press release

Beat Vacation Envy This Year with a Great “Stay-cation” Plan

Printable Wine Tasting Materials (PDF):
Tasting Score Sheet | Tasting Mat 3 Wines | Tasting Mat 4 Wines

If the drooping Dow and gas prices have put an end to dreams of exotic travel this summer, there’s no need to give in to vacation envy. It’s time to get creative and plan a fabulous “stay-cation.”

The stay-cation, or stay-at-home vacation, can be a great way to de-stress and re-energize if it’s planned ahead just like a trip out of town. According to Fat bastard wines, the quality of a stay-cation, like their delicious varietals, depends more on what goes into the effort than on its ultimate cost. Here are their tips for planning the perfect stay-cation.

  1. Make a Plan – Choose the dates, arrange to be away from work and then follow through with the program just as if you were travelling far from home. Limit the time you will devote to checking emails, discourage colleagues from calling and make sure you’ve met your deadlines and taken care of business before you leave the office.
  2. Become a Tourist in Your Own Hometown – Get a guidebook and go online to check out the local attractions that bring tourists to your area, just as you would if you were traveling to another city. Check the dates for concerts, shows, sporting events, traveling exhibits and other special events that will be going on during your vacation and buy tickets.
  3. Pamper yourself. For a fraction of the cost of a luxury hotel, you can hire a maid to clean your home on the first day of your vacation. Then relax with a refreshing glass of Fat bastard Chardonnay or Pinot Noir while someone else does the work – just like you would at a hotel. Bring the maid back at the end of your vacation, too, so you can go back to work without the worry of cleaning up after a week at home.  
  4. Plan a Backyard Safari – Get out the tent and sleeping bags and enjoy a night under the stars. Tell ghost stories around the fire pit while you roast hot dogs and make s’mores. The kids will have a great time and you won’t use a drop of gas getting there.
  5. Stage Your Own Film Festival – Pick up all the DVD’s of the latest flicks you’ve been wanting to see; pop some corn and gather the family around the television. Consider spending some of your vacation savings on that wide-screen TV that’s just gone on sale. It will be an investment the family can enjoy all year round.
  6. Pick a Peach – Check out local farms that offer a day of fun and a way to enjoy fresh produce such as peaches and strawberries for a fraction of the supermarket cost if you pick it yourself. If your pick is strawberries, treat yourself to simply divine appetizer— Balsamic Strawberry and Mozzarella Flatbread and a glass of Fat bastard Rosé. The recipe can be found at fineliving.com.
  7. Delve into a Day Spa – If the pleasures of the spa are your idea of real relaxation, check out the local day spas in your area. It’s a good bet that they will offer all the pampering and beauty treatments of a destination spa for far less than the cost at a resort.
  8. Indulge Your Tastebuds – Have a wine tasting at home and learn about the varietals you’ve always wanted to try.  Good wines that deliver excellent quality can be found at your local supermarket and you can really make the tasting special by printing wine tasting mats and scoring sheets courtesy of Fat bastard or www.keepwinesimple.com. Ask for budget-friendly wines like those from Fat bastard that offer terrific quality at affordable prices.
  9. Look for local discounts – Check out accommodations and attractions in your area and ask about special rates for local residents. Many theme parks and the surrounding hotels offer discounted rates to locals, especially during the off-season and in popular tourist areas.
  10. Save the Best for Last – Make the last night memorable with a blow-out barbecue. Buy the best steaks your butcher can provide and cook them to perfection. Pair with a rich wine such as Fat bastard Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. Top it off with a delicious desert of fresh fruit and homemade ice cream. Even the finest restaurant doesn’t get any better than that.

Finally – remember that stay-cation comes from the word vacation. Don’t use your stay-cation as an opportunity to catch up on chores, straighten up the garage, fix the roof or paint the house. Make sure that you limit the time you spend on email and definitely don’t decide it’s the perfect time to clean a closet. Urban Dictionary defines stay-cation as "A vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer."

With no planes to catch, no security lines or long drives, you might find you’ll go back to work more rested than ever.

#####

Fat bastard’s consistent high-quality, fun and unforgettable name and consumer friendly packaging have made it one of the top selling French wines in the United States. Sourced in Languedoc-Rousillon, the Fat bastard wine collection consists of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Ros´, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. For more information about Fat bastard wine visit fatbastard.com or call toll-free 1.800.859.0689.