Treat your senses to the experience of a lifetime on this 11-day tour through the fabled wine and food regions of Burgundy and Champagne, and sip and savor the best of what France has to offer. If you’re a foodie, or if you simply love great cuisine, these charming towns and villages will leave you with lasting memories. 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Lyon

Board an overnight flight to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France.

Day 2 - Lyon

Upon arriving in Lyon, a Go Ahead representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner in a bouchon, a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Lyon

Start the day with a guided tour of the city’s old town. Begin at the Cathedral of Fourviere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by an exploration of Lyon’s medieval and Renaissance architecture. Enjoy a free afternoon or opt to visit the city’s Roman Ruins. (B)

$45 USD

Roman Ruins in Lyon Before there was Lyon, there was the Roman city of Lugdunum. Tour the theater and the ruins of the ancient city (the craftsman's quarter), which give a hint of life during Roman times. You’ll also visit the Odeum, which remains in use as a venue for summertime musical performances.

Day 4 - Lyon

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Perouge this morning, an enchanting walled medieval village. Later today, visit three villages in the Beaujolais region where you'll sample the local wines and cuisine and enjoy an included dinner with wine. (B, W, D)

Day 5 - Dijon

Travel north to Dijon, home of the famed mustard. En route, stop in Cluny, a medieval city built around the Cluny Abbey and the Hotel Dieu. Take a guided tour of the Chateau of Cormartin, which evokes the gilded era of the 17th century. Enjoy an included dinner upon arrival. (B, D)

Day 6 - Dijon

On today’s tour of Dijon, stop at the Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne, the original ducal residence before strolling by the shops in the Place de la Libération. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, opt to visit the historic Hospices de Beaune, followed by wine tastings on La Route des Grands Crus. (B, L)

$55 USD

Hospices de Beaune With his wife, the Duke of Burgundy's chancellor devoted much of his fortune to caring for the thousands who were left poor and starving after the Hundred Years' War. Tour the Hôtel-Dieu of the Hospices de Beaune before stopping for a wine tasting along La Route des Grands Crus on your return to Dijon.

Day 7 - Reims

Visit the town of Chablis, where you’ll sample the local wine. Continue on to Reims, home to Tattinger, Mumm, Piper-Heidsieck, Veuve Cliquot-Ponsardin and Ruinart, some of the world’s most famous Champagne estates. Enjoy dinner with your group tonight. (B, W, D)

Day 8 - Reims

This morning, a local guide introduces you to Reims and its gothic cathedral, the Notre Dame de Reims. This afternoon, visit a Champagne wine cellar for an included tasting.(B, W)

Day 9 - Paris

Today, head to Chantilly, the birthplace of Creme Chantilly. Explore the Chateau de Chantilly and its extensive grounds. Continue on to Paris, where you can enjoy a scenic cruise along the Seine on our optional Evening in Paris. (B)

$99 USD

Evening in Paris: Seine Cruise & Dinner *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Take in all the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Then board a boat cruise along the Seine and glide past the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris — including Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

Day 10 - Paris

On today’s tour of Paris, take a drive along the Champs-Élysées, and view sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House, the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre and the River Seine. This afternoon, you are free to explore Paris at your leisure or take an optional excursion to Versailles, the opulent estate of Sun King Louis XIV. Stroll through the Hall of Mirrors (a symbol of the monarch’s wealth) and enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens. Join your group for a farewell dinner. (B, D)

$89 USD

Versailles Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King,” set new standards among European royalty for the decadence of his reign. On this half-day excursion, you will see the palace in all its glory. Tour the State Apartments and the glittering Hall of Mirrors then stroll through the lavish gardens. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 45 days prior to departure.

Day 11 - Paris

Transfer to the airport and board your flight home, or extend your stay with a visit to Strasbourg and Alsace’s wine region. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter France, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States or Canada.

No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the French consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to France. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Paris. Included transportation on “A Taste of France: Burgundy & Champagne” is by private motorcoach.

Most of the destinations on tour are best explored on foot, but in Paris you may want to take advantage of the excellent transportation system. Paris’ massive Métro is world-class, easy to navigate and efficient. Make sure to take time and look for the best deal on travel passes. Ask your tour director which one might work best. Often the daily passes are not actually the best deal.

Leisurely sightseeing walks in the medieval villages and vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne do involve some cobblestone streets, winding alleys and uphill or uneven terrain. Most of these towns are best accessed on foot, but travelers should be aware of more moderate walking. Sightseeing in Paris is conducted via private motorcoach with a stop to visit Notre Dame.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The Euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in France, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.

We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the Euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.