2008 Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to San Francisco
Your northern California adventure and Napa Valley tour begins at 5:30 pm at The Westin San Francisco Market Street. Please join us this evening to meet your fellow California dreamers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Westin San Francisco Market Street, San Francisco, CA

Day 2 – The Beautiful City by the Bay
Some of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks and attractions are featured during a sightseeing tour. From elegant Victorian architecture to the tranquility of Twin Peaks, earthy Fisherman’s Wharf to the tortuously twisted Lombard Street, your sightseeing tour will show you the City by the Bay from literally top to bottom. Sail around San Francisco Bay on a private Catamaran harbor cruise, for a 360° view of sights such as Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge – it's magic! The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore San Francisco as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Westin San Francisco Market Street, San Francisco, CA

Day 3 – San Francisco treats
Your taste buds are in for a treat today as we explore San Francisco’s noted cuisine at its source. Join a local epicurean concierge and discover the swirling sights, sounds and scents at the bayfront Ferry Terminal Building in the Embarcadero and its famous Farmer’s Market. It’s the perfect prelude to a Sonoma and Napa Valley tour focusing on those superb California wines.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Westin San Francisco Market Street, San Francisco, CA

Day 4 – An ancient forest and a peaceful valley
The towering, primordial redwood trees of Muir Woods inspire awe as you gaze up at them in wonder. A guided visit to this forest of living national treasures, reputed to be among the oldest living things on earth, reveals their stories and their secrets. Continue on through the Sonoma Valley to The Lodge at Sonoma, A Renaissance Resort & Spa, your luxurious home for the next three nights of your Sonoma and Napa Valley tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa, Sonoma, CA

Day 5 – All Aboard the Wine Train for a Napa Valley tour
Climb aboard the wonderful, vintage Wine Train for a Napa Valley tour, which includes the delight of dining in a faithfully restored 1917 Pullman Dining Car while traveling through the rolling vineyards to quaint St. Helena. Later, choose to stroll around charming Sonoma with your Tauck Director, or just relax and enjoy all the amenities offered by your resort.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa, Sonoma, CA

Day 6 – Vineyards from above and within
A memorable optional adventure waits this morning for those who choose (additional $245 per person) to participate. Float gently above lush vineyards during a hot air balloon Napa Valley tour, ending with a champagne breakfast. If you don't do the hot air balloon, join us for a visit to COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. Discover everything you'd every like to know about wine, its relationship to food, and its significance in culture. In the afternoon everyone visits the famed Benziger Family Winery for a private tour, a tasting and lunch. What a great opportunity to see first-hand how wine is produced. Cap your wine country experience this evening with a farewell wine and cheese reception followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa, Sonoma, CA

Day 7 – Journey Home
Return to San Francisco from Sonoma this morning; we wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Your Napa Valley tour ends: 10:00 a.m. at San Francisco International Airport. When making your airline reservations, please allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusive Prices

All prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, land transportation, sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, services of Tauck Directors, and drivers are included.

Hotel Accommodations – Tauck's price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place-to-place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Gratuities Included – All necessary gratuities for luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, housekeepers, and local guides.

Tauck Director – Each San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valley tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

No Options Sold – With the exception of select options detailed in the itinerary, Tauck’s price includes entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing and most activities. Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on other free-time activities, but will not sell you any “extras.”

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before or After Tours – Due to time schedules and the possibility of flight delays, many guests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the night preceding their San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valley tour. As a service, Tauck will make reservations before or after your tour upon request. Reservations are on a space available basis and must be booked through Tauck; charges will be added to your tour cost. Note: Airport transfers are not included for these bookings. Beginning any journey feeling well rested adds immeasurable enjoyment to the trip. We recommend that you arrive in San Francisco a day prior to the departure date of your San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valley tour; we will be happy to make such hotel reservations for you. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral waters, soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline or group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. U.S and Canadian residents: refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Additional Information

Itinerary Changes & Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Note: Although not expected, prices in this brochure may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Travel Document Requirements – Non-U.S. citizens should contact their booking agent or appropriate consulate for information on all necessary documents required.

Travel with Children – Many countries on Tauck itineraries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

Membership – Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Travelers Needing Special Assistance – Tauck regrets that it cannot provide individual assistance to guests for wheelchairs, walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport (for international travel) or photo-driver’s license at the time of airport check-in. In lieu of these two, two forms of identification including a photo ID and an official government-issued ID must be provided. Your identification name must match your tour reservation and your airline ticket, or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss or expense incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization of a carrier or similar relief from creditors) when purchasing or using the carrier’s services. Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck’s special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services must be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. Should you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Tour Departure Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to schedule changes. All booking agents will be advised of such changes. Allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs (if traveling internationally).

Holidays & Museum Closures – There are many religious, state and local holidays, some of which may disrupt museum visits and personal shopping time. Also, some museums may close on days that are not consistent with other museums.

Clothing & Packing - The generally accepted dress in California is resort casual, with more formal attire suggested for San Francisco and fine dining restaurants. We suggest a wardrobe you can layer. Packing suggestions include: shorts and casual slacks, comfortable walking shoes, a light coat for fall, a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen and a bathing suit. Some restaurants request that men wear a jacket at dinner.

Laundry/valet services are available at both properties. Hairdryers are available in the guest rooms.

We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) along with your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage to avoid any inconvenience, in the event that your flight is delayed or the airline loses your luggage.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack:

• Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Bathing suit
• Sneakers
• Binoculars
• Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
• Backpack or fanny-pack for short hikes
  

The motor coaches used on this San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valley tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. The Fairmont San Francisco and The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn have air-conditioning. The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn has an outdoor swimming pool; The Fairmont San Francisco does not have a pool.

Luggage - Due to space limitations aboard motor coaches and airlines on certain flights, only one average-size piece of luggage per person, weighing up to 44 pounds, is allowed. Luggage exceeding these restrictions is at risk of being left behind, or, if permitted on board, may be subject to additional excess luggage charges. Additionally, guests are limited to one small carry-on bag per person, which should not exceed 17 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and 10 inches in height, due to space restrictions in overhead storage bins aboard motor coaches; larger carry-ons will be stowed in the luggage compartment under the coach.

Weather - Weather in the Bay Area of California varies only moderately with the seasons, maintaining a temperate climate year-round. The usual daytime temperatures in San Francisco range from 60 to 80 degrees F, and approximately 70 to 90 degrees F in the Napa and Sonoma valleys. You may also encounter occasional fog in San Francisco, making it a bit colder at dawn and dusk. We suggest that prior to departure you check a newspaper or the weather forecast on the Internet for up-to-date information.

Activities & Health - There is a moderate to significant amount of walking required to fully enjoy this itinerary, depending upon your choice of activities. Travelers should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, as some sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Activity choices include walking tours, which are easy informational walks with a guide. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and in towns is at your discretion. If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please advise us as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

Your journey begins with a three-night stay in San Francisco. Continue your travels to the wine country of Sonoma Valley where you will have the choice of a bicycle ride to several wineries, or a food and wine experience at Viansa Winery.

Most decisions regarding your choice of sightseeing activities will be made at the beginning of your journey at an orientation meeting with your Tauck Director, who will explain procedures as well as provide guidance to make choices.

The hotels on this itinerary have elevators.

Smoking is not permitted on the motorcoach.

Electrical Current - The United States operates on the 110 volts, 60 Hz, electrical system. If your country uses a different electrical system, you will need to bring a socket adapter that adapts to the two-pronged flat-blade attachment plug / two-pronged flat blades attachment plug with a round grounding pin. You will also need a voltage converter in order to convert electricity to 110 volts, 60 Hz. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.

Currency Exchange - The currency in the United States is the U.S. dollar. Currency exchange is generally available at most airports and banks. For the best exchange rate, we suggest using major credit cards and/or ATM machines. Your Tauck Director can suggest convenient money exchange points. Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your credit card or ATM card in the United States.

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this itinerary may be up to 300 feet.

Photography on Tour - Tauck reserves the right to take photographs on your San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valley tour and to use them for promotional purposes. By traveling with Tauck, guests agree to allow their image to be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Guests who prefer that their image not be used are asked to advise their Tauck Director at the start of their tour.

If You Have To Cancel

Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck Bridges Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck Bridges Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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