Your 12-day culinary adventure begins in Paris, the “City of Light.” Here you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with wine, guided sightseeing, and a visit to the Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School for a cooking demonstration and a tasting of the expertly created dishes. Next, travel via high-speed TGV train to the famous Bordeaux wine region. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting in St. Emilion, and a visit to the Bordeaux Wine School. Next, head south to Biarritz for a decadent tasting and visit at the Museum of Chocolate. Spend two nights in Lourdes of pilgrimage fame, stop for lunch and a pate tasting in the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, and dinner at a local restaurant in Nоmes. An included excursion takes you to Pont du Gard, to
Tavel for a tasting of its celebrated rose wines, and to Avignon.
Stops in Aix-en-Provence and Cannes before arriving in Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco for two overnights. Transfer to Nice for the conclusion of your delicious vacation.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Paris, France
Time to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. This evening meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. After dinner you may wish to join an optional outing to get a first impression of the “City of Light” on an included illumination drive. (D)

Day 3 Paris
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysees. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and for a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (BB)

Day 4 Paris–Bordeaux
Morning departure aboard the famous high-speed “TGV” TRAIN (first class) to Bordeaux. In the afternoon, join your Tour Director for a pleasant walk through the center of this captivating city. (BB,D)

Day 5 Bordeaux. Excursion to St. Emilion
Tour the most famous wine region of France and stop for lunch in the pretty town of St. Emilion. Then, the highlight of today: an expert will explain the local secrets of WINE TASTING. Return to Bordeaux in the afternoon for a visit to the BORDEAUX WINE SCHOOL, where you will learn about the region’s climate, soils, grape varieties, making and ageing process, and the language and technique of tasting. (BB)

Day 6 Bordeaux–Biarritz–Lourdes
Enjoy a scenic drive south, following the Atlantic coast to the charming resort of Biarritz for a visit and tasting at the MUSEUM OF CHOCOLATE. After a stop here, continue to Lourdes of pilgrimage fame, where you will stay for the next two nights. You may wish to join this evening’s memorable rosary and candlelight procession. (BB,D)

Day 7 Lourdes
Enjoy morning sightseeing with a Local Guide. The rest of the day offers plenty of time to soak in the special atmosphere of this place and to follow the pilgrims to the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernardette in 1858. (BB)

Day 8 Lourdes–Carcassonne–Nimes
Stop in the beautifully preserved medieval walled city of Carcassonne on your way to the Provence. While in Carcassonne, enjoy a PATE TASTING at a local restaurant. Continue to Nimes, where your Tour Director will take you for an orientation walk through the center to admire the well-preserved Roman Amphitheater and the Maison Carre. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (BB,D)

Day 9 Nimes. Excursion to Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf-du-Pape & Avignon
Enjoy your drive through the gently rolling hills to Pont du Gard. Admire the 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct, a monumental feat of engineering. Next, visit a beautifully situated winery, for a WINE TASTING of its famous rose wines.In Avignon, an orientation tour includes a picture stop of the bridge from the popular song and the massive Palace of the Popes. Time to browse through the many attractive shops or to join the locals at one of the outdoor sidewalk cafes before returning to Nimes. (BB)

Day 10 Nimes–Aix-en-Provence–Cannes-Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco
This morning is dedicated to Aix-en-Provence, one of France’s most elegant cities. Explore its center on foot, stroll along shaded Cours Mirabeau, admire its famous cafes and fountains, discover colorful squares, or barter with the locals at the quaint flea market on Place de Verdun. After lunch, head east past Cezanne’s Mount St. Victoire and drive through Cannes, where you will see the Festival Hall and the Croisette on your way to your beachfront hotel in the Principality of Monaco. Tonight you may wish to try your luck at the casino! (BB)

Day 11 At Leisure in Monte Carlo
Your day is at leisure to just relax or dabble in the Mediterranean. Why not join an optional excursion to Dolceacqua, Italy, for a tasting of its famous Rossese di Dolceacqua, and for an olive oil press demonstration and tasting? (BB)

Day 12 Monte Carlo–Nice Airport
Homebound flight. Morning transfers to Nice Airport. For land-only travelers: airport transfers are available; ask your Travel Agent for details. (BB)