It’s easy to become star-struck with the many different international destinations that are predicted to be trending in 2024.
Far-flung destinations like Tokyo or Dubai may be the ones of a lot of people’s lips right now, but there are destinations closer to home that have travelers talking.
One such location is California’s Napa Valley – a region that has been gaining international acclaim over the past year.
Known for its excellence as a distinguished wine region, Napa Valley has plenty more to offer besides tasting sessions, which is perhaps why it looks set to be a trending destination in the United States for 2024.
It’s Getting International Recognition
It really does seem like Napa Valley is catching on in a big way on the international scale.
The region was recently named the number one trending destination in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards, as well as being included in Travel and Leisure’s prestigious Best Places To Travel in 2024 list.
And last year, the Napa town of Sonoma was named as a top trending destinations in the U.S. too – it’s hard to ignore when a place is consistently so highly regarded.
Award-Winning Venues
Napa Valley is one of only 12 wine regions in the world to be part of the Great Wine Capitals program – and the only one in North America.
Recently, it was bestowed with several major honors as part of the Great Wine Capitals 2024 Best of Wine Tourism awards.
Seven different Napa venues picked up awards across seven different categories including Four Seasons Resort & Residencies (Accommodations), Trefethen Family Vineyards (Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences), and Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant (Wine Tourism Restaurants).
You Can Visit Year-Round
Naturally, the summer is a great time to visit Napa, with temperatures regularly hitting the low 80s from June to September.
Fall is also one of the most popular times as its harvest season for many grapes, so you may be able to witness first-hand one of the key stages of winemaking.
But even winter is not such a bad time to head on down to Napa – while it can be a little rainier than usual, temperatures usually hit the high 50s, and when it is sunny, it feels pleasantly warm compared to many places in the country.
Huge Choice Of Flights
Napa Valley is incredibly well serviced by several major airports, including San Francisco International, Oakland International, Sacramento International, and Sonoma County Airport.
All these airports are within a two-hour drive of the region, and the sheer volume of choice means you can nearly always find a cheap flight.
Hiring a car is one way to get there from these airports, alternatively from San Francisco you can catch a ferry to Vallejo and then use a transit bus from there known as the Vine.
More Than Just Wineries
While the Napa Valley region may be home to more than 400 different wineries, a nice glass of your preferred tipple is not the only reason to consider visiting this region.
There are some world-class golf courses in the area such as Silverado and Mount Saint Helena Golf Club, as well as the opportunity to absorb some of the fascinating history at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville – it’s just $5 to go in.
Hangover Cures As Standard
Napa Valley is actually a great area for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as wine lovers.
The beautiful hills surrounding the valley are ideal for taking a cycling tour, which could help you sweat out your hangover if you overindulged a little on Napa’s finest produce.
You could even ease your weary head by taking a peaceful hot air balloon ride over the gold and green vistas – it’s perfect at sunset or sunrise.
The Event Scene Is Popping
There are many annual events held in the Napa Valley region that are growing in popularity with each passing year.
Naturally, many of them center around food and drink, such as the Napa Truffle Festival in January, or Calistoga’s Harvest Table in September.
There are also plenty of events for the more active including the Napa Valley Marathon in March, or for music lovers with several major festivals such as Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, Blue Note Jazz Festival, or Napa Porchfest.
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