Breathtaking Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey Vineyards
Travel experts are highlighting some of the best Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey vineyards to visit and take in beautiful landscapes. Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey vineyards are glorious, especially in the fall months, but that’s really true any time of the year. Take note of these special vineyards, if you’re looking to do some wine tasting or just exploring of your favorite parts of the state.
Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey Vineyards and the History of Wine
If you’ve ever wondered where the word “vineyard” came from, it dates back to many centuries ago. “The French tradition of wine making is what led English speakers to adopt a French term for ‘grape plantation,’ although in South Africa it is called a ‘wine farm,'” Vocabulary.com notes. “Around 1300, the Old English term wingeard was replaced with the word vineyard.”
As for the history of wine, the delicious beverage of course dates back centuries and there are even plenty of references to win in the Bible. Don’t you remember Jesus changing water to wine? “Vitis vinifera was being cultivated in the Middle East by 4000 BC and probably earlier,” notes Britannica. “Egyptian records dating from 2500 BC refer to the use of grapes for wine making, and numerous biblical references to wine indicate the early origin and significance of the industry in the Middle East.” Cornell Uniersity also notes that, “Wine making made its way to Greece, where it permeated all aspects of society: literature, mythology, medicine, leisure, and religion. The Romans took vine clippings from Greece back to Italy, and centers of viticulture soon developed in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the rest of Europe.” So, if you’re a wine fan, know that you adore something that’s been around nearly since the beginning of time.
As for the Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, the experts at Philly Mag rave about Buckingham Valley Vineyards located at 1521 Durham Road in Buckingham. It’s about an hour from the center of Philadelphia. “This Buckingham venue is one of the Pennsylvania’s first wineries, opened in 1966,” they note, while also raving about some other vineyards close to the city. “Here you’ll find dry, semi-sweet, and sweet reds and whites, plus one-of-a-kind offerings like green bubbly (for Eagles season!) and rotating wine slushies.” For New Jersey, Tasting Table recommends Willow Creek Winery located at 168 Stevens Street in West Cape May, along with others. For Delaware, Visit Delaware suggests Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery located at 32512 Road, 374, in Frankford, plus other spots.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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