Enjoy a sojourn to Lyon - the gastronomic capital of France and a UNESCO world heritage city. Get indepth knowledge into the cuisine of France by having a professional Chef lead you through a number of cooking classes in Lyon. Accompany a local around one of the colorful markets in the city, and head out into the surrounding countryside and into the heart of the Beaujolais wine growing region to sample some local wines and visit some vineyards. Lyon is peppered with eateries ranging from bouchons – small, traditional bistros – to gourmet restaurants known as Les Grandes Tables - be sure to check some of them out during your stay.

With private airport arrival transfer and quality accomodation, you are sure to have a memorable trip - and add to your repertoire of French cooking on your return home!

Day 1
Lyon
Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Consider acquiring the Lyon city Pass which puts the UNESCO city of Lyon at your finger tips. The card entitles you to unlimited access to 19 of the most prestigious museums in and around Lyon, (restricted to one entrance per day and per museum), unlimited tours of the city: guided tours, self-guided audio tours, boat tours (April 01 to October 30), entrance to the observatory tower of Fourviere , unlimited use of the public transport system. The "Ticket Liberte" offers access to all bus and metro lines, unusual guided tour of the Fourviere Basilica rooftops, admission to concerts including 'Expresso Concerts' with the Lyon National Orchestra and in the Amphitheater of the Lyon National Opera, admission to The Zonzons Puppet Theatre, discount at Celestins Lyon Theatre and 10% off at Galeries Lafayette Lyon Part-Dieu (except Red Points items and departments) and at Lyon Visitors Bureau Boutique (except books). The card can be for 1, 2 or 3 days. – Please contact your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if you are interested in adding this to your tour. Lyon has a huge number of restaurants, ranging from well-known gastronomic temples to simple market side-stalls. Leading the new gastronomic revolution in Lyon is restaurant Nicolas le Bec (14 rue Grolée, 04 78 42 15 00, www.nicolaslebec.com). Léon de Lyon (1 rue Pléney, 04 72 10 11 12, www.leondelyon.com, closed Mon & Sun) is an institution, and another place to check out is the bistro annexe Le Petit Léon (3 rue Pléney, 04 72 10 11 11, lunch only). Lyon Plage (85 quai Joseph Gillet, www.lyon-plage.com, 04 72 10 44 44), a hotel and spa, has a large brasserie with a great atmosphere and serves delicate, delicious dishes. The bouchon (a small, intimate bistro) is a Lyonnais institution. Several cluster around the Hôtel de Ville; try Café des Fédérations (8-10 rue du Major Martin, 04 78 28 26 00), Bouchon des Carnivores (8 rue des Marronniers, 04 78 42 97 69) or Le Garet (7 rue du Garet, 04 78 28 16 94) near the opera house. Note that most places close at weekends. Hotel De La Cite (4*) is set between the river Rhône and the vast Tête d'Or park, at the heart of the famous urban and architectural project known as Cité Internationale. The historical town of Lyon is a mere 10 minute bus journey or taxi from the hotel. The property is bright and airy, an ultra-modern building designed by prize winning architect Renzo Piano, the Italian architect most famous for his work on the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Hotel facilities include: free WiFi access in all public areas and every hotel room, 24 hour room service and disabled facilities.
Lyon is one of the most beautiful Renaissance towns of Europe, immaculately preserved houses and shops line quaint cobbled streets retaining much of the atmosphere of centuries past. It's here that you can enjoy the city's famous cuisine in the lively bouchons (traditional inns) The city has a myriad of attractions apart from those related to food, not least its fabulous wealth of architecture and historical buildings. There are still Roman ruins from the ancient settlement, including a theatre on Fourvière Hill where performances are still regularly held. Lyon was at the forefront of the silk industry in the early-19th century. The weavers' houses can still be visited in the Croix Rousse district of the city, evoking a still palpable sense of the thriving industry that was once native to this area.

Day 2
Lyon
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax in your hotel. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). After being picked up from your hotel in Lyon, you will be transfered to the Chef’s home, situated in a charming village of the suburb of Lyon, just 15 mn from the city centre. The Chef will welcomes you at home, in his professional kitchen, surrounded by his garden. After an introduction of the recipes, you will get to cook a three course gastronomic menu (two dishes and dessert). Enjoy dinner around the table with the Chef and his wife. (Aperitif, wines and coffee/tea included). After dinner, you will have a short transfer back to your lodgings.
Overnight at De La Cite - Lyon (4*).

Day 3
Lyon
This morning, depart your hotel for a gastronomic visit with the Chef at the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city's most famous indoor market with high quality products. Then transfer back to his house for a cooking class and lunch with the Chef. Fully sated, you will then be transfered back to Lyon. Consider a private excursion taking in the vineyards of the Beaujolais, lunch in the country, visiting charming villages such as Beaujeu - former capital of the Beaujolais and Perouges – a gem of a medieval town, the golden villages of the Beaujolais – so called because of the golden color that reflects off the stone or explore the southern Rhone valley and the Tain l’Hermitage with a private vehicle, driver and Guide. Alternatively, get in touch with your inner chef and have a fun morning enjoying a private cooking class with a local chef. Please contact your Kensington Sales Advisor If any of these suggestions are of interest. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at De La Cite - Lyon (4*).

Day 4
Lyon
On this tour (5hrs), you will discover all the beauty and richness of South of Beaujolais landscapes. The golden stone villages are divine at sunrise, magnificent in the reflections of the sunset. Their yellow ochre colour is absolutely unique and earned the name of Beaujolais Tuscany given to the region. You will stop in the medieval village of Oingt, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Perched on a hill and surrounded by the Beaujolais vineyards, Oingt has kept from its medieval past the ancient chapel of the castle, the fortified door, and a dungeon. In the heart of the village, ocre yellow facades houses are home of craftsmen and artists. Then, stop in the village of Salles Arbuissonnas to discover its 12th century cloister, from which remains a vaulted gallery edged with twin columns. This tour will end by a tasting in the wine cellar of Vaux en Beaujolais, a typical village where the best selling writer Claude Chevallier housed Clochemerle, his colourful novel. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at De La Cite - Lyon (4*).

Day 5
Lyon
Enjoy any number of shared tours from Lyon including a full day excursion discovering the vineyards of Beaujolais visiting the Hameau Duboeuf with its 30,000 square metres wine park and 25 exhibition rooms before enjoying a wine tasting and a typical Beaujolais lunch. Then discover the great vineyards of the area and the charming village of Beaujeu, former capital of the Beaujolais. Alternatively, if you prefer to just do a half day excursion to leave some more time at leisure, you could consider a half day shared tour to discover the 10 Beaujolais Crus that are the jewels in Beaujolais' crown , engaging in a wine tasting and finishing with a visit to the charming village of Beaujeu (as described above). Please contact your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if you are interested in any of these options. Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.