Approaching Europe
CONTRAST TOURS
THE COOL TOUR, 2027
January 3rd - January 13, 2027
In collaboration with Seaboard Wine, Savi's Wine, Wine and Words.
Limited to 8 travelers.
THIS PAGE IS NOT READY YET
IT IS BASED ON THE 2026 TOUR
BUT IT MAY GIVE YOU A FEELING
FOR THE 2027 TOUR
Map of the island, with destinations I can't wait to explore.
High Speed Train
The Street of our Paris Hotel in Saint Germain des Près
Des Amants dans mon Café
L'Ile de Sein, obviously in Summer.
The poetry of low tide in Brittany
Breakfast at our hotel in Saint Germain des Prés
Vue Imprenable
ABOUT THIS TOUR:
When I try to negotiate better pricing with the Director of the hotel where we go in Paris, he typically responds "but Monsieur Rostagni, you always come at the highest seasons of the year, what do you expect, if you come in January, you will have better prices …" We pull each other's leg all the time, and I thought that one day I am going to take him at his word. After all, the idea of taking advantage of one of the lowest tourist seasons in the year, and experience Paris in Winter, had floated in my mind for a bit. And then last summer I read an article in Le Monde about the Island of Sein, just west of the Pointe du Raz. It was love at first sight.
I was then about to leave for the first Brittany Tour, last September, and it was too late to modify the itinerary, but I sure modified the 2026 tour's itinerary so that it would include 1 night and the best part of 2 days in Sein. I still needed to scout it though, as I try to come prepared!
This is how I thought to go there this January, as the prologue of the Paris January visit I had wanted to do for a while. I asked my Breton of all Bretons friend, René, if it was done to go there in January, probably facing big winds and waves, and he said that sure, I should not expect Riviera weather, but that for him that was the true Ile de Sein, and that he'd rather go there in January, than in summer.
That's my boy! And exactly what I wanted to hear. I feel the same way, Brittany under the sun is nice, but a bit of tempest is more in character.
At that point I was going, and thought, hey maybe some folks want to go with me? Friends, this is how this tour came to exist. There is a famous cycling race called Paris-Brest, the capital of Brittany, and where René is from, there is even a pastry with that name. This will be Paris-Sein, the two opposites, as Sein might be the negative of Paris, with a feeling of being outside the world, in a time that seems to be one of the past.
This is a contemplative tour. In Sein we will walk, explore the curiosities of this very small island, very flat, like a raft on the ocean, and eat ultra pure and fresh seafood: lobster, local fish, local oysters raised in the purest possible water. A selection of wines from my producers will materialize on the island and the continent, as all meals whether in Paris or elsewhere, will be paired with wines and ciders that I import. This is the case in all my tours, but there is a bit more of logistics involved here. Also, there will be some crêpes in a few menus. Can't go to Brittany without eating crêpes.
In Paris, days will be free, and dinners will be in my favorite restaurants. None of them is starred, but I guarantee that you will eat very well. During the day I will look at Paris with a camera, maybe shop a tad on the way, and there is an option for you to go along with me, see "Follow me in Paris" on the options page.
I was then about to leave for the first Brittany Tour, last September, and it was too late to modify the itinerary, but I sure modified the 2026 tour's itinerary so that it would include 1 night and the best part of 2 days in Sein. I still needed to scout it though, as I try to come prepared!
This is how I thought to go there this January, as the prologue of the Paris January visit I had wanted to do for a while. I asked my Breton of all Bretons friend, René, if it was done to go there in January, probably facing big winds and waves, and he said that sure, I should not expect Riviera weather, but that for him that was the true Ile de Sein, and that he'd rather go there in January, than in summer.
That's my boy! And exactly what I wanted to hear. I feel the same way, Brittany under the sun is nice, but a bit of tempest is more in character.
At that point I was going, and thought, hey maybe some folks want to go with me? Friends, this is how this tour came to exist. There is a famous cycling race called Paris-Brest, the capital of Brittany, and where René is from, there is even a pastry with that name. This will be Paris-Sein, the two opposites, as Sein might be the negative of Paris, with a feeling of being outside the world, in a time that seems to be one of the past.
This is a contemplative tour. In Sein we will walk, explore the curiosities of this very small island, very flat, like a raft on the ocean, and eat ultra pure and fresh seafood: lobster, local fish, local oysters raised in the purest possible water. A selection of wines from my producers will materialize on the island and the continent, as all meals whether in Paris or elsewhere, will be paired with wines and ciders that I import. This is the case in all my tours, but there is a bit more of logistics involved here. Also, there will be some crêpes in a few menus. Can't go to Brittany without eating crêpes.
In Paris, days will be free, and dinners will be in my favorite restaurants. None of them is starred, but I guarantee that you will eat very well. During the day I will look at Paris with a camera, maybe shop a tad on the way, and there is an option for you to go along with me, see "Follow me in Paris" on the options page.
ITINERARY:
NOTE: I like this trip for its balance between two polar opposites, a tiny island west of Brittany, surrounded by a rocky ocean, with no cars, challenged by nature, and on the other hand, Paris, the City of Lights, all about sensuality, elegance, luxe and sophistication.
For me who has always been attracted by monacal experiences, the latter will be even more enjoyed after the former, which is the wild card, the unexpected. BUT, if you have no time or interest for the Brittany part, it is conceivable that you just arrive in Paris on January 7, or maybe earlier than that. The pricing for that option is 65% of the tour price. And you may arrive earlier in paris and/or leave late.
* Friday January 2nd: Departure from RDU (or wherever you depart from) to Paris.
There is also an option to fly to Paris one day early (this is what I and the two first signees to this tour do, but that is optional, in the limit of the amount of rooms that I have reserved, or may be able to find for you. There is also a lunch and dinner planned optionally for those in town on January 2nd.
* Saturday January 3rd: From the airport you will take a cab to the train station in the city, or a café nearby that I will indicate, and we will meet at the station at 11:20.
High speed train to Quimper (3.5 hours), and then hop in a car for a 45 minutes drive to the port from were we will take the boat to the island the following morning.
If there are more than 6 participants, a group of two will take the bus to that port, as the van that I can rent could not hold 9 people and their luggage. But that is not a problem, the original plan was that we all take the bus, which is operated by the region and very reliable. I am only renting a van to resolve movement issues at the port where there is no reliable taxis, and yet too big distances to cover between hotels and boat.
Crêpes dinner.
For me who has always been attracted by monacal experiences, the latter will be even more enjoyed after the former, which is the wild card, the unexpected. BUT, if you have no time or interest for the Brittany part, it is conceivable that you just arrive in Paris on January 7, or maybe earlier than that. The pricing for that option is 65% of the tour price. And you may arrive earlier in paris and/or leave late.
* Friday January 2nd: Departure from RDU (or wherever you depart from) to Paris.
There is also an option to fly to Paris one day early (this is what I and the two first signees to this tour do, but that is optional, in the limit of the amount of rooms that I have reserved, or may be able to find for you. There is also a lunch and dinner planned optionally for those in town on January 2nd.
* Saturday January 3rd: From the airport you will take a cab to the train station in the city, or a café nearby that I will indicate, and we will meet at the station at 11:20.
High speed train to Quimper (3.5 hours), and then hop in a car for a 45 minutes drive to the port from were we will take the boat to the island the following morning.
If there are more than 6 participants, a group of two will take the bus to that port, as the van that I can rent could not hold 9 people and their luggage. But that is not a problem, the original plan was that we all take the bus, which is operated by the region and very reliable. I am only renting a van to resolve movement issues at the port where there is no reliable taxis, and yet too big distances to cover between hotels and boat.
Crêpes dinner.
* Sunday January 4: the boat is at 9:30 and we will get to eat with our vehicle. The boat ride is about an hour, and should be rather spectacular with the navigation through the passes in the very rocky sea. The boat line is also operateydby the region, and very safe, these people do it every day.
Once arrived on the island we will get to our quarters. Then Lobster lunch. free afternoon exploring the island, including its megalith curiosities.
This island sent a significant of its men to England after the call to resistance from the General de Gaulle on June 18, 1940. Upon hearing the call, 128 men jumped in their boat and sailed to England where they at first constituted a quarter of the French forces rallying around De Gaulle in England. 20 would die in the subsequent battles, and the whole island of Sein was decorated by the General in 1946. There is a museum and monument about all this on the island.
Local seafood dinner.
* Monday January 5: Breakfast on the island is not included in the tour, as we may all be in separate apartments. But these apartments will mostly be at most in 2 separate houses, so occupants in each house may pool their resources together and have breakfast together, if they choose to do so.
Free morning
Lobster lunch
Free afternoon
Dinner together in my apartment or another with local oysters and probably crêpes.
Once arrived on the island we will get to our quarters. Then Lobster lunch. free afternoon exploring the island, including its megalith curiosities.
This island sent a significant of its men to England after the call to resistance from the General de Gaulle on June 18, 1940. Upon hearing the call, 128 men jumped in their boat and sailed to England where they at first constituted a quarter of the French forces rallying around De Gaulle in England. 20 would die in the subsequent battles, and the whole island of Sein was decorated by the General in 1946. There is a museum and monument about all this on the island.
Local seafood dinner.
* Monday January 5: Breakfast on the island is not included in the tour, as we may all be in separate apartments. But these apartments will mostly be at most in 2 separate houses, so occupants in each house may pool their resources together and have breakfast together, if they choose to do so.
Free morning
Lobster lunch
Free afternoon
Dinner together in my apartment or another with local oysters and probably crêpes.
* Tuesday January 6: the boat that will take us back to the continent is at 16:00. After breakfast we will pack, and maybe take freely a couple last strolls on the island.
Local seafood lunch.
Boat to the port we left from, hotel and dinner at the hotel.
Local seafood lunch.
Boat to the port we left from, hotel and dinner at the hotel.
* Wednesday January 7: After a rather leisurely breakfast, car ride or bus ride for some (if so, two different persons that these who rode the bus coming here), to Quimper's train station.
Train to Paris, arrival shortly after 15:00. Short taxi ride to hotel in Saint Germain des Près.
Dinner will be where "Le Tout Paris" goes, and we will walk there, across the river.
* Thursday January 8: I plan to have a leisurely breakfast, hopefully in the company of some of you.
Days in Paris are free, and then we meet in the lobby of the hotel to go to dinner. Dinner is typically at 19:30, and we will leave the hotel in time to get there, typically walking, unless it is too long a walk, and/or weather is not conducive to walking.
During the day you may "Follow Me," which would include lunch. You may also meet us for lunch, or just do what you want. See Day Options in Paris.
* Friday January 9: same drill as yesterday and tomorrow, same options, just different restaurants.
* Saturday January 10: same drill as the previous days, same options, just different restaurants.
* Sunday January 11: This is it until the next tour with you folks. I am flying back home. Btw, there is no direct flight to RDU on the 12th or the 13th. I don't know about later dates.
But as said before, I am happy to arrange your stay in Paris for as long as you wish, except that starting the 13th there is a big show in town, and there might not be many rooms available at our hotel. Just let me know what you'd like to do, and I will do my best to make it happen for you.
La Tartine
ABOUT THIS VOYAGE:
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Jean-Christian Rostagni
COST OF THE TRIP:
$ per person based on double occupancy, travel insurance and airfare are additional, if 8 participants in "Superior" room in Paris. $ if 7 participants, $ if 6 participants, $ if 5 participants, $ if 4 participants, $ if 3 participants,
Please see options page to see all room choices, alternatively and beyond the rooms listed here. Please note that 'Classique" rooms in Paris do not have A/C, but they do have fans and windows, so there should not be any problem of over heating in January! These rooms are also on the courtyard, and you will not have street noise if you chose to open the windows.
The single accommodation supplement starts at $ .
The prices includes hotel, meals, wine during meals, transportation, entrance fees when applicable, and should be considered all-inclusive, save for beverages in your room or at the bar, spa and other services you might want to enjoy that are not part of the group activities.
Travel Insurance: you will be quoted a rate based on your tour cost and other parameters if you'd like. If you chose to get some Travel Insurance from Travel Insured International, a highly rated Travel Insurance Company with which I partner, you will get a 10% of your cost as a credit toward your Contrast Tours costs if you choose a trip plan, 5% on an annual plan to which you may add trip cancellation/interruption as well. See here.
Please read our Viral Policy. and the way of the meals.
And here is how your deposit and payments are handled.
Photography: I will happily provide photographic assistance and share my photographer's perspective throughout the tour.
During this journey you will be able to compare wines and ciders from different origins, see what the differences are, and get to understand why there are such differences. Our meals will always be paired with wines and ciders that I import. Those wines and ciders are imported by Contrast Wines, a sister company to Contrast Tours, and are available in wine stores and restaurants in NC, and may be shipped to other States.
The exact itinerary is subject to modification due to scheduling and interest of the Tour considerations. Please note that this is an epicurean journey, and I cannot guarantee being able to accommodate all dietary needs. Should you have any, please let me know your dietary restrictions prior to booking.
Please email me (use Contact Us button below) if you want to book or have any questions. You may also call me: 919-416-1111 or on my cell: 984-312-5315.
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