France

7 Days / 6 Nights — Champagne, Alsace and Burgundy

Stroll among the vines and sample the wines. The fun begins in Champagne, bubbles up in Alsace, pours through Burgundy, flows freely through Barbizon, and sips back to Paris.

DAY 1 — Paris, Champagne

Breezing by lush fields on poplar-lined roadways and along the river Marne, you're soon at Chateau-Thierry, a scene of battle in both world wars. Continue into the very heart of the Champagne District. It is this region, with its chalk soil and mild climate, which makes champagne production possible. Settle into Le Royal Champagne, with its sweeping views of the vineyards for a memorable stay in this 17th century former coaching inn. Lodging: Le Royal Champagne

DAY 2 — Champagne

Enjoy a relaxing morning followed with a day of exploration. Epernay has an estimated 200 miles of cellars and tunnels. These caves serve as vast vaults cut into the chalk rock on which the town is built. Millions of bottles have been stored here since before the time of Napoleon. Visit the nearby abbey where the blind monk, Dom Perignon, invented the process for turning the region's still wine into sparkling champagne. Lodging: Le Royal Champagne

DAY 3 — Alsace-Lorraine

Leave Champagne early via Verdun and Baccarat, and drive through the Vosges Mountains to Alsace-Lorraine. Follow the "Route du Vins," a green ribbon unbroken for 90 miles of vineyards. Alsace produces Germanic wine in the French manner. Riesling, Sylvaner, Gewürztraminer are made for the table rather than the drawing room or garden. Right in the middle of the vineyards, you'll relax in a tranquil, intimate country inn with just 15 rooms. Lodging: Le Clos Saint Vincent

on our last day, our chauffeur took us to his mother's restaurant outside of paris and she prepared for us the most exquisite dinner.

DAY 4 — Alsace-Lorraine

Spend the day to explore the Alsatian Wine District. Your step back in history begins in Colmar, which dates back to 823 A.D. Staying on the "Route de Vins," you'll discover the prettiest "Hansel and Gretel" wine villages in the world including Riquewihr, Kayserberg and Ribeauville. Return to your private vineyard where the well-stocked wine cellar and famed cuisine of owner Bertrand Chapotin awaits you. Lodging: Le Clos Saint Vincent

DAY 5 — Burgundy

Depart Alsace and drive by the beautiful River Doubs as your travel into Burgundy and the fabled vineyards of Cote d'Or. The great wine merchants of this region are represented here. From Bouchard and Drouhin, to Latour and Jadot, they're here within the walls of the ancient wine capital of Beaune. Your hotel, located in the heart of the Cote d'Or, is complete with an old cellar vault, a fascinating wine museum, and a tasting room where these incredible vintages can be sampled. Lodging: Chateau Andre Ziltner

DAY 6 — Burgundy

Explore some of France's most famous vineyards. To the north, you will encounter the red wines of the Cote de Nuits, Vosne-Romanee and Gevrey-Chambertain. Next, saunter down to the southern district to visit the vineyards of the greatest whites in the world: Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. Plus, add a splash of Pommard and Chambolle- Musigny to round out a day of learning and discovery. Lodging: Chateau Andre Ziltner

DAY 7 — Paris

It's a reluctant farewell to the Vintage Road. A cheerful thought for the day would be to travel via the village of Barbizon, which gives its name to the famous school of late 19th and early 20th century painters. Here you can lunch in the lovely garden of the famed Hostellerie du Bas Breau, which is known for its unique menu featuring rare game from the forest of Fontainebleau.

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