| 16 Days ~ France
Tour
Pace
Well paced tour with two night stays in five
out of nine cities, with the opportunity for some leisurely later morning
departures. Plus the journey by TGV train is a relaxing way to return to the
glittering city of Paris!
DAY 1 – PARIS AT
LEISURE
Welcome to Paris! On
arrival there are complimentary transfers from Charles de Gaulle Airport
to your Insight hotel. Relax and settle in, or perhaps start exploring the
riches of this great capital. Don't miss the chance for a shopping spree
in the famous department stores or even the elegant designer boutiques of
the Left Bank. In the evening, you are invited to join your Tour Director
and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Concorde
Ambassador/Paris Rive Gauche.
DAY 2 – PARIS –
DIJON/BEAUNE (see Notes)
Head to the ancient
capital of the Champagne region, Troyes: its magnificent centre of
medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a Champagne cork. Continue
into Burgundy, famous for its fine wines, stopping in the famous wine
village of Chablis to taste the local nectar. Continue to Dijon or Beaune
for the next two nights. Hotel: Sofitel La Cloche/ Hotel de la Poste. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 3 – VéZELAY
EXCURSION
Drive through the leafy
Burgundian countryside to Vézelay, built along a rocky ridge among the
northern Morvan foothills. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried
here and from the famous basilica, Richard the Lionheart set off for the
Crusades. Later, return to your hotel for time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – DIJON/BEAUNE – CHAMONIX
A scenic symphony awaits
you as you head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont Blanc and the ski
resort of Chamonix. Hotel: Alpina. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – CHAMONIX
– AIX-LES-BAINS
After breakfast this
morning, take a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of Annecy.
There’s time to have lunch in the Little Venice area or take a boat trip.
Continue to your hotel in the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, situated on the
edge of France’s largest and most celebrated lake, Lac du Bourget and
overlooked by Mt Revard. Hotel: Radisson SAS. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 6 –
AIX-LES-BAINS – NICE
Travel in the footsteps
of Napoleon as he made his victorious return from Elba. A scenic, rugged
landscape leads from the Alps, down to the French Riviera and elegant Nice.
Hotel: Radisson SAS. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – NICE AT
LEISURE
On a morning sightseeing
tour, journey to the principality of Monaco, see the Grimaldi Palace and
visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier.
Enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit and views of the port with its
luxury yachts. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French
Riviera. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – NICE –
AVIGNON
Visit the medieval town
of St Paul de Vence, which sits high above the Riviera beaches. There is
time to explore before continuing to Cézanne’s home town,
Aix-en-Provence. Journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle in his
book “A Year in Provence”, and pass around Cavaillon, the melon
capital of France, en route to Avignon. Hotel: Grand / L’Horloge. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 9 – RHôNE
EXCURSION
A short distance from
Avignon, see the greatest legacy of the Romans’ presence: the incredible
three tiered Pont du Gard. Head towards the Rhône River and the village of
Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the renowned wine. Back in Avignon, take a
little train ride for an overview of the town past the old Palace of the
Popes, and the ‘Pont d’Avignon’ before taking time to relax. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – AVIGNON
– NîMES
Drive to Arles, one-time
home to Van Gogh and Roman legionnaires, and visit the amphitheatre.
Continue through the Camargue to Stes Maries-de-la-Mer, where Gypsies gather
annually to honour their patron saint. You may see flamingos and wild horses
on the way to Nîmes where, on arrival, an orientation tour shows you the
Roman Arena and 2,000-year-old Roman Temple, Maison Carrée. Hotel:
Imperator Concorde. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – NîMES –
ALBI
After breakfast, cross
the Languedoc for a walking tour of the fortified town of Carcassonne. Like
stepping back in time, the city has a complete set of ramparts and a
medieval keep. Later, continue to your hotel in Albi, know for its Cathedral
and the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. Hotel: Hostellerie du Grand Sainte
Antoine**. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 12 – ALBI –
DORDOGNE
Stop in Cahors, famous
for its ‘Black Wine’, before continuing to Rocamadour. A resting place
for pilgrims on their way to Spain, this tiny medieval town is perched on a
cliff side above the Alzou River. After exploring the beautiful town and its
sanctuary, drive on to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner of
local specialities. Hotel: Relais de Castelnau/La Truffe Noire. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 13 – DORDOGNE
VALLEY EXCURSION
A morning drive take you
into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit the town of Sarlat-la-Canéda
with its fine historic golden limestone houses. Make your way to the
prehistoric site at Lascaux to view the world-famous cave paintings. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 14 – DORDOGNE
– PARIS
After stopping at the
town of Limoges to visit a porcelain showroom, head to Poitiers to board a
TGV train for your fast and comfortable journey to Paris. Hotel: Concorde
Saint-Lazare/Paris Rive Gauche. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 15 – PARIS
SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, see
Notre Dame Cathedral before driving past the façades of the Louvre and
along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Stop for a photo of the
Eiffel Tower before enjoying a scenic cruise along the River Seine. The tour
concludes with a visit to Napoleon’s tomb in the gilded Église du Dôme.
Perhaps celebrate the tour with a farewell bistro dinner. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 16 – PARIS
Our tour ends with a
transfer to Paris airport. (Buffet breakfast) |
