BIKE TOURS IN FRANCE Join us in France for the bike tour of a lifetime. From the mighty peaks of the Alps to the lush greenery of the Loire Valley and the sunflower-strewn fields of Provence, France yields only more and greater pleasures as you dive deeper into the region. When wine lovers talk about the unique, defining characteristics of a bottle of wine, there is one word that you are bound to hear more than any other: terroir. It refers to the precise combination of geography, climate, soil, and other unique characteristics that defines a wine and makes it different from one just a few miles away. The same word captures the very essence of France. Though a certain joie de vivre is an ever-present common thread from one end of France to the other, so much else changes from one province to the next (and often just between towns). From briny oysters in Brittany to decadent foie gras in Burgundy, an effervescent bottle of Champagne to an earthy Bordeaux, regional terroir is present in every aspect of French life.

It is a life’s work to explore it all. And, there is no bad place to start. Provence Lavender 4-Day Bike Tour Provence 4-Day Bike Tour Provence Family Bike + Adventure Tour Côtes du Rhône Bike Tour Burgundy Harvest Bike Tour Burgundy 4-Day Bike Tour The Best Of Bordeaux + Burgundy Wine + Bike Tour Burgundy Grand Cru with a Taste of TDF Bike Tour Burgundy Sommelier On Wheels Bike Tour With Carlton McCoy Loire Valley Bike Tour Loire Valley Family Bike + Adventure Tour TDF Alps to Paris Bike Tour TDF Alps to Paris Iconic Climbs Bike Tour Alps Journey Bike Tour TDF Pyrenees Iconic Climbs Bike Tour Pyrenees Journey Bike Tour More than two thirds of the French spend their holidays in their own country and it's easy to see why: they know how to live in style. Discover France on our award-winning tours A country that knows how to live If you love food and wine, you’ll love France. The bread alone is reason enough to visit.

Paris is a must-see if you love art, architecture, wide avenues and historic monuments. And of course, if you want to set eyes on the glittering Eiffel Tower. See our insider's guide to France Discover France's sightseeing secrets, Insider Experiences and Hidden Treasures. France's capital city is packed with cafes, bistros and boutiques, and changes character as you pass through each street. Soak up the markets that line the Rue Mouffetard and experience the heady aroma of cheeses, roasting birds, and freshly-made baguettes and crêpes. Travel the length of the Champs Élysées, passing under the Arc de Triomphe, and circle around the Place de la Concorde. See the former Royal Palace, and enjoy exclusive VIP access to the Eiffel Tower, before you rise to the second floor to enjoy a 360° view of the city. View our France tours featuring Paris France is celebrated as the world's number one producer of wine. Visit the country's finest wine regions and discover the art and science of wine-making.

And enjoy a glass or three for yourself – whether it’s the classic full-bodied fruitiness of a Pinot Noir or a zesty-but-smooth Chardonnay. Stay in Bordeaux, the world's wine capital. Or come with us to Beaune, a picturesque, walled-city where you’ll have the opportunity to sample the Burgundy wines in an authentic wine-maker's cellar. View our France tours featuring Bordeaux Cities, towns and villages all over France light up in November when festive lights adorn the streets.open wine and beer shop In Paris, the trees along the Champs-Elysées are draped with fairy lights, and famous department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are decorated with elaborate window displays. best wine country spainIn many French households, gift-giving takes place on Christmas Eve, or early on Christmas morning, when people return from midnight mass to a meal called Réveillon. best wine cooler uk

The family tuck into this luxurious feast, comprising dishes like foie gras, smoked salmon, oysters and snails. Join us on a tour of France over the Christmas period and you’ll enjoy traditional festive celebrations and food. The Loire region’s châteaux, palaces and mansions are exceptionally beautiful. Spanning some 170 miles, UNESCO granted the region between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes a World Heritage award in 2000. Visit Château de Chenonceau, a beautiful country villa inspired by the Italian Renaissance and encircled by a moat. best wine shipping ratesIf you do drop by, check out the incredible art collection.red cat wine where to buy View our France tours featuring Loire Valleythe best dry red wines We've pulled together and answered some of our guests' most popular questions.

Here you'll find everything you need to know – from who you'll be travelling with to whether tips are included. "Beautiful Paris to the fabulous countryside" Discover the best of France on this chic Country Explorer trip, as Paris meets the capital of cool, St-Tropez. The Treasures of France From fairytale châteaux to the chicness of France's capital Paris, this Country Explorer trip has it all. Discover the best of France on an exploration of Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Monaco, Bordeaux, Arles and more.Vintners have long realized that by blending different grapes one can create a deliciously complex experience. So perhaps it’s only natural that combining the 2 best movements in tourism – road trips and wine tours – produces amazing outcomes. While the list of wine regions may seem ever-growing, only a special few are worthy of a great road trip. So pack a cork screw, some govino glasses, and dust off your grandfather’s driving gloves. We’re going on a grand tour of the world’s best wine road trips.

La Route des Vins d'Alsace turns 60 this year. Bordering the Rhine River to the east and the Vosges Mountains to the west, this 105-mile-long route is home to more than 70 wine villages. Add to that its 27 Michelin-starred restaurants and hamlets that resemble gingerbread villages covered in pastel icing, and its appeal is undeniable. Begin your love affair in Colmar, a stunning 15th-century medieval town that was mostly spared from destruction during WWII. Sleep at the central and charming La Maison des Tetes, built in 1609, and stock up on Gewürztraminer at the Cave Vinicole de Turckheim. In the quaint town of Kayserberg, make an appointment for a tasting at Domain Weinbach. Situated on the Clos des Capucins, the estate was established in 1612 by Capucin monks. Later, head to Riquewihr and stop at Hugel & Fils for a tour of their expansive wine cellar. To taste the most popular wines in Alsace, visit the Trimbach Estate in Ribeauvillé. End your journey at the 3-star Michelin restaurant L'Auberge de l'Ill in Illhaeusern.

Having maintained their 3-star status since 1967, a meal here might just be the best you’ve ever had. In 1979 celebrated French wine and food magazine, GaultMillau, organized a wine Olympics bringing together a total of 330 wines from 33 countries. When a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley placed in the top 10 of their category, the region was catapulted to international fame. Beginning 100 miles southwest of Portland, the Willamette Valley boasts more than 250 wineries. It also plays host to the celebrated International Pinot Noir Celebration every July. A journey here is not complete without a stop in Portland, a city whose wine is perhaps only bested by its limitless dining options. Also not to miss is Domain Serene in rural Dayton, OR, where you can ponder which is more fantastic, their Pinot Noir or their picturesque views. Next, journey east to Walla Walla, WA. Heralded as the “next Napa Valley,” this unspoiled landscape is home to over 100 wineries and 1,800 acres of grapes.

Stay in splendor at the elegant Stone Creek Manor, built in 1926, before awakening your senses at K Vintners whose Downtown Walla Walla tasting room is located in a converted old auto-repair warehouse. To truly get the most out of your road trip, plan way ahead and get on the mailing list for vineyards like Leonetti, Abeja and Cayuse to hear about their limited-release private tastings. "What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" Elizabeth Bennet pondered in Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t contemplating this dilemma in the Western Cape, over some fabulous wine. Home to the country’s most famous wine regions, Stellenbosch, Constantia and Paarl, the area is also celebrated for some of the most scenic drives in the world. After a stay in bustling Cape Town, retreat to a tranquil bed and breakfast housed on an estate established in 1698 – the De Leeuwenhof Estate in Paarl. For a lighthearted take on serious wine and food pairings, stop at Nederburg Wines where whimsical tastings, such as mini-burgers with red wine, are often on the menu.

Not to miss is a tongue-twisting visit to Boekenhoutskloof Winery, in Franschhoek, for a taste of their celebrated The Chocolate Block wine. End your tour at the apropos Bread & Wine restaurant, a place that might very well encapsulate everything you’ve come to love about this region. A region’s terroir, from the French word for “land,” is often credited with bestowing wine its individual characteristics. So for truly otherworldly wines, it seems only natural that one must travel to other end of the earth: the land of Barossa Valley in South Australia. An hour’s drive north of the state capital, Adelaide, Barossa Valley is home to some 100 wineries, 70 of which are open to the public. Enjoy spring in September and check out the seemingly endless markets, the best of which is the Barossa Farmers Market, held every Saturday near Angaston. Sleep at the Blickinstal Barossa Valley Retreat in Tanunda. Taste rare fortified wine at Seppeltsfield Winery and even make your own blend on a tour of Penfolds Magill Estate.

Of course, no road trip is complete without a culinary tour, so be sure to see how many stops you can cross off the highly recommended The Butcher, Baker, & the Winemaker Trail. Spaniards have a saying “tasting the wine is like talking with God.” Begin your otherworldly dialogue in a land heralded as an oenophile’s dream come true: the region of Rioja. Situated along the Ebro River, Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to receive Designation of Origin status. For luxe accommodation, stay in the capitol of Logroño, but for boutique touches, seek out the smaller towns of Elciego and Villabuena de Álava. For a moment of absolute inspiration, pay a visit to the Frank Gehry-designed Bodegas Ysios, which imitates the Sierra de Cantabria skyline beyond it. While tastings may be your primary objective, a stop at the Museo del Vino Dinastia Vivanco in Briones would interest even the most devout of teetotalers. Next up, head to the desperately beautiful Ribera Del Duero. Situated in the midst of the Castilian heartland, this area is known for its intense seasons and resplendent reds.