California Wine Country

Napa Valley is a great destination from anywherenatural adventure, moving very slow, pictures were
world wide. San Francisco Airport (SFO) is just a fewvery clear. I recommend this for the real brave
hours away from your holiday in wine country.adventurer, you will never forget this one.
Transportation can be arranged from a stretch limo,Tour Packages I thought I would mention this again,
to a SUV for the adventurous.a bit different, but to be considered. Limos, Stretch
Many travel internationally to SFO, for businessSUVs, Buses, can all be arranged in advance, whether
southbound in Silicon Valley, the hi-tech valley withyou fly in, need a Resort to stay, and tailor your visit
uncountable leading Hi Tech companies, so why notin any manor, can be setup in advance.
mix your travels, land on a Friday night, and enjoyThis works very well for small groups, and surprisingly
wine country over the weekend as you catch upwine tasting, by Limo is reasonably priced as a group.
with the time zone change. Why do I sound a bitDrivers know where your destinations are. Yes, the
thrilled with the opportunity to write this article, andValley is big, you could get lost, so lots of good
share some highlights. Very simple, I grew up inconsiderations when planning your trip.
California, and know these areas like the back of myResorts Spas, BBs Thought I would also touch on
hand. I work in the hi tech industry, and travelany overnight planning. Some of these resorts are up
internationally to many countries quiet often.to 5 star, based on your budget and plans, resorts
Well, actually, I have many business associates, andcan sometimes be at a winery, with restaurants on
true international friends, and a long time ago, Isite, which makes for a relaxing setting on a real
picked up a few travelers I knew very well, and didworking vineyard. Just the scent of wine, and the
in fact what I just recommended, spent theoak barrels alone is a great experience.
weekend in Napa Valley, and did every highlight ImBBs are quiet common all around the valley area. Its
going to touch on.difficult to recommend anyone specific, simply
Now this started back in the 1980s , but once thebecause there are so many, and I have enjoyed
word got out, a jam packed weekend to bemany different ones, so no complaints, people are
remembered, then onward to business on Monday,very friendly and kind. I can recommend search
guess I should have changed careers, travel guide,online, pictures, package specials off season, etc. will
limo driver, Spa or Resort operator, because I still toget you started.
this day, have not seen it all, and enjoy every time ITravel the Valley By Train Yes in fact they have a
get the chance to visit, and show people a supervery old refurbished train package available. I did this
adventure.once, many years ago. It all depends on your style, if
So, in a nutshell, here are some real life things to doyou do not like driving this is an option to consider.
if you ever get the chance to visit Napa Valley. Note,The train not only takes you sight seeing around the
this is not an advertisement, but a real short cutvalley, but also serves gourmet meals to anyones
adventure, and can save you lots of wasted time inliking. That was a treat I remember well.
your travels, and even save you some money.I do not usually make specific recommendations, but
Winery Tours Simply there are so many, you cannotI rated this adventure right between a 4 and 5 star
see them all in two days. I recommend, do somelevel, and was really impressed how well everything
research online, find the ones you would enjoywent. So, in this case, go check them out, at their
visiting over the weekend, or longer if time allows.website address at winetrain. Great to kick back, and
Now, caution, nowadays many do charge a fee,relax for the entire day adventure, and no traffic
approx. $10 for tasting typically, so unless you areproblems Im aware of.
visiting smaller wineries, allow an hour plus for planning.Head South Well, my home city is actually south of
Second caution, make it fun, but use common sense,Napa Valley in Santa Barbara, truly a resort city on
someone needs to be a designated driver, since wethe ocean backed by mountains and island views.
are talking about wine tasting. Think this through forSanta Barbara is about a 6 hour drive from Napa
safety, and fun. Hire a limo, go as a group.Valley, but well worth it, simply Napa Valley has its
Ballooning The Valley Now, I fly a lot, however I didhistory and many vineyards, however is not the
have one Doctor friend who really wanted to do thislargest wine producer in California, did you know that
in a bad way, and I am not really crazy about heights?
like many.I will tell you, it is somewhere in between, which I will
However, I did set it up, with very experiencedcover in my next article heading south to Santa
people, and what a rush this adventure was. EarlyBarbara.
morning, very clear, and calm, no wind at all, so timeI hope you enjoyed these highlights of Napa Valley,
of year for this adventure needs to be considered.things to do, places to go. Sometimes there is so
I might add, there is always a risk, but I sawmuch information it is overwhelming, and I wanted to
everything from this adventure alone, and took thehelp sort things out for anyone planning a trip there.
most pictures of the vineyards possible which I stillNow, there are certainly many more great things and
have today, enlarged, and framed. So this one is aplaces to go, but these I have experienced, so feel
special reward different from all others.free to consider my adventures in your trip, and
Next to this there are flight excursions around thehopefully save some time, costs, and help plan a
valley, but the Balloon, allowed a peaceful, noise freememorable adventure.