This vacation offers a wonderful way to see the highlights of France in just a week’s time. Meet your traveling companions during a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Paris, then an orientation drive acquaints you with the “City of Light.” Guided sightseeing includes a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and a ride up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Visit the magnificent palace and gardens of Versailles and arrive in Beaune, where a wine tasting at the famous Marché au Vins awaits you. Travel into the Provence and visit Avignon, Pont du Gard, and stay in Nîmes and in Aix-en-Provence, one of France’s most elegant cities. Here, a special light lunch with French pastries at one of the lively cafés has been included. Via Grasse, where you will visit a perfume factory, and Nice on the French Riviera, arrive in opulent Monte Carlo for your overnight stay. An included farewell dinner celebrates the success of your French vacation.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Paris, France. Welcome to Paris! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. Also enjoy an orientation drive to get a first impression of the “City of Light.” (D)
Day #2 Paris. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysées. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, and for a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Time to explore Paris on your own or to join an optional excursion to the magnificent Louvre Museum to admire the Mona Lisa. (B)
Day #3 Paris–Versailles–Beaune. Enjoy a special visit to the magnificent PALACE AND GARDENS OF VERSAILLES before heading for Burgundy. Arrive in Beaune, capital of the region, where a special [LF] WINE TASTING awaits you at the famous Marché Aux Vins wine cellar. Later, head for your overnight hotel, Le Cep, ideally located in the heart of the medieval town and just a couple of steps away from the famous Hôtel-Dieu and Notre Dame Basilica. (B)
Day #4 Beaune–Avignon–Pont Du Gard–Nîmes. Avignon is a town on the Rhône River that in the 14th century became the residence of the popes. Take pictures of the magnificent Palace of the Popes and the famous bridge, and browse through the colorful shops that sell traditional products of the Provence, like cloth, honey, herbs, and candy, like nougat. Continue to nearby Pont du Gard, and admire the largest remaining Roman Aqueduct in France, a monumental feat of engineering completed in the year 19 BC. Next is the pleasant town of Nîmes, where you will stay for two days. (B,D)
Day #5 Nîmes. Follow your Tour Director on a walking tour of the town. Balance of the day is at leisure. Choose from our optional excursions to spectacular Baux-de-Provence and historic Uzès to make the most of your stay. (B)
Day #6 Nîmes–Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence is one of France’s most elegant cities. It was the birthplace of painter Cézanne, and has always attracted artists from all over. Explore its center during your walking tour, and enjoy a [LF] light lunch at one of the many cafés to try out French pastries and get a real taste of this pretty city. Time to wander through the maze of small streets and along shaded Cours Mirabeau, and to admire its famous cafés and fountains—and don’t forget to try out the local calissons confectionery. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Aix-en-Provence–Grasse–Nice–Monte Carlo. Arrive in Grasse, and learn all about perfume making during your visit to the famous Fragonard PERFUME FACTORY. Then, turn to the glittering Mediterranean Sea and arrive in Nice, “Queen of the Riviera.” Free time to explore and walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais. A few more miles along the coastline to reach the miniature city of Monte Carlo, built on a rocky peninsula and famed for its nightlife. Tonight, capture the spirit and beauty of this magical place in your overnight surroundings situated in the Cap d’Ail harbor. Enjoy a special farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant in Monte Carlo, to celebrate the success of your vacation. (B,D)
Day #8 Monte Carlo. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Nice). (B)
