The grape pickers’ profile
Don’t be fooled: grape picking is hard work. Tourism and grape picking do not necessarily mix well. The majority of grape pickers are job seekers or young people seeking work for a little extra pocket money. They must be in good physical condition because, the fun aspect aside, grape picking is laborious work, often in a bending position and requiring patience and dexterity. Nonetheless, men and women at least 16 years old are welcome to join in. In general, there are three kinds of jobs: cutters, carriers and bucket emptiers.

A few grape-picking holidays
For those of you who want to discover the grape harvests without working in the vineyards all season long, several discovery breaks are possible, notably:

- Cave de Gigondas (French only) (Provence) welcomes visitors in September. For a day, visitors can familiarize themselves with grape harvesting and wine-making, enjoy a local meal in the cellar and take part in tasting sessions with explanations from a wine grower, oenologist and cellar master. They also take you on a walk and tell you about the Gigondas appellation. Prices depend on the number of visitors and the activities chosen: from €45 to €68 for the day.
For information and bookings: +33 (0)4 90 65 86 27

- Come and visit the vineyards of the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin d'Anjou (Anjou Vine and Wine Museum) (Pays de la Loire) in Clos Linkebeek to take part in manual grape picking. You will be able to press your grapes in the ancient style and then enjoy the aromas of your grape juice. After a musical cocktail, a grand dinner will take place in exceptional surroundings. Jean-Michel MONNIER, a well known oenologist, will share his knowledge of wine with you.
Price: €43 per person / Booking compulsory – Limited number of places.
Information and booking at the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin d'Anjou (Anjou Vine and Wine Museum) on +33 (0)2 41 78 42 75 or by e-mail: contact@mvvanjou.com

- Mystère des Vendanges (The Mystery of the Grape Harvests) break at Château de Berne (Provence) – 2 nights in a Deluxe room (breakfast and 1 dinner (Saveur menu) with tasting of the Château’s wines) and ½ day to “Discover the Grape Harvests” including lunch (drinks included).
A fun and instructive way to learn and discuss with the domain’s wine growers who love talking about their know-how and passion. The break involves picking grapes and taking them to the Cellar, a technical visit of the cellars and a tasting with commentary to make your taste buds tingle! Lastly, lunch at the Bouscarelle, in the shade of the olive trees, is a reward for all!
Starting at €520 per person in a double room (valid from mid-September to mid-October, subject to the season’s start).

Sites:
www.provenceguide.com
www.winetourisminfrance.com

EARLIER THIS YEAR, RoughGuides.com published a chart showing how many travel days $1,000USD will get you in different countries. (I came across the chart via our friends at TheExpeditioner.com.)

Topping the list of 18 nations is India, with 1K buying 71 days of travel. At the other end are several European countries, followed by Japan, most expensive on the chart with only 15 days for the $1,000 budget. 

What kind of travel are we talking about? RG offers three criteria:

1. hostel dorms for accommodation
2. meals of street food
3. 60% of travel time spent outside major cities

So we’re talking backpacking, which I guess traditionally is the cheapest way to travel. But there are plenty of ways to cut costs even below these levels. What about couchsurfing? Wwoofing? Volunteering or working for room and board?

In fact, as Tim Patterson has shown, it’s entirely feasible to travel the world for free.



Source: How Long Can You Travel on $1,000? (http://matadortrips.com/how-long-can-you-travel-on-1000)

Take time to explore the many intriguing neighborhoods of Amsterdam, which are constantly evolving. The Jordaan district, for example, was once an area for the working-class poor. Today, this area in Amsterdam's historic center is artsy-cool.  

Three streets in particular -- Bloemgracht, Bloemstraat and Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat -- have great galleries to discover. Before heading out, pick up a free copy ofAmsterdam Gallery Preview, with gallery listings and a large, helpful map.

Dutch curator, collector, and gallery-owner Eduard Planting recommends these galleries:

Galleries Galore On Bloemgracht

Galerie Bart(Bloemgracht 2, Amsterdam; tel.20/320-6208;www.galeriebart.nl)

Considered to be one of the most cutting-edge exhibition venues in Amsterdam, the Bart gallery specializes in emerging Dutch artists with a focus on painting and photography. It also exhibits spectacular sculpture, made from new materials.

Galerie GistAmsterdam (Bloemgracht 82, Amsterdam; tel.20/622-6662;www.gistgalerie.nl)

This Amsterdam gallery alternates exhibits of upcoming and more established artists from the Netherlands and abroad. Gist mounts both solo and group shows in the main gallery and in the project space.

Galerie Tegenboschvanvreden(Bloemgracht 57, Amsterdam; tel.20/320-6768;www.tegenboschvanvreden.com)

This new gallery offers a platform for contemporary art from international artists along with performances, discussions, and artists' talks.  Galleries On Bloemstraat

Galerie Fons Welters(Bloemstraat 140, Amsterdam, tel.20/423-3046;www.fonswelters.nl)

The focus here is on contemporary art. The gallery works with artists from the beginning of their professional development and has launched the career of many young Dutch artists such as Joep van Lieshout, Aernout Mik, Erik van Lieshout, Jan De Cock, Sven Kroner, and Matthew Monahan.

Galleries On Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat

Galerie Eduard Planting(Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 2 links, Amsterdam; tel.20/320-6705;www.eduardplanting.com)

This gallery exhibits an interesting mix of fine art photography by well-known, international artists as well as work by emerging talent. Gallery-owner Eduard Planting also advises collectors on photo print selection.

Dolf D. van Omme(Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 19, Amsterdam; tel.20/427-4642;www.dolfvanomme.nl)

The spotlight here is on 19th- and 20th-century European fine art. The collection includes work from the Amsterdam Impressionists, classical modernists, French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Also featured are traditional paintings of Amsterdam city views.

Other Things To See & Do in the Jordaan District

Near the galleries, there are two must-sees: theAnne Frank House(Prinsengracht 267;www.annefrank.org) and the famous church,Westerkerk(Prinsengracht 281;www.westerkerk.nl).

After wandering around the district, stop for refreshments at one of these neighborhood cafés:Bar Brandstof(Marnixstraat 341; tel.06/543-435-55),Struik(Rozengracht 160; tel.20/625-4863), andVilla Zeezicht(Torensteeg 7; tel.20/626-7433).

And, maybe even do some shopping:Sprmrkt(Rozengracht 191-193;www.sprmrkt.nl) -- a converted supermarket offering designer clothing, accessories and furniture;Lock Stock and Barrel(Hartenstraat 26;www.lockstockandbarrel.hyves.nl) -- international fashions and accessories for men & women; andAntonia by Yvette(Gasthuismolensteeg 18;www.antoniabyyvette.nl) -- a designer shoe boutique.

Read more:http://www.frommers.com/trip_ideas/print-article.cfm?ideaID=ARTCULTURE&articleid=6925&t=Amsterdam%3A%20Galleries%20%26%20Where%20to%20Shop%20in%20the%20Jordaan%20District#ixzz0xhynPAAV

In this baseline experiment called Episode 1, Bret and Tim work out the kinks of this new endeavor, catch up on lost time since they last saw each other, discuss new music and technology, and uncover the truth about Tim’s stolen car. We guarantee you’ll learn almost nothing!

Read the IM conversation here as Tim unveils the truth about his car for the first time to his friend. Also see Bret’s sporty Deadliest Catch outfit he wore in the mountains of Spain.

The Deadliest Catch featuring Jack Will Travel, now on the Discovery Channel. In this episode, fishing for Alaskan Salmon in the interior of Spain.

“It’s like Disneyland and everything is free because everyone went home!” - Bret

Find out what kind of ideas and discussions a 10th century monastery inspires for our two intrepid heroes, as well as what would keep Tim from living the monastic life of contemplation. Also, learn about the fine art of applying sun block to the back of a fellow heterosexual male (as well as what that looks like).

Learn this and more in the Buzz Management blog.

See Jack visit the 10th Century Yuso and Suso monasteries (the birthplace of the Spanish language), hang out with Fritz, a 60-year old biker, almost get outsmarted by a thunderstorm, hang out at the running of the bulls (unfortunately, yet another camera with most of the footage got stolen in Pamplona), and pollute the beautiful landscape of San Millan.

More blogs and podcasts coming soon.

What do you do when you "steal" someone's electrcity in Spain? What does it feel like to get taken for a ride by Jesus? How does Bret respond to silence? What do you do when you are a kilometer from your campsite, your computer is left out, and a thunderstorm is rapidly approaching?

You can find out the answer to these riddles, as well as other effective ways to not travel, on the Buzz Management blog.