Departs September 20, 2009
5 nights Paris, 3 nights Loire Valley, 4 nights Bordeaux.
If you are a wine lover, you can’t miss this original tour to some of the premier wineries of France. We’ll start in Paris for three days before heading out to Champagne, Loire Valley, and Bordeaux.
A few of the stops along the way, include Moet and Chandon, Chateau la Clotte, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte for a private dinner party. We’ll enjoy cheese tasting, cooking class, vertical tastings, and much more.
This extraordinary journey is for solo travelers – including single, attached with a “travel phobic” spouse or partner, or friends who want to explore together. Meet like-minded travelers and make new friends. Avoid single supplement charges with our roommate match program, or if you prefer, single rooms are available.
Itinerary:
Sunday, September 20 D
Arrive Paris, transfer to K+K Hotel Cayre. Welcome dinner this evening.
Monday, September 21 B
A full day to enjoy this spectacular city. Paris museum and Metro passes included.
Tuesday, September 22 B
This morning, we’ll check out Versailles with a private tour of the State Apartments. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Wednesday, September 23
Champagne B/L
Visit of the world famous Cathedral of Notre Dame in Reims, built in 1211 and the site of the coronation of many French Kings. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of the wineries near Epernay. This afternoon includes a visit of the caves of Moet & Chandon (Dom Perignon) and a tour of the caves of De Castellane or Claude Cazals, depending on time constraints. Return to hotel.
Thursday, September 24 B/L/D
We depart Paris for the Loire Valley. Sommelier Pascal Mineau, our private guide for this remarkable wine tour, will review our wine tour itinerary on the way to Amboise.
Our first stop is Caves Duhard established in 1874. Lunch and tasting provided by owner Daniel Gatay and Master Cheese Affineur Rodolphe Meunier. After lunch, we’ll visit the Renaissance Chateau of Amboise, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. This royal castle was a popular haunt of Leonardo Da Vinci and introduced Italian style to the Loire Valley. Free time to visit Amboise.
Check in at Chateau de Chissay for 3 nights. Dinner at the hotel with wine selection proposed by the sommelier.
Friday, September 25 B/D
Today we’ll visit the region of Vouvray for tastings and free time in the historical city of Blois. We’ll enjoy a cooking lesson at Le Medicis (Michelin star) and will prepare a complete three-course menu consisting of gourmet recipes based on seasonal ingredients. Dinner at Le Medicis.
Saturday, September 26 B/D
We’ll spend today in and around Chinon. Enjoy the Chateau De Chenonceau, one of the most exquisite chateaux of the Loire Valley. King Henry 2nd offered Chenonceau to his mistress Diane de Poitiers. Walk in Chinon historical streets in the steps of Joan of Arc and Richard the Lion Hearted.
This afternoon, the Chateau de Ligre and Domaine de la Chevalerie for tours and tasting. Domaine de la Chevalerie has been in the same family since its establishment in 1640.
Dinner at the hotel with wine selection proposed by the sommelier.
Sunday, September 27 B/L/D
Today we head for Bordeaux, via Cognac. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the wineries and visit the cellars of Hennessy Cognac. We’ll learn to blend cognac and have several tastings.
Check-in at 4* hotel, Le Burdigala. Dinner at the hotel.
Monday, September 28 B/L
Saint-Emilion was founded in the 8th century by a monk who gave it its name. It is still unique worldwide for its troglodyte structures, town walls, and Romanesque buildings that form a harmonious setting. The town also has some of the most prestigious vineyards in the Bordeaux region.
A tour of Saint Emilion, listed by UNESCO as a World heritage, includes the Hermitage, the Ossuary, the Catacombs, and the Monolithic Church. Lunch in Saint-Emilion.
Later this afternoon, a tasting at the Chateau La Clotte, a Grand Cru Classé since the beginning of Saint Emilion wine classification in 1954. Dinner at leisure in Bordeaux.
Tuesday, September 29 B/D
The Médoc, one of the world's most famous vineyard regions is our destination today. Chateau Beychevelle and Chateau Mouton Rothschild for tasting and then dinner at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.
Wednesday, September 30 B/L
Today’s tour will takes us to the south of the Bordeaux wine region into the vineyards of Sauternes. We’ll have a vertical tasting at one of the chateaux of Sauterne and a lunch with food and wine paring.
Free time later in the afternoon to enjoy Bordeaux, stroll along the quays, do some shopping….
Dinner at leisure in Bordeaux.
Thursday, October 1 B/D
Transfer to Paris via TGV. Check into K+K Hotel Cayre. Free time this afternoon for shopping and tonight our Farewell Dinner.
Friday, October 2 B
Transfer to airport for return home.
Price
Price per person, double occupancy: $6,995
Single supplement: $2,258*
*Seven Wonders Club will match solo travelers with roommates, if you’d like to avoid single supplement charges. Ask us for details.
