Champagne Tasting & Gourmet Tour Price Includes - 4 Days/3 Nights
Champagne Tour Summary • Champagne Tour Itinerary • Champagne Hotel • CHAMPAGNE TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Champagne Tour Price Includes:
- Full-time services of a professional Off the Beaten Path Expert Culinary, Champagne/Wine Guide who serves as guests liaison during this fully escorted Champagne Tour.
- 3 nights, Home Based Luxury Accommodations (NO Hotel Hopping)
- 7 Meals: 3 Gourmet Buffet Breakfasts, 2 Gourmet Lunches, 2 Gourmet Dinners
- We have established, proprietary relationships with All Chefs, restaurants and bistrots on ALL of our tours based on both our exclusive and privileged network of contacts and French friends and our outstanding reputation throughout France. All Chefs, restaurants and bistrots selected for our tours are Michelin-star and/or have been featured/recommended by top "foodie" magazines and/or fellow Michelin-star Chefs. We dine in both gourmet restaurants and our favorite hide-a-ways cherished by the locals.
- All Champagnes, Wines and Non-alcoholic Beverages are included at all meals
- All fees for 6 Champagne House Tours followed by "Prestige" Tastings (1 to 3 vintages each). ALL Tours are at the most prestigious producers of the region
- All fees for pastry and chocolate making class/lesson
- Private Dinner (for our group) hosted at Pommery
- Private "theme" lunch hosted at Veuve-Clicquot.
- Ground transportation during the tour
- Roundtrip transfers between Reims and our hotel on tour start and conclusion day at specified times
- This exclusive Tour is limited to 14 guests per Tour date. Couples, solo travelers, friends traveling together all welcome to join.
Activity Rating: 80% Easy, 20% Moderate
Unrivaled Expertise within France and the Best Tour Guides:
All Off the Beaten Path guides are Americans with dual nationality (American-French citizenship), are multi-lingual and reside in France. They also bring a wealth of local information and history to enrich each guest's experience and have been selected for their comprehensive understanding of French culture. You will find that Off the Beaten Path guides are wonderful traveling companions, whose knowledge and sense of fun and positive attitude make each day a wonderful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Off the Beaten Path, LLC Champagne Tours
Where do we rendezvous on day 1 of the Champagne Tour?
Your OTBP Guide(s) will meet you at the REIMS rail station in downtown Reims at NOON on day 1 of the tour. Specific meeting location details will be included in your complete tour information package we send you 30 days prior to the tour. TGV (high speed train) travel time from Paris to Reims is 45 minutes.
Where does the Champagne Tour finish?
We depart the hotel in the morning in order to arrive at 9 AM at the REIMS rail station, Reims, France. Since the rail station is within a 5 minute walking distance from the hotel, guests may also wish to depart at their leisure.
How should I go about making my travel plans?
Off the Beaten Path is a full service tour operator and it is our pleasure to assist you with all aspects of upcoming travel plans. Whether you are looking for a suggestion for a hotel in Paris or assistance with your rail tickets, simply contact us at contact@traveloffthebeatenpath.com or call us at 1.877.846.2831 for assistance.
What is the weather going to be like in Champagne?
In September, day time temperatures in Champagne and surrounding areas can range in the low to mid-70's - low 80's. October will be cooler and more humid with the feeling that fall has truly arrived. December and March will be cold. Typically it is sunny, but be prepared with the proper rain gear.
Are Off the Beaten Path, LLC tours in English?
Yes. All tours are conducted in English and designed for an English speaking clientel.
What is not included on my Champagne Tour?
Airfare Airfare to and from France, train fare to and from Reims, 1 dinner, gratuities for guide(s), and incidentals along the way.
How should I tip my Off the Beaten Path guide(s)?
Each individual guest gives the following gratuities to each guide at the conclusion of the tour - 100-120 euros to the lead guide, 50-75 euros to the assistant guide and 20 euros to the driver.
Who are the Champagne Tours designed for?
OTBP's Champagne Tours are designed for discerning travelers of all ages and backgrounds, from the seasoned traveler and independent traveler to the first time traveler to France. Join any one of the our tours as a solo traveler, a couple, a small group of friends or family, or bring your entire travel club, affinity group, women's organization or wine society. No culinary, history or other type of experience is necessary. Join us for the vacation of a lifetime to discover the Champagne region, as an insider, and make new friends along the way.
Do I need to be an expert to take your Champagne Tour?
Not at all. The idea is to learn about French culture, traditions, wine, daily life, artisan lives and culinary practices in a fun and relaxing environment. Our tours offer great learning opportunities for everyone. Off the Beaten Path guides are very skilled at adapting their discussions to the general level of knowledge of the group, providing good introductory information for novices, and more advanced discussions for those who have more experience or a specialty interest. It's vacation and our tours are all about having fun, enjoying new experiences and being active!
Are wine and Champagne included at meals? What kind is included at meals?
Yes, champagne and wine are included at all scheduled meals together. We expertly match premium champagnes/wines from the region we're visiting with each dish. Meals offer an excellent opportunity to try champagne and wines from appellations not available to guests at home, and to introduce guests to some select wines worth a favorable mention or that are exceptionally appreciated by the locals.
How are the Champagne Tours structured?
Having over 15 years experience in the tour industry, specifically with small group touring, we have found that our guests are generally more interested in active experiences, culture, people to people experiences and guided tours of museums and sites. Our guests like to visit private homes, and pursue their hobbies when they travel. Our guests enjoy being able to shop locally for items, such as, collectibles, art and local products. Our guests tend to do more homework and want a meatier trip, and also want to enjoy down time or leisure time to explore independently. All of our trips are designed based on these factors. Each trip offers organized activities and excursions daily combined with periods of leisure time each day. Our tours encourage individual approach and pursuit of your interests, as well as introducing you to new experiences and people during each trip.
What travel documents will I need for my Tour?
All travelers to France are required to have a valid passport. Please make 2 copies of your passport and personal identification before you depart. Keep one set of copies with you in a separate location from your travel documents, and leave the other set of copies with a contact at home before you depart. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your consulate general for entry requirements.
Do I need to be an athlete to participate in the Champagne Tour?
No. However, this tour does involve a considerable amount of walking during our visits at the Champagne Houses, climbing up and down cellar steps, walking in the cellars and between visits. This tour also requires travelers be able to climb up and down many steps (140-165) and stand for extended periods of time during the Champagne house tours, as seating is not available in the underground galleries.
How should I pack? How should I expect to dress during the tour?
Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on. Try not to over pack; you will not wear all your clothing! A suggested packing list will be enclosed in your tour information package. Pack comfortable light weight, casual clothing. It�s vacation and we want our guests to feel and be as comfortable as possible during our daily activities and excursions. Our dinners together include a mix of Michelin star and casual bistro style restaurants. For men we suggest a business casual ensemble (no tie or jacket necessary unless it's your personal preference) and for women we recommend a casual dress for dinners.