their âsurferâ service. They deliver the car to you and pick it up when youâre done.
On the West Coast, find them in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco) and the Pacific Northwest (Seattle).
In the east, Kyteâs available in Washington D.C. (perfect for Virginia wineries) and NYC (great for Long Island wineries and Finger Lakes wine country). I also rented one recently in Chicago to drive out to Southwest Michigan wineries.
Discover Cars
When Kyteâs not available, Discover Cars is a great place for finding the best price. Through the search engine, you can compare negotiated rates from rental companies in more than 145 countries.
And the price shows all the fees and taxes, so you know which one is actually the best deal. Plus, they offer free cancellation.
International Travel Resources
Airalo
In the world of travel, staying online is essential. Until recently, Iâd spend precious vacation time hunting for a SIM card store upon arrival.
But eSIM cards from Airalo make it so much easier. They offer pre-purchase options for local, regional, and global eSIM cards, covering 200+ countries. Just choose the amount of data and number of travel days, and youâre ready to stay connected on your next wine adventure.
Transporting Wine
Wine Protector Sleeves
Wondering how to safely bring wine home from your wine country journeys? My trusted method involves using wine protector sleeves. Knock on wood, Iâve never had a bottle break. And theyâre flat and light so theyâre easy to bring with you.
To meet airline weight limits, I bring a large suitcase with extra room for wine. And I pack a foldable carry-on-size duffel bag to offload items for the journey back.
Wine Suitcase
If youâre a frequent wine traveler, consider investing in a wine suitcase. VinGardeValise has padded cases designed specifically for wine bottles. While they arenât cheap, they can pay off after a few trips compared to shipping costs. You can buy them in these sizes:
Tip: Bottle weights can vary based on the type of wine and glass thickness. So you may not always be able to stay under the weight limit with the 12-bottle suitcase fully packed.
Suitcase Weigher
A portable luggage scale is essential so you donât get dinged by airline fees. Especially if you went a little overboard with your wine purchases.
TSA-Approved Suitcase Lock
Protect your wine treasures with a TSA-approved suitcase lock if your suitcase doesnât come with one.
Cooler Bag
If youâre traveling during the summer or in a warm region, make sure your wine doesnât get cooked in a hot car or tour van. I always bring an inexpensive cooler bag and pick up some ice before hitting the wineries.
Bonus: Not only does it keep your wine chilled, but it doubles as a carry-on for your return journey if you need to lighten your suitcase.
Wine Travel Essentials
From staying organized to staying hydrated, these are the travel essentials I swear by. Plus, when youâre on a wine adventure, itâs always wise to have some wine accessories on hand.
And if youâre looking for a comprehensive list, donât forget to grab my free packing list download.
Whether itâs your first trip or youâre a seasoned pro, I hope you find these resources helpful while planning your next trip!