Our writer visits this wine mecca to discover the best it has to offer for destination brides and honeymooners alike.
By: Stefania Sainato
Photo Courtesy of k-blake.blogspot.com
Hot Air Balloon Rides:
For the ultimate in sightseeing, get a birds-eye view of Napa by being lifted up into the sky in a hot air balloon. Contact Balloons Above The Valley, whose rack rates start at $230 for an hour-long “flight” and four-hour experience total, which includes launch and a post-launch brunch with bubbly. They’re often booked up on the weekends, so you may need to call a few weeks in advance.
Riding in a hot air balloon is kind of like rising in an elevator; you float forward, then descend, then rise up again as hot air is put into the balloon. (A note of caution: There are no harnesses—each person stands in a sturdy rattan basket, so if you’re claustrophobic, you may want to pass on this activity.) Brave souls, we can think of no better way to bond with your new spouse than by floating above the clouds, snuggled in their arms.
In fact, Reservation Manager Katie Chastain tells us that she’s witnessed quite a few proposals. They have a “Will You Marry Me?” banner that can be rolled out during the flight. One gentleman even got the pilot involved: “He popped the question in the air on his own time and as he was putting the ‘ring’ on her finger he ‘slipped’ and it went overboard. She was devastated! But he was a trickster and the pilot had the real ring the entire time!” said Katie.
Visit balloonrides.com or call 800-464-6824.
Oxbow Public Market:
This 40,000-square-foot riverfront shopping and dining mecca is a treasure trove for goods from local merchants, including: food, wine, flowers, jewelry, and more. Oxbow was recently rated one of "America's Best Public Markets" by Frommer's. Every Tuesday and Saturday, they host an outdoor farmer's market from 7:30 am to noon.
Check out the Napa Valley Adventures stand to create a personalized bike, hike, or kayak honeymoon expedition. If you and your sweetie are more in a loungey kind of mood, we recommend grabbing a cone of girl scout cookie ice cream at Three Twins and taking it to-go to explore the tranquil scenary beyond the marketplace.
Visit oxbowpublicmarket.com.
Other fun activities include: horseback riding, canoeing, shopping in Santalina and the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Next: How to add a touch of Napa to your wedding day >>
The Ultimate Guide to Napa:
► Stay
► Eat
► Drink
► Explore
► Marry!
