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Country
Roads of France - 16 Days
Highlights The scenic mountain splendour
of Chamonix contrast with the bright light of the French Riviera.
followed by the super-fast TGV train ride to Paris.
Country Roads of France - Itinerary
DAY 1 – UK – PARIS Welcome to Paris! After
your scheduled flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport, there
are complimentary transfers to your Insight hotel at 09.00
& 12.30 hours. Relax and settle in, or perhaps start exploring
the riches of this great capital. Don't miss the chance for
a shopping spree in the famous department stores or even the
elegant designer boutiques of the Left Bank. In the evening,
you are invited to join your Tour Director and fellow travellers
for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Marriott Rive Gauche/Hilton.
DAY
9 – RHôNE EXCURSION
A short distance from Avignon, see the greatest legacy of the Romans’ presence: the incredible three tiered Pont du Gard. Head towards the Rhône River and the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the renowned wine. Back in Avignon, take a little train ride for an overview of the town past the old Palace of the Popes, and the ‘Pont d’Avignon’ before taking time to relax. (BB)
DAY 2 – PARIS – DIJON/BEAUNE
(SEE NOTES) Head to the ancient capital
of the Champagne region, Troyes: its magnificent centre of
medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a Champagne
cork. Continue into Burgundy, famous for its fine wines, stopping
in the famous wine village of Chablis to taste the local nectar.
Continue to Dijon or Beaune for the next two nights. Hotel:
Sofitel La Cloche/ Hotel de la Poste . (BB,D)
DAY
10 – AVIGNON – NîMES
Drive to Arles, one-time
home to Van Gogh and Roman legionnaires, and visit the amphitheatre.
Continue through the Camargue to Stes Maries-de-la-Mer, where
Gypsies gather annually to honour their patron saint. You
may see flamingos and wild horses on the way to Nîmes where,
on arrival, an orientation tour shows you the Roman Arena
and 2,000-year-old Roman Temple, Maison Carrée. Hotel: Imperator
Concorde. (BB)
DAY
3 – VéZELAY EXCURSION Drive through the leafy Burgundian countryside to Vézelay, built along a rocky ridge among the northern Morvan foothills. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried here and from the famous basilica, Richard the Lionheart set off for the Crusades. Later, return to your hotel for time at leisure. (BB)
DAY
11 – NîMES – ALBI After breakfast, cross
the Languedoc for a walking tour of the fortified town of
Carcassonne. Like stepping back in time, the city has a complete
set of ramparts and a medieval keep. Later, continue to your
hotel in Albi, know for its Cathedral and the birthplace of
Toulouse Lautrec. Hotel: Hostellerie du Grand Sainte Antoine**.
(BB,D)
DAY
4 – DIJON/BEAUNE - CHAMONIX A scenic symphony awaits
you as you head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont
Blanc and the ski resort of Chamonix. Hotel: Alpina. (BB)
DAY
12 – ALBI - DORDOGNE Stop in Cahors, famous
for its ‘Black Wine’, before continuing to Rocamadour. A resting
place for pilgrims on their way to Spain, this tiny medieval
town is perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River. After
exploring the beautiful town and its sanctuary, drive on to
your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialities.
Hotel: Relais de Castelnau/La Truffe Noire. (BB,HD)
DAY 5 –CHAMONIX - AIX-LES-BAINS After breakfast this
morning, take a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of
Annecy. There’s time to have lunch in the Little Venice area
or take a boat trip. Continue to your hotel in the spa town
of Aix-les-Bains, situated on the edge of France’s largest
and most celebrated lake, Lac du Bourget and overlooked by
Mt Revard. Hotel: Radisson SAS. (BB,D)
DAY
13 – DORDOGNE VALLEY EXCURSION A morning drive take you into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit the town of Sarlat-la-Canéda with its fine historic golden limestone houses. Make your way to the prehistoric site at Lascaux to view the world-famous cave paintings. (BB,D)
DAY
6 – AIX-LES-BAINS - NICE Travel in the footsteps
of Napoleon as he made his victorious return from Elba. A
scenic, rugged landscape leads from the Alps, down to the
French Riviera and elegant Nice. Hotel:Boscolo Atlantic/Radisson
SAS. (BB)
DAY
14 – DORDOGNE - PARIS After stopping at the town of Limoges to visit a porcelain showroom, head to Poitiers to board a TGV train for your fast and comfortable journey to Paris.
Hotel: Concorde Saint-Lazare/Paris Rive Gauche.
(BB)
DAY
7 – NICE AT LEISURE On a morning sightseeing
tour, journey to the principality of Monaco, see the Grimaldi
Palace and visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace
and Prince Rainier. Enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit
and views of the port with its luxury yachts. The rest of
the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera.
(BB)
DAY
15 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING With a local guide,
see Notre Dame Cathedral before driving past the façades of
the Louvre and along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
Stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower before enjoying a scenic
cruise along the River Seine. The tour concludes with a visit
to Napoleon’s tomb in the gilded Église du Dôme. Perhaps celebrate
the tour with a farewell bistro dinner. (BB)
DAY
8 – NICE - AVIGNON Visit the medieval town
of St Paul de Vence, which sits high above the Riviera beaches.
There is time to explore before continuing to Cézanne’s home
town, Aix-en-Provence. Journey into the Luberon, made famous
by Peter Mayle in his book “A Year in Provence”, and pass
around Cavaillon, the melon capital of France, en route to
Avignon. Hotel: Grand. (BB,D)
DAY
16 - PARIS - UK The tour ends with
complimentary transfers to Charles de Gaulle airport at 7.30
& 11.00 hours. (BB)
Optional
Paris & Normandy Cruise
DAY 16 – EMBARK CRUISE
IN PARIS. Transfer from the hotel to your cruise. (BB,D)
DAY 17 – CRUISE TO CONFLANS STE HONORINE. Auvers-sur-Oise
tour. (B,L,D)
DAY 18 – CRUISE TO ROUEN. Walking tour of Rouen and the
medieval quarter. (B,L,D)
DAY 19 – NORMANDY BEACHES. Full-day tour to the Normandy
Beaches. (B,L,D)
DAY 20 – CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC. Visit the charming harbour
town of Honfleur. (B,L,D)
DAY 21 – CRUISE TO VERNON. Visit Monet’s home in the village
of Giverny. (B,L,D)
DAY 22 – CRUISE TO PARIS. Paris city tour including the
Luxembourg Gardens. (B,L,D)
DAY 23 – DISEMBARK PARIS. Disembark and transfer to Paris
airport. (B)
Country
Roads of France
Departure Dates & Prices 2008 - Tour Code E723
A 7% discount pp can be claimed off the brochure prices
below
WHEN BOOKING Quote Travel 55 Ref T55IN plus the Tour Code E723 Contact Insight Vacations on 01475 741203
To book or to check availability Contact Insight Vacations on 01475
741203
Quote Travel 55 Ref T55IN plus the Holiday Code
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