Talk to the Expert
Based in America but of Irish descent, I have spent the majority of my life visiting, exploring, and subsequently falling in love with all aspects of Ireland. Here at UTC, I am the resident expert on Ireland, Scotland, England, and France.
Chelsea
European Specialist
Overview
- from $4,869 PP
- 7 Nights
- Private
- Apr - Oct
- Easy
- 2hrs from London / 9hrs from NYC
Highlights
Treat yourself to a magical trip that will bring you to Paris, one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, to marvel at all the highlights from the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre to the stunning Palace of Versailles.
From Paris, you’ll head to the world’s wine capital of Bordeaux to enjoy a tour of the city, the world’s most extensive urban environment recognized as a UNESCO site. Then, taste your way through the region’s sumptuous flavors while learning about its acclaimed wines and the winemaking process. Upscale, comfortable accommodation is provided throughout your journey, all hand-picked to ensure a great stay. You’ll also enjoy private tours led by knowledgeable English-speaking guides who bring each destination to life. Private transfers are included from the time of your arrival to your departure, and you’ll travel worry-free with 24/7 support available from our professional staff.
Why Book with Us
Low Deposit To Book
Book your trip with us and pay a reduced deposit with the rest 90 days before your departure
24/7 Support
From the moment you book your trip, our team is on hand 24/7 to assist you throughout your journey.
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What's Included
- Private transfers throughout as noted on itinerary
- 7 nights hand-picked accommodation
- Half-day private walking tour through Paris
- Half-day private Chocolate and Pastry Tour
- Palace of Versailles tour with private guide and skip-the-line
- Private tour of the Louvre Art Museum
- Private half-day Bordeaux walking tour
- Private tour of the Saint Emilion Underground Moments/wine tastings
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Paris: Arrival into Paris, France
Begin your unforgettable adventure in the City of Lights by flying into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport where you’ll be met by your private driver. Transfer will be provided to the fashionable neighborhood of Saint-Germain, a beloved community of many artists, writers, and intellectuals from Voltaire and Picasso to Hemingway.
After checking into your boutique hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps resting after a long flight and enjoying a short stroll with many upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants just steps away. Find an idyllic spot to sip a glass of wine or another refreshing beverage while watching the world go by.
Day 2 Paris: Half-day Private Walking Tour & Private Tour of the Louvre
A half-day tour begins a busy but exciting day. You’ll explore many of the incredible sites Paris has to offer, including some of its most iconic architecture like the Eiffel Tower which was built for the 1889 World Fair, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs-Elysees, and Arc de Triomphe. Paris is a big city so we’ve included a metro ticket, making it easy to get around. It’s also much quicker than traveling by car.
Your tour will conclude at the famous Louvre Art Museum, where you will change guides, use your tickets to skip the line inside, and explore some of the most famous art in the world with an expert at your side. Marvel at Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa while contemplating the artist’s remark: “A face is not well done unless it expresses a state of mind.” See the Venus de Milo that was uncovered on Milos Island in Greece – while the artist is unknown, it’s believed to have been sculpted around 130 BC. The Wedding at Cana is another highlight, painted in 1563 by Paolo Caliari. It measures an astounding 267” x 391” as the largest painting preserved in a French museum.
Day 3 Paris: Private Half Day Palace of Versailles Tour
A day trip to the Palace of Versailles is something that really shouldn’t be missed by anyone who visits Paris, so we’ve included a half-day tour that will bring you there with your own private driver/guide. You’ll be able to admire the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors, a definite highlight with individual mirrors on all of the 17 arched windows, as well as tour the opulent Louis XIV State Apartments. The magnificent gardens are spread across 250-acre grounds with meandering garden paths that provide views of the colorful flowers, ornamental lakes, and the canal where King Louis XIV himself once enjoyed rides on a gondola.
Day 4 St-Germain Chocolate & Pastry Tour
The origins of chocolate in France date back to the early 17th century and Paris is home to over 300 chocolate shops, more than any other city in the world. Pastries are a part of everyday life here too, with patisseries, dedicated specifically to those sweet baked goods, found across Paris. Today is sure to be a treat for your tastebuds as you’ll get to explore both in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the fashion district par excellence, indulging your sweet tooth while marveling at the impressive architecture. Join your guide for a stroll through this cool neighborhood with stops along the way to discover the latest trends in sweets, with plenty of samples. On your private 3-hour tour, you’ll taste the specialties of exceptional chocolate makers and chef confectioners, including chocolates, macarons, pastries, and breads.
Day 5 Bordeaux: Bordeaux Walking Tour
It’s time to say farewell to Paris, taking private transfer to the train station for the 2-hour ride to the famous Bordeaux region. The historic center of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many delights to discover.
Today you’ll explore Bordeaux’s 2,000-year history on a walking tour through the port city which serves as the hub of the renowned wine-growing region. It includes many 18th- and 19th-century mansions and the grand gothic-style Bordeaux Cathedral with its stone-carved façade, 11th-century nave, gorgeous arches, and a bell tower. See the medieval gateway known as Porte Cailhau with its gothic and Renaissance element that dates from the late 15th century but still remains impeccably preserved. The separate 37-story bell tower at Saint-Michel Basilica is yet another highlight.
Day 6 Bordeaux: Saint Emilion Underground Monuments and Wine Tastings
It’s time for a discovery of what makes Bordeaux so well-known, its wine. Head out with your private driver/guide to explore the vine-filled region while enjoying tastings in some unique and breathtaking settings. Bordeaux wines are some of the most highly acclaimed in the world and the first cabernet sauvignon and merlot vines even originated here. They still make up more than 90 percent of the grapes grown here, although there are some whites, particularly in the Entre-Deux-Mer area. Another highlight of your day will be a visit to the 12th-century underground monuments of Saint Emilion which includes Europe’s largest subterranean church.
Day 7 Day at Leisure
We’ve left today free for you to enjoy Bordeaux at leisure. However you may want to take an optional private tour of the Medoc wine region which lies between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s been one of the most popular in France for some 300 years, known for its tradition of crafting and blending the benchmark merlots and cabernet sauvignons. Medoc hosts some of the most prestigious wine-producing villages which include Pauillac, Saint-Julie, Saint-Estephe, and Margaux, making some of the world’s most expensive wines. Your tour includes visits with tastings at three different chateaux which are sure to feature Bordeaux’s celebrity grapes along with some lesser-known gems.
Day 8 Departure Day
After an unforgettable week through Paris and Bordeaux, your journey will soon come to an end. Your private driver will provide transfer from your hotel to the Bordeaux train station so you can take the train to Paris. Upon arrival, you’ll take a private transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. From there, you might head out on further travels or catch your flight home. Should you need assistance with either, as always, our travel experts are here to assist.
What's not Included
- As we have clients from all over the world. Our itineraries do not include flights. If you would like us to include flights in your trip, we are happy to do so. Please speak to your travel specialist at the planning stage to include them.
- Gratuities for local guides
- We strongly advise all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance
- Visas if required
Let’s make this itinerary yours.
Speak to our experienced Destinations Experts about designing this itinerary around your budget and needs
Why book with Unforgettable Travel Co.
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100% Financial Protection
We are a licensed and fully bonded tour operator financially protected by both the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT). All clients that travel with us are fully financially protected.
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Destination Experts
Our travel experts live and breathe the destinations they specialise in. This shows in their passionate to create hand crafted trips for our clients. We don’t offer cookie cutter trips, just truly unforgettable journeys unlike any other.
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The Best Guides
What makes our trips extraordinary is the unique immersive experiences we include. We pride ourselves in our black book of sought after expert guides, game rangers and local contacts who believe in our philosophy, unforgettable.
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We Care
From the moment you book your trip, we are on hand 24/7 to assist you throughout your journey. With regional offices around the world, we have ground logistics teams on hand to help you every step of the way.
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