When our kids reach college age, the opportunities to enjoy family adventures begin to dwindle. The next semester is rolling around quickly, and those “not-so-dependent” children will be returning to college life which, as we know, will not include the parents.
So, while it is still possible, you should take advantage of your remaining time together to organize an adventure to Napa Valley that neither you nor they will ever forget.
Start With a Napa Balloon Ride
The first momentous adventure in Napa Valley should be a Balloons Above the Valley hot air balloon ride. Greet your first morning’s sunrise as your safe and professionally piloted hot air balloon begins to rise above the vineyards and countryside, revealing breathtaking views and an exhilarating sense of freedom you will never experience while on the ground.
During your flight, you will experience countless photo opportunities, scenes you will enjoy and fondly recall for decades.
Memories of thrilling hot air balloon rides above the Napa Valley landscape will linger long after most other activities have been forgotten. A professional pre-flight photo will also be available for purchase at the end of the flight.
And, for passengers who are 21 and older, a post-flight Champagne Toast is also available once you land safely and softly at your destination.
Prearranged private hot air balloon Group Tours are available from Balloons Above the Valley. Families can rally their members to gather and enjoy a private, specially arranged hot air balloon group tour. Napa Balloon rides are very popular and provide even more long-lasting memories.
Take a Winery Tour
A trip to Napa Valley without touring some wineries is considered, by many, to be incomplete. If your student offspring are 21 years and older, a wine tour and tasting can be a fun and unique option. A professionally curated wine tour is safe -leaving the driving to others along with educational, enjoyable commentary by a knowledgeable Tour Host.
While many of the large wineries are certainly well known commercially, Napa Valley’s more interesting stops are often the quaint boutique wineries where individual owners and winemakers strive each year to create award-winning wines. Learn about the art and science of winemaking while you enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
Picnics in Napa Valley
From Calistoga in the north to Napa and American Canyon in the south, Napa Valley extends about thirty miles between the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Mayacamas to the west.
The weather in Napa Valley is excellent, and the views are unbeatable, so visitors can find hundreds of scenic locations for a picnic along the way.
Hiking trails, too, abound throughout the area, providing excellent opportunities for families to walk and communicate in a phenomenal environment.
Music in the Vineyards
Add some music to your outdoor family experience. The annual Music in the Vineyards program in Napa has been hailed as “one of the top seven chamber music festivals in the United States” by Strad Magazine. The event features 40 world-class instrumentalists from the United States, Canada, and Europe performing classical music among the Napa Valley vineyards. The 2022 MITV program will run from August 3 through 21, recurring weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Open Studios Art Walk
The Open Studios Art Walk is a self-guided tour through Napa Valley’s creative art community. During the last two weekends of September, visitors can tour and enjoy artistic works created by local and regional artists. On September 3 and 4, visitors can catch a preview of the upcoming Art Walk presentations by visiting the Jessel Studio at 1019 Atlas Peak Road in Napa.
Make Your Napa Balloon Ride Reservations
Hot air balloon tours with Balloons Above the Valley will create a lifetime of memories for all involved. Make your reservations today for your Napa balloon ride by visiting the Balloons Above the Valley website. To answer your questions and discuss specific requests for your family group outing, phone our reservationists at 1-800-464-6824.