Napa, California Travel Guide

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Napa Valley is more than just great tasting wines – its history has roots as deep as those of the Cabernet vines region. In downtown Napa, Queen Anne mansions and 19th-century architecture still populate the riverfront, though new restaurants, tasting rooms, and hotels are transforming this town into a cool walkable hub. Here are the top spots to explore in Napa, California.

Downtown Napa Art Walk

There are tons going on for art enthusiasts all over the city. In the downtown area, there’s something called the Downtown Art Walk which has exhibits that change every two years. If you get outside of the city, there’s an awesome art gallery by an artist known as Gordon Huether. He makes large installation pieces that you have seen all over the United States and it’s an awesome place to go explore and see some of his pieces.

Westwood Hills Park

Another fun thing to do in Napa is to get out and do a little hiking in the city. Westwood Hills Park is on the west side of the city and has a few small trails that leave two beautiful vistas. It is smart to hike here in the morning when it’s less busy and easier to park and you can get some of that nice cool Napa weather.

Bike Downtown Napa

In Napa, there’s an area known as the River Walk. It’s a great place to rent some bicycles and just get out and ride along the river. You can actually ride all the way up to see some wineries and vineyards or you can just ride along the river at a leisurely pace. Take it all in and just enjoy a nice morning in the city.

Oxbow Public Market

Oxbow public market is like a collection of pop-up restaurants in one large building with things ranging from oysters and donuts to Mexican food and shopping. It also has the second location to some of the Napa Valley’s best food spots like the Model Bakery where you can get an English muffin or Gots Roadside where you can get some good sandwiches and French fries. Bring your appetite though because Oxbow always has a ton of things that you will want to indulge in.

Annette’s Chocolates

Annette’s Chocolates is in downtown right next to the Archer Hotel. This chocolate shop has a ton of stuff to pick from; from truffles to the chocolate sauce but you can also do the chocolate tasting. Make sure you have a group of a few people and you set this up in advance. You can also go into the back of the shop, learn about how chocolates are made and try many types of chocolate from all over the world.

Grape Crusher Statue

The Grape Crusher Statue is a symbol of the Napa Valley. This statue is right along the highway but we recommend you go at sunset as the sun setting behind the statue provides an amazing place for photography or just to sit on the bench and enjoy. You can visit the Grape Crusher Statue any time but sunsets are highly recommended.

Bowling at Crush

In the Meritage Hotel, they have a bar known as crush which has three to four bowling alleys and it’s an awesome place to spend an exciting evening in the city. We recommend reserving a bowling alley in advance. When you get there, have a few drinks maybe a few appetizers and just enjoy bowling under the neon lights.

9/11 Memorial

It’s a beautiful memorial dedicated to those that lost their lives in the tragedy. Gordon Huether created the memorial, and it’s right in the downtown heart of Napa, so be sure to check it out.

Three Things That You Need To Know About Traveling With a Cat

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It is safe to say that most cats are not too keen on traveling, and they are not afraid to let you know it. One of the main reasons for this is because cats cannot imagine something that has never happened to them before. However, they do a great job when it comes to remembering their past experiences, and they are one of those animals that believe that the same thing will happen again. We can safely say that cats’ first trips are not always that pleasant, which is one of the main reasons why cats don’t like to travel a lot. This is why you need to help your cat associate car rides with fun, happy experiences, not just trips to the veterinarian. That being said, if your cat acts sick, scared, or hyperactive every single time you travel, you should definitely consider seeking professional help. Desensitization is the type of treatment that takes both time and patience, but it is one of the best treatment methods out there. If you use positive reinforcement on your cat, he will realize that car travel is not always about trips to the vet, and because of that, he will not be afraid to ride inside your car anymore.

Bring Your Cat’s Favorite Toys
If your cat has a favorite toy or blanket, make sure to bring it along on your next trip. Bringing a blanket or bed that your cat likes to sleep in will make him feel more secure and safe. Also, make sure to pack the same litter and food that you use at home, just so you don’t give your cat an unexpected shock. You have to make your car smell and feel like home.

Take Precautionary Measures
If you are going on a long road trip with your cat, you need to be extra careful when it comes to opening and closing the car door. This is because cats are natural escape artists. What this means is that your cat will likely flee from the car the first chance he gets.

A Stressful Experience
Even with all the preparations and precautions, traveling with a cat can be very stressful for both humans and animals. You need to accept this fact, because if you don’t, you could be in for a really tough experience. But don’t ever lose hope!

What Driving in Seattle Feels Like

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There is no doubt that driving in Seattle is a topic that a whole lot of people really love to discuss these days, and there is a good reason for that. If you have ever had a chance to visit the East Coast, then you probably already know why driving in Seattle is such a popular topic these days. But please don’t think for one second that we are trying to say how Seattle is a bad place or anything like that, because it is not. Seattle is a beautiful place that is well-worth exploring. Seattle is filled with all sorts of fun activities that both you and your loved ones can indulge in, and there are some beautiful places for you to see there as well. But when it comes to driving in Seattle, it has got to be one of the worst things that you could possibly experience on the roads of this beautiful city.

We don’t know how Seattle does it, but it somehow manages to be a beautiful city with a very bad traffic situation. And while drivers in Seattle are usually very nice and polite, they have to face a number of really tough traffic-related challenges on a daily basis, and let us tell you that it is not fun at all. For example, they have to drive up some really uncomfortable hills and drive down some really narrow streets. On their recent trip to Seattle, the owners of CDM Waste Management encountered these challenging driving conditions first hand. One thing that you should always keep in the back of your mind is that Seattle is the kind of city that gets a lot of rain every single year. What this means is that you need to be prepared for wet roads and some really bad drivers!

Narrow Streets
Two-way traffic is not always available in Seattle. The reason for this is because some streets are so narrow that two cars can’t even pass by one another. But there is no reason to worry though, because a lot of drivers will be so polite that they will let you take the lead.

You Have To Pay For Parking
If you don’t like the idea of paying for parking, then you will probably not like Seattle that much. The reason for this is because almost every parking spot in Seattle comes with its very own price tag. Of course, you could always find some free parking spots, but those are pretty rare.

Take the Bus
When it comes to getting around Seattle, your best solution would be to take the bus. This is especially true when there is a lot of snow outside. After all, you want to stay as safe as possible, don’t you?

Getting the Best Possible Experience With Immersion Travel

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There is absolutely no doubt that there are many people out there who enjoy visiting as many countries as they possibly can on one trip. And then there are those who enjoy visiting every single must-see tourist attraction that they can on one trip.

However, there are all sorts of advantages to staying in one place for a longer period of time, wandering at will and getting familiar with the surrounding area. For example, when you spend a couple of days in one place, you get a better chance to fully experience the culture of that place, and that is pretty much always a fun experience. This is why immersion travel is such a good type of travel. Not only do you get to live like a local, but to learn more about yourself as well. That being said, your next immersion trip may just inspire you to explore places that you have never thought of exploring. You never know, right?

What Is Immersion Travel?
Immersion travel is the type of travel that allows you to experience a certain place like a local by embedding yourself in the culture of that place rather than simply viewing it from a safe distance. More often than not, this type of travel includes activities such as learning a new language or meeting new people and sharing a meal with them. An immersive travel experience can range from a fully immersive trip to an afternoon activity with locals.

The Benefits of Immersion Travel
Immersing yourself in a new culture can mean participating in activities that might not be a part of your comfort zone. And that is actually one of the biggest benefits of immersion travel – you get the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone. Immersion travel allows you to learn new skills, make new friends, or discover a passion that you didn’t even know was hidden inside of you.

An Immersive Experience
Online research is the easiest way to discover an immersive experience. Don’t forget to use your favorite social media platform to search for interesting places and inspirational immersion travel stories. It is safe to say that Instagram is one of the best apps for things like this.

How To Keep Your Feet Healthy When Traveling?

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If you have ever traveled around the world with a backpack on your shoulders, then you already know how important having all the right gear and a comfortable backpack really is. A good backpack is a must have for everyone who travels a lot, but a comfortable pair of shoes is very important as well. And what about your socks? Did you know that your socks are actually among the most important pieces of your equipment? That being said, do your socks really deserve to be put at the very bottom of your packing list? Sit down and think about this – and make sure to think about it really hard.

If you are the type of person that enjoys walking long distances when traveling, keeping your feet as healthy as possible should be at the very top of your priorities list, especially if you travel every single day. And if you don’t pay enough attention to your beautiful feet, by the time you realize that something is not right with your feet, it is going to be too late. So, what does this all tell you? Preparation is your best line of defense!

Train Your Feet

Go easy on your feet for the first few days. Make sure to train your feet in a steady manner until you are completely comfortable carrying your backpack and all of your equipment around. If you ever happen to be in some sort of trouble, don’t be afraid to ask other people to help you out. Most hikers and backpackers are very nice people, which means that would be more than happy to help you in any way they can.

Wear the Right Pair of Socks

The best socks to wear are the ones that are specifically designed to fit your feet. With that said, make sure to buy a pair of socks that wouldn’t hurt your feet every single time you put them on. Also, make sure to change your socks on a regular basis.

Basic First Aid

Being able to apply preventative tape to your feet is very important. Make sure to always carry a first aid kit. You don’t know what will happen to you during your trip, so you need to be as prepared as you possibly can be.