Imagine getting out of bed, grabbing your coffee, and watching the sun rise over rolling hills of a vineyard. You walk out to your patio, attached to your private villa, and see hot air balloons gently floating by. Can you hear the grapevines waking up with the sun? Driving through Temecula during fall , I was welcomed by rows of fully ripened grapes on the vine, waiting to be harvested during the late crush season.
My visit occurred during a heat wave and the scent of grapes from the acre vineyard was noticeable. Though I was eventually meeting up with a group of gals, I spent part of my trip alone, allowing me to have a solo traveler experience.
Upon my arrival, I observed a wedding party arriving at the same time and a couple holding hands while strolling through a row of grapevines. Another couple was letting two dogs out of their car, ready to be checked in. After check-in, I drove to my villa where parking was conveniently located next to my accommodations. The villa was attached to a foyer, where another private villa was located. This layout would be ideal for parties and families traveling together. Inside, the villa included a fireplace, living area, and a bathtub begging me to take a bubble bath.
It was too warm outside during my stay, but I have a date with that bathtub for a winter return. My immediate neighbor and I were part of a group, but technically, we were solo travelers staying in our own villas. We shared notes the next day about the indulgence of having such a lovely space all to ourselves.
One of my favorite features of the villa was the placement of the patio with a sitting area providing full view of the string of hot air balloons floating past each morning. Wine country and hot air balloons go together like coffee and croissants.
