Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll meet your Travel Director and other guests at the hotel, then settle in before heading to a Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant. The meal features cuisine inspired by traditional country recipes, so you'll get a taste of local cooking right from the start.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes
- Day 2
Champagne Region to Dijon
This morning you'll journey through Champagne's vine-covered landscape, which changes with the seasons from green spring shoots to full summer foliage or russet autumn colors. After stopping in Troyes to see its medieval Old Town with colorful half-timbered houses and sipping champagne, you'll arrive in Dijon. Your Travel Director provides an orientation walk through the city, pointing out its charming architecture and history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the medieval Old Town of Troyes with its colorful half-timbered houses
- Champagne wine tasting in Troyes
- Orientation of Dijon with Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Troyes Old Town Place Darcy - Day 3
Dijon
You'll spend a full day exploring Dijon, the Burgundy capital where handsome buildings reflect the era when the Dukes of Burgundy held more power than the Kings of France. There's an option to visit Beaune, known as the wine capital of Burgundy. Later, you can choose an optional Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Dijon
Optional Activities
- Visit to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy
- Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin
Landmarks/POIs Dijon Beaune Fixin - Day 4
Dijon to Chamonix
You'll climb into the high Alps toward Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest mountain, arriving in Chamonix, the fashionable ski resort. From the Chamonix cable car, you'll take in panoramic views of mountain peaks and the valley below, or explore the resort at your own pace. In the evening, there's a chance to try pierrade at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet, a typical regional meal cooked on a table barbecue.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Chamonix
Optional Activities
- Chamonix cable car for panoramic views of mountain peaks
- Pierrade at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet
Landmarks/POIs Mont Blanc Chamonix - Day 5
Chamonix to Grenoble
You'll head to Annecy, a lakeside town dramatically situated between lake and mountains that feels like a medieval spectacle. After free time for lunch in Little Venice, named for its network of canals crossing the Old Town, you can explore the city's many bridges at leisure. Then you'll continue to your hotel in Grenoble, where dinner at a local restaurant wraps up the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at a local restaurant in Grenoble)
Included Activities
- Visit to Annecy
- Free time in Little Venice area of Annecy
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Grenoble
Landmarks/POIs Annecy Little Venice, Annecy - Day 6
Grenoble to Nice
You'll travel along a spectacular mountain route, the same one Emperor Napoleon used when returning from his first exile. From there you'll head through Provence to the French Riviera, reaching the elegant resort of Nice. The afternoon is free to explore as you wish. Later, you can walk through old town Nice and end at Cours Saleya where dinner is at your leisure at one of the many bistros.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic journey through mountains and Provence
- Arrival in Nice with free time for exploration
Optional Activities
- Walk through old town Nice
- Dinner at bistros in Cours Saleya area
Landmarks/POIs Nice Cours Saleya Old Town Nice - Day 7
Nice to Monaco
You'll start by exploring the glamorous Côte d'Azur. A visit to a perfumery lets you unlock the secrets of the French perfume industry as fragrance experts present exclusive scents. You'll drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco, then choose between the Oceanographic Museum dedicated to Mediterranean science or the Royal Palace and Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours, with an optional visit to the medieval village of Eze and its hilltop Botanical Gardens for coastal views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to a perfumery to learn about the French perfume industry
- Drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco
- Visit to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (Insight Choice)
- Visit to the Royal Palace of Monaco (Insight Choice)
- Visit to Monaco Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Visit to the medieval village of Eze and its hilltop Botanical Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral Eze Eze Botanical Gardens - Day 8
Monaco to Aix-en-Provence
You'll visit Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval village perched high above the Riviera beaches. Walking through its winding streets, you'll see elegant fountains and vine-covered stone walls with views of mountains and sea. After a lesson in pétanque and testing your skills with a glass of pastis, you'll continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence
- Pétanque lesson and game
- Glass of pastis, a French apéritif
- Viewing of mansions on Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Paul de Vence Cours Mirabeau - Day 9
Aix-en-Provence to Avignon
You'll start by seeing the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then explore the storied streets of Avignon, home to the seat of the Pope in the 14th century. At a local olive estate, you'll stroll through scenic groves and learn about sustainable olive oil production before tasting artisanal oils. Back in Aix-en-Provence, you have a free evening to relax or explore the city's cafes and boutiques.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Pont du Gard, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Exploration of Avignon
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a local olive estate
- Stroll through scenic olive groves
- Learning about sustainable olive oil production
- Artisanal olive oil tasting
Landmarks/POIs Pont du Gard Avignon Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon - Day 10
Aix-en-Provence to Arles to Carcassonne to Albi
Your day begins in Arles, once home to the Romans and later a muse to Vincent Van Gogh. You'll stroll past the Arena and Roman Theatre, then cross the fertile Languedoc region to reach Carcassonne, a medieval gem with a UNESCO-listed fortress and complete ramparts. Continuing to Albi, birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec, your Travel Director provides an orientation of key landmarks including the artist's museum and cathedral. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Arles with stroll past the Arena and Roman Theatre
- Travel through the Languedoc region
- Orientation of Carcassonne fortified town
- Visit to Carcassonne fortress, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Orientation of Albi with Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Arles Arena Arles Roman Theatre Carcassonne Fortress Albi Cathedral Toulouse Lautrec Museum - Day 11
Albi
You'll have a full day at leisure in Albi to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this charming town. This evening you'll have a delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients at a local restaurant
- Day 12
Albi to Cahors to Rocamadour
You'll stop in Cahors, famous for its Black Wine, and see the Pont Valentré. After exploring the open air market full of fresh seasonal produce and local delicacies, you'll travel to Rocamadour. Free time lets you explore this medieval town perched on a cliffside above the Alzou River, known as a resting place for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. A farm-to-table dinner prepared with locally sourced ingredients and regional wines concludes the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farm-to-Table Dinner prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region)
Included Activities
- Visit to Cahors
- Viewing of Pont Valentré
- Exploration of open air market in Cahors
- Visit to Rocamadour medieval town
- Farm-to-Table Dinner with locally sourced ingredients and regional wines
Landmarks/POIs Cahors Pont Valentré Rocamadour - Day 13
Rocamadour to Sarlat-la-Canéda
You'll drive into the Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II, where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings are faithfully reproduced. From there you'll head to Sarlat-la-Canéda, a beautiful town with a medieval core and fine golden limestone houses. The evening is relaxed as you dine at your hotel surrounded by the beautiful Dordogne scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel in the Dordogne region)
Included Activities
- Visit to Lascaux II with reproduced prehistoric cave paintings
- Visit to Sarlat-la-Canéda
- Dinner at hotel in the Dordogne region
Landmarks/POIs Lascaux II Sarlat-la-Canéda - Day 14
Sarlat-la-Canéda to Paris
You'll travel to Paris where on arrival you're free to explore this fascinating city as you wish. As evening descends, the City of Light lives up to its name with monuments, buildings and bridges lit up in their glory. There's an optional cabaret show if you want that special touch of excitement and glamour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Arrival in Paris with free time for exploration
Optional Activities
- One of the world-famous cabaret shows in Paris
Landmarks/POIs Paris - Day 15
Paris
During your time in Paris, you'll see the impressive Eiffel Tower and the Luxor obelisk in the centre of Place de la Concorde. A drive along the Champs Élysées takes you to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. This evening features 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)
Included Activities
- Viewing of the Eiffel Tower
- Viewing of the Luxor obelisk in Place de la Concorde
- Drive along the Champs Élysées
- Viewing of Arc de Triomphe
- Dinner of excellent French cuisine and wine
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Place de la Concorde Champs Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 16
Departure
You'll say farewell to your journey through the French countryside as you transfer to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
