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When visiting California’s San Francisco Bay Area, many consider a relaxing day trip to the lush wineries of Napa Valley a “must-do” on their busy travel itineraries, but there can be numerous hurdles to sampling some of the world’s finest wines in one of the world’s most scenic – and heavily traveled – destinations.

(PRWEB) August 2, 2005 -- For the uninitiated visitor, the biggest challenge is how to elude the commercial, touristy side of the wine country. This is why the plush limousine bus recently introduced by Don Rickard of Platypus Tours is an excellent way to create a memorable, fun, and safe day in Napa Valley, without the difficulties associated with driving oneself. This marks the first summer for this unique day tour that opens the joys of the area in ‘headache-free’ fashion.

“Tasters who drive themselves risk getting lost, getting distracted by mundane wineries (of which there are many), all of the hazards associated with driving under the influence, and simply not being able to find or get into the incredible wineries that will make their trip unforgettable,” Rickard explained. “Large-scale bus tours tend to focus on wineries with big parking lots and crowd-control strategies, while limousine tours are private, and they usually get tasters off the beaten path and into the better destinations, although private limos can be quite expensive.”

Platypus Tours’ market is primarily visitors who want to leave the driving to someone else in order to focus purely on the fun. Platypus is a pick-up tour. Operators collect guests from different locations around the Bay Area and take them into the Napa Valley countryside to visit unique, special, and often historic back-roads wineries.

“Each of the wineries we visit is compelling in its own way,” says Rickard. “We visit an 1891 ghost winery with a cave tour and a winery whose tasting room is located in an 1878 Victorian house. Another is an old stone replica of a French castle. Several of these wineries have stunning views. Often, we meet the wine maker, tour the winery, and maybe do some barrel tasting. No two days are exactly alike on this tour.”

Also included are tidbits of local Napa history and culture. The $65 per-person tour includes a picnic lunch served by the tour host on scenic winery grounds, as well as a cheese-and-cracker snack platter and plenty of bottled water.

The limousine bus seats 14 passengers (12-only allowed on tours for added roominess) and features the plush appointments of a traditional limousine, reconfigured for the taller and wider dimensions of a 22-foot mini-bus. It sits higher, with large, tinted windows to amplify the magnificent vistas of Napa Valley, as well as handrails and steps for easy boarding.

“It is typical to have anywhere from six to twelve guests on each tour,” Rickard explained. “We consider it an intimate experience with broad appeal to couples, small groups, families, and individuals.”

Rickard’s well-orchestrated wine-tasting adventure is a “social tour for people who want to have fun and taste some world-class wines”, and visitors seem to enjoy it.

“It was a great way to see some of the more interesting, off-the-beaten-path wineries, and lunch was delightful,” said Luana H. of Indianapolis. “Thank you for the wonderful experience.”

“This was our sixth and best trip to Napa,” said another former guest, Alexis E. “Your knowledge of wineries is worth far more than the price you charge. Everything was perfect from start to finish. Thank you for making our trip so memorable and wonderful.”

Platypus runs tours every day from 10:30am until around 5pm. The $65 per person fee includes lunch and nosh platter. (Guests are responsible for winery tasting fees, usually about $5 to $8 per winery). For more information, or to schedule a Napa Valley day trip on Platypus Tours’ comfortable limousine bus, call (707) 631-0757 or visit on the web at www.platypustours.com.

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Source :  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb267701.htm