Highlights of France
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight transatlantic flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive Paris On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle you are met and transferred to your hotel. After a welcome meeting with your Tour Director you have time to relax and explore this beautiful city.
Day 3 - Paris - Beaune - Lyon Today we travel on the Autoroute du Soleil to the medieval town of Beaune in the famous wine region of Burgundy. Later, we arrive in Lyon, home of a thousand gastronomic specialities. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Lyon - Avignon - Nice (2 nights) A scenic morning drive along the valley of the River Rhône brings us to Avignon. Here we see the Palace of the Popes and St. Benezet Bridge before heading to the 'Pont du Gard' to view the Roman aqueduct. Next we continue to the French Riviera, where we arrive in the elegant resort of Nice for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Nice - Monte Carlo Excursion A full day at leisure to relax and enjoy the sophisticated atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur. Why not laze on the beach and sip cocktails in a shady terraced bar" Or perhaps go shopping in the elegant boutiques. The highlight of our day is an included evening excursion along the coast to the Principality of Monaco where we see the famous Monte Carlo casinos. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 6 - Nice - Nimes - Sete This morning after breakfast, we drive through Cannes to see the Film Festival Centre. From here we head for the Roman city of Nîmes where we see the Roman Arena, Maison Carré and city gardens to our hotel in the fishing port of Sete for our overnight. Sete was the birthplace of France's most popular and controversial singer - Georges Brassens. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Sete - Carcassonne - Lourdes Today we cross to Carcassonne for a short orientation of this completely walled medieval town, used as the setting for "Robin, Prince of Thieves'. Then we ascend into the spectacular snow-capped Pyrenees, to the pilgrimage site of Lourdes, to see the basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto. This evening, after dinner, we can join in the torchlit procession to the Basilica with the pilgrims- a magical experience. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Bayonne - Bordeaux Today our awe-inspiring journey through the Pyrenees continues through Pau — a palm-fringed town with a mountainous backdrop, and to the charming village of Aire-sur Adour. Then on to the glamorous resort of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast" time to watch the surfers perform their stunts and to explore the chic boutiques before we travel across the rolling country of Les Landes to classical Bordeaux. On our arrival an included excursion takes us to visit the hilltop town of St. Emilion in the heart of the wine country. Perhaps sample some of the delicious 'graves' wines in one of the wine boutiques in this picturesque village. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Bordeaux — Loire Valley (Tours)(2 nights) A morning departure from Bordeaux takes us across the vineyards to Cognac where we visit a brandy distillery. From here we continue our journey past the strange buildings of Futuroscope at Poiters en route to Tours for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Châteaux Excursion After breakfast our day begins with a visit to the charming palace of Chenonceau, straddling the River Cher. Next through verdant countryside we stop to visit to the imposing castle at Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. Afterwards, we view the beauty of the enormous castle of Chambord before we
head back to our hotel. Tonight, why not try some typical 'Touraine' cuisine" (Buffet breakfast)
Loire Valley (Tours) — Deauville This morning we will travel via Le Mans, famous for its 24-hour car race. From here we continue to the fortified town of Fougères before heading to Mont St. Michel, where we visit the island town and view its Abbey. Finally, we visit the D-Day Landing Beaches and the American cemetery at Omaha Beach, before arriving at our Normandy hotel in Deauville. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Deauville - Paris (2 nights) We drive along the Normandy Coast to the picturesque harbour at Honfleur, summer haunt of the Impressionist Painters. Then through cheese and cider country we make our way to Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Then we arrive in fun-filled Paris, for two exciting nights. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure This morning's sightseeing tour features views of the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral. The rest of your day is at leisure. Paris has something for everyone. Maybe visit the Pompidou Centre, view the famous Art treasures of the Louvre, or simply relax at a pavement
café and watch the world go by" This evening, why not sample Paris nightlife! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 14 - Paris - USA It's time to say 'au revoir' Paris as we transfer you to Charles de Gaulle airport for your return flight to the USA. (Buffet breakfast)
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