“An Autumn Adventure in Burgundy for Creative Spirits”
9 Nights – Thursday, October 16 to Saturday, October 25, 2025
Price per guest – $4,690, single occupancy – Limited to eight guests
(Please inquire about a discount for couples sharing a room)
Are you a “Creative Spirit?” Perhaps you are an artist or photographer who finds inspiration in beautiful places. Or you are a writer, for whom new environments invite the next chapter or verse to unfold. Or maybe you are a seeker of new experiences that refresh your zest for life. Does exploring new places energize your imagination? If so, autumn in the glorious Côte d’Or – Burgundy’s “golden hillsides” – may be just the adventure for you…
- Immerse yourself in the abundance of colors, scents, and local personality that is the Saturday market in Beaune.
- Let your imagination expand, following a walk through the rich hues and textures of a vineyard in autumn.
- Unfold the mysteries of a centuries-old winemaking and culinary culture as you delight in the aromas and tastes of the unique Burgundy terroir.
- Take an afternoon to wander the streets of this beautiful town, then reconvene with your fellow creative travelers over dinner to share the day’s adventures.
With Carolyn as your guide and cultural navigator, explore one of the most celebrated and historic regions of France – a place where beauty, inspiration, and creativity thrive.
Airfare and transportation from the airport to/from your Paris hotel is not included, but nearly everything else is included:
– To set the mood for the experiences to come, Carolyn will host a pre-trip informational get-together at her home in Albuquerque. (Guests who do not live locally will be invited to “Zoom” in to join the fun.)
– Relax into your adventure, as you spend your arrival night in Paris at the Hotel Les Matins de Paris – a 4-star boutique hotel just off of the famous Rue des Martyrs in Paris’s trendy 9th arrondissement, with a full buffet breakfast and your own private session in the hotel’s spa included – perfect for recovering from a long flight.
– Our Private YK2B driver will meet you at your hotel, late morning on October 17, to bring you to the historic town of Beaune in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or.
– Midafternoon, you will arrive at the historic La Maison du Bastion, nestled up against the medieval ramparts of Beaune and your home for the next seven nights. Built in the late 1800s as a fishing lodge, each guest will have their own bedroom and private, modern bathroom. The whole house and extensive gardens are ours for the week, including two kitchens and a comfortable salon for relaxing. The large outdoor terrace is perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or simply breathing in the beautiful surroundings. A truly unique and creative space, yet only a seven-minute walk into the heart of Beaune and a 12-minute walk to the vineyards.
– Activities and experiences in Burgundy will include:
- Experiencing the colorful abundance of the Saturday morning Market in Beaune, selecting delicacies to enjoy back “home” in the Maison du Bastion kitchen.
- Exploring Carolyn’s “home village” of Pommard, one of the most famous and beautiful wine villages in the Côte de Beaune and a place Thomas Jefferson knew and loved.
- Learning about and tasting wine at a family-owned domaine going back generations.
- A day trip north through Burgundy’s lush Ouche Valley, to explore the historic Château and picturesque medieval village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois – a place of inspiration for artists for generations.
- And of course ample time for independent exploration and pursuit of your own creative endeavors:
- Observe life in the wine capital of Burgundy as you linger in a café.
- Walk along the ancient ramparts of Beaune.
- Visit Beaune’s museums and historic monuments, including the 15th Hospices de Beaune (the first charity hospital in Europe), The Musée des Beaux-Arts, Notre Dame Basilica, and the Museum of Burgundy Wine.
- Explore Beaune, with its historic buildings, winding pedestrian streets, and quaint shops.
- Take a tour and taste Burgundy’s wines at Domaine Joseph Drouhin or one of the other domaines located in town.
- Or simply enjoy spending time at your “home” in Beaune.
- Draw, write, invent, paint, read, create, think, and dream…in one of the most beautiful places in France, especially during the golden days of October.
– Glorious Food and wine of the region including:
- Breakfast daily, at your hotel in Paris, and at your home in Burgundy.
- Six lunches or dinners together in some of our favorite restaurants in Beaune and nearby wine villages, unique family-owned establishments where you will be treated more like a local than a tourist.
- A typical French Sunday lunch at home with items selected at the Saturday Beaune market, preceded by a little light-hearted education and tasting led by Carolyn, to introduce you to the wines of Burgundy.
- Plus, for meals on your own, your kitchen will be amply stocked with fresh and prepared foods that will allow guests to assemble light meals to enjoy in the comfort of home, should you prefer this as an alternative to dining out at one of the many local bistrots, brasseries, or restaurants.
– Then, at the conclusion your week in Burgundy, our private driver will transport you back to Paris for one additional night at the Hotel Les Matins de Paris.
And, for guests who might wish to extend their time in Paris or elsewhere in France, Carolyn will provide you with complimentary Your Key To Burgundy concierge planning services.
Contact us today to learn more about this very special excursion!