Cinque Terre in Italian means “Five Lands,” referring to five villages that lie on the coast of the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

The site is so unique and beautiful, mainly due to its colorful buildings set on a steep landscape surrounded by a rich green environment that includes vineyards.

Many travelers choose to take a train or boat to get there, but you can also go by car and enjoy the best curves you’ll ever drive in Italy.

So hop in our “Ferrari” and let us drive you to Cinque Terre in our video:

> “Umm, excuse me, if I may just squeeeeeeze by… I have a very tight connection.”

Congrats buddy, that makes 100% of the back row.

For what it’s worth (absolutely nothing), flight attendants as well as fellow passengers generally don’t give a you-know-what about your connection. We all want to get off the plane… First Class passengers consider it a birth right and the lady mid-Coach cares more about her bladder than your connection.

Solution: Book your seats in advance and know your connection time so you can plan accordingly. Sit towards the front if it’s a mad dash to your next flight.

> “Nope. Absolutely not. This bag can’t be checked, there’s valuable stuff inside.”

The whole plane sends her death stares. The door was *this close* to being closed and then she came along…

She’s the last one on the flight and there’s no more overhead bin space. Cabin crew then spend the next few minutes rearranging the overhead bins so her suitcase can fit. So much for an on-time departure.

Solution: This lady should have done her homework to be the first to board the plane. Check whether your airline boards back to front, front to back, or by groups. Lack of luggage space tends to only be a problem for the last few passengers who board full flights. Be there or be square.

>”Would you mind trading me for the middle (or window) seat? It would be a lot more comfortable for everyone.”

The overweight passenger wants your aisle throne.

Solution: If you’re obese, you need to make sure not only you’re comfortable and safe, but fellow passengers aren’t inconvenienced by your size.

Book and reconfirm that favorite seat in advance, buy an extra seat, or ride First Class in style. Just don’t get on an airplane expecting others to bow to your wishes and size.

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If you enjoyed this article, check out 3 Travel Don’ts at Airport Check-In for more eye-rolling air travel moments!

Cartoon via NYTimes.

Upon your arrival in the peaceful city of Antigua, Guatemala, a 45 minute drive from Guatemala City, you may not notice anything remarkable.  Your first view will be of cobblestoned streets lined with pastel-colored stucco walls about 10 feet high, punctuated by neatly parallel-parked cars and occasional groups of pedestrians traversing the streets at a relaxed pace.

Antigua is a walking city, so you’ll park your car in an open space and start your journey on foot to discover where the cobblestone streets will take you.  You’ll pass small wooden doors built into the walls, most of them closed, offering no hint of what lies behind other than small, nondescript signs next to each doorway announcing the name of the establishment.

But don’t be fooled.  Behind those closed doors lies a spectacular hidden city.

A perfect place to start your discovery is the restaurant and boutique hotel Meson Panza Verde.  Step through the doorway of the Meson and your eyes will be greeted by the sight of a green courtyard (see picture), reminiscent of a Monet painting, dotted with small tables where guests enjoy delectable al fresco meals, with candlelight and live music in the evenings.

Venture up to the second floor and you’ll encounter an inviting selection of hammocks and cushioned couches, as well as the hotel’s twelve rooms and art gallery.  From the second floor patio, climb the short flight of stairs up to the rooftop.  It’s here that you’ll find a sudden, breathtaking view of Antigua and the green, mountainous countryside that encircles the city.  It’s possible to walk quite a ways along the rooftop, enjoying varying views of the city.

In addition to beautiful views and great restaurants, Antigua is home to a myriad of stores selling a wide range of handcrafted goods and tempting sweets, ornate churches and the leafy, well-manicured Parque Central, where visitors rest by the enchanting Fountain of the Mermaids and admire the ability of street vendors to balance enormous, colorful baskets of wares  on their heads.

Hotels & Restaurants

Antigua is home to several lovely 4 and 5 star hotels, notably the romantic hacienda-style Casa Santo Domingo and the equally romantic Posada del Angel.  If you only have time for a day trip to Antigua, come early on a Sunday to enjoy the sumptuous brunch served at Hotel Antigua.

Antigua is filled with wonderful restaurants, offering savory cuisine at wallet-friendly prices.  In addition to Meson Panza Verde, Tartines and the popular chain Tre Fratelli (serving French and Italian cuisine respectively) are excellent choices.  You can find plenty of great wine in Antigua, as well as Guatemala City, particularly Chilean (or say South American?) varieties, for about a $1 a glass.  (Gasp!)  Yes, you read correctly, $1 a glass, and you’ll love these wines.

For a lively dining experience with live music, Mono Loco is a fun and funky option, targeted to a crowd of 20-somethings and 30-somethings (although all ages are welcome!) Try the nachos – a $4 plate is enough to feed 4 hungry people.

After dark, the bars and clubs of the city come alive.  It’s a small city, so there aren’t many, but you’ll find enough to have a good time.  In contrast to Guatemala City, it’s perfectly safe to walk through the streets here after dark.

Other Must-See Places in Guatemala

Lake Atitlan: You can take a tourist bus from Guatemala City or Antigua to spectacular, volcano-rimmed Lake Atitlan (see picture)  Hotel Atitlan is the place to stay – it is absolutely a tropical paradise on earth.  The vine-wrapped hotel, situated on the edge of the lake, is surrounded by lush gardens where parrots and other exotic birds make themselves comfortably at home.

Relax by the pool overlooking the lake with a margarita from the bar. (In my opinion, Hotel Atitlan’s bartender makes the world’s best margaritas.)  For dinner, savor an elegant meal at the hotel’s fine restaurant.  Their extensive wine list has enough options to satisfy any palate.

It’s worth waking up before dawn to see the sunrise over the lake.  It’s a sight you won’t forget.

Mount Pacaya: For great exercise and an unusual experience, hike to the summit of Mount Pacaya (see picture), an active volcano of 8400 ft elevation.  You will be able to look down from the summit to see lava bubbling from the base of the cone, or, if the volcano has been particularly active in recent days, you may see streams of drying lava curling down the mountainside. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, the views of neighboring mountaintops rising through the clouds is an incredible photo op.

Tikal: Spend a day, or two, or three, visiting Mayan ruins, howler monkeys and ziplining through the jungle.  The best way to get here is to take the quick 45 minute Taca flight from Guatemala City.

In Guatemala City: Two restaurants too good to miss in Guatemala City are Kakao, which serves traditional Guatemalan dishes in an enchanting atmosphere, and Ambia, an East-meets-West-in-Central-America fusion restaurant, whose menu includes the best sauteed calamari I’ve ever tasted.

Nightlife: Zona Viva (the lively zone) is the appropriately-named area of Zona 10 that comes alive after nightfall.  A wide variety of restaurants as well as bars and clubs can be found here.

If you’re looking for a spectacular, budget-friendly, tropical vacation in a place yet unspoiled by highrises and commercial mass tourism, you are sure to find it in Guatemala.  For further trip planning visit the Guatemala Tourism Agency.

TravelPlusWine.com went to Switzerland and found a triumphant, one-of-a-kind, exotic white wine from the vineyards of Chateau Chillon.

The wine: Clos de Chillon Grand Cru 2008.

I know, when you think of Switzerland you might think of elegant watches, delicious chocolate, and beautiful mountain scenery.

But if I’m ever trapped in the Swiss Alps and a Saint-Bernard dog is coming to rescue me, I hope he carries Clos de Chillon in his barrel.

The Clos de Chillon Grand Cru is produced exclusively by the vineyards of Chateau Chillon, located less than 20 miles south-east of Lausanne, in the western part of Switzerland.

It is a limited-production dry, fruity wine made from white Chasselas grapes, a native variety to this region.

Well-balanced and a bit tangy on the taste, Clos de Chillon makes a great aperitif wine. Additionally, it also pairs very well with gruyere cheese, fondue and raclette dishes.

And on a benevolent note, proceeds from the sales of Clos de Chillon Grand Cru go to the conservation and restoration of Chateau Chillon, a prestigious medieval castle dating back to the 12^th century.

This exclusive wine can only purchased it at the castle shop or online. The wine’s price tag: under US$20 a bottle.

Due to its exoticness, unique taste, and great preservation cause, TravelPlusWine.com recommends buying this wine by the case.

These travel tips might seem like no-brainers for air travelers, and I really thought they were. Today, however, my day of air travel has reminded me that many people need to be clued in on how to fly.

Consider this a semi-comprehensive list of the travel faux-pas I’ve seen at airport check-in counters (feel free to add your own in the comments section):

> “Ma’am, are you carrying bricks to build a school for needy children?”

This is the question we all wanted to ask when the lady in front of the line put her suitcase on the scale.

Not only was the suitcase overweight, but it was so morbidly obese, the airline didn’t want the responsibility of a guaranteed lawsuit for lifting the thing. She then had to redistribute the weight in her suitcases and purchase an extra bag to fit all her things. All of this happened while the rest of us waited. And waited.

Solution: Know the restrictions and weigh your bags before going to the airport. It saves you and everyone behind you at least a quarter of an hour at the airport.

>”This ain’t no train station! I can’t check you in for this flight because it departs in 15 minutes.”

I’m so serious, I really saw this happen: This morning, a guy shows up 15 minutes before his flight leaves and wants to check in. He somehow thinks he can still make it through the Spring Break security line in that time frame as well. Hmm. Lucky for him, the airline representative was able to get him on standby for a late evening flight. Good luck!

Solution: Double check with the airline and the airport to know the recommended check-in time. If you need to be there 2 hours early, consider showing up a few minutes before that if you hate lines. You might just luck out!

>”Vhhaaat? You want how much to check my bag? I already paid for the ticket…”  -Lady crawls out from under rock and reacts to luggage fees.

The rest of us want to pound our heads against the wall. Nobody wants to pay luggage fees, but there’s nothing we can do about it… short of not bringing luggage, letter writing, or a boycott. Other options include flying first class (for some airlines) or obtaining an airline credit card. Don’t look so shocked!

Solution: Again, read the directions. They’re on the airline website. Basically, it goes like this these days: Unless you’re flying a hip airline like SouthWest who has kept with the no-fee program or flying international, you’re going to have to pay to check in your suitcase. I know, it’s like, so totally, unfair. But it is what it is, so… the trick is to give ‘em less money: pre-pay online before going to the airport and it’s typically a few dollars cheaper!

Travel guru JohnnyJet.com also suggests shipping your suitcase as a potentially cheaper solution to the luggage fee issue. But that, my friends, takes organization. You either have it or you don’t.

If you enjoyed this article, check out 3 annoying ‘don’t-do-this-on-your-next-flight’ moments for more eye-rolling laughs!

(Photo via TheNewsHerald.com)