What’s included?
Guests are responsible for booking their own air travel, but once the official itinerary begins on Saturday we’ve got you covered.
All transport, accommodations, meals, wine and wine pairings, Chateau entry fees, and tips are included. If you wish to ship wine home, purchase wine or souvenirs to take home in your luggage, those are the only additional costs you’ll incur.
Friday
Option to arrive in Paris one day early. We recommend staying at the hotel from which we’ll depart Saturday morning. If arriving on Friday, you will need to book this hotel on your own, staying for one night:
Ibis Paris Bercy Village: 19 Place des Vins de France, 75012 Paris
The hotel is a 2.5-mile walk along the Seine to Notre Dame Cathedral, and also right across the street from a metro stop. For those who wish to have their day in Paris coordinated, for about $100 per person we can arrange a guided tour of the “highlights” of Paris. We’ll also book lunch at posh brasserie Loulou (in the courtyard of the Louvre) and dinner at the chic Monsieur Bleu (overlooking the Eiffel Tower). *Again, all expenses for the Friday before the official itinerary begins are at your own cost.*
Saturday (official itinerary begins today)
Depart from the Ibis Paris Bercy Village at 9 a.m. for the Loire Valley town of Amboise, where we’ll enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at Chateau de Montdomaine with our friends and winemakers Fred and Louisa Plou.
Wear some comfortable walking shoes, as Louisa will lead us up an old country track before lunch to their hilltop vines with a view of the Loire River and Chateau Amboise.
After lunch, drive on to luxurious Chateau de Mailly – between Vezelay and Chablis in wine region of Burgundy.
This evening, Jenni will kick off our transformative week with an introductory session, then we’ll enjoy aperitifs on the grounds and a light dinner by Chef Ollie Timberlake at the Chateau. Follow Ollie on Instagram (@andsomuchmore).
Sunday
Continental breakfast at the Chateau.
Morning session and meditation with Jenni.
Drive into Chablis, where we’ll peruse the local produce market before a relaxing lunch at Au Fil du Zinc.
After lunch, we’ll stroll the streets of the quaint village of Noyers-sur-Serein before heading back to relax at our Chateau. Take a dip in the heated pool, curl up with a good book by one of the many fire places, or enjoy another meditation session in the courtyard.
Brendan Moore, an Englishman with strong ties to the area’s wine-producing community during his 30+ years living in France, joins us at our Chateau this evening. He’ll give us a primer on Burgundian wines and guide us through a tasting.
Charcuterie dinner at our Chateau tonight.
Monday
Continental breakfast at the Chateau.
Morning session and meditation with Jenni.
We’ll drive about an hour with our sights set on the Loire Valley for a wine tasting with our good friends Lynne & Philippe Raimbault in Sury-en-Vaux. We’ll taste their delicious Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines with 9th generation winemaker Philippe and his gorgeous wife Lynne who runs the winery’s marketing and export operations. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a simple lunch and shopping in the hilltop village of Sancerre.
Casual dinner by Chef Ollie at our Chateau this evening.
Tuesday
Enjoy some culture and history today when we visit Vezelay, a hilltop village with a working monastery. Jenni will kick off with a walking meditation on the grounds of the abbey, then hear the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the nuns and monks singing during mass.
Enjoy lunch at Sy La Terrasse and free time to explore the village shops before we head back to our Chateau for some downtime.
Tonight Chef Ollie will treat us to a French cooking demonstration – and dine on our creations! – in the magnificent kitchen of our Chateau.
Wednesday
Continental breakfast at the Chateau.
Morning meditation with Jenni.
Brendan joins us again today to introduce us to some of his personal friends and wine producers in his home region of Chablis. We’ll experience a morning wine tasting at Domaine Seguinot in the village of Maligny, then enjoy a lunch of Croques Monsieurs and salads at the Chablisienne Café.
After lunch, we’ll taste with the charming Claude at Domaine Chevalier, ending the day with a glass of bubbly at the Caves de Bailly.
Free time to enjoy the beautiful grounds surrounding our Chateau before enjoying a charcuterie picnic dinner after our indulgent day!
Thursday
Continental breakfast at the Chateau.
Morning session and meditation with Jenni before a thoroughly relaxing, indulgent day to enjoy the amenities of the Chateau and its beautiful natural surroundings. Enjoy a hike or bike ride using the trail bikes made available to Chateau guests. Pack your swimsuit and swim a few laps in the heated pool. Indulge in an afternoon nap or an extra meditation session with Jenni. Walk the grounds, clear your mind, relax.
Save your appetite! Chef Ollie is whipping up an elaborate farewell feast for us at the Chateau this evening.
Friday
Closing session and meditation with Jenni. Travel to Paris.
Dinner and overnight at the Novotel CDG.
Saturday
Morning flights to the USA.
Belle Vie Discovery Retreat - France 