You’ve all heard of a booze cruise, but what about a spirit trail?  From bourbon to beer, wine to tequila, these spirits will guide you on four distinct fall adventures ranging from romantic to rustic.

Enjoying local beers in Helena - Courtesy: Helena CVB

Enjoying local beers in Helena – Courtesy: Helena CVB

1 .Kentucky Bourbon Trail  — September is Bourbon Heritage Month so Kentucky is full of special events and special bottle releases.  Kentuckians began making bourbon in the 1700s and actually the name Bourbon is derived from one of Kentucky’s original counties.  Barrels of whiskey stamped with “Bourbon County” traveled down Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans.  Along the way the whiskey would age and soon became known as Bourbon Whiskey.  Start your trail in Lexington, KY at Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, then wind your way along the scenic drive of Woodford County, hit the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, pass several more picturesque towns and distilleries before arriving in Shepardsville at the Jim Beam Distillery.

Hotel Pick: Hyatt Regency Downtown or the Marriott East Louisville — it’s a bourbon-themed hotel!

2. Finger Lakes Wine Trail, New York — Fall, particularly October, is the best time to visit the Finger Lakes, as foliage is at its peak. There are three wine trails to choose from: the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and the largest of the three, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail home to 34 wineries, a distillery, two breweries and a meadery, which produces honey wine.

Hotel Pick: Hotel Clarence, a modern boutique charm in the heart of historic Seneca Falls, NY. Rooms are very romantic with crystal chandeliers, black plush fabric and sleek design. Perfect location for your wine tour.

3 .Bend Ale Beer Trail, Bend Oregon – Bend, Oregon is known for its outdoor adventures but people are also flocking to the Bend Ale Beer Trail. Bike, walk or take a pedicab to all eleven craft breweries. Get stamps in your Bend Ale Trail passport to earn a prize at the end, and also learn the Central Oregon tradition of craft brewing. While you’re there, take advantage of the great outdoors and try some whitewater rafting, mountain biking, fly fishing or hiking.

Hotel Pick: Pine Ridge Inn, a cozy, rustic boutique hotel that overlooks the Farewell Bend Park and Deschutes River!  The hotel offers an included daily hot chef’s choice breakfast as well as complimentary afternoon appetizers, wine, and microbrews.

4. Taste Mexico’s national spirit on a Tequila Tour in Guadalajara!  Start your drive out of Guadalajara past the beautiful blue agave fields, native to the region.  Stop by Mundo Cuervo, a magical place home to different workshops from silver and stone carving to ceramics.  Tour through the oldest distillery, La Rojeña of Jose Cuervo, to learn the entire process of tequila making.  Also visit a family-run farm and distillery in the charming town of Santiago de Tequila.  The town is nicknamed “Pueblo Magico” (magic town) and when you go you’ll see why.  This entire region has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Hotel Pick: Hotel Morales in the Colonial downtown of Guadalajara. Fantastic location and price!

 

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

Pin It on Pinterest