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| Sep 01 to Sep 11 |
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| Sep 15 to Sep 25 |
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| Sep 22 to Oct 02 |
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| Sep 29 to Oct 09 |
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| Oct 06 to Oct 16 |
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Walking Key
Light = Two to four miles of mostly level walking.
Moderate = Four to six miles and/or up and down hills and/or some stairs.
Strenuous = Six to ten miles, lots of stairs, uneven terrain.
Best of Paris & the Heart of France in 11 Days
$2,795 + air • 24-28 people • Begins and ends in Paris
Stringing together an all-star collection of Rick's favorite places in and around Paris, this 11-day getaway begins and ends in the City of Light, where you'll explore the Louvre and Orsay Museums, Notre-Dame and Ste-Chapelle churches, and more. Château-hopping through the peaceful Loire Valley, you'll be bowled-over by the storybook castles of Chenonceau and Chambord (and you'll even see one "medievally" under construction at Guédelon). Along the Normandy coast, you'll marvel at the almost-mystical island abbey of Mont St. Michel and take a vivid time-trip along the heroic beaches of D-Day. You'll then wander through Monet's painting-perfect gardens at Giverny before returning to Paris for a farewell feast.
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Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 0: Depart USA
Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA.
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel. After a bienvenue à Paris! get-together, we'll take a short walk through our neighborhood, followed by dinner. Sleep in Paris (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: Historic Paris and the Orsay
This morning we'll start our tour where Paris did, on the historic Ile de la Cité, and we'll visit many of the island's most interesting sights, including the soaring Notre-Dame Cathedral and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle church. After lunch, we'll visit the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art at the Musée d'Orsay. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 3: Masterpieces of the Louvre
We'll spend all morning touring masterpieces housed in Europe's greatest museum, the Louvre. You'll have the afternoon free to stroll the Champs-Elysées, climb the Eiffel tower, or visit other Paris sights. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 4: Medieval Guédelon
Today we'll leave Paris and head for the perfectly back door French town of Bourges. En route we'll stop at the medieval château of Guédelon, where we'll visit a castle being built today using 13th century materials and techniques. We'll end our day in Bourges with a walking tour of the historic center. Sleep in Bourges (1 night). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 5: Bourges and Chenonceau
This morning you'll have free time in Bourges to do some shopping and take in the sights and sounds of this lovely town. After lunch, we depart Bourges for the elegant river-straddling Château de Chenonceau. Then it's a short drive to Amboise, where we'll sleep for the next two nights. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 6: Amboise and the Loire Valley
This morning we'll head into the heart of the Loire Valley to visit the biggest and brightest, the Château de Chambord, where 365 fireplaces warmed royal hunting parties 500 years ago. This afternoon you'll have free time back in Amboise to visit Leonardo da Vinci's home, tour Amboise's cliff-hanging castle or wander the pleasant pedestrian streets. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 7: Brittany and Mont St. Michel
We'll depart Amboise this morning and make a bee-line to Brittany. We'll stop for lunch in a quintessential Brittany town. Later this afternoon, we'll take a short drive to the picture-perfect island of Mont St. Michel, where we'll sleep (1 night). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 8: Treasure of Bayeux
After a morning tour of Mont St. Michel's towering abbey, we'll drive north to Bayeux, in the heart of Normandy. This afternoon we'll study the 1,000 year-old tapestry that brings to life William the Conqueror's victory over the English at the Battle of Hastings before settling into our hotel where we'll sleep for the next two nights. Sleep in Bayeux or Arromanches. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 9: Normandy's D-Day Beaches
Today we'll visit powerful memorials to the D-Day landings, including the American cemetery at Omaha Beach and the now quiet town of Ste. Mère Eglise, sight of the heroic airborne drop made famous by the movie "The Longest Day." A local expert will explain these dramatic events as we tour the key sights. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 10: Monet's Gardens at Giverny
We'll depart early this morning in order to visit Monet's masterpiece-inspiring gardens in Giverny. After lunch, we'll make our way back to Paris, leaving time for some last minute sightseeing before sharing a farewell feast together. Sleep in Paris (1 night). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 11: Tour over after breakfast
The Paris airports are easily accessible via shuttle vans or taxis. For those staying longer, your guide will be happy to send you off in the right direction and help with any trip planning needs. Au revoir et merci!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
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A recent alum comments on this tour:
"Getting to spend the night on the Mont Saint Michel was incredible, something I probably never would have done on my own. What a peaceful place it is in the evening when all the day-trippers go home! My room was very high up on the Mont (quite a hike!) but the view of the tide coming in that evening was staggering. Standing out on the causeway later to watch the lights come on was a real "I can't believe I'm here" experience. Awesome!"
— Susanne in La Mesa, CA
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