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ITINERARY
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. Now relax or perhaps start exploring this romantic city? Why not take some time to browse among the boutiques of Faubourg St. Honoré and dream of your own designer wardrobe? This evening, we get together with our Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche/Concorde Ambassador.
DAY 2 – PARIS – DIJON/BEAUNE (see Notes)
We head to the ancient capital of the Champagne region, Troyes. Its magnificent centre of medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a champagne cork! We continue into Burgundy, famous for its fine wines. We stop in the famous wine village of Chablis where we have a chance to taste the local nectar! Now on to Dijon or Beaune for the next two nights. Hotel: Sofitel La Cloche/Hotel De La Poste. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 3 – VéZELAY EXCURSION
Today we 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 we return to Dijon or Beaune, where we enjoy some time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – DIJON/BEAUNE – CHAMONIX
A scenic symphony awaits us today as we head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont Blanc and the ski resort of Chamonix. Hotel: Alpina/Le Prieure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – CHAMONIX – AIX-LES-BAINS
After breakfast this morning we take a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of Annecy. There's time here to perhaps have lunch in the Little Venice area or take a boat trip? Finally it's off to our hotel in the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, situated on the edge of France's most celebrated lake, Lac du Bourget and overlooked by Mt Revard. Hotel: Radisson SAS. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – AIX-LES-BAINS – NICE
Today we travel in the footsteps of Napoleon as he made his victorious return from Elba. It's a scenic, rugged landscape that leads from the Alps, down to the French Riviera and elegant Nice. Hotel: Splendid/Radisson SAS Nice. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – NICE AT LEISURE
On this morning's sightseeing tour, we journey to the Principality of Monaco. We see the Grimaldi Palace and visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. We then enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit and views of the port with its luxury yachts. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the French Riviera. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – NICE – AVIGNON
We visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence this morning, sitting high above the Riviera beaches. There is time to explore before we continue to Cézanne's home town of Aix-en-Provence. This afternoon we journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle. We pass around Cavaillon, the melon capital of France, en route to our hotel in Avignon. Hotel: Grand. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 9 – RHôNE EXCURSION
A short distance from Avignon we see perhaps the greatest legacy of the Romans' presence; the Pont du Gard. Then we head towards the Rhône river and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where we taste some of the wine. This afternoon, back in Avignon, we take a little train ride for an overview of the town and then there's time to relax, visit the Papal Palace, or dance on the 'Bridge'? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – AVIGNON – NîMES
Today we visit Arles, one time home to Van Gogh and Roman legionnaires. We visit the amphitheatre before driving 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. On arrival, our orientation tour shows us the Roman Arena and 2,000 year old Maison Carrée temp. Hotel: Imperator Concorde. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – NîMES – ALBI
After breakfast, we cross the Languedoc for a walking tour of the unspoilt medieval walled town of Carcassonne. Later we continue to our hotel in Albi, the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. Hotel: Hostellerie du Grand Sainte Antoine. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 12 – ALBI – DORDOGNE
We stop in Cahors famous for its 'Black Wine' before continuing to Rocamadour, perched on the cliff side. There's time to explore this beautiful medieval town and its sanctuary, before heading on to our hotel. Tonight, we enjoy a highlight dinner of local specialities. Hotel: La Truffe Noir/Le Relais de Castelnau. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 13 – DORDOGNE VALLEY EXCURSION
This morning's drive takes us into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne where we visit the town of Sarlat-la-Canéda with its fine historic golden limestone houses. Now we make our way to the prehistoric site at Lascaux. After viewing the world famous cave paintings we return to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 14 – DORDOGNE – PARIS
Our first stop today is at the town of Limoges, where we visit a porcelain showroom. Then on to Poitiersto board our TGV train for the fast and comfortable journey to Paris. Hotel: Concorde St Lazare/Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 15 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide we see Notre Dame Cathedral before driving past the Louvre and along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. We also stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower before enjoying a scenic cruise along the River Seine. Our tour concludes with a visit to Napoleon's Tomb in the gilded Église du Dôme. Tonight, perhaps join a Farewell bistro dinner? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 16 – PARIS
Our tour ends with a transfer to Paris airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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