Day 1: Meet at our Nice hotel in the afternoon to get acquainted, then we’ll take an orientation walk through the beautiful squares and waterfront of the city, and kick off our trip with French Mediterranean specialties for dinner. (Dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Nice)

Day 2: This morning we’ll meet my local foodie friend for a walking tour, tasting our way through the Vieille Ville’s (Old Town’s) maze of colorful buildings and the locals’ favorite fish and produce market, ending with a gourmet sampling lunch together. Your afternoon is free to enjoy Nice’s beach, shops, and museums; and the rooftop terrace and other amenities of our hotel. (Lunch included)

Day 3: We’ll daytrip along the breathtaking coast to the Villa Ephrussi in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the stunning home and gardens of an ahead-of-her-time Rothschild heiress. We’ll continue to Monaco, where we’ll spot jaw-dropping yachts and tour the phenomenal Oceanographic Museum.

Day 4: Today is our biggest drive, but the countryside is lovely and we’ll make a long stop en route at the Pont du Gard, the ancient Romans’ incredible river-spanning aqueduct. We’ll reach Lyon in time for a dinner befitting this city’s reputation as France’s gourmet capital. (Dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Lyon)

Day 5: My local guide friend will lead us on a walking tour for a “show and tell” of the city’s long history. It stretches back to the Romans at Lugdunum, the remains of Roman Lyon, with its two intact theaters and fascinating museum. Next is the city’s symbol, the Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica, with its gorgeous mosaics and commanding view. We’ll continue to the oldest part of town with—surprisingly—a museum of incredible movie props. Your afternoon is free for more exploring.

Day 6: This morning we’ll head to the funkier side of Lyon: the Croix-Rousse hill. Lyon was famous for its silk, so we’ll learn about the history of the silk-workers and see a Jacquard loom in action. Keep an eye out for the murals that make the city a huge open-air gallery, and for the unmarked entrances to passageways used by WWII Resistance fighters. At a hands-on cooking class we’ll learn to make Lyonnais specialties—and we’ll eat the results! (Lunch included)

Day 7: Our next destination is the bucolic heart of France: Burgundy. We'll stop en route for market day in Cluny, where you can gather a picnic or just admire the autumn produce; and explore the remains of the abbey, once the largest church in Christendom. Tonight we’ll savor the famous Burgundian cuisine at our group dinner. (Dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Meursault)

Day 8: With my friend Steve Smith, guidebook coauthor and part-time local resident, we’ll daytrip on a picturesque wine route, sampling the world-renowned vintages at a family-run winery, stopping for lunch in a charming small town.

Day 9: Enjoy a “vacation from your vacation” with a day of rest and relaxation. With multiple wineries a stone’s throw from our hotel, perhaps you'll want to taste some of Meursault's internationally famous wines. You could go for a walk in the vineyards, or just enjoy some R&R at our comfortable hotel. We'll regroup this evening for a hearty homestyle dinner. (Dinner included)

Day 10: Today we’ll head to our grand finale, Paris. On our way, we’ll tour the fascinating Château de Guédelon, a replica 13th-century castle being built with only the materials, tools, and methods of that period. Dinner together will be savory and sweet versions of the quintessential French crêpe. (Lunch and dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Paris)

Day 11: With my Parisian guide friend we’ll discover Right Bank sights many tourists miss: a market street where locals do their shopping, a passageway that was the 19th-century version of a shopping mall, modern art in a vintage setting, and picturesque courtyards. Your afternoon and evening are free to stroll the boulevards and visit more Parisian sights.

Day 12: We’ll make a pilgrimage to iconic Notre Dame cathedral, newly reopened after the 2019 fire. Then I’ll lead you in the footsteps of medieval Parisians–and Hemingway–on the twisting streets and grand cafés of the Left Bank. You’ll have free time this afternoon to do more exploring, then we’ll say “bon voyage” to our tour friends over our farewell feast. (Dinner included)

Day 13: Tour over after breakfast and hotel check-out. We’ll help you arrange transportation to the airport.

Itinerary subject to change.