Cleopatra was said to have bathed in milk for its beautifying properties, but you can go her one better at Auberge du Soleil, where a milk chocolate bath is available in-suite, butler included, along with massage, candles, dessert and a
By MICHELLE LOCKE
Associated Press
NAPA, Calif. — You like chocolate. You like warm baths. But are you ready for a milk chocolate bath for two?
That’s just one of the options available in California wine country, where escaping with your honey can be as down-to-earth, or as decadent, as you make it.
Want to sip sparkling wine on a terrace with a view? Stage your own Cinderella story on the ramparts of a fairy tale castle? Or maybe you fancy taking a spin around the salsa floor.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, here’s a rundown of seven things to do for two in the Napa Valley, with price tags ranging from OK-if-you’re-broke to go-for-broke.
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
There are a number of tasting rooms in downtown Napa including Back Room Wines, where the lineup changes frequently, and Vintners’ Collective, which represents a number of wineries. The Vintner’s Collective tasting room is housed in a renovated historic stone building that has served time as a brewery, saloon, brothel, laundry and meat company — but not all at the same time.
SATURDAY (SALSA) NIGHT FEVER
Bistro Sabor in downtown Napa offers reasonably priced Latin American street food like fire-roasted chile relleno, a Poblano chile stuffed with cheese, beans and rice. And from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday nights they fire up the salsa, merengue, and other music, no cover charge required.
MAKE YOUR FEELINGS CRYSTAL CLEAR
Sure, you may have seen a wine cellar or two. But have you seen a Crystal Cellar? With stainless steel walls, a mirrored bar and a collection of historic crystal decanters, not to mention a fabulous chandelier, from Baccarat? All this and more awaits at Raymond Vineyards, where your visit to the Cellar includes Earth & Air, a class about the importance of aerating wine. If you happen to be a member of the private Raymond Red Room club ($500 a year for one person and up to three guests) you can drop in on a private lounge with wine, billiards, vintage pinball and a lot of red velvet.
TAKE ROMANCE TO THE RAMPARTS
You know that Napa Valley is Romance Central. But did you know it has its own official Castle of Love? Yes, the Castello di Amorosa is a faithful replica of a medieval Tuscan castle with more than 100 rooms, a chapel, which is in use, a Knight’s Room decorated with frescoes and a torture chamber, which is not in use. Tours end with a wine tasting but if you really want to get into the Valentine’s spirit, try a wine-and-chocolate pairing.
SOAK IN THE SUN
Cleopatra was said to have bathed in milk for its beautifying properties, but you can go her one better at Auberge du Soleil, where a milk chocolate bath is available in-suite, butler included, along with massage, candles, dessert and a cocktail. The hotel is offering a Valentine’s Day “Heart and Soul Experience” that comes with dinner, a bottle of sparkling wine, and breakfast for $1,465 for one night, $2,290 for two nights. And if that doesn’t quite fit your budget, you can always enjoy drinks and appetizers at the inn’s Bistro & Bar where you can sit near a cozy fireplace. Wine by the glass starts at $9, small plates start at $6.
