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A delicious journey less than two hours east of Paris...
Dijon, the capital of Burgundy is a worthwhile destination for any visitor to France. But for those looking for a once in a lifetime experience, it is also the first stop on a delicious journey. With its bright tiled roofs and gothic and Flemish architecture the city is definitely a feast for the eyes. The city's great architecture and terrific cuisine come together at the covered market designed by Gustave Eiffel, who was born in Dijon. Before heading south to the vineyards, visitors should definitely sample some of the local gingerbread and make a stop at Maille, the world-famous gourmet mustard shop.
Just half an hour south of Dijon, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, is the little village of Vougeot: home to the vineyard and accompanying Chateau de Clos de Vougeot. Monks first planted vines hear in the 12th Century and today it is one of the largest grand cru vineyards in France. This site is a must for any wine lover, but it also offers a breathtaking landscape, which is why many choose to see it from above in a chartered balloon ride.
Only thirty minutes south is Beaune. The city's main attraction, the Hotel Dieu, built in 1443, is a spectacularly preserved example of Burgundian architecture. Now a museum, it is home to many beautiful pieces, including The Last Judgment. Every Saturday, Beaune hosts an outdoor market, which offers visitors a chance to taste some of the wonderful produce grown in the rich soil of the Cote de Beaune.
A world away from the City of Lights, the Route des Grands Crus makes for a great side trip from Paris or the start of a journey through one of the world's top food destinations.
Packages Featuring this Region:
Sideways through Eastern France 8 days /7 nights from $1299
Harvest in Burgundy 7 days / 6 nights from $1499
Wines & Vines 7 days / 6 nights from $2499
Halfway between Dijon and Beaune, the Chateau de Gilly is a wonderful destination for lovers of food, wine, architecture, and history. The Chateau de Gilly offers luxury and comfort in an ideal location, very close to the Clos de Vougeot Chateau.
Situated on a beautiful estate dating back to the 6th Century, the Gilly estate has witnessed some of the most turbulent moments in European history. During the Middle Ages, it was fortified by the monks of Citeaux, only to be attacked several times during the Hundred Years' War. Rebuilt in the 1500s by the Abbot of Citeaux, it remained a private residence until the French Revolution.
A stay at Chateau de Gilly is unforgettable, with suits of armor, painted ceilings, and gardens that rival the chateaux of the Loire. Each of the 37 rooms and 11 apartments has been individually decorated to harmonize old-world charm and modern luxury. The jewel of the hotel is Le Clos Prieur, the gastronomic restaurant located in a 14th Century sub-terranean crypt cellar with vaulted ceilings.
The Chateau de Gilly's superb location makes it an excellent rest stop for those traveling from Paris to Provence or an excellent destination of its own.
There is absolutely no more luxurious way to see the glens, lochs and highlands of Scotland, than from your stateroom aboard the Royal Scotsman. In the tradition of the Orient Express, the Royal Scotsman is a luxury train of the highest class.
All trains depart from Edinburgh's Waverly Station. Guests can choose from a variety of journeys ranging from two to seven nights, including:
- North into the highlands and past the battlefield of Culloden
- Northwest across the Firth of Forth towards Inverness
- West to Loch Lommond and the coast.
The Royal Scotsman offers a world class experience in which every client is treated like the guest of honor. High Tea is served every afternoon and each journey includes a formal dinner when gentlemen are asked to dress in a tuxedo…or a kilt if they prefer.
London is moving Eurostar services from Waterloo Station to Saint Pancras (home to Harry Potter's Platform 9 3/4) in the heart of London.
Services are scheduled to launch on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. Average journey times between London, Paris and Brussels will be reduced by at least 20 minutes.
What better place to spend the holidays than London and Paris?
For food and wine lovers, autumn is the perfect time to visit the Tuscan countryside and there's no better place to start your journey than the village of Impruneta. Just 20 minutes from Florence, this charming town, considered the gateway to Tuscany, has held the Festa dell'Uva (Grape Harvest Festival), for the last 80 years. Every year, wine producers from the four quarters of the city dress in costumes and build floats dedicated to the local grapes and the main square fills with stalls selling local food, drink, and traditional products (like the city's famed terra cotta). This year's festival starts September 30th.
When the festivities die down, travelers should head south to the ancient city of Siena whose spectacular Piazzo del Campo has hosted the Palio horse race since the 11th Century. Located in the heart of Tuscany, Siena is the perfect base for travelers wishing to taste some of the best wine in the world. With Siena as your base, it's easy to explore the amazing wines of Tuscany, including Chianti Classico to the North, Brunello di Montalcino to the south, and the Noble Wines of Montepulciano to the southeast - all a short distance from this breathtaking city.
Packages Featuring this Region
Riches of Tuscany 7 days from $1469
Romantic Hilltowns of Italy 7 days / 6 nights from $1729
Classic Florence 6 days from $1999
Just a short walk from Impruneta, and only twenty minutes from Florence, the Relais Villa L'Olmo offers travelers the opportunity to experience the charm of rural Tuscany first hand.
Once the private home of Florentine nobility, this perfectly preserved 16th Century Villa and working farm produces its own olive oil and wine. It even offers cooking classes, making it a great destination for gourmets ready to taste the riches of Tuscany.
Guests can choose from private one or two-bedroom apartments featuring fully equipped kitchens, or private villas with their own pools and gardens.
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