This week I started getting AFAR magazine. I am always excited to read a new publication and see what I can learn. I received the January/February 2011 issue, which featured international articles on Barcelona, Vietnam, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico, Switzerland, Tobago, and Sweden.

The top of the magazine proclaims in big, bold letters “Winner: America’s Best Travel Magazine.” I had to open up the issue and search inside to see AFAR was named the top travel magazine in North America at the 2010 Lowell Thomas Awards. You can see the list of winners here. I am unsure whether this was the award that AFAR is using to proclaim their win. What surprised me the most though was that the magazine did not have a single article on “American” travel.

I love to read about international travels as much as the next guy, but if you are going to proclaim America’s Best Travel Magazine, at least feature one store on a local domestic destination. Over the next couple of months I am going to have to see how the magazine pans out. Meaning, I am not sure what their real intention is when publishing this magazine. Were they only looking to feature international stories, or was it meant to be a more broader, travel related magazine? Personally, I am looking for a well rounded magazine, featuring all aspects of travel, both domestically and internationally.

Another question I had while flicking through the magazine was, what do they mean by “experiential travel?” The statement is touted throughout the issue. Simply put, it means “Experiences that connect you with the essence of a place and its people.” I have got to admit, I really like AFAR’s tag line, although I find myself getting tongue-tied when I try to say “experiential.” The articles in themselves really seem to focus around this concept as well. In that regard, a job well done to the authors.

When I first received my issue, I was looking forward to coming on here and raving about how well it was put together. However, I found myself all that not interested in it by the end. I want to read articles about obtainable travel. That is not to say going abroad is totally out of the question, but for most travelers, a local trip is way more feasible.

Since the issue featured an article on Barcelona, I will have to give the magazine to my parents to read since they are currently planning a trip to Spain, and see what their opinion is of the magazine in general.

My October 2010 issue of Budget Travel magazine featured the Readers’ Choice awards for various travel related categories. I was surprised and intrigued to read that the Finger Lakes Region in New York State was voted the Most Beautiful Wine Region in the World!

The article discussing the region can be read here and here.

Therefore, seeing as the area is easily a one tank trip away, it seems like a feasible alternative. In addition, our family started an annual tradition several years ago, after I met my wife, to make a trip up to different wine regions. So we are proposing to head up to the Finger Lakes wine region possibly over this spring break (2011).

I’m beginning our search by trying to locate any Intercontinental Hotel Group (Priority Club Rewards) properties in the area. The tough part at this early stage in the planning is choosing a decently rated hotel within a reasonable distance to a lot of the wineries, while still maintaining affordability.

I currently have a coupon that Expedia provided to me that will give us $50 off a 2-night stay at any hotel provided we book by the end of February 2011. The difficult part is all the Intercontinental brand hotels via Expedia are non-refundable. Therefore, I’d be locked into going, and should a better deal come along, I have no other option.

I never like to be locked into plans if I can help it, at least when it comes to hotels. Therefore, I’ll continue to watch for other options, which may even include staying outside the Intercontinental brand. Stay tuned for more details of the planning.