Guide Kick-Off 2022

Our 2022 European season commenced unlike any other year we’ve seen in history.&nbsp;After two years of virtual dinner parties, post-work Zoom happy hours and flexing their creative muscles from the <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/what-social-distancing-looks-like-around-the-world" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">comfort of their homes</a>, it’s safe to say that our Guides were absolutely yearning for the moment to reconvene in true B&amp;R fashion.We’ve hosted our annual Guide Kick-Off from our office in Beaune in the heart of Burgundy every year. And while a certain pandemic drove a significant wedge into how our seasons regularly commence, it also wove a silver lining into the atmosphere at this year’s festivities.

Seeing friends who’ve been scattered around the world for the past two years was incredibly special and inspiring. Feelings of emotion filled the air as our talented team shared stories, laughter and tears of joy. From eager new guides and our savviest veterans to a few faces from our Toronto office—this year’s Kick-Off marked a new era at B&amp;R. One signifying the return of travel, feeling grateful to embrace human connection once again and being more inspired than ever by the places we’re so lucky to visit.

Typical days at Kick-Off began with communal breakfasts and plenty of espresso—energized to hear rousing information sessions from our varying departments. New guides were filled in on everything from B&amp;R’s history to our sustainability efforts as Experience Designer Christine Tucker shared the latest news about our revitalized <a href="https://butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Slow Fund</a>.Come lunchtime we settle into picnics with our local friends in Beaune, a few who cater our <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/burgundy-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Burgundy Wine Country Biking</a> trips! Fuelled for the afternoon, the crew heads to the atelier for bike training with our cycling experts, then embarked on daily 30 km bike rides through Burgundy’s villages and vineyards. This was the perfect opportunity to make use of our new GPS system, bringing forth a seamless way to navigate the meticulously-crafted biking routes you can expect on this season’s <a href="https://butterfield.com/how-to-travel/scheduled-trips" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Scheduled trips</a>. It was incredible seeing everyone assume the role of a Guide: raising one another’s spirits, embracing physical activity and ensuring no one was left behind.

That quintessential spirit of generosity proliferated throughout evening aperitivi, dinners and wine tastings, where our entire roster of Guides then assumed the role of a host: refilling their neighbour’s glass before their own, ensuring everyone sampled the best dishes and diving into vibrant conversation.The final night’s celebration started off as a beautiful dinner and slowly evolved into an impromptu talent show and karaoke! In true Guide fashion, no one was afraid to show off their chops. High spirits and adrenaline filled the air as five days of intense training came to an end.&nbsp;Below are some of our favourite moments from this year’s Guide Kick-Off!

For those whose evenings are woefully incomplete without a well-selected vintage, Burgundy is hallowed ground. This region has been whetting its palate since the Roman era and is mouthwatering proof that practice makes perfect. So naturally, it’s B&amp;R’s first love—and second home. Stay in our pied-a-terre in historic Beaune and try our signature pairings: like cycling through verdant Cote de Nuits and dining at the Michelin-starred Le Montrachet. Did we mention garden picnics at Butterfield’s own winery?

Discover Burgundy

Burgundy | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

$4,795 based on four travellers. $4,595 based on six travellers. $8,995 based on one traveller.

We spent one day in Burgundy decades ago and decided to never leave. You'll spend six—so consider yourself warned. You'll coast from one heavenly (and world-famous) vineyard to the next, clinking glasses with our expert friends along the way. Explore historic Beaune, where our hometown-advantage grants you access to exclusive events and illustrious hosts.

We spent one day in Burgundy decades ago and decided to never leave. You'll spend six—so consider yourself warned. We’ll coast from one heavenly (and world-famous) vineyard to the next, clinking glasses with our expert friends along the way. Explore historic Beaune, where our hometown advantage grants us access to exclusive events and illustrious hosts, then unwind at the end of the day at the finest hotels.

In Vino Veritas

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details. 

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Featured stays

Let us lead you to the top of the gorgeous Hautes Côtes, uncork the splendid vintages from French wine’s ancestral home and bed down in the region’s most exclusive hotels on a private, Bespoke journey. 

Can’t find your dates? 

Go Bespoke

Experience Designers

We spent one day in Burgundy decades ago, and decided to never leave. You'll spend five—so consider yourself warned. We coast from one heavenly (and world-famous) vineyard to the next, clinking glasses with our expert friends along the way. Explore historic Beaune, where our hometown-advantage grants us access to exclusive events and illustrious hosts.

In our second home in beautiful Burgundy, sumptuous cuisine, miles of vine-side paths, and exclusive access to local treasures await—as do our expert friends.

Burgundy Wine Country Biking | Butterfield & Robinson

This is vintage B&amp;R territory—a place renowned for its culinary traditions and rich history. Our European office and atelier have been in Beaune since 1985, so getting the insider scoop usually consists of chatting with our long-time neighbours... in their 13th c. castle. All of our events in Burgundy are 100% local, and we offer the sort of experiences you can only achieve through nurturing relationships with the community and the people who call the region home. Let us lead you to the top of the gorgeous Hautes Côtes, uncork the splendid vintages from French wine’s ancestral home and bed down in the region’s most exclusive hotels on a private, bespoke journey.&nbsp;

In Burgundy, pleasure has long been perfected.

"Burgundy is a place that hardly changes—a place of age-old tradition. The ideal spot to slow down to see the world. It isn't somewhere you travel to just once, ticking it off your list of destinations where you’ve been there, done that. Once you get here, riding through the most prestigious vineyards in the world, sailing down the Côte d’Or on a bike, you too, will feel the magic of Burgundy."

Winning hotels are a hallmark of B&R. Sometimes grand, sometimes charming and intimate, and always perfect for your trip. That’s the B&R style.

Expertly curated with our favourite experiences in each destination, these departures bring together a maximum of 16 like-minded travellers on pre-set dates.

Want a set itinerary instead?

Explore our Scheduled trips

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Burgundy Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

$4,695 based on four travellers. $4,395 based on six travellers. $9,495 based on one traveller.

Burgundy cast its spell upon us decades ago, now it beats as the very heart and soul of B&amp;R. Welcome to our second home, where it doesn't get any better than exploring vineyards and sipping Grand Cru in the region where they were grown. Dive into classic Burgundian cuisine as our expert friends provide backstage access to the world’s most famous wine regions. The magnificent Domaine de Rymska awaits when it’s time to rest your legs, a sumptuous haven nestled amidst the rolling Burgundian countryside.

Savour Grand Cru wines in front of their vineyard, enjoy a tasting at a world-famous winery in Pommard, master the art of Gougères and beef bourguignon with a local chef.

Discover the unique qualities of Burgundian wines with expert Jean-Pierre Renard, dine with a seasoned French winemaker at his winery, explore the Hospices de Beaune alongside a local expert.

Discover centuries of French history at Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, Hospices de Beaune, and Chateau de Couches. Enjoy wine tastings and cultural tours, immerse yourself in Burgundy's countryside, explore historic Beaune.

Rest your legs at L'Hôtel de Beaune, an intimate 15-room boutique hotel in the city's heart. Experience Domaine de Rymska, a Relais & Chateaux property offering an outdoor heated pool, a working farm, and sweeping countryside vistas.

From Terroir to Table

Discover the allure of Burgundy's wine country on foot. Vineyard exploration, delectable cuisine, and backstage access to renowned wine regions await.

This is how to see Burgundy.

Can't find your dates?

Burgundy cast its spell upon us decades ago, now it beats as the very heart and soul of B&R. Welcome to our second home, where it doesn't get any better than exploring vineyards and sipping Grands Crus in the region where they were grown. Dive into classic Burgundian cuisine as our expert friends provide backstage access to the world’s most famous wine regions. The magnificent Domaine de Rymska awaits when it’s time to rest your legs, a sumptuous haven nestled amidst the rolling Burgundian countryside.

Burgundy Walking | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

On this self-guided adventure, you’ll pedal through Burgundy and its famed wine regions on two wheels. Cycle along our favourite routes, experiencing a side of Burgundy we've unlocked after decades of planning—savour the taste of Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits, meet our local friend for a historical walking tour in Beaune, and explore the "hidden" Burgundy in the Côte Chalonnaise, all at your pace.

Burgundy

Guide Kick-Off 2022

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