Travel by train and tantalize your senses while exploring castles, tasting wine and dining on local cuisine in France.
Our Wine and Food tour promises an unforgettable experience for wine aficionados and novices alike. Nestled amidst the renowned wine region of the Loire Valley, you’ll indulge in the finest vintages carefully paired with sumptuous French cuisine. Imagine the velvety texture of a Sauvignon Blanc dancing on your palate as you savor the delicate flavors of artisanal cheeses and freshly baked baguettes.
Engage in intimate tastings led by knowledgeable sommeliers, who will unveil the secrets behind each bottle, enriching your appreciation for the art of winemaking. Beyond the vineyards, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of French culture, wandering cobblestone streets adorned with charming cafes and bustling markets. Let the enchanting landscapes and warm hospitality of France awaken your senses and rejuvenate your spirit. Join us on this gastronomic adventure, where every sip tells a story and every bite ignites your passion for the finer things in life.
WINE & FOOD TOUR IN FRANCE
8 Days, 7 Nights I Starting at $4500
October 5 – 12, 2024
Normandy
The beautiful landscapes and picturesque towns in Normandy are where we will spend the first two nights of our trip. Famed for its medieval and 20th-century history, Impressionist art, regional cuisine, the charming and vibrant cities are perfect for you to adjust to French culture, explore the local vibes, and pour your first glass of French wine.
Mont St-Michel
Perched upon a tidal island just off the coast, Mont St-Michel is a medieval, fairy-tail abbey not to be missed. We’ll enjoy a day-trip here to learn about this holy island (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the breathtaking bay surrounding.
Loire Valley
We will spend four nights in the Loire Valley, also known as the Garden of France, largely due to the abundance of vineyards found in the region. You’ll enjoy the tastes of the Loire Valley’s Melon de Bourgogne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc wine variations. This region also boasts the second leading maker of Rose. Relax, explore, taste incredible foods paired with the finest of wines.
Paris
Our final night will be in the alluring City of Light, of romance, of the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and so much more. Arriving by train, you will have time to explore a little before we enjoy our final night on a sunset river cruise along the Seine, taking in the lights, sounds, and of course, wine in the city.
YOUR ITINERARY
Here is what each day will look like:
DAY 1
Paris to Normandy
Arrival at Charles-de-Gualle airport in Paris. Meet the other travelers in the group, board a train, and travel to the charming vibrant city of Caen on the west coast.
Orientation – Here we will review local information about French culture, your surroundings, and health and safety information, as well as review what you can expect to experience throughout the week. We will also take a short tour of the local town.
Welcome Dinner – Enjoy your first taste of French cuisine. A variety of gourmet dishes of fish, meat, chicken, salads, and vegetarian/vegan options are available. And of course, a local wine selection.
DAY 2
Normandy
Day Trip Options: Your first full day in France offers you a choice of Day Trips. We recommend you join us to travel just a bit out of town to visit Mont St-Michel, a 10th-century abbey perched on a tidal island. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, you can visit one of France’s most stunning sights and breathtaking bays. If you would rather stay local, you can choose to join a walking trip in Caen or Bayeux and explore this vibrant and off-the-beaten-path European town.
DAY 3
Normandy to Loire Valley
Travel: Wave farewell to Normandy and its historic charms from your train window as we are whisked southeast into the countryside to explore French wineries.
Lunch: Your first wine tasting will be in a local winery in the Loire Valley where you will also enjoy a tasty lunch.
Afternoon: Relax in your hotel room, and settle in! The afternoon is yours to rest up or to wander and explore your new French surroundings.
Dinner: We’ll enjoy dinner together at a local and quaint restaurant nearby.
DAY 4
Loire Valley
Wine Tasting: This day includes a day tour to visit local wineries, including the famous Wine Tasting in the nearby Amboise Caves. Your lunch will also be included in a winery, where you will be able to pair France’s finest wine with France’s finest cuisine.
DAY 5
Loire Valley
Free Day: Following a day of train travel, wineries, and family dinners, you can enjoy this new city on your own time. Explore the local sites, discover wine tasting on your own, and immerse yourself in local culture.
Dinner: We’ll enjoy dinner together at a local quaint restaurant nearby, sharing stories of our individual wine and cheese adventures.
DAY 6
Loire Valley
Winery Tours: Today we will hire local transport to take us to several of the best wineries the Loire Valley has to offer. Dine on a scrumptious lunch in a scenic vineyard, learning more about the varieties of wine produced from our friendly sommelier.
Evening: Relax in your hotel room, and settle in! The evening is yours to rest up or to wander and explore the new sights and sounds (and tastes!)
DAY 7
Loire Valley to Paris
Travel: Pack your bags and get comfortable as we depart from the Loire Valley and travel back to Paris.
Tour: Enjoy our final evening together drinking wine on a boat cruise along the Seine River. The sunset cruise is a lovely way to see the sites of Paris as the evening falls.
Dinner: We’ll enjoy dinner together at a local and quaint restaurant, regaling the memories we’ve made, the sights we’ve seen, and the wine we’ve tasted.
DAY 8
Paris
Breakfast: Your breakfast will be included in your stay, and you can expect a selection of aromatic coffee, fresh juice, French bread, fruits, and a tasty egg dish.
Departures Transportation to airport provided. Bon Voyage!
INCLUSIONS
ACCOMMODATION
Each guest will stay in laid-back luxury in one of the architecturally designed chateaus or charming hotels with quaint ambiance and European charm.
(Please inquire about single room option details and pricing).
TRANSPORTATION
All of your travel in-country that is part of our itinerary is included in your trip, including airport to train station, train travel, private van hire for visiting wineries and local tours, as well as Paris city transport on our final day. Flights to Paris are not included. Excursions on your free days are not included.
MEALS
During the duration of your trip, you will enjoy 4 dinners with our group, 3 lunches in wineries, and breakfasts when they are included in your hotel or chateau stay. Lunches on “free days” are not included. Wine tastings that are part of our winery tours are included. Enjoy!
WINERIES & TOURS
Your 8-day Wine & Food Tasting tour in France includes your all-day tour to Mont St-Michel (or a local day tour if you choose to opt out of visiting Mont St-Michel). You’ll also enjoy three different days visiting several wineries each day, including a winery tucked into the Amboise Caves, and visit nearby castles. Finally, your trip includes the Seine River Cruise on our final day in Paris.
Book. Click the “Book Now” button below to submit your details.
Make a Payment. After submitting your details, you will be taken to the “Make A Payment” page so that you can secure your placement with a deposit and a signed participant agreement.
- Deposit of 50% is due to secure placement.
- Remaining balance of 50% of the total cost is due August 20th
All payments are non-refundable.
Payment plans are available. Just reach out to me and I can structure a payment plan that works for you!
Flights. Airport to fly into is Charles-de-Gualle International Airport. We will pick you up at the airport upon arrival. Please get in touch with me and I’ll help you arrange the best possible travel logistics
Prepare. We will connect with you soon to provide more information regarding in-country travel logistics, your itinerary, and any answer questions you may have that help you prepare.
Meet Your Retreat Hosts
Christy Nichols
Curator of Transformational Retreats | Author | Speaker | Purposeful Travel Advocate | Writer | CEO at Venture Within
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Christy’s professional education expertise has afforded her the opportunity to work all over the world. Since achieving a Masters Degree and Teaching Credentials in Sussex, England, she has delivered educational and leadership initiatives internationally to individuals in the UK, Europe, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Africa, Canada, the USA, and Australia. After successfully creating and developing EDventure International, an organization combining leadership development, education, and conservation projects overseas, she launched Venture Within. Her passion is creating transformational experiences for personal and professional growth through overseas immersion, executive life coaching, and adventurous experiences abroad. She enables and inspires others to live a full and meaningful life.
- Expert in leadership development amongst professionals
- 20 years an Educator, CEO of Venture Within, and EDventure International
- ICF Accredited Certified Professional Coach
- Curated strategic leadership workshops catered for traveling professionals, with a focus on personal development and growth.
- Utilizes cultural immersive experiences as transformative opportunities.
- Specializes in transformative experiences that enhance leadership abilities on personal and professional levels.
Mel Stevens
Owner of Sticks & Stones Kitchens and Mel Stevens Designs | Wine Ambassador | Traveller | Writer | Photographer
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Mel Stevens is currently in the Interior Design business and an amateur photographer. Her passions have led her to her new chapter in the travel, food, wine, and health industry. She has been traveling the world since her early 20s and has picked up unimaginable experiences that can not be experienced in just one country; has an innate feeling of wanting to share what she has absorbed over the years.
The history, culture, and beauty of the architecture are what inspire her quest to continue to explore and share more countries, museums, and vineyards around the globe. She is an enthusiastic and light-hearted Retreat host and aims to assist and share with other women to join her on the travel train while taking that leap with ease. (Especially those who have wanted to travel outside their own country, but have not yet had the opportunity.)
Join Mel as she follows her instinct to find tucked-away treasures in local side-streets, and follows her nose to discover fine-wines, and enjoy lots of laughs, exploration, and fun on each trip!
The Wine Tasting Travel through France is an experience for those who seek an indulgent experience away from their routine and who crave time to explore new cities, travel through French countrysides by train, and improve their wine-tasting talents!
- an adventurous spirit
- craving a change in your scenery
- a soul-searching individual
- in need of a break, relaxation and re-focus
- ready to explore and try new things
- a passion for fine foods and fine wines
Then we got you covered. The Wine & Food Travel through France is the indulgent get-away offering you the experience you’ve been looking for.
Still have questions? Get in touch and we’ll give you a call to be sure this retreat is the perfect fit for your plans.