Paris, Champagne, & the Loire Valley
Our curated wine retreat takes you beyond the glass, blending vineyard tours, cultural discovery, and meaningful connections with like-minded women.
Over seven days, you’ll experience the elegance and vibrance of Paris, with activities like guided city explorations, wine and cheese tastings, and a bike tour of Versailles.
In addition to a few days in Paris, you’ll also venture into France’s most celebrated wine regions. Sip world-famous Champagne in Reims and journey to the Loire Valley to taste elegant wines, alongside visiting the iconic châteaux of the region.
More than just a trip, this retreat is a chance to experience France’s wine, culture, and history, all while creating new friendships.
Sample Itinerary
Here’s a glimpse of what your seven days with Amica Vina might look like.
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
Arrive at our boutique hotel in Paris and settle in before gathering for a welcome Seine river cruise. As the city lights come on, enjoy dinner and drinks while getting to know your fellow travellers, the perfect introduction to Paris and the journey ahead.
Day 4: Versailles
Head to Versailles for a guided bike tour through the expansive palace grounds. Cycle through the gardens, stop for a relaxed picnic lunch, and then tour inside the Château de Versailles to experience one of France’s most famous landmarks.
Day 2: Discover Paris
Spend the day exploring Paris with a guided walking tour covering the city’s top sights and neighbourhoods. Midday, enjoy a wine and cheese tasting before heading to Montmartre in the evening to soak up its artistic charm.
Day 5: The Loire Valley
Take the train to the Loire Valley and begin exploring this fairytale region. Enjoy wine tastings before spending the afternoon wandering the charming village of Amboise. In the evening, arrive at our villa before heading out to dinner.
Day 3: Champagne
Travel by train to Reims for a day in the heart of the Champagne region. Visit three Champagne houses for tastings, including a cellar tour to learn more about the traditional Champagne method.
Day 6: Châteaux & Wine
Continue discovering the Loire Valley with a visit to one of the region’s most iconic castles (châteaux). After lunch in Chinon, enjoy wine tastings focused on the area’s renowned Cabernet Franc wines, rounding out the Loire experience.
Day 7: Back to Paris & Farewells
Share one last breakfast before taking the train back to Paris and saying goodbye (or rather, à bientôt) to your new travel friends.
Champagne Wine Region
Champagne is one of France’s most iconic wine regions, defined by luxurious house labels, historic cellars, and a legacy of celebration. Located in northeastern France, just under two hours from Paris, the region is best known for its elegant sparkling wines. Did you know that a wine labelled Champagne can only be from Champagne?
Champagne is made primarily from three grapes: Chardonnay, which brings elegance and acidity; Pinot Noir, adding structure and depth; and Pinot Meunier, known for its fruit-forward character. Together, these varieties create the balance and precision that define Champagne.
Champagne offers a wine experience rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless celebration. A must-visit for anyone who loves (or is simply curious about) the world’s most famous sparkling wine.
The Loire Valley Wine Region
The Loire Valley is one of France’s most diverse and picturesque wine regions, known for its fairytale châteaux, river landscapes, and wide range of wine styles. Stretching along the Loire River southwest of Paris, the region produces everything from crisp whites and elegant reds to sparkling and sweet wines, making it one of the most varied wine regions in the country.
Key appellations include Vouvray, known for its expressive Chenin Blanc in dry, sparkling, and sweet styles; Chinon, where Cabernet Franc shines in fresh, aromatic reds; and Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, celebrated for their bright, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc wines. Further west, Muscadet (not to be mistaken with Muscat) produces light, saline whites made from Melon de Bourgogne, perfect with seafood.
The Loire Valley offers an approachable and endlessly fascinating wine journey, combining history, diversity, and wines that reflect the river and landscapes they come from.
Why Join Amica Vina?
At Amica Vina, travel is about more than just seeing new places; it’s about experiencing them fully and sharing those moments with people who get it. Here’s what makes our retreats special:
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Designed with solo female travelers in mind, so you can feel safe, supported, and inspired.
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Come solo and meet like-minded women who share your love of travel, wine, and adventure.
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Taste, learn, and enjoy Bordeaux wines with local experts, from world-famous châteaux to hidden gems.
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Item descriptionWe handle the details (accommodations, tours, and transportation) so you can simply relax and enjoy.
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We keep our retreats intimate so everyone feels included, supported, and part of the group.
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Bordeaux is just the beginning. Expect more Amica Vina retreats in destinations like Provence, Champagne, and beyond.
What’s Included?
Included in the price:
🏠 Accommodation in Paris (4 Nights)
🏠 Accommodation in the Loire Valley (2 Nights)
🚂 Train tickets to/from Champagne and the Loire Valley
🚊 Paris Metro Passes
🚐 Private drivers to activities in the Loire Valley
🍷 Wine tastings
🚲 Listed activities
🥐 Daily continental breakfast
🫕 Welcome & farewell dinners
🙋♀️ Dedicated hostess
Not included in the price:
✈️ Flights & Trains to Paris
🚕 Airport/train station transfers in Paris
🔐 Travel insurance (required)
🥘 Meals not mentioned
🛍️ Any additional activities in free time
🚌 Transit during free time
Who is this trip for?
This retreat is designed for women who want more than just a vacation; they want an experience that blends discovery, connection, and a touch of indulgence.
You’ll love this trip if you are:
✨ A woman in your 20s - 40s looking for meaningful, social, & unforgettable travel experiences.
🧳 A solo traveler or friend duo looking for a safe, welcoming, and fun group to explore with.
🍷 A wine lover, whether you’re a casual sipper or a budding connoisseur (no need to be an expert)!
💬 Excited to meet new people and share laughter, stories, and adventures.
🌍 A curious explorer eager to see Bordeaux beyond the tourist highlights.
💖 Ready to treat yourself to a getaway that’s as much about connection as it is about travel.
Meet Your Host
In my 20s, I lived in Canada, France, the UK, and Australia; always eager to meet new people and discover new places. I built a career in advertising and dedicated my free time to chasing experiences and collecting stories, including visiting beautiful vineyards around the world.
Over time, my curiosity about wine grew. So much so that I recently completed WSET Level 2 with distinction and am currently in the Level 3 course.
Though I’m grateful to have lived in different countries, moving around highlighted how challenging it can be to make new friends as an adult (and how many women feel the same).
These things together inspired me to create Amica Vina: curated wine retreats where women can travel together, explore beautiful wine regions, and build genuine connections that go beyond a single trip.
When you join an Amica Vina retreat, the hard work is already done; you just get to soak up the scenery, enjoy sharing wine, and meet inspiring women who may become lifelong friends.
I can’t wait to welcome you to Amica Vina in 2026.
Cheers,
Samantha
Trip Dates
Our Paris, Champagne, & Loire Valley retreats kick off Autumn 2026!
Exact dates will be announced soon, and spaces will be limited to 10 guests per retreat.
Reserve your spot on the waitlist today (at the bottom of the page) to be the first to secure your place.
“Travelling through Paris and Champagne with Sam [the founder of Amica Vina] was so fun, I couldn’t think of a better city combo for a girls' trip.
As a Champagne lover, I found the tastings were elegant yet approachable. The whole experience felt social and celebratory, yet I learned more than I could imagine about the craft of wine. I loved that we could enjoy multiple wine tours without any stress or decision-making.
While in Paris, you could tell Sam was so comfortable in the city, guiding us from sight to sight with fun wine and food pit-stops along the way. She curates the trip so it never feels overly touristy either. The care and detail she brings to Amica Vina, even on the research trip, makes you feel completely taken care of.”
— Review from Mairead D.
(Travelled with Amica Vina founder on research trip to Paris & Champagne)
Retreat FAQs
Any questions we missed?
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You can fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and take the RER into the city.
Or fly into Paris Orly Airport, take the Metro or Orlybus into Paris.
You can also opt to take an Uber if that is preferred.
Once accommodation is confirmed, we will help map out exactly how to get to the retreat starting point via the Metro or taxi/Uber.
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Each retreat hosts around 8 guests; small enough to stay intimate, but big enough to build a vibrant group dynamic.
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Our retreats are designed for women in their 20s to 40s, creating a group of like-minded travellers at similar life stages.
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Rooms are typically shared, but pending availability, private rooms may be available for an additional cost.
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Before the retreat, we’ll send a short survey to help match guests with the most compatible roommates.
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We’ll be staying in a hotel in Paris and a villa in the Loire Valley. More accommodation details will be shared closer to the trip.
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Absolutely! While we encourage solo travel, so everyone arrives with an open mindset and ready to meet new people, traveling with a friend is also possible.
Keep in mind that sometimes friend duos naturally stick together, so the best experience comes when both friends are also excited to make new connections with the group.
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Yes! We’ll set up a WhatsApp group before the trip so everyone can connect ahead of time.
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Yes, travel insurance is required for all guests and must be arranged before the trip.
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Yes, we include some free time in the itinerary for you to wander Bordeaux solo or with your new travel friends.
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Not at all! The only requirement is getting yourself to our retreat starting point in Paris and getting home from Paris. Once you arrive, we take care of all the details so you can fully enjoy the retreat.
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Let us know your requirements when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate (especially at villa breakfasts), though some restrictions may be more challenging when out and about.
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Some areas of Europe can be challenging for travellers with accessibility needs. Please contact us with your requirements, and we’ll work with you to explore what’s possible.
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While our retreats don’t include extensions, we’re happy to share recommendations for exploring more of France. And of course, we’d love to welcome you on another Amica Vina retreat. Bordeaux perhaps?
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Yes! We can customize this retreat for your own group of friends (without an Amica Vina host). Reach out to samantha@amicavina.com to discuss private bookings.
Ready to Join Us in France?
Girls’ trip plans don’t have to stay in the group chat; let’s make them real! Sign up for the waitlist and be the first to snag your spot for our 2026 Paris, Champagne, and Loire Valley retreats.
Let’s raise a glass to new friends, good wine, and unforgettable memories!