 | Paris and the French Countryside9 Days/7 NightsValid Passport Required! |
Join your fellow travelers on a wonderful 7-night tour of France that takes in all the highlights of Paris, Normandy, Brittany, the Wine Country, and the Chateau Country. Breakfast and dinner daily, as well as full sightseeing are included in our low tour price!
DAY 1 - BOSTON-EUROPE: We will be transferred to Boston's Logan Airport and will board our transatlantic
flight to Europe with complimentary meal and beverage service aloft.
DAY 2 - INTERMEDIATE STOP-ROUEN: Upon arrival in Europe, we will transfer
for our flight to France, where we will be met by our tour escort, who will assist us in boarding your private motorcoach for our ride through the countryside to the Novotel Sud (or similar) in Rouen in time for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure to freshen-up prior to dinner at the hotel this evening. (D)
DAY 3 - NORMANDY-BAYEUX: After breakfast, we will have a full-day excursion to visit the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, along with a visit to the historically important town of Bayeux. In Bayeux, we will have an opportunity to view Queen Matilda'a famous Bayeux Tapestry, which vividly depicts William the Conqueror's invasion of England in 1066. Dinner and overnight in Rouen. (CB, D)
DAY 4 - MONT SAINT MICHEL: After breakfast, we will have a wonderful excursion to see the unique beauty of Mont Saint Michel, probably one of the most famous abbeys in the world due to its location - perched on a rock in the Gulf of Saint Malo. During high tide Mont Saint Michel becomes an island fortress. The causeway to the mainland is only accessible during low tide. We will return to Rouen for dinner and overnight at our hotel. (CB, D)
DAY 5 - ROUEN-CALVADOS DISTILLERY: After breakfast at the hotel, we will board our motorcoach for Rouen and a 2-hour walking tour of the historic center of Rouen, including the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame. We will then have some time for shopping and browsing. After lunch (on our own), there will be an excursion to the Calvados Distillery (located in historic Chateau) with a tasting included. Dinner will be at our hotel in Rouen this evening. (CB, D)
DAY 6 - ROUEN-GIVERNY-PARIS: Depart Rouen today and head for Paris. En route, we will drive past Giverny, the residence of Claude Monet from 1883 to 1926. His body is buried in the apse of the nearby Romanesque church. We will then continue to Paris where we will enjoy a panoramic tour of the "City of Light". We will then proceed to Holiday Inn Villette (or similar) for immediate check-in. Dinner and overnight in Paris. (CB, D)
DAY 7 - VERSAILLES: After breakfast at the hotel, we will head out of Paris for this morning's destination - Versailles. We will tour the opulent and breathtaking Palace of Versailles built in the 17th century by the "Sun King" - Louis XIV and which took 50 years to complete. We will have plenty to leisure time in Versailles to wander the magnificent grounds and gardens. Return to Paris with some leisure time to shop or do some individual sightseeing or museum visits. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (CB, D)
DAY 8 - LOIRE VALLEY-BLOIS-AMBOISE: Following breakfast, we will have a day-long excursion to the Loire Valley. Taking the scenic route, we will first stop near Blois to visit the 16th century Chateau de Chambord, the largest chateau in the Loire Valley with 440 rooms. Next, we will visit the Chateau de Chenonceau, another 16th century chateau which was built on a bridge across the River Cher just outside of Amboise. Return to Paris for a special farewell dinner with entertainment. (CB, D)
DAY 9 - PARIS-BRUSSELS-BOSTON: We will say goodbye to this lovely city and have our last breakfast in France at the hotel before departing for Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for our transatlantic flight (via
a possible intermediate stop) to Boston with lunch and dinner served aloft. (CB)