Christmas Cheer in France: from Paris to Lyon

Discover the city of Paris in a classic car on this short tour. Make your way to the city center, where you will meet your guide. Then hop into your Citroën 2CV, a family car that was introduced in 1948, and which has been described as “a car like no other”. The tour will take you past a number of Paris landmarks and the exact itinerary can be customized to your interests. Drive down the Champs-Elysées, which runs from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It has been hailed as the most beautiful avenue in the world. See the historic Grand Palais museum complex and the Trocadero. Admire the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum. Of course, the Eiffel Tower will be on your itinerary as well. As you go from one architectural treasure to the next, you will pass through charming streets and uncover the secrets of Paris. (Duration: 1 hr; Time: 1100 hrs onwards; Private activity; No transfers; Meals are not included; Each vehicle accommodates a maximum of 3 people; Meeting point: Paris city center)

Get picked up from your centrally located hotel at a convenient time on this exciting exploration of the City of Lights. Accompany your driver on a private tour of iconic landmarks such as the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and the famous opera district. Get a glimpse of the courtyard of the renowned Louvre Museum and watch the Seine river as it flows gently by. Stop frequently to capture stunning images of all the prominent attractions and many others. Return to your hotel with cherished memories of your time. Please let your guide know beforehand if there are any particular sites you would like to visit and they will personalize the tour accordingly. (Half Day; Time: Morning tour 0900-1300 hrs/Afternoon tour 1400-1800 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Excluded: Entrance fees, a guide and meals; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Soak in the festive mood on this walking tour of Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets. Be picked up from your hotel and arrive at Grande Ile, the social and cultural hub of the city along with your guide. Stroll through the charming lanes of Place de la Cathédrale and Place Kléber, bustling with vibrantly decorated stalls. Check out the Christmas goodies on display at Place Gutenberg, Place Broglie and Place du Château – the biggest of the eleven Christmas Markets hosted in the city center. If you wish, you could savor traditional eats and drinks of your choice, and before you leave, don’t forget to pick up some Christmas trinkets to take back home. (Private Activity & Transfers; Duration: 2 hrs; Group size: 2-15 guests; Fitness level: Easy; Please note you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. This tour is only available from November 30 to December 23.)

Experience the rich gastronomy of the Alsace region on this culinary journey of Strasbourg. At the scheduled time, meet your guide and set off down the charming pedestrian-friendly alleys. Along the way, learn about the region’s blend of French and Germanic culinary heritage. Pass by landmarks such as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the half-timbered houses in the picturesque Petite France neighborhood, and the bustling Place Gutenberg. Stop at three different eateries to try delicacies such as kouglof, a brioche-like confection, pains d’epices, or gingerbread, and cured meats. Pair your meal with exquisite Alsace wines and Cremant d’Alsace sparkling wine. Asparagus, foie gras, and juniper-flavored sauerkraut are some other items you are likely to sample. After, head back to your hotel with local recipes and cooking tips to try once you are back home. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 0915 hrs; Only available on Wed & Fri, except on May 1; Private activity; No transfers; Starting point: In front of Tourism office on Cathedral Square, 17 Place de la Cathedrale 67000 Strasbourg; Meals included: tastings; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees included; Please be at the meeting point at least 10 mins prior to scheduled departure)

Enjoy an insightful gastronomic experience during this cooking class. In the morning, make your way to the meeting point from where you will accompany your guide to the Saint-Antoine Market. Mingle with the locals as you choose seasonal ingredients and artisanal products at this outdoor market that is packed with stalls. Alternatively, you could use the time to explore the traboules, a labyrinth of hundreds of hidden corridors, passages, and stairwells spread across the city. Next head to your culinary session, where chef Thierry-Rodolphe will demonstrate how to make local dishes. This activity is suitable for novice and seasoned cooking enthusiasts, alike. Master intricate techniques and gain insight into the cultural significance of the dishes you are cooking. Later, settle down to savor the dishes you helped prepare. Begin with an appetizer, followed by a main course and a market-inspired dessert. Your meal is paired with regional wines. After the session concludes, head back to your hotel. (Duration: 5 hrs; Time: 0945 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: max 8 ppl; No transfers; Starting point: Chef Lyon, 16 quai Romain Rolland 69005 Lyon; Meals included: lunch & wine; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Special classes for children available on request)

Experience Lyon and all that it has to offer during this tour. In the morning, meet your guide and set off at a comfortable pace along the streets of France’s third-largest city. As you walk, your guide will narrate interesting anecdotes about this settlement that has a history of over 2,000 years. Learn about Lyon’s evolution as the silk-producing hub of Europe. You will also gain insight into the city’s rich culinary arts and its iconic bouchons or traditional restaurants serving typical Lyonnaise fare. Stop along the way at one of these establishments to sample regional specialties such as quenelle or sausages, depending on the eatery you visit. After the tour wraps up, head back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity; Group size: max 8 ppl; No transfers; Meals included: tastings; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance)

Head out at a convenient time on this self-guided tour to unravel the delights of this magnificent city. With the entire day at your disposal, start as early or as late as you wish. Take your pick of historical landmarks and monuments to visit such as the Place Vendome, Eiffel Tower, Palais Garnier, Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon, and Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur among others. Or, you could stroll around the numerous museums that the city is famed for including the world-famous Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Rodin Museum, the Army Museum, and the National Museum of Modern Art to name a few. Rest a while as you enjoy authentic French cuisine for lunch at one of the charming bistros that dot the city. Or, take along a picnic lunch to relish in the serene environs of Jardin des Tuileries or Parc de la Villette, counted among the largest parks in the city. Afterward, browse around the iconic shopping street of Champs-Elysees with its luxury brand stores, jewelry and watch establishments, charming boutiques, affordable ready-to-wear brands, and fragrant patisseries. Or shop at the famous Galeries Lafayette mall. You could also step into a comfortable boat and settle in for a leisurely cruise down the Seine river to enjoy the city from the water. For the perfect ending to the day, enjoy a typical Parisian cabaret show at the famous Lido theater or unwind at one of the hip clubs that the city of lights is synonymous with. (Full Day; Self-guided Activity; No Guide; No Transfers Included; Fitness Level: Easy. It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as there may be a fair bit of walking involved.)

Celebrate Christmas season in the City of Lights together with your expert Parisian guide. Walk down the renowned Champs Elysées, lined with manicured horse-chestnut trees. Soak in the festive splendor thanks to decorated storefronts and twinkling sidewalks. After passing by Elysée Palace, the residence of the French president, and the iconic Lido cabaret, expect to spot celebrities at Fouquet’s restaurant. Drop by the popular patissier Ladurée where you can savor an assortment of authentic French macarons along with delicious teas. See an array of entertainment options en route, while Christmas carols and cheers fill the air. Later, making your way to Arc de Triomphe, learn about its military history and understand the significance of this landmark monument. From its terrace, enjoy panoramic cityscape vistas of Paris illuminated by holiday lights, and highlighted by the shimmering Eiffel Tower! (Duration: 2 hrs; Private Activity; Macarons included; Fitness level: Easy)