This 10 night trip will take you on a magical tour through Europe\u2019s cultural and gourmet heart, giving you a true Black Tomato insight into La Vie en Rose. Get your beauty sleep in some of the most luxurious boltholes in all of France, before embarking on our favorite expertly-guided adventures and experiences that will see you enjoying the very best of the country\u2019s offerings. From the gothic grandeur of Paris\u2019s Notre Dame, to the serene landing beaches of Normandy, to a breath-taking hot air balloon ride over the ch\u00e2teaux of The Loire Valley; enjoy the most priceless gems of our favorite European treasure trove.<\/p>\n
Touchdown in Paris where your driver awaits to transport you to your residence for the next three nights \u2013 the majestic Grand H\u00f4tel du Palais Royal. Overlooking the Palais Royal Garden, you\u2019re in the perfect location to get acquainted with the city sights. So soak up the Parisian chic of your luxury quarters and get some much needed shut eye \u2013 tomorrow will see you embarking on a full day tour of Paris\u2019s best architecture, gardens, and culture with your private guide. From the world-famous art of the Mus\u00e9e du Louvre to the vibrant lights of the Moulin Rouge; you\u2019ll feel like you haven\u2019t left a single cobbled stone unturned. Be sure to take a well earned lunch break at our favorite Parisian brasserie, Caf\u00e9 Marly. The finest spot in Paris to admire Ieoh Ming Pei\u2019s famous glass pyramid, their croque-monsieur is easily the best we\u2019ve ever eaten.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rise refreshed the following morning as you head to the intricately landscaped gardens and mirrored halls of the Ch\u00e2teau de Versailles. Walk in the footsteps of King Louis the XVI and the infamous Marie Antoinette as you breathe in the history of France\u2019s most celebrated palace. We feel it\u2019s time for Paris\u2019s famed cuisine to take the driver\u2019s seat, so this afternoon embark\u00a0 on a food tour that will see you enjoying some of the world\u2019s crunchiest baguettes and creamiest cheeses.<\/p>\n
Historic Normandy is your next port of call, and a private transfer from Paris will take you to the birthplace of the Impressionist art movement \u2013 Claude Monet\u2019s home in picturesque Giverney. His stunning art immortalised the town\u2019s lush flower gardens and the water lilies on his private lake, and seeing them in person will leave you marvelling anew at the finesse of his art. After a relaxing lunch overlooking the gardens at Le Jardin des Plumes, your driver will take you to your home from a home for the next two nights, La Ferme Saint Sim\u00e9on. This beautiful 17th<\/sup> Century Norman House boasts a panoramic Seine Estuary view, whose magical lights fascinated the masters of Impressionism just as they will you too.<\/p>\n A sombre and humbling experience, the next day will see you walking in the footsteps of the great soldiers of the D-day landings as you make a visit to Omaha Beach. Pay your respects to the fallen at The Normandy American Cemetery, the final resting place for 9,387 brave Americans, and Sainte-M\u00e8re-Eglise, the center of the huge airborne operation that involved the dropping of 15 000 US paratroopers.<\/p>\n Your next stop is Bordeaux and the West Coast idyll of Ile de Re, home to some of the oldest and most prestigious vineyards you\u2019ll ever see and justly acclaimed wine capital of the world. Stay for the next three nights at Villa Clarisse, an 18th<\/sup> Century mansion dedicated to luxurious relaxation whilst preserving the soul of the traditional houses that make up its island location \u2013 World Heritage Site Ile de R\u00e9. Spend the next couple of days indulging in fine wine, strolling along the beaches of secluded Ile d’Ol\u00e9ron, or (a Black Tomato favorite) visiting the oyster village of Le Cap-Ferret to try your hand at shucking before snacking\u00a0on fresh oysters from the surrounding seas.<\/p>\n Your final destination calls, so let your driver transport you to the garden of France; a region famous for its mild climate, castles and vineyards. There is no better way to explore the rich Renaissance architecture of the Loire Valley than by air, so take to the skies in a hot air balloon tour that will see you breezing gently over the Ch\u00e2teaux of Clemonceau, Blois, and Chaumont \u2013 the region\u2019s undulating hills and quietly flowing rivers providing the perfect backdrop. Continue the fairytale upon arrival at your hotel for the next two nights, Domaine de la Tortini\u00e8re, where you can expect boutique luxury in a residence that reflects the great Loire ch\u00e2teaux traditions. Spend your final day enjoying the valley\u2019s rustic culinary delights, starting with a local market tour. Here\u00a0you will gather seasonal ingredients before learning how to prepare a delicious provincial meal in your guide\u2019s countryside kitchen. Adequately stuffed, sit back and enjoy your glass of wine \u2013 the perfect moment to reflect on what has been a truly magical trip.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This 10 night trip will take you on a magical tour through Europe\u2019s cultural and gourmet heart, giving you a true Black Tomato insight into La Vie en Rose. Get your beauty sleep in some of the most luxurious boltholes in all of France, before embarking on our favorite expertly-guided adventures and experiences that will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101059,"featured_media":177789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["France"],"class_list":["post-183477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-france","month-april","month-august","month-december","month-february","month-january","month-july","month-june","month-march","month-may","month-november","month-october","month-september","type-experience","feeling-contentment","need-to-indulge","need-to-learn","what-culture","who-couple","who-family","who-honeymoon","who-with-friends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGourmet indulgence on the West Coast<\/h2>\n
Fairytale Living in the Loire<\/h2>\n