Day 1 : Beaune, capital of the Dukes of Burgundy
Upon your arrival in Beaune we will pick you up at the train station and transfer you to your hotel. Our Trip Manager will meet with you and go over your week and your package with you, before your dinner in Beaune. Bon Appetit and Welcome to Burgundy.
Day 2 : Beaune to Puligny-Montrachet 16 Km
You leave Beaune this morning and are immediately in the famous vineyards, on small roads and paths. You are heading south, into the Cote de Beaune, where great reds are made in villages like Pommard, but whose fame is based more on the fabulous Burgundian Chardonnays. Your walk is partly in the sea of vineyards, partly through small villages that seem untouched by time, and partly in the forest paths just above the slopes of vines. At the end of the day your hotel in Puligny-Montrachet awaits you.
Day 3 : Nolay to Puligny via La Rochepot 16 km
From this pretty village, with its covered market hall and antique shops, you start one of the prettiest walks of the trip, though there are a couple of climbs to make you earn the spectacular views! Your route takes you past the beautifully restored 14th century Chateau de la Rochepot, perched on a cliffside above the village of the same name. Stop for some lunch there if you like, and then continue through St. Aubin, Gamay, Blagny and finally into Puligny-Montrachet, home to the best Chardonnay white wines in the world, and for tonight, also for you! You’ll taste some of these great wines over your winetasting dinner tonight, at the estate of Olivier Leflaive, in the centre of town.
Day 4 : The Hautes Cotes de Beaune 12 km
A short transfer after breakfast this morning leaves you again up high. Your first view opportunity on today’s walk is a stunner: the “Pas St. Martin, was apparently where Saint Martin took a leap off the cliffside as he was fleeing a dragon; legend has it that you can see his footprint in the stony path, but you may not notice it as you soak in the view down into the valley below. Continue your walk as it brings you along trails through forest and via a 14th century Benedictine rest home before arriving in the vineyards just above Beaune. This evening, enjoy wandering Beaune; we will give you a list of restaurants that we recommend – there are many!
Day 5 : Beaune
After a relaxing breakfast, you’ll be ready for your private historical tour, including the renowned Hospices de Beaune, an astounding medieval building, built by the Chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy, to buy his ticket into heaven. Free time in Beaune awaits you after that, to explore the many cobblestoned streets, enticing boutiques, and cafés of the town. To help, we give you notes for a self-guided walking tour of the historical centre. Dinner again in town this evening with our recommendations.
Day 6 : Gevrey Chambertin and the Route des Grands Crus 14 km
You will be transferred north this morning, high above the small town of Nuits St Georges. The first half of your walk is beautiful, surrounding the small villages of Curtil Vergy and Etang Vergy, and then heading down into the vineyards. We attack some wine names in earnest; the walk from there takes us parallel to all the great red Grand Crus of the "Champs Elysee" of Burgundy. You pass by the most expensive of them all: Romanee Conti, Richebourg, La Tache… and on via the impressive Cistercian Chateau de Clos de Vougeot, Chambolle Musigny, and into Morey St. Denis for your final night. Your dinner tonight is included.
Day 7 : Departure - Bon Voyage!
Transfer by taxi after breakfast to the Dijon railway station
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