7. BOUNTIFUL BORDEAUX
Bordeaux, a major trading port since pre-Roman times, welcomes with a graceful waterfront of Classical façades – and great wine. For wine lovers, this is the doorway to paradise. The wines of Bordeaux have set the standard against which other wines are measured since 37 to 67 AD, when the region’s first winery was created. By the Middle Ages, wine flowed from regional vineyards to England where it was dubbed “claret.” The English fought the French for this part of France throughout the Hundred Years’ War, and after experiencing the enchanted landscapes and vintages produced here, it is not hard to see why. Cruise into the city by private boat while enjoying a picnic lunch on the Garonne River. A guided tour ends at your grand hotel. Meals BL
8. THE WINES OF ST. EMILION
Among the over 44 million cases of fine wine produced in the Bordeaux region every year, St. Emilion and Pomerol are two of its finest vintages. Head into the vine-covered hills today to discover the bounty of the land. Explore the Romanesque architecture of the town of St. Emilion, including its megalithic church, and satisfy your palate with lunch at a Pomerol winery. Search out more culinary treats on your own tonight in the city of Bordeaux, truly reminiscent of a small Paris, with statues, fountains and cafés; the city has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding 18th-century urban architecture. It is also famous for its Rue de Sainte-Catherine, the longest shopping street in Europe, which is lined with exclusive shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Meals BL
9. THE DORDOGNE AND PERIGORD Travel to La Roque Gageac in the heart of the Dordogne and Perigord Noir for a cruise along the Dordogne River. This afternoon, visit Grotte Lascaux II, a replica of the Lascaux cave,
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one of the most famous Paleolithic sanctuaries in the world; high-antlered elk, bison and horses roam in herds here on painted walls. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the 18th-century Château de Castel-Novel, owned and operated by the same family for generations and nestled in a park-like estate and arboretum of some 25 acres. Head into the small village of Varetz for a fun-filled folkloric dinner showcasing local traditions in this region of France. Meals BD
10. ROCAMADOUR / COLLONGES LA ROUGE Sightseeing today explores the picturesque villages of southwest France, including Rocamadour, a medieval town that clings to the side of a cliff high above the Dordogne, renowned for its exquisite natural setting and cheese making – and Collonges la Rouge, captivating with red sandstone architecture. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beauty of your castle hotel; the French author Collette wrote The Game of Love and several other novels here, but for those with less literary pursuits, the amenities include an outdoor pool, and tennis. Meals BLD
11. TAKE THE TRAIN TO PARIS Depart for nearby Brive today where you will board a train bound for the magical city of Paris. A brief sightseeing tour en route to your landmark hotel introduces a parade of famous city sights, and your overnight accommodations are close to all of them. Built in 1900, the Hotel Regina, Paris is a masterpiece of Belle Epoque architecture and classic Old World elegance, only steps from the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Metro and the virtually limitless culinary possibilities in this epicurean paradise. Meals BL
12. MUSÉE DE L’ORANGERIE / SEINE CRUISE Your local guide leads you on a tour through 17th-century Tuileries Gardens to the Musée de L’Orangerie, on the banks of
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