Napa Valley Trip Report

[kelseybelsey]

My husband and I went to Napa Valley at the beginning of April and I thought I would mention what we enjoyed.

We stayed at the Villagio Inn and Spa in Yountville. AMAZING! Also, very pricey. I would do it again in a heartbeat, though. The spa, breakfast, beautiful grounds, and location were the best features. My husband and I used the spa everyday, multiple times a day. You can use it even if you do not have any services booked. Really, this made the hotel for us. The breakfast was also very impressive and it was "free" (included in the price of the room). This was no continental breakfast from Holiday Inn. It was a beautiful spread of many varieties of breakfast food including some I had never tried. Plus, an omelet station was available was well. Oh, AND wonderful Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's. The location was great for us for a couple of reasons. #1 We really like food so Yountville was perfect. Tons of great restaurants all with walking distance. #2 We do not enjoy cities or loud, crowds. Yountville is a small town. At the time we went it was quiet as well. It was great to be able to just walk out of our hotel and walk to shops, dining, parks, etc.

For activities, I would recommend horseback riding through a vineyard. We did this at Chalk Hill Winery through WIne Country Trail Rides. It is in Sonoma Valley, but we rented a car and drove. It took about an hour to get there. I had never been on a horse before and the guide for very accommodating with me. The grounds were beautiful and we had a free tasting afterwards. My favorite part was that the tour was just my husband and I and another couple. The guide said this was common.

We did a wine tour through Platypus Tours. We really enjoyed it, but be aware of what it is. It is a group tour on a "party bus" going to smaller wineries. You will not be going to the big names on this tour. I was really happy with that and I thought the tour was a blast. The people in our group (random) were fun and the atmosphere was casual/relaxed. I liked the tour for the social aspect as well as going to wineries I wouldn't think to go to on my own.

Favorite wineries: Domaine Chandon ( I love sparkling wine), Somerston (fab wine, just a tasting room though), and Ballentine Vineyard (great wine, friendly staff). I don't have a winery listed on here which has beautiful views. It was raining the day of our tour so there was not a lot of viewing the sites. Domaine Chandon had pretty gardens though.

Restaurants: Bistro Jeanty was hands down my favorite (and the cheapest). When I walked in, I didn't think I was going to like it because it seemed really casual, but the service was great and the food was spectacular. The tomato soup is to die for. The lemon pie was great too. I enjoyed the other restaurants we went to (Bottega and Bouchon) but if I had to pick one to pass on it would be Bouchon. We did not do French Laundry because my husband is a picky eater and he would not get his $$ worth.

Great trip!

[sporky]

sounds like a great trip! napa is high on my list for upcoming vacation ideas.

[Lisa7]

Thanks for the report! My sister is getting married next month in Napa & we're making it a vacation