Traveling should be more about the memories you make and less about the stress of getting to your destination. We’ve partnered with men’s lifestyle and travel blogger Joe Miragliotta from Joe’s Daily to teach you how to make every trip a bucket-list trip.

When it comes to options for romantic getaways in the US, it’s no secret that Napa Valley is at the top of the list. You could easily spend an entire week there and never run out of amazing things to do. Unfortunately, if you’re like most people and only have a weekend to spare, narrowing in on how to spend your time can be a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Just be sure to keep these three key things in mind when you do your planning, and you’re sure to have an incredible time.

Find the perfect place to stay

Beazley House Bed and Breakfast - Napa Valley, California

Beazley House Bed and Breakfast – Napa Valley, California. Photo: @JoesDaily.

Of course you always want to make sure you find a great place to lay your head at night when you’re on vacation, but when you’re in Napa it might be a little more important. Since the whole point of this trip is to have a romantic getaway, make sure you find a place that not only lets you enjoy the location you’re in, but encourages you to enjoy the person you’re with as well. Whether you and your partner enjoy watching sunsets with great views on an isolated balcony, taking bubble baths in a giant tub next to a fireplace, or stargazing as you roast marshmallows there’s a place that’s exactly right for you in Napa Valley. My fiancée’s and my personal favorite: the Beazley House Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Bonus tip: Ask your host/concierge for a place to eat. Sarah and I had mentioned to our gracious B&B staff that we were looking for a great place to grab a steak and some wine. Within minutes they booked us a table at the Napa Valley Bistro. It was perfect, and walking distance from the Beazley House to boot!

Napa Valley Bistro Steak

Napa Valley Bistro. Photo: @Milk.And.Flowers.

More places to stay in Napa Valley

B&Bs aren’t for everyone, so here are a few other great hotel options for those looking to escape to Napa for a few days.

Make your activities do the work for you 

Two great ways to stop yourself from being able to look back on a relaxing trip positively are stressing yourself out by trying to do too much, and feeling like you didn’t make the most of your time when it’s finished. Obviously the key is to find the middle ground, but this can be much easier said than done sometimes. Luckily, the beautiful folks over in Napa totally get it and totally have you covered with their extensive tour offerings. Biking, hiking, kayaking, rides on hot air balloons or antique-style trains, shopping, and even African savannah inspired tours—they’ve paired basically everything a person could want to do with wineries and/or wine tastings.

Early morning hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley

Sunrise hot air ballon ride over Napa Valley. Photo: @JoesDaily.

The beauty in this is that once you get yourself to the starting point—which I would highly recommend either walking to or using a ride service if your activity IS going to involve wine— the only thing you have left to do is enjoy yourself. It really is a foolproof way to get a day’s worth of recreation without putting yourself through any stress.

Tasting Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes in Napa Valley

Tasting Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes in Napa Valley. Photo: @JoesDaily.

Incorporate down time

My final piece of advice for you is to incorporate downtime. It may seem counterintuitive, especially if you’re traveling pretty far to get to Napa Valley, but just like I said before, the whole point is to appreciate one another. So grab a bottle of wine and some treats and stay in at that perfect hotel you found. Give yourself two hours to actually enjoy that homemade breakfast that came with your bed. Take a random stroll around and see what shops and restaurants you find. There’s no reason why everything shouldn’t be completely relaxed while you’re there.

White wine tasting in Napa Valley

White wine tasting in Napa Valley. Photo: @JoesDaily.

So, to keep things simple, the main thing you need to keep in mind is to take it easy. By the time you get to Napa Valley for your romantic weekend, you’ve already chosen the perfect hotel and entertainment so there’s nothing left to do but to take them all in. Make sure to do just that, and you should be all set!

Joe Miragliotta

Joe Miragliotta

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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