Food & Wine Tour of France & Switzerland

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Paris, Reims & Champagne, Burgundy, Lausanne with Lavaux & Emmental

This is the ultimate private culinary tour of France and Switzerland. It features private touring and tasting in some of the world's most important wine regions, visits to local food markets and specialty food purveyors, reservations at top restaurants serving authentic regional cuisine, in-depth cultural touring in each destination, and spectacular hotels.

Begin in Paris. With your sophisticated expert guide, enjoy a private culinary tour of the city according to your interests. Experience epicurean delights at local markets, pastry shops, cheese shops, chocolate stores, tea salons and more. Shop for specialty kitchen utensils, fine tableware and upscale table linens at leading French retailers. Also enjoy private cultural touring according to your interests. Tour the city's most interesting neighborhoods, such as exclusive Ile Saint-Louis, Montmartre or Le Marais, or perhaps see the art treasures of museums such as the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, l'Orangerie, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton and other major museums. Or visit smaller specialty museums off the beaten track. In the evenings, reservations will be made for you at favorite neighborhood bistros, refined brasseries and fine-dining restaurants serving traditional French haute cuisine and innovative contemporary gastronomy. Or, if desired, enjoy a reservation at one of the restaurants atop the Eiffel Tower.

Next, visit the Champagne wine region and stay at a magnificent manor surrounded by parkland in the heart of Reims, an ancient city with Roman roots. During touring along the Route du Champagne, visit top local wineries to tour cellars and sample wines. Also visit highlights of Reims such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic Art and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see Art Deco architecture throughout town.

Next, transfer to Burgundy (Bourgogne), and stay at a chateau hotel in the countryside. With your private driver-guide, tour the Burgundy wine region, explore the beautiful Cote d'Or vineyards, learn about Burgundy's unique terroir, and visit local cellars to sample top-quality wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. One day, tour the historic center of Dijon, a city famous for delicious mustard and fine architecture. Also explore the well-preserved medieval center of Beaune—considered the capital of the Burgundy wine region—and perhaps purchase renowned local wines such as Chambertin, Romanee-Conti and Montrachet. Throughout touring in Burgundy, see a variety of structures and landscapes that together comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site related to the history of wine production in the region.

Next, transfer to Lausanne, stopping en route to visit Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland's most interesting castle. Continue to Lausanne and the beautiful Lake Geneva region for a stay at the elegant Beau-Rivage Palace—one of the best luxury hotels in Switzerland—among lush parkland on the lakeshore. One day, take a private excursion with a sommelier to the Lavaux wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 800-year-old terraced vineyards that skirt the edge of Lake Geneva and offer dramatic views of the Alps. Artisans of Leisure will arrange for you to enjoy activities such as exclusive access to wine cellars for private wine tastings, visiting a medieval building among the vineyards, and a private chocolate-making experience at a local confectioner. Another day, enjoy a private excursion to Emmental. Tour a cheese-making facility and taste local cheeses, including the region's renowned Emmental cheese. Then, enjoy a private fondue cooking lesson and lunch. If desired, opt to hike in the beautiful surrounding valley, or perhaps stop in the medieval town of Gruyeres, also known for its delicious local cheese. Other nearby options include touring a renowned chocolate factory; visiting Chaplin's World, the former house and estate of Charlie Chaplin; exploring the Olympic Museum or the historic center of Lausanne; or spending time at the hotel's excellent spa, restaurants and leisure facilities.