quintessential burgundy

Bastille Day is this week, which got us started thinking about some of the fabulous France itineraries that are offered by some of our travel partners. Among the trips that have us most excited is a 10-day trip through the small villages of Burgundy on a river barge on the Saône. For this small group trip, offered by G Adventures and National Geographic Journeys, you'll have an upgraded level of service, with insider access, and freedom to roam, with greater exploration of this stunning part of France.

On this trip from Dijon to Paris, you'll start by drifting from one stunning landscape to another. En route, you get to stopping to roam the region’s famous vineyards, learning about Burgundy wines. You have access to bicycles at each stop of the barge, and guided cycling through vineyards, chateâux and forests of Burgundy is part of the experience. And you get a guided tour of the Hospices of Beaune, a charitable hospital that has been funded by an annual wine auction for over 155 years. The trip winds up in Paris, where you've got a couple of days to explore the city at your leisure, though a special trip to a local market with a chef and food expert is included, as an exclusive experience, as well.

Any interest in a trip like this? You know who can get you there! And happy Bastille Day!