As January winds to a close and slips away into the past, have you found yourself losing steam on your New Year’s resolutions (which, I’m guessing, might have included something along the lines of “lose weight, live healthier, get in shape”)?

If you find yourself needing a little inspiration to push yourself to turn those goals into reality, think about turning your love of travel and good wine into a bribe.  How, you might ask?

Expand travel plus wine to travel plus run plus wine. Depending on your fitness level, look for a 5K, 10K, half marathon or even a full marathon in a city you want to visit, book your tickets and start training!

The training will force you to get in shape, and many cities offer run clubs which make the effort fun and social.

Running a race course through a new city is not only exhilarating and a great way to get an eyeful of the city, but also a perfect excuse to travel.  And when you’ve finished the race, reward yourself with a visit to the best wine bar in the city … or best Italian restaurant to enjoy a cozy dinner for two accompanied by a wonderful bottle of Chianti … or whatever particular bribe works best for you!

This article was inspired by the Miami ING Half and Full Marathon and 5K, which happens every last weekend in January, in case you want to mark your calendar for 2013.

The scenic course starts in downtown Miami, crosses over the Macarthur Causeway to South Beach, takes you a few miles down the beach and then back to downtown.

This year, the weather was perfect and the runners and crowds were vibrant as ever.

Some enticing races coming up that may inspire you:

• Another one in Miami: the 13.1 Miami Beach Half-Marathon and 5K: March 4 (with beachside dancing bash afterwards)
• Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon (Atlanta; 6^th Annual): March 18
• New York: 13.1 Half Marathon and 5K: March 24
• Boulder, CO: BolderBoulder 10K: May 28 (Recently named America’s All Time Best 10K by Runner’s World magazine)
• WIPRO San Fransisco Marathon: July 29^th (For those who really want a challenge – hills, hills and more hills.)
• Chicago Half Marathon and 5K (16^th Annual): September 9.  (Perfect time of the year to visit the Windy City!)

And of course, there are thousands of other options out there, all over the globe!

Still thinking what wines to get for your Thanksgiving party? These three great options offer an incredible value and will keep everyone happy.

2009 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages

This is a great wine to start your Thanksgiving party. It can very well be the wine you begin serving as soon as your guests arrive.

With nice fruit aromas, this Beaujolais-Villages is bright, smooth and a bit jammy.

Made from Gamay Noir grapes and with a 13% alcohol volume, it is medium body and very satisfying.

You can also pair it with your turkey dish or salads with dried cranberries and goat cheese, but it might not have the punch needed for more hearty foods. Perhaps pair it with a nice conversation with your guests while dinner is ready.

2007 St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel – Sonoma County

Great Zinfandels come from Sonoma and this one is a must for your Thanksgiving dinner. With a great character and superb quality, this full bodied Zinfandel comes from vines that are 80 to 100 years old.

On the nose it’s peppery, with hints of tobacco and raspberry. On the palate it’s simply a delight, with dominant flavors of black cherry, dry fruit, vanilla bean, and walnut.

With a silky rich structure, this Zinfandel has a long luscious bouquet.

The Old Vines Zinfandel can pair well with your traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner or with dishes such as barbecued chicken, rib roast, and lamb dishes.

Fonseca Bin No. 27 Porto

Time for dessert or an after-dinner conversation? This Fonseca Port, a star of the Douro region in Portugal, will make you the star host.

Aged for four years in neutral oak before bottling, it has an intense depth of color and great fruit character. On the nose, this Bin No. 27 port offers fresh, rich blackberry and cassis aromas. The silky texture of this high quality port is reflected on the palate, showcasing delicious dry fruit and dark chocolate with an sophisticated finish.

This Fonseca Port with pair elegantly with desserts made with rich dark chocolate and strawberries.

Enjoy your wines, your great company, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Temperatures might be dropping in Norfolk, Virginia, but we know of one BRAND NEW must-visit attraction that’s hot, hot, hot!

The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio is now open to the public (as of November 2) and daily demonstrations provide a first-hand look into the fascinating art of glassmaking techniques. The ambiance is light, airy, modern, and a couple of furnaces running somewhere around 2,150 degrees offer a warm reprieve from cold, windy seasonal weather.

Katie from TravelPlusWine volunteers! Breathe in, breathe out.

Glass Studio demonstrations are FREE and they last one to two hours. Manager Charlotte Potter and her dynamic team of talented and outgoing artists dazzle visitors in a theatrical and entertaining way… leaving you with a profound appreciation and understanding of the glass world. Demonstrations will be offered at noon and 6pm and picnic lunches or dinners are highly encouraged. Enjoy the view with your food from the audience seating… watch from a safe distance or check out the television monitors above to get closer views of the live action. The Ghent district offers numerous gourmet restaurants with take-out, so make it a family affair or a unique, romantic date for two!

(Tip: TenTop is a hole-in-the-wall, unassuming establishment about a mile away but definitely holds a spot in the Top Ten restaurants of Norfolk. The food is gourmet and amazing – salads, sandwiches, pita pizzas for lunch or try the Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Lasagna for dinner. Call ahead to order for pick-up!)

The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio – Interior View

Always working as a team

When you’re finished discovering the world of blowpipes and cullets, walk next door to the Chrysler Museum. This impressive space houses one of the best art collections in the United States thanks in large part to the Norfolk community of art collectors (“Our Community Collects”) who kindly put their finest pieces on loan so we, the public, can enjoy as well. Head right to the Glass Collection, one of the largest and most comprehensive glass collections in the world. Are you ready for 10,000 glass objects spanning 3,000 years? Many of us, as much as we appreciate art, don’t have the time or patience to view everything… so head directly to the Tiffany Gallery and then search for works by Robert Wilson, Dale Chihuly, Harvey Littleton, Klaus Moje, Steuban Glass Works, Lalique, Paolo Vanini, William Morris, and many more. If possible, join a tour or ask a docent for more information. Their knowledge will help you bridge any gaps between what you learned in the Studio with what you’re looking at in the museum.

(Tip: The Chrysler Museum is opened until 9pm on Wednesdays making this an excellent dinner & museum night!)

Various glass works

Tiffany!

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE! Yes, it gets even better…

If the Glass Studio demonstration makes you hot for something more, well, hands-on… they offer WORKSHOPS! Extend your stay in Norfolk and sign up for a Two-Hour Teaser, One-Day, Two-Day, or Three-Day workshops.

(Tip:Just make sure you don’t leave town the same day your workshop ends because glass needs to be slowly cooled in a kiln so it doesn’t break. If that’s not a possibility, make advanced arrangements to ship your project home.)

When you plan your trip to Norfolk… stay a few more days than you think necessary, you’ll need ‘em!

And, if you’re interested in checking out more photos from the Chrysler Museum and Glass Studio, visit our Facebook page.

We kissed the warm summer sun goodbye last month and now it’s time to break out the heavy winter jackets. Snow is expected this week in Colorado and Wyoming (did they even have much of a summer?) and it won’t be long before shoveling snow becomes a part of the daily routine.

But, don’t put away those summer knits just yet… Florida is offering luxurious, family-friendly escapes this fall that could fit your budget! Here are a few options:

ST. PETE BEACH

The TradeWinds Resort Island Grand is a TravelPlusWine personal favorite! This 20-acre beachfront playgrounds gives both kids and adults the space they need. Let the kids play at the KONK Club while you enjoy the serenity of an adults-only swimming pool or a scream-free romantic meal. Don’t forget to make time for everyone in the family to enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters and sandy shore of the Gulf of Mexico. We signed up for paragliding and the views of Treasure Island are impossible to beat.

If you’ve had enough of the beach, visit Tampa for great art, shopping, and amazing cuisine.

Rates from $149

ORLANDO

The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa in the Walt Disney® World Resort offers spacious guest rooms and suites, complete with refrigerators and microwaves — a nice bonus when traveling with picky eaters. Children can spend the day in the water and sun at Recreation Island playing Marco Polo or enjoy the playground. Babysitting services are available so mom and dad can relax in the 10,000 square feet of spa space and choose from 60 spa treatments. Or perhaps hit a few balls on the golf course.

Downtown Disney is at a walking distance across the street and the hotel offers shuttle service to any Walt Disney World parks nearby.

Rates From $99, Plus Up to $100 Resort Credit and Kids Eat Free

BOCA RATON

Boca Beach Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is located on a half-mile of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean! The resort offers a unique cosmopolitan style that mixes a sleek European sensibility with Florida beach chic… and it’s kid friendly! Head to the spa, play tennis, or lounge by the famous pool and pretend you’re Jennifer Lopez while the kids enjoy their new friends at Camp Boca.

The Uniquely Boca Winter Package, available from September 15, 2011 through December 15, 2011, is an ideal value-oriented getaway at the oceanfront with rates starting from $269 per night. This package is filled with free and discounted activities for guests of every age and interest.