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Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Paris
Day 2 - Arrive Paris
Welcome to Paris! After hotel check-in, time to relax. Tonight, enjoy
a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and travelling companions and then
later maybe take an evening excursion of this beautiful city which really
glitters by night
Hotel: Evergreen Laurel
Day 3 - Paris – Avignon
An early start this morning as we drive along the 'Autoroute du Soleil'
past Auxerre and through the vineyards of Burgundy to the Rhône Valley.
On arrival in Avignon we enjoy an orientation tour which shows us views of
the impressive Palace of the Popes and the famous ruined bridge straddling
the River Rhone, the inspiration for the famous French song “Sur le Pont
d’Avignon”. Later we enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel: Mercure Cité Des Papes
Day 4 - Avignon – Pont du Gard – Arles – Aix-en-Provence
Watch out for a Hidden Treasure today! But first we see the Pont du
Gard, then Les Baux–de–Provence village before we head to Arles. Here
we see the Roman amphitheatre and Romanesque cathedral and enjoy a guided
walking tour of the city, which has so many associations with the great
artist, Vincent Van Gogh. Next on to the elegant city of Aix-en-Provence
where we enjoy dinner in a typical provencal family restaurant. (Buffet
breakfast / 'Be my guest' dinner)
Hotel: Novotel
Day 5 - Aix-en-Provence – St. Tropez – Cannes – Nice (2 nights)
Today we drive through the scenic hills to the coast and the glitzy
resort of St. Tropez. Always a favourite with celebrities, both past and
present, it first became famous during the time of Brigitte Bardot. We
enjoy a boat trip to neighbouring Ste. Maxime before continuing first to
sophisticated Cannes where we see the Film Festival Centre on the
Boulevard de la Croisette, and then on to Nice, the capital of the Côte
d’Azur. Here this evening we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local
specialities in one of the city’s many bustling restaurants. (Buffet
breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Hotel: Boscolo Plaza (2 nights)
Day 6 - Nice at leisure and Monaco Excursion
Our orientation includes a drive along the Promenade des Anglais,
views of the Place Massena, the old town and the port. Then we take a
truly scenic drive to visit the Principality of Monaco where we will see
the palace of the ruling Grimaldi family and the cathedral where both
Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Nice – Route Napoleon – Lyon
This morning we follow part of the Route Napoleon as we head inland
and travel via Manosque and the Durance Valley to the town of Sisteron. We
take an alpine route along the Col de la Croix to arrive in the second
city of France, Lyon, which stands at the confluence of the Rhone and
Saone rivers. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Novotel Gerland
Day 8 - Lyon – Dijon – Paris (2 nights)
Today we journey via the vineyards of Macon to the gastronomic city of
Dijon, home to the Dukes of Burgundy and renowned for its mustard! We have
time to shop for tasty souvenirs before we depart for Paris and our hotel.
(Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Renaissance La Defense (2 nights)
Day 9 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure
Our guided sightseeing tour includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to
the second level by elevator, where we have magnificent views across the
whole city. We see the Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la
Concorde and Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cite. Our main
highlight will be a walking tour through the gardens of Les Invalides
where we visit the tomb of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, maybe
take a trip out to the Palace of Versailles or to Giverney Tonight, we
enjoy a special Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and our
new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 10 - Paris - USA
Bid 'au revoir' to Paris, your fellow travelers and Tour Director as
our tour of France comes to an end. Transfers are available, conditions
apply. (Buffet breakfast)
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