Best Napa Valley Wineries

If Napa Valley isn’t on your list when visiting Northern California then you should really reconsider….

I have been to Napa Valley twice now and have to say I want to make it a yearly tradition. I am listing the top 3 wineries you must visit when you are in Napa. So if Napa is just a day trip for you, you better start early! Wine at 10AM anyone?! Yes please!

Castillo di Amoroso

My favorite winery of all time is Castillo di Amoroso. This winery will take you back in time and have you feeling like khaleesi sipping on your merlot from the top of the castle towers taking in the beautiful sunset and all of Napa Valley Land. This is one of the most visited wineries due to it being a LEGIT CASTLE. Try to visit this winery as soon as they open to avoid lines and less people to get better photo ops. Castillo di Amoroso offers guided tours but both times I’ve opted out of the guided tour and feel like I still learned a lot of the history about how the castle came to be. Your sommelier can make or break your wine tasting experience at the castle. Both times I’ve been I’ve been blessed with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. The castle has a beautiful courtyard, church, dining room, and little farm with pigs and goats. Be sure to snag a bottle or two as their wine is not sold in any stores. You can easily spend half a day at this winery but there’s so much more to see!

Sterling Winery

Top reason to go to sterling besides the wine (obvs) is: THE VIEWS. The winery sits at the top of a mountain. You have to take a ride on a gondola to get there. You get a gorgeous view of the grape fields. We happened to be there at sunset and got some amazing shots. Sterling only has self guided tours. We toured the winery within 30 minutes as there are 4 different stations throughout where you can sample wines. We ended the tour at the rooftop and ordered a charcuterie board to pair with our wine and watched the sunset. You don’t want to miss sterling vineyard while in Napa!

Andretti Winery

If you want to feel like you’ve been whisked away to an old Italian village, Andretti Winery is the place to go. I swear I didn’t feel like I was still in California. This winery is nestled on a quite street distant from the other wineries. This winery is modeled after the famous race car driver Andretti’s childhood home.  There are a couple of wine tasting options, I chose the public tour and taste which was $30 for 5 tastings and a 30 minute tour.

If you are planning your trip to California and Napa Valley is at the top of your list of reasons to go I would recommend going between January-February as this is when a Wine Passport is sold for about $60. This passport allows entry and wine tastings to about 15 participating wineries. You’ll definitely get your bang for your buck.

Hope you all found this post helpful and if you have any great Winery recommendations email me at girlgonesomewhere@gmail.com

I cannot wait to share more travel recommendations with you all!

Top 5 Places to Visit in Mexico City

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Hola Chicas & Chicos! Mexico City has so much to offer from dozens of museums, markets in every corner, and don’t even get me started on all the food options. Trying to narrow down the top 5 places to visit Mexico City was not easy but if you are just visiting for a couple days like I did these are the places that are a MUST SEE:

1. Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan

There are actually 2 pyramids located in Teotihuacan: The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest of the two and the most popular but I suggest to climb both if you’re up for it! Arrive early if you can as lines can get pretty long to climb the pyramid. I got there around 11am and waited over an hour to start climbing the pyramid. It will take you about 20 minutes from the base of the pyramid to get to the top. If you go on a weekend like I did you will most likely be in line all the way up. You can however step aside to take pictures and then jump back into the queue. I went in mid November and the heat was no joke so be sure to be prepared and bring that H20 and sunblock with you.

2. La Gruta

After a day in the sun climbing those pyramids you’ll work up an appetite. Make a reservation in advance at La Gruta which is about a 10 minute drive from the pyramids. I went on a local holiday weekend and there were no reservations available so we waited about 2 hours to be seated. I know what you’re thinking….totally worth it though.The restaurant is located inside a volcanic cave….how freaking cool is that?!? Mariachis and traditional Mexican dancing take place during dinner. The food is authentic Mexican food which can be a bit on the pricier side compared to most Mexican restaurants in the city (about $15-$20 per plate). La Gruta was one of my most memorable moments in Mexico.

3. Frida Kahlo Museum

 I was always intrigued by Frida Kahlo’s story and paintings but after visiting her childhood home and where she lived for some time with her husband Diego Rivera which has now been converted into a museum I have so much respect for this bad ass woman. Her home called “La Casa Azul” (The Blue House) is filled with her art, bright blue walls, original furniture including the bed where she spent her last days before dying at the young age of 47.This museum is one of Mexico City’s most popular museums so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. Out of all of Mexico’s museums this one is probably the most expensive costing about $15 per person. Also, in order to take pictures in the museum you must purchase a photo pass which I recommend. I easily took over 100 photos of Frida’s art and home decor.

4. Zocalo

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You can’t go to Mexico City and not spend some time in Zocalo. It is one of the largest plazas in the world and the heart of Mexico City. You could really spend a whole day there. There are a couple museums like the Templo Mayor Museum, National Palace, and Museo Nacional de Arte. The architecture of the buildings is just breathtaking. If you are not much into museums there are also many shops and restaurants surrounding the square.

5. Coyoacan

I suggest to go Coyoacan on a night out on the town. This little vibrant part of town is the hipster hub of Mexico City and truly comes alive in the night. There is live music in the plaza as well as street food lining down the cobblestone roads. Have your choice of elote, chapulines (After a couple of shots of tequila I was brave enough to eat one of these suckers), and check out their famous coffee shop “Cafe el Jarocho”. There are plenty of restaurants and souvenir stores in this area as well.

I hope this inspires you to visit Mexico City if it isn’t already on your list and excited to share more travel tips and experiences with you lovely people!

About Me

Hey Chicas!

My name is Michelle and I’m just a girl who loves to travel any chance she can get. Whether it’s a short 2 day work trip to D.C. or a week in Costa Rica I am on the hunt for the coolest local bars, restaurants, and activities to do in town. I started this blog to share my experiences with you lovely like minded women who have a passion for travel. I’ll be sharing tips, tricks, and suggestions that I’ve gained on my travels.

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