France for Foodies: Paris, Loire Valley & Bordeaux

This 10-day French vacation takes you to Paris, Tours, and Bordeaux to soak up French culture and sample delicious foods and wines. It features first-class accommodations and small-group tours. Your journey through France begins in Paris, the City of Light and arguably the most popular city on the planet. Take advantage of a Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket to zip around to popular landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe, at your own pace. A boat cruise along the Seine will showcase some of the most beautiful views of the city, such as the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. A three-hour walking tour in Montmartre, the city’s bohemian heart, will introduce you to some of the city’s best bakeries and pastry shops. You’ll also head to a cheese cellar for a tasting of an array of delicious cheeses from across the nation, all expertly paired with an appropriate vintage of wine. Say au revoir to Paris and ride the train into the Loire Valley and the city of Tours, where you’ll head on a private-guided tour to get to know the City of Art and History. You’ll learn about local culture, swing by a winemaker, and see landmarks, such as the gorgeous Cathedrale Saint-Gatien, with its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Head into the surrounding valley and visit the estates of Vouvray Appellation, which produces some of the best wine in the Loire Valley. You’ll visit a family-run estate and enjoy a wine tasting at a wine house along the Loire River. Another day, visit two of the most prestigious chateaux in the region: the Chateau de Chambord and the Chateau de Chenonceau. Connect onwards to Bordeaux by train, a city synonymous with wine. A walking tour will introduce you to the city’s many flavors, from baguette to the sweet pastry canele to aged cheeses. Based in Bordeaux, you’ll also visit Saint-Emilion, one of the prettiest villages in the region, and head to a nearby chateau to sample local wines. Later, follow the Route des Chateaux in Medoc to reach some legendary wine estates renowned around the world.