Mexico is often associated with tequila and cerveza, but wine is quickly taking the lead as the drink of choice. Valle de Guadalupe may be the best kept secret among wine connoisseurs. Located between Rosarito Beach and Ensenada in Baja Mexico are several family run wineries that offer unique wine blends at reasonable prices. Restaurants, hotels, shops, hiking trails and hot springs in the area make this a perfect day escape. My friend Janet and I recently visited the Ruta del Vino (Wine Ruta) and made some wonderful discoveries.

Cabo San Lucas sits at the tip of the Baja Peninsula where the bountiful Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. A launching point for early sailors heading westward and a haven for pirates, it remained a remote outpost until the early 1950s when it became a destination for celebrity sport fishermen like John Wayne and Bing Crosby. Since the 1970s, it has been a favorite destination for those seeking luxe accommodations and amenities.