The Promise of Experiencing the Napa Valley
The recent earthquake news from Northern California reminds us about Napa Valley, a wine capital in this part of the world that deserves our attention. While most people visit Napa Valley for its large vineyards and wineries, there are also other attractions in the region where you can visit smaller and more intimate properties that can be customized for people with special needs. 
There are places and events in Napa Valley worthy of any traveler’s attention.
- A gourmet dinner with the perfect accompanying wines is all yours when you tour the wine country on board the Napa Valley Wine Train.
- Why not join a safari west tour on a 400-acre wildlife sanctuary.
- Summer is unforgettable with the Napa Valley Festival del Sole, a most captivating summer celebration of world-class music, opera and ballet alongside culinary and wine adventures.
- Shop, take off to the skies on a hot air balloon, or maybe eat taste local wines at the V Marketplace.
If this is to be your first time, you want some tips. We recommend that you should check out the Trip Advisor page Napa Valley: First-time Visitors. This guide to Napa Valley offers three basic tips to planning a trip to this wine capital.
WHEN TO VISIT NAPA VALLEY
Everyone wants to come to Napa in Summer, but Summer brings crowds … fighting for a spot at the tasting bar, and sky high hotel rates, avoid Summer. The best time to visit Napa is Fall, meaning Sept to October. This is “crush” time when they harvest the grapes. You want to see a winery in action, you come in Fall…
FINDING A HOTEL IN THE RIGHT PLACES
If you’ve searched for a hotel on the internet, you might have noticed that you can find some INCREDIBLE VALUES! … Most of these are far, far away from the real Napa. Healdsberg? American Canyon? Fairfield? Forget about it! Don’t be fooled by cheap rates!
The article lists four areas where it is suggested that you should decide to stay:
DOWNTOWN NAPA: Cool and trendy old town, lots of terrific restaurants and usually the least expensive place to stay… YOUNTVILLE: This is prime real estate, a quaint town located within walking distance to some of the very best restaurants in town… ST HELENA AND RUTHERFORD: If you were looking for hotels that are destinations in themselves, this is it… CALISTOGA: At the north tip of Napa Valley is a town made famous for their mud baths. Dr. Wilkerson is the motel that started it all, but there are other higher end options now, such as super pricey Calistoga Ranch…
WHAT NAPA VALLEY WINERIES TO VISIT?
“Don’t go to that one, it’s too touristy…” ….” there are plenty of friendly boutique wineries that should also make your list. But whatever you do, have a plan before you go! Pick 3 to 4 wineries you want to visit each day, and allow time for one tour.”
In the midst of such a large number of great wineries to visit, you’ll appreciate some guidance as to where to go. This article offers first time visitors great value by enumerating the best of the large Napa Valley wineries. However, if you don’t like to go to crowded and touristy wineries, the article also offers a list of the smaller, lesser known regional wineries. If there is another set of tips to interest any Napa Valley traveler is to know where to eat. The food and restaurants in the region are as fabulous and as plentiful as the wines and wineries. The Napa Valley offers many food choices that range from simple and inexpensive fare to stellar gourmet experiences. There is so much to see and do in this wine capital. The earthquake just put it in the headlines reminding travelers of a great destination for wonderful multi-sensory experiences.
