Napa Valley / Sonoma County / Muir Woods / Sausalito         Monterey / 17 Mile Drive / Carmel / San Francisco

   With the wine enthusiast in mind, comes this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the California Wine Country like never before. On this magnificent nine day trip blend the sights and sounds of sophisticated San Francisco with California’s renowned wine country. Your journey begins with four nights in San Francisco, the “city by the bay”. If this is your first visit, you will quickly be seduced by the city’s charm, uniqueness and beauty. Visit Muir Woods featuring ancient and towering redwood trees and the charming bay side town of Sausalito ending with a cruise across the San Francisco Bay. You will travel the California coastline to Monterey and onto the spectacular 17-Mile drive, ending in the posh resort town of Carmel.
The next four nights are set amidst the vineyards and acclaimed wineries of the Sonoma and Napa Valley.
Savor a tasting of the best that northern California can offer for aspiring connoisseurs of cuisine and wine.
Just a sampling of the wineries included are: Viansa Winery & Marketplace, a tile-roofed Tuscan Villa that sits on a hilltop surrounded by olive trees and vineyards; Domaine Carneros, modeled after the Taittinger family chateau in Champagne, France; and the Andretti Winery, owned by Mario Andretti, the famous racing car driver. Relive the days of elegant rail travel with a relaxing train journey aboard the infamous Napa Valley Wine Train, featuring beautiful scenery and spectacular food. End your unforgettable experience with a special Farewell Celebration Dinner at Domaine Chandon’s exquisite restaurant Etoile.


Day 1 - San Francisco
Welcome to the Golden State! Upon arrival board a deluxe motor coach for your transfer to the Westin San Francisco Market Street, a distinctive and elegant contemporary-style high rise hotel located just a few blocks from Union Square. This classic 4 diamond hotel features an artful blend of stylish dйcor, sophistication, cosmopolitan appointments, and modern architecture. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. You may want to take a short stroll to Union Square to shop at the department stores and boutiques, visit the sensational San Francisco Museum of Modern Art which is just one block from the hotel, or take the short walk to the new Westfield San Francisco Centre.

Day 2 - San Francisco –San Francisco City Tour
Morning sightseeing in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, famous for its natural harbor, lush parks, cable cars, and bustling docks. Even if you have been to San Francisco before, this most beautiful “city by the bay” always has something special to witness and experience. If this is your first visit, you will quickly be seduced by the city’s charm, uniqueness and beauty. Begin with a drive through the financial district with its towering skyscrapers to Union Square, the heart of the downtown. Then it is off to the Civic Center with its impressive City Hall, its famous Opera House, and its prize symphony hall. Stop at Alamo Square, site of a famous postcard setting that features the San Francisco skyline overlooking a row of picture-perfect Victorians. Continue on to Twin Peaks, a 65 acre park overlooking the city that is known for its breathtaking views of the entire Bay area. Next is Golden Gate Park, certainly one of the largest and most spectacular metropolitan parks in the country. Following the drive through the wooded Presidio, one of the country's newest national parks, make a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. En route back into the heart of the city pass the Palace of Fine Arts and the restored Victorians along fashionable Union Street. (B)

Day 3 - Muir Woods – Sausalito – San Francisco Bay Cruise
Today you travel across the Golden Gate Bridge which offers commanding views of the distant cityscape and beautiful bay. Arrive at Muir Woods, a national monument featuring ancient and towering redwood trees. In size, antiquity, and awe-inspiring grandeur, there are no other living things in the world that can compare with the impressive California redwoods. Continue along the Panoramic Highway past a colorful houseboat community to picturesque and charming Sausalito. Here you will have free time to shop at the stores along Bridgeway, to dine at one of the fine seafood restaurants overlooking the bay, to explore the numerous yacht clubs and marinas, and to just relax in this spectacular setting. Later board the ferry for the bay crossing which passes within yards of the former island prison of Alcatraz, "The Rock." Arrive at the famed Fisherman's Wharf area. You will have a choice of remaining at the wharf area on own or returning to the hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 4 San Francisco – Monterey – 17 Mile Drive – Carmel
A very special day is in store as you travel along the scenic coastal highway to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, the gateway to Big Sur country. California’s Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, is simply one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. Stop at Cannery Row, immortalized by the author John Steinbeck, where you will have time for lunch at one of many the fine restaurants overlooking beautiful Monterey Bay. After lunch depart for the famed 17-Mile Drive to Carmel-by-the Seal, a private community known throughout the world for its natural scenic beauty and affluence. The charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a simple yet sophisticated shopper's paradise. This one square mile community attracts millions of visitors each year to its peculiar mix of English village, ramshackle beach town, and cosmopolitan shopping district. You may want to shop at the stores along Ocean Avenue, have a cappuccino at one of the cafes, or just stroll along the white sandy beach. (B)

Day 5 - Sonoma County –Napa Valley
Depart San Francisco and travel north to the beautiful tapestry of the California wine country, one of the premier wine producing regions in the world. Upon arrival in Sonoma visit the family owned Roche Winery in the Carneros region to tour their vineyards and taste their award-winning wines. Afterwards a short drive brings you to Viansa Winery & Marketplace, a charming boutique winery. Viansa's tile-roofed Tuscan Villa sits on a hilltop surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, overlooking a 90-acre waterfowl preserve. Outfitted with hand-painted murals, massive beams and Italian marble, the villa exudes Tuscan charm. Following a private tour and tasting, you will have time to enjoy the winery’s sensational Tuscan Marketplace. A delightful picnic lunch follows with the beautiful picnic grounds overlooking the vineyards and the Carneros wetlands. Continue on to the historic Sonoma Plaza where you can enjoy the shops surrounding the town square. The charming small-town character of Sonoma continues to attract and captivate travelers from around the globe. A stop will then be made at Buena Vista, California's oldest premium winery. Located just one mile from historic downtown Sonoma, this landmark stone winery with its old world ambiance is set among a colorful creek and eucalyptus grove. Here you will take a self-guided winery tour before sampling the wines in the Presshouse Tasting Room. Depart for the leisurely drive to the famed Napa Valley. Arrive at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley, your home for the next four nights. This is an elegant, contemporary-style all-suite hotel with a French country setting. Here you can enjoy a soothing soak in the hotel's water spa or a refreshing dip in the outdoor, or indoor pool. Each night be sure to enjoy a selection of cocktails or taste wine from a Napa Valley winery during the hotel’s nightly manager’s reception. (B, L)

Day 6 - Napa Valley & Sonoma County
Start your day with a visit to Domaine Carneros. Modeled after the Taittinger family chateau in Champagne, France, this magnificent winery overlooks 138 acres of estate vineyards. Not apparent to visitors ascending to the Chateau built past the rose gardens and fountains that at the heart of the Louis XV architecture there lies a state-of-the-art winery that produces Taittinger's fine sparkling wines in California. Here you will learn about the methode champenoise, the special techniques and equipment used to create the winery's renowned sparkling wines. Taste some of the winery's sparkling wines in an elegant salon. Then it is off to St. Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley where you will have free time. Perhaps you will want to visit Dean& Deluca, a multi-channel retailer of gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines and high-end kitchenware. You will have time to enjoy the upscale stores and restaurants in St. Helena and you may want to dine at the Culinary Institute of America’s Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant. After lunch drive along the historic Silverado Trail where a stop will be made at the Andretti Winery, owned by Mario Andretti, the famous racing car driver. Take a private guided tour, sensory evaluation, and traditional wine tasting. Upon arrival back at the hotel in the late afternoon the remainder of the day is free. Be sure to enjoy the hotel’s nightly cocktail reception. (B)

Day 7- All Aboard The Napa Valley Wine Train
This afternoon, board a luxurious Pullman lounge car and enjoy a relaxing train journey on board the Napa Valley Wine Train through the lush Napa Valley. Relive the days of elegant rail travel while enjoying a sumptuous 3-course lunch on board one of the meticulously restored dining cars replete with etched glass, polished brass, fine fabrics, and mahogany for the relaxing journey north through the heart of the Napa Valley.
Following the Wine Train you will make a stop at the Artesa Winery which is situated high atop a grassy knoll and framed by Milliken Peak. The spectacular winery, described as a prism set into the mountain, features cascading water falls, reflecting pools, and a magnificent art collection. After a tour and tasting at Artesa Winery, return back to your hotel. Be sure to enjoy the hotel’s nightly cocktail reception. (B, L)

* OPTIONAL: In the early morning you may want to take a thrilling hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley. The sensational balloon adventure and ultimate experience begins shortly after dawn when cool air and calm winds are present over the magnificent Napa Valley. As light breezes waltz the balloon across the beautiful Napa Valley, you can enjoy sweeping views of the colorful vineyards and spectacular mountains. The flight will conclude as the balloon gently descends into a meadow of mustard and wild flowers. When earth bound, celebrate the experience with bubbly champagne and a light brunch. (Adventure Travel “Exclusive Tours” never have optional tours to purchase but this one can’t be missed!)

Day 8 - COPIA – Special Farewell Celebration Dinner
Start your day with a visit to COPIA: the American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts in Napa for a variety of engaging programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, and performances that integrate the arts with the pleasures of food and wine. Located on the banks of the Napa River, Copia offers something to excite every palate, whether you’re a home or a professional chef, a wine newcomer or a sophisticated oenophile, or a backyard gardener. Included with your visit are the many exhibitions, gardens, introductory food and wine programs, informative tours, and sensory stations offering tasting and learning experiences. Next, a drive through Napa Valley will take you to the town of Calistoga, famous for its hot-water geysers. Time for lunch on your own in downtown Calistoga and to stroll the streets that retain their charm of yesteryear. A lovely town situated in the Northern Napa Valley that is known for its temperate climate and therapeutic hot springs. You will have ample time to dine at one of the restaurants in Calistoga and enjoy some of its popular attractions. While in Calistoga enjoy one last winery tour and wine tasting at the Envy Wines Estate for a guided tour of their barrel aging cellar topped off with a special tasting straight from the barrel.
This evening drive to Yountville for a very special farewell dinner at Domaine Chandon, owned by the French proprietors of Moet et Chandon, the famed champagne maker. Dine at the winery’s exquisite restaurant Etoile. The beautiful grounds and winery surrounding the restaurant are viewed through large window arches which add to the exceptional dining experience. The outstanding cuisine reflects California's openness to innovation, the readily available fresh produce, and the great traditions of French cooking. (B, D)

Day 9 Napa–San Francisco
Following morning checkout of the Embassy Suites Napa Valley, transfer to San Francisco International Airport via the Oakland Bay Bridge for your return flight home. You may have indeed left your heart in San Francisco but are bound to take home many wonderful memories. (B)

Rates are based on double occupancy tour only. Tour operation is based on a minimum of 20 passengers. A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Master Card, Visa, cash and check are accepted for payment. Final payment is due on March 6th, 2009. Itinerary, hotels and rates are subject to change. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.