2017 San Francisco & California Wine Country Convention Tour O C TO B E R 6 –11, 2 017

Embark on a flavorful journey through California’s cities and wine country.

California’s culture comes alive on this immersive journey. Join other Group Coordinators to try authentic fare, revel in the bustle of world-class cities and soak in the beauty of wine country. Sample local specialties in San Francisco and Berkeley. Indulge in wines, olive oils and cheeses in Napa and Sonoma. From a hands-on cooking class to savory tastings, you’ll experience the trends and traditions that define the region.

6D A Y S

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2017

Overview

Expert Tour Director

Localcuisine

Handpicked hotels

Sightseeing with local guides

Private transportation

Personalized flight options

Let us handle the details

Where you’ll go

Your tour includes Your tour highlights

• 5 nights in handpicked hotels

• Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 2 three-course dinners with beer or wine, 4 wine tastings, 1 cooking lesson

• Multilingual Tour Director

• Private deluxe motor coach

• Guided sightseeing and select entrance fees

• Group Coordinator convention meeting with Go Ahead staff

• Standing in awe of the Golden Gate Bridge, a marvel of engineering

• Discovering hidden gems, from specialty shops to local goods

• Sharing ideas and travel stories with fellow Group Coordinators

• Taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Bay Area and Marin County

• Indulging in olive oil and wine tastings in Sonoma Valley

• Preparing regional dishes at a cooking class taught by an expert chef

OVERNIGHT STAYS

2 nights • San Francisco2 nights • Napa Valley1 night • South Bay Region

Napa Valley

San Francisco

South Bay Region

Berkeley

Sonoma Valley

Tomales Bay

Marin Headlands

CA L I F O RN I A

ABOUT YOUR HOTELS

Our 3- and 4-diamond accommodations are handpicked to ensure quality and comfort. See sample hotels for this tour at goaheadtours.com/cwc

“Conventions Tours are my favorite! I love learning from other Group Coordinators and I really appreciate the fact that Go Ahead looks to us for

suggestions on how to make the Group Travel Program work better for everyone.”

—ANN, GROUP COORDINATOR

2 0 17 S A N F R A N C I S C O & C A L I F O R N I A

W I N E C O U N T R Y C O N V E N T I O N T O U R

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2017

Itinerary

San Francisco | 2 nights

Day 1 (Friday, October 6): Arrival in San Francisco

Included meals: welcome dinner

Welcome to California! Arrive in San Francisco and settle in to your hotel before getting to know your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 2 (Saturday, October 7): Sightseeing tour of San Francisco

Included meals: breakfast

Today’s guided tour introduces you to the sights and flavors of San Francisco, the “City by the Bay.”• Enjoy tastings of local specialties in the trendy Mission District neighborhood

and ride up Twin Peaks for spectacular panoramic vistas of the city • Drive through the iconic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, historic epicenter of the

counter-cultural movement, and pass through Golden Gate Park on your way to the Golden Gate Bridge

• Continue past the posh neighborhoods of Pacific Heights and Nob Hill, spotting the Palace of Fine Arts along the way

• Pass Coit Tower and stop for a walking tour in Washington Square Park in North Beach, where you’ll sample some local specialties

• Stroll through Chinatown, the largest outside of Asia, and savor more culinary tastings at the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market on the Embarcadero

Later, sit down for this afternoon’s convention meeting, a series of presentations and discussions designed with Group Coordinators’ questions, experience and interests in mind.• Begin with a keynote address, followed by an insider’s view of the company and

tours presented by senior members of Go Ahead’s staff• Discuss tour planning and recruiting best practices with Go Ahead staff and your

fellow Group Coordinators • Get an overview of the many benefits available to you as a Go Ahead Group

Coordinator and learn about new program updates

End the day socializing and networking at a cocktail hour.

Napa Valley | 2 nights

Day 3 (Sunday, October 8): Napa Valley via Tomales Bay & Sonoma Valley

Included meals: breakfast, wine tasting

Travel north up the California coast to Tomales Bay, marveling at beautiful scenery along the way.• Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to admire the landscape from the Marin Headlands,

famous for its panoramic views of San Francisco • Pass the scenic Mount Tamalpais State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore in

Marin County• Saunter through the seaside town of Point Reyes Station before sampling fresh

oysters at Tomales Bay

This afternoon, continue on to Sonoma Valley, home to some of California’s best vintages. Here, indulge in a wine and olive oil tasting before heading to Napa Valley to spend a free evening admiring the region’s vineyards and rolling hills. Day 4 (Monday, October 9): Napa Valley wine tasting

Included meals: breakfast, wine tasting

Spend some free time in the early morning enjoying Napa Valley’s beautiful scenery and rustic elegance before gathering for an optional question-and-answer session with Go Ahead staff. Then, soak in the view as you drive through Napa Valley, stopping at three local vineyards to taste regional wines paired with light snacks.

Tonight, spend free time getting to know Napa Valley as you wish.

South Bay Region | 1 night

Day 5 (Tuesday, October 10): South Bay Region via Berkeley

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner

Travel to the bayside city of Berkeley today and drive past San Pablo Bay, a National Wildlife Refuge, along the way. Upon arrival, discover the city’s vibrant cultural scene before trying your hand at creating signature dishes.• Set out on a guided walking tour to see the University of California, Berkeley

campus, famous for its students’ contributions to science and social movements • Sample Berkeley’s local specialties during tastings at popular shops throughout

the city• Prepare gourmet fare in an immersive cooking class and savor your creations

during lunch

This afternoon, journey across the San Francisco Bay to the South Bay region, where you’ll toast your trip and fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.

Day 6 (Wednesday, October 11): Departure

Included meals: breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

2 0 17 S A N F R A N C I S C O & C A L I F O R N I A

W I N E C O U N T R Y C O N V E N T I O N T O U R

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2017

Passport & visa requirements• Valid government-issued identification is required for

air travel within the United States.

• If you are not a U.S. citizen, please be sure to have any additional required identification with you as well.

Tour pace• You will walk for about 1 hour daily across mostly flat

terrain, including unpaved paths, with some hills and stairs.

• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.

• You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times.

• If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team at 1.800.597.0350.

Transportation & arrival information• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead arrive

in and depart from San Francisco. A Go Ahead representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead for an additional cost.

• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance• Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage.

Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.

• Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that Go Ahead travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.

• One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.

• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting

clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.

• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.

• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Health• There are no major health risks associated with

traveling to California.

• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.

• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to goaheadtours.com and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team at 1.800.597.0350.

Cuisine• This tour is specifically designed to highlight the

celebrated cuisine of California’s wine country and surrounding cities. Nevertheless, the itinerary also allows for plenty of free time for you to explore nearby eateries and try local fare on your own. 

• California remains a hub of healthy eating, and is famous as a vegetarian-friendly destination. 

• In Northern California, French, Pacific Rim and Asian flavors feature in many meals, and wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valley produce some of the world’s best-known wines. The region is especially famous for its chardonnay and cabernet varietals, and its warm climate produces an abundance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients from nearby farms.

Electricity• California operates on the U.S. standard 120 volts and

uses Types A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat and one round pin, respectively.

• Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity • Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges

may apply.

• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.

• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones• Your tour will fall on Pacific Standard Time (PST),

which is seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and three hours behind Eastern Standard Time (EST).

• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 9am in California.

Currency• You will use the U.S. dollar (USD) in California.

• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.

Tipping• At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer

your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.

• We recommend tipping $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director and $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver.

• If applicable, we also recommend $2USD/CAD per local guide.

• Tips can only be paid in cash.

Pre-departure information for your tour

Start planning today 1.800.438.7672 | goaheadtours.com/cwc © 2016 EF Education First International Ltd.

2017 CWC17_0316