Your day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to France's Champagne Region

Just 45 minutes from central Paris by frequent TGV (bullet) train, the bubbly city of Reims is famous for its Champagne and royal history. We'll meet in our hotel at 5 p.m. to get acquainted and share dinner together. Sleep in Reims (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: All Day in Reims

We'll spend our morning in Reims' historic center with a walking tour featuring its glorious cathedral and delightful Art Deco surroundings. We'll also see the ways in which the city recovered from the devastation of World War I, and learn about the care and production of the region's most famous product — Champagne — at a local producer. Dinner will be on your own this evening. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 3: Battlefields and Lessons of Verdun

We'll meet our bus and driver today and make a short drive east to the historic battlefields at Verdun. There we'll visit ruins, monuments and a museum to learn about the tragic events and important lessons of the First World War. Our day ends in France's Germanic region — the Alsace — where we'll sleep for two nights in or near Colmar. Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 4: Colmar and the Route du Vin

Our morning is devoted to exploring the enchanting town of Colmar. We'll wander about its cobbled lanes and half timbered buildings, then visit one of Rick's favorite museums in Europe — the Unterlinden. Then we'll travel along the region's famed "Route du Vin," where colorful villages and vineyards carpet the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and produce fine Alsatian wines (which we'll taste). Bus: 1 hr. Walking: moderate.

Day 5: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy

Our route takes us into the land of legendary wines, red-tiled villages and Romanesque churches. After a stop en route for lunch, we'll settle into our home for the next two nights, Burgundy's handsome wine capital town of Beaune. A walking tour of Beaune this afternoon includes a visit to its eye-opening medieval hospital. Sleep in Beaune (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: light.

Days 6: Market Day and Vineyards

It's outdoor market day in Beaune, and your morning will be free for rubbing elbows with locals sampling smelly cheeses, creamy patés and fresh produce while doing their weekly shopping. This afternoon we set sail for Burgundy's beautiful wine country, where we'll have lunch together and a tasting of its celebrated harvest. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light to moderate (your choice).

Day 7: Annecy and Chamonix

We'll climb from Burgundy's fertile valley to Alpine vistas today, stopping for lunch and to wander in Annecy, France's most beautiful lakefront town. Our day ends at the base of Europe's highest point, Mont Blanc, in the picturesque resort town of Chamonix, where we'll sleep (2 nights) and enjoy a traditional dinner of raclette or fondue together. Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 8: Free Day in the French Alps

Today is free for you to soar above the clouds on the Aiguille du Midi gondola and find yourself surrounded by a snowy cathedral of mountain peaks, where you can have a drink with an endless view, gazing all the way to Italy and Switzerland. You can also skip along alpine trails to inspect Europe's longest glacier — witnessing the impacts of climate change first hand — or simply find a view table in Chamonix and take the day off. No Bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 9: From Peaks to Provence

Sit back and rest those hiking muscles as we spend our day driving south to sunny Provence, enjoying the countryside along the way. We'll pause en route for lunch and a chance to stretch our legs, then arrive at our history-rich destination of Vaison la Romaine in time to get oriented to our home for the next two nights. Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 10: Village Provence

We'll spend our morning in the hands of an expert guide as we sift through the Roman ruins that were Vaison la Romaine 2000 years ago. This afternoon we'll embark on an afternoon drive through some of Europe's most picturesque vineyards and villages. We'll brake for both — and sample Cote du Rhone wines at a favorite winery. Bus: 1 hr. Walking: moderate.

Day 11: Hill Towns to Harbors

We'll set a course for the azure Mediterranean today, stopping in one of the region's most photogenic hill towns — St-Paul-de-Vence — and its brilliant museum of contemporary art. Our day ends harbor-side, in the romantic village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, where we'll sleep for 2 nights. Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 12: All Day for Village Riviera

The possibilities are endless in this land of sun, fun and natural beauty. Your guide will lead a trip to Cap Ferrat where you'll be free to uncover the peninsula's sights, walk its breathtaking trails and explore the "yachty" village of St Jean-Cap Ferrat. Or head out on your own for an easy day trip to nearby Nice or Monaco. However you spend your day, we'll gather this evening for our "au revoir" to France dinner. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 13: Tour Over after Breakfast

Nice's airport is an easy 30-minute bus, shuttle, or taxi ride away. For those staying longer, your guide will be happy to send you off in the right direction and help with any trip planning needs. Au revoir et merci!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

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