A Napa Valley Honeymoon

Known throughout the world, California's Napa Valley lives up to its glowing press. The Northern California wine region is home to hundreds of wineries, sensational scenery, romantic restaurants, and cozy bed and breakfast inns. America's premiere wine district, Napa Valley is just a short drive from the San Francisco Bay area and boasts plenty to do for visitors of all ages and interests.

Napa Valley Attractions

Visitors to Napa Valley need never be bored. The area offers a myriad of activities in addition to the over 200 wineries there. Just a few of the many things to do in Napa are:

• Tasting Wine – You're never far from a winery in the Napa Valley. The majority are open to the public for tastings and some even offer tours and other facilities, such as picnic areas, casual and elegant restaurants, and gift shops. Grab one of the many free maps distributed around the area and take off on your own or take one of several organized tours and let someone else do the driving.

• Napa Valley Wine Train – This elegant, restored train is a leisurely and scenic way to tour Napa Valley. The 36-mile roundtrip between Napa and St. Helena includes stops at several wineries as well as a gourmet lunch or dinner.

• Hot-Air Ballooning – A spectacular way to view the fields of grape vines is on one of the several hot-air balloon tours. Depart at dawn for the smoothest ride and spend three to four hours aloft before setting down for a gourmet breakfast, complete with Champagne.

• A day at the Spa – Indulge yourself with a mud bath, facial, or one of dozens of other beauty treatments offered at Napa Valley's collection of day spas. Calistoga, home to a natural hot springs, is particularly noted for its many spas. Among the best of them are the Lavender Hill Spa, the Calistoga Inn and Spa, and the Golden Haven Hot Springs.

Napa Valley Restaurants

No trip to Napa Valley is complete with dining at one or more of the area's unique and excellent restaurants. The area offers dozens of eateries, including elegant eateries, bistros, and delis. Some of the best of these are:

• Bouchon – Located in Yountville, this bistro is the more casual cousin of the acclaimed French Laundry described below. Bouchon's menu features Lyonnaise cuisine mixed with California favorites in a chic, yet casual atmosphere.

• Etoile at Domaine Chandon – Located next to the Champagne-maker of the same name, this romantic eatery serves Northern California cuisine for both lunch and dinner, with dishes designed to showcase the house Champagnes and the region's produce. The dining is elegant, yet casual — like most of Napa Valley.

• The French Laundry – Widely considered the most famous restaurant in Napa Valley, the French Laundry is the brainchild of Chef Thomas Keller. This formal food emporium dinner seven nights a week and offers two menus – a 9-course chef's tasting menu and a 9-course vegetarian tasting menu, both of which make use of the freshest local ingredients. Seating is by reservation only (707 944-2380), which may be made beginning two months in advance.

• Mustard's Grill – For over 20 years, this popular Yountville gathering place has been packing in visitors and residents alike. They serve a combination of sandwiches, appetizers, salads, and grilled entrees – all accompanied by a selection of local vintages. A vibrant and affordable place to eat.

Staying in Napa Valley

Accommodations in Napa Valley range from standard hotels to romantic inns to individual bed and breakfasts. Among the most romantic of this are:

• Auberge de Soleil – Located on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards, this award-winning hostelry combines French luxury with California friendliness. All room are designed with a Mediterranean flair, with private patios or balconies, plasma TVs, DVDs, CD and stereos, mini-bars stocked with complimentary beverages and snacks, espresso machines and toasters, wall safes, voicemail, and computer data ports. The inn also has one of the best restaurants in the area.

• Hotel d'Amici – This charming inn is located in the historic town of Calistoga, in the northern part of the valley, within walking distance of wineries, spas, and shopping. Each guest room in this century building is individually and cheerfully decorated, and many suites include a spacious balcony overlooking the street.

• Meadowood – Located just off of the Silverado trail near wineries and woodland, this luxury resort and spa features cozy, romantic rooms and suites, all with wood-burning fireplaces and wood decks and balconies. Facilities include a spa, tennis courts, a fitness room, an 18-hole championship golf course, and miles of hiking trails.

• Napa Valley Lodge – This Yountville Inn is a good centrally-located base for exploring Napa Valley. It features 55 European-style guest rooms, all of which have private balconies or patios overlooking the valley, vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, and high-speed Internet access.

Getting to Napa Valley

The Napa Valley wine district is an easy drive from the San Francisco Bay area and the San Francisco International Airport. It's about a 1 ½ hour drive from the city center to Yountville. Visitors are well-advised to rent a car when visiting Napa Valley as the wineries and other activities are scattered throughout the valley.

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