Tour Overview
Welcome to Napa & California! Enjoy a Once in a Lifetime experience in the Golden State of California! Experience the challenging sport of shooting clays with guided instruction.. travel to Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway for an afternoon of open-wheel racing karts- similar to an Indy car… get ready for the excitement of sailing on the open waters of San Francisco Bay with priceless views of Angel Island, Alcatraz and the city of San Francisco… visit Napa & Sonoma Valleys for private visits and tastings and spend a day with noted Chef Carlo Cavallo- sure to be a highlight of your trip!Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive San Francisco, CaliforniaWelcome to San Francisco! Today when you arrive at San Francisco International Airport you will be met by a professional driver and be privately driven to your hotel, the beautiful Hotel Vitale. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore San Francisco as you see fit, or relax and enjoy the many amenities of your hotel. Italian for "vitality," Hotel Vitale is surrounded by light and water in the midst of San Francisco's bayside Embarcadero renaissance. This new landmark building overlooks the waterfront and is located across from the historic Ferry Building Marketplace at the corner of Mission Street and The Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Hotel Vitale Day 2: San Francisco
Sporting clays is a challenging sport that has been described as golf with a shotgun and involves shooting clays at various locations launched at different velocities. Experience this sport first hand with guided instruction at a 1200-acre private preserve. After lunch, travel to Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway for an afternoon of open-wheel racing karts, similar in characteristics to an Indy Car and used by professional racers for speeding around the track, one inch off the pavement and corning at over 2G’s, karting is a low-flying, high adrenaline rush!
Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel Vitale Day 3: San Francisco- Sausalito- Napa Valley
Travel to Sausalito and get ready for the excitement of sailing on the open waters of San Francisco Bay. You experience firsthand sailing via a private 28-foot sailboat with a professional instructor. This full day program covers all the basics about sailing and sailboats; how they work, the equipment, the instruments, sail trim and introduction to helmsman ship. A keepsake book and sailing gloves are yours to keep as a memento of this great day. Enjoy a continental breakfast and lunch as well as priceless views of Angel Island, Alcatraz and the city of San Francisco. This afternoon continue to Napa Valley for three nights at the Auberge du Soleil, the California Wine Country’s most prestigious luxury inn. Terraced down the hillside with views of the Napa Valley, all accommodations at Auberge du Soleil feature Mediterranean-inspired décor with original contemporary art. All guest rooms, suites and maisons feature Italian linens, down bedding and duvets, Auberge du Soleil's custom-made bath amenities, plush robes and slippers and private outdoor terraces for relaxing or dining. Accommodations also include plasma TV, DVD, CD and stereos, mini-bars stocked with complimentary beverages and snacks, espresso machines and toasters, wall safes, voicemail, data ports, turn-down service, welcome amenity and fresh fruit replenished daily
Breakfast, Lunch
Auberge du Soleil Day 4: Napa Valley
Embark on a day in the Napa Valley enjoying wine tasting and touring private and exclusive wineries. Our professional driver & guide will greet you in a late model SUV at your hotel. Your first stop will be at the Caldwell Vineyards to enjoy a private tour and tasting with the owner, John Caldwell. Next, you will go to the Flora Springs Estate Winery to enjoy a private tour through their wine caves, and then enjoy an al fresco lunch paired with their award winning wines. To end the day, you’ll visit Fleury Estate Winery to enjoy a tasting and private tour with Brian and Claudia Fleury.
Breakfast, Lunch
Auberge du Soleil Day 5: Napa Valley
Carlo Cavallo was working as a research associate in genetic engineering at the University of California Medical Center in Los Angeles when a friend convinced him he should become a chef. It didn’t take much convincing, as Carlo was already catering lavish dinner parties for the doctors and administrators of the hospital to earn extra money. Cavallo has been cooking his whole life. He also comes from a close family tradition of excellent cooks. His father and grandmother, who trained with the chef of the royal court of Savoy, are both superb chefs. Returning to Los Angeles in 1993 after a stint in Lugano, Switzerland, Cavallo spent the next three years as the Executive Chef for Giorgio Armani’s Restaurant in Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa where he developed a following from Hollywood celebrities that frequently dined there. At Armani, Cavallo received excellent reviews and was honored in 1994 as the “Best New Chef of the Year” in Los Angeles Magazine. In November 1999, Carlo Cavallo opened Sonoma-Meritage Restaurant and Oyster Bar, which is now considered one of the wine country’s best restaurants. Carlo was drawn to Sonoma because of the similarities to his Italian homeland in Verona. “I opened Meritage in the heart of Sonoma County expressly to take advantage of year round abundance of locally grown fresh products, artisan food producers and superior wines”. For Cavallo, Meritage offers the perfect venue to blend his European heritage with California’s wine country sophistication. A car and driver will pick you up at Auberge du Soleil and take you to Chef Cavallo’s Tuscan styled home in Napa for an orientation of the day’s activities. A tour of his gardens will be a highlight. Based on the day’s activities we’ll head out into Napa & Sonoma Valleys. Here you’ll start foraging for the meals to come. Chef Cavallo will take you to secret purveyors for specialty fruits, vegetables, cheeses and meats. You’ll get to meet the owners/farmers and discuss the local sustainable produce. Once your “shopping” is complete you’ll head back to the Chef’s home for a hands-on experience that is not available anywhere else. A luncheon will be the highlight of the day. Chef Cavallo will raid his personal cellar for the wines to be perfectly paired with the food that you will prepare and enjoy.
Breakfast, Lunch
Auberge du Soleil Day 6: Depart San Francisco
Return to San Francisco for your homebound flight. A professional driver will greet you and transfer you to the airport.
Breakfast Weather permitting
