The Independent Travel Reader Offers

Five nights from £549 per person.

Departing on 3 May, 14 June and 13 September

Fully Escorted

You'll love this tour if you like:

Superb red wine from the Cote d'Or and white from Chablis
Medieval towns and villages
Historic buildings - the Hospital in Beaune and Vezelay are magnificent
Great regional cuisine - Dijon has a host of superb restaurants to choose from on your doorstep

Burgundy is renowned for its famous and superb red wines, but there is much more to this beautiful region of France.

Our Burgundy by rail tour is based in the wonderful medieval city of Dijon. Tour highlights include Dijon itself, Beaune, famed for its colourful Hotel-Dieu hospice dating back to 1443, Chablis, renowned for its crisp white wine, Fontenay Abbey, Vezelay and the wine route of the Cote d’Or.

New for 2012 - in response to feedback from many customers - we have now added an option for a 6 night/7day option on selected dates, which provides a free day in the middle of the itinerary to explore the wonders of Dijon at your own leisure.

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

5-night itinerary

Day 1: Travel by Eurostar from St. Pancras or Ebbsfleet to Paris and onwards to Dijon by TGV. On arrival transfer by coach under tour manager’s direction to hotel for check in for 5-night stay on bed and breakfast basis

Day 2: Tour to Beaune and the Cote d’Or

Day 3: Full day tour to Chablis and Fontenay

Day 4: Full day in Dijon

Day 5: Full day tour to Semur, Vézelay and Avallon

Day 6: Travel by TGV from Dijon to Paris and onwards by Eurostar to Ebbsfleet or St. Pancras.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion

6-night itinerary

Day 1: Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet to Paris and onwards to Dijon by TGV. On arrival transfer by coach under tour manager's direction to hotel for check in for 6-night stay on bed and breakfast basis

Day 2: Tour to Beaune and the Cote d'Or

Day 3: Full day tour to Chablis and Fontenay

Day 4: Full day free to explore Dijon at your own leisure

Day 5: Full day tour in Dijon

Day 6: Full day tour to Semur, Vezelay and Avallon

Day 7: Travel by TGV from Dijon to Paris and onwards by Eurostar to Ebbsfleet or St Pancras.

NB: Exact order of itinerary and excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion

INCLUDED

Return Eurostar/TGV from St Pancras /Ebbsfleet to Dijon via Paris including transfer in Paris
5 or 6 nights' acommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the Ibis Dijon Hotel based on shared occupancy of a twin room
Transfers and full touring itinerary conducted by tour manager
Tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

Holiday insurance
Single room supplement
Standard Premier/1st Class upgrade on Eurostar/TGV. On the Eurostar this constitutes upgraded seating and light meal with complimentary drink with upgraded seating only on the French railway leg
Meals other than those stated
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Porterage and gratuities

PLEASE NOTE: As with most trains, passengers are responsible for carrying baggage onto and off the train. Baggage can be stored on overhead shelves or at the entrance to the carriages.Trollies are available at St Pancras and Paris, but bags do need to be carried on to the platform.

Travel Editions recommends a luggage delivery service called Carry My Luggage, where your suitcase can be picked up from your home before departure and delivered straight to your hotel; therefore removing the worry about carrying your cases onto and off the trains. Please click here for more information and a 20% discount exclusive to Travel Editions clients off the Carry My Luggage service.

PLEASE NOTE 2: Eurostar have changed their upgraded service from September 2010 from "Leisure Select" to a new service that they are branding as "Standard Premier." This service includes the upgraded seating on the train but now includes only a cold, light meal and a drink.

PLACES OF INTEREST VISITED ON THE TOUR

Dijon
The capital of Burgundy, Dijon has a rich cultural life and is a must for lovers of art, architecture and food. Its centre is noted for its architectural splendour, most notably the magnificent 17th century Palais des Ducs, now the home of the Musée des Beaux Arts. The centre is a warren of little streets that reward exploration, the cobbled Rue Verrerie being a particular delight. Dijon is famous for its mustard and pain d'épices (gingerbread), a reminder of the town’s old position on the spice route. Eating out here is a delight with a superb range of restaurants from brasseries to Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurants - try the Bistrot des Halles opposite the covered market for delicious Burgundian cuisine.

Beaune and the Wine Route of Cote D’Or
The highlight of any trip to Beaune is a visit to the Hôtel-Dieu. A hospice was founded here in 1443 to remedy the famine suffered by the locals after the Hundred Years’ War. Today the hospice is a medieval jewel with its superb multi-coloured Burgundian roof tiles and religious masterpieces. Other sights include the Hotel des Ducs de Bourgogne, built between the 14th-16th centuries and now home of the Musée du Vin de Bourgogne, and the splendid 15th century woollen and silk tapestries to be found in the Romanesque Collégiale Notre-Dame. The grapes of the great Burgundy vineyards grow in the golden-reddish soil of the Cote d’Or. The signposts of the unbroken line of vines haunt the dreams of wine lovers the world over: Gevrey- Chambertin, Vougeot, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges, Aloxe- Corton, Meursault and Chassagne Montrachet.

Chablis & Fontenay
Although this is one of the most famous wine villages on earth, the narrow stone streets of Chablis still have an air of sleepy prosperity, and there is no doubt that a glass of Chablis tastes best in its home town! The oldest surviving Cistercian foundation in France, the tranquil abbey of Fontenay offers a rare insight into the Cistercian way of life. Founded in 1118 by St Bernard; its secluded position deep in the forest offers peace and tranquility. Highlights include the severe architectural forms of the Abbey Church dating back to the 1140’s and the 12th century cloisters.

Vézelay, Semur & Avallon
At the height of its glory, in the 12th century, the abbey of Ste-Madeleine in Vezelay claimed to house the relics of Mary Magdalene and was one of the starting points for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Today the attraction of this UNESCO listed sanctuary lies in the Romanesque church with its magnificent Tympanum sculpture showing Christ on his throne. Semur is noted for its 13th century Eglise Notre-Dame, whilst the fortified town of Avallon boasts the Romanesque Eglise St-Lazare.

PRICES & AVAILABILITY

Departure Date	Duration	Status	Per Person	Single Supplement	Board Basis
03-May-2012	5	Available	£549	£135	Bed and Breakfast
14-Jun-2012	6	Available	£599	£162	Bed and Breakfast
13-Sep-2012	5	Available	£549	£135	Bed and Breakfast