Like many unexpected discoveries that can happen during an adventure in the Napa Valley, I stumbled upon one walking through the lobby of the Solage Resort. It was the striking colors that first caught my eye followed by the light fragrance that seemed like a combination of delicate roses and lemons. Abundant blooms of fresh flowers – fluffy, fully bloomed camellias and ranunculus; multi-colored tulips, delicate, sweet-perfumed jasmine and honeysuckle and bright, sunny daffodils – filled a cart that also contained beautiful recycled glass bottles of varying sizes, all for creating personal, handcrafted bouquets.

Despite our hectic work schedules, my partner Derek and I decided the time had come for an overnight escape. Our only task for the next 24 hours was to spend a day of tropical fun in the summertime sun.

We sat on the edge of the pool, flutes of sparkling wine in-hand and water tickling our feet. I was surrounded by my favorite group of gal pals as I turned 40 at the secluded, yet chic Solage. Our trip had been planned by my friends and I, and at 9:30pm, the exact moment of my birth hour, we toasted my 40 years and took a celebratory dip in the geothermal mineral pool while gazing up beyond the palm trees to a star-spangled sky. Once inside our poolside cabana and cozy in our spa robes, my friends serenaded me with the Happy Birthday song as I unwrapped my gifts.

With college graduation in my rearview mirror and a specialized full-time job ahead, my mother suggested she and I spend some quality time together on a road trip to Calistoga. We were primed to create some fun memories.

They say there’s a first time for everything. For me, it was discovering bocce ball, an ancient sport played since the days of the Roman Empire, and a game I learned to play during a family vacation at Solage. We arrived to the outdoor patio under a brilliant scarlet sunset at Solbar, where we ordered a few small bites and cocktails while our sons Jake and Luke expressed their desire for a bit more activity. Fortunately, beyond the rectangular fire pit past the outdoor seating, we noticed two beautifully groomed bocce ball courts.

How did this role capture your interest?

How did the hotel capture your interest?

Whenever I travel, a full restaurant is a trusted choice as a place to eat, and Solbar was packed for lunch. Savory scents lured me inside and triggered a rumble in my stomach. With so many options on the menu, I took my seat to scope out the dining room for a view of what others were eating. The answer: fish tacos.

Like the geothermal waters that rise from the earth of Calistoga’s crust, I arrived at Spa Solage bubbling over with the hope of detoxification. I’d spent half the day tasting Napa Valley wines and was primed for a wellness reboot. What lured me to the bathhouse après spa hours was the concept of purification in restorative waters during a floating meditation under the star-lit sky.

Alison Events’ is described as more than just a boutique event-planning firm. “We’re a global team with the creative capacity to design and execute an unforgettable party.” Principle of Alison Events, Alison Hotchkiss, reveals what goes into planning one of these unforgettable parties, giving us a closer look into how one bride and groom’s wedding vision was brought to life. Held in wine country amid Solage Resort’s unique, natural beauty and colored with vibrant hues inspired by the seasonal fruit, exotic spices, and textiles found at an Indian marketplace, this Sangeet (a celebration for Indian families prior to a traditional Indian wedding ceremony) is sure to give soon-to-weds inspiration and make romantic souls swoon.

Planning a wedding is consumed with perfecting the sights, tastes, and sounds of your special day— but there’s one detail most couples overlook; the wedding’s signature scent. Fragrance is unique in its ability to conjure vivid memories and emotions, and its strong ties to ringing (wedding) bells make it the ultimate bespoke favor. At Solage Resort, couples can personalize their own essential oil blend to capture the essence of their wedding date. The fragrance can then be gifted as a massage oil, body scrub, or lotion, bringing a whole new level of personalization to the wedding.

If you’re planning on hiking Oat Hill Mine Trail, don’t let the weather deter you— foggy mornings are the best time for this hike. After stumbling upon this discovery by chance, the colder and mistier the morning in Napa Valley, the faster I grab my hiking shoes.

You’ve probably heard that dreams come true at a Solage wedding, but what you may not know is that putting on the perfect day is in part thanks to the special surprises planned for the bride and groom (shh… more on that later!) and the less-glamourous, but equally important wedding emergency kit.

I always give Solbar a little credit for helping me write my best-selling book. I spent many a night sitting at the bar in Solbar working, and edited most of my book over the bar’s delicious drinks— sometimes it'd be French champagne and sometimes a glass of pinot. More often than not, however, I’d choose the drink that changed my life...

I’ll tell you the same thing that I tell my friends who visit Solage; take out the Mercedes-Benz! The complimentary, luxury ride backdropped with California’s stunning natural scenery makes you feel like you’re the star of a hollywood classic.

An unexpectedly perfect pair, digital detoxing while wine tasting offers the ideal afternoon at Solage Resort. Here, turn your wine tasting venture into a wellness retreat of sorts and leave your phone behind. An outing that is already so much about cherishing the present moment, wine tasting calls for clinking glasses with good company, appreciating world-renowned wines, and taking in views that photos cannot do justice.

The trick to navigating the Calistoga Food and Wine’s Grand Tasting like an expert? Start at the back of the event, and work backwards. You can beat the lines by going straight inside the Solstice event space and wine tasting your way to the lawn. Less time in lines equals more time sipping on the samplings from over 40 of the surrounding local wineries, savoring delectable small bites, and picking up tips from the live cooking stations.

Besides using mineral-enriched mud personalized with essential oils, the Signature Mudslide includes a geothermal soak and an anti-gravity sound therapy chair. The best part? You’re not sharing your mud. Instead of a communal mud bath, expect a private, three-part detoxifying treatment that begins with mud combined with volcanic ash, geothermal mineral water, and essential oils you select yourself.

Step into restorative bath experience— sans tub and bubbles. A “sound bath” is an ancient, healing practice where you can expect to stay dry, as the only thing you will be soaking in is healing sound frequencies.