The Champagne Dreams Paris Trip/May 29-June 4/Spring 2023 Deposit - Hold your spot today!
The Champagne Dreams Paris Trip
May 29- June 4, 2023
Join us for a journey to Paris and Champagne region this Spring for an exclusive, unique, small-group, women-only trip. Designed for women who love Paris, this trip will take you deeper into unique Parisian experiences and behind the scenes with everyday Parisians.
The Spring and Fall trips are limited to the first 6 women each who register and pay the $500 deposit through this portal. We have had an overwhelming interest to the Spring and Fall trips and recommend setting your intentions early and making your deposit without delay.
We will start the week with a champagne reception and will end with with a fabulous bon voyage dinner. The highlights of the week include:
Day 1
Welcome to Paris!
After your travel to the City of Light, let the relaxation begin with our warm hotel welcome and check-in. Introductions will be made over coffee and tea while you get checked in and settled, in our 1st arrondissement, 4-star, boutique hotel. Sit back and enjoy your time as all of the details have been taken care of - you are here to enjoy all that Paris has to offer.
Later, join the full group for a champagne reception at a nearby wine bar to kick off our week together, followed by a fabulous dinner at a classic Parisian bistro where we will continue to get to know each other better.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the infamous market street of Rue Cler where we will be met by a local Le Cordon Bleu chef. She will guide us as we explore one of Paris’s most celebrated market streets. We will learn about gastronomic culture while picking out the freshest ingredients and choosing the correct cheese, among many other items. Back in her fabulous Paris apartment kitchen, our local chef will show us how to prepare an authentic French meal using the seasonal ingredients chosen from the local vendors, followed by a sit down 4 course lunch with a cocktail and wine.
You will have a few hours this afternoon to continue exploring on Rue Cler, the 7th arrondissement or other areas of Paris on your own.
That evening we will gather at the hotel before we meet our local author for our personal book club meeting in Paris. All participants will receive a copy of My Part Time Paris Life to read prior to our trip and we will enjoy cocktails and dinner with the lovely and talented author Lisa Anselmo as she brings her personal story and journey to life, just for us.
Day 3
We are on the road today in our private chauffeur-driven Mercedes van and with our local guide as we head to Champagne region. Our first stop is a visit to the vines and a meet and greet with a champagne maker/tour and tasting at his small, family run champagne house. This particular champagne house only produces 9000-15000 bottles a year and is a very special place indeed. After tasting some champagne, we will visit Reims historic city centre and the Cathedral of the Kings, and lunch. This will be followed by a tour and tasting at the world renowned champagne house Veuve Clicquot, where we will see first hand the empire as described in our francophile book club selection, The Widow Clicquot. Please note, that this portion of the tour will not be private. We will join a public group for Veuve Clicquot part of the day. Before heading back to Paris we will stop for one final glass of champagne at a nearby champagne bar.
We will arrive back at our hotel to refresh and regroup for a lovely dinner.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel we will be meeting local Parisian historian extraordinaire, Claudine Hemingway (yes, related to that Hemingway - for all of our book lovers out there) for a walk through Saint Germain.
La rive gauche is filled with the intellectual and artistic history of Paris. The streets of Saint Germain were once the playground of ateliers, homes, and cafes of great American authors and French artists. We will walk in their footsteps uncovering all the stories they have to share. Along the way, we will sample some of the treats in the neighborhood and end at one of the best wine bars in Paris.
After lunch in Saint Germain, we will have a free afternoon to catch a local exhibit, do some shopping or simply relax at the hotel. Spa services can be arranged for this day (cost additional).
Gathering for a late visit to the Musee de Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, followed by dinner at the legendary La Fontaine de Mars around the corner. After dinner, an evening stroll to see the Iron Lady herself, will top off the evening.
Day 5
Montmartre is calling us today! We start with a behind the scenes view of a working neighborhood bakery - with samples of course! Following our bakery visit we will have a walking tour of Montmartre 18th arrondissement from a local guide.
After a delectable lunch we will head to 30 Avenue Montaigne and the house of Dior for La Galerie Dior Exhibit - which is a feast for the eyes. The exhibit is a retrospective of Christian Dior's life and work through photographs, memorabilia and of course his fashion - oh those dresses!
You will have some free time in the afternoon to do some shopping, put your feet up at the hotel or perhaps visit a museum, on your own.
Afterwards, a Moroccan-inspired dinner awaits us, just a short walk away from the hotel.
Day 6
Our final day together starts off with breakfast at the hotel and then onto treasure hunting at the Marché aux Puces Clignancourt. Europe's largest collection of antique dealers, the Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen has over 2000 shops and a dozen flea markets. It is a Saturday extravaganza for all things antiques. We will tour the area and you will have some free time for your own personal treasure shopping.
Let's meet for lunch, and the rest of the day is yours to finalize any shopping at the market or where ever else Paris calls you.
That evening we will gather for a walk through Palais Royal and a bon voyage dinner to celebrate all we experienced, the friendships formed, and the memories created that we will hold dear from our week in France together!
Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel.
Bon Voyage!
What's Included:
The full itinerary outlined above. The itinerary is subject to slight changes. Final itinerary will be shared upon booking.
All lodging at a 4-star, boutique hotel - single occupancy.
Pricing is based on single occupancy, where you will have your own private room and ensuite.
Transportation for the 7 days and 6 nights in and around Paris and Champagne region.
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
All guides, experts and tastings on guided tours.
Welcome champagne reception.
All museum or other entry fees.
What's not included:
Airfare, to and from Paris, and transfers to and from the airport and hotel.
Any souvenirs or personal shopping.
Additional meals, snacks, wine, spirits or beverages not offered in the group outings.
Any additional entrance fees not offered in the group outings.
Any spa treatment desired.
Travel and Medical insurance (required). Please be sure to purchase travel insurance for your trip in the rare case of cancellations, unforeseen circumstances, or emergency medical needs during your trip. This is mandatory.
Any visas, passport or Covid-19 travel requirements (testing, vaccines, etc.) as required by your home country or France.
The Champagne Dreams Paris Trip will have a lot of walking - please be prepared for walking tours and stairs (especially when we visit the Champagne region and we go down, down into the cellars).
If you have any special needs, including dietary, please reveal that to us so we can make accommodations, if possible, on the Getting to Know You form that will be sent out after booking.
Total cost of the trip $6675.00 per person. Does not include airfare or transfers.
Non-refundable deposit of $500.00 is required to hold your space.
You are required to pay in full by April 1, 2023 through 2 equal installments -
$3087.50 due February 25, 2023
$3087.50 due April 1, 2023
Cancellations
The minimum number of travelers for each trip is 3 attendees, with a maximum of 6. If the minimum number of travellers is not met within 60 days we may need to reschedule or cancel the trip. Please do not purchase non-refundable air fare until we have notified you that we have met our minimum number of travelers for your preferred week. You will be entitled to a full refund, including deposit, if the minimum number of guests is not reached.
Your place on the trip will be reserved as soon as your deposit is paid. By paying the deposit, you agree to pay the trip balance in full by the deadlines outlined above. Due to the limited amount of space on this trip it is difficult for us to accommodate any cancellations.
All sales are non-refundable. Please be sure to purchase travel insurance for your trip in case of cancellations, unforeseen circumstances, or emergency medical needs.
Discounts - Olive and Branch discount coupons are not valid for this trip.
On y va!