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Forbes
22-07-2025
- Forbes
Napa Is The Best Wine Country Trip You Can Take Without A Car
Napa Valley is the best-known wine country destination for good reason Napa is not the place to test your tolerance. Or your relationship. Or your ability to reverse park a rental SUV after two glasses of Zin. Yet, year after year, people arrive with an inevitably doomed plan: that is, forcing someone to drive. They alternate pours. They sip and spit. Or worse, they abstain entirely. This guide is for the non-martyrs; the ones who understand that wine tastings aren't meant to be rationed, that driving post-Cabernet is lunacy, and that modern Napa has finally evolved into the car-free, carefree destination it always should have been. Think wine trains, walkable towns, and a new wave of tasting rooms that make you want to linger, rather than tick boxes. Start with the Wine Train The Napa Valley Wine Train has been around since the '80s and, yes, it can feel a little like a moving photo opp, but it's also hands-down the most enjoyable, efficient way to drink your way through the valley without regret. If you're doing the flagship Legacy Tour (and you should), it runs from 10:30am to around 4:30pm and includes breakfast, on-board tastings, two winery visits, lunch, and a steady stream of wine that starts early and doesn't ask you to spit. By the time you reach Charles Krug—your first stop—I can almost guarantee you'll be proud of the decision. The wineries are the best of the best, too. Charles Krug is the oldest in Napa (est. 1861), and the barrel rooms smell like something your faovurite sommelier dreams about. Their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is as good as it gets, and it's also the farthest winery on the train's circular route—therefore impossible to reach efficiently without a car—which makes the train not only a fun excuse, but functional one. Next up: V. Sattui, a more low-key affair with a market-style buzz. While most people come for the picnic vibes (because, silly sausages, they're driving), the sleeper hit is their Madeira—shockingly good, even if dessert wine usually gives you flashbacks to your nan's dusty Christmas bottle. It normally does for me and I nearly asked for a second tasting. Back on board, there's a three-course lunch served with startling finesse for a train kitchen. It's social without being sloppy; less 'party bus,' more 'cool table at a wedding,' and a guarantee you'll be in no condition to operation machinery by the time you roll back into downtown Napa. Just as you planned. Napa Valley Wine Train Don't stay in Downtown Napa With that said, I wouldn't recommend staying in downtown Napa if you're keen to keep things car-free. It's fine, if fine is what you're after, but is much more to discover outside of its many tourist traps. If you want to experience Napa at its most walkable, photogenic, and idyllic, stay in Yountville. And if you're not already using Blacklane, this is your sign. Their pre-booked chauffeurs are the antidote to flaky ride shares (particularly helpful after a day getting sozzled on said train), and and are reliably professional, early, and blissfully unfazed by six half-drunk bottles of Pinot rolling around in the trunk. You can book them by the hour, too, making town-hopping (or continued winery-hopping) a realistic dream. I should warn you, of course, that your eventual departure from Yountville won't be an easy one. Without erring too close to Stepford WIves territory, it's the kind of idyllic place where linen-clad locals take their lunch to the picnic bench for fun. There's money here, obviously, but also a kind of small-town charm. Somehow, it all works. And I'm not sure I've ever been quite so sad to leave a place where I didn't know another person. Jessup Cellars in Yountville, Napa Where to go in Yountville, Napa After your morning coffee and a few litres of water, Jessup Cellars has to be your first stop. It's the platonic ideal of a tasting room: friendly, chic, and serious about its wines without ever feeling pretentious. The walls are hung with rotating art, the pours are generous, the playlists tasteful, and if you ask for Laurel, you'll get a host who's warm, sharp, and blessed with that rare gift of knowing exactly how much wine talk you want before your eyes glaze over. I walked out with the strong urge to empty my suitcase and fill it with bottles and bottles of the silky, tannic, tobacco-rich Juel. In fact, as I write this, I still regret not doing so. Nonetheless, everything in Yountville is a short stroll, or stumble, from Jessup. Walk five minutes and you're at Bistro Jeanty, still the best place to submit to buttery French classics. Yes, the tomato soup in puff pastry is iconic, and yes, it really is worth it. Across the way, Kollar Chocolates will ruin all other chocolate shops for you (the dark salted caramels are lethal) and, for something fresher, North Block is a newer star: seasonal small plates, gorgeous courtyards, and a confident 'Valley to Coast' tasting menu at a fraction of the cost of The French Laundry's (which, if you have the spare hundos to pay for it and the foresight to book months in advance, is also conveniently just down the road). Tacos Garcia, the unassuming taco truck parked near the top of Washington Street, is one of the best you'll find in the region, too. The French Laundry in Yountville, Napa As much as I hate to share hidden gems like this for fear I'll soon be priced out, you have book a room at Lavender—a B&B that nails the elusive 'romantic' sweet spot without feeling cringe. There's a fire pit, proper breakfasts, fantastically friendly service, and high-end rooms that don't look or feel like they were designed by Pinterest boards. The nightly wine and cheese hours are pretty useful in helping you keep the tasting party going, too. If you've somehow still got room (in your liver or your luggage), there are a few more tasting rooms worth weaving into your Yountville stroll, as well: Handwritten Wines for elevated small-lot storytelling, Hope & Grace for a quieter, boutique feel with knockout Pinots, and Hill Family Estate, where the pours are generous and the vibe's wonderfully welcoming. All walkable, all worth it, and—like everything I've recommended above—all best enjoyed without having to sip, spit, or sacrifice a designated driver.
Time Out
18-07-2025
- Time Out
These are the best luxury trains in the world for 2025, and number one is an American stunner
A train ride checks all the boxes: sustainable, lets you relax without having to drive, provides incredible scenery out the window, offers a chance to sleep/work/chat/drink—the list goes on and on. And if it's a luxury train ride, all to the better, as you sit on a plush seat and take advantage of the amenities coming your way. That may include a gourmet meal with real linens and silverware, a glass of champagne and personalized service from a steward, plus elegant surroundings in your train car. This year's list of the best luxury trains puts an American train in the top spot, according to Travel + Leisure. The best luxury train in the world is our own Rocky Mountaineer. It climbs through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Utah. It also offers Canadian routes in British Columbia and Alberta, and it's in fact their portion of the Rocky Mountains that give the train its name. The large-scale glass dome windows give spectacular views of mountains, canyons and sky. The train only travels when the sun is out, so you don't miss any panoramas (other than when you're in the tunnels, one of which lasts 13 minutes), and so you'll book a hotel when the sun sets. Cute component: the station team lines up outside to wave goodbye to you as you embark. Another American train made the list, too. At No. 3 is the Napa Valley Wine Train. This takes riders into the lush vineyards of California wine country, stopping for tastings. And a new sustainability thrust involves rolling out a clean-energy locomotive, which will reduce emissions by 95 percent while still looking adorably like a historic steam engine. There's also a tree planting initiative and partnerships with sustainable wineries like V. Sattui. There are various rides to pick from, from short excursions to the six hour "legacy ride" which includes a seven-course tasting menu on the train as well as stops at Grgich Hills Estate, Charles Krug, and V. Sattui. Fun component: you're actively encouraged to 'dress to impress' on this luxury train. These are the top five luxury trains in the world, according to T+L:
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Time Out
This glass-roof train that travels through the US and Canada was just named the world's best rail journey
Whether you choose to travel by train for sustainability reasons, to avoid the faff of airports or because you fancy a trip with a view, there are spectacular rail routes being launched across globe. There's the beloved British Pullman that stops all across the UK, or the Reunification Express in Vietnam where you can take in the lush Hai Van mountain pass before reaching the major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. But according to Travel + Leisure, one train is a cut above the rest, offering cross-country journeys and a host of diverse landscapes with panoramic views: all aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. The Mountaineer's railways wind through Alberta and British Columba in Canada and Colorado and Utah in the US, taking travellers on journeys through — you guessed it — the mighty Rocky Mountains. But aside from the these dramatic peaks (which reach a staggering 4400 metres high), and the remaining scenery is just as stunning. On the route from Vancouver to Banff, Canada's popular mountain town, travellers will journey past the serene, turquoise waters of Lake Louise of Banff National Park in Alberta. There's also the red and golden canyons that trace the routes to Colorado, the waters of Horseshoe Bay, the fjords of Howe Sound and the lush, green forests in between. As for the train, it's an ode to classic luxury travel. The 'SilverLeaf' service includes comfortable seating, a signature cocktail, top-notch staff and guides, gourmet meals and panoramic views via the coaches' glass-domes. Opt for the 'GoldLeaf' service for access to a premium lounge and an outdoor viewing platform to properly soak in those views. The 5 best luxury trains in the world for 2025, according to Travel + Leisure Rocky Mountaineer British Pullman, a Belmond Train Napa Valley Wine Train Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond Train Al Andalus Train Did you see that Japan's iconic bullet train is getting a glow-up?
Business Insider
12-07-2025
- Business Insider
I've traveled to 77 wine regions across the world. Here are the 5 that everyone should visit at least once.
I write about wine for my job and have been to 77 wine regions around the world. Some of my favorite regions are Breede River Valley, Napa Valley, Tuscany, and McLaren Vale. In my opinion, these regions define the peak of the wine-making and consumption experience. I travel to wine regions across the world for my work as a freelance wine writer. As part of my "research duties," I've hunted for truffles in Barolo, touched down at the only winery in the US with its own airport, and even explored a prison island in Italy that utilizes viticulture to rehabilitate inmates and teach them new skills while also producing world-class wine. Although I've been to 77 wine regions, not every single one is worth revisiting. There are just five I'd return to tomorrow if given the chance. Napa Valley is like Disneyland for adults who love wine. There's nothing like California's Napa Valley region, which is complete with a stunning 47-mile bike trail through wine country and, of course, incredible wine. Part of the area's charm is the small size, coupled with the incredible diversity found within. It's compact enough to be drivable in less than an hour. Even so, I truly believe you could spend a lifetime exploring Napa, without getting thirsty or bored. It's got more than 400 wineries and dozens of urban tasting rooms to choose from, plus some of the most critically acclaimed cabernet sauvignons in the world. Some of the local wine experiences are also pretty unique, including the Napa Valley Wine Train, with hourslong curated experiences that include gourmet food pairings. Don't miss this winery: If there's one winery you have to visit in Napa, it's Domaine Carneros. Set in the rolling hills of Carneros and celebrated for its méthode traditionelle sparkling wine, it is a must-visit for tasting experiences. McLaren Vale is a gem in Australia. Australia is vast, with 65 different wine regions crushing over a million tons of grapes a year. However, one of the country's most definitive and stunning regions is also one of its most accessible: McLaren Vale. Just 45 minutes south of Adelaide, the 168-square-mile region is fairly laid-back and situated between pristine beaches on the Gulf St. Vincent coast and Mount Lofty Ranges. One of the best ways to visit wine country in McLaren Vale is on two wheels. Consider biking the Shiraz Trail, which passes iconic wineries like Hugh Hamilton, Serafino, and Oxenberry. Don't miss this winery: If you're in McLaren Vale, visit D'Arenberg. The historic winery produces an incredible range of quirkily named bottles with names like Dead Arm and Low Life. However, the real draw for visitors is the mind-bending five-story Cube on the property. The building's highlight is a tasting room at the top with panoramic views of McLaren Vale, the Willunga Hills, and the Gulf St. Vincent. Bordeaux is a must-visit wine region in France. There are thousands of wineries and more than 270,000 acres of grapes under vine in Bordeaux. The wider region consists famously of the Left Bank and Right Bank regions, situated on either side of the Gironde River. Traditionally, Bordeaux wines are blends — Left Bank wines are typically dominated by cabernet sauvignon, and Right Bank wines are ruled by merlot. Beyond wine, the city offers impressive museums, stunning neoclassical buildings, gorgeous river walks, and many farm-to-table bistros and wine bars. I've spent days just strolling around Bordeaux, running into architectural masterpieces and hole-in-the-wall wine shops with hundreds of coveted, impossible-to-buy-elsewhere bottles. Plus, it's just a two-hour train ride from Paris, making it an excellent stop if you want to experience local wine culture during a trip to the City of Lights. Don't miss this winery: If you're just swooping into Bordeaux for a brief trip, head to Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Visits are by reservation only, and include tours of the winery's own Museum of Wine in Art with exceptional rarities and original artworks created by contemporary painters for Mouton Rothschild's famous, unique labels for each vintage. South Africa's Breede River Valley is stunning. South Africa offers some of the world's most stunning and progressive wine regions, with hundreds of thousands of acres of grapes under vine. I suggest visiting the Breede River Valley, one of the largest wine production areas in the Western Cape. Almost encircled by mountain ranges, the 80-mile-long valley hosts a range of boutique operations producing premium wines and sprawling co-ops cranking out value-priced wines on a large scale. Don't miss this winery: One of the best places to experience authentic South African charm is the Graham Beck Estate. The winery produces a range of entry-level to long-aged bottles and collectible Cap Classiques (made in the Champagne method). Plus, the sprawling estate is home to a variety of rare animals, including Cape leopards and zebras. Tuscany feels like a picture-perfect slice of Italy. Tuscany is one of those rare places that actually looks, feels, and tastes even better than it does in the movies. It's the spiritual home of Italian wine, complete with unvarnished views of rolling hills populated by olive trees, vineyards, charming farmhouses, sunflowers, medieval castles, and enchanting towns. While tasting delectable wines (the area's known for its reds), you can also treat your palate to fresh olive oil, shaved truffles, and homemade pasta. Don't miss this winery: Castello Banfi was founded in 1978 by the Long Island-based Mariani family, but the history of the Banfi Castle dates back to the medieval era. Today, it's an almost cartoonishly perfect setting for an Italian wine adventure. Swing in for a day and tour the winery, vineyards, and portions of the castle. Stay for longer and dine at the Michelin-starred La Sala dei Grappoli, which serves elevated Puglian and Tuscan cuisine perfectly paired with Castello Banfi's Brunello wines.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Forbes
Raise A Glass To Slow Travel: 4 Destinations To Savor Local Culture One Drink At A Time
Woman pouring red wine from a bottle into a drinking glass at vineyard. The Napa Valley Railroad dates back over 160 years. However, Napa Valley Wine Train is also celebrating its 36th anniversary, debuting a new clean-energy locomotive, designed to cut emissions by 95% without sacrificing its vintage charm. Guests can choose from curated experiences, lasting between 2.5 to 6 hours and ranging from gourmet meals and afternoon tea to grape stomping. But to mark this anniversary, it also hosted a special 'Earth Day' tasting event on April 22 in partnership with Grgich Hills Estate, a winery focusing on organic and regenerative winemaking. This milestone offers more than just a toast to history, it is a reminder that slow travel has been and will be compelling. For those who enjoy sipping their way through a destination at a relaxed pace, here are four additional slow travel experiences where the journey is just as flavorful as the destination. Cape Winelands District Municipality is one of South Africa's most celebrated wine regions, known for its world-class vineyards, fine dining and French Huguenot heritage. It is over 3,167 square miles, stretching from the outskirts of Cape Town all the way to Tankwa Karoo National Park. Franschhoek lies within the Cape Winelands region, calling itself the 'Valley of Dreams.' It is home to over 40 wineries and vineyards, as well as several immersive experiences to discover fine dining, award-winning wines, art galleries andsculpture gardens. Aerial view of Babylonstoren in Franschhoek. If you do not want to drive around, hop on the Franschhoek wine tram that takes you through scenic vineyards with stops at world-class wineries. But choose your line carefully. There are five color-coded routes, each offering a unique mix of wine estates and tasting experiences. If you want to stay in one place to experience award-winning wines, South Africa's rich history and slow travel, head to Babylonstoren. Wine here is only the beginning. It is a modern working farm, luxury hotel, spa, farm-to-fork restaurants and state-of-the-art winery. Whether for a day visit or an overnight stay, Babylonstoren makes slow travel luxurious while connecting you with South African traditions in a meaningful, immersive way. The garden of Babylonstoren from above. It has over 230 acres of vineyard to grow 13 different grape varieties and over 12 acres of garden filled with seasonal vegetables, edible flowers, fruit trees, beehives, climbing roses, a prickly pear maze and rare indigenous plants of botanical importance. In its Story of Wine Museum, visitors can try hands-on wine blending and taste the full range of its award-winning wines: four whites, a rosé, four elegant reds and the beloved Sprankel Cap Classique. A meal with a display of Babylonstoren wines. Visitors can cycle through the vineyards, enjoy bass fishing or canoeing, learn to bake mosbolletjie, a South African sweet bread, unwind with stretching classes, visit the herd of water buffalo, or join a guided drive up the slopes of Simonsberg to In the Clouds. Soetmelksvlei is Bablyonstoren's unique art and living history project to bring 19th-century farm life to life. Bablyonstoren restored and immaculately recreated the interiors of a farmhouse, a cottage, a cellar, a distillery, a mill and a workshop, where visitors can also try traditional craftsmanship. Fowl House at Soetmelksvlei Northumberland is the northernmost county of England, spreading from Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all the way to the Scottish border. The region has a distinct identity shaped by centuries of history, from the Iron Age and Roman rule to Anglo-Saxon and Viking influences. Thanks to its strategic location, Northumberland has over 70 ruined or inhabited castles, the most compared to any other county in England. It offers endless opportunities for slow travel from England's largest dark sky park, Northumberland National Park, to walking on trails, passing Roman forts, rolling hills and remote moorlands. Sunset at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England Active England Tours, a British adventure and luxury tour operator, launched a new tour for 2025 to explore Northumberland at a leisurely pace. Its 'Bike Hadrian's Wall & Northumberland' tour is a 4-day coast-to-coast cycling adventure through Northern England's rugged landscapes, including the famous Hadrian's Wall, local pubs and historic ruins. Stop at Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery if you love a good whisky. In the distillery, the first (legal) Northumbrian English Single Malt Whisky in over 200 years is currently maturing, with the first limited release set to be available in 2026. Ad Gefrin visitors centre and whisky distillery Until then, try Ad Gefrin's signature spirits: Tácnbora Whisky Blend, a blend of grain and malt whiskies from Ireland and Scotland, Flyté, a whisky cream liqueur and Thirlings Dry Gin, flavored with Sea Buckthorn and Irish moss from the coast, dill and elderberry from the hedgerow, and heather and pine from the hills. One of Ad Gefrin's signature spirit the Tácnbora Whisky Blend. Visitors can take a 90-minute guided distillery tour, explore The Great Hall and Museum—including artifacts on loan from the British Museum—and sample spirits in a multi-sensory tasting room set to Northumbrian pipe music. It is at least a half-day experience, blending storytelling, craftsmanship and regional pride. Skip Paris and slow down in France's Champagne region. It is in northeastern France, bordering Belgium. The region is the birthplace of 'champagne,' the only sparkling wine legally allowed to bear the name. This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Champagne Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site. The region spans 320 villages and includes nearly 280,000 vineyard plots cultivated by over 16,000 growers, upholding a winemaking tradition that dates back centuries. Wineyards in Marne, Champagne-Ardennes, France. Visitors can leisurely explore wine trails around Reims or Épernay, drive through vineyard-draped hills, stop in villages to visit cellars, explore open-air vine museums or picnic with scenic views. For travelers who prefer slow travel over road-tripping, Belmond's Conquelicot offers an elegant alternative, a floating celebration of France's art de vivre. Conquelicot is a luxury canal barge navigating Canal de la Marne au Rhin, an almost 200-mile-long canal connecting the Marne River at Vitry-le-François to the Rhine River at Strasbourg. Deck of Coquelicot luxury barge of Belmond Bateaux. Six guests in three en-suite cabins can enjoy all the luxurious facilities: elegant lounge, expansive outdoor deck and scenic view of the Marne Valley. From fresh French breakfast pastries to alfresco dining, curated by three-Michelin-star Chef Dominique Crenn, all meals will be prepared using seasonal and local ingredients. Private tastings and vineyard tours at esteemed champagne houses, including Ruinart, the world's oldest champagne house, Leclerc Briant, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon await its guests. Wine tasting at Coquelicot luxury barge of Belmond Bateaux. While it may not be on most tourist's radar, Gifu quietly champions the values of authenticity, heritage and slow travel. It is where centuries-old craftsmanship meets striking natural beauty and well-preserved historical towns. The region is mostly renowned for the UNESCO-listed thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go. However, the meticulous art of Washi paper-making, the time-honored production of Gifu lanterns and umbrellas and the 1,300-year-old traditional cormorant fishing on the Nagara River are all part of this region's living history. Shirakawa is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Watanabe Sake Brewery is a family-owned business in operation for 150 years in Hida Furukawa, Gifu Prefecture. Their brewers use traditional sake-making techniques that were added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024. Wabunka, a Japanese travel company specializing in exclusive experiences that showcase traditional craft and art industries, offers private sake tastings and guided tours at the historic Watanabe Sake Brewery. The tour begins with an introduction to the traditional sake-brewing process and concludes with a tasting in a beautifully renovated, 100-year-old building that's typically closed to the public. If you time your visit between September and June, you will be able to see the brewing happening live. Cold sake with rice and ear of rice on the table What else to do in Gifu Prefecture? A representative of Wabunka recommended in an email interview to visit and unwind in the waters of Gero Onsen or Yunoshimakan, stroll through Takayama's Edo-era Old Town, try kaiseki cuisine rooted in regional tradition and walk through Hida no Sato, an open-air museum preserving Japan's rural heritage.
