Late last month, Travel Weekly revealed its list of 2014 Readers Choice Award winners. More than 9,000 industry voters, including Travel Weekly readers and industry professionals, selected the best airlines, destinations, hotels, cruise lines and theme parks. Las Vegas topped the list as the Best U.S. City, while Hawaii was selected as the #1 state to visit. 

Have you ever considered what it would be like to travel through space? The wonder of space captures the curiosity of many, which makes Experiences like the Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Adventure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Among the many activities included in the package - such as having lunch with an astronaut  - one that stands out many to visitors is the chance to view NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis up close and personal in the new Kennedy Space Center interactive exhibit.  The Space Shuttle Atlantis played an important role in NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program, which began in 1981 and ended in 2011 when Atlantis launched for the program’s final flight. Throughout the 30-year period, Atlantis spent a great deal of time in space travelling 126 million miles during a total of 33 missions. Use this Experience at your next event! Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Adventure View Experience Details → Now that the Space Shuttle Program is complete, eager viewers have the opportunity to witness Atlantis in the very place where the orbiters launched for each mission: the Kennedy Space Center. The new 90,000 square-foot exhibition opened in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in June 2013 and has been strategically set up to enhance the experience for guests. With more than 60 interactive exhibits and simulators, as well as multimedia presentations, the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit sheds light on the important achievements made by the Space Shuttle Program.

As your fundraising event attendees are getting dressed for the big night out, they may give some thought as to how much money they will spend on raffle tickets or what they might buy at your live or silent auction. While people may come with a specific dollar figure in mind, they will often spend above and beyond depending on what opportunities are presented at the event.

Considered to be one of the top wine producing regions in the world, it’s easy to understand why Napa Valley is such a popular vacation spot. Every year, nearly 4.7 million wine lovers travel to Napa Valley to enjoy the beautiful scenery and get a taste of the region’s superior, high quality wine. Those seeking a quintessential California wine country experience will be delighted with a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Winspire #1 Best Seller! Use this in your next Auction Fundraiser! Napa Valley Backroads & Railways View Experience Details → Offering delicious wine, a gourmet meal, stunning views and a fascinating history, a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the best ways to experience this pristine area. The 3-hour train ride transports passengers in a meticulously restored 1915-1917 Pullman Dining Car, where guests can sit back, relax and take in everything Napa Valley has to offer.  Andrea Guzman, Promotions and Partnership Manager for Napa Valley Wine Train, says “Guests feel like they are going back in time," describing the elegance of the vintage rail cars as one of the things visitors love most about the Wine Train. This is not surprising, considering the train’s history. The train was built in the 1860s with the sole purpose of taking visitors to the popular resort town of Calistoga. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Napa Valley Railroad continued to play an important role in the region’s development and became a popular form of transportation for those living in the Valley.

Wine lovers everywhere know that to find the best wineries with award winning varietals – you simply have to head to the West Coast to explore the beauty and rich history of northern California’s wine country. With stunning views, scrumptious food and, of course, divine wines, a trip to Sonoma is good for your mind, body and soul. With the Vintner Adventure in Sonoma, guests experience VIP tours at two of Sonoma’s most prestigious wineries, chauffeured service in a luxury sedan and four nights’ luxury accommodations. One of the highlights of this travel adventure is a private VIP tour and tasting for two at Benziger Family Winery. Started in the late 70’s, the Benzigers have been growing grapes together as a family for more than 30 years. In the mid 90’s, the family transitioned to incorporate Biodynamic farming practices into their vineyards. This ultra-organic, holistic approach has resulted in a distinctive authenticity in their wine that is recognized by wine enthusiasts from around the world. Kathy Benziger, VIP hospitality with Benziger Family Winery, loves giving guests private tours that allow them to see the winery from an owner’s perspective. Use this in your next Charity Auction! Vintner Adventure in Sonoma View Experience Details → “We take people out in the vineyard and teach them about biodynamic farming and how the farming practices lead to quality in the wine,” says Benziger. She explains that biodynamic is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of organic farming. “Organic farming replaces chemicals with organic input; biodynamic replaces all input with insects, plants and animals. So you use relationships with nature that are already there to begin with, and that really creates wines that are more expressive, exciting and fun.”

The sweet purr of the engine, the feel of the cool leather on the steering wheel, the possibilities of the open road – it’s not difficult to understand the appeal of driving some of the world’s finest cars. The good news is you don’t have to be a professional driver or own a Ferrari or Lamborghini to experience the heart-pumping excitement of controlling one of these fine pieces of machinery – you simply need to take a trip to Las Vegas and get to know the experts at World Class Driving. While the company started as a car club in the New York City area, it soon transitioned into offering car driving experiences in cities throughout the country. Today it is located exclusively in Las Vegas where it has built an extensive list of clients from around the world. Located just off the Las Vegas Strip, car enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers alike book a once-in-a-lifetime experience where they drive multiple exotic cars through the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Use this in your next Charity Auction! Exotic Supercar Driving Experience View Experience Details → What is the Exotic Supercar Driving Experience like? Guests start with a short safety briefing before being transported to the starting point at Red Rock Canyon. The driving route provides stunning scenery guaranteed to make your jaw drop – the perfect complement to the experience of driving three unique exotic vehicles around twisting and curving roads.

Get your bracket sheet ready, because Selection Sunday is finally here! With the first round of the 2012 March Madness tournament starting next Tuesday 3/13, basketball fans across the country will once again enjoy 3-weeks of wall-to-wall college basketball coverage.

1. Priceless Experiences Many of our packages are items you can’t ordinarily access or are available only through Winspire. Because these experiences are priceless and difficult to value, bidders will pay whatever it takes to win them… ultimately making your Nonprofit more money.

...And a special “lessez les bon temps rouler” (Let the good times roll!) to all of the winning bidders who supported their charities by purchasing a 2012 Winspire New Orleans Mardi Gras party package. The winners of this Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience will be treated to an exclusive VIP party celebration on Monday night on a private balcony at La Bayou Restaurant on Bourbon Street.

You could be here right now. For more info about Winspire’s new Caribbean auction packages, please visit www.WinspireMe.com.