Many of us travel to new places during our summer vacation – that time between Memorial Day through the fourth of July until Labor Day. Some go on cruises, other people visit the beach, but sometimes we need something unique, don’t we? If you are planning an unforgettable vacation in the hottest months of the year, we suggest you don’t miss visiting Napa Valley. If you are planning to do a solo trip to explore the region, or a romantic holiday, or a family-friendly vacation, Napa has something for every one of us. Here are some activities you can do once there.
It won’t be a full Napa Valley tour experience without visiting some of the numerous wineries. From the more traditional wineries to the smaller, family-run boutique counterparts, the region will please every wine lover. For families, you don’t have to worry about taking your kids to the wineries, many wineries offer family friendly non-wine activities.
Some fun options include a tour around Castello di Amorosa’s massive 13th century-style castle. You can see amazing art pieces at wineries like Hess Collection, Ma(i)sonry, Artesa, and Clos Pegasse. You can also take a cable car at the Sterling Vineyards, or have an outdoor picnic. Fantesca Estate & Winery offers private tours and tastings if you want a more intimate experience.
Take a food tour.
Sampling different cuisines is a fantastic way to explore a region. When you try different foods, you can get a better sense of local ingredients and flavors, as well as what’s important to chefs. Happy Valley and its surrounding towns have a diversity of restaurants and wine tasting shops. One good way to try a variety of foods is with a walking tour. You can choose between different culinary tour options, such as the Gourmet Walking Tour and Foodies on Foot.
Gourmet hosts 3-hour walking tours let you enjoy 7 stops with tastings at each. Overall you get a 1-mile walk with plenty of time to fully taste every bite. Meanwhile, Foodies on Foot have found a unique way to combine cuisine and history at the same time. During their tour, you will get an introduction into the region’s history and culture and also get to taste the offerings from 7 different shops.
Napa Valley hot air balloon rides.
You may visit the city for the wine and have loved the food, but the memory of a wonderful balloon ride in Napa is unbeatable. A Napa Valley balloon ride is an amazing wine country memory you will always cherish! Your tour experience will normally last between three to four hours, but the actual flight duration is roughly one hour, give or take.
Like a nature walk in the sky, hot-air ballooning is a special way to ride into the sunrise or sunset. It’s also one of the most unique and inspiring ways to appreciate the valley’s rolling hills and coastline. The best option is to schedule your balloon ride at the beginning of your Napa Valley trip, so you can avoid unnecessary surprises.
Explore and discover Napa.
During your vacation, you may want to try some creative and unique ways to explore the area.
One way to explore the Wine Country is to ride the Napa Valley Wine Train. It is a fully restored vintage train featuring lovely interiors and comfortable seating. While aboard, you are served a gourmet meal and high quality wine. The train runs from downtown Napa to St. Helena and stops at several wineries along the way.
And for those that want to get a closer view of the vineyards, a bike tour is better for you. You can rent a bike for a day for your own self-guided tour, or join an organized bike tour. Make sure to always have a map with you.
Hiking is another great option to appreciate the natural beauty of Napa, its hills and breathtaking views.
The region has a lot of hiking paths that offer different levels of difficulty for every hiker.