Paris, Loire Valley & Champagne

May 20 - June 1, 2010

You will be wined and dined at the finest French hideaway restaurants. Stay in an authentic 15th century château. Stare in awe at the majesty of the magnificent châteaux built by France's royalty from medieval times to the Renaissance days of splendor. Relax in quaint cafés looking out onto 10th century ruins and wander through picturesque streets too narrow for automobiles, lined with 14th century half-timbered houses. Taste the Loire's finest wines and clink you glass with private viticulturists in their five hundred-year-old caves. Follow the Champagne Route through the real Champagne, tasting as you go. Best of all, let the French show you their timeless art of la joie de vivre and how to relax in true French style.

$4,799 per person double occupancy

Tour price includes:

• Roundtrip airfare from Boston or New York (airfare price can be deducted)

• 11 nights deluxe accommodations of regional character, 3 or 4 star with lovely private baths

• 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 9 dinners (several meals include wine)

• Wine and champagne tastings and guided tours of caves

• Transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned minibus

• Visits to: Chambord, Chinon, Azay le Rideau, Cheillé, Truyes, Chenonceau, Langeais, Loches, Tours, Epernay, Hautvillers, Reims, Chalons, Troyes

• Gourmet cooking class in the chef's kitchen

• Stay five nights in a beautiful country manor house on a sheep farm--no unpacking!

• Tour medieval villages and magnificent historic châteaux with private guides

• All museum and monument entrance fees, tips, and taxes