Discover Paris & Southwest France Program Details

1 nt. in Paris, 3 nts. in Bordeaux & 1 nt. in Paris

Discover Paris & Southwest France

Day 1 Paris

Arrive in Paris and transfer (on your own) to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin exploring this fascinating city. Your overnight stay is in Paris.

Day 2 Paris/Bordeaux

After breakfast, take the high-speed (TGV) train from the Paris Gare de Lyon station to Bordeaux. The city of Bordeaux bears the same name as the region and the famous wine that's been produced there for over 1,200 years. The region is most well known for its wine making and is also full of historical villages, cathedrals, and castles. The area has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Saint Andre Cathedral, the Saint Seurin Basilica, and the Saint Michael Basilica, Your overnight stay is in Bordeaux.

Day 3 Bordeaux

After breakfast, discover the city of Bordeaux with a 2-hour tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided excursion of the vineyards. Savor wine tastings at two vineries called in local terms: 'chateaux'. In late afternoon, return to your hotel. You'll have time to relax or continue exploring Bordeaux. This evening enjoy dinner at a lively Bordeaux restaurant.

Day 4 Bordeaux

You may opt to choose from one of the full day excursions. Return to your hotel in Bordeaux.

Day 5 Bordeaux/Paris

After breakfast, take the high-speed (TGV) train back to Paris. Your overnight stay is at the Ville Lumiere in Paris.

Day 6 Paris to USA (or extend your stay)

After breakfast, depart to the airport for your flight back to the USA.

Included Excursions

Bordeaux (Full day) - Discover the city of Bordeaux with a morning tour (Wednesdays and Saturdays a panoramic motorcoach tour; the remainder of the week is a walking tour of the old city). In the afternoon, enjoy a guided excursion of the vineyards. Savor wine tastings at two wineries (called 'Chateaux'). Depending on the day of the week, the 'Chateaux' that will be visited are: Mondays, Blaye/Bourg � Tuesdays, Entre-Deux-Mers Wednesdays, Saint Emilion � Thursdays, Medoc Fridays, Graves/Sauternes � Saturdays, Medoc Sundays, Saint-Emilion. Included are the following: 1 dinner at the restaurant 'BAUD & MILLET', or similar (beverages not included) - 2-hour city tour - Half-day excursion to the vineyards Price per person $161

Optional Excursions - From Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion (full day) - A quaint French village with cobblestone streets and medieval houses, Saint Emilion is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This medieval town is located at the top of a hill overlooking the Dordogne valley and was built in the shape of an amphitheatre. You will discover the underground monuments and the most unusual is the monolithic church which is carved entirely out of solid limestone. The catacombs shelter a mass grave and tombs. See the hermitage, carved out of a natural grotto, where according to legend, the monk Emilion spent 17 years. The 'chapelle de la trinite' (Trinity Chapel) is an excellent example of 13th century architecture. Afterwards, you'll savor a wine tasting in a �Classified Great Growth' of St. Emilion appellation. St. Emilion's extensive underground galleries have been converted into wine cellars and they're now used to age famous wines such as Beausejour Becot, Villemaurine, and Franc- Mayne. Price per person $458 (Minimum 2 persons)

The Medoc Wine Region (full day) - A half hour from Bordeaux and you're in The Medoc, the heart of the French wine-growing region. The Medoc is particularly renowned for producing the world's most famous wines. You'll find Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Latour, Lafite Rothschild, and Mouton. The 1855 classification listed 60 Chateaux in the Medoc area. You'll learn to recognize a wine according to its appellation: Margaux, Pauillac, St Estephe, St Julien, Haut Medoc. Savor wine tastings that will have you understand the difference in appellation. Price per person $458 (Minimum 2 persons)

Arcachon (full day) - Arcachon, a seaside resort on the Bay can be enjoyed year-round. The Bay of Arcachon is open to the Atlantic and backed by a pine forest. Enjoy the beautiful views. You'll see Europe's highest sand dune that rises to 117 meters over the foam of the waves. A true feast for oyster lovers, the culinary specialties of Arcachon are seafood-based. Consumed year-round, whether raw in a marinade or cooked hot on skewers, in a gratin or even stuffed, the oyster recipes are bountiful, as are the restaurants. Price per person $458 (Minimum 2 persons)

Lourdes (1:30 pm to 6:30 pm) - Includes a guided walking tour of Lourdes, plus a scenic excursion to the Pyrenees National Park and The Cirque of Gavarnie, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A magnificent natural sight, the Cirque of Gavarnie is an awe-inspiring glacial amphitheatre rising 1,400 meters from its base and stretching in a near perfect semicircle 890 meters in diameter. Price per person $202

Departures & Pricing

Call (800) 990-3454 for reservation