Champagne, Châteaux and the Cote d’Azur
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Highlights:
Some suggested trips are based around a theme like art or history, aiming to enlighten as well as entertain; this program however is designed for sheer fun for you and a few chosen friends.
Sip the vintages of Champagne, stay in a hunting lodge in the Loire Valley and walk the beach in Nice in front of your hotel. Instead of our excellent contemporary guides along with you, think of Maurice Chevalier as your host showcasing his beloved France.
Some suggested trips are based around a theme like art or history, aiming to enlighten as well as entertain; this program however is designed for sheer fun for you and a few chosen friends.
Sip the vintages of Champagne, stay in a hunting lodge in the Loire Valley and walk the beach in Nice in front of your hotel. Instead of our excellent contemporary guides along with you, think of Maurice Chevalier as your host showcasing his beloved France.
SKU:
Explore: CHAMPAGNE, CHÂTEAUX AND THE COTE D’AZUR
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $6,761 per person)
Day 1: Flight
Head for the airport to catch your flight to Paris to begin your luxury vacation in France absorbing some of the best she has to offer.
Day 2: Welcome to France
Upon arrival in Paris you are met by one of our guides (not Maurice but pretty close) who will drive you to Reims where the Kings of France went to be crowned. You have a chance to admire and visit the cathedral and its towering spires. You then proceed to an elegant Chateau for an equally elegant dinner after having some time to relax beforehand.
Dinner
Day 3: The Route du Champagne
Today you will drive the triangular route stretching between Reims, Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne. While exploring this route you meander through the vineyards of the Marne Valley, Montagne de Reims and Corte des Blancs. As you make your way to Epernay you take time to visit Moet & Chandon’s cellars to taste both their branded champagne and also their premium offering, Dom Perignon named for the monk who created the “Methode Champenoise”. Return to the Chateau for another elegant dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: A TGV to the Loire Valley
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where you board the 1st Class cabin of a high speed train that will take you to St. Pierre de Corps which is the TGV station for the Loire Valley, once the hunting preserve of the nobility and home to some of the most extravagant Chateaux. Your guide will be waiting to take you on a scenic drive along the banks of the Loire River. You arrive at your hotel which was, at one time a hunting lodge but now an elegant boutique hotel with both a Bistrot and a 2 Michelin starred restaurant on premises. This evening you will dine at the Bistrot.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Chenonceau and Chambord
After breakfast you begin your stay in the Chateaux Country with two of the best known Chateaux. The first is Chenonceau which people always remember as being built over a river. Since the 1950’s it has been owned by a family of chocolatiers. You will tour the Chateaux and have the chance to have lunch before heading to your next Chateau. Chambord was built by Francois I as a hunting lodge and is by far the largest of the Chateaux with 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and a stable accommodating 1,200 horses. Unlike many other properties it is not privately-owned and has limited furnishings. Leonardo Da Vinci designed the spiral staircase. Return to your hotel. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Three Fairy Tale Chateaux
Start your day with a visit at Chateau Rigny D’usse forever intertwined with the story of Sleeping Beauty. Visit and you will see why. Another spectacular but les famous Chateau is Azay-Le Rideau, one of the last to be built in the grand style. Drive to Villandry and have lunch at La Doulce Terrace which sits at the entrance to Chateau Villandry noted for its gardens. Complete your day with a Michelin starred meal at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Fly to the French Riviera
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where you catch a high speed train to CDG airport in Paris. The train station is in the terminal making the connection convenient. After a brief flight you land in Nice and are transferred to your beach front hotel.
Breakfast
Day 8: A Day on the Riviera
This day is left open for you to enjoy Nice on your own. You can just relax on Blue beach which is right across from your hotel. Take time to walk along the Promenade des Anglais which parallels the beach at Nice. Take time to have lunch at one of the beach restaurants. You can also visit the old part of Nice with its quaint streets and markets. It also makes a good place to visit for dinner.
Breakfast
Day 9: Cannes, Eze and Monte Carlo
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a tour of the Cote d’Azur. You will start with Cannes, well known for its film festival. You will see the Palais where the festival takes place and the famous red carpeted stairs. You then drive down the coast to the 10th Century village of Eze which sits high on a hilltop providing stunning views all the way into Italy. You have a chance for lunch then you travel to the Principality of Monaco. You will follow the urban race track from the Grand Prix and see the famous casino as well as the yachts in the harbor. You then return to your hotel in Nice.
Breakfast
Day 10: Return to USA
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a connecting flight to Paris and your return to the USA.
Breakfast
Head for the airport to catch your flight to Paris to begin your luxury vacation in France absorbing some of the best she has to offer.
Day 2: Welcome to France
Upon arrival in Paris you are met by one of our guides (not Maurice but pretty close) who will drive you to Reims where the Kings of France went to be crowned. You have a chance to admire and visit the cathedral and its towering spires. You then proceed to an elegant Chateau for an equally elegant dinner after having some time to relax beforehand.
Dinner
Day 3: The Route du Champagne
Today you will drive the triangular route stretching between Reims, Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne. While exploring this route you meander through the vineyards of the Marne Valley, Montagne de Reims and Corte des Blancs. As you make your way to Epernay you take time to visit Moet & Chandon’s cellars to taste both their branded champagne and also their premium offering, Dom Perignon named for the monk who created the “Methode Champenoise”. Return to the Chateau for another elegant dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: A TGV to the Loire Valley
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where you board the 1st Class cabin of a high speed train that will take you to St. Pierre de Corps which is the TGV station for the Loire Valley, once the hunting preserve of the nobility and home to some of the most extravagant Chateaux. Your guide will be waiting to take you on a scenic drive along the banks of the Loire River. You arrive at your hotel which was, at one time a hunting lodge but now an elegant boutique hotel with both a Bistrot and a 2 Michelin starred restaurant on premises. This evening you will dine at the Bistrot.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Chenonceau and Chambord
After breakfast you begin your stay in the Chateaux Country with two of the best known Chateaux. The first is Chenonceau which people always remember as being built over a river. Since the 1950’s it has been owned by a family of chocolatiers. You will tour the Chateaux and have the chance to have lunch before heading to your next Chateau. Chambord was built by Francois I as a hunting lodge and is by far the largest of the Chateaux with 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and a stable accommodating 1,200 horses. Unlike many other properties it is not privately-owned and has limited furnishings. Leonardo Da Vinci designed the spiral staircase. Return to your hotel. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Three Fairy Tale Chateaux
Start your day with a visit at Chateau Rigny D’usse forever intertwined with the story of Sleeping Beauty. Visit and you will see why. Another spectacular but les famous Chateau is Azay-Le Rideau, one of the last to be built in the grand style. Drive to Villandry and have lunch at La Doulce Terrace which sits at the entrance to Chateau Villandry noted for its gardens. Complete your day with a Michelin starred meal at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Fly to the French Riviera
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where you catch a high speed train to CDG airport in Paris. The train station is in the terminal making the connection convenient. After a brief flight you land in Nice and are transferred to your beach front hotel.
Breakfast
Day 8: A Day on the Riviera
This day is left open for you to enjoy Nice on your own. You can just relax on Blue beach which is right across from your hotel. Take time to walk along the Promenade des Anglais which parallels the beach at Nice. Take time to have lunch at one of the beach restaurants. You can also visit the old part of Nice with its quaint streets and markets. It also makes a good place to visit for dinner.
Breakfast
Day 9: Cannes, Eze and Monte Carlo
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a tour of the Cote d’Azur. You will start with Cannes, well known for its film festival. You will see the Palais where the festival takes place and the famous red carpeted stairs. You then drive down the coast to the 10th Century village of Eze which sits high on a hilltop providing stunning views all the way into Italy. You have a chance for lunch then you travel to the Principality of Monaco. You will follow the urban race track from the Grand Prix and see the famous casino as well as the yachts in the harbor. You then return to your hotel in Nice.
Breakfast
Day 10: Return to USA
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a connecting flight to Paris and your return to the USA.
Breakfast
