12 Nights / 13 Days
Sometimes, it’s all about waiting for the right moment.
For that is how you catch the perfect sunset off the coast of Rovinj. How you capture a sought-after city like Paris at its most intimate. And how you harvest the fruits of some of Europe’s top wine regions during their most anticipated months.
When does it come, you ask? When Travelive’s France and Croatia+ teams craft the ultimate shoulder season journey that pairs the vineyard elegance of France with the sun‑kissed Adriatic charm of Croatia. A journey that delivers the glamour, flavors, and coastal beauty of a luxury escape, all at a more relaxed and affordable time of year.
And that moment has finally arrived.
- 2 Nights in Paris
- 3 Nights in Bordeaux
- 3 Nights at Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery in Istria
- 3 Nights in Rovinj
- 2 Nights in Pula
Arrival & Overnight in Paris | A Perfect Moment in the Capital
Some cities are best experienced in the spotlight. Paris, however, may be even more beautiful once the crowds have taken their cue to exit the stage.
Arrive in the French capital and settle into your boutique hotel, before beginning your shoulder season journey with an experience that feels delightfully Parisian: an evening tour aboard the city’s most iconic automobile, the legendary Citroën 2CV.
With a glass of Champagne in hand, set out through Paris’s illuminated streets, watching its most iconic sites reveal themselves as the city’s timeless beauty stretches endlessly before you in a sea of lights.
It’s an introduction that captures Paris at its most romantic and perhaps at its most rewarding: when there is finally enough room to fall in love with it properly.
Terrass'' Hotel
Perched in the heart of Montmartre, the historic 4-star Terrass'' Hotel has been welcoming travelers for over a century. Rich in artistic heritage and contemporary comfort, it offers an authentic and stylish escape in one of Paris's most iconic neighborhoods.
Explore Your Paris Stay
InterContinental Paris – Le Grand Hôtel
Overlooking the iconic Palais Garnier, the 5-star InterContinental Paris – Le Grand Hôtel embodies the timeless glamour of the French capital. Pairing Second Empire elegance with contemporary luxury, this legendary hotel offers a quintessential Parisian stay in the heart of the city.
3 Nights in Bordeaux | Harvesting the Good Life
There are many reasons to visit Bordeaux; yes, even besides wine.
However, come harvest season, there are few things that reveal its soul more fruitfully (pun intended) than its bountiful vineyards.
Arriving by high-speed train from Paris, settle into an elegant yet unpretentious region that welcomes visitors with grand boulevards, stately façades, and a lifestyle that has long revolved around the pursuit of good taste.
Begin uncovering its essence on a private walking tour through the city’s historic heart, where UNESCO-listed landmarks, lively squares, and centuries of heritage tell the story of how Bordeaux became synonymous with wine. Along the way, sample regional specialties and local vintages before concluding at La Cité du Vin, whose interactive exhibits offer one of the most immersive introductions to Bordeaux’s winemaking traditions imaginable.
But of course, nothing could be more immersive than journeying to the vineyards themselves. So, bring your palate and spend a day among the prestigious châteaux of Bordeaux, where generations of winemakers have perfected their craft. Guided by a master oenologist, discover the delicate balance of terroir, technique, and tradition during an exclusive blending workshop, before savoring tastings of exceptional wines that embody the character of the region.
Then, just when you think Bordeaux has revealed all its flavors, follow the Atlantic breeze to Arcachon Bay. There, aboard a private boat, discover a different side of southwestern France, where fresh oysters, exceptional seafood, and serene coastal landscapes remind you that some of life’s finest harvests do not always come from the vine.
Bordeaux in a Sidecar
Looking for a more unique journey through Bordeaux’s wine country? Then explore the picturesque landscapes of Saint-Émilion by hopping into a vintage sidecar and winding through vineyard-covered hills, medieval lanes, and historic châteaux, while pausing for tastings at prestigious estates along the way.
Hotel Indigo Bordeaux Centre Chartrons
Inspired by the spirit of Bordeaux's historic Chartrons district, the 4-star Hotel Indigo Bordeaux Centre Chartrons captures the city's creative energy through distinctive design and boutique hospitality. Just moments from Bordeaux's cultural landmarks, it offers a vibrant and thoroughly local perspective on this celebrated wine capital
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Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE
Surrounded by the prestigious vineyards of Sauternes, the 5-star Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE offers an extraordinary expression of wine heritage, refined luxury, and artistic craftsmanship. Its intimate accommodations and exquisite Lalique creations make it one of Bordeaux's most elegant retreats.
Overnight in Paris | One Last Encore
Just when you think France has revealed its finest moments, Paris returns for one final performance.
Following your journey back from Bordeaux aboard a high-speed train, settle once more into the elegant embrace of the French capital, where the storied streets of Montmartre come calling with a theatrical walking experience unlike any other.
Watch the bohemian spirit of nineteenth-century Paris come vividly to life through the eyes of one of its most fascinating historical figures, before rounding out the day with a touch of contemporary chic aboard a gourmet sunset cruise along the Seine.
As far as adieus go, this is about as Parisian as it gets.
3 Nights at Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery | Where the Harvest Meets the Adriatic
France may be one of the world’s most renowned wine countries, but Croatia is no slouch in the grape department either.
Which you shall come to find out once you arrive at Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, one of Croatia’s most prestigious luxury estates. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and the gentle rhythms of the Istrian countryside, this is the sort of place that lets you fully embrace the finer moments of the shoulder season…or any other season for that matter.
Spend your first evening embracing the estate’s refined atmosphere, where exceptional wines, acclaimed cuisine, and understated luxury come together in perfect harmony.
Before long, however, Istria shall beckon you into its storied heart, where medieval hilltop towns such as Motovun and Grožnjan await with cobblestone streets, artists’ ateliers, and sweeping vistas. Along the way, savor award-winning local wines, discover the region’s celebrated truffle heritage, and visit the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, whose magnificent mosaics prove that Istria’s treasures extend far beyond its vineyards.
Then again, some destinations are best appreciated by doing very little at all. Return to Meneghetti and surrender to a day of well-earned indulgence. Relax beside the pool, rejuvenate in the wellness facilities, retreat to the exclusive beach club, or simply allow seasonal Istrian flavors and the estate’s award-winning wines to guide you toward newfound shoulder season bliss.
Discover Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery
Nestled among vineyards and olive groves in the heart of Istria, the 5-star Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery stands as one of Croatia's most prestigious countryside retreats. Exceptional wines, acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine, and understated luxury create a serene Mediterranean escape where indulgence comes naturally.
3 Nights in Rovinj | Chasing the Horizon
Vineyards may stretch toward the horizon, but few have the reach of the sea. And Rovinj will set about proving it.
Prior to arriving in Croatia’s most enchanting seaside town, make one last stop among the rolling hills of Istria at the family-owned Rossi Winery, home to some of the region’s most celebrated vintages since 1885. Tour the 44-acre estate, savor a tasting of signature wines accompanied by local specialties, and raise a glass to the journey so far before continuing toward the coast of Rovinj.
With its pastel-colored façades, fishing boats gently bobbing in the harbor, and church bell towers rising above the Adriatic, it’s no surprise that Rovinj is often ranked among the world’s most beautiful coastal retreats.
Discover its timeless charms on a private guided tour through the atmospheric streets of the Old Town, climbing to the iconic Church of St. Euphemia for quintessential views over the Adriatic. Later, savor an exclusive visit to the family-owned San Tommaso Estate, where local wines and a thoughtfully curated five-course dining experience will give you plenty to toast about.
Of course, no journey through Istria would be complete without venturing into its forests in search of one of its most prized treasures. Join an experienced local truffle hunter and their trained canine companions for an authentic truffle-hunting experience, discovering this beloved regional delicacy in the most hands-on (or paws-on) way possible. Afterwards, savor freshly prepared truffle-infused specialties before continuing your journey toward Pula, where the Adriatic promises one final horizon worth chasing.
Your Rovinj Escape Awaits
Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico
Set within the atmospheric streets of Rovinj's Old Town, the 4-star Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico celebrates Istrian heritage through beautifully restored historic residences and intimate boutique hospitality. Elegant interiors and timeless local character ensure a stay as memorable as the destination itself.
2 Nights in Pula | Beyond the Horizon
Tracing the coasts of Croatia can lead to some truly unbelievable places, and even take you back in time.
And that is how you discover Pula, where more than three thousand years of history continue to unfold beneath Mediterranean skies. Accompanied by a private guide, uncover the city’s remarkable Roman legacy, from the elegant Temple of Augustus to the spectacular Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved ancient amphitheaters in the world.
Then, venture offshore to the idyllic Brijuni National Park, an archipelago of lush landscapes and archaeological treasures that unfolds like an open-air museum in paradise. Explore its natural beauty and storied past before returning to the mainland for one final evening in Pula, where history and Adriatic allure converge in a surreal shoulder season reverie.
Settle Into Pula
Monumenti Heritage Hotel
Overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the Brijuni Islands, the 5-star Monumenti Heritage Hotel offers a refined coastal retreat steeped in history. Housed within a meticulously restored Austro-Hungarian landmark, the property pairs historic grandeur with contemporary sophistication in one of Croatia's most captivating settings.
Departure | Until the Next Season
As every seasoned traveler knows, timing is everything. And after discovering France and Croatia at their most intimate, flavorful, and enchanting, it’s difficult to disagree. Following breakfast, depart Croatia carrying with you the memories of a journey that proved that the perfect moment to book your next shoulder season journey may be right now.
So, click below or contact one of our travel advisors to start planning today!