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California, Here We Come!

The skies cleared after we went over Grants Pass, Oregon, just before we crossed the state line into Sunny California. By the time we reached the Napa Valley, it was a balmy 72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 degrees Celsius. And the sun was shining!
Castello di Amorosa



When you go to Castello di Amorosa – and you must go! – you might feel as though you are dreaming! After entering the massive structure, you arrive in the castle’s Great Hall. And great it is!
After walking through the large Italian oak doorway, which was made with 2,000 hand-forged nails, your eyes are drawn to the hand-painted frescoes adorning the large walls. And the 500-year-old Umbrian fireplace in the Great Hall lends authenticity to the space.
The centerpiece of the room, its very raison d’etre, is a massive table begging for a medieval banquet to be set before you. Surely knights in shining armor are about to enter the room, cast aside their swords, and pull their boots off, leaving them scattered on the cold brick floor!
14th Century Italy?
The rest of the rooms at the castle are equally impressive. For example. there is a chapel, an armoury with weapons that are centuries old, and a torture chamber all confirming the dream (or is it a nightmare?) that you have been transported back to 14th century Italy. And if you take the castle tour, you will be offered a barrel tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Grand Barrel Room, which is three floors below ground level with precisely engineered brick supports surrounded by large aromatic wooden barrels. To clarify, these barrels are filled with Italian style wines made from grapes grown around the castle and in carefully chosen vineyards close by. And they are under precise temperature and humidity controls to ensure the wines age exactly as they are meant to do.Cellar Master Margarito Rivera

Blogger’s Tip
If you plan to visit the Napa Valley, make sure to put Castello di Amorosa on your list. But also be sure to book in advance! In order to provide the most meaningful experience possible, the number of guests is meticulously managed, just like everything else at the castle. So advanced bookings are required.How to Get to Castello di Amorosa
If you’re flying, the closest airport to Castello di Amorosa is Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa. And it is served by four airlines, with nonstop flights to several cities on the West Coast as well as Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. The closest major airport is Oakland International Airport, which is served by 11 airlines and has flights to dozens of cities across the United States and Mexico. Most importantly, it is a focus city for Southwest Airways and Allegiant. Finally, Sacramento International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Mineta San Jose International Airport are also within driving distance of the castle. San Francisco has by far the largest number of flights to the most travel destinations. While it is a hub for both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, most other legacy US airlines and close to to 40 foreign air carriers also serve the massive air field.-
- Sonoma County Airport (STS) – 22 miles (40 kilometers); 40 minutes in light traffic.
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- Oakland International Airport (OAK) – 75 miles (121 kilometers); 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes in light traffic.
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- Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – 88 miles (142 kilometers); 1 hour, 40 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes in light traffic.
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- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 66 miles (134 kilometers); 1 hour, 40 minutes to 2 hours in light traffic.
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- San Jose International Airport (SJC) – 107 miles (172 kilometers); 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes in light traffic.
Castello di Amorosa – Location
Castello di Amorosa – 4045 Saint Helena Highway, Calistoga, California. Telephone: (707) 967-6272.Travel Resources
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