Napa & Sonoma Valleys

As well as being home to many of the country’s finest vineyards, it is a gastronomic centre, with a number of superb restaurants, and the surrounding countryside offers beautiful walking. The Napa Valley is in fact such a pretty area that people come just for the surroundings and the clean mountain air – there is no need to have an interest in viniculture, though by the end of a short stay even the most ardent vinophobes will know their Syrah from their Cabernet Franc.

The valley’s restaurants offer exceptional dining and places such as the French Laundry, Terra and the Auberge du Soleil are known as among the best restaurants in the world, let alone California.

As well as the vineyards and restaurants, the valley’s towns and villages host a large selection of boutiques, antiques shops and art galleries. The valley is just 35 miles long, and the majority of vineyards and wineries are just off the main road, California Route 29, so you can base yourself in one place throughout your stay here.

Original Travel can recommend the very best, and also arrange activities from wine tastings and winemaking classes to horse riding, guided biking and hiking tours, and even hot-air ballooning and gliding.