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Beau Wine Tours: Napa Valley Tour Review

by Filed Under: Amanda, English, Places

Beau Wine Tour Napa

Beau Wine Tours: Napa Valley Tour Review

If you’ve made your way to this page, its most likely because you are in the process of planning a trip to Napa Valley and are looking through the options of wine tours. First off, GREAT decision! My recent trip to Napa Valley has been one of my favorite vacations EVER and while there is plenty of research and planning required, the experience more than makes up for all the prep work! During our 4 day trip to the Napa area, we were able to snag an opportunity to join one of the group tours with Beau Wine Tours.

To be 100% honest, I was a little intimidated by the serious tone and imagery on their website; thinking that it might not be the best fit for us…a young couple who are beginner wine drinkers, mainly looking for an over-all pleasant experience versus a more formal sommelier training session. However, I was totally mistaken! What was so amazing about Beau Tours was that they combine the luxurious…with the pretty much whatever vibe fits you best! Before we even started the tour, I received a call from our tour guide who asked me a few questions in order to determine the best possible experience for us.

There are so many amazing highlights from our Napa day tour with Beau, but I’ve picked my 5 most memorable elements of this tour company that might help you while planning your trip!

  • The luxurious van…with the bubbly perks: Not that you spend crazy amounts of time in this van, but I can guarantee you that when you see this baby pull up in front of your hotel, it will put a smile on your face! We were the first pick-up of the day, but we were greeted with bottles of bubbly (and water of course), already chilled!

Loving our guided tour with @beauwinetours! Our ride is sweet and the tour guide is awesome! #beauwinetours

A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

  • Informed and friendly tour guide: Our tour guide, Jay, totally made our experience a special one! He is extremely knowledgeable, but shared that information in an unpretentious way…which made us feel at ease. While we loved the group experience, we will definitely be reaching out to him again on our next trip to the area for one of his private, Cadillac tours so that we can learn even more!
  • Door-to-door service: Depending where you are staying, this can be a major perk or unimportant. We were staying rather far north in the valley, but Jay was still kind enough to pick us up in the morning and drop us off at the end of the day. Other tours would have asked us to drive closer in to Napa…meaning we were stuck driving our car back to the hotel after a long day of drinking. Helpful tip: there aren’t very many Ubers in this area, so don’t think you can count on them!
  • Tasty lunch: I was highly impressed by our “picnic” lunch that was provided for us during the day. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much, but the food hit the spot and was very tasty! Definitely an added bonus since we had been drinking all morning and needed something in our stomach! Beau Wine Tour Lunch
  • Fun surprises: Finally, while Beau prides themselves in the knowledge and professionalism of their guides…don’t think that you won’t have tons of fun! During our tour, the guide found out that my boyfriend’s birthday was coming up soon and during one of our stops, decorating the van and passed around a glass so everyone could sing to him! It was such a lovely surprise that really made our day special.

Hopefully this helps you a bit as you are exploring the options of wine tours in Napa Valley. If you don’t want to take my word for it, just check out all the happy customers on their Trip Advisor page…everyone seems to agree with me also!

Of course, if you have any specific questions about my experience, don’t hesitate to send me a tweet to @TravelBlogueras.

Safe Travels

Platypus Wine Tours: Napa Valley Tour Review

by Filed Under: Amanda, English, Places

PlaytpusWineTours

Platypus Wine Tours: Napa Valley Tour Review

Planning a trip to Napa Valley can get very overwhelming, very quickly. As I began research for this adventure, I discovered right away the endless options of vineyards and wineries that the valley offers, each with their own unique experiences and vibes. The secret is finding the right winery for your specific style and attitude. I’m not going to pretend like I’m a wine connoisseur, so as I was digging through my options, I was looking for wine tastings and tours that incorporated laid-back and friendly wineries versus the biggest names or the fanciest labels.

Saying all that, I was really happy that I stumbled across the Trip Advisor reviews for Platypus Wine Tours and as I read more and more about the tour company, they definitely seemed like the right fit! Everything I saw on the internet confirmed that Platypus does a great job introducing you to hidden treasures in the Valley that you otherwise might have missed on your own. Also, from the attitudes of the reviews, the other tour go’ers definitely seemed like fun/laid-back people to me….I’ll pass on the wine snobs, thanks!

This video, posted on their website is what sealed the deal for me, just look at that!

My experience with Platypus Wine Tours definitely lived up to all my expectations and all the reviews that I read online. There were so many amazing moments, but I will break it down to the 5 favorite things about my Platypus Wine Tour experience.

  • Fantastic tour guide: Your tour guide can really make or breaks your experience in Napa. While there is nothing wrong with a more formal, educational program…that just really wasn’t the vibe I was looking for. Our tour guide, Greta, was a joy! She was the perfect combination of interesting facts and knowledge but presented in the most welcoming and unpretentious way possible. She even snuck in an extra stop at a few vineyards that weren’t originally on our agenda so we could see the grounds and take photos!
  • Great vibes: Not just with our guide, I felt so at ease with the rest of the group. There was about 12 of us in total and you can tell that Platypus attracts a great crowd! We felt right at home with the other couples, who seemed to be all around the same level of wine knowledge as us…beginner level, but with a thirst to learn!
  • Range of wineries: We found out the hard way that not all wine tastings were created equal! They come in a variety of price points, length, quality, and overall experience. What I appreciated out of Greta was that she was very informative and straight-forward about which tastings would be a good bang for our buck. She also planned our day so that we had a good mixture of low-to-medium range costs to ensure those with the smaller budgets could still have a great experience.
  • Great investment: From my research, Platypus was neither the cheapest nor (anywhere near) the most experience tour experience in the valley. However, I can say will all confidence that these types of tours are 100% worth the amount that you pay. There is no reason to try and “taste and drive,” you are on vacation after all! On top of the convenience of not having to drive, you learn so much more than you would otherwise and have much more of an enriched experience overall.
  • Tudal Winery: Finally, I was so grateful that Greta introduced us to my favorite winery during the entire trip. I even wrote an entire blog post about why they were my favorite, all thanks to Platypus!

If you have any more questions about my experience with Platypus, please let me know and I would be more than happy to give your more specific details. You can comment below or send a tweet to @TravelBlogueras.

Safe Travels

Best Western Plus The Tuscan: Hotel Review

by Filed Under: Amanda, Places

Best Western Tuscan Review

Best Western Plus The Tuscan: Hotel Review

Looking for the perfect spot for you and your family to stay when you are exploring the great city of San Francisco? We found one at the Best Western Plus The Tuscan! During our recent trip to California, we were looking for a centrally located hotel that would keep us right in the middle of all of the action for the best of San Fran attractions. We were just passing through on our way to our anniversary trip in Napa Valley, so we wanted a place that was centrally located so we could use our limited time in the best way possible but that also had a nice, boutique vibe…which is how we found the Best Western Plus The Tuscan.

Location

The Best Western Plus The Tuscan was perfectly situated near the Fisherman’s Wharf, just a few blocks away from the bay and all the major tourist attractions. While I assumed this area would only be filled with low-end hotels/motels and over-priced standard accommodations, I was pleasantly surprised by the reviews of this BW! To me this was the best of both worlds, being able to say in almost a boutique-style hotel while enjoying the close proximity to everything we wanted to see in the city.

Keep in mind, however, that anywhere you stay will most likely be a solid 20-30 minutes from the SFO airport. Be prepared to take a shuttle to your hotel because a cab ride could exceed $50. You should contact the hotel so they can help you set up travel arrangements, as there are several companies who offer group-cab type transportation to help cut down on the cost.

Cuarto

You would have never know that this was a metro hotel, I was so very surprised with how spacious everything was! The room was bright and welcoming and the bed was spectacular! This is always a huge plus when looking for a place to stay while on vacation..especially with all of the walking that is required on the streets of San Fran, our room was the perfect place to rest our feet and recharge for the next adventure!

Best Western Tuscan Hotel

 

Bang Buck

Depending on the timing of your trip, you can get a really good deal on this hotel! We traveled during high season, so the cost was around $250 per night which was a great rate for the area during that busy weekend. From what we saw, this Best Western tends to offer one of the better rates in this uber-popular part of town.

The only additional fee to be careful about is the parking. They only offer valet parking which is around $50/night, however you can get a discount if you show your AAA card. Honestly, unless San Fran is a stop in your road trip, I would avoid renting a car during your stay and stick to public transportation…in the end it will help you save a few bucks!

Servicio

The service at the Best Western The Tuscan was awesome! Even though they were having a busy weekend, everyone was very friendly and helpful during our stay! From the front desk to the service, everyone went above and beyond to make sure our stay was enjoyable. You definitely feel like you are staying in a smaller boutique with the personal details!

But really, what is better service then providing your guests with nightly happy hours with free servings of wine? It created the most friendly environment and it was so cool to see the guests congregating in the lobby, chatting it up and interacting with all the hotel staff.

Best Western Tuscan San Francisco

Party Family

I would place the Best Western The Tuscan somewhere in the middle here. While the location makes this the perfect hotel for the family, it didn’t seem too over-the-top focused on families. As a young couple, sometimes we feel too uncomfortable if we are the odd-ones-out without kids, but the hotel really had a solid mix of all types of travelers…even the four-legged kind! This Best Western is pet-friendly and has fun little amenities (like water bowls, doggie treats) around the property. So, if you are like me and consider your puppy as part of your family, then give them another point for being Furry Family Friendly!

Little Secrets

I’ve already mentioned several of the little “secrets” that really aren’t that secret! The happy hour is just such a fun treat that you rarely see at any hotels anymore, who knew a free glass of wine could to do much?!

BestWesternTuscanSanFran

Stay in Touch

Since our stay, I’ve been keeping up with the Best Western Plus The Tuscan via their Facebook page which features lovely photos from the city as well as hotel offers and special event information. So tempting to just hop on the plane and visit them again!

Napa Valley Vacation for Young Couples

by Filed Under: Amanda, English, Places

NapaValleyYoungCouples

Napa Valley Vacation for Young Couples

Not all vacations are created equal when you are a young couple looking to enjoy a get away from your crazy schedule. Some destinations are too “family-friendly” aka hundreds of kids running around and ruining your romantic moments, while other “adult-friendly” trips might cater to the needs of couples, yet they are just too out of the budget range for young folks living on a early professional or just-graduated incomes.

Napa Valley has been a trip that was on the top of my must-see list for years, but I always assumed it was a vacation that was way out of my budget and not quite exciting enough to keep my attention. Well, this month, I set out to prove that a young couple can enjoy the Napa Valley area just as much as anyone! While I did get to “cheat” a bit and enjoyed a media rate on several of these excursions, I purposefully chose options that wouldn’t break the bank and made sure to spend money on the moments that would be most memorable.

GettingtoNapaValley

Flying in to San Francisco was the best flight option from Miami and booking about 3 month in advance gave us the lowest rate. I highly recommend setting a price alert on Kayak.com so that you spot the ideal week to visit. In general, rates are lower during the week (versus during the weekend) in Napa, so keep that in mind when booking!

The Napa Valley is about 1-2 hours from the San Francisco airport (depending on traffic and where in Napa you are staying), so you should definitely pass on the larger vehicle options when picking out a rental. The Mitsubishi Mirage helped us save a pretty penny on the gas and also helped us navigate the windy roads of the California hillside. The bright blue color sparkled against the green landscapes of the valley and we found that while the Mirage was on the smaller side, it provided ample space for the two of us! The engine also had sufficient “get-up-and-go” to maneuver us up and down the mountainsides – while also keeping our gas consumption to a minimum.      NapaValleyWheretoStay Within the Napa Valley, there are endless hotels and inns – each with their own nuances and specialties. Most people think they have to stay right in the city of Napa to enjoy the area and that is just not true. Up the valley, there are several small towns that have just as much to offer as the larger city of Napa. If you are looking to watch your budget, consider a hotel in one of the smaller towns, which tend to offer better rates (especially during off-season) to tempt you away from the city. We stayed in the Mount View Hotel & Spa in Calistoga, which is at the top of the valley. This quaint little town was the perfect get-away we were looking for during our romantic getaway. Main street looks like it comes out of a storybook and the locals are very welcoming to tourists. Definitely check out the town website to check to see if they are hosting a special event like the Harvest Table or Hoe Down.

  We never wanted to leave our #winecountry oasis in #Calistoga! @mountviewhotel was a perfect getaway!   A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

Depending on the type of vacation you are hoping to have, these smaller towns might be the perfect fit or leave you wanting more. Think about it this way, the farther north you go and the farther you get from the city of Napa, the earlier the restaurants close and the fewer bars you will find. If you are looking for late night bar hopping, then downtown Napa or closer to Yountville might be the better fit. However, after a long day of wine tasting, I was perfectly happy to have an early dinner and call it a night!

NapaValleyWhattoDo Obviously, the answer here is wine tasting and tours. However, how you schedule your trip and plan your days can really make or break your experience. Let’s get real here: You are coming to Napa to taste wine! Unfortunately, the best vineyards aren’t all lined up next to each other so you can hop from one to another like you do a bar. So, the smartest and safest option is to join one of the tours or get a driver for the day. Obviously you can save some money if you go with the group tours, but you do have a sacrifice a bit on the personalization – opting for letting your tour guide pick out their favorites or best options for the day.

The group tours were a GREAT option for us since this was our first trip to Napa Valley, so we got to sit back and let someone else do all the scheduling and planning for us. In these group tours, it was also great that they can usually pick you up directly from your hotel and then drop you off there at the end of the day, meaning you can drink to your hearts content and not have to worry about driving yourself! We tried both the Beau Wine Tours and Playtpus Wine Tours based on their amazing views on Trip Advisor/Yelp. You definitely can’t go wrong with either of these tours!

  Loving our guided tour with @beauwinetours! Our ride is sweet and the tour guide is awesome! #beauwinetours   A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

Both of these companies also offer private/charter tour, which I definitely think I will splurge for on our next trip. After taking these two group tours, I feel like I have a better understanding of the area and type of vineyard/winery that is a good fit for me. So keep that in mind, also! If you want to read more specific details about these tour companies, check out our reviews here: Beau Review & Platypus Review.

NapaValleyRomantic

Napa Valley definitely oozes with romance, especially in the evenings when things cool down a bit and can snuggle up to a fire with a glass of wine. While we were there, we tried to pick a few excursions that would be especially romantic, since its pretty easy to caught up in the “vineyard” hopping that you need to make sure you take a few minutes at the end of the day to enjoy your significant other. We did this by booking the dinner at the Napa Valley Wine Train and also hand-picked a few vineyard that have an extra-special romantic feel.

Our first night in the valley, we joined the dinner trip of the Napa Wine Train! Your journey begins in downtown Napa and the train takes you north through the valley and then back down on the same tracks- in total, it was about a 2-3 hour trip. The dinner trip is very romantic, as the 2nd part of the journey after sunset. While this doesn’t make for the best site-seeing experience, the overall vibe of the train is very classic romance.

Wine and a sunset from the #winetrain ❤️?❤️?❤️

A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

If you are looking for a unique way to observe the wine country, go for the lunch tour – if you want to enjoy more of the train and your partner’s company and conversation…then go for the dinner train! Apart from the Wine Train, we found that some of the tastings/tours could also be romantic! We ventured to Del Dotto Vineyard in St. Helena to explore their caves as an interesting alternative to the typical outdoor vineyard tour. The cool and dark caves can definitely make for a romantic environment…as you wander and enjoy their exquisite wines.

Had an amazing experience at the @deldottowine vineyard this morning. The cave tour is a must see!! ?️? A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

We were even lucky enough to try some of their 10 point wine! Following the tasting, they fed us some tasty cheese and prosciutto…which topped off the experience perfectly. Would highly recommend this tour to take a break from the outdoor vineyard experience to cool off in the cave with your special someone!

Do you have anything you would recommend for young couples during their Napa vacation? Please let us know in the comment section below!

Safe Travels

What to Do with 1 Day in Los Angeles

by Filed Under: Amanda

where to see hollywood-sign

So you only have 1 day in Los Angeles and not sure what to do? Well, I got you! Just this past week, I had the opportunity to go to LA to see a show. I knew I would only have 1 day to enjoy everything that I wanted do, so I planned our my itinerary to hit the must-see stops on any LA newbie’s list in less than 24 hours.

So, in my humble opinion, here are some of ideas of what to do with 1 day in LA!

#1) Hollywood Walk of Fame

Yes, this is a tourist trap, but it is still a must-see. Be warned that during the peek day hours, the Chinese Theatre will be swarmed with people, so consider going early in the morning or breaking out the flashlight on your phone and going after dark. I headed straight to Hollywood Blvd when I landed and being the #JLover that I am, went straight to see Jennifer Lopez’s star.

Quick stop to say hola to #JLo’s star! #hollywoodwalkoffame #hollywoodblvd

A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

 

Definitely check out a star map before you go, so you can plan where the best place to park would be so you can walk to the different locations.

 #2) Warner Brother VIP Tour

This one might get a little tricky because of the infamous LA traffic, but this tour is worth the drive north to Burbank! I recommend that you book a spot on the VIP tour in advance so you don’t waste any time waiting for a spot to open up. This WB tour will take you through the back lots, onto a real working set, and stop at the on-site museum (that featured 75 years of Batman and Harry Potter when I visited). This was, by far, the most fun I’ve had in LA!

Loved the VIP Tour at the #WarnerBrothersStudio, highly recommend!! A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

#3) Make sure you ride around in style

If you are flying in for the day, highly suggest that you get a rental car. While the traffic is definitely insane, trying to navigate with public transportation will take up valuable time that you could be exploring the city above ground!

We were looking for the perfect ride to get us around the city safely, but also in style! The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was a great option for our city adventure as it offered awesome fuel efficiency, easy maneuvering, and tons of space for our luggage. Since it was an SUV type of vehicle, I was expecting to be running through the gas…but after a solid day of driving across the city and back again, I didn’t even make a dent in the gas tank (it was still on full!). There’s no wonder why it is the best-selling model for Mitsubishi…we had a blast driving it!

Our cool ride during our 24 hour LA adventure! Loved driving the #MitsubishiOutlanderSport!!

A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

Don’t I look quite like the LA car with this ride?! Ha! Being on the road all day in this Outlander was a breeze and you better believe we worked all the features in the crazy traffic! The 6.1 inch touchscreen display with GPS andSiriusXM Radio was a life saver when were stuck in the morning rush hour (1 hour straight in the car!), plus the rearview camera helped us make it through the packed streets without a scratch!

#4) Find your perfect photo opp with the Hollywood Sign

More of a photo opp than anything else, you can find many vantage points of the Hollywood sign depending on what area you are in and what makes the most sense for you logistically. Check out this website which gives you a list of the best viewing points so you can map it out and work it into your busy schedule! It might be a pain to drive out of your way, but it is totally worth it!

#4) Relax after a long day with some killer margaritas

What says LA better than some Mexican food, right? When you are planning your meals, consider stopping at one of the most well-known Mexican restaurant chains in the city. El Compadre is known for their authentic Mexican cuisine and their flaming margaritas! As long as you have a designated driver, you should definitely stop buy and enjoy some mariachi music and a cold drink to relax and absorb the days adventures!

Have anything else you would add to our list of Must-See/Do for LA? Let us know in the comment section below!

Safe Travels

Road Trip from Malibu to San Francisco, California

by Filed Under: Amanda, Places, Tips & Trucos

Pacific Coastal Highway

Talk about an amazing road trip! Recently, we traveled to Malibu, California for a friends wedding and decided to take advantage of our cross-country trip to do some major West Coast sightseeing! During the planning process, my head was spinning with all the different options of where to stop, where to stay the night, where to eat…it really can be overwhelming. In our case, we only had 1 day to make the trip, think of it like an Express pass up the Pacific Coast Highway that highlights the best of this historic route.

If you are short on time or are just looking for some additional stops to add to your list, here are 5 tips when planning a road trip from Malibu to San Francisco.

RoadTrip

1. Get started early so you can stop for breakfast 

This seems like a no-brainer, but during road trips I’ve always been tempted to get on the road and eat in the car in the morning so we can make good progress. In this case, I would suggest you use every meal as an excuse to stop and explore your surroundings. During our trip, we had a quick coffee in the hotel leaving Malibu, drove a bit and stopped for a quaint breakfast in the city center of Santa Barbara. This is a great way to break up the trip!

2. Awe at the Hearst Castle

My favorite stop during the trip had to be the Hearst Castle near San Simeon. This is a must-see for anyone driving this route and it will definitely not disappoint. The guided tour was a great escape from being in your car…not only educating but also impressing with the ornate and inspiring castle. 

The Roman Bath at the #hearstcastle #california #visitcalifornia #ca #travel #travelblog #travelblogger

A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

  Even those unimpressed by viewing a castle (not sure who wouldn’t like that!), the views from the top of the mountain where the castle is situated are breathtaking. The drive, the cost of the ticket, any stress you might feel from the logistics of your tip …everything fades away when you partake in the spectacular scenery.

Quite the view from the #HearstCastle! #travel #trAvelblogger #trAvelblog #ca #california #visitcalifornia A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

3. Snaps some selfies with the seals

Just up the road from Hearst Castle is the perfect location for some quality time with the elephants seals. The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a great spot to stop and admire this powerful, yet seemingly lazy creatures. When we visited in June, there was a large number of seals chilling on the beach…but I hear the numbers fluctuate. Little tip: Search for Piedras Blancas on Instagram or Twitter to see photos posted that day so you know if its worth stopping or not. No photos posted = no seals.

4. Go all out with an amazing car

This road trip is definitely one where the car can make or break the adventure. We were lucky enough to drive the Kia Soul for the week and we absolutely fell in love with our little Solecito (our nickname for him). The Soul defies categorization to some degree. While it is a small hatchback, it doesn’t share the same swept-back profile that most small five-doors do.  The boxy look allows for a better usage of space and more room for your cargo. Swerving along the coast line on the PCH, we definitely needed a compact car that would be easy to handle and would take all the curves smoothly. While it handled like a compact, the Soul feels so much bigger from the inside that you would expect…it could have fit 4 comfortably on this road trip, with tons of room to wiggle around.

  Our favorite feature, by far, was the extended sunroof which was perfect for the amazing views of the coast. We felt like we were gliding along the cliffs has we pretty much had a 360 view of our surroundings. On top of that, the navigation system kept our journey in check and ensured that we didn’t stray too far from the path and that we stayed on schedule.

Love the extended sun roof on this #kiaSoul! Perfect for a road trip 🙂 #drivesti #kia A photo posted by Las Travel Blogueras (@travelblogueras) on

 

All of that to say, the Kia Soul was the perfect pick for our road trip. I never realized before how much more enjoyable these car rides can be when you are loving the actual “driving” part of the journey. I only imagine this would also be a pleasure to drive on a daily basis…great mileage and maneuverability for the day to day, but also tons of rooms on the inside for all your friends and familia.

5. Plan a relaxing dinner where you can reflect

At the end of a long road trip, it is always good to schedule a relaxing dinner where you can sit and reflect on the day’s journey. We made it all the way to Pebble Beach before we were ready to stop for our dinner and gather up some strength to make the final journey into San Fran. We searched Yelp for the most relaxing location with the most amazing view and found The Bench. The pristine views overlooking the golf course and the toasty fire pits were the perfect opportunity to absorb everything we had seen and done during the day.

While we were very excited to arrive to San Francisco, this road trip was more about enjoying every minute of our drive and living in the moment…rather than focusing on our arrival to our destination. It is so easy sometimes to get caught up in where we are headed, that we don’t take the time to stop and enjoy our surroundings.

A PCH road trip provides the perfect opportunity to learn that important life lesson and I hope you can all experience it for yourself soon!

journey