Itinerary

Arrive in one of the world’s most famous cities, San Francisco, and be taken by luxury private transfer to the Hotel Caza in the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf neighbourhood. A modern hotel where you’ll have great views of either the bay or the city, it’s an ideal spot from which to get around. Get settled in and take a leisurely stroll around the local area – you’ll find you are just steps from the waterfront, Pier 39 and the iconic 3-mile long Lombard Street. Downtown, with its incredible museums and diverse neighbourhoods is just a few blocks further.

Start your first full day properly exploring this world-renowned city with a guided food tour. Food is a huge part of any culture, so get to know San Francisco through its culinary delights. Each district in the city has its own delicious culinary history so choose between Italian-focused North Beach, historic and hip Mission District or San Francisco’s renowned Chinatown, and taste the local history.

There are many ways to see San Francisco, and before or after your food tour, one way we’d heartily recommend is from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on a scenic bike tour. You’ll get to see the innate beauty of the Bay Area with a 2-3-hour guided tour, cycling from San Francisco across to Sausalito and back, stopping for multiple photo opportunities along the way.

Take your last day in San Francisco to leisurely explore the city by streetcar or on foot. There’s so much to see you can easily make this day your own. That said, if you are curious to see some of the Bay Area’s greatest landmarks, try a guided half-day tour where you can explore the famous Alcatraz Island off San Francisco’s coast, the giant redwood trees at Muir Woods and the charming town of Sausalito just across the Golden Gate Bridge.

After breakfast make the hour-long drive across the Bay to the historic city of Sonoma in California’s internationally renowned winemaking region. Feted for its world-class wineries, award-wining dining and delightful art galleries, Sonoma has a quaint, old-world feel boasting 19th -century architecture and the Mexican colonial-era Sonoma Plaza.

Spend the afternoon stretching your legs with a 3-mile hike through flower-filled meadows and verdant grasslands on the Sonoma Overlook Trail. You’ll get excellent views of Sonoma Valley and the city itself to get your bearings. Or, if you’d like to get straight into some wine tasting, grab a map from your hotel – you’ll be staying at the centrally-located Inn at Sonoma – and visit one of over 75 family-owned and operated vineyards. From small establishments to large, historic estates, you’ll be spoiled for choice with generous opening hours all week long.

Start your day with breakfast or brunch at one of the city’s fine establishments. Sonoma is known for its excellent dining, and you won’t have trouble finding somewhere worthwhile to eat. Spend the rest of the day vineyard hopping and wine tasting. You can rent a bike and easily cycle from winery to winery or, if you prefer, take a guided tour – you’ll find the natural scenery and the quality of the wines outstanding.

Come evening, dine at one of Sonoma’s award-winning restaurants. The city is renowned for its culinary prowess so don’t miss out on a memorable dining experience.

This morning head to Napa Valley at your leisure – it’s only 25 minutes away by car, and you’ll be arriving at the luxurious and peaceful downtown Napa riverfront retreat, the River Terrace Inn. Like Sonoma, you’ll find Napa also has leafy vineyards, award-winning wineries and some of the finest restaurants in America all concentrated in one lush city setting. You’ll be situated a short walk from Napa’s best tasting rooms, wine bars, fine dining and downtown shopping, with Napa icons like The Oxbow Market and the Wine Train depot just a pleasant 5 minute stroll along the river.

Get acquainted with the downtown district, before getting down to some wine tasting – with no less than 20 tasting rooms within the vicinity you’ll be spoiled for choice. Other options include getting a map from your hotel to explore Napa’s wineries at your leisure, or if you prefer being guided around Napa’s legendary vineyards, sign up to a ‘Sip and Cycle’ bike tour where you’ll get to leisurely cycle around the wineries stopping for a picnic lunch amongst the leafy valley setting.

Napa is also home to the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America, so if you’re an avid home cook, why not spend the morning or afternoon expanding your skillset with a culinary class – you’ll find plenty to do in the wine country capital.

Start your morning with a light breakfast since you’ll be having a gourmet three-course lunch aboard the original 1864 Napa Valley Wine Train come midday. One of the most incredible and memorable ways to see Napa’s exquisite countryside, this excursion allows you to journey back in time to a bygone era of luxury and nostalgic train travel, while enjoying a fine dining experience complemented by local wines of your choosing. You’ll find the sweeping sunny views bring the stunning Napa Valley landscape through the curved glass windows into your train car while you relax and dine the day away.

Spend the rest of the afternoon continuing your wine tasting journey through the valley – chances are there are plenty more wineries you’ll still be wanting to frequent – before capping off your day with a late dinner or toasting one more time to your stay.