France for food and wine lovers

Epicurean Express

RHONE, BURGUNDY AND MICHELIN
Avignon  |  Lyon  |  Dijon  |  Paris  |  London

Private full-day wine tours of Rhone and Burgundy
___________________________________________________________________
Michelin-star tasting menus with fine wine pairings
____________________________________________________________________
First-class rail travel on direct TGVs
____________________________________________________________________
Eurostar Business Premiere with three-course meal and wine
____________________________________________________________________
VIP arrival service with private guide and driver
____________________________________________________________________
Privately guided city walks with local insiders
_____________________________________________________________________
Carefully selected four-star boutique hotels
_____________________________________________________________________
Flight from London and chauffeured car to Avignon
______________________________________________________________________

Travel any day you wish
Only £ 2750*
*per person when two travelling together 

Epicurean-map

Michelin-star restaurants. Great wines. Premium first-class trains with fine meals and wine served at your seat. Four-star boutique hotels. And private guides and chauffeurs all the way. This unique eight-day rail vacation serves you full-day private tours of the Rhone and Burgundy wine regions with exclusive wine tastings and Michelin-star tasting menus with wine pairings in Lyon and Paris.

A taste of France

Sample legendary vineyards and great restaurants

Michelin-star restaurants. Great wines. Premium first-class trains with fine meals and wine served at your seat. Four-star boutique hotels. And private guides and chauffeurs all the way. This unique eight-day rail vacation serves you private tours of the Rhone and Burgundy wine regions with exclusive wine tastings and Michelin-star tasting menus with wine pairings in Lyon and Paris.

We think it is as mouth-wateringly delicious as a glass of Côte de Beaune’s finest.

Your great epicurean adventure starts as you fly from London to Marseille and are driven by chauffeured car directly to your four-star hotel in Avignon. Here, a local insider will welcome you to her city and invite you on a privately guided two-hour city walk, giving you an authentic and personal introduction to Avignon.

__________________________

A local wine expert will take you
on a private full-day tour
to Rhone’s great vineyards
__________________________

Next day, a local wine expert will greet you at your hotel and take you on a private full-day tour that focuses on Rhone’s three famous full-bodied reds: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from the vineyards surrounding the ruins of the Pope’s former summer home, and the wines of its near neighbours Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

Then, you travel quickly and comfortably on a direct TGV high-speed train to Lyon, the gourmet capital of the world. All journeys to and from the railway station are by chauffeured car. Even better, the moment you step off the train, your private Silver Tray guide awaits you right in front of the train, and escorts you to your perfectly located hotel. And in every city, this perfect arrival is followed up by a privately guided city walk. Our local insiders are keen you show you the hidden gems that most tourists miss, but if you have any special wishes, just tell her: Each tour is designed to be customised around you.

___________________________

In Lyon and Paris,
savour full tasting menus with
wine pairings at one-star
Michelin restaurants.
___________________________

You have two days to discover Lyon’s charming neighbourhoods and enticing food markets, and the highlight of your stay is a full tasting menu with wine pairings at a one-star Michelin restaurant.

Another first-class TGV journey sees you at Dijon in Burgundy. Here, the high-light is a full-day private tour is along the Route des Grands Crus. Soak in the vineyard regions of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune and the best they have to offer during comprehensive wine tastings.

Your journey to Paris is on the finest TGV service in the country, the international TGV Lyria coming from Switzerland. This is the only TGV with a premium first-class where a steward will serve you a light lunch with wine. It’s the perfect way to arrive in Paris, especially knowing that a private guide and chauffeur await you at the station.

As in the other cities on this journey, you have two nights in Paris. Celebrate your eighth and last evening of this incredible experience in style: With a one-star Michelin tasting menu with wine pairings at one of Paris’ finest restaurants.

Your final journey home to London is in Eurostar’s Business Premier. After your steward has welcomed you with a glass of Champagne, enjoy a three-course lunch with wine as the trains speeds towards the Channel.

The journey

Your day-by-day itinerary

Exclusive 10-night individual journey from Avignon to Lyon, Dijon, Paris, and London. Your experience includes full-day private wine tours to fine vineyards in Rhone and Burgundy, with visits to fine estates and wine tastings. In Lyon and Paris, we reserve tables for you at one-star Michelin restaurants where you enjoy sumptuous tasting menus with wine pairings. On your final journey back to London, you travel in Eurostar’s Business Premier class and are served a three-course meal with wine. You are pampered with VIP arrival service with a private guide and driver at every train station, plus a privately guided city walk with a local insider in every city. You travel first-class on direct, high-speed trains only, and stay in carefully selected four-star boutique hotels. Flight from London and chauffeured car to Avignon is included.

Expand all
Day 1
Fly to Avignon
Day 2 & 3
Avignon

This medieval town in scenic Provence was for a few precious years the centre of the universe: The Vatican-on-the-Rhône when a 14th-century Pope moved his entire court from Rome to here. The fortress-like Papal palace with its imposing stone halls still dominates the old centre; ancient ramparts still ring old Avignon; and walking in the pedestrianised centre with its leafy squares can feel quite medieval – unless you’re here during the Avignon Festival in July, one of the most important contemporary performing art events in the world. We’re sure Clement V would not have approved.

Avignon is a great foodie destination with great restaurants. For an authentic and local experience, a visit to the colourful and aromatic market at Les Halles is a must. You’ll be greeted by a giant, living wall as you enter the market. Once inside there’s a huge range of vendors selling a delicious selection of Provincial foods which make for a great picnic spread to enjoy beside the river.

 

Medieval town with amazing history
Great foodie destination
Day 4
Avignon-Lyon

Not too long ago, people sailed for days on the Rhone to get from Avignon to Lyon. Your journey on a high-speed TGV will take just over one hour, barely leaving you enough time to buy a glass of red wine at the café-bar. Many TGV trainsets today are double-deckers, and your spacious first-class seat may well be on the upper deck, offering great views as well as an intimate cabin.

Upon arrival at Lyon, you will be met by your private guide who will escort you to your waiting chauffeured car and join you for the ride to your four-star hotel.

Then, she will invite you on a privately guided two-hour city walk. As a local insider, they have an excellent idea of what to show you. But remember: This your private guide, so feel free to mention anything you would like to experience on the walk.

Direct TGV high speed train
VIP arrival service with private guide
Privately guided city walk with local insider
Day 5
Lyon

Lyon is renowned for the finest food in the country. Considering the country we are talking about, that is high praise indeed. With stunning buildings, Roman ruins, medieval quarters, and churches dating back thousands of years, there are also plenty of non-culinary reasons to visit the city. The sky over the city twinkles with a galaxy of Michelin stars, but the true glory of the place is that you can taste the dedication to great food everywhere: In its bouchons – the simple restaurants with local fare, in its fine chocolate shops, and in its great bakeries.

Lyon is placed at the confluence of two of the finest rivers in France, the Saone and the Rhone. Between meals, stroll through the atmospheric neighbourhoods along the two rivers, each with their own look and charm. The medieval quarter north of the cathedral is filled with narrow cobblestone lanes and quiet little courtyards. Both riverbanks are a must-see. There are a bunch of boats that are converted to restaurants and cafes along the Rhône, so do enjoy an afternoon treat or coffee on the river.

 

 

 

The finest dining in all of France
Roman ruins and medieval quarters
Day 6
Lyon-Dijon

The journey from the capital of food to the heart of Burgundy takes less than two hours. You travel on a TGV, most probably on the upper deck in a spacious and intimate cabin. As you would expect in France, the seats are stylishly designed. A café-car offers snacks and light meals.

Upon arrival at Dijon, you will be met by your private guide who will escort you to your waiting chauffeured car and join you for the ride to your four-star hotel.

Then, she will invite you on a privately guided two-hour city walk. As a local insider, they have an excellent idea of what to show you. But remember: This your private guide, so feel free to mention anything you would like to experience on the walk.

Direct TGV high-speed train
VIP arrival service with private guide
Privately guided city walk with local insider
Day 7
Dijon
Day 8
Dijon-London

At first glance, today’s train looks like an ordinary TGV, but you’ll soon discover that this international TGV Lyria service comes with a premium first class. The exclusive cabin comes with its dedicated steward who will serve you an included delicious meal with wine at your seat.

Upon arrival at Paris, you will be met by your private guide who will escort you to your waiting chauffeured car and join you for the ride to your four-star hotel.

Then, she will invite you on a privately guided two-hour city walk. As a local insider, they have an excellent idea of what to show you. But remember: This your private guide, so feel free to mention anything you would like to experience on the walk.

Special TGV service with premium first-class
Meal and wine served at your seat
VIP arrival service with private guide and driver
Privately guided city walk with local insider
Day 9 & 10
Paris

Allow us to quote the late Anthony Bourdain, expert in travelling off-the-beaten-track, who had this to say about visiting Paris: “Please, make the most of it by doing as little as possible. Walk a little. Get lost a bit. Eat. Catch a breakfast buzz. Have a nap. Try and have sex if you can.”

His point was, you do not experience the real Paris by following the crowds and adhering to a strict itinerary. Instead, just meander through a neighbourhood that seems intriguing. Strive to get lost, and while you’re doing so, pop into vintage shops, atmospheric bookshops, and local brasseries. Great advice for any city in our collection, and especially for this repository of hidden treasures.

One such hidden gem: The Promenade Plantée. This long-abandoned mid-19th century viaduct winds its way for three miles from the Bastille. It’s a magical, green stroll with several spectacular panoramas across Parisian rooftops. Don’t forget to occasionally descend to street-level where brick archways under the viaduct have been transformed into artisan showrooms that range from violin-makers to glass blowers and jewelers.

 

Don't follow the crowds. Just fall in love.
Day 11
Paris-London

Your final journey home on this rail adventure will be one to remember. We have seated you in Eurostar’s Business Premiere, one of the finest premium first classes in all of Europe. Your steward will welcome you on board and serve you a glass of Champagne, followed by a fine three-course lunch with wine as you speed under the Channel towards London.

 

Premium first-class on Eurostar
Three-course meal and wine served by your steward

TGV

Europe’s original high-speed train, the flagship of the French railways. Many TGV train sets today are double-deckers, and your spacious first-class seat may well be on the upper deck, offering great views as well as an intimate cabin. As you would expect in France, the seats are stylishly designed. A café-car offers snacks and light meals.

TGV Lyria

This TGV Lyria is the only TGV with a premium first-class. The exclusive cabin comes with its dedicated steward who will serve you an included delicious three-course meal with wine at your seat. The menu has been crafted by Michelin-star chef Michel Roth and combines both French and Swiss flavours.

Eurostar Business Premiere

We have seated you in Eurostar’s Business Premiere, one of the finest premium first classes in all of Europe. Your steward will welcome you on board and serve you a glass of Champagne, followed by a fine three-course lunch with wine as you speed under the Channel towards Paris.

Four-star boutique hotels

Stay in charming, comfortable and centrally located four-star boutique hotels carefully curated by Silver Tray. Breakfast is included, as are transfers between the train station and the hotel.

Your Silver Tray service includes

First class rail travel on direct trains

+ First-class rail travel on direct, high-speed trains
+ Upgrades to premium first-class Dijon-Paris and Paris-London
+ Flight from London to Marseille

Four-star boutique hotels

+ Four-star boutique hotels
+ Highly rated and carefully selected
+ Perfectly located in city centres
+ Breakfast included

Private wine tours

+ Full-day private tours of vineyards of Rhone and Burgundy
+ Wine tastings

Michelin-star dinners

+Tasting manus with wine pairings at one-star Michelin restaurants in Paris and Lyon

Private city walks

+ Two-hour city walks by local insiders.
+ Fully customizable experiences
+ Insider advice about local restaurants and hidden gems

VIP arrival service

+ Private guide waiting at your train car upon arrival
+ Private transfer to hotel (where necessary)
+ Private transfer from the hotel to train station upon departure

These journeys may also interest you

Tour
Grand Cru and Pinxto
Gourmet express to Paris, Bordeaux and San Sebastian
Tour
La Dolce Vita
The best of Italy with five-star service and luxury
Tour
Small Italian Gems
Italy's most romantic towns and villages