Wine trail’s anniversary

Wine trail’s anniversary

CORNING, N.Y. — Let’s have a toast! The Cayuga Wine Trail in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is celebrating 25 years this month.

The trail started in 1983 with five wineries. Today the trail consists of 16 family-owned wineries, and is part of Finger Lakes Wine Country, the largest producer of New York wines.

During the monthlong celebration, each of the 16 wineries will host an event to celebrate harvest season.

For more information, visit www.cayugawinetrail.com.

Science centers’ benefits

NEW YORK — Is a family trip to a science center worthwhile with prekindergarteners? Yes, according to Parents magazine, which conducted a survey of the more than 150 science centers in the U.S. and discovered that about a third of them have galleries designed for kids 6 and under.

The magazine’s September issue also came up with a list of the country’s 10 best science centers, with an emphasis on those catering to younger children with hands-on exhibits and family-friendly experiments.

The magazine also identified 15 runners-up.

Targeting Texas region

NEW YORK — A new guidebook from Fodor’s is out for a region of Texas that offers everything from the Alamo to theme parks to wineries.

Fodor’s first edition of the guide to “San Antonio, Austin & the Hill Country” ($16.95) can help you plan a trip that includes outdoor adventure, family fun, history and culture.

Magazine recommends Hudson River Valley

NEW YORK — Looking for a place you can drive to this fall with beautiful foliage, nice places to stay and eat, and interesting towns to visit? Town & Country Travel magazine’s fall issue recommends New York’s Hudson River Valley, which starts about an hour north of New York City.

Recommended accommodations include Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck; the Belvedere Mansion in Staatsburg; Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa, doubles in Milton; and Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz.

Eateries mentioned by Town & Country Travel range from the student-staffed restaurants at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park to Swoon Kitchenbar in Hudson to Bear Cafe in Woodstock.

As you meander along River Road, Route 9W and other thoroughfares, consider planning stops at local wineries, antique shops and the Vanderbilt Mansion and Franklin D. Roosevelt home, both in Hyde Park.

Book urges visitors to get involved

NEW YORK — Do you dream about chucking the daily routine to become a park ranger, or getting a job on a cruise ship? Maybe you’re more the volunteer type, or you’d like to learn about falconry or try a silent meditation retreat.

A new book called “Immersion Travel USA: The Best and Most Meaningful Volunteering, Living, and Learning Excursions” offers a thoughtful guide to a variety of travel experiences that involve more than a weeklong road trip or a few days in a hotel.

The book, by Sheryl Kayne (Countryman Press, $19.95), tells readers how to get involved instead of just visiting the places they are interested in. Chapters are devoted to volunteering, learning, and working, in addition to a section on caring and one on playing. The book also includes inspirational first-person narratives.

Jazz removes life vests

TORONTO — Air Canada’s regional carrier Jazz is removing life vests from all its planes to save weight and fuel.

Jazz spokeswoman Manon Stuart said recently that government regulations set by Transport Canada allow airlines to use floatation devices instead of life vests provided the planes remain within 50 nautical miles of shore.

Safety cards in the seat pockets of Jazz aircraft now direct passengers to use the seat cushions as flotation devices.

Associated Press