Offer ID
800-367-5348
Immersive Small Group Travel Experience! Space is limited to just 20 guests, plus hosts.
If private touring with a small group of fellow wine enthusiasts sounds like just the luxury adventure you have been waiting for, look no further than our 5-night Paris & Loire Valley program, hosted by Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) member, Karen Francis DeGolia of Limerick Lane Cellars!
Fill your days with French cuisine and culture on this expedition highlighting two renowned regions: Paris and the Loire Valley, with Sommelier Kelly McAuliffe as your guide. Enjoy traveling to each section of the country noting the changes in the terrain as you move from city to countryside and deep into the heart of wine country.
In Paris, taste your way through a culinary epicenter on guided wine and food tours. The journey continues to the Loire Valley, home to numerous wineries and sprawling chateaux. Whether it is wine or medieval history you seek, there is nowhere that captures your heart quite like France. But why end this fabulous journey so soon? Consider continuing on with your ZAP host Karen to Paris & Normandy for an 8-day cruise along the River Seine, click here for details.
Owner, Limerick Lane Cellars
Sommelier & French Guide
Below is an edited version of the day-to-day itinerary. To view a more complete detailed program, CLICK HERE.
Start your French exploration in the country’s capital, Paris, also called ‘The City of Light’ because it was one of the first major European cities to use gas street lighting in 1820.
Located just off the Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the five-star boutique Hôtel Bel Ami, check in for your overnight stay. This evening, meet your ZAP winery host, Karen Francis DeGolia who will be with you for this 5-night tour. Join Karen and fellow travelers for dinner at Allard Restaurant, one of the most sought-after gourmet addresses in Paris.
After a full day, settle in for the evening at your hotel for a restful overnight.
After breakfast in the hotel, join your Parisan guide & sommelier, Kelly McAuliffe for a transfer to the Paris train station. Enjoy a scenic train ride to the enchanting area of Tours in the Loire Valley. From here the Loire Valley fairytale begins…
At the train station in Tours, a coach will be waiting to take you to lunch at fabulous local restaurant, Le Berlot located in the wine producing village of Montlouis sur Loire. After lunch, visit the most popular château castle in all of Loire Valley, Chateau de Chenonceau Castle, built between 1515 – 1521.
At the end of the day, you will arrive at the Les Trésorières Hotel in the charming town of Blois for an evening on your own and to overnight.
Today we drive to Domaine Charles Joguet, where Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc from the Touranie appellation are the focus, Enjoy a tour and tasting, before lunch in the 15th century Cave de Tuffeau.
Our journey continues to Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, one of the largest surviving monastic cities from the Middle Ages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next is a tasting in the heart of the Bourgeuil terroir at Château de Minière, where French writer Charles Perrault was inspired to write “Sleeping Beauty”.
Overnight at Les Trésorières Hotel
Today we visit one of the most well-known producer in the Vouvray region, as well as the entire Loire Valley – Domaine Huet. The vineyard is cultivated biodynamically, an approach that takes organic farming a step further.
Located on the banks of the Loire, our next stop is Caves Ambacia. We will explore the cellar, taste wines and have lunch overlooking the Loire River. After lunch, explore the town of Amboise with your French guide. Explore the streets lined with small boutiques and the esplanades along the river banks.
Overnight at the 17th century Hotel Fleur De Loire, your home for the next two nights.
Today we will explore the region of Sancerre, located at the very far east of the Loire Valley wine region. Our first stop is at Château de Sancerre for a tour and tasting. This is one of the rare French châteaux to to bear the name of an appellation dominating a unique terroir of four different soils. After the tour and tasting explore the medieval town of Sancerre and lunch on your own.
Next enjoy a tasting at a family-owned winery: Domain Hubert Brochard. The domaine is run by the fifth and sixth generation of Brochards with 152 acres under vine in Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, and Vine de Pays du Val de Loire.
You’ll have time to freshen up at the hotel before joining your guide and fellow ZAP travelers for dinner at Amour Blanc Gourmet Restaurant where the chef will amaze you with his French classics and seasonal creations.
Overnight at Hotel Fleur De Loire.
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and safe travels home with your independent arrangements.
Or better yet…join our group motorcoach transfer to Paris and board Uniworld’s S.S. Joie de Vivre for 7 nights of cruising along the Seine – exploring Paris and Normandy, October 20 – 27.
Hotels are subject to change without notice.
1-night at Hotel Bel Ami – October 15
2-nights at Les Trésorières Hotel – October 16 & 17
2-nights at Fleur de Loire – October 18 & 19
Fare shown is per person based on double occupancy or single occupancy as noted. Fare does not include airfare to/from Paris, arrival transfer to first hotel, gratuities for the guide and driver, hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, travel insurance, all items of a personal nature or expense of any kind regard PCR or Antigen tests (or covid related expenses). Please refer to the registration form for complete terms & conditions.
ZAP MEMBERSHIP Please note that at least one individual traveling in a couple must have a valid ZAP membership as of the dates of travel. The price of an annual ZAP membership starts at $50.00 For more information or to join ZAP visit: www.zinfandel.org