Sample Itinerary: Lyon, France

• Indulge in France’s Culinary Capital - Lyon: 

(Before you dive into the itinerary, you are asking yourself, out of all France, WHY Lyon? You may have barely heard of this city, but it is the culinary capital of France, one of the largest cities in France with amazing Roman and French history, easy to get in and out of, a mini-Paris without throngs of tourists, centrally positioned to make excursions to nearby places, and provides opportunities for a wide variety of activities.) 

• Start: Travel US – Paris Charles de Gaulle airport; 

                      - Detailed instructions on a short walk from the customs to the National Rail terminal; 

                      - TGV train Paris CDG – downtown Lyon; 

                      -  Detailed instructions on taxi service to your downtown apartment; 

                      -  Dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant; 

• Day 2: Exploring Lyon: 

                     - Tours of Roman Ruins and Old Town, including the Cathedral; 

                     - Lunch at a Lyonese local restaurant; 

                     - Visit to a Museum of Fine Arts; 

                     - Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant; 

• Day 3: Exploring Lyon: 

                     - Tours of downtown, Parc of Golden Head; 

                     - Lunch at a traditional Lyonese local restaurant; 

                     - Visit to the Museum of Moden Art; 

                     - Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant; 

• Day 4: Beaujolais Wine Region: 

                     - Renting a car at a local city agency; 

                     - Driving instructions (local laws, customs) for a short drive to Beaujolais region; 

                     - Visit to a wind producer with a tour of vineyard, cellars, and a lunch in the vineyard; 

                     - Evening celebration at a festival in the village with  food and entertainment; 

                     - Return to city – parking suggestions; 

• Day 5: Mont Blanc and Chamonix: 

                     - Drive to Chamonix; 

                     - Gondola ride to the highest peak in Europe; 

                     - Lunch in Alps food restaurant in Chamonix; 

                     - Drive back to Lyon;  

                     - Dinner at a local restaurant; 

• Day 6: Dijon and Beaune: 

                     - Drive to Dijon; 

                     - Exploring the Dijon region; 

                     - Lunch in a restaurant in Dijon; 

                     - Drive to Beaune;  

                     - Exploring Beaune and its Burgundy wines; 

                     - Dinner at a local restaurant; 

                     - Drive back to Lyon. 

• Day 7: Grenoble and Surrounding Mountains: 

                     - Drive to Grenoble; 

                     - Exploring the city, including the gondola ride; 

                     - Lunch in a restaurant in Grenoble; 

                     - Drive to alpine villages;  

                     - Exploring the mountain side and villages - opportunity for a short hike; 

                     - Dinner at a local alpine restaurant; 

                     - Drive back to Lyon. 

• Day 8: Options: 

                     - Return to Paris for exploration and trip back;  

                     - Adding a few days in Provence, then return to Paris for exploration and trip back; 

                     - Adding a few days on Cote D’Azur instead of or in addition to Provence. 

Possibilities are endless!