| 11 Days ~ France
Tour Pace
The pace is exactly as it says
in the title – Easy! With three nights in Paris, four nights in Nimes &
three nights in Nice – the pace is yours to set! You can use your free time
to relax, explore or join optional excursions organised by your Tour
Director.
DAY 1 – SAT – PARIS AT
LEISURE
On arrival at Charles de
Gaulle Airport, there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel. The
afternoon is yours to relax and settle in. In the evening, join your
fellow passengers and Tour Director for aWelcome Drink. Hotel: Sofitel
Bercy.
DAY 2 – SUN – PARIS
SIGHTSEEING
A guided tour shows you Notre
Dame Cathedral, the courtyard of the Louvre and Place de la Concorde before
driving along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
Embark on a relaxing River Seine cruise which concludes with a visit to the
gilded Église du Dome to see Napoleon’s tomb. In the afternoon there is
time at leisure to relax or take an optional excursion to the Palace of
Versailles or to the home of the Impressionist painter, Monet, at Giverny.
Afterwards, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a typical Parisian Bistro, and round
the evening off with a sparkling illuminations tour of the ‘city of
light.’ (Buffet breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)
DAY 3 – MON – PARIS AT
LEISURE
There is certainly no shortage
of things to do and see in this great capital city. Meet the enigmatic Mona
Lisa in the Louvre, ascend the Eiffel Tower by elevator or the hill of
Montmartre by mini-train for superb panoramic views. Don’t miss the chance
to go shopping in the Galleries Lafayette or the elegant designer boutiques
of the Left Bank. By night, why not try one of the world-famous cabaret
shows for an evening of excitement and glamour? (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 4 – TUE – PARIS –
NîMES
Transfer to the Paris station
to board a comfortable TGV train for a journey south through fertile
vineyards and rich agricultural lands to Provence. See the greatest of the
Roman remains, the incredible three-tiered Pont du Gard, before arriving in
the old Roman city of Nîmes. Hotel: Imperator Concorde. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – WED –
AVIGNON & COTES DU RHONE EXCURSION
Travel to Avignon where a
little train ride gives an overview of this papal city, with its medieval
battlements and 39 towers. Pass the old Palace of the Popes and the four
remaining arches of the bridge of St Benezet, the Pont d'Avignon of the
famous song. After time to explore, head towards the Rhone river and the
village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the renowned wine, before returning
to the hotel. Spend time shopping for fragrant Provencal souvenirs or taking
an optional excursion to see Camargue’s unique landscape of lagoons, white
horses, bulls and flamingos.(Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 6 – THU – NIMES
This morning visit the Roman
Arena and see the 2,000 year old Maison Carrée temple. The rest of the day
is at leisure to relax or explore. Perhaps visit the shady Jardin de la
Fontaine or one of the many museums, or take an excursion to visit the old
hill top village of Les Baux de Provence and a local olive oil mill. (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 7 – FRI – NîMES
– NICE
Take the motorway to “the
most beautiful town in France after Paris”, Aix-En-Provence. After some
time to appreciate the elegant mansions and bustling cafés of the Cours
Mirabeau, continue to the fantastic Cote D’Azur and its capital city,
Nice. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour before checking into your hotel,
your home for the next four nights. Hotel: Radisson SAS. (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 8 – SAT –
MONACO EXCURSION
During your relaxed stay on the
Riviera, take an excursion to Monaco, ruled by the Grimaldi family since the
13th century. See the Royal Palace, home of Prince Albert, the yacht-filled
harbour and the Cathedral, housing the late Princess Grace’s tomb. Drive
along part of the Grand Prix circuit to see the Monte Carlo Casino before
returning along one of the ‘Corniche’ roads to Nice. The rest of the day
is yours to spend on the beach, shop in the elegant boutiques or sample the
excellent cuisine at one of the seaside restaurants. (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 9 – SUN – OLD
TOWN OF NICE
This morning visit Old Nice
with its colourful farmers market displaying fresh produce and perfumed
flowers. Then time to wander through the old town and soak up the
atmosphere. The rest of the day is at leisure with time to stroll along the
Promenade des Anglais or to join a game of pétanque, a great favourite with
the locals. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – MON – COTE
D’AZUR AT LEISURE
Easy pace on the French Riviera
means more free time to relax or explore as you wish. Ask your Tour Director
about optional tours to the nearby hill-top villages or fashionable Cannes.
Or perhaps visit the magnificent villa of the Baroness Rothschild, situated
on Cap Ferrat? Tonight, join your new-found friends for a farewell dinner of
local Nicoise dishes.(Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 11 – TUE – NICE
Our tour ends after breakfast
today with a transfer to Nice Airport. (Buffet breakfast) |
