There is a certain romantic allure to train travel—just ask fictional sweethearts Jesse and Céline of Before Sunrise. But Stateside, unfortunately, the mode of transport isn't as common as it is in other parts of the world. While you continue to dream about hopping aboard a Darjeeling Railway car, we're happy to report that a smaller-scale train trek can be had in California, even if it is less grand than journeying across exotic international ground.
The Napa Valley Wine Train is a refined alternative to unofficial "drunk buses" tourists often book to stay safe while sipping wine flights throughout the day. Equally drinker-friendly, and much more respectable, the train is holding a special Thanksgiving dinner aboard its Gourmet and Vista Dome cars for $104 and $139, respectively. Sadly, lunch tickets have already sold out. ]]>
It seems like every tourism promoter and their mom is getting on board the Twitter/Facebook/YouTube thing, although we have yet to see many destinations that are actually blowing us away with their social media campaigns. Nonetheless, we're intrigued by Sonoma wine country's effort, because it has at least one word we like: free! (Also, wine!)
All you have to do is become a fan of "The Wine Road" on Facebook between June 21 and 26, and the group will toss you a free three-day "Ticket to the Wine Road," a savings pass that normally retails for $50. When you present the ticket at any of 152 different Sonoma wineries and 50 lodges, you'll get a boatload of freebies like complimentary breakfast, free bottles of wine with your room, and discounts on tastings.
OK, so it's mostly discounts—you still gotta pay for a trip out there—but it sounds a pretty sweet deal for just being a fan.
Related Stories:
· Wine Road Announces Facebook & “Ticket to the Wine Road” Promo [The Intoxicologist]
· The Wine Road [Facebook]
· All You Need Is One Hand and a Dream [Jaunted]
[Photo: Dave Schumaker ] ]]>