Like a lot of travelers, I figured out a few years ago that the price of access to airport lounges is well worth the money. It shuts out some of the frustration and boredom with comfort and quiet and, often, a nice snack or drink to while away what could be a wait in uncomfortable chairs at your departure gate. So I was frustrated when Judy and I were denied entrance to a particular lounge because we were “too early.” Apparently, a new policy was instituted recently that prevented someone from entering more than three hours before their scheduled flight departure. Fortunately, we took that frustration elsewhere and ended up enjoying one of our more sublime airport experiences. When life gives you lemons…

We made our way down the terminal to Vino Volo. Located in several major airports, these wine bar/shops are a respite from the usual fast food and brewhouse fair. The one in the Seattle-Tacoma Airport was no different. We sat down in comfy (if a bit worn) leather chairs in a relatively quiet environment with a wide variety of rock and jazz playing softly in the background. The menu offered more than a dozen red wine flights…three generous tasting-sized portions equaling about a 6-ounce pour.

I enjoyed three Rhone-style reds from Washington State, the “Rhone Wonders” flight, while Judy enjoyed the “Washington Wonders” (a Cabernet France, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a blend). We also ordered a perfectly flavored, melty prosciutto and brie sandwich. As we sipped and snacked, all the concerns about the lounge snub melted away. We were enjoying each others’ company and some really interesting local wines.

With time on our hands, we moved on to a couple of very high-end Washington Cabernets on the “Sommelier Series” and were blown away by the nose, texture and taste of these magnificent wines. We ordered some Burrata…one of our favorite noshes and continued to let the afternoon slip by.

Despite the buzz of the terminal just mere feet away, we were in our own cocoon, feeling a different kind of buzz, chatting about things important and not, and not really caring about the world outside. Deciding that we were staying put until boarding time, I ordered another glass of the Cabernet blend for Judy, and a “Daring and Different” flight of reds for me.

It featured three decidedly unique wines from “across the pond.” One from Cote Roannaise, one from Jura, and one from Tenerife – the Canary Islands! – were placed in front of me. We were in awe. Our server, Julia, was a true font of knowledge about these magnificent wines. We dreamed and talked about doing wine-tasting excursions to France and Italy. And yet, in the span of a few hours, we had taken a wine tour of our own without leaving the airport.

This day reminded me, once again, of the ability of travel to take you places you never dreamed of. It also reminded that that success of any trip is your ability to find something positive when someone or something throws your plan out of whack. Merely stepping away from the usual and trying something new introduced us to a wonderfully positive experience.

There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored … even if it’s just in the airport. Salud!