anderson valley rail tours

Welcome to Andrews Valley Rail Tours in Scenic Andrews, North Carolina

Opening soon for the 2024 season reserve your tickets online now, reserve your tickets for the 2024 season.

The Details of Our Scenic Rail Tours

When you reach the beautiful little mountain town of Andrews, NC proceed to the Historic Andrews Depot at 345 Locust Street. To start on your scenic rail tour, head around to the track side of the building to the ticket office. There you can check in for a reservation you've already made, or if you would like to walk in, please call ahead to see if seats are available. Before boarding you will sign a waiver for each member of your group. Please be sure to be at the Depot 30 minutes before your reservation time**. It's important to remember that your tour will last approximately 2 hours.

What to expect

• Our RailBikes are pedal motor-assisted, similar to e-bikes
• Riders must be at least 8 years of age .
• There is a 260lb weight limit (per person)
• Remember you will be on an open air RailBike.
• Bring something to drink, and a snack.
• When you arrive, go to the Ticket Window and sign in – this is when you will sign your waiver.
• You will then be escorted to the RailBikes by our staff to be seated for very important SAFETY instructions.

Once you have settled into your seat, be sure to pay close attention to the attendant for ride instructions - safety of our riders is our number one priority.

Now it's time to relax and enjoy the ride aboard North Carolina's First RailBike Tour, and don't forget to have your camera ready for the 5-mile trip to the Historic Valley River Tunnel. Take in the views from our beautiful valley that offers you the opportunity to experience beautiful mountains, forests, and abundant wildlife. You'll see crystal clear mountain rivers and streams as you cross Historic open deck railroad bridges on your trip to the tunnel. Once there you'll have about 1/2 hour to check out the tunnel (which was hand carved by workers from Southern Railway in 1894) and the surrounding area. Please take care on your stroll as the terrain can get steep and rocky.

After your break, you will re-embark for the 5-mile trip back to Andrews, and we're sure you'll see things you missed on the trip out, so don't forget that camera!

*Parties that are larger than 4 will be seated on consecutive railbikes.

**CANCELLATION INFO: Should there be inclement weather, such as lightning, heavy rain or storms, you will be able to re-book for another day, or if necessary, cancel your trip for a full refund.

Have Questions?

Be sure to read the details on this page. If you find you still have questions you can call Us @ (828) 557-4021

Or fill out the form below to email us.

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Outdoors , Tours

Andrews valley rail tours – railbike ride, a breathtaking railbike ride.

Enjoy a 10-mile round trip through the natural beauty and spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains aboard North Carolina’s First RailBike Tour. Be sure to bring your camera, and have it ready for the trip to the Historic Valley River Tunnel. Take in the views from our beautiful valley that offers you the opportunity to experience beautiful mountains, forests, and abundant wildlife. You’ll see crystal-clear mountain rivers and streams as you cross Historic open-deck railroad bridges on your trip to the tunnel. Once there you’ll have about 1/2 hour to check out the tunnel (which was hand carved by workers from Southern Railway in 1894) and the surrounding area. Please take care on your stroll as the terrain can get steep and rocky.

Book A Rail Tour

What to Expect

• Our RailBikes are electric motor assisted, similar to e-bikes
• Riders must be at least 4 years of age.
• There is a 275lb weight limit* (per person)
• Dress appropriately for the weather.** Remember you will be on an open-air RailBike.
• Bring something to drink, and a snack.
• Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled trip time and go to the Ticket Window and sign in – this is when you will sign your waiver.
• You will then be escorted to the RailBikes by our staff to be seated for very important SAFETY instructions.
• Parties that are larger than 4 will be seated on consecutive railbikes.

*Please call (828) 557-4021 if you are over the weight limit and taller than 6ft.

**CANCELLATION INFO: Should there be inclement weather, such as lightning, heavy rain or storms, you will be able to re-book for another day, or if necessary, cancel your trip for a full refund.

Our Location

PHONE: (828) 557-4021

Wed thru Sun: Tours at 9am, 12pm, and 2pm

Handicapped/Disabled Tours on Mon & Tue at 2pm

345 Locust Street Andrews, NC 28901

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Andrews Valley Rail Tour

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Arrive at the Historic Andrews, NC Depot and climb aboard your one of a kind authentic Speeder Cart Tour. This exciting attraction will take you 5 miles into the mountains and wilderness that offers you the opportunity to see awe inspiring landscapes,, forests, views of abundant wildlife while viewing crystal clear mountain rivers and streams crossing Historic open deck railroad bridges. Your exciting ride continues to the Historic hand carved Valley River Tunnel. While there we encourage you to disembark and explore the Tunnel area and surrounding almost rain forest like beauty! Then all aboard to return to the Andrews Depot after your 2 1/2 hour adventure with minds and cameras full of wonderful memories for years to come!

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Andrews Valley Rail Tours

345 Locust Street, Andrews, NC 28901

(828) 557-4021

Andrews Valley Rail Tours is a scenic rail tour company located in Andrews, North Carolina. They offer pedal motor-assisted RailBikes that seat four individuals each. The RailBikes are available for rides Wednesday through Sunday at three times: 9am, 12pm, or 3pm. Andrews Valley Rail tours also offers an option to accommodate special groups and physical restrictions as well as handicap accessible tours, must call to reserve the no petal SpeedCart option trips on Monday’s and Tuesdays. The company offers an authentic Rail Tour that takes you five miles into the mountains and wilderness that offers you the opportunity to see awe-inspiring landscapes, forests, views of abundant wildlife while viewing crystal clear streams and rivers. If you’re looking for a unique adventure in Andrews Valley, Andrews Valley Rail Tours is the perfect place to visit. You can experience the beauty of the valley from a different perspective and enjoy the adventure.

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Andrews Valley Rail Tours

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Andrews Valley Rail Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Andrews Valley Rail Tours

Similar experiences.

Andrews Valley Rail Tours Guide - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The Enchanting Andrews Valley Rail Tours In North Carolina Is One Of The Best Places To Enjoy Autumn

Carolyn Harmon

Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.

More by this Author

Try this unique experience and enjoy an enchanting autumn in North Carolina at Andrews Valley Rail Tours . Located in Andrews, enjoy a ride on North Carolina’s First RailBike Tour. In addition to the fall leaves changing color, the 10-mile roundtrip offers an immersive look at the Historic Valley River Tunnel, stunning mountains, pastoral valley scenes, richly wooded forests, and diverse wildlife. Keep your cameras ready for crossing the rolling streams and rivers on the open-deck railroad bridges. Is there a better way to enjoy the vivid autumn scenery?

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Enjoy this short video giving a glimpse of some of the scenery to expect on the exciting Andrews Valley Rail Tours.

Find out how to enjoy an enchanting autumn in North Carolina on the  Andrews Valley Rail Tours website. And please call 828-557-4021 if you are over the weight limit and taller than 6 feet. Before you go, check out some good biking shoes and other gear on the REI website. Have you already explored this unique adventure? If so, please share your experience in the comments below.

For more stunning scenery, drive about 10 miles to Robbinsville and visit the lovely Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in North Carolina .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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345 Locust St

Andrews, NC 28901

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345 Locust St, Andrews, NC (828) 557-4021

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10 Reasons You’ll Fall In Love With America’s Greenest Wine Region

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Life slows down in Anderson Valley. The vineyards, farms, ranches, and micro-towns are organic food and beverage meccas in America’s Greenest Wine Region, Mendocino County.

The two-lane California Highway 128 turns and curls through Anderson Valley (AV) on California’s North Coast. The scenery changes around each curve and over the next rise. The drive through shifting landscapes of woodlands, undulating hills, vineyards, fruit orchards, olive groves, pasturing livestock, high chaparral, and verdant valleys is part of the AV experience.

Falling in love with this laid-back and productive valley is easy; just show up. But the longer you stay, the more folks you meet, the better it gets.

1. Get In Touch With Your Inner Explorer

AV is rural. It’s farmland. There’s not a stoplight to be seen, no four-lane roads, and definitely no big-box stores or beehive hotel chains. It’s a bit off the beaten path but less than two hours from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Let your inner explorer reign. Stop at a scenic overlook. Take the turnoff with the “Fresh Peaches” sign. Stop in one of the small towns, park, and wander on foot on both sides of the street. Ask a local what they recommend for lunch, a winery, or B&B.

Don’t make a schedule. Follow your heart. This area is famously on Mendo-Time, a “time zone” known for a laid-back approach to life.

2. Taste The Local Grape

Italian immigrants planted the first vineyards here in 1894. The first bonded winery opened in 1911. Today Anderson Valley is known for its many award-winning pinot noirs and the spectacular sparkling wines produced by Scharffenberger Cellars and Roederer Estate .

You will also find chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, sémillon, syrah, Gewürztraminer, pinot blanc, and pinot gris.

There are fortyish remarkable wineries, so I won’t list them all. Instead, I suggest taking a cruise through the Anderson Valley Wines website. You can learn about many wineries and the history of wine-making in the valley.

While meandering through AV, stop at any winery; you can’t go wrong. Go on a weekday in the winter season and you will most likely be treated to a private tasting. Many of the operations are small with very few staff. You never know; your wine host might be the winemaker.

Some of my favorites are Artevino ,a winery and art gallery; Husch , the oldest winery in Mendocino County; Penny Royal Farm , purveyor of goat cheese and wine; and Seebass , a tasting room on Main in Boonville.

3. Taste A Farm

AV has more than wine to offer. The valley is filled with farms growing fruit, vegetables, poultry, sheep, goats, and cattle. Organic and sustainability are the way in Anderson Valley. Fresh, clean, and delicious; it’s authentic farm-to-table fare.

Gowan’s Oak Tree , a farm stand, is hard to beat for variety. Open year round, they specialize in apples, with a subspecialty of cider apples (see number 8 in this roundup). The fruit and vegetables are grown on the premises. Their apple cider is addictive. Frozen apple pies ready to bake can be stashed in the cooler until you get back to your vacation rental. The stand offers dried fruits of all kinds; I love dried peaches.

You’ll see a pop-up farm stand now and then along the road. When you see one, stop; make a U-turn if necessary. The produce is popular and will disappear quickly.

Another way to taste local produce is in the markets you see in little towns like Boonville, Philo, and Navarro. For example, you’ll find local meats, fish, poultry, fruit, and vegetables at Lemon’s Philo Market in Philo.

In Boonville, stop at Disco Ranch . Wendy carries one of the finest selections of local, domestic, and international wines on the coast. She always has something yummy in her tapas case.

Navarro General Store is at the north end of the valley in Navarro. As the name implies, they carry a little bit of everything. You’ll find hardware, camping gear, groceries, local beer, and wine. Their deli is legendary. The store is an excellent place to pick up picnic supplies on your way to, well, number 10 of this roundup.

Navarro Store often has a barbecue fired up in front of the store. The grill master uses local produce and meats for traditional grill fare like hot dogs, tri-tip, and hamburgers. It is outstanding.

The store sits in the middle of a conifer forest. The setting is comfortable with an umbrellaed deck. Picnic tables under the trees are dog-friendly. Take the time to hang out a while under the tall trees. The store is the hub of the micro town, Navarro, population 49.

Local restaurants also serve products from farms, ranches, and vineyards in the valley and nearby coast. Three favorite eateries are Boonville General Store (the Bourbon Pound Cake is heavenly); Lauren’s at the Buckhorn (the chicken pot pie is nirvana); and The Bewildered Pig (a valley jewel). You’ve got to try the deviled eggs. Like most food-related things in Anderson Valley, any place you choose will be good. In a friendly, food-centric place like AV, bad food or impersonal service won’t last long. Here is a list of places to eat in and near AV from the Anderson Valley Wine Growing Association.

Pro Tip: Monthly, on Sunday mornings, the Anderson Valley Grange No. 669 serves a pancake breakfast. There couldn’t be a better way to meet locals and learn about life in Anderson Valley.

4. Get To Know A Goat

Do you like goat cheese? Would you like to try some? Then Penny Royal Farm is the place for you. This bucolic farm, creamery, and winery make cheeses that leave you craving more.

Take the farm tour to see the gardens, vineyards, and creamery. Afterward, head to the patio behind the wine and cheese shop for a Penny Royal wine and cheese pairing. It is delectable.

In the shop, you can purchase all the ingredients for your own cheese and wine pairing at your local lodging or back home when you return. Don’t worry about packing your purchases; Penny Royal will ship them for you.

5. See An Artist In The Wild

Anderson Valley is home to some creative folks. Galleries and studios are two of the best places to find local artists’ work. Drop-in John Haines Gallery in Boonville. The Anderson Valley Art Guild has an Open Studio Weekend during Memorial Day weekend each year. As you drive through the valley, you may see an Open Studio sign. That’s an invitation to stop in. Potters’ painters, sculptures, photographers, and musical instrument makers call AV home.

6. Meet The Elders

The Anderson Valley Historical Museum presents Native American and European Immigrant heritage. You can’t miss it; turn left at the Little Red School House.

7. Play In The Beer Park

Even if you’re not into beer, go to Anderson Valley Brewing’s Beer Park . Thirty acres of the brewery’s Boonville home have been transformed into a dog- and family-friendly park. Award-winning beer , outdoor seating, disc golf, and live music make Anderson Valley Brewing an all-ages destination.

8. Gowan’s Heirloom Cider

Take a bottle of hard cider to an Adirondack chair under an apple tree and laze away the afternoon or watch the sunset. Stop at the tasting room in an apple orchard at Gowan’s Heirloom Cider .

The cider is made on the farm where the organic orchards were established in 1876. Six generations of Gowans have been stewards of the land and its bounty.

Gowan’s cider is lovely and comes in a variety of flavors. I keep going back for a bottle of the Spiced Apple and another of Rosé, a cider made with heirloom apples, then fortified with pinot noir wine. Either one is the perfect accompaniment to one of Gowan’s Apple Pies from the farm stand south of the tasting orchard.

9. Redwood Tunnel

Not precisely in Anderson Valley, a redwood forest at the north end of Anderson Valley is a magnificent experience.

Navarro River Redwoods State Park begins at the north end of AV. The park is one of California’s 41 redwood parks. As Highway 128 passes through the park, redwood giants on either side of the road form a tunnel. Only dappled sunlight reaches the road. Don’t hurry through the drive. There are pull-outs for stopping to smell the redwoods.

10. Sunset Picnic

As you pass through the valley, pick up the makings for a beach picnic at sunset. Just a few miles past the redwood tunnel, you’ll come to the Pacific Ocean, where the Navarro River reaches the sea. Bring a blanket, a camera, and your picnic to the sandy beach for an unforgettable meal. Navarro Beach is located in Navarro River Redwoods State Park .

Reserve a beach wheelchair by calling (707) 937-5721 at least 7 days in advance.

Where To Sleep

Hotel rooms can be scarce in AV, but there are a few small lodgings. In Boonville, you’ll find the Boonville Hotel . It’s a great location to call home for a weekend. Everything here is unique, just like Boonville. They have a full restaurant and bar and serve some of the county’s best. Check with your favorite hotel booking site for rooms in Anderson Valley.

There are distinctive vacation rentals in the area; some are old California-style ranches that can manage a group. Check your favorite vacation rental booking site to see what’s on offer.

Camping is another option. There are camping sites for tents to luxury RVs. Here is a list of tent and RV camps in Anderson Valley.

Getting There

The closest airport is in Santa Rosa, Charles M Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS). San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento are also good options.

Anderson Valley is made for a road trip. A comfortable, economical auto is advised. Charging stations are located at many wineries if you have an electric car.

Via auto, take Highway 101 to Exit 522, Fort Bragg/CA-128 West. The Highway 128 junction is a quarter-mile west of the exit.

Further Reading:

• 10 Remarkable Hiking Trails On California’s Mendocino Coast
• 6 Perfect Stops On A Central California Winery Road Trip
• 7 Extraordinary Camping Spots On California’s Mendocino Coast
• We’re On Board For This Unique New Napa Valley Wine Train Experience
• If You Like Napa Valley, You’ll Love These 4 Northern California Wine Regions

Covering 'off-the-beaten path,' 'not well-known,’ and 'in the shadow of' locations is Mary’s passion. She delves into art, music, food, libations, architecture, museums, parks, well-curated tours, history, agriculture, and the unexpected in micro-towns and big cities, both domestic and international.

As a lifelong traveler, her nomadic mother often handed her the map and asked her to choose the destination and route, granting her the nickname, Mary Go.

Today she travels by train, plane, bus, boat, shoe sole, and her Honda, Patty. Mary digs into culture, people, and history wherever she goes, sharing her experiences through words, photos, and video.

How to See California Where the Redwoods Meet the Vineyards

Local vineyard owner theodora r. lee gives us the perfect guide for the lesser-known anderson valley wine region..

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Theopolis Vineyards produces grapes from the Yorkville Highlands appellation.

Courtesy of Theodora R. Lee

Winemaker and vineyard owner Theodora R. Lee is known as Theo to almost everyone, but in the wine industry, she is Theo-Patra, Queen of the Vineyards, a nickname given to her by Hollywood producers who loved her wine many years ago.

“If you look up Cleopatra’s history, she was born in Greece and went into Egypt,” she says. “I’m a country girl from Texas trying to make her way in a white man’s wine world.”

Lee learned how to ride horses and drive a tractor at eight years old and still considers herself a farmer at heart who fell in love with vineyards. In 2001, she bought 20 acres of land in the Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley almost two hours north of San Francisco, planted her vineyard in 2003, and bottled her first wines in 2014.

In the beginning, she did all of the farming herself. Now she has a vineyard manager, but she is also a full-time employment lawyer. It’s impossible to not feel inspired by her when she says she doesn’t take no for an answer. “I have been blessed, but let me tell you, I have worked my ass off,” she says. “There is a lot that I’m juggling, but I don’t need a lot of sleep. I take care of my 94-year-old mother in Texas. I have a lot of energy and a thirst for life. I’m just able to get it done.”

Much of her own inspiration comes from the Northern California landscape, or as she says, “where the redwoods meet the vineyards” two hours north of San Francisco.

We talked about her career in “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” law and her personal travel recommendations for the Anderson Valley.

In this series, we are spotlighting a destination we love—California—through the experiences of people we admire who call it home.

The Anderson Valley is lesser known than Napa and Sonoma. Can you set the stage for us if someone hasn’t been there?

It sits on Highway 128 , which has been named the most beautiful highway in the world. You go through redwoods, mountains, rivers. The Yorkville Highlands, where I am, is actually a separate appellation of the Anderson Valley and is one of the highest elevated growing areas in California. We have all four seasons, which is very unique in California. We are at the headwaters of two watersheds, the Russian River and the Navarro River, so it’s just a beautiful place to create artisan wine. Both the Yorkville Highlands and the Anderson Valley are very special AVAs [American Viticultural Areas]. Most of the winemakers in this area are small producers, small handcrafted wineries.

The Anderson Valley is a beautiful, quiet place here in Mendocino County , closer to the coast, and one of the coolest wine-growing regions in California. [The region is] known for two things: a lot of sparkling wines and late harvest wines. The wines produced in the Anderson Valley tend to be lighter than in the Yorkville Highlands—pinot, chardonnay, and Alsace varietals. The contrast in the growing regions dictate what you should be growing.

The tasting room at Theopolis Vineyards used to be a car shed.

You’re a full-time working lawyer, but can people meet you on the weekends? Is Theopolis Vineyards open to the public?

We usually have a huge bottle harvest and release party in September for around 150 people, but it is deferred to 2022. We have a good old-fashioned Texas barbecue with ribs and chicken salad, plus a live band. But if I’m here on the weekend, I do take appointments. I have a funky little tasting room that used to be a car shed.

My home is in Oakland Hills, the Montclair area, across from San Francisco. That’s where I do my shipping. I do a lot of tastings. I’m actually doing one soon for Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, for their production company, Westbrook.

I am working now as a lawyer, but my goal is to save enough money in order to really retire, enjoy life, and travel the world. I am about five years away. Everything I own will be paid for, including this farm, my home, my rental properties. I can hopefully live off of my royalties, my rents, the vineyard, and my investments.

What area of law do you practice?

My first answer is “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” law because I am an employment lawyer with the largest firm in the world representing employers in workplace law. So, anything from wage disputes to adverse impact against minorities or women, equal pay issues, and more. I do a lot of diversity and inclusion training, a lot of harassment prevention training. And the reason I call it “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” law is because it’s the workplace but people pull from the world and bring their problems to the workplace.

Aside from your September party, what would you recommend a traveler shouldn’t miss in this area?

Here’s what I would do: Two hours north of San Francisco, you want to find Highway 128 west off of the 101 Highway. Once you get on 128, you take 128 to the coast. Call in advance to make a reservation with us at Theopolis Vineyards for a tasting. Next, I’d go to the Yorkville Market at 26701 Highway 128, kind of at the center of our town. They have groceries and wine tastings daily. Then I would stop at the Yorkville Cellars , which is another cute little winetasting place.

Then I would suggest going to Artevino by Maple Creek Winery—this is where wine meets art. You start as a stranger and you leave as friends. They have some magnificent wines. The proprietor, Tom Rodriguez, is an artist and has designed many wine labels.

Next, go to the Meyer Family Cellars , a wonderful winery with a lot of history. Then you will get into Boonville, the heart of the Anderson Valley. You should go to the Boonville Hotel and have a magnificent lunch because with all this activity, you need to put something in your stomach. It is a family-owned hotel in the heart of Mendocino County. It has magnificent food.

The next thing would be to go to the Italian-style Madrones , a destination in itself with guest quarters, multiple tasting rooms, a restaurant, plus courtyards and beautiful arcades—it’s just outside Philo. If you come to the Anderson Valley, you have to go to the Madrones.

Where do you recommend people stay in the area?

There is Ravenridge Cottages , rentals that are just incredibly beautiful. Everything here is quaint. As you move to the ocean, you’d get to the Boonville Hotel. You can also stay at the Madrones, which I mentioned. If you really want to be in nature, there are a lot of campgrounds in the area.

Mendocino is a place where you can unwind, relax, restore—the breathtaking views of the Mendocino Coast are second to none. We have wild turkeys and pigs, beautiful vegetables, olive trees, vineyards—it’s just a stunningly beautiful place wherever you stay.

Theodora R. Lee is also known as Theo-Patra, Queen of the Vineyards.

Let’s say I want to buy—which I do!—some of your wine as an introduction. Which bottles should I buy?

If you have not tasted our wines, there are three that are unique all the way to me. You’ll never find them anywhere else. It would be the 2018 petite sirah , which got 96 points from Wine Enthusiast .

This year, I made my first blend, and it’s called Theo-Patra’s Cuvée Cerise . It is a Rhône blend, but it’s not your traditional Rhône blend, because it has my petite sirah, my neighbor’s syrah, and mourvèdre.

The third is the Yorkville Highlands Symphony . Symphony is a grape that most people have not heard of, but this is an exquisite dry white wine.

We have a three-bottle minimum because we’re small and it takes manpower to pack one or two bottles. Before last year, we only produced 800 cases, and we’re about 1,200 cases now. That’s small. We’re not the Mondavi family, we’re not the Jackson family. We don’t mass produce and as a result, we get to taste the fruits of our labor and enjoy life.

>> Next: California With the Kids: A Family Travel Guide

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Appalachian Trails and Mountain Rails

Experience two scenic train rides through Pennsylvania and West Virginia, museums, mountains and more!

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Enjoy a tour that gets to the heart of the Steel Town story getting to know the people, places and historic events that once made Pittsburgh the epic center of steel production. Visit Three Rivers Heritage Attractions including Carrie Blast Furnaces, the Bost Building and Pumphouse. See why immigrants were drawn to the region as their industry rose, bringing a rich collection of cultures and traditions with them as they forged new lives.

Overnight near Pittsburgh

through the countryside and Allegheny Mountains, including the famouse Horseshoe Curve , from Pittsburgh to Altoona, PA.

• Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum - Learn about the railroad history of the region, Ride the funicuular up to the overlook, providing spectacular views of the countryside and the trains surrouding the Horseshoe Curve.

Enjoy a scenic drive to McHenry, MD, in the Appalachian Mountains on the shore of Deep Creek Lake . Visit Branch Bender Cidery for a tour and tasting.

lodging for one night - Enjoy a tour here and learn the science of snow making for the ski resort. There will also be time to walk to the mountaintop recirculating whitewater course and take a chairlift ride to the top for breathtaking views of Deep Creek Lake.

2 nights in Elkins, WV

Branson-style show featuring music from the 50s and 60s.

- Reach for the stars at the Green Bank Observatory located in the National Radio Quiet Zone. The observatory is hoem to the world's largest steerable radio telescope.

from Cass to Bald Knob. Panoramas of the lofty Appalachians become more beautiful as the train climbs higher and higher. Passengers suddenly realize they are entering a completely different world, mainly because of the change in trees, flowers and atmosphere. By climbing the 2,390 feet from Cass (2452-feet) to Bald Knob (4842-feet) on Back Allegheny Mountain and second highest point in West Virginia, passengers have made the equivalent to an 800 mile trip to Canada in climate because of the higher altitude. Here are found spruce trees, snowshoe hares and other plants and animals typical in the far north. The rustic overlook affords one of the most awesome, overwhelming spectacles in the east.

• West Virginia Railroad Museum and Darden Mill

Meals - 4B, 3L, 1D

LOYALTY POINTS:

Book by March 25 and earn Triple Points

Book by May 24 and earn Double Points

Book by June 23 and earn Single Points

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The wonders of Moscow metro

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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