A Taste of France: Burgundy & Champagne

11 Days from $2,599 USD


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. 

Trip costs include:

  • Round-trip air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts
  • The services of a bilingual Go Ahead Tour Director
  • A licensed local city guide in Lyon, Perouge, Dijon, Reims and Paris
  • 9 nights accommodations in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower
  • All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes
  • Buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch; 5 three-course dinners
  • 3 included wine-tastings (W)
  • Private deluxe motorcoach
  • Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights as described
  • Go Ahead travel gift and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Lyon

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Lyon aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Lyon

Welcome to Lyon! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Lyon. Meet your fellow travelers at an included dinner in a traditional bouchon this evening.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Lyon

An expert local guide introduces you to the historical and cultural landmarks of France’s culinary capital. Begin with an exploration of the city’s ancient quarter. Visit 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.
Included meals: breakfast

Roman Ruins in Lyon $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

This morning, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Perouge, an enchanting walled medieval village. Later today, visit three villages in the Beaujolais region where you’ll enjoy a smapling of local specialties and an included dinner with wine.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner, wine tasting

Day 5 - Dijon

Travel north to the Burgundy capital of 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 tour of the Chateau of Cormatin, one of the most sumptuous villas in Burgundy. With its Renaissance gardens, surrounding moat and rooms displaying panels etched in gold, this chateau evokes the gilded era of the 17th century. This evening, join your group for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - Dijon

On today’s tour of the beautiful city of Dijon, stop at the Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne, the original ducal residence. Next, explore Notre Dame cathedral and Dijon’s medieval streets. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, opt to visit the historic Hospices de Beaune, a charitable hospital founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin to ease the suffering of the poor and needy after the Hundred Years War. Also included in this excursion is a wine tasting on Burgundy’s Route des Grands Crus.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Hospices de Beaune $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, a quaint town which derives its name from one of France’s most famous white wines. Located just north of the Burgundy region, you’ll be able to stop here and sample the local wine. Then continue on to Reims, home to Tattinger, Mumm, Veuve Cliquot-Ponsardin, Piper- Heidsieck and Ruinart, some of the world’s most famous Champagne estates. Enjoy dinner with your group tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, wine tasting, dinner

Day 8 - Reims

This morning, a local guide introduces you to the small and charming city of Reims, the capital of Champagne, and its gothic cathedral, the Notre Dame de Reims. You’ll also visit the Gothic Basilica of St. Remi and pass by the Palais du Tau, a palatial 13th-century Gothic chapel and hall. This afternoon, you will tour one of the most reputed wine cellars in Champagne, where you’ll enjoy an included wine tasting.
Included meals: breakfast, wine tasting

Day 9 - Paris

Begin your journey into Paris today with a stop en route in Chantilly, a small city that is also the birthplace of Crème Chantilly. Head into the center of town to explore the Chateau de Chantilly and its extensive grounds. Serving as one of the settings for the James Bond movie A View to a Kill, the chateau is a marvel and houses one of the finest collections of historical paintings in France (after the Louvre) and contains more than 700 manuscripts and 12,000 volumes, including a Gutenberg Bible, in its library. Its grounds—parterre and English gardens and water features—also house the Chantilly Racecourse, the Great Stables and the Living Museum of the Horse.

According to legend, Louis Henri, the Duc de Bourbon and Prince of Condé,
believed that he would be reincarnated as a horse after his death. Continue on to Paris, where you can opt to enjoy dinner followed by a scenic cruise along the Seine on our optional Evening in Paris.
Included meals: breakfast

Evening in Paris $99 USD

Evening in Paris

The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. After you dine, board a boat cruise along the Seine, an unforgettable experience. Coast along the water and under the many famous bridges of the Seine and take in the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris—including Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower—an enchanting sight

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 the Palace of Versailles, the opulent estate of Sun King Louis XIV.

Stroll through the Hall of Mirrors (a symbol of the monarch’s wealth) as you imagine the last days of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s reign before the start of the French Revolution. Be sure to venture outside and enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens as well, including the Grand Canal, the parterre gardens and—if you can squeeze it in—the small farmhouse where Marie Antoinette liked to escape from it all. Tonight, relive memories from your journey with your group over a Farewell Dinner in Paris.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Versailles $89 USD

Versailles

It took 50 years and 35,000 workers to turn Versailles into the most magnificent château in all of France. On this 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 with their fine statuary, splendid fountains and colorful flowerbeds.

Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 45 days prior to departure.

Day 11 - Paris

Transfer to the airport and board your flight home, or extend your stay in the City of Lights with two more nights in Paris.
Included meals: breakfast

Extend Your Stay

Paris
Add 2 nights in Paris for only $299 USD (Single room: add $145 USD)

Ah, Paris, the city of life, love and light. From the Eiffel Tower to the Mona Lisa, from the bustling Champs Elysées to the winding streets of Montmartre, you'll find magic, romance and history as you sip a café au lait, stroll manicured parks and watch the sun set over the Seine.

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.

Travel Guide

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 tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalency of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalency of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping. Tips may only be paid in cash.