A Taste of France 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Paris.
Day 2 - Arrive Paris (2 nights) Welcome to Paris, the glittering capital of France! After check-in there's time to relax or perhaps explore the local area. Later we enjoy a Welcome Drink and tour briefing with our Tour Director and fellow passengers.
Day 3 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure On our guided sightseeing tour this morning we will see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, Champs Élysées 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 Our Tour Director shows us a Hidden Treasure today! First to Epernay in the heart of Champagne where we will stop to visit the wine cellars and taste some of this celebratory drink. Then we pass by Dijon as we drive through the Burgundy vineyards to the quaint medieval town of Beaune with its 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 — Marseille (4 nights) Our journey takes us past the vineyards of Macon and Beaujolais, close to the valley of the River Rhone, and on to Montélimar where we have time for lunch and to shop for delicious nougat. Then south to Avignon, where on our arrival an orientation tour shows us the Papal Palace and the celebrated broken bridge straddling the mighty Rhone. We continue to the Mediterranean port of Marseille, with an orientation tour on arrival before continuing to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Marseille — Provencal Culinary Experience in Peter Mayle's 'Menerbes On our way to our village restaurant in the picturesque Luberon village
of Menerbes, where we will cook our Highlight Lunch, our Tour Director
will give us a lesson in French culinary terms to prepare us for our meeting with the French chef! We visit the open air market at Menerbes to purchase fresh ingredients before adjourning to our restaurant kitchen where, with the help of the chef, we will prepare a delicious lunch. 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. Later we visit the hilltop village of Gordes with a 16th century château before returning to Marseille. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight lunch)
Day 7 - Marseille — at leisure Today time at leisure to explore Marseille, named "the meeting place of the entire world" by Alexandre Dumas. Maybe take a walk along La Canebière, the bustling main boulevard or visit the morning fish market on the Quai des Belges. Your Tour Director will be able to suggest other excursions you may wish to join. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 8 - Wine Estate AND Aix - en - Provence Excursion This morning we drive to a wine estate where on our arrival we will enjoy a guided tour of the wine estate, taste some of the vintages and visit the prize-winning 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. On our return to Marseille we visit the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence where we see the Cours Mirabeau, Place de la Rotonde and the elegant square of the Palace of Justice. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight lunch)
Day 9 - Marseille — St. Maximin — Cannes — Nice (2 nights) This morning we visit Saint Maximin-la-Ste-Baume, where, according to legend, the bones of St. Mary Magdalene are buried in the Basilica. Then on to sophisticated Cannes where we see the Film Festival Centre on the Boulevard de la Croisette before returning to Nice. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 - Nice orientation — Monte Carlo Excursion We enjoy a tour of Nice on the mini train which includes the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and the old town. Then it takes us up to the château park for awe-inspiring views over the whole city and the beautiful Bay of Angels. Later, we will drive to the Principality of Monaco where we visit Monte Carlo, drive along the Grand Prix Circuit and have the chance to visit one of the casinos! Tonight, we will all enjoy a special Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and our traveling companions. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 11 - Nice — USA Time to bid farewell to our new-found friends and our Tour Director as our tour of France comes to an end. Transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfers Transfers on Day 2 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Nice Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.
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