2008 Paris Culinary Treasures Tours

A Culinary Adventure Through Paris
May 10-17 and October 4-11

SEVEN DAYS TO SAVOR CULINARY TREASURES
ALL OVER PARIS!

Enjoy dining in charming Parisian bistros, exploring lively market streets, browsing remarkable Marché Volants, talking and tasting with engaging culinary artisans? Love exploring Paris’ diverse quartiers, best chocolate shops, patisseries, fromageries and gourmet shops of all types?  Our Paris Culinary Treasures tour is definitely an experience for you!

Your Great Days in Paris’ escorted, small-group Paris Culinary Treasures tour has been highlighted on Bonjour Paris.com, in the Boston Globe, the San Diego Union Tribune, International Travel News, and Boston Magazine. 

Bonjour Paris wrote “The Paris Culinary Treasures tour is about living, breathing, eating and drinking all things French”.

Your Great Days in Paris takes up to ten guests to taste their way around Paris, on and off the beaten path, in May and in October each year.

One guest said:  “Every day just keep getting better and better.  And they were all great. I loved the people we talked and tasted with.  Such knowledge, passion and fun!  And I feel like I really got to know Paris.”

Highlights of the tour include:

• Guided visits to vibrant markets and market streets all over Paris
• Various talks/tastings including wines, cheese, charcuterie, chocolates, and fine tea
• A day trip to Reims to visit Taittinger caves and learn about Champagne
• Exploring fascinating quartiers including the Marais, Bercy, St. Germain, Montmartre, the rue Montorgueil and the Viaduc des Arts
• Daily lunch or dinner in carefully selected very Parisian bistros and brasseries

Included:   Eight nights in three-star hotel (double occupancy, early check in). Daily breakfast and lunch or dinner.  Expert guiding.  All tour admissions, tastings, van to Reims, metro tickets and passes, airport transfers in Paris via shared vans. Not included:  airfare, snacks, wine or aperitifs (unless part of menu), incidentals. 
Cost: $2,975 per person.  Single supplement available. $350 deposit.  Balance due 70 days prior to departure.

2008 Paris Culinary Treasures Tours Itinerary

May 10-17 and October 4-11 (Please plan to arrive in Paris on May 9 or October 3)

We encourage guests to arrive in Paris on Friday, May 9 or October 3 to be rested and ready to begin the tour on Saturday morning.  Arrive Charles DeGaulle Airport, transfer to hotel.  Guests will be emailed an informational packet prior to departure that lists several ‘jet-lag friendly’ things to see and do near the hotel, plus restaurants, cafes, bistros nearby.  You will also receive an updated itinerary. Rooms will be available at the normal afternoon check in time on Friday.

Day One: Saturday, May 10 or October 4:
Tour commences at 10:30 a.m. in the hotel lobby.  Welcome and orientation by Sally Peabody, Tour Leader.  Walking Tour:  An Introduction to the Culinary Treasures ofSt. Germain des Pres.  After visiting bakers, pastry and chocolate makers, artisanal culinary oil makers, Kusmi Teas new shop and more we will relax on a one-hour Seine Cruise. Tasting:  Tea at Mariage Freres.  Dinner at gourmet bistro in our quarter.

Day Two: Sunday, May 11 or October 5:  Breakfast at the hotel.  Meet at 9:30. Walking Tour:  Two Vibrant Markets, the Marais & Aligre quarters.  We will tour the bustling Place d’Aligre and Richard Lenoir markets then enjoy a walking tour of the historic, but ever up-to-date Marais quarter.  Dinner at 7:00 at Mon Vieil Ami on the Ile St. Louis.

Day Three: Monday, May 12 or October 6: Breakfast at hotel.  Meet van at 9:00 for our daytrip to the provincial city of Reims, the heart of Champagne.  We will visit a noted Champagne firm’s cellars (eg. Taittinger), the historic and beautiful Reims’ Cathedral of Notre Dame, and shop for Champagnes and regional gourmet specialities. Lunch at Brasserie Boulingrin.

Day Four: Tuesday, May 13 or October 7: Breakfast at hotel.  Meet at 9:30.  Walking Tour of the village-like Montmartre quarter and afterwards, the newly hip rue de Martyrs market street in the 9th.   Lunch at Le Maquis.   Tasting:  Chocolate

Day Five: Wednesday, May 14 or October 8:  Breakfast at hotel.  Meet at 9:30.  Walking tour of the artisan-filled Viaduc des Arts, the Promenade Plantee and Bercy village.  Lunch/tasting: Wine and cheese degustation at Fils O Fromages.

Day Six: Thursday, May 15 or October 9:  Breakfast at hotel.  Meet at 9:30.  Walking Tour of the food and cookwares shops on and near the rue Montorgueil one of Paris’ best market streets, the atmospheric passage couvert named the Galleries Vivienne, the verdant, peaceful Palais Royal.  Lunch at classic brasserie Le Grand Colbert.  Tasting:  Regional French Wines. 

Day Seven: Friday, May 16 or October 10:  Free day/Flex day:  Guests may either enjoy a free day on their own or participate in a portion of or a full guided day with Sally exploring additional culinary treasures of the 6th arrondissement, including visits to master boulangers and patissiers, the Friday Raspail Market, the rue de Bac shopping street and the incomparable Grand Epicerie of the Bon Marche.  Final dinner: 7:30

Saturday:  May 17 or October 11:  Breakfast at hotel.  Depart for airport.  We can arrange tours of the Paris Flea Market, day trips to Versailles, Chartres, Normandy or Giverny, or other custom guiding for guests remaining in Paris for the weekend.

Questions? Please contact Sally Peabody, President, Your Great Days in Paris LLC

Email sally@yourgreatdaysinparis.com or s.peabody@verizon.net
Phone: 781-391-6183
Mail: 5 Chestnut Street, Medford, MA 02155  USA

Detailed Itinerary provided at your request.