Beaujolais to the Sea of Ice: a Family Holiday to the Rhone Valley and the Alps

Already in the itinerary - tours of Beaujolais and Dombes. Saint-Amour is the most northerly of the ten Beaujolais Crus. Gamay is a purple-coloured grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais. Characteristic notes of peach and apricot are among the aromas that make up this floral and fruity bouquet. Two wine experts will be your guides for the day, explaining all this through the menu. Indulge in a tasting visit to a wine-grower. There's often be a bit of snobbery about Beaujolais wines. By the end of this trip, any lingering doubts about this wine's place in the pantheon of France's finest will be long gone. In Oingt, discover one of the most beautiful villages in France. In the sun, the blazing houses made of golden stone – crinoidal limestone pigmented by iron oxide – are a magical sight to behold. And find out why children love to visit Trayne-Cul street (literally 'drag your bottom')! Dombes has over a thousand nutrient-rich fish ponds filled with carp and pike, making it an extraordinary landscape to visit. This huge wetland also attracts hundreds of species of birds. The magnificent Medieval town of Perouges has been miraculously and meticulously preserved and transports visitors back into the 15th century. Listen carefully and might almost hear the ghostly sounds of galloping. End the trip by enjoying the famous sweet speciality of 'Galette de Perouges' (a delicious sugary cake).

Drive to Lyon. On the way, stop at the Royal Monastery of Brou, a religious complex located in Bourg-en-Bresse. We'll leave it to you to unearth the fascinating history, but it was Marguerite of Austria (1480-1530) who made it a jewel of Flemish Gothic art. In the church, admire the particularly spectacular tombs of Marguerite and her husband Philibert le Beau. The children will quickly learn the fascinating difference between elegant recumbent effigies and cadaver tombs.
Two-night stay in Ecully, a city to the north-west of Lyon and a popular holiday resort since the Renaissance. The property dates back to the 19th century and is the epitome of chic French style. There are distinct Mediterranean vibes here. The hotel is a beautiful blend of old and new. Wooden floors alternate with terracotta tiles; some rooms are spacious, others are cosy and intimate. The antique furniture and decorative elements have all been carefully chosen to achieve perfect harmony. In the garden, a little shepherd's hut serves as an extra room, which is just as beautiful and luxurious as the main house. Delicious breakfasts are served in the large kitchen or on the terrace.
Included in the itinerary - Private cruise on the Saone River. After a quick safety talk, embark in your small boat for a leisurely cruise along the river, from the new Confluence district – with its orange, blue and apple green buildings – to the Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or dam, and back. Head to the foot of Fourviere hill, along from Vieux Lyon and its Renaissance beauty, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; explore Croix-Rousse hill where the canuts (silk workers) famoulsy worked naked and Blandine became a martyr; the 12th century chapel of Notre-Dame on Ile Barbe; legendary chef Paul Boscue's house in Collonges; and finally, Couzon, which is home to Abode of Chaos, the controversial contemporary art museum. The banks of the Saone exude a cool, languid charm.

Included in the itinerary - tours in one of France's best food markets 'Les Halles Paul Bocuse' and in Vieux Lyon. Lyon is dubbed France’s capital of gastronomy, and it's easy to see why when visiting this heavenly food market. Explore over 50 stalls featuring the best of Lyon's gourmet delights with a fellow food lover and guide. Opposite a traditional Armenian grocery store, spot the best smoked salmon in the city and creamy foie gras; farther away, cured saucisson hang like appetising stalactites above generous bowls of calf's feet; an array of freshly-caught fish lies on a bed of ice; the butcher's pieces are laid out artistically; cheeses compete to be the ripest, saint-marcellin cheese wants to escape from its wrapper Skilled fingers delicately shuck oysters, and a bottle of Macon wine should always be to hand. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant in Vieux Lyon and try some of Lyon's specialities including 'quenelles' (say 'qu'nelle' to sound like a local), 'tablier de sapeur' (beef tripe), 'poulet au vinaigre' (chicken cooked in vinegar), 'andouillette' (sausage), 'pruneaux au vin' (prunes in red wine), while sitting elbow to elbow with other happy customers. Careful, the 'gratin de pâtes' (pasta bake) and ' tarte à la praline' (praline pie) are seriously addictive. Then, it's time for a wander. The quarter's facades, courtyards, galleries, staircases, corridors and passageways are an enchanting sight to behold with their elaborate Renaissance architecture and evocative power. The recently-restored St. John's Cathedral (12th-15th centuries) offers a splendid collection of antique and contemporary stained-glass windows. Travel on Lyon's funicular railways to reach the Gallo-Roman sites of Fourviere, under the Basilica of Notre-Dame (1872-1884 and designed by Pierre Bossan); the huge mosaics that decorate the nave are truly breathtaking and scenes from the Battle of Lepanto are majestically played out before your eyes.
Option - Priority pass tickets to the 'Musée des Confluences', a science centre and anthropology museum.

Drive to Chamonix. Two-night stay at the romantic mountain retreat of 'Terminal Neige - Refuge du Montenvers'. This hotel dates back to 1880. The charming stone building is complemented beautifully by white shutters trimmed in red, while the inside features elegant larch panelling. Here, soak up the warmth of one of the finest chalets in the Alps. Marvel at countless objects scattered throughout the rooms testifying to a fascinating history of mountaineering. The rooms feature modern amenities and a sophisticated alpine style. The restaurant stretches over a large terrace, overlooking the Aiguille du Dru mountain. The chef serves the finest mountain cuisine where the ingredients of the Alps steal the show, including snails, morel mushrooms, meats and Reblochon cheese. And, of course, fondue: the perfect family meal.

Included in the itinerary - Mer de Glace with a private guide. The Alps first became a popular holiday destination in the second half of the 18th century, thanks to William Windham, Richard Pococke and Horace-Benedict de Saussure. These gentlemen went on to start an incredible trend that brings you here today to the foot of Mont Blanc. When the masses have left, enjoy some quality time with the glacier. Whether you're old or young, you can't help but admire such a spectacle. Not to mention the crisp air, light and cool from the altitude and the jaw-dropping colossal ice. The powerful land forms that surround the creep of the glacier make for an epic panorama. Summer brings dark green vegetation, an intensely blue sky, and sparkling white snow, while shades of matte grey provide contrast to the colours of the landscape.
A cable car followed by 400 steps allows you access to a cave dug in the ice where events are held and near the hotel, the Glaciarium traces the history of the glacier, explains its characteristics, and evaluates its future prospects.
Optional - Canyoning excursion.

Drive to Annecy. Two-night stay close to the castle. One side of the hotel opens out onto the street, while the other offers lake access via Quai de la Tournette. The property is a beautiful 19th-century mansion with a garden. From the outside, everything seems refined and quiet. Yet inside, the decorators really went all out. More precisely, they gave each space its own personality, mixing styles - graphic, soft, eco-friendly, vintage, design, etc. - and offering each guest their own little corner. From the hotel, you can walk and bike, go Nordic walking or water-skiing, go out on the lake, visit old Annecy, etc.

Included in the itinerary - Lake cruise and tasting. Walkers will find a wealth of options in Annecy. You'll never have far to go to find something new and exciting. The city's true treasure, however, is the lake. Its clear, peaceful and gentle waters reflect the ring of mountains that surround it. Plus, you can see mallards, mute swans, goosanders, and coots without even setting foot in the water. On sunny days, you can swim in this 'high-altitude sea'. Its grassy beaches are just as beautiful as those made of sand. You can head out on the water in a boat, looking at the city and the mountains from new angles. Take the opportunity to taste some regional wines: Abymes, Apremont, Crepy, Riprapture, Chautagne, to name a few of the whites; each pair well with alpine cheeses in their own way.
Optional - Introduction to organic market gardening.