It's Time for a Trip Up to the Foothill Wine Country

With all the fires in Northern California the air quality is from unhealthy to hazardous. Outdoor events are being canceled in the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area, schools are closed and people are being urged to stay indoors.

Just a short drive from Sacramento in the foothills to the east is the beautiful foothill wine country. Whether it is up 80 to the Placer County wineries or up 50 and 49 to the Eldorado and Amador County Wineries you will be above the smoke with good air quality and bright clear skies.

Some wineries have events going on at this time so if you are looking for a place to get out of the smoke and bad air take the short drive up the hill. Don't forget to pack a lunch and have a picnic. The area is beautiful.

Note: If wine is not your thing there is also Apple Hill, arts and crafts, historic towns and this weekend is the Mountain Mandarin Orange Festival in Placer County.

Word of warning when renting a car in Europe

When renting a car in another country, in most cases, the company you think you are renting from is just in name only. In fact, the place you are renting from is a franchise and you do not have the same protection you would have in the US. 

On a recent trip to Italy due to the size of our group I needed to rent 2 cars. I rented a car in my name from Hertz and one in my sons name from Avis. For both cars I purchased insurance ahead of time. Both cars were rented at the Linate airport. My experience with Hertz was pleasant. At the counter they took the insurance I had purchased but explained since it wasn't through Hertz I would have to file the claim through the insurance I purchased. When my son went to pick up the car from Avis it was another story. The person at the counter was rude and refused to accept the insurance I had purchased. To get the car my son ended up having to purchase insurance through Avis. The insurance ended up being more expensive than the car itself. I tried to correct this but they wouldn't budge. 

Later I was able to get a refund from Orbitz for the outside insurance. I also filed a complaint with Avis customer service but they told me I was out of luck since he had signed the contract. In fact, Avis was of no help as the rental company in Milan was a franchise. 

I learned my lesson. Please do more research when renting a car in another country. 

F1 Announces Vietnam Grand Prix

Today F1 announced that the Vietnam Grand Prix will be added to the schedule in 2020. It confirms Formula One's commitment to the Asia region. That means I now have a new destination to plan for.

Weather Causes Havoc in Liguria

After the storm

It is hard to believe that in early September we were swimming in the Mediterranean on the Ligurian Coast. 

One week after we got back from Italy they were hit by a hail storm that caused flooding along the coast. Now this week a major storm hit the coast causing damage to roads, collapsing sea walls and destroying the beach changing areas and restaurants. Liguria will come back but it is hard to see the damage that can happen.

Other parts of Italy were also hit. I saw pictures of St. Marks Square under water.

St Marks Square

Thankfully our family is ok.