Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
Meet your Travel Director and the other guests at the hotel this evening. You'll head to a classic local restaurant for a welcome dinner featuring cuisine based on traditional country recipes. It's a good way to get to know everyone before the trip really gets going.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant
- Day 2
Troyes - Dijon
You'll travel through the Champagne region, where vines cover the hillsides and the seasonal foliage is on display. Stop in Troyes to walk around its medieval Old Town, where colorful half-timbered houses line the streets, and you'll have time to sample some champagne. Later you'll reach Dijon, where your Travel Director gives an overview of the city's charming architecture and its history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Dijon La Cloche)
Included Activities
- Visit Troyes medieval Old Town
- Champagne wine tasting
- Dijon orientation with Travel Director
Landmarks Troyes Old Town Dijon 
- Day 3
Dijon
Spend the day exploring Dijon, the capital of Burgundy. The city has handsome buildings that date back to when the Dukes of Burgundy held more power than the Kings of France. If you want, there's an option to head to Beaune, which is known as Burgundy's wine center. In the evening, you can choose to attend a Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Dijon La Cloche)
Optional Activities
- Visit Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy
- Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in Fixin
Landmarks Dijon Beaune Fixin - Day 4
Alps - Chamonix
You'll climb up into the high Alps toward Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest mountain, eventually reaching the ski resort town of Chamonix. There's time to take in the panoramic views from the Chamonix cable car or just wander around the mountain resort. If you're interested, there's an option to try a pierrade, a regional meal cooked on a traditional table barbecue, at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alpina Eclectic, Chamonix)
Optional Activities
- Chamonix cable car for panoramic views
- Explore Chamonix mountain resort
- Pierrade dinner at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet
Landmarks Mont Blanc Chamonix 
- Day 5
Annecy - Grenoble
You'll head to Annecy, a lakeside town that sits dramatically between the lake and mountains. The morning and early afternoon give you free time for lunch in Little Venice, where you can walk through the network of canals crossing the Old Town and see the lovely bridges. After that, you'll continue to Grenoble and have dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at a local restaurant in Grenoble)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Park Grenoble-MGallery)
Included Activities
- Journey to Annecy
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Grenoble
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Little Venice, Annecy
- Explore bridges and canals of Annecy Old Town
Landmarks Annecy Little Venice, Annecy 
- Day 6
Provence - French Riviera - Nice
The route today follows a spectacular mountain drive along the path Emperor Napoleon took when returning from his first exile. You'll continue through Provence toward the French Riviera and arrive in Nice. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own. If you'd like, there's an evening option to walk through old town Nice and end up at Cours Saleya for dinner at one of the many bistros there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu, Nice)
Optional Activities
- Walk through old town Nice
- Dinner at Cours Saleya bistros
Landmarks Nice Cours Saleya 
- Day 7
Monaco - French Riviera
This day focuses on the glamorous Côte d'Azur. You'll visit a perfumery to learn about French perfume production and try some exclusive scents. There's a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco, and you'll have an Insight Choice option to either see the Oceanographic Museum or visit the Royal Palace and Cathedral of Monaco. You can explore the French Riviera at your own pace. Optionally, visit the medieval village of Eze and its hilltop Botanical Gardens for views of the coastline.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu, Nice)
Included Activities
- Visit a perfumery for French perfume education
- Drive along Grand Prix circuit in Monaco
- Oceanographic Museum (Insight Choice option)
- Royal Palace of Monaco and Monaco Cathedral (Insight Choice option)
Optional Activities
- Visit medieval village of Eze
- Eze hilltop Botanical Gardens
Landmarks Monaco Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral Eze Eze Botanical Gardens - Day 8
Saint-Paul-de-Vence - Aix-en-Provence
You'll visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval village perched high above the Riviera beaches. Walk through the winding streets where elegant fountains and vine-covered stone walls offer mountain and sea views. There's time to learn and play pétanque, followed by a glass of pastis, a French aperitif. Then you'll head to Aix-en-Provence to see the sumptuous mansions that line the Cours Mirabeau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aquabella Hotel & Spa, Aix-en-Provence)
Included Activities
- Visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence medieval village
- Pétanque lesson and game with pastis
Landmarks Saint-Paul-de-Vence Aix-en-Provence Cours Mirabeau - Day 9
Pont du Gard - Avignon - Olive Estate
Start by seeing the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, you'll explore Avignon's historic streets, which were home to the papal seat in the 14th century. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER visit takes you to a local olive estate where you'll learn about sustainable olive oil production from tree to table and taste artisanal oils. You'll return to Aix-en-Provence for a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aquabella Hotel & Spa, Aix-en-Provence)
Included Activities
- Visit Pont du Gard ancient Roman aqueduct
- Explore Avignon
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience at local olive estate with sustainable production education
- Artisanal olive oil tasting
Landmarks Pont du Gard Avignon Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon 
- Day 10
Arles - Carcassonne - Albi
Begin in Arles, a city once home to Romans and later an inspiration to Vincent Van Gogh. You'll walk past the Arena and Roman Theatre to see the artistic and architectural heritage. From there, you'll cross through the fertile Languedoc region to Carcassonne, a UNESCO-listed fortress town with complete ramparts and keep. Later in the evening, your Travel Director gives an orientation in Albi, covering key landmarks including the Toulouse-Lautrec museum and cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Saint Antoine, Albi)
Included Activities
- Visit Arles with Local Expert commentary
- Explore Arles Arena and Roman Theatre
- Visit Carcassonne fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Albi orientation with Travel Director
Landmarks Arles Arles Arena Arles Roman Theatre Carcassonne Fortress Albi Albi Cathedral Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, Albi 
- Day 11
Albi
You have a full day at leisure in Albi to relax and take in the atmosphere at your own pace. There's plenty to see on your own or you can just rest. In the evening, you'll have a carefully prepared dinner of fresh ingredients at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Saint Antoine, Albi)
Included Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant with carefully selected fresh ingredients
Landmarks Albi - Day 12
Cahors - Rocamadour
Stop in Cahors, known for its Black Wine, to see the Pont Valentré and walk through the open air market filled with fresh seasonal produce and local delicacies. You'll then travel to Rocamadour, a medieval town perched on a cliffside above the Alzou River. The town is known as a resting place for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Later, you'll have a Farm-to-Table Dinner with locally sourced ingredients and regional wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farm-to-Table Dinner prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Perigord, La Roque-Gageac)
Included Activities
- Visit Cahors and Pont Valentré
- Explore Cahors open air market
- Visit Rocamadour medieval town
- Farm-to-Table Dinner with locally sourced ingredients and regional wines
Landmarks Cahors Pont Valentré Rocamadour - Day 13
Dordogne - Lascaux II - Sarlat-la-Canéda
This morning you'll drive into the Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II, where famous prehistoric cave paintings have been carefully reproduced. After that, you'll reach the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda with its medieval center of fine golden limestone houses. You'll spend the evening relaxed in the Dordogne region, dining at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel in the Dordogne region)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Perigord, La Roque-Gageac)
Included Activities
- Visit Lascaux II prehistoric cave paintings
- Explore Sarlat-la-Canéda
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Lascaux II Sarlat-la-Canéda - Day 14
Paris
You'll travel to Paris, and once you arrive, the day is yours to explore the city however you'd like. As evening comes, the City of Light lives up to its name with monuments, buildings and bridges lit up beautifully. If you're interested, there's an option to join one of the world-famous cabaret shows for a special touch of excitement.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Meridien Paris Arc de Triomphe)
Optional Activities
- World-famous cabaret show
Landmarks Paris - Day 15
Paris
You'll see the Eiffel Tower, the Luxor obelisk at Place de la Concorde, and drive along the Champs Élysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. The evening brings a memorable dinner of excellent French cuisine and wine to toast your journey through France.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner of excellent French cuisine and wine to toast your journey through France)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Meridien Paris Arc de Triomphe)
Included Activities
- Visit Eiffel Tower
- View Luxor obelisk at Place de la Concorde
- Drive along Champs Élysées
- Visit Arc de Triomphe
- Dinner with excellent French cuisine and wine
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Place de la Concorde Luxor Obelisk Champs Élysées Arc de Triomphe Notre-Dame Cathedral River Seine - Day 16
Airport
You'll transfer to the airport as your journey through the French countryside comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
