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Weekend with vino

Nakhon Ratchasima might not be Napa, but a weekend drive to this northeastern province will give you a taste of "Sideways", wine buffs' favourite movie. Following a successful trip in April, three vineyards - Village Farm Winery, GranMonte Estate, and PB Valley Khao Yai Winery - are offering a two-day/one-night package discovering the "new latitude" wines of the Korat Plateau. Dates are July 25 and 26 and September 26 and 27. Experts will guide you through the tasting and appreciation of different vintages. For more information, call (02) 262 0030, extensions 107, 283 and 109.

Be a surf hero

Phuket is hosting its second annual Lifesaving Carnival on July 12 at Loma Park in Patong Beach. Organised by Phuket Lifeguard Club, the carnival features competitions in some 80 lifesaving events and wraps with a gala dinner at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. Sign up for the competition on the day.

The day before, the Club is holding a "Nippers Carnival" at Patong Beach. Previous Lifeguard Club "Nippers Carnivals" have received good reviews, with about 100 kids attending each event.

Landing in the driver's seat

Chiang Mai is 750 kilometres by road from Bangkok, but why take your car when the new "Fly & Drive Thailand" promotion can have one waiting for you? Recently, Thai Airways, Air Asia and Bangkok Airways teamed up with car rental agents in Chiang Mai for a Bt9,999 package that includes return air tickets, two nights of accommodation and a car in Chiang Mai. The promotion is available through September. Call (02) 250 458083 or (02) 250 4530.

A hull of a time in Phuket

Phuket is setting its sails for the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek from July 2226, when more than 50 boats will be competing.

Organisers have steadily raised the level of both the racing and the social scene over the event's six years - expect hard sailing and hard partying.

Raceweek 2008 saw five Firefly 850s battle it out in 25 knots of wind and a heavy swell. This year, eight or nine of the boats are expected to be in the line up, some making their way back to their home port of Phuket.