Tastes of California

Your first stop is fabulous San Francisco, known for its welcoming, laid-back vibe. Discover the Ferry Building’s popular farmer’s market, the restaurants and sealions of Pier 39 and the eclectic shops of Union Square with your included bus pass. Later, see the glittering city lights reflected in the waters of San Francisco Bay on your elegant dinner dance cruise. Of course you can’t leave before sampling Frisco’s tantalising gastronomic delights, perhaps visiting Boudins Bakery for sourdough bread, dining out on Tuscan specialities at Nob Hill Café or testing the dim sum in buzzing Chinatown.

Sip on superior quality cabernet in the sun-drenched Napa Valley, its rolling green hills carpeted in vineyards and home to over 400 wineries. Taste the top notch wines and dine on gourmet cellar door food before hopping on board the historic Napa Valley Wine Train for an unforgettable dining experience. The food served on board is fabulous, so be sure to come hungry!

Drive to the seaside town of Monterey, where the beautiful coastline with its seals, pelicans and otters, and its range of water-based activities, is the star attraction. Most visitors head straight for the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, but there’s more to this town than just the marine life. Waterfront Cannery Row is lined with romantic hotels and tempting seafood restaurants, just waiting to be sampled. Monterey Jack cheese also originated here, so why not give it a try?

Tuck into fresh seafood and juicy burgers in Santa Barbara, a pretty seaside town tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Don’t forget to sample the delicious local wines too – some of California’s best. Be sure to pop in to the Old Mission, a Santa Barbara icon founded by the Franciscans in the late 1700s. Now a historic architectural landmark, it features twin bell towers and a worthwhile museum.

Crazy, cosmopolitan and incredibly diverse, with plenty to entertain and amaze, LA is a city like no other. World-renowned highlights include the iconic Hollywood sign and the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and foodie fans will not be disappointed with the smorgasbord of international cuisine on offer, from delicious freshly fried shrimp tostadas to steaming hot bowls of ramen and everything in between. Work up an appetite in between browsing the designer boutiques on Rodeo Drive and walking the Hollywood Walk of Fame.