Travel almanac: World's most wonderful wine destinations

Rostock, Germany, is one of many places to enjoy Christmas markets.
    Top 10: World's most wonderful wine destinations
    1. Bordeaux, France
    2. Napa Valley, Calif.
    3. Tuscany, Italy
    4. Champagne-Ardenne, France
    5. Barossa Valley, Australia
    6. La Rioja, Spain
    7. Sonoma Valley, Calif.
    8. Valle Central, Chile
    9. Stellenbosch, South Africa
    10. Marlborough, New Zealand
    SOURCE: TripAdvisor.com
   
    Destinations
   From late November until Christmas, German holiday markets fill with the sounds of musicians and the aromas of mulled wine, sausages, gingerbread and roasting chestnuts amid hundreds of booths in each city. Travelers will find nativity scenes, Christmas trees, carolers, and local crafters displaying ceramics, candles, wooden toys, pewter and pottery.
   New events this year include Augsburg's fairy-tale street; Wurzburg's medieval Christmas market; and Koblenz's Christmas Markets, offering family attractions such as a toboggan run, carriage rides and a merry-go-round.
   For information on what to see and how to see it if you plan to visit Germany in time to see its famous Christmas markets, log on to www.historicgermany.com.
   
   
    Travel reading
    "Utah's Low Points"
    By Fred Nash,
    236 page paperback, $22.95,
    University of Utah Press
    While collecting high points across the U.S. and in Utah has been in vogue for quite some time, this book offers a new twist on this form of traveling. What's more, it's a fun and interesting read for travelers who want to go to Utah's lowest point at 2,165 feet in Washington County - or Rich County, which has the highest low point at 5,923 feet. The book includes ratings of each place, GPS coordinates, hiking time and difficulty ratings. Getting to each low point might involve a short walk, a four-wheel drive adventure or a multi-day trek. The book includes 17 maps and 68 color photographs while offering Utahns another interesting way to explore their state.
   
    World currency
   What your dollar buys
    Rates paid domestically for each dollar changed. These figures are intended only as a guide. Rates may be more favorable abroad. (As of Oct. 9)
   Argentina (peso) 3.2
   Australia (dollar) 1.5
   Brazil (real) 2.2
   Canada (dollar) 1.1
   Chile (peso) 613
   China (yuan) ... 6.8 Denmark (krone) 5.5
   Egypt (pound) 5.5
   European (euro) 0.74 (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain)
   Great Britain (pound) 0.58
    Hong Kong (dollar) 7.8
    India (rupee) 48
    Indonesia (rupiah) 9,593
    Israel (shekel) 3.6
    Japan (yen) 99.5
    Mexico (peso) 13.2
    New Zealand (dollar) 1.6
    Norway (krone) 6.2
    Philippines (peso) 47
    Poland (zloty) 2.6
    Russia (ruble) 26.1
    Singapore (dollar) 1.5
    South Africa (rand) 9.4
    South Korea (won) 1,381
    Sweden (krona) 7.1
    Switzerland (franc) 1.1
    Taiwan (dollar) 32
    Thailand (baht) 34
    Venezuela (bolivar) 2,147.5
    Source: Yahoo! Finance
   
   On the Web
   Design your own luggage and accessories
    Women who need new luggage and might want something different should check out www.bpurses.com, a Web site where they can design their own luggage and travel accessories, making them easier to spot from the basic black. B's purses feature multiple accessories, including a jewelry roll, two types of cosmetic bags, a duffle bag and a garment bag.
   
   
    Travel eats
    Clif bars provide all-natural snack
    Fliers who need to pack a snack might want to check out Clif Bars whole, all-natural, organic Mojo and Minis, which are easy to pack, healthy and filling. They come in a number of flavors, including chocolate chip peanut cream, cool mint chocolate and maple nut. For more information, visit www.clifbar.com.