A Taste of France
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Paris.
Day 2 - Arrive Paris (2 nights) On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in there's time to relax or perhaps explore the local area Later we enjoy a welcome dinner and drinks at a cosy bistro just off the Champs Elysées with our Tour Director and fellow passengers. (Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure Included on our guided sightseeing tour this morning we will see Notre Dame Cathedral; the Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. Next we will enjoy a walk through the gardens of Les Invalides to visit Napoleon's tomb in the golden domed Church. Afterwards there is time at leisure. You may wish to visit the Louvre Museum or simply stroll along the boulevards and browse in the chic boutiques. This evening, you will have the opportunity to try out French cabaret. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Paris — Champagne tasting — Beaune All aboard for a day of fine wine and charming scenery! First we travel through Brie country to Epernay in the heart of Champagne, where we will stop to visit the wine cellars and taste some of this celebratory drink. Then via Dijon we continue through the Burgundy vineyards to the quaint, medieval town of Beaune with its gabled houses, 13th century walls and myriad wine cellars. This evening we will sample some Burgundy wine before dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Beaune — Montélimar — Avignon — Aix-en-Provence (4 nights) This morning after breakfast our journey takes us past the vineyards of Macon and Beaujolais and the valley of the river Rhône to Montélimar, famous for its delicious nougat. Here we stop to visit a nougat and chocolate factory and taste some of the wares. Then prepare yourself to be amazed by the sheer variety and quality of the produce at the Provençal open-air market where we will purchase the food we will need for the lunch we will be preparing tomorrow. Then south to Avignon, where on our arrival an orientation tour shows us the Papal Palace and the celebrated broken bridge straddling the mighty Rhône. We continue to the elegant city of Aix-en-Provence where this evening, we will enjoy some typical Provençal cuisine including the celebrated 'anchoiade'. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Aix-en-Provence — Provencal Culinary Experience in Peter Mayle's 'Menerbes' On our way to our village restaurant in picturesque Luberon village of Menerbes, where we will cook lunch, our Tour Director will give us a lesson in French culinary terms to prepare us for our meeting with the French chef! Then after mid-morning coffee and croissants we will adjourn to our restaurant kitchen, where, with the help of the chef, we will prepare a delicious lunch made with the fresh ingredients which we have purchased. We will be provided with copies of the recipes we have learnt to make so that we can repeat them at home, of course! We will also have time to explore Menerbes which has been classified as one of the prettiest villages in France, built on a promontory with stunning views over the Luberon and the Monts de Vaucluse. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore more of the region. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
Day 7 - Aix-en-Provence — Sightseeing selection First we will enjoy an included orientation of the lively and young city of Aix showing us the Cours Mirabeau and Place de la Rotonde, We will see the elegant square of the Palace of Justice as well as views of the Montagne St. Victoire. Then our Tour Director will organise various activities from which to choose and which are included on this tour. There will be a choice of either a countryside excursion visiting the hilltop village of Gordes and viewing the Abbey of Senanque or a guided walk through the Provençal countryside through some of the most charming scenery in the area or alternatively a walking tour of the city, in the steps of Paul Cezanne — the post "impressionist painter. Later this afternoon relax at a sidewalk café in Aix or perhaps take an excursion see the white ponies and pink flamingos of the Camargue. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Winery & Lourmarin Excursion First we make our way to the picturesque village of Lourmarin with its splendid sandstone castle and many art galleries. Here we have time for coffee and a stroll. Then we drive to a nearby wine estate where on our arrival we will enjoy a guided tour of the winery, taste some of the vintages and visit the gardens. A mouth-watering lunch of local specialities will be served to us in the courtyard of the wine estate, accompanied by the appropriate wines. The remainder of your day is at leisure to perhaps join an optional excursion trip to Marseille — Frances" trendiest city today! (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
Day 9 - Aix-en-Provence — St Maximin — Cannes — Nice (2 nights) This morning after breakfast, we drive along the Aurelian Way to visit Saint Maximin-la-Ste-Baume, where, according to legend, the bones of St Mary Magdalene are buried in the Basilica. (Also suggested by the "Da Vinci Code"). Then on to sophisticated Cannes where we see the Film Festival Centre on the Boulevard de la Croisette. Time for a spot of lunch before we make our way to jet-set Nice where your evening is at leisure for personal activities. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Nice orientation — Monte Carlo Excursion After breakfast this morning, we enjoy an orientation of this stylish city which includes the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and the old town. For a more in-depth exploration of this elegant resort, we will take a 'mini-train' ride, which will take us up to the 'chateau' park for awe-inspiring views of the city and the Bay of the Angels. Later, we will drive to Monaco where we visit Monte Carlo and its casinos! Tonight, why not try out some excellent Niçois cuisine" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Nice - USA Our Tour Director takes us to the airport on our final day. Time to bid farewell to new-found friends and enjoy reflecting on your French experience on your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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