MOVIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO JET SET

CNN had a great article on its website last week called "Great Movies That Inspire You to Travel, " that I, of course, was instantly drawn to read. A film critic and author, Jay Boyar is quoted in the piece saying "Sometimes, it (a movie) can really inspire people to visit a place...They'll see the beauty of a city or a country, and they'll just start dreaming about that place, and the next thing they know, they're there." I couldn't agree more...movies and books have inspired me to jet set in the past (like when we went to Positano, Italy (see pic), and still do now. In fact, one of the movies, 'Sideways,' is a movie Jet Set Smart told you to watch to get you excited about wanting to jet set to Santa Ynez Wine Country in Santa Barbara County, California, just like it did for me. (That's twice in the last week that JSS was ahead of the gang with recommendations! :-)

Movies That Inspire Jet Setting:

• "Before Sunrise" (1995) and "Before Sunset" (2004)- Takes place in Vienna, Austria • "Under the Tuscan Sun" (2003)- Takes place in Tuscany and in some parts of the Amalfi Coast of Italy

• "Sideways" (2004)- Takes place in Santa Ynez Wine Country in Santa Barbara County, California

• The "Bourne Identity" and James Bond series. These movies take place in locations that are fun and spectacular. Think the Bahamas and Italy in "Casino Royale," and Morocco, Germany and England in "The Bourne Ultimatum."

• "Out of Africa" (1985)- Takes place in Kenya

• "Enchanted April" (1992)- Takes place in London, England

• "The English Patient" (1996)- Takes place in Tunisia and Italy

Rent one now...and have happy travels! :-)

OUR SIDEWAYS TOUR

There is so much to see in Santa Ynez, California, and on a short trip there, it's hard to do everything. Something we did that helped us see a lot was to follow the Sideways map. The Sideways map is a map you can download here and use to taste your way through the Santa Barbara Wine Country the same way Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) did on their bachelor party road trip in the movie. Again, I say watch Sideways first, and then when you go you will recognize the same places...plus it's fun to snap a few pictures from the same route! :) There are 18 stops on the Miles and Jack map...we didn't even check out half of them (guess we'll have to go back)!(1) Foxen Vineyard: 7200 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CaliforniaThe Foxen Boys have been making wine together for 20 years. They have a very rustic tasting room that's really cool to see. They are open daily from 11am to 4pm.

Sideways: During the split screen portion of the film, Miles and Jack help themselves to full glasses when the pourer turns her back. I have to say this was one of my favorite wineries...I pretty much liked everything we tasted...could see why Miles and Jack helped themselves to full glasses! All of their Pinot Noirs are excellent, as is their Syrah from the Tinaquaic Vineyard.(2) Kalyra Winery: 343 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez, CaliforniaSideways: While tasting wine, Miles and Jack meet Stephanie, a flirtatious wine pourer who becomes the object of Jack's affection. We didn't have time to do a full wine tasting here, but grabbed a bottle of their Shiraz and a bottle of their Merlot to go...both were fantastic!

(3) Hitching Post II: 406 E. Highway 246, Buellton, CaliforniaSideways: Miles and Jack share a bottle of Highliner at the bar. While having dinner, they talk to Maya who waits tables there. Later, Miles returns on his own. We just had to do the same thing when we were there...so we went ahead and ordered a bottle of the Pinot Noir Highliner...we loved it so much and were excited to find out that they sell it at a wine store near our house...so we know we'll be buying more in the future!(4) Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant: 2879 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, California

Sideways: Miles, Jack, Maya and Stephanie enjoy dinner and several exquisite bottles of wine. Unfortunately, we didn't get to have dinner here on this trip...but, we know we'll go the next time we are there for sure. Since the restaurant was located right in the center of the same town where we stayed, we decided to snap a picture of it anyway.

(5) Bucolic Santa Rosa Road- Jack and Miles drive through vineyards. Just look at the scenery in this incredible part of the country...sometimes it was hard to believe this is the U.S. Gorgeous!

Stay tuned for more on the other vineyards (not from the Sideways tour) that we visited, as well as other great restaurants and of course, shopping!

SIDEWAYS

Do you remember the movie Sideways? It came out in 2004, so it's sort of old, but anyway, it's about two guys who head to California's wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley for a week for a bachelor party before one of the guys gets married.

The reason why I'm asking is because I just jet setted there and I have to say it is an awesome place! I have been to Napa Valley before and it is gorgeous and worth checking out, but Santa Ynez is a lot less commercial and has so much natural beauty...plus some pretty awesome wine too I might add! If you are ever on the west coast near L.A., then I definitely say you MUST go to Santa Ynez Wine Country. I will have more about this amazing place in the next couple of days...so stay tuned.

In the meantime, if you haven't seen the movie, then I suggest renting it, and even if you have seen it, watch it again, because you'll know exactly what I'm talking about in my posts!