I recently had a pretty significant birthday. I as I considered what I wanted to do to celebrate this milestone, I kept reflecting back on a trip my husband and I had taken to Napa and Sonoma, CA a few years ago (read more about it and some of the boutique wineries we visited in my upcoming article for Rovology.com).
It is no secret that both my husband and I enjoy exploring the wineries of California and Italy. I enjoy learning from the vintners about their creative process in wine making and the leisurely visits to the beautiful grounds of the vineyards. I am able to relax with out distractions and engage in wonderful conversations with my husband and others that we meet.
Attending the Chase Cellars Harvest Party a couple weeks ago was no exception to this. An intimate gathering of not more than 50 people, we experienced live music, excellent food, strolls around the property including through the vines (while tasting a few of the grapes still on the vine!).
This trip also provided us the opportunity to explore a number of Napa's excellent restaurants. We began with a 5 course 'Chef's Tasting' at Domaine Chandon. We did not realize quite how large all of the portions would be or we might have reconsidered our evening reservation at Torc which features a sophisticated yet relaxing ambiance. Additionally. we had dinner at Ristorante Allegria, which blends Northern Italian influences with the fresh flavors of California cuisine and is housed in a historic 1916 bank building. On a different evening we enjoyed creative cocktails at the new Clementine Restaurant in Yountville before dinner at Bottega, also featuring Italian cuisine.
We took a lovely morning walk along the Napa's River Trail and saw a deer cross right in front of us! We were on the section of the trail that extends out from the downtown area along Suscol Ferry Rd. It was a serene walk that brought us to nature not too far from the city center. It was the perfect complement to our other visits to wineries scheduled for the day.
I also love to paddle board. If I had a lake closer to me at home in South Carolina, I would own a paddle board. (Side note- its also super fun to do yoga and Pilates on the paddle board!) I was thrilled to take the opportunity in Napa to go paddle boarding on the Napa River. The weather was a beautiful 82 degrees with no humidity. The water was calm and peaceful. Again, a wonderful way to connect to the nature in the community we were exploring. We were able to hear live music from restaurants along the shore of the river and jut experience being in the moment. No rushing, no phones, just us and the water.
Travel and Movement are things that keep us happy, healthy and sane in this increasingly crazy world. Taking time to move, unplug and explore the communities we live in or visit help to connect us to nature and to each other.
If I can help with your movement/wellness or travel goals, please let me know! I would to hear your thoughts about our tip- email me at angela@hdwellnessandtravel.com.
