Panorama of Burgundy – Lyon, the Rhône Valley – Savoy (from Thessaloniki)

Breakfast, and then we set out to explore Lyon, a city of global cultural significance, rightly considered the gastronomic capital of France and one of Europe’s most elegant metropolises. During our tour, we’ll visit the impressive Place Bellecour, one of the largest squares in Europe, as well as the atmospheric Old Town, one of the best-preserved Renaissance ensembles on the continent. Here we’ll discover the famous traboules, the secret passageways that wind through inner courtyards and buildings, revealing a unique urban architectural heritage. On the hill of Fourvière, we’ll admire the majestic Basilica of Our Lady, with its panoramic view that takes in the entire city. We then head to the picturesque village of Oingt, one of the most authentic settlements in the Beaujolais region. Built from distinctive golden-hued stone, the village exudes medieval charm and offers a unique view of the region’s endless vineyards and lush green hills. The stone houses, flower-filled courtyards, and the absolute tranquility of the landscape combine to create an authentic French countryside experience. As we wander through its narrow, cobblestone alleys, an authentic medieval scene unfolds before us, with stone houses, wooden shutters, and flower-filled courtyards that preserve the region’s traditional character. From the highest points of the village, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the endless vineyards of Beaujolais, which stretch like a green sea across the surrounding hills, creating a landscape of absolute tranquility and natural harmony. Ouan is not merely a picturesque village, but a living journey through time, where the medieval atmosphere, the serenity of nature, and the authenticity of the French countryside combine to create an experience that remains vividly etched in the visitor’s memory. Return to Lyon and free time for strolling, shopping, and culinary delights at the city’s famous bouchons. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we depart from Lyon and head toward the enchanting Rhône Valley, one of France’s most historic and renowned wine-growing regions, where nature, history, and winemaking tradition coexist in perfect harmony. Our first stop is the stately city of Vienne, one of the oldest and most important Roman cities in France. The city reveals a rare combination of ancient heritage and medieval atmosphere. We’ll tour the impressive Roman monuments that bear witness to its great history, we’ll see the imposing ancient theater, the Temple of Augustus and Livia, as well as the Cathedral of Saint Maurice, which dominates its historic center. The narrow streets, stone facades, and small squares create a setting where time seems to have stood still. We continue our journey through the famous Côte-Rôtie wine region, one of France’s most renowned and historic vineyards, with a tradition dating back centuries. The steep, amphitheater-like slopes of the Rhône are covered with meticulously tended vineyards that create a landscape of exceptional beauty and world-renowned wine-growing prestige. The region produces high-quality wines that have earned international recognition, while the panoramic view of the Rhône Valley is truly impressive and captivating. Its name literally means “burnt slope,” due to the steep incline and orientation of the hills that are “bathed” in sunlight, creating ideal conditions for the grapes to ripen. The vineyards are planted on extremely steep, rocky terraces along the Rhône, a fact that makes cultivation particularly demanding and almost entirely manual, thus preserving a strongly traditional character in production. The result is high-quality wines with a distinct personality, depth, and international renown, ranking among the finest of the Northern Rhône. But beyond its winemaking excellence, Côte-Rôtie also impresses with its unique natural setting. The vineyards that “climb” the slopes of the Rhône River create a striking mosaic of earth and light, offering panoramic views that combine the power of nature with centuries of human cultivation. Return to Lyon, our minds filled with images from a day that blends history, culture, and France’s authentic wine-making tradition. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we depart from Lyon for an exciting journey through the authentic French countryside, where medieval architecture, lush vineyards, and historic monuments come together to create a setting of unique cultural and natural beauty. Our first stop is the fairytale village of Pérouges, one of France’s best-preserved medieval villages and listed among the “Plus Beaux Villages de France.” The village truly seems frozen in time, with its cobblestone alleys, stone houses with wooden shutters, and small squares that exude an authentic medieval atmosphere. As we wander through its narrow streets, the sense of history is palpable at every turn, while the view of the valley and the surrounding countryside further enhances the landscape’s charm. We then cross the famous wine region of Beaujolais, one of France’s most important wine-growing areas, known worldwide for its fine wines. The hills are covered with vineyards stretching out in endless rows, creating a striking natural mosaic of greenery and earth. Along the way, we come across small traditional villages, stone farmhouses, and local wineries that highlight the region’s deeply rooted wine culture and its close connection to French gastronomy. Next, we’ll head to the imposing Abbey of Cluny, one of the most important monastic centers of medieval Europe and a landmark for all of Western Christianity. We’ll tour the interior of the monument and learn about its history; founded in the 10th century, it was for centuries the largest religious building in the Western world, before the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. Today, the abbey’s ruins still exude the power and grandeur of an era when spiritual authority shaped the course of Europe. In the afternoon, arrival in Dijon, the elegant and historic capital of Burgundy. The city welcomes visitors with its elegant character, its well-preserved old town, and its vibrant cultural identity. Check-in at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel, and today we’ll spend the day in enchanting Dijon, a city that uniquely combines its aristocratic heritage, architectural elegance, and Burgundy’s deeply rooted culinary tradition. As the capital of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy during the Middle Ages, the city was for centuries one of Europe’s most important political and cultural centers, a fact that is still reflected today in its architecture and atmosphere. During our tour of its historic center, we will see the imposing Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, an impressive architectural complex that dominates the heart of the city and stands as a living testament to the power and splendor of the ducal court. Today, it houses City Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the oldest and most important museums in France, housed in historic halls that preserve the grandeur of the past intact. Continuing our stroll, we’ll “lose ourselves” in the picturesque, well-preserved alleyways of the old town, where medieval and Renaissance architecture coexist harmoniously. Stone and wooden mansions, elegant facades, small squares, and hidden corners come together to create a setting of authentic French elegance, inviting visitors to explore it at a leisurely pace, savoring every detail. Dijon, however, is not only a city of great historical significance but also a global hub of gastronomy. This is the birthplace of the famous Dijon mustard, and the city is renowned for its fine products, traditional delicatessens, open-air markets, and atmospheric wine bars. The experience is perfectly rounded out with free time to wander, shop, and make your own discoveries in a city that exudes elegance, history, and authentic French culture at every turn. Overnight stay.