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 Visite Pass to explore on your own, utilizing the metro and buses. 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 guide in the lobby for your Private Paris Sightseeing Tour*, followed by your choice of museums; the Louvre or Musee d'Orsay. 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 Musee 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, currently under reconstruction after the tragic fire. 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 in1875. 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.

Following lunch on your own, there are two museum options (previously selected):

• Enjoy a tour of the renowned Louvre museum; the former palace of the kings of France is dedicated to art of the ancient world and the West until the mid-19th century. You'll view the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, as well as hundreds of others in the most beautiful and the largest museum in the world.
• Or, discover the Musee d`Orsay; housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Art railway station built between 1898 and 1900. This museum is home to some of the greatest works of French and European art produced in the 19th and early 20th centuries. You'll view masterpieces from Courbet to Matisse, through the Impressionists, Van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin, as well as pieces in the art nouveau style. This stunning converted railway station is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in art.

(Accommodations, Paris)

Today is free for independent sightseeing, and with the use of your Visite Card, you'll have a wealth of choices. Perhaps you may want to revisit a particular site that your guide mentioned, or you had seen on yesterday's tour. 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. A jewel not to be missed is the Orangerie in the Tuileries, featuring Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" For history lovers, there's the Invalides, the military museum holding the tomb of Napoleon, and the much overlooked Pantheon. Some of France's best-known authors and scientists are interred in this former church including Voltaire, Curie, Braille, and Alexandre Dumas. If you prefer an "outdoor museum", Père Lachaise Cemetery sits in the 20th arrondisement in the northeast area of Paris. Some of their more famous residents include Chopin, Moliere, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison of The Doors. Had enough of history for today? Then shop on Boulevard Haussmann in Galeries Lafayette or Printemps with real Belle Epoque grandeur, or cross over to the chic Left Bank with their numerous boutiques.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, you'll have a private transfer to Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon station before boarding the high-speed TGV train in 1st class for the little more than 2 hour ride to elegant and trendy Bordeaux. You'll have a private transfer to the Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, located in the heart of the historic center of Bordeaux. With its convenient location, you are able to easily walk to the historical sites, restaurants, bars and shopping. After getting settled, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Paris might be the crown jewel of France, but you'll discover the city of Bordeaux is a glittering diamond in its own right. This ancient city, in the famous wine-growing region of southwest France, has experienced a dramatic renaissance in recent years. Thanks to its beauty and history, much of the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(Breakfast, Paris; Accommodations, Bordeaux)

Meet your guide for your full-day Private Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion Tour. 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) Then we head out of the city for a short drive to Saint-Emilion; a picture perfect hilltop village that's also home to some of the region's most prestigious wines. Named after Émilion, a miracle-working Benedictine monk who lived in a cave here between AD 750 and 767, it soon became a stop on pilgrimage routes. Your visit will be to a carefully selected winery that holds the important "Grand Cru" classification. With a name literally meaning "great growths" these wines epitomize the best of the best. You'll learn the wines of Saint-Émilion are typically blended from different grape varieties; the three main ones being Merlot (60% of the blend), Cabernet Franc (nearly 30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (around 10%). 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 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. Returning to Bordeaux, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Tonight at dinner, impress your waiter with your new-found knowledge and pronunciation of your favorite selection.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Bordeaux)

Today you are free to explore and discover all the charms of this fascinating French city. One of the most famous landmarks is 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. 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. On the banks of the Garonne, sits the much heralded Cité du Vin. Its 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. 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.

(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!

(Breakfast, Bordeaux)