Courtesy of NV Train

Trains remind me of old Western movies. Women traveling in bodiced gowns with flourishy feather hats anticipating romance, adventure and sometimes danger (bandanna-masked robbers).  The Napa Valley Wine Train (turning 20 this year) sits on tracks with a wonderful history.

Today’s Wine Train Experience is focused on food, wine and hospitality.  There are a lot of choices (lunch, dinners, winery tour stops, murder mysteries, etc.)  It’s a wonderful experience for a special occasion, an opportunity to let someone else do the driving (save gas), and be pampered with VIP winery tours.

Added bonus, some of the best gift shops in the valley are at the station. (Tip: Shop before you go and pick up the items upon return.  You’ll be slightly worn out after all the food and wine tasting.)

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Ssshhhh…here’s a local’s secret. Sausalito (Marin County, CA) is a popular tourist destination and a wonderful place to stay or visit when in Northern California wine country. One of my favorite hangouts is the Cat ‘n Fiddle (Johnson & Bridgeway). It’s warm, cozy and overlooks the San Francisco Bay. Because it is not on the main drag of this small village, only tourists in the know show up…mostly, the locals are there. Hubby and I like popping in for an Irish coffee on a late afternoon before the dinner rush. We don’t go for the food, but the chowder is nice on a cold day.

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