Fly from the US on September 10 to arrive in Geneva, Switzerland on September 11th. As the meeting with the group will be the next day – September 12 – at about 10/11 am at Geneva airport – we suggest that people arrive one day earlier to get over jet lag and rest. There is a wide choice of airport hotels and we will be happy to help with recommendations and bookings.

Travelers will meet at the Geneva airport and join their group. We’ll start with a city tour of Geneva, exploring old town with its towering centerpiece – St. Peter’s Cathedral – and the Reformation Wall. Next, we’ll drive to Lyon and check into our hotel, ending the evening with a welcome talk, and a wonderful dinner at a bouchon of Aaron’s selection. Sleep in Lyon.

Today we’ll start with a city tour of Lyon and an introduction to the local cuisine. We’ll explore the narrow cobblestone lanes of old town and, if time allows, take the funicular up to the stunning Notre Dame Basilica, and take in the view. We’ll also start to make our acquaintance with the food, of course! Lyon is famous for “quenelles” (a kind of dumpling made with fish), various meat dishes, sausages, and salads. Tonight we have a very special dinner at world famous Paul Bocuses’ restaurant. Sleep in Lyon.

Today we’ll take a tour of the famed in-door food market, Les Halles, known to be the best collection of local, knowledgeable merchants you can find. You’ll have time today to experience more of the beautiful architecture in Lyon — like the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, with its amazing stain glass windows and astronomical clock, and the oldest church in Lyon, the Abbaye Saint-Martin d’Ainay – or take a leisurely walk through the peaceful Parc de la Tête d’Or along the Rhône river. Tonight we’ll have yet another fantastic dinner at another of Aaron’s special choices that he’s been reading about and discussing for years. Sleep in Lyon.

Take some time on your own today to discover all that Lyon has to offer – from one of the best fine arts museums in France (Musée des Beaux-Arts), said to be second only to the Louvre, to a superb archeology museum (Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine), to the oldest ancient ruins in France. Tonight we have another special dining experience planned. Sleep in Lyon.

We’ll take an excursion today beyond the city and visit one of the lovely wineries in the Beaujolais region (about an hour drive), filled with classic and new wineries, bistros and charming B&Bs. We’ll do some wine-tasting and eat at one of the bistros or, if weather allows, have a picnic. Back in the city we’ll check out Cafe des Federations to end our day. Sleep in Lyon.

On our way from Lyon to Annecy, we’ll stop at Aix-Les-Baines and check out its interesting variety of ancient Roman ruins, grand hotels, thermal spas, and a lovely promenade along the lake. Next we’ll make our way to Annecy, considered to be the Venice of the Alps, with its winding canals, colorful houses, and Palais de l’Isle, a 12th Century castle built in the middle of one of the canals. Sleep in Annecy.

Today we’ll have a chance to enjoy the beautiful local open-air food market of Annecy, and dive into the local cuisine. We’ll also pay a visit to the Château d’Annecy, once home to the counts of Geneva. Sleep in Annecy

The group will be transferred to Geneva for their morning flight out or for the beginning of their European extension. If you’d like to, in two days, we’ll begin a 10 day Spanish culinary tour with Chef Jose Chesa of Ataula, starting in Barcelona. We can help you with connections.