After arriving at CDG Airport, meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to rest or explore your surroundings. Take advantage of your Paris TripBuilder; a convenient pocket sized 60-page guide featuring comprehensive city information plus a full city, fold-out map highlighting all major tourist sites. Wander around the Marais district, as the old Jewish Quarter is now the trendiest part of the city. On the eastern fringe lies Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris and lined with galleries and restaurants. And this fashionable district is not just boutiques. You can visit Maison de Victor Hugo, where the author lived and wrote, as well as one of the more creative museums in Paris, the Musée Carnavalet. It traces the history of Paris using paintings and imaginative scale models. A short walk away is Musée Picasso. It features approximately 5,000 works by Pablo Picasso, and also showcases works by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas and Henri Matisse. Dinner is on your own this evening, and your options are unlimited, whether it's a haute cuisine restaurant or a simple bistro. If you have a specific restaurant in mind that you've been wanting to try, have your hotel make a reservation. You'll find that it's customary in all France, and more importantly, guarantees you a table this evening.

(Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, meet your English-speaking driver/guide in the lobby for your Private Half-Day Paris Sightseeing Tour. There's a myriad of attractions that your guide will cover as you travel through two thousand years of history and architecture. You'll learn about the ancient site of Lutetia, the predecessor of present-day Paris, to the famous Musée Cluny, which houses the largest collection of medieval art. We'll spend time on Ile de la Cité, the oldest settlement in Paris and historic Notre Dame Cathedral. Now over 850 years old, the cathedral still reigns as a titan of Gothic architecture. You'll get a flavor of classical Paris walking through Place de Vendóme. The original Vendóme Column at the center of the square was erected by Napoleon I, and your guide will provide the interesting details why it was abruptly torn down in 1871. Marvel at one of the great works of architect Baron Haussmann as you stroll along the expansive Grands Boulevards, and nearby view the Opera Garnier, a 19th-century architectural masterpiece built in 1875. Don't forget to admire the ceiling painted by Chagall in the main auditorium. As you reach Place de Concorde, the largest square in Paris, you'll hear how this site played a prominent, but dark role during the French revolution.

Moving to modern Paris, the Pompidou Centre is immediately recognizable by its exterior escalators and enormous colored tubing. It's home to the National Museum of Modern Art and is internationally renowned for its 20th and 21st century art collections. The Glass Pyramid serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum. Originally it was publicly mocked, however today the Pyramid rivals the Eiffel Tower in defining the Parisian landscape. You'll tour both sides of the Seine passing all the major highlights including the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre. Eiffel Tower, and of course, Notre Dame Cathedral. We'll cross over on the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, and finish with a visit to the village of Montmartre on the right bank. A stop will be made to stroll around Sacre Coeur Basilica and the Place du Tertre, where the now famous Modernist artists like Toulouse-Lautrec used to display their works.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, the day is at your leisure for independent sightseeing. Perhaps you'll want to revisit some of the sites from the previous day's tour or take advantage for some last minute shopping. At 5pm, you'll meet your guide in the chic 1st arrondisement for the Le Tour de France Wine Tasting. Whether you are a wine novice or a real connoisseur, this tasting is made for you! You will sample a wonderful variety of French wines including red and white along with a champagne. Wine selection will be from Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. With a unique and refreshing approach, a French sommelier will teach you how to read a French label and how to navigate a wine list. You will also learn about wine techniques for appreciation and strategies for pairing food and wine! We'll go through the major French wine regions and the interesting details that make French wines unique. You'll learn fun and useful tips, including how to slurp wine with class! This class is taught in English in a friendly and laid back atmosphere, and will certainly prepare you for dinner tonight, or later when you arrive later in Bordeaux.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, you'll have a private transfer to Montparnasse station before boarding the high-speed TGV train for the little more than 2 hour ride to elegant and trendy Bordeaux. You'll have a private transfer to your hotel, and after checking in, start exploring this pedestrian-friendly city. Bordeaux's resurgence is obvious as you walk along the Garonne River. Formerly decrepit warehouses have been renovated along the Quai de Bacalan and now have become trendy shops and restaurants. Take the tram or walk across the Saint-Pierre bridge. It boasts 17 carved stone arches spanning the Garonne and remains one of the most beautiful elements of old Bordeaux. Dinner will be on your own this evening.

(Breakfast, Paris; Accommodations, Bordeaux)

After a leisurely breakfast, meet your guide for your Private 2 Hour Walking Tour. Your accredited tour guide can be flexible on this itinerary, but will definitely include the most famous landmarks including the Musée des Beaux Arts. This museum was created in 1801 on the order of Napoléon Bonaparte, who loaned paintings to several French cities, providing royal or private collections. It also contains a vast collection of ancient paintings, and a significant gathering of Italian, Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 17th century. The neoclassical Grand Theater was built in 1780. It's a fine example of architectural design during the eighteenth century, and today remains dedicated to lyrical theater, ballet and comedy. A short distance away is Saint Andrews Cathedral. One of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, it was built in the 13th century and a classic example of Gothic architecture. The Pey Berland Tower standing next to the cathedral, offers unobstructed views of the city and the river. At the end of your tour, you can return to your hotel or explore on your own. On the banks of the Garonne, sits the much heralded Cité du Vin. It's a high-tech immersion into the world's wine cultures with plenty of interactive maps and tasting rooms. As you approach, note the unusual structure and the aptly used term used to describe it: "a swirl of wine". It's worth a visit for both the serious wine enthusiast or just a casual sipper.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Bordeaux)

Today you will have the option of choosing one of five full day tours* including the Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Graves & Sauternes, or combinations of Bordeaux and Margeaux, and Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion.

Tour #1. Medoc

This full day Medoc wine tour will take you north to the most famous wine appellations of the Medoc. Of the three sections, the Haut-Medoc is unquestionably of most interest in the context of wine, and is home to the famous appellations of Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux. Since the 18th century this has become arguably the most famous wine district in France; more fine wine is produced per acre in the Haut-Medoc than anywhere else in the world. Some recognizable names include Château Margaux, Chateau Latour, Petrus, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, and Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, centered around the village of Margaux and the town of Pauillac. You'll visit and enjoy wine tastings in three carefully selected wineries of the area. The Bordeaux blends compose primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Additionally, you'll have time for photo stops in front of some of the more emblematic chateaus.

Tour #2. Graves & Sauternes

Depart south of Bordeaux towards the Graves and Sauternes wine regions. Begin in the Pessac-Leognan appellation to discover some of the finest Cru Classes of Graves. You'll have the opportunity to sample a few in two of the carefully selected Chateaus. Despite popular belief that all Graves wines are white, only about 3% of "chateau-bottled" is white. Graves in French means "gravel", and this soil composition is what gives these wines their distinct character and earthiness. Then the tour moves on to Sauternes, a wine producing region where some of the most famous sweet white wines of Bordeaux are created. Some say the heyday of Sauternes ended with the Russian Revolution as this was the czar's favorite, but this classic wine has withstood the test of time. The Sauternes should not be confused with sweet, common imitations produced in Australia and California, and today, still holds claim as the premier dessert wine. With its luscious and memorable bouquet, Sauternes can be enjoyed as an aperitif, consumed with foie gras, or a grand finale to a meal. Here, you'll experience a unique visit and tasting in a Grand Cru Classe Chateau.

Tour #3. Bordeaux city and Margaux

Meet your driver/guide in the lobby Discover the UNESCO classified city of Bordeaux with your guide. This full day tour includes the guided walking tour of the UNESCO classified city of Bordeaux plus a wine tour in a famous appellation of Margaux. Before departing the city, you have the opportunity to discover all the highlights Bordeaux has to offer. Your guided walking tour includes some of the more significant landmarks. As you walk past the Place de la Bourse, you can't miss the Miroir d'eau de Bordeaux (Reflecting Pool) Its unique design reflects the ornate facades of the Palais de la Bourse and the Hótel des Douanes (Customs Museum). You'll then depart for the Margaux wine appellation where one of the most famous wines of Bordeaux comes to life. Margaux is an important appellation in the Haut-Medoc district. Located 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of the city of Bordeaux, the appellation is famous for producing supple, perfumed wines, predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Margaux appellation contains 21 cru classé properties from the1855 Bordeaux Classification (20 of which still exist), more than any other Left Bank appellation. You'll have a visit and tasting in a Grand Cru Classe Chateau in this region. One of the more popular stories of this remarkable wine relates to Margaux Hemingway, daughter of Ernest. She was named after the wine, Château Margaux, which her parents supposedly drank on the night she was conceived.

Tour #4. Bordeaux city and Saint-Emilion

Begin with a guided walking tour of Bordeaux to discover the most significant landmarks this beautiful city has to offer. Begin with a guided walking tour of Bordeaux to discover some more significant landmarks. As you walk past the Place de la Bourse, you can't miss the Miroir d'eau de Bordeaux (Reflecting Pool) Its unique design reflects the ornate facades of the Palais de la Bourse and the Hótel des Douanes (Customs Museum). At the end of the walking tour, we'll depart for Saint-Emilion; a picture perfect hilltop village that is also home to famous Merlot based wines. Our first stop will be a visit to an exclusive winery; part of the Grand Cru classification that rewards only the best wine makers. Afterwards we'll take a guided walking tour of this quaint village. As you as wander along the city walls and cobblestone streets, you'll hear about the secrets of the unique underground monuments like the stone quarries, the King's Keep and more. Awarded UNESCO world heritage status in 1999, the medieval town is small but perfectly formed, offering visitors the ideal mix of history and excellent food and drink. And if you find a particular wine you would like to bring home, most vineyards and wine shops in the village will take care of the shipping for you.

*All four tours include transportation and 3 wine tastings. Lunch is not included, however there will be ample time allotted in each respective region.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Bordeaux)

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll have a private transfer to the airport or rail station for your return home, or on to your next Avanti Destination!