FRANCE

DAY 1 Hotel Montalembert, Paris, one of lifeʼs little treats nestled behind St. Germain des Pres. Petit, elegant, informal and impeccably modern, especially the staff and concierge services. Do not go to sleep! Head to Palais Royale, Le DʼOrsay or La Tour Eiffel before stopping at Brasserie St Louis behind the Notre Dame for lunch. Then enjoy the galleries of Place des Vosges and maybe even Musee Picasso before the savoring best bistro dinner ever at Chez Janou.

DAY 2 Settle into the petit voiture delivered to your hotel. Next stop: Chateau Mirambeau, Mirambeau, a scenic southward drive indulging in vineyards, galleries and delicious treats along the way. No matter when you arrive, the chef will have prepared a delicious tray of mouthwatering salmon, a dill salad, rolls, cheeses and a very large glass of Bordeaux for your late arrival. Expect a heart-stompingly beautiful room with a freestanding bathtub larger than my New York apartment.

DAY 3 Mirambeau is on the edge of Cognac, half an hour north of Bordeaux, half an hour from the Atlantic. One can picnic, sail, swim, fish – even fly fish – hike, ride horses, shop for antiques, experience private wine tastings anywhere, indulge in lavish dinner reservations and explore the regionʼs vineyards and galleries only to return to the gracious comfort and hospitality of Chateau Mirambeau night after night. Then head to Cannes for completely different experience. The drive goes straight through the heart of France where dozens of state of the art free standing turbines turn freely in the valleys and hillsides. Hotel Renoir in Cannes is a terrific find, and a delicious bouillabaisse can be had around the corner at Brun, as well as a variety of film types – even in the off season. Cannes is Miami, New York and LA on the Cote DʼAzur. Whatʼs not to like?

DAY 4 Breakfast, check out, a quick trip to Monoprix for whatnots and a leisurely stroll along the Crescent to take in the majestic hotels, yachts and beach front bistros. Gawking is de rigueur in Cannes. St. Paul de Vence is short, winding drive away but it nay as well be another world. Hotel Le Saint Paul is divine and the village is magical. Galleries abound and the sheer magnificence of this mid-evil fortress is impressive. Think Picasso, Modigliani and Chagall overlooking Cote DʼAzur.

DAY 5 The drive to Aix will be quick so take the time to enjoy St. Paul before leaving. If you love music, meandering and all the arts, Aix-en-Provence is for you and Villa Gallici is the best home away from home. Quick. Change your shoes and meet your guide for a view of Bibimus followed by a comprehensive tour of Cezanneʼs atelier. Then, bid your guide adieu, and wander the book stalls before grabbing a salade nicoise, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a good dose of people watching at Les Deux Garcons. Finally, wind your way back to Villa Gallici through the fresh markets for tiny yellow plums and a fragrant chevre. Dinner at Villa Gallici is an immense treat. Ask for a table on the terrace beneath the plane trees. Top it off by savoring a glass of port under a full moon.

DAY 6 Off to Marseilles at dawn to select the freshest dockside ingredients for the bouillabaisse that youʼll create that morning during your home hosted cooking class. Apres dejeuner, push on to Auvergne en route to Chateau de Codignat in Clermont- Ferraud – a truly mid-evil castle, lovingly restored and exquisitely landscaped with lush gardens, a sleek pool and spa, acres of natural preserves and infinite views. Auvergne is home to Vichy spas, a blue cheese cave, and an annual film festival, not to mention hiking, horses, tempting savories and, naturellement, vin. Chateau de Codignat in Auvergne is a place to indulge oneʼs soul.

DAY 7 Next stop: Beaune in the Burgundy region where B&Bʼs are as plentiful as the vineyards that have been producing wine since 300 AD. There are no ordinary places to stay in Beaune. Farm houses, chateaux and even barges offer sweeping options to sate your imaginations. And then there are the vineyards!

DAY 8 Epernay – with stunning views of the Alps and kilometres of champagne caves – follows. Immediately head for the legendary champagne route to take in at least two champagne houses – perhaps Mercier, Laurent Perrier and, if you are adventurous, a few of the smaller treasures along the way. Though Riems is the actual capital of the champagne region, Epernay is just as plentiful and either accommodates a fair number of annual travelers driving to Strasbourg, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, the nearby Alps and Paris. Many lag behind for several days of dawn to dusk tastings in the chalky champagne cellars before continuing on.

DAY 9 Final day: Time for one last tasting tour before dashing of to CDG for your flight home. Too short you say? Then consider extending this wonderful road trip through France. Let my imagination be your guide!