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We recently returned from Napa Valley and it was everything I imagined it would be. I mean, how can you not love a trip where you eat good, sip wine / champagne all day and relax? Whether you are looking to relax or pamper yourself, drink wine or just dine – Napa Valley has everything you need.
Wine Country is the region of California, in the northern San Francisco Bay area, known worldwide as a premiere wine growing region. The region is famed for its wineries, cuisine, Michelin star restaurants, boutique & luxury resorts and architecture. Making the decision to go there for my birthday was a no brainer and once we decided on going there, I immediately begin to think of things I wanted to do for the week. Below I will share our itinerary, outfit details, photos and a Vlog of our trip.
WHERE WE STAYED:
We stayed at Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in Yountville which is located within Napa Valley. Hotel Yountville presents guests with the quintessential wine country experience. It is a vineyard estate inspired retreat ideal for settling down and savoring what the town has to offer. This hotel is very aesthetically pleasing and I was sold on the hotel once I saw the pool area. Another reason I was happy we stayed there, is its proximity to all of the restaurants we ate at. Out of the 4 restaurants we dined at, 3 were in walking distance. Napa Valley restaurants are well worth the trip alone.
WHAT WE DID:
I am a fan of making the most of a trip. If I am visiting a new place, I want to make sure I am taking advantage of my time and seeing the sights. I planned an itinerary that allowed us to see A LOT but also give us time to relax, so we weren’t worn out. Here is the list of activities that we did:
We did this on my actual birthday and it was so worth it to me. I loved everything about it from the aesthetic, the food, the views and the wine tastings. I know there are mixed reviews about the Napa Valley Wine Train but if you ask me, I would recommend doing it. We booked the Vista Dome lunch package which included welcome champagne, a 3-course dinner throughout a 3 hour train ride. The train travels through Napa Valley and each winery or important thing to see is called out along the way so you don’t miss it.
Enjoy my vlog from the trip:
This castle is beautiful and I feel a must visit. We did a seated tasting and then roamed the castle on our own after. The tasting here was fun and the wine that they make on site is amazing!
This winery is gorgeous, the grounds are immaculate, airy and beautiful. We booked The Art of Sabrage package and it was awesome and such a cool experience. This package came with a cool sabrage demonstration, a champagne tasting with a beautiful cheese spread.
WHERE WE ATE:
This Italian restaurant is a local staple. We got a few recommendations for this restaurant and it didn’t disappoint. If you go, make sure you get the Fritto Misto!
This is where we went for my birthday dinner. Our 3 hour dining experience consisted of 9 courses and we were definitely full by the time it was done. French laundry is a 3 Michelin star restaurant by chef Thomas Keller and dining there is a magical experience. The service was the best I’ve had, the wine was divine and the food was amazing. French Laundry is often named as one of the top 10 most difficult restaurants to book in the world but it was in the stars for me to go on my birthday. Let me start off by saying everything was immaculate.
Originally, we planned to go to RH restaurant for my birthday but we got lucky with a reservation at French Laundry. While we were on a walk, we saw the restaurant and decided to walk in to just ask. The concierge came out and I let her know we were hoping to dine there and that it was my birthday that day. She looked at her computer screen and said, “I can get you guys in tonight at 7:30.” Man, we were so excited! I immediately switched our RH reservation, so we can go to French Laundry.
Once we sat down and opened our menus, I saw the words “Happy Birthday Melanie” on the top of our menus!! Ahhhh, so thoughtful and what a special touch. They really did it up for my birthday and I couldn’t be happier. The night ended with hand painted chocolates, a tour of the kitchen and a ride home from the concierge. Overall, I loved every second of it and dinner was perfect.
This restaurant is delicious and known for their amazing pasta. If you go, make sure to get the branzino, chicken and a side of brussels sprouts!
Restoration Hardware restaurants are beautiful but RH Yountville is exquisite. The architecture and décor are on another level. The food is always delicious.
Below are the links to the outfits I wore on my trip:
If you are looking for a relaxing yet exciting trip, Napa Valley is the place for you. Below are some more photos from our trip.
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