Raise your glass and make a toast. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed September 2010 as California Wine Month for the sixth consecutive year. Many of California’s wineries, wine grape growers and regional associations are hosting events surrounding the state’s signature beverage. Hmm. Perhaps it’s time to plan a vacation to California.

“California has long been known for our production of superior, award-winning wines,” said Governor Schwarzenegger in his proclamation. “The Judgment of Paris in 1976 brought California wine to the world stage and established our wine producers as respected masters of their craft. This month is dedicated to celebrating our rich history of wine-making and the bright future of this important industry.”

California is home to more than 4,600 grape growers and 3,000 bonded wineries and accounts for about 90 percent of wine production in the United States. Special tastings, harvest tours and wine festivals are some of the events scheduled throughout the state. Visit www.discovercaliforniawine.com/learn/september-wine-events to find those September events. California Wine Month is a campaign coordinated by Wine Institute and its more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses.

A California destination we’re familiar with is Palm Springs, located less than a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles. While there aren’t any specific activities related to California Wine Month (but check the Discover California Wine site as events are being added daily) in Palm Springs, there are still wine-focused activities to enjoy such as the wine shop called PS Wine (188 S Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs; Tel: 760-322-4411); Palm Springs Wine and Art, a wine tasting room in an art gallery-type setting (242 N. Palm Canyon Dr.,  Palm Springs; Tel: 760-325-9991); and the wine bar Wild on the Vine (390 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs; Tel: 760-325-9930).

Swirl, sniff, sip and stay in Palm Springs this September.

Image Source: Palm Springs Visitors Center

Today, JetBlue Airways announced the return on the All You Can Jet (#AYCJ) Pass! AYCJ is a month of air travel for one unbeatable price. This means if you’re planning a vacation to Las Vegas, a romantic getaway to St. Maarten or  weekend jaunt to Orlando, #AYCJ may be for you!

How to Book an #AYCJ Pass
This is how it works. Travelers wishing to pick up one of these passes need to become a TrueBlue member. Don’t worry, it’s free!

Then, choose your travel option with either the AYCJ-7 Pass which has no day-of-week travel restrictions for $699 or the AYCJ-5 Pass which excludes travel on Fridays and Sundays for $499. Better hurry. The announcement is burning up Twitter and the blogosphere and will probably sell out before the August 20, 2010, deadline to purchase. Travel can be booked beginning Aug. 23 for travel between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6, 2010.

Customers who purchase the popular #AYCJ Pass will have no boundaries - every available seat on every flight between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6 will be available with no blackout dates - to travel to more than 60 international and domestic destinations in JetBlue’s route network as often as they like. TrueBlue members will receive 4,200 points with the purchase of the AYCJ-7, or 3,000 points for the AYCJ-5. With one-way Award Flights starting at just 5,000 points, customers who purchase a Pass will be almost half-way to another roundtrip JetBlue flight.

What Do Jetters Have to Say?
We spoke with one last year’s Jetters, Matt Orr, co-founder of a Sarasota-based think tank called The Hub, to get his take on All You Can Jet. He told us the pass allowed him to meet up with his L.A.-based significant other in different cities across the country. During his jet setting journey, two of the most rewarding experiences were finding the best restaurants and meeting new people. Matt said, “Traveling makes me happy,” and JetBlue made him a very happy boy!

Additional Details About the #AYCJ Pass
Customers may book new travel or make changes or cancellations to #AYCJ reservations online at www.jetblue.com/aycj without a fee up to three days before departure. Changes or cancellations made less than three days before departure will be subject to JetBlue’s $50 change/cancel fee. Customers can upgrade to Even More Legroom seats on each flight for as little as $5 extra, depending on the flight. Other terms and conditions apply. Detailed information is available at www.jetblue.com/aycj.

Image Source: source: JETBLUE AIRWAYS

It’s good eating in the Big Easy and to celebrate, during the months of August and September, travelers to New Orleans and residents can enjoy dining deals in more than 20 restaurants during the sixth annual “COOLinary New Orleans—Celebrating Dining in America’s Most Delicious City.” Participating New Orleans restaurants will be offering special three-course lunch menus for $20 or less and three-course dinner menus for $34 or less.

COOLinary commemorates the delish and renowned cuisine of New Orleans and its restaurant community, which stands at more than 1,100 restaurants strong according to Tom Fitzmorris and www.nomenu.com. The culinary event also recognizes that millions of visitors travel to New Orleans each year to experience the city’s unique and tasty culinary culture.

Participating 2010 COOLinary restaurants include: Antoine’s Restaurant, Bayona, Bombay Club, Bourbon House Seafood, Brigtsen’s Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Café Amelie, Café Degas, Chef Duke’s Café Giovanni, Crêpes A La Carte, Desire Restaurant, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, House of Blues, Martinique Bistro, Mike’s on the Avenue, Mr. B’s Bistro, Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant, Muriel’s Jackson Square, Palace Café, Pascal’s Manale, Rib Room, Royal Palm Restaurant, The Pelican Club and Tujague’s Restaurant.

Following is a sampling of participating restaurants and what they are offering:

Bayona is located in the historic French Quarter tucked in a 200-year-old Creole Cottage. Inside are three dining rooms, romantic courtyard and cozy wine room. Enjoy eclectic global cuisine prepared by Chef Spicer. The restaurant will offer a COOLinary lunch menu Wednesdays and Thursdays during the month of August and will also offer a COOLinary dinner menu Monday through Thursday during August and September.

Legendary Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant is recognized throughout the world as the King of Cajun Dine and Dance halls.  Live Cajun music and dancing along with fab Cajun cuisine is the place Cajuns and visitors go. During August and September, Mulate’s will offer COOLinary lunch and dinner menus.

Located in the heart of the French Quarter is The Pelican Club with its three dining rooms and large bar fashioned from a 19th-century French Quarter townhouse. It’s a bit traditional with a healthy dash of contemporary. The Pelican Club will offer a special-priced dinner menu during the COOLinary celebration.

For a complete list of participating New Orleans restaurants and additional information check out www.coolinaryneworleans.com. And be sure to check out affordable New Orleans lodging with Resort Rentals International.