Tour Type:At Leisure Tour Duration:8 Days (7 Nights) From:San Francisco toSan Francisco Tour Code:DWCD Operator:Trafalgar
from AU $1,895 pp
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Tour Description
Experience a laidback lifestyle on this journey through California. Discover the iconic sights of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge to vibrant Chinatown before heading to the renowned picturesque California Wine Country. Explore the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, sample fine wines and even blend your own bottle of wine on this exciting jaunt through this world-famous region.
Sightseeing Highlights:
San Francisco Enjoy a city tour exploring the main attractions; take a guided walking tour through Chinatown.
Sonoma and Napa Valleys Journey along the scenic Valley of the Moon, Carneros Highway and Silverado Trail, dotted with wineries.
Glen Ellen Explore the Quarryhill Botanical Garden with an expert guide.
Ravenswood Winery Blend your own wine at a private seminar.
Sonoma Partake in a fun hands-on cooking class at a renowned culinary school.
St Helena Enjoy a tour and tasting followed by a picnic lunch at V. Sattui Winery. Visit the mill at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park.
Clos Pegase Enjoy the art and sample the varietals on this guided tour.
Castello di Amorosa Enjoy a private guided tour of the castle followed by a tasting of five wines.
Nicholson Ranch Winery Admire the sweeping views and taste fine wines on this exclusive tour.
Domaine Carneros Tour the winery, visit the beautiful chateau and enjoy a tasting of various sparkling wines.
First Class Travel Highlights
First Class hotel accommodation includes two-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned motorcoach with reclining seats and onboard restroom.
The services of one of Trafalgar’s top professional Tour Directors.
A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.
Complimentary airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 14.
Dining Highlights
Welcome Reception with your Tour Director in San Francisco.
7 full breakfasts.
Picnic Highlight Lunch at a winery in St. Helena.
Local Highlight Dinner with wine in San Francisco.
Private cooking class and Highlight Dinner with wine in Sonoma.
'Be My Guest' Farewell Dinner with wine at a Sonoma Valley winery
Arrive San Francisco (3 nights) Welcome to San Francisco and Wine Country! Take a complimentary transfer to your tour hotel. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to answer any questions. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. Stay: Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Day 2
San Francisco Sightseeing After a leisurely breakfast, begin your day with the locals and a visit to San Francisco’s famous Saturday morning Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Browse Northern California’s bounty of organic produce and flowers from small regional farmers and ranchers, artisan specialities and gourmet street fare. Continue to San Francisco’s favourite attractions -- Union Square, crooked Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park and Fisherman’s Wharf. After some time on your own for lunch, set out for a real insider's experience of Haight Ashbury, ground zero for the hippie generation in the ‘60s. Join a local guide to walk in the footsteps of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead and learn about the impact of the alternative rock culture on San Francisco and the world. This evening, join your Tour Director on a walking tour through Chinatown, exploring the neighbourhood’s fascinating history. Inhale the pungent scents of the tea and herbal shops, admire the Chinese-style buildings, and stop at the Golden Gate Cookie Factory to watch (and sample) how fortune cookies are made. Save room for tonight’s Highlight Dinner, a traditional banquet at a popular Chinese restaurant. (B/HD)
Day 3
San Francisco At Leisure You have the entire day to explore glorious, exciting, eccentric San Francisco on your own. Ride the cable cars, shop Union Square, visit the museums and gardens of Golden Gate Park or take a boat ride to visit the former prison on the island of Alcatraz. If you’re a foodie, you can eat your way through San Francisco’s eclectic neighbourhoods on an optional Tastes of the City tour. You can also venture further away on optional trips to Carmel and Monterey, Muir Woods National Monument or Yosemite National Park. Your Tour Director will be happy to help make any arrangements for you. (B)
Day 4
San Francisco - Sonoma - Napa (4 nights) Leave your hearts in San Francisco as you set out in search of Bacchus in California’s world-renowned Wine Country. Join a local guide for a walk through the Asia-inspired woodland of Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon. Pass through the quaint towns of Glen Ellen and Kenwood before arriving in Sonoma for some free time and lunch on your own. Stroll historic Sonoma Plaza, flanked by the Presidio and Mission San Francisco de Solano – the last California mission built – and browse the unique gift shops. This afternoon, retreat to a private blending lab at Ravenswood Winery and create, taste and bottle your own perfect combination of Carignane, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. (B) Stay: River Terrace Inn
Day 5
Napa Valley Excursion Starting with a visit to downtown Napa and the Oxbow public market, today is a day devoted to tasting the savoury, sweet, salty and spicy s of California Wine Country. Sample creamy, pungent and delicate locally produced artisan cheeses; nibble on cured salami and speciality sausages; and sate your sweet tooth with a tasting of decadent chocolates. You’ll have a chance to shop for your own treats before travelling on to the quaint town of St. Helena and the V. Sattui Winery. After touring the winery, prepare your palate for tasting an outstanding selection of wines and relax at a picnic Highlight Lunch on the beautiful grounds. This afternoon, the tables are turned as you join a hands-on cooking class at a famous culinary school and take your turn at preparing your own dinner. You’ll group into teams with your fellow travellers and prepare a delicious four-course gourmet meal alongside top chef instructors. When finished, toast your efforts with a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres before enjoying the fruits of your labour at a Highlight Dinner paired with locally produced wines. (B/HL/HD)
Day 6
Napa At Leisure You have a free day to explore Napa on your own! Spend the day around town, enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the charming restaurants or shop for antiques and crafts. If you are feeling extra adventurous, join an optional sunrise balloon flight over the vineyards or a journey through the bucolic countryside with lunch aboard the vintage rail cars of the Napa Valley Wine Train. (B)
Day 7
Calistoga Excursion Travel the scenic drive north to St. Helena and visit Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, the site of a water-powered grist mill where early Napa Valley settlers gathered. Then, join a guided private tour of Castello di Amorosa, a 107-room, Tuscan-style castle and winery, complete with a moat, chapel and torture chamber. Learn how the castle vintners combine traditional wine making methods with modern technology to produce wines similar to the hand-crafted wines from Italy’s Tuscany and Umbria regions. And, you’ll taste the wine, of course! Lunch is on your own in bubbly downtown Calistoga, noted for its hot springs and geyser. Continue on to explore the art and vineyards of the award-winning winery Clos Pegase and sample some of its estate wines. This evening, celebrate a wonderful holiday with a Be My Guest Farewell Dinner at a winery where you’ll also enjoy a private tour and sample estate-produced wines and olive oil. (B/BMG)
Day 8
Napa - Depart San Francisco Wrap up your Wine Country sojourn this morning with a tour of the beautiful chateau and vineyards of Domaine Carneros. Learn the secrets of sparkling wine production and toast your fellow travellers with a seated tasting of sparkling wines. Before you know it, it will be time to say one last ‘Cheers’ in California – take your complimentary transfer to San Francisco International Airport, or to the tour hotel in San Francisco if you wish to extend your stay. (B)
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Tour Prices
Tour prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $310 per couple. Exclusive to Global Journeys. Deposit this month only to qualify!
Subject to availability at the time of booking.
START DATE
END DATE
BROCHURE
(Twin Share)
BROCHURE
(Single)
OUR
SAVINGS
OUR
PRICE
18 May 2012
25 May 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
01 Jun 2012
08 Jun 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
08 Jun 2012
15 Jun 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
15 Jun 2012
22 Jun 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
22 Jun 2012
29 Jun 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
06 Jul 2012
13 Jul 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
20 Jul 2012
27 Jul 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
17 Aug 2012
24 Aug 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
31 Aug 2012
07 Sep 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
07 Sep 2012
14 Sep 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
14 Sep 2012
21 Sep 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
21 Sep 2012
28 Sep 2012
AU $2,050
AU $2,735
Save $155
AU $1,895
Note: The majority of departures above will proceed or are guaranteed to depart. We will outline the status of your departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials.
Tour Discounts & Options:
Tour options, extras, upgrades and discounts!
Click on the descriptions below for more detail. We will apply all valid discounts automatically to your quote to provide you with the best possible price. Terms & Conditions apply to the discounts below.
Flights: Fly to Los Angeles with Virgin from $AU 1,099pp!
Book your Trafalgar 2012 Coach Tour to the USA now & SAVE!
Virgin Australia - Australia to USA International Economy Special. Simply book your airfare by 10 February 2012* for this great value Virgin Australia Air Deal!
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General Information
The information below relates to this itinerary only.
Tour Operator: Trafalgar Tours
Operating since 1947, Trafalgar offers a wide range of holidays to Europe, Britain, Egypt, USA, Canada, South America, China, Australia and New Zealand. They hosted over 2 million travellers worldwide and many return year after year. Every expertly designed travel experience includes transportation, via deluxe motor coach, rail or cruise ship, first class hotel accommodation, daily sightseeing and most meals.
Tour Type: At Leisure
Trafalgar's 'At Leisure' holidays are an innovative new style of touring holiday designed for the independent-minded traveller. Combine the very best of expertly planned, guided holidays with the freedom and flexibility of independent travel. Including more opportunity for in-depth experiences, more time to explore on your own and minimum stays of 2-3 nights on average (some up to 6 nights).
Good company enriches any travelling experience and your group will be made up of English-speaking people from around the world. On a Trafalgar tour you will take away far more than just fantastic memories – together you will share great times, swap terrific stories and form new lifelong friendships.
With Trafalgar it's as great to travel as it is to arrive - we insist on using only the latest models of air-conditioned, luxury coaches, as well as high quality trains and cruise ships. For your comfort, smoking is not allowed onboard our coaches, however, there are plenty of rest stops for you to stretch your legs. You'll be chauffeur driven, door to door by a professional driver who will make your journey a relaxing pleasure. We use a state-of-the-art sound system for mood music with fascinating commentaries by your tour director.
Trafalgar goes to great lengths to seek out the very best hotels because we know that where you stay each night is important to the enjoyment of your holiday. We, therefore, select hotels with great care. We only select hotels that are:
Perfectly located so that you are as close as possible to the most important attractions.
Monitored by our Quality Control team who rigorously check every little detail to ensure the service is impeccable and your enjoyment is complete.
Reputable brands, such as Hilton and Novotel, as well as high quality, privately-owned hotels.
Great value through our enormous buying power which enables us to negotiate deeper discounts and pass these savings on to you, our clients.
As part of your hassle-free holiday, when you arrive at your hotel, we will ensure that you are already checked in, your luggage is taken directly to your room and all hotel porterage, tips and gratuities are included.
Sightseeing is fun but it's a Trafalgar Tour Director that really brings a destination to life. Our Tour Directors are the finest in the industry. Their local knowledge and unfailing friendliness provides you with a personalised “concierge” service which ensures you get the very best out of every single day. They are experienced travellers, learned historians and culture buffs. Through their in-depth expertise, you'll discover the history and be immersed in cultures of the places you visit.
Your Tour Directors can help interpret, show you how to get good value while shopping and how to spot a fake from the real deal. They make things smoother, more interesting and ultimately more enjoyable. They are your friend in an unfamiliar place.
Trafalgar also uses expert local guides to further enhance your sightseeing experience. When you are travelling on your own it's all too easy to pass through a place without touching the sides. That's why our expert local guides are so invaluable – they tell the less well known tales, relate the more curious stories, recall the most obscure events and reveal the best guarded secrets to ensure every moment is full of discovery and brimming with surprises.
The prices listed cover all accommodations, all applicable sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary, motorcoach, cruise or rail transportation, services of a professional Trafalgar Tour Director, all meals as shown in the itinerary and luggage handling.
Trafalgar Tours has pre-paid certain tips and gratuities for you such as all baggage handling at hotels and ports. Tips to restaurant staff for meals are also included in the price of your tour. Tips are customarily given to your Tour Director, Driver and Local Guides at your discretion. The recommended amounts are: Tour Directors $4 per day, Drivers $2.50 per day and Local Guides $1 per day. The option to prepay these tips prior to departure is possible. Please ask your consultant to include this in your quote.
The ultimate way to personalise your Trafalgar experience. Our expertly crafted itineraries strike the perfect balance between making sure you visit all the “must see” highlights, whilst still enjoying ample free time to explore on your own or take one of our great value optional excursions. Our extensive variety of optional excursions are designed to work perfectly with your tour. They let you experience more of what you choose to see, but ensure that you don't pay for activities you are not interested in, allowing you more time to do what you enjoy most.
Many of our holidays are ideally designed for single or solo travellers. Every detail is taken care of, from start to finish, so all you need to do is enjoy your holiday in the company of like-minded travellers from around the world. Meals, activities and sightseeing are all shared with your new friends, so you will never be alone - unless you choose to do some exploring or relaxing by yourself. Accommodation can be booked as a private single room or like many of our clients, you may wish to share a twin room by taking advantage of our 'Room Mate Matching Service'. You will share a room with someone from your tour (same gender), so you can avoid paying a single room supplement, in addition to making a new friend.
We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Trafalgar including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well as information on their 'Touring Styles', and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their tours. Read more> (NB: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
Know Before You Go
Download this “Know Before You Go” Guide, filled with all the essential information you need to assist you in preparing for your tour. A complete guide to the USA and Canada including pre-tour information, on-tour facts, a state-by-state guide to the USA, a province-by-province guide to Canada and a city-by-city guide to Mexico. (2MB)
Airport Transfer Information
Transfers to and from the Airport to your Trafalgar tour hotel
With Trafalgar you will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers by scheduled shuttle, minivan, private car, or taxi between designated airports and Trafalgar hotels on the scheduled starting and ending day of your tour. We regret that we are unable to provide complimentary transfers for anyone arriving before the scheduled starting day of the tour and/or leaving after the scheduled ending day of the tour. You may however purchase these transfers from Trafalgar provided that you also purchase your extra night(s) from Trafalgar. Flight information must be provided for our Treasure of the Yucatan and all Hawaii programs.
Please note: We regret that we are unable to provide complimentary transfers for passengers booking extra night accommodation.
Terms & Conditions:
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