Departure dates:
- June 1st
- July 27th
- September 21st
Includes:
- 11 nights' twin share accommodation
- 11 breakfasts and five dinners
- 16 experiences
- Wi-Fi in all hotels
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet
- Tour guide
- All taxes and fees
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excluding free days)
DAY 1: Arrival in Paris
Bienvenue, and welcome to Paris for the start of your tour of France. Take time to explore, stroll the boulevards, visit the many museums, shop in charming boutiques or simply people-watch from a Parisian cafe before your included welcome dinner. Tonight you will meet the other travellers and your tour leader. Dinner included.
DAY 2: Visit Burgundy
Make your way to the Burgundy region, stopping along the way to see Chateau de Fontainebleau. Learn the history of this incredible structure and the chateau grounds. Travelling on to the famous Burgundy region,you will enjoy wine-tasting right in the epicenter of French wine-country before arriving at your accommodation for the evening. Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 3: Visit the French Riviera
Today we'll be heading south to the coast to the French Riviera. On the way, we'll stop at a traditional French perfumery, learning about the art of making perfume. You may even have the opportunity to mix some ourselves! This evening we'll arrive at our accommodation and you are free to explore. Breakfast included.
DAY 4: Free day in the French Riviera.
Traditionally a favoured holiday destination of high society and jet set international travellers, the Cote d'Azur is one of the most glamorous regions in the world. Take a trip to Monaco for the day and experience true glamour and style. Stroll along the streets of Monte Carlo where the famous cars streak by every year during the Monaco Grand Prix. Catch the changing of the guard at 11:55am at the Royal Palace, visit the Oceanographic Museum or head over to the casino. Breakfast included.
DAY 5: Visit Avignon
Today you will continue to travel through the French countryside, and will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a 2000 year old Roman built aqueduct at Pont du Gard. Once you are up close to this impressive structure, you will notice that there are no nails, cement or mortar holding the arches together. The Pont du Gard has been an attraction for centuries, primarily based on its immaculate three tiered construction, which carried over 44 million gallons of water a day to the local townships. A very important historical site, UNESCO have included it in their heritage listing - and rightly so. Leave for Avignon – a fortified city with a long history, stunning architecture and religious significance as the seat of papal power for many years. Enjoy a orientation tour of the city, where you will be able to see the Palace of the Popes, before enjoying dinner. You will then have the rest of the evening to spend as you wish. Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 6: Visit Carcassonne and Lourdes
Travel to the medieval fortress town of Carcassonne. You will have time to explore here before you travel to Lourdes, a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Lourdes is famous for the Virgin Mary apparitions said to have occurred in 1858. You will have free time here to do as you please. Breakfast included.
DAY 7: Visit Bordeaux
Head to the coast and the stunning town of Biarritz before continuing onto Bordeaux. In Bordeaux, you will have plenty of free time to explore. The world's major wine industry capital, half the city of Bordeaux is now a UNESCO World Heritage site - the largest urban UNESCO-listed area in the world. Enjoy the pedestrianised boulevards and admire the neoclassical architecture. Breakfast included.
DAY 8: Visit Tours
Travel through the Loire Valley passing stunning scenery and vineyards until you reach the stunning Chateau de Chenonceau. Built in 1513, and having served as a royal residence, the castle straddles the River Cher, and is a stunning example of what a typical French chateau should be. Explore the many rooms of this beautifully-restored castle - including Louis XIV's living room, the Room of Five Queens, the grand gallery and the incredible kitchen, housed in the piers of the bridge. After exploring the chateau, travel to the town of Tours where you will have a two-night stay. Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 9: Free day in Tours
A free day, today you have the opportunity to do as you please or you may continue to explore the region. Breakfast included.
DAY 10: Visit Normandy
Travel north to the Normandy region stopping en route at magical Mont St Michel. Take the time here for some photos and the chance to explore before we continue onto the D-Day landing beaches of Omaha Beach and Arromanches. The largest seaborne invasion in history, the Normandy landings began the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe and led to the eventual liberation of France. You'll have time to explore the region and reflect on all that transpired here before travelling onward to your accommodation for the night. Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 11: Visit Paris
Today you will make a stop in the town of Giverny, where you can see Monet's old house and famous garden to see where the famous painter lived and gained inspiration for his masterpieces. Continue onto Paris where your tour leader will lead you on a driving tour of this famous city. After the driving tour you will have free time to explore. Breakfast included.
DAY 12: End of tour.
The tour concludes today after breakfast.