WINENEWS OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO FLY LOW COST TO THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS WINE REGIONS IN THE WORLD IN ORDER TO THEN BE ABLE TO “INVEST” IN ONE’S FAVORITE WINES

Taking a low cost trip during the holidays is now the way to go, especially among younger generations. Travel has often become difficult to combine with fine food and wine experiences because of the higher costs that come with higher quality goods, as well as the added “price” for the history, the brand name and its exclusivity - all that is considered “added value”. But if this is what is desired during holidays, the only variable with which a traveler can save is on the costs of the actual transit.

To help readers organize a trip to the top winemaking regions of the world, we took a look at the most advantageous flights (one way) to be found and, if one reserves now (for a trip at the beginning of June and onwards), there are many good deals to be found. And with this money saved, more can be better “invested” in a good bottle of wine, for example.

France

The Champagne region is obviously the first stop: from Italy to Paris Bouves (about 200 km from the most famous homeland for sparkling wine), there are flights that start at 20 euros and departing from Roma Ciampino, Venezia Marco Polo, and Milano Malpensa. But the best offer is definitely that of My.Air: 9.90 euros from Orio Al Serio airport.
There are more good deals for France and Bordeaux lovers:
a flight from Bologna direct to Merignac di Bordeaux has prices starting at 39.99 with My.Air, and one lands directly in the land of Chateau Margaux, Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour, to name just a few of the most famous.

Though there are no cheap direct flights to Dijon and the Burgundy region, there is still the possibility of flying to Paris Charles di Gaulle (also about 200 km away from destination) from Milano Malpensa for 33.99 euros with Easyjet.

Germany

For German wine enthusiasts a recommended destination is the area of Mosella (which is also bordered by the French Alsace region), for its great whites made from mostly Riesling grapes. Frankfurt is the best stop over with various offers like that with Ryanair at 8.99 euros from Orio al Serio, or from Roma Ciampino for 15.20 euros.

Iberian Peninsula

There are many pleasant surprises to start with in Spain. For those who love Rioja wines, from the north-western region of the country, there is a very good deal from Pisa to Santander at 5.99 euros. Once again, though, there are about 230 km left to cover for the winemaking capital of Logrono.

For those who prefer to spend just a little more for the comfort of arriving a bit closer, there is also the option Milano Malpensa – Pamplona (which is less than 90 km from Logrono) for a price of 340 euros with Iberia.

And great deals for those who love the intense flavour of Port, the top product of Portugal: Ryanair offers a flight from Pisa to Porto (the country’s second largest city and gateway to the famous Portuguese wine region) for just 3.99 euros.

United Sates

Winemaking in the U.S. is synonymous with California, the land of Napa and Sonoma Valley wines to name the most famous locations. E-dreams offers a deal from Milan and Rome to San Francisco (about 90 km from Napa) for just 261 euros.

South Africa

One of the most celebrated regions for New World wines, especially the Pinotage variety, South Africa becomes a much more accessible destination with Olympic Airlines flights from Roma Fiumicino to Johannesburg for just 381 euros.

Oceania

For those who enjoy wines from Australia and New Zealand, there are some deals that, though not so cheap, are still worth looking into: Malaysia Airlines offers the best price at 1,104 euros from Rome to Adelaide, one of the airports within distance of the many wine production areas on the continent.

Useful Links:

www.edreams.it

www.ryanair.com

www.easyjet.com/it

www.myair.com

www.whichbudget.com/it

Federico Pizzinelli