HomeToGo, the marketplace with the world's largest selection of vacation rentals, unveiled its 2023 Wine Lovers Index that identifies the top 25 U.S. wine regions for budget-conscious travelers to celebrate National Drink Wine Day on February 18, 2023. Considering the affordability of nearby vacation rentals, the average price for wine tours and tastings, and the cost of a local top-quality bottle of wine, HomeToGo barreled through cellars of data to uncork the list of the best wine regions for affordable vino vacations. “As enotourism continues to gain popularity, we are thrilled to shine light on these U.S. wine regions during the season of romance so travelers can plan intimate, wine-filled escapes without breaking the bank,” said Mike Pearce, HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert. “Through our research, we found that the northeastern region of the United States is home to some highly regarded and very affordable wine vacations. We hope this index inspires those travelers who are dreaming of warmer days ahead and planning trips where they will be able to sip back, relax and savor the beautiful vineyard views.” On average, travelers can anticipate paying $116.63 per night for a vacation rental in one of the wonderful wine regions featured in the grape-infused index. Including regions with centuries of rich wine history as well as up-and-coming innovators of winemaking, here's a look into the top 5 rankings from the 2023 Wine Lovers Index: 5. Monticello, Virginia Monticello Vineyard - courtesy of Kate Webset Located in the central region of Piedmont, Virginia, the Monticello AVA grows 30 varieties of grapes and has nearly 250 years of experience producing wine, starting with the American Revolutionary War. This rich history of winemaking is reflected in the Monticello Wine Trail, a 25-mile adventure through 40 award-winning wineries. Visitors can track their wine trail stops in an app on their mobile devices and, upon visiting 10 wineries, receive a special surprise. 4. Isle St. George, Ohio As one of the first regions in the country to be officially recognized as an AVA, the Isle St. George region is situated on the small island of North Bass and is sometimes referred to as “covered in grapevines” due to its high concentration of wineries. The climate, which is influenced by the warm waters of Lake Erie, allows for the production of grape varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Delaware and Catawba. The AVA includes the oldest winery in Ohio, Heineman’s Winery, which has been producing wine for five generations! Isle St. George also boasts the most affordable wine-tasting tours when compared to the rest of the destinations on the list. For only $10, wine lovers can appreciate the bold flavors and enticing aromatics during a one to two-hour tasting of three to six wines. 3. Middleburg, Virginia Boxwood Estate Vineyards - courtesy of Boxwood Estate Vineyards The Middleburg AVA, nestled only 50 miles outside of the nation’s capital, is one of Virginia’s fastest growing appellations. Home to more than 30 wineries and vineyards in the area, travelers can explore the mountainous terrain and wooded countryside while sipping on full-bodied blends. Perfect for red wine lovers, this wine region is known to produce grapes for wine varietals including Norton, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux-style blends. 2. Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Located in eastern Pennsylvania, less than an hour from the Poconos, the Lehigh Valley wine region has over 30 wineries across 230 acres of land. The area grows signature grape varietals such as Chambourcin, Riesling, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, and Cayuga White. Travelers are encouraged to explore the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, which boasts five award-winning, family-owned vineyards for the ultimate vino-filled experience, as well as visit the local small towns along the charming countryside that are filled with the flavors of the region. 1. Shawnee Hills, Illinois Shawnee Hills - courtesy of homtogo.com As the first AVA in Illinois, the Shawnee Hills region encompasses nearly 20 wineries and 55 vineyards. Located along the Ohio River, the region’s loose soil, warm climate, and high terrain factor into the taste of the wines produced here. Visitors can wander along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, a 35-mile scenic drive in the Shawnee National Forest that features 11 award-winning wineries. After a cozy conversation in tasting rooms, travelers are welcome to embrace the local natural beauty and enjoy picturesque picnics on the hillside. Shawnee Hills also offers the most affordable accommodation price per night at $34.90—whereas Napa Valley, California, chimes in as the most expensive at $208.16 per night. —Click here to see the full rankings of affordable wine destinations
National parks are a great way to get away from the world and appreciate the beauty of nature, and with the US being home to over 60 national parks, you are really spoilt for choice when deciding which one to visit. Travel Lens decided to make that choice a little bit easier. They looked at entrance fees, the number of recreational visitors, the distance to the closest city, outdoor activities, and online reviews from sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp. Using all of this data together, they found parks that are both beloved for their natural beauty and top-rated activities, as well as affordable thanks to lower fees and easy access to major towns. With spring and warmer, sunnier days ahead, you'll want to plan a trip to one of these great parks soon! 3) Olympic National Park Waterfall in Olympic National Park - courtesy of nps.gov / Pete Zaidel Third place in the rankings is Olympic National Park with a total park score of 7.75 out of 10. The Washington-based national park is just 1.8 miles away from Port Angeles, its closest city. Olympic National Park also has 45% of its reviews mentioning the word “beautiful”, making it a great place to enjoy some scenery. However, it does come at a cost, with a $15 entrance fee. The park protects over 75 miles of Pacific Coast, 800 lakes, and 4,000 miles of rivers and streams that support some of the most extensive runs of wild salmon, trout, and char remaining in the Pacific Northwest. Through the management of fish and aquatic environments, the park works to preserve and restore native fishes and their habitats and provide recreational fishing opportunities for the enjoyment of park visitors. Many wild animals dwell within Olympic National Park. Despite their abundance, viewing wildlife is often a matter of luck and diligence. Most wildlife activity occurs around dawn and dusk, when animals feed. Plan excursions during these parts of the day to increase your chances of seeing wildlife. Olympic's diverse environment and epic scenery is the ultimate destination for amateur and professional photographers alike. Whether you're inspired by rich green forests, reflective glacier carved lakes, snowcapped subalpine mountain vistas, or red-orange coastal sunsets, Olympic has it all. Painters from all over the world come to Olympic National Park to paint. Set up your easel, break out your paint burshes, and set up your palette. Whether on a mountain ridge, a deep rainforest, or a sunny beach, Olympic National Park is your canvas! 2) Cuyahoga Valley National Park Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park - courtesy of nps.gov Cuyahoga Valley National Park takes second place with a national park score of 8.16 out of 10. Despite being one of the smaller national parks on our list, with an area of just 131.8km2, there are still plenty of things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Ohio-based national park also boasts a free entrance fee, meaning anyone can go and enjoy it, as well as a short distance to its closest city. Just three miles separate Cuyahoga Valley and Peninsula. A railroad runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, making it one of the most distinctive national parks. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad tickets sell out quickly, especially in the fall when the park is ablaze with the hues of autumn. A Bike Aboard program allows you to pack up your bike, ride the train for a few stops, and ride your bike back to your starting point. The park has nearly 125 miles of hiking routes, one of which is Virginia Kendall Ledges. It's a 2.2-mile trek through a densely wooded area filled with enormous limestone boulders, mossy cliffs, and caverns. One of the best paths for photographing is this one since it changes appearance depending on the season. The route here descends into a bit of valley and then back up again, culminating with an overlook that is a favorite site for sunset viewing. The trail is unpaved and uneven, making it a somewhat challenging trek. 1) Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park - courtesy of nps.gov Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes the top spot with a national park score of 8.45 out of 10. Great Smoky Mountains National park, which sits on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, ranked highly across all our sections, recording the most recreational visitors out of all of our national parks, with over 14 million visitors. The Great Smoky Mountains also had the second-highest percentage of reviews that mention the word “beautiful." Hikers enjoy the Smoky Mountains during all months of the year with every season offering is own special rewards. During winter, the absence of deciduous leaves opens new vistas along trails and reveals stone walls, chimneys, foundations, and other reminders of past residents. Spring provides a weekly parade of wildflowers and flowering trees. In summer, walkers can seek out cool retreats among the spruce-fir forests and balds or follow splashy mountain streams to roaring falls and cascades. Autumn hikers have crisp, dry air to sharpen their senses and a varied palette of fall colors to enjoy. Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in summer and fall and on weekends year-round. While driving the loop road, please be courteous to other visitors and use pullouts when stopping to enjoy the scenery or view wildlife. An inexpensive self-guiding tour booklet available at the entrance to the road provides a map and information about the cove. — Visit Travel Lens for the complete rankings.