10-12 Nights
If ever there were a pair of righteous activities, it’s wine production and sustainable living. And where better to pursue both than among the verdant domains of France?
With sustainable wine tourism on the rise, France makes the perfect candidate for a trip that raises a toast to both its vineyards and their home planet. Add an extension to London and a high-speed train to get you from point A to point B, and the only thing smoother than that vintage will be the journey.
This is one such journey. From afternoon tea in London to the bubbly houses of Champagne and across the Alsace Wine Route, this adventure invites you to make a green mark on France, one sip at a time.
- 3 Nights in London (Pre-extension)
- 3 Nights in Champagne
- 3 Nights in Alsace
- 1 Night in Paris (with optional extension to 2 Nights)
- Sustainable Travel Options
Best Travel Period: Late April – Mid October (ideally April – June & September – October)
Day 1 | London Calling — A Gentle Opening Pour
Prior to announcing “vive la sustainability” in France, answer the iconic call of London, where crisp vintages are replaced by robust ales and time moves to the strikes of Big Ben. Upon settling into the British capital, your afternoon is left intentionally open, inviting you to ease into the journey at your own pace. Whether you choose a quiet stroll through a leafy park or a pint in a traditional pub, today is about adjustment, and anticipation. A calm first sip before the adventure begins.
The Gore London – Starhotels Collezion
An intimate Kensington hideaway with only 50 rooms, The Gore blends classic British elegance with a warm, residential feel. Steps from Hyde Park and museums, this boutique address offers refined comfort and timeless charm in the heart of London.
Day 2 | London Town — Squares, Towers & a Proper Cup of Tea
Say ‘ello to London’s quintessential sights on a guided walking tour that’ll have you speaking with a cockney accent by the end of it. Stroll through Trafalgar Square and St. James’s Park, admire Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and witness the pageantry of the King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace. Cross the Millennium Bridge for views of St. Paul’s and Shakespeare’s Globe, then explore a historic food market brimming with local flavor. Conclude the day with classic afternoon tea, a timeless British ritual that pairs perfectly with good company and unhurried conversation.
Day 3 | Like a True Brit — London at Leisure
Today is London, unscripted. Grab a full English breakfast, ride the Tube like a local, linger beneath the plane trees of Hyde Park, or pause by a red phone booth for a properly iconic moment. The city invites wandering, whether along the Thames or through storied neighborhoods layered with history. For a culinary turn, an optional private Borough Market tour adds bold flavors and timeless tales to the day.
Day 4 | From Teacups to Flutes — London to Champagne
This morning trades double-deckers (the new, electric ones) for high-speed Eurostar rails as you glide beneath the Channel toward France. A seamless arrival in Paris allows time for a relaxed lunch before continuing on to Champagne, either by catching another high-speed train or a cozy private transfer. By evening, you’ll arrive in Reims, cradle of kings and bubbles alike, with time to settle in and toast the journey ahead.
Continental Hôtel, Reims
A 19th-century mansion turned refined four-star retreat, the Continental Hôtel pairs historic character with personalized hospitality. Centrally located in Reims, it delivers boutique luxury with the welcoming spirit of a private residence.
- Champagne Harvest Season (September–October)
Vineyards come alive as grapes are hand-picked and cellars buzz with activity. A festive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the craft that defines the region’s most celebrated sparkling legacy.
Day 5 | Crowns, Cathedrals & Bubbles — Reims & Champagne
Reims sets a royal tone for a stay steeped in sparkling refinement. A guided walk introduces the city’s layered past, anchored by the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Cathedral, where Gothic grandeur and luminous stained glass reflect centuries of royal stories. The afternoon turns effervescent with a visit to a prestigious Champagne house, descending into storied cellars for a tasting that celebrates craftsmanship, the region’s bountiful lands, and the unmistakable elegance of France’s most famous bubbles.
Day 6 | Avenue de Champagne — Vineyards, Villages & More Champagne
Nothing speaks of the Earth’s green wonders like a gaze across endless rows of stretching vineyards, and today Champagne unfurls its most scenic ones. Travel the famed Route du Champagne, passing through vineyard-laced hills and storybook villages. Stroll Épernay’s legendary Avenue de Champagne, explore historic cellars, and taste both grand and family-crafted expressions. A visit to Hautvillers, birthplace of Dom Pérignon, rounds out a day defined by landscape, legacy, and uncorked delights.
Day 7 | Strasbourg — A Change of Terroir
Hang onto that vine of sustainability as you board a scenic high-speed train toward Strasbourg, where France begins to flirt with Germany and half-timbered charm lines the canals. Upon arrival, a guided stroll awaits to reveal the soaring Cathedral, the storybook lanes of Petite France, and reflections dancing along the River Ill. As evening settles, slip into a traditional Winstub where Alsatian comfort dishes and local vintages pair effortlessly, proving that borders may blur here, but character never does.
Hôtel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg – MGallery
Set within a beautifully restored 16th-century building, this storied hotel blends medieval heritage with contemporary comfort. A tranquil courtyard and intimate ambiance place guests steps from Strasbourg’s cultural heart.
- SlowUp Alsace (June)
A car-free cycling celebration through vineyards and villages, promoting eco-friendly travel, local wines, and open-air discovery along Alsace’s most scenic routes.
Day 8 | The Alsace Wine Route — Flowery Notes & Flavorsome Finish
Today unfolds as organically as the bouquet of a prized vintage on a lovely summer day. Follow the famed Alsace Wine Route as vine-laced hills give way to medieval villages dressed in flower boxes and pastel shutters. Stop in Mittelbergheim and Barr, venture through Dambach-la-Ville, and arrive in the storybook streets of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, where tastings punctuate the day with crisp whites and aromatic blends. Come evening, an optional Michelin-starred dinner offers a refined finale, where each course feels like another scenic turn along the road.
Day 9 | Alsace — Culture in Every Cask
Like a tall drink of wine on a nice summer day, Alsace’s cultural canvas is as picturesque as its viticultural one. Quench your thirst by journeying along the Grands Crus Route, pausing in towns where timber-framed houses lean gently toward cobbled lanes and church spires rise above tiled rooftops. Colmar charms with canals and color, while Haut-Koenigsbourg stands watch from its forested perch like a sentinel of centuries past. Tastings and sightseeing intertwine effortlessly, proving that in Alsace, heritage is not merely preserved, it is savored.
Day 10 | From Vine to Ville — Strasbourg to Paris
As the journey’s green and golden chapters draw toward their final pour, board a high-speed train from Strasbourg and watch vineyard vistas gradually give way to Parisian skylines. The ride is swift, scenic, and refreshingly low-impact, a fitting transition for a trip rooted in thoughtful travel. Upon arrival, settle in for a relaxed overnight near Charles de Gaulle, ensuring an effortless departure the following day. One last evening to toast the memories, perhaps with a final glass of something French and full-bodied.
Day 11 | Au Revoir — A Toast to Journeys Well Traveled
Morning arrives with the gentle clink of cups and suitcases, as Paris bids a graceful farewell. After breakfast, transfer to the airport with the lingering notes of vineyards, villages, and vibrant cities still fresh in mind. From London’s lively squares to France’s rolling wine routes, this journey proves that indulgence and intention can travel hand in hand. Depart not just with bottles and photographs, but with the satisfying aftertaste of a voyage savored thoughtfully, one mindful sip at a time.
Fancy another glass? Then why not extend your journey with a longer stay in Paris? Click below to raise a toast to France’s capital!
Day 10 | Paris — Another Glass
Arrive in Paris and watch vineyard-stitched landscapes give way to grand boulevards and timeless façades. Settle in and let the evening unfold at your leisure. Perhaps at a café terrace beneath glowing streetlamps, or aboard a gentle cruise on the Seine as the city’s monuments shimmer on the water.
Day 11 | Paris at Leisure — Savoring the Details
Today, Paris belongs entirely to you. Wander through open-air markets perfumed with fresh bread and ripe fruit or simply observe the rhythm of the city from a corner bistro. For a more literal taste of Paris, a bakery or market-to-kitchen cooking class shall reveal the artistry behind its beloved pastries and seasonal dishes.
Day 12 | Departure — One Last Sip
As your journey draws to a close, Paris provides a fitting final note. After breakfast, transfer to the Charles de Gaulle Airport carrying memories of vineyards, rivers, and cities experienced with intention and grace. From London’s lively charm to France’s wine-lined routes and Parisian elegance, this extended finale ensures that every single drop of this adventure ends up savored.
Hôtel Madison
Behind a graceful Haussmann façade on Boulevard Saint-Germain, Hôtel Madison offers Left Bank sophistication with literary flair. A charming pied-à-terre immersed in cafés, culture, and Parisian intellectual history.
- Car-Free Day & Heritage Days (September)
Car-Free Day transforms Paris into a pedestrian haven, ideal for low-impact exploration, while Heritage Days open historic landmarks and cultural sites normally closed to the public — a meaningful blend of sustainability and discovery.