France & Italy with Scott & Joe
September 11 - 21, 2027
A Decadent Week of Eating, Drinking, and Living Very Well.
Explore Lyon, the Alps, and Northern Italy through food, wine, and the places that matter most
September 11 - 21, 2027 | 10 Days, 9 Nights
“A crescendo of a trip that just got better every single day.”
ANDREA R.
Limited to 16 guests | Starting at $6,400 per person based on double occupancy.
Questions? Email Scott directly: info@scottandjoe.co
The Experience of a Lifetime
You arrive in Lyon and, almost immediately, you can feel it.
The shift.
You’re not planning anymore. Not navigating. Not trying to get it right. You’re just in it.
A table is waiting. A glass is poured. Someone new sits down next to you and, by the end of the night, they won’t seem new at all.
Each day builds on the last, without you having to think about it. Lyon pulls you in. The Alps open everything up. Piemonte brings it all together.
By the end, you’ve settled into it. The rhythm, the meals, the people. It becomes part of you.
Trip Highlights
Explore Lyon, France’s culinary capital, through its markets, bouchons, and hidden passageways
Experience Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse with tastings and a market lunch
Take part in a hands-on cooking class at the Institut Lyfe, where some of the world’s best chefs train
Stay on the edge of Lake Annecy and explore its canals, mountains, and surrounding countryside
Visit a family-run alpine cheese producer and taste the region at its source
Travel through the Alps into Italy with a scenic picnic along the way
Attend the Slow Food Cheese Festival in Bra, with time to explore, taste, and discover
Enjoy a winery visit and lunch in the hills of Barolo
Spend an afternoon in Barolo, exploring the town’s wine bars, shops, cafés, and our favorite spots.
Close the trip in Piemonte with a farewell dinner that lands exactly as it should.
Why Travel with Scott & Joe
Traveling with us means knowing where to go, what to order, and how to experience each place in a way you simply wouldn’t on your own. You don’t need to figure anything out. You just have to show up.
We’ve Done This Before
This isn’t a trip built from research. It’s built from experience.
We’ve spent time in these places, returned to them, and refined this itinerary based on what actually works. The restaurants, the pacing, the moments that matter. You’re not figuring it out as you go. You’re stepping into something that’s already been done well.
Access Changes Everything
From Les Halles in Lyon to the Slow Food Cheese Festival in Bra, this trip is about more than being there.
You’ll know what’s worth your time, what to taste, and where to focus. The festival in particular can be overwhelming without context. With us, it becomes one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
It’s Actually Fun
This part matters.
We take the food seriously. We don’t take ourselves too seriously.
The group tends to click quickly, the energy stays light, and the week takes on a rhythm that is easy and enjoyable from start to finish. There’s a natural mix of great meals, great wine, and a lot of laughter along the way.
Our Itinerary
*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.
After your overnight flight and upon arrival in Lyon, you will be greeted at the airport by Armelle, our local guide and ‘fixer’ who will be with us throughout the journey. Armelle has a way of putting everyone immediately at ease, and before long will become a highlight of the entire trip, and one of the people you’re most grateful to have with you.
She will personally see you to your vehicle and guide the arrival with an ease that makes everything seamless from the start. It is a quiet luxury, but a meaningful one.
We settle into Hôtel Le Royal Lyon, set directly on Place Bellecour in the heart of the city. After time to unwind, you might step out for a walk, have a glass of wine, or simply enjoy the comfort of your room.
That night, we head to Café Comptoir Abel for our first dinner. The restaurant is exactly right from the moment you walk in. Lively, traditional, and full of character. It is also one of the restaurants visited by Anthony Bourdain during his time in Lyon, and like many of his discoveries, it captures something essential about the city.
Expect deeply rooted Lyonnais dishes, excellent wine, and that unmistakable first-night energy where everything starts to click.
Included meals: welcome dinner
September 11 & 12, Saturday & Sunday
Arrival in Lyon
Day 1 & 2
Day 3
September 13, Monday
Views, History, and Hidden Passages
This morning begins slowly, with breakfast at Le Royal, which you will quickly come to adore. It’s the kind of start that invites you to linger just a little longer before heading out into the city. And oh, the butter.
We begin the day by making our way up to Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, perched high above the city. From here, Lyon reveals itself all at once, the rivers, the rooftops, and the quiet rhythm of the city below.
Inside, the basilica is stunning. Nearly every surface is covered in intricate mosaics, rich in detail and shimmering in the light. Nearby, the remnants of ancient Roman theaters offer a glimpse into Lyon’s much earlier history, when this hill was at the center of Roman Gaul.
From there, we make our way down into Vieux Lyon, the city’s old town, where the atmosphere shifts. The streets narrow, the buildings lean in, and the pace softens. We’ll pass through some of the city’s hidden traboules, discreet passageways that weave between buildings and courtyards, and somewhere along the way, you stop thinking of it as sightseeing.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy. You might continue wandering through the old town, explore a few shops, or simply find a café and settle in for a while. Lyon rewards that kind of unplanned time.
Dinner this evening is on your own, giving you the freedom to explore. Whether you follow a recommendation or choose something on a whim, this is a city that makes it easy to eat well.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 4
September 14, Tuesday
Eat Lyon Properly
After breakfast at Le Royal, we make our way to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a place that captures the spirit of the city in a single space.
Named for Paul Bocuse, the chef who helped define modern French cuisine, the market brings together some of the region’s most respected artisans under one roof. This is where he sourced ingredients, where chefs still come to shop, and where the culture of Lyon is on full display.
We’ll move through the market together, tasting as we go. Cheese, charcuterie, something sweet, a glass of wine. We move through it the way you would if you actually knew where you were going.
At a certain point, we’ll settle in for lunch. It’s a place that doesn’t announce itself loudly, but once you’re there, you understand why it matters. Rooted in tradition, full of character, and very much part of the fabric of Les Halles.
The afternoon is left open. You might continue exploring, revisit a favorite stand, or head back to the hotel for a bit of rest before the evening.
Later, we come back together for something entirely different, but very much connected.
At Institut Lyfe, founded by Paul Bocuse himself, we’ll take part in an evening cooking class led by professional chefs trained in his tradition. This is not a demonstration. You’ll be cooking together, learning techniques, and working through the preparation of the meal as a group. It’s hands-on, relaxed, and genuinely fun, whether you cook often or not.
When everything is ready, we sit down to enjoy the meal together, paired with wine. After a day spent exploring the places and people that shaped Lyon’s food culture, it’s a natural and memorable way to close it out.
Included meals: breakfast, tastings, lunch, dinner.
Day 5
September 15, Wednesday
Into the Alps
This morning, we leave Lyon behind and begin our journey toward the Alps.
The drive itself is part of the experience, as the landscape gradually shifts from city to countryside, and then into something more dramatic. Along the way, we’ll pause for a visit to Chartreuse Distillery, still produced by Carthusian monks. It’s a memorable stop, offering a glimpse into a tradition that’s both mysterious and deeply rooted in place.
From there, we continue on to lunch at Brasserie Chavant Voiron, a classic and well-regarded stop that strikes the right balance between refined and relaxed. It’s a meal that fits perfectly into the rhythm of the day.
By afternoon, we arrive in Annecy and check into Palace de Menthon on the edge of Lake Annecy. It’s like it’s not real at first. The water, the mountains, the stillness. It’s a noticeable shift from the energy of Lyon, and one that you will notice right away.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. You might take a walk along the lake, take a dip in the pool, settle in with a glass of wine, or simply take in the view.
Dinner this evening is on your own.
Included meals: breakfast, liquor tasting, lunch.
Day 6
September 16, Thursday
Lake Life and Alpine Cheese
This morning begins slowly, with breakfast at Palace de Menthon and views over Lake Annecy that tend to slow everything down in the best way.
We’ll then head into town for a walking tour of Annecy with Armelle, where the place really comes into focus. The canals, the narrow streets, the small details you might otherwise miss. Armelle has a way of bringing it all to life, sharing just enough history and local insight to make the town personal rather than picturesque.
Afterward, we make our way into the surrounding mountains for a visit to Fromagerie Paccard, a family-run cheese producer that offers a glimpse into the region’s agricultural traditions.
We’ll taste a selection of their cheeses and see firsthand how production is still done with care and simplicity. It’s an experience that connects naturally to everything we’ve been exploring.
We return to Annecy in the afternoon, and the rest of the day is yours. Now that you’ve seen the town through Armelle’s lens, it opens up differently. You might revisit a favorite street, settle into a café along the water, or simply take your time.
Dinner this evening is on your own.
Included meals: breakfast, cheese tasting.
Day 7
September 17, Friday
From France to Piemonte
After breakfast at Palace de Menthon, we begin the day just above the lake with a visit to Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard.
Set high above Annecy, the château is just as you had hoped. Stone walls, sweeping views, and a sense of history that stretches back centuries. The visit is unhurried and offers one last moment to take in the landscape before we leave the region behind.
From there, we begin our drive into Italy. The route is scenic, winding through the Alps as the landscape gradually shifts from dramatic peaks to softer, rolling hills. It’s one of those travel days that never quite feels like travel.
Along the way, we’ll pause for a picnic lunch, simple and well-prepared, enjoyed in a place that makes the most of where we are. A bit of wine, something fresh, and a chance to take it all in before continuing on.
By mid to late afternoon, we arrive in Alba, in the heart of Piemonte, and check into our hotel. The energy here is different. Slower, more focused, and entirely centered around food and wine.
That evening, we gather for dinner at La Piola, a lively and beloved local spot that offers the perfect introduction to the region. It’s relaxed, deeply rooted in tradition, and the place you want on your first night.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 8
September 18, Saturday
The Cheese Festival Unfolds
After breakfast, we make our way to Bra for the Cheese Festival, one of the most celebrated gatherings of artisan cheese producers in the world.
Rather than jumping straight into a formal tour, we begin with a relaxed orientation led by Joe. This is your way in. Where to go, what to look for, how to navigate it all, and where the real gems tend are.
From there, the day opens up.
You might choose to attend one of the festival’s wonderful workshops, offering guided tastings and deeper dives into specific regions or styles. Or you might prefer to explore, moving from stand to stand, tasting freely, and discovering things as you go.
There is also the option to spend time at the wine tasting areas, which offer a chance to pair what you’re eating with a wide range of regional wines.
The key here is choice.
Some people like to plan every stop. Others prefer to wander and see where the day takes them. Both approaches work beautifully here, and we’ll make sure you’re comfortable either way.
We’ll regroup later in the day, but there’s no pressure to stay together throughout. This is a rare experience where following your own curiosity tends to lead to the best moments.
Dinner this evening is on your own, giving you the flexibility to stay at the festival, return to Alba, or simply follow whatever you like in the moment.
Included meals: breakfast, tastings.
Day 9
September 19, Sunday
Barolo, As It Should Be
This morning begins with the option to return to the Cheese Festival for a deeper dive, including optional workshops for those who want a more guided tasting experience. For others, the morning offers a slower start, a chance to ease into the day before we head into wine country.
By late morning, we make our way into the hills of Barolo for a winery visit and lunch, where the focus shifts fully to Piemonte’s wines and the landscape that defines them. This is a relaxed, seated experience with pairings as memorable as the place itself.
After lunch, we spend time in the town of Barolo.
You stop looking at your phone. You stop checking what’s next. You just follow the day. You’ll have the opportunity to explore a selection of tasting rooms, including a central enoteca where you can sample a wide range of wines at your own pace, as well as smaller, more traditional spots throughout the village.
From here, the afternoon and evening are yours.
You might choose to stay in Barolo, settling into one last glass as the light shifts over the hills. Or make your way into Alba for the Alba Wine Festival, where the historic center transforms into a walkable wine route, with producers pouring throughout the streets and piazzas.
We’ll guide you toward whichever path you like, so you can move through it easily, without overthinking it.
The day tends to unfold naturally, and ends up being one of the days people talk about the most.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch.
Day 10
September 20, Monday
A Proper Send-Off
After several full days, this morning is intentionally slower.
The day is yours to enjoy. A relaxed breakfast, a walk through town, or one last return to a place that stayed with you.
For those who want a bit more structure, we’ll have suggestions for light exploring, casual tastings, or simple ways to fill the day without overplanning it.
In the evening, we come back together for one final highlight.
We’ll gather for a farewell dinner at Osteria dell'Arco, a place that’s rooted in Piemonte in the best way. The food is honest, the room is warm, and everything lands as it should.
No performance. No pretense. A place where the night stretches a little longer than expected.
After a week of traveling, tasting, and exploring together, it’s the right way to close. A long table, a bit of celebration, and one last evening that tends to linger.
Included meals: breakfast, farewell dinner.
Day 11
September 21, Tuesday
A Fond Farewell
After breakfast, we depart Piemonte and transfer to Milan for departure.
Transportation will be arranged to accommodate varying flight times, with transfers scheduled accordingly to ensure a smooth and timely journey to the airport.
It’s a simple close, but not a forgettable one. By now, the places are familiar, the group feels close, and the experience has a way of staying with you long after you leave.
Included meals: breakfast.
Where We’ll Stay
Places we actually love staying, where the nights are just as good as the days, with great food, great wine, and rooms you’ll look forward to.
Set directly on Place Bellecour, Hôtel Le Royal is where you want to be in Lyon. The location puts the entire city within easy reach, while inside, everything is calm, comfortable, and quietly elegant.
The rooms are spacious by European standards, with soft details and beds that are genuinely hard to leave in the morning. It strikes that balance of feeling elevated without ever being fussy.
And then there’s the breakfast.
It’s a rare hotel breakfast that people actually talk about. Fresh juices, beautiful pastries, exceptional French butter, and simple, made-to-order egg dishes done to perfection. It’s the kind of start to the day that makes you slow down for a moment before heading out into the city.
It’s an ideal introduction to Lyon, and a place you’ll look forward to coming back to each day.
Le Royal Hotel Lyon
Just on the edge of Lake Annecy, Palace de Menthon stops you in your tracks the moment you arrive. The view is genuinely thrilling, with the lake stretching out in front of you and the mountains rising beyond it.
This is a five-star hotel in every sense, with a level of service that is polished, attentive, and completely effortless.
The rooms are bright and elegant, many with sweeping lake views, and it’s hard not to spend a few extra minutes just taking it all in before heading out for the day.
There’s a natural shift that happens here. After Lyon, the pace opens up, the setting becomes the experience, and the days take on a different kind of rhythm.
It’s one of the most striking moments of the trip, and a place people don’t forget.
Le Palace de Menthon
Hotel Giacomo Morra
Right in the center of Alba, Hotel Giacomo Morra is perfection. Step outside and you’re immediately in it. Wine bars, cafés, late dinners, and a town that revolves around food in a way that’s both serious and completely joyful.
The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, but the real luxury is how easy everything becomes. Espresso in the morning, a short walk to wherever you’re headed, and the freedom to come and go without ever needing a plan.
And then there are the nights.
This is where the trip settles into itself. Meals run long, bottles keep appearing, and the walk back through town becomes one of the best parts of the experience. You’re not rushing anywhere. This is Italy.
Words of Wisdom
“Considering a trip with Scott & Joe? Do it. Seriously. Pack your shit, show up, and get ready for some indelible joy. This trip was a crescendo that just got better every single day. Lyon set the stage with incredible food, wine, and culture, Annecy was breathtaking in a way I still can’t fully describe, and then Italy somehow took it even further. The Cheese Festival, Barolo, the meals, the wine… it all felt effortless and unforgettable. I didn’t want to leave.”
— Andrea R.“I’ve planned every trip for my family for the past 18 years, but for this, I simply showed up and let go. What I experienced went far beyond the value of the trip itself. It was the connection, the community, and the joy of being fully present. It didn’t just feel like a vacation, it felt like something I truly needed.”
— Donna G.“By the time we reached Alba, everything just clicked. The meals stretched a little longer, the wine kept coming, and no one was ever in a rush to leave the table. It was one of those parts of the trip you wish you could stay in just a little longer.”
— Suzann G.Join us in France & Italy
If this trip seems like something you want to be part of, we’d love to have you join us.
We keep the group small, with a maximum of 16 guests, and spots tend to fill through our community before we share more broadly.
Reserve Your Spot
To reserve your place, a deposit of $1,500 is required at the time of booking.
Once you’re confirmed, we’ll send everything you need, including detailed travel information, recommendations, and next steps as we get closer.
A Note on Timing
We are sharing this trip early to give you time to plan, and to ensure those who are interested have the first opportunity to join.
If you’re considering it, we recommend reaching out sooner rather than later.
Common Questions
What’s included in the price?
Everything has been arranged so you can arrive, settle in, and fully enjoy the experience without worrying about the details.
9 nights at thoughtfully chosen accommodations in Lyon, Annecy, and Alba
All private transportation throughout the trip, including airport transfers
Guided experiences with Armelle and local experts
Entry and workshops at the Slow Food Cheese Festival
Curated tastings, including cheese, wine, and regional specialties
A hands-on cooking class at Institut Lyfe
Winery visit and lunch in Barolo
Daily breakfast
Select lunches and dinners, including our welcome and farewell meals
Wine included with all hosted meals
Is there a solo traveler supplement?
A limited number of private rooms are available for solo travelers. The single supplement is $1,400, and these rooms tend to go quickly.
What isn’t included in the price?
Roundtrip airfare
Travel insurance
Meals and activities not listed in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as laundry, room service, and incidental charges
Gratuities for local guides and drivers
Who is going on the trip?
We’ll be a small group of no more than 16 guests, traveling together with Scott & Joe.
The group is typically a mix of couples, friends, and solo travelers who share a love of food, wine, and travel. It’s social, relaxed, and welcoming.
Guests must be 21 or older.
Where does the trip start and end?
Dates: September 11–21, 2027
Starts: Lyon, France
Ends: Milan, Italy
Arrival and departure details will be provided after booking, along with recommended flights.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
It can provide coverage for unexpected changes, medical needs while abroad, and protection for your overall trip investment. For the most comprehensive coverage, it’s best to secure a policy shortly after booking.
What is the payment schedule?
Deposit:
$1,500 per person due at bookingSecond Payment:
$2,500 due 6 months prior to departure
(March 11, 2027)Final Payment:
Remaining balance due 90 days prior
(June 11, 2027)
What is the cancellation policy?
We understand plans can change. Here’s how cancellation fees are incurred depending on when you let us know:
Deposit is non-refundable at all times
More than 180 days prior to departure (before March 11, 2027):
Any payments made beyond the deposit will be refunded in full180 to 91 days prior (March 11 – June 11, 2027):
50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable90 days or less prior (after June 11, 2027):
100% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
Note that if you are unable to attend, you may transfer your spot to another guest with our approval.