Smart Travels: France’s Burgundy and Loire Regions

The Burgundy region boasts top French wines, romantic canals, Romanesque churches and some of France's most renowned cuisine. We base in the small town of Beaune and learn about its history of winemaking. From the vineyards of the Côte d’Or to the culinary delights – we discover the exquisite taste of Burgundy. The city of Dijon and the cathedral at Vezelay add artistic treasures to the Burgundy experience. For the second half of our trip, we head for the Loire Valley and chateaux country. From our home base in Amboise, we visit the famous chateaux, including magnificent Chenonçeau, and François I's overwhelming Chambord. Tips include touring wine country, discovering smaller chateaux and ballooning over the Loire.