France·April 30 - May 6 2023

A Champagne and Burgundy Sparkling Wine Adventure

" I only drink Champagne when I am happy and when I am sad" Lily Bollinger

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Overview

Overview

Join us as we journey through two of the world's most famous wine regions – Champagne and Burgundy. We'll visit the superb wine houses in each region, enjoy fabulous French cuisine, and stay in grand style at Chateaux Hotels. The Champagne region has produced fine wine since the Middle Ages (11th century) when Pope Urban II declared the wine of Aÿ in the Marne département the best in the world. For the better part of a millennium, Burgundy has set the standard for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production. The great wines of Burgundy are among the most collectible and expensive in the world. “I drink my champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.” -Madame Bollinger (1884-1977)

Highlights

Visit the most renowned Female Champagne House

Visit the most renowned Female Champagne House

Stay in not one but two stunning Chateaux

Stay in not one but two stunning Chateaux

Be re-introduced to wine, both sparkling and still with our fun and charming English wine educator

Be re-introduced to wine, both sparkling and still with our fun and charming English wine educator

Visit one of the most beautiful and important Cathedrals in all of France

Visit one of the most beautiful and important Cathedrals in all of France

Take a cooking class with one of the most charming ladies you’ve ever met

Take a cooking class with one of the most charming ladies you’ve ever met

Visit the incredible Hospices de Beaune, a hospital that produces wine!

Visit the incredible Hospices de Beaune, a hospital that produces wine!

Explore the tiny walled village on a hill of Chateauneuf

Explore the tiny walled village on a hill of Chateauneuf

Visit and taste in the small village of Chablis

Visit and taste in the small village of Chablis

Tour a magnificent Art Nouveau Villa

Tour a magnificent Art Nouveau Villa

Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip

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Day 1: Sunday, April 30th, 2023

Take a morning train from Paris to Reims and we’ll pick you up at the Reims train station. (We’ll let you know exactly what train to take, and where to get it).

Together we’ll meet for our first lunch together at the Cafe du Palais, a classic from 1930. After lunch, we’ll visit the famous Reims Cathedral. It's where all the Kings of France were crowned.

Next, we’ll have a private visit to the exquisite Art Nouveau Pommery Villa Demoiselle followed by several Champagne tastings across the street and a cellar visit to Pommery Vranken.

Our next stop, a little way out of town, is Chateau Sacy, our luxurious home for the next three nights. We'll check in and relax for a while before we meet for cocktails on the terrace followed by a sumptuous first meal together.

Included

Lunch

Dinner

Not Included

Breakfast

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Day 2: Monday, May 1st, 2023

Today we’ll head into the charming town of Epernay for a short historical tour.

We’ll lunch in town at the delicious La Grillade Gourmand, after which you'll have time to walk around town to shop and explore. Next, we’ll embark on a tour and tasting at the renowned house of Veuve Cliquot, the first lady so to speak of Champagne.

After the tour, we'll head back to the Chateau.  You'll have the afternoon and evening to yourself. For dinner, enjoy room service or walk into the village, to Les Bulles, a friendly bistro nearby.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Not Included

Dinner

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Day 3: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

Today we reveal our secret weapon. Brendan, our very own wine educator will introduce us to some of his favorite smaller champagne houses, often called grower/producers.

We’ll keep these secret addresses close at hand for now. We’ll have a simple picnic along the way, and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a relaxed dinner and sample some biodynamic wines in Reims town at Au Bon Manger.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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Day 4: Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Today we'll check out, and make our way to Burgundy. Brendan will meet us en route in Chablis. He’ll take us to one or two of his favorite producers for a wine tasting followed by lunch.

Our second Chateau stay is at the lovely Chateau Saint Sabine.

After checking in, why not relax on the terrace or next to the charming little pond? Then join us for dinner in the downstairs dining room.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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Day 5: Thursday, May 4th, 2023

Today we’re off to the center of Burgundy – the lovely town of Beaune. We’ll tour the Hospices de Beaune and then take a short historical walking tour.

Lunch is at a fun, hip little wine bar across from our favorite antique shop.

This afternoon, you are free to explore and shop on your own.  We suggest visiting the only family-owned mustard company left in France, Maison Fallot.

Late in the afternoon, we’ll meet with our friend Katherine, an English lady who has adopted France as her own. Each of you will receive, as a gift, a copy of Katheriné cookbook but first, you must roll up your sleeves because this is an interactive cooking class.

After we learn to chop, stir, taste, and bake we’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of our labors. Enter once again, our friend Brendan to take us through a tasting like no other. We’ll sip a bevy of Burgundian wines, and learn why Brendan's philosophy of paying less for more is a revelation!

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Cooking Class

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Day 6: Friday, May 5th, 2023

After breakfast at the Chateaux, Brendan will escort us into the beautiful Burgundian countryside to visit three of his favorite village producers. These are the women and men who produce glorious wines without the eye-popping price tags you find at wine auctions.

After a rest back at the Chateau we’ll have our grand finale dinner together. We are heading a short drive away to the walled Village of Chateauneuf. 

We’ll take a walk around this lovely historic village and visit the Chateau. Then we’ll settle in for an early meal, family style, at Le Bistro Pre-Verts.

Because they have a wide selection of wines and even whiskeys by the glass it's time to try a few you’ve never tasted before.

We’ll toast each other, and the incredible wine-filled 7 days we've enjoyed together!

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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Day 7-Saturday,May 6th

All good things come to an end. After breakfast, we'll escort you to the train station in Dijon to head back to Paris. You take back memories to last a lifetime. 

 

Included

Breakfast

You'll Be Staying Here

Chateau de Sacy

Chateau de Sacy

Enjoy unforgettable experiences at the Chateau de Sacy, with its Gastronomy and great hospitality.

Chateau Saint Sabine

Chateau Saint Sabine

In the heart of Burgundy, a stone's throw from Beaune, enjoy a timeless 4-star stay at Chateau Saint Sabine.

Hosts

Claudine Hemingway

Claudine Hemingway

Your host for this trip is Claudine Hemingway. Claudine has had Paris in her blood for generations. As a descendant of the great author Ernest Hemingway, the love of Paris has always been there. Claudine is a French arts and cultural historian who loves to dig deeper and share the history of Paris and the people that shaped it through daily stories, live and virtual tours, and a weekly podcast. She loves Champagne as much as you do!

 

"Burgundy makes you think of silly things and Champagne makes you do them"

Champagne and Burgundy

If you want to travel beyond Paris, be sure to consider the Champagne-Ardenne and Burgundy region. These two areas have so much to see and do that you will be very busy. And if you are a lover of champagne or fine wine, you will be in heaven.

Champagne and Burgundy

What's Included

What's Included

Everything stated in itinerary above including all meals (except one) plus 2 glasses of wine with dinner

All guides, experts and tastings

Your stay at unique highly rated hotels

All Museum or other entry fees

All in-country transport including your transfers

Roundtrip airfare to France

Train travel to and from the start and finish

Any spa treatment desired

Any personal souvenirs or purchases

Additional wine, beer or spirits beyond what is offered at meals.

Travel and Medical Insurance (required)

FAQs

You will want to fly into The Paris Charle De Gaulle Airport.

The trip officially starts on the morning of April 30th, but if you are traveling across an ocean to get to Paris, you may want to consider arriving a day early so you have time to relax and get acclimated to the local time zone. If you do decide to arrive early, please let us know and we will book your room for you and make sure that you stay in the same room as you will be in when the trip starts.

The train tickets are not included in the price of the trip We will let you know exactly what train to book and where to get it. 

We will have a zoom call about 6 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.

Your host for this trip is Claudine Hemingway. Claudine has had Paris in her blood for generations. As a descendant of the great author Ernest Hemingway, the love of Paris has always been there. Claudine is a French arts and cultural historian who loves to dig deeper and share the history of Paris and the people that shaped it through daily stories, live and virtual tours, and a weekly podcast. She loves Champagne as much as you do! 

In May, the highest temperature reaches 65°F while the lowest temperature drops to 52°F.

Inquire about this trip

A Champagne and Burgundy Sparkling Wine Adventure

France· April 30 - May 6 2023· 6 nights