CULTURE & CUISINES OF FRANCE & SPAIN BY RAIL

Our journey begins with a private transfer to our luxury hotel, Le Bristol, and an afternoon to explore or simply enjoy our opulent surroundings. With the exclusive Rue de Faubourg at our doorstep, the spoils of Paris are just steps away. Our evening commences with a private tour of Paris in a vintage Citroen DS car. Inspired by the film Midnight in Paris, the hour-long tour includes iconic destinations, such as the Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre, Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and the Moulin Rouge cabaret. 

For dinner, we dine at 114 Faubourg, our residence’s Michelin-starred restaurant. 

After breakfast at Le Bristol, a host of Your World experiences await:

— Connoisseurs of wine can join a first-class rail journey to Champagne to learn about the different sub-regions and styles of the famous sparkling wine. You will also visit the city of Reims, whose Gothic cathedral hosted the coronation of many French kings. Following lunch, savour a tasting at one of Champagne’s most renowned cellars. 
— Those with a nose for fine fragrance will be attracted to our exclusive visit to Fragonard Perfume Museum. This former mansion now houses artefacts from thousands of years of perfume-making. Our sensual odyssey includes a workshop where we will make our very own scent under the guidance of a master perfume maker. 
— Take a full day "Ville Lumière" tour of Paris to see the city’s most famous sights with a private guide and car at your disposal. Discover the extraordinary collection at Musee Du Louvre, followed by a Ducasse Ferry cruise along the Seine with a lunch menu designed by renowned chef Alain Ducasse, alongside chef Jean-Philippe Berens. Then take a trip to the top of The City of Light’s most famous structure, Tour Eiffel, and take in the spectacular panorama.
— For those who would simply like to see the sights, enjoy free time to wander the city at leisure. 

This evening, our Welcome Dinner takes place at Le Taillevent, which proudly possesses two Michelin stars. Chef Giuliano Sperandio is well-known for his contemporary and creative French cuisine. 

And so, we bid adieu to the City of Light but not before one final unique Parisian experience. We ascend to the terrace of the Arc De Triomphe where a private breakfast will be served alongside a panoramic view of Paris like no other. From here, we make our way to the famous wine region of Bordeaux. 

Our residence is the Grand Barrail Hotel, a charming château in the Saint-Émilion region, set upon lush, fertile grounds. The afternoon is ours to wander or relax as we please. We dine at leisure this evening at our hotel’s stylish restaurant. 

After waking to breakfast at our château, we are free to spend the day how we wish. Take the time to discover the local vineyards independently, or join us for a Bordeaux river cruise. We embark our river vessel at Les Chartrons and proceed along the famed Garonne River. Accompanied by a wine expert, we become even more acquainted with regional viniculture. We disembark and visit Saint-Émilion’s monolithic church, from where extraordinary panoramas of the village below can be enjoyed. Following a leisurely lunch, we venture farther into the countryside to partake of some of the area’s celebrated wine at two local producers. 

We return briefly to our château, before heading to our choice of dining venue.

Today’s visit to the prestigious Château Pape Clément may just generate a few creative sparks. By the end of our experience here, we will have produced, bottled, and laid claim to our own signature wine. We first tour the vat room and cellars before being led through the production process. With the essentials grasped, we then get hands-on, blending our wine in test tubes, considering our preferred composition, and bottling our favourite. Our efforts will even be immortalised as we create a personalised label for our souvenir vintage. A tasting of Château Pape Clément’s own wines caps off an experience to savour. Upon returning to our château, enjoy the afternoon on your own schedule, before we again select our preferred restaurant for dinner. 

Today, we embark on another first-class rail journey, this time to Hendaye. This picturesque French Basque enclave is nestled on the border with Spain. We then board a luxury coach to cross the border into Spain and on to the stunning seaside city of San Sebastian, one of the jewels in the Basque crown. 

Our destination is the Hotel Maria Cristina where after an exquisite lunch of local Basque favourites we will check in to our premium riverview rooms to relax. 

Tonight’s dinner is at the green Michelin-rated Restaurante Zelai Txiki where fine dining is elevated to new levels with sophisticated technique and the region’s incredible produce.

Beyond the glorious seaside, San Sebastian’s enticements include architecture, art, fashion, wine, and, of course, dining on delectable small plates at pintxos bars. Gain a thorough appreciation of the region’s gastronomy with a Your World experience: 

— Keen cooks might wish to opt for a private Basque cooking class. Spend six hours in the company of one of the finest local chefs, who will take you on a personal journey into the art of the region’s famous cuisine. 
— Join your expert local guide for a coastal drive to the town of Getaria, part of the Txakoli wine area. See how the white wines produced here differ to those made elsewhere in Spain. Enjoy a tasting along the sunny terrace of a local winery, boasting magnificent views across the surrounding countryside. After your visit, savour some freshly caught grilled fish at a local restaurant. 

Tonight, we have a choice of some first-rate dining experiences in the seaside city.

After a leisurely morning and a casual lunch in San Sebastian, we board a luxury coach to transfer to Bilbao with a stop off at the gorgeous coastal town of Guetaria. 

Upon arrival in Bilbao, we board our privately chartered train, the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo. This train is as much a boutique hotel as it is a mode of transport. After acquainting ourselves with our comfortable cabins, we set out to explore Bilbao. Arrive at the city’s architectural landmark, the Guggenheim Museum, and discover the treasures inside. Return to the train for lunch, as we continue our journey west to the waterfront city of Santander. We’re introduced to this capital of the Cantabria region during a tour, before enjoying some free time for further independent exploration. Following dinner at one of Santander’s local restaurants, we return to our train for the night.