Q: Is it possible to see some of the places that were in the film Sideways?

--D. George, Toronto

A: When Travel + Leisure Magazine recently asked why director Alexander Payne chose to film Sideways around Santa Barbara, he replied, "The wineries are newer and a little more folksy than Napa and Sonoma."

The buzz around the Academy Award-winning Sideways is still loud and clear if you venture into the territory where the film was shot.

Amid the rolling hills of Santa Barbara's wine country, there is new meaning for Pinot Noir lovers who have seen a renaissance in this red grape variety as wine shops there reportedly can't seem to keep the stuff stocked.

Tourists are flocking to the same spots that Jack (Thomas Haden Church) and Miles (Paul Giamatti) forged on the days before Jack's bachelor days were over.

The Santa Barbara Visitors Bureau has even created a Sideways map featuring 18 locations including wineries and restaurants.

There are special packages at the Santa Barbara visitors' website too, including two bike tours of film locations.

Visit santabarbaraca.com/ visitor/sideways.php.

Here are other sources iyou can check out:

- Kalyra Winery, Santa Ynez, 805-693-8864 (kalyrawinery.com )

- Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau, 805-688-6144 ( solvangusa.com)

- Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association 800-742-2843 ( syvva.com)

- Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission, 800-676-1266 (santabarbaraca.com)

- Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association (sbcountywines.com)

If you wish to visit haunts frequented by the two on-screen pals, pop over to Foxen in Santa Maria or visit the Los Olivos Cafe.

Q: Flying has never been one of my strong points. I try to distract myself from sounds but haven't been able to get a good night sleep on overseas flights.

Can a product help me filter out noises?

-- S. Kohl, Etobicoke

A: Trying to filter out the ambient sounds of the jet's engines, crying babies and chattering neighbours can certainly be a task when flying.

On a recent trip, I used "Noisebuster" headphones made by Pro Tech Communications. The company reports "the Noisebuster electronically cancels irritating background noise so you can enjoy peace and quiet."

Plug the earphones into the headset prong located at your control panels where you normally would plug in the airline's headset, and voila. There was an immediate silence. I no longer heard a crying baby three aisles away.

The Noisebuster technology was developed by "anti-noise" engineers. The manufacturer says the headphones reduce the noise by 18-20dB and reduce noise between 20Hz and 1,200Hz.

Contact Pro Tech Communications at 800-468-8371 or protechcommunications.com or amazon.com.