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La Belle France from $3498

13 Days (2 nts. Paris, 2 nts. Honfleur, 2 nts. Bayeux, 1 nt. Rennes, 2 nts. Chinon, 1 nt. Blois & 1 nt. Paris)

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A tour through the Normandy and Loire Valley for an exciting France adventure! Normandy's long and dramatic coastline, from the Belle Epoque resort of Deauville to the magnificent Abbey of Mont St Michel, that seems emerges from the surrounding waters. The coastline interior is dotted with romantic chateaux and lush green countryside. The area is steeped in D-day history, Vikings and William the Conqueror, with bustling markets, landmarks, gastronomic delights from cheeses to cider and Calvados. A heritage of fine wines and delicious cuisine welcome you to the Loire Valley with its fascinating history from Attila the Hun, Gauls and Romans to fairytale castles nestled in colorful landscapes of rolling green hills, flowers and vineyards. More specifically, 2 nights in the ‘City of Lights', Paris, seeing some of its iconic sights - Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Louvre, Champs-Elysees, and Notre Dame among others – Giverny of Monet's fame, Rouen's Place du Vieux-Marche where Jean d'Arc burned at the stake, the Normandy Beaches' where US forces landed in WWII. Visit American war museums, sites, and Cemetery. In Bayeux see the Tapestry, a 230 ft. embroidered cloth depicting events of the Norman conquest of England. In the Loire Valley visit castles in Villandry, Usse or Azay-le-Rideau - Chenonceau or Cheverny. Return to Paris via Chartres, visiting its celebrated cathedral. Everywhere superior hotels.

Tour Features

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Optional contracted Transatlantic air transportation available from all US gateways.

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10-night accommodations in charming & distinctive hotels

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Buffet breakfast daily

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4 dinners at restaurants

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All transfers per itinerary, including FREE airport transfers at arrival and departure city

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All excursions, sightseeing and wine tastings as per itinerary

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All transportation by deluxe mini-van from day 4 to day 12

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Professional driver-guide throughout from day 4 to day 12

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Entrance fees as listed: Monet's Garden at Giverny - Chateau Gaillard, Les Andelys - Musee du Debarquement, Arromanches - Chateau de Villandry - Chateau d'Usse or Azay-le-Rideau - Chateau de Chenonceau or Chateau de Cheverny - Wine tasting

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Travel bag, one per person

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Document holder and luggage tags

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Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

Day 1 Tue Depart USA
Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board.

Day 2 Wed Paris
Morning arrival in Paris. Transfer to hotel and balance of day is free to explore Paris, the "City of Lights".

Day 3 Thu Paris
Your morning city tour features the Arc de Triomphe, Opera House, Madeleine, Louvre Museum, Champs-Elysees, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The balance of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 4 Fri Paris/Giverny/Rouen/Honfleur
Depart for Giverny, home of Monet, the impressionist painter. A short distance away is Richard the Lionheart's dramatic Chateau Gaillard. From here we travel to Rouen, and visit the Place du Vieux-Marche, where Jeanne d'Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Dinner and overnight in Honfleur. (B,D)

Day 5 Sat Honfleur (Cabourg/Dives-sur-Mer/Deauville/Trouville)
Travel along the Normandy countryside to two historic resorts: Cabourg, that epitomized "The Belle Epoque" and nearby Dives-sur-Mer of William the Conqueror's fame. We continue to the yachting harbor of Deauville and return to Honfleur via Trouville. (B)

Day 6 Sun Honfleur, Ouistreham, Arromanches, Longues-sur- Mer, Colleville-aur-Mer, Omaha Beach &
We reach the Normandy Beaches and travel to Ouistreham, a WWII significant defensive point, now a fishing village. Visit museums, sites and monuments. Continue to Longues-sur-Mer (bunkers still contain 1944 cannons). Later we visit Colleville-sur-Mer and the famous American War Cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach. This day ends with dinner and overnight in Bayeux. (B,D)

Day 7 Mon Bayeux
The town, in addition to being home to the celebrated Bayeux Tapestry, also boasts the Cathedrale Notre-Dame and a perfectly preserved medieval ensemble. (B)

Day 8 Tue Bayeux/Mont St. Michel/St. Malo/Dinan/Rennes
We depart for Mont St. Michel in Brittany, a 1000 year old religious complex that appears as if rising from the surrounding waters. We then go on to the fortified town of St. Malo. Wander its citadel walls and then drive to Dinan, another medieval town. On the way to Rennes, we stop in local villages and towns to sample French cuisine at dinner. (B,D)

Day 9 Wed Rennes/Angers/Chinon
Today we enter the Loire Valley, renowned for its fairy-tale castles, historic villages and splendid food and wine. We visit Angers, where you will see the Cathedral and the imposing castle with its moat and soaring towers. Afternoon stop at a vineyard to sample local wines. Overnight in Chinon. (B)

Day 10 Thu Chinon (Villandry)
From peaceful Chinon, home of the famed writer Rabelais, we begin explorations of the Loire Valley's chateaux. Our first visit is the Chateau de Villandry and its magnificent gardens. Nearby is the Chateau d'Usse which inspired the �Sleeping Beauty' story or Azay-le-Rideau, located on a river island. We will make time to visit one of these latter two before returning to Chinon. (B)

Day 11 Fri Chinon/Richelieu/Chateauroux/Chenonceau/Blois
We depart Chinon for Richelieu, a town built by the great Cardinal. Time permitting we might detour to the Parc Natural Regional west of Chateauroux. Then we have the choice of two wonderful chateaux to visit. The Chateau de Chenonceau, with rich interiors or the Chateau de Cheverny, an example of a 17t century chateau. Continue to Blois, where we share a final dinner together with our travelling companions. (B,D)

Day 12 Sat Blois/Chartres/Paris
Our last visit is the celebrated Chartres Cathedral, unequalled for the beauty of its 13th century stained glass and Old Chartres picturesque streets. We return to Paris in the evening. (B)

Day 13 Sun Paris to USA (or extend your stay)
Transfer from your hotel to Paris' Charles De Gaulle Airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments served on board. Same day arrival into USA. (B)

Rates

Daily Us Departures 2012

Guaranteed Departures on All Dates:

Rates (except cruise portion) indicated on the website are subject to currency fluctuations. For an accurate rate, please call our Reservations Department at 1-800-935-5000.

Once we have received the deposit on your booking, the land price is guaranteed from any future fluctuations in the rate of exchange.

Date Range

Rate Type

First Class Hotels

Rates for 2012

May. 20, 27, 2012

Land Only

$3,498

Jun. 10, 24, 2012

Land Only

$3,498

Jul. 8, 22, 2012

Land Only

$3,498

Aug. 5, 19, 2012

Land Only

$3,498

Sep. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012

Land Only

$3,498

Sightseeing

Paris, One Hour Seine River Cruise Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris One hour Seine River Cruise Departure time: Every 30 minutes Schedule: Daily Duration: Approx. 1 hour Highlights: Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the River Seine through the heart of the City of Lights. Pass by the Louvre, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower.

Discovery of Champagne, Full-day $303
	This Tour is Available from: Paris A day in Champagne from Paris Time: 8:00am Schedule: Daily Duration: Approx. 12 hours Highlights: Visit Champagne vineyards around Reims, followed by wine tasting. Lunch in a local restaurant is included. In the afternoon visit the Gothich Reims Cathedral, where the kings of France were once crowned, and tour one of the most famous champagne houses in Reims

Half-day afternoon Versailles Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Afternoon Versailles Departure time: 1:15pm Schedule: Daily, except Mondays Duration: Approx. 4 hours Highlights: The magnificent park, the Grand Trianon (view from the outside). Guided visit with audio guide of the State Apartments (Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen Apartments). Entrance tickets included (palace and gardens).

Champagne Tasting at Galeries Lafayette Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Champagne Tasting at Galeries Lafayette Start time: Fashion Show at 3:00pm - Wine Tasting at 5:30pm Schedule: Thursdays only Duration: Approx. 45 minutes Highlights: Three champagne tastings, with foie gras, macaroons and chocolates. Presented by an expert sommelier

Full-day Chateaux de la Loire Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Chateaux de la Loire Departure time: 6:30am Schedule: Daily Duration: Approx. 14 hours Highlights: Discover the Loire Valley, cradle of the French Renaissance and visit its jewels: the charms of the Chateau of Chenonceau with its enchanting gardens, the private and entirely furnished castle of Cheverny. The last stop is at Chambord, former royal residence. Lunch is included.

Paris, Cruise with illuminations $123
	This Tour is Available from: Paris CRUISE WITH ILLUMINATIONS OF PARIS Departure time: 8:00pm (April/October) - 7:00pm (November/March) Schedule: Daily Highlights: After a cruise on the Seine River, see the illuminated monuments in the districts of Concorde Square, Champs-Elysees, Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, Pyramid of the Louvre, Notre-Dame.

Paris Dinner Cruise $236
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Dinner Cruise Departure time: 8:30pm Schedule: Daily, except Christmas Day, New Year Eve, February 14th, July 14th Duration: Approx. 2 1/2 hours Highlights: A memorable and festive cruise on a panoramic boat. Enjoy a traditional French Dinner freshly prepared on board.

Fashion Show & Wine Tasting at Galeries Lafayette Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Fashion Show and Wine Tasting at Galeries Lafayette Start time: Fashion Show at 3:00pm - Wine Tasting at 5:30pm Schedule: Fridays only Duration: Approx. 45 minutes Highlights: Weekly Fashion Show at famous Galeries Lafayette. Introduction to French wines with an expert sommelier

Giverny & Versailles, Full-day $227
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Giverny and Versailles Departure time: 8:30am Schedule: Daily, except Mondays Duration: Approx. 9 hours Highlights: In Giverny, visit the house of Claude Monet, his studio and the wonderful gardens. Entrance ticket to the Museum of American Art is included. Lunch is included. In the afternoon, enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside of the Seine Valley. At Versailles, visit on your own the State Apartments of the Palace (entrance ticket is included)

Giverny, Half-day $161
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Giverny Departure time: 1:30PM Schedule: Daily, except Mondays Duration: Approx. 5 hours Highlights: In Giverny, visit the house of Claude Monet, his studio and the wonderful gardens. Entrance ticket to the Museum of American Art is included.

Illuminations of Paris with show at Lido Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Illuminations of Paris with Show at the Lido Departure time: 7:00pm (November/March from Sunday to Thursday) - 9:00pm (November/March on Fridays and Saturdays) - 9:00pm (April/May and September/October) - 9:30pm (June/August) Schedule: Daily Highlights: All the excitement and beauty of Paris by night followed by the fantastic show: BONHEUR at the world famous Lido. N.B. 1/2 bottle of Champagne per person. Formal dress required.

D-Day tour, Normandy and Landing Beachesm Full-day $380
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Landing beaches of Normandy Departure time: 6:30am Schedule: From November to March: on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. From April to October: on Mondays, Wednedays, Fridays and Saturdays only Duration: Approx. 15 hours Highlights: Visit some of the areas where the Allies fought to recover freedom in 1944. Normandy motorway. Stop at Caen: visit to the Memorial-Peace Museum, Pointe du Hoc (stop), Omaha Beach: Saint-Laurent (visit), the American Cemetery), Stop at Arromanches and continue on to the Landing beaches of Gold and Juno at the Canadian Memorial. Stop on the way back to Paris. Lunch is included.

Mont Saint-Michel, Full-day $336
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Mont Saint Michel Departure time: 6:30am Schedule:From November to March: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. From April to October: Daily, except Sundays Duration: Approx. 15 hours Highlights: Rocky island located in the biggest bay in Europe, the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey was rightly named The Marvel of the Western World and is still one of the most famous pilgrimage centers since the Middle Ages. Drive through the green landscapes of the Normandy region. Guided visit to the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. Lunch is included.

Paris Half-day morning city tour $121
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Morning city tour Departure time: 8:15am Schedule: Daily Duration: Approx. 4 hours Highlights: Concorde Square -Louvre Museum - Seine River and its bridges - French Academy - Cite Island with the Palace of Justice and Notre-Dame Cathedral (stop) - Hotel de Ville (CityHall) - the Latin Quarter with the Sorbonne and the Pantheon - Arch of Triumph- Champs-Elysees Avenue - Eiffel Tower (photo-stop) - Invalides with the dome of Napoleon Tomb - Opera House - Free time in Montmartre, (stop near Sacre-Coeur Basilica and the artists' square, Place du Tertre).

Versailles guided tour, Half-day $161
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Morning Versailles Departure time: 8:15am Schedule: Daily, except Mondays Duration: Approx. 4 hours Highlights: Guided visit of the State Apartments (Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen Apartments). Entrance tickets included (palace and gardens).

Paris Musical Luncheon Cruise, Service Select $107
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Musical Luncheon Cruise Departure time: 12:45pm Schedule: Daily, except Christmas Day, New Year Eve, February 14th, July 14th Duration: Approx. 2 hours Highlights: A memorable and festive cruise on a panoramic boat. Enjoy a traditional French lunch freshly prepared on board.

Full-day Reims Champagne Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Reims Champagne Departure time: 7:30am Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays only Duration: Approx. 11 hours Highlights: The sacred town of Reims is the capital of the Champagne region. Reims is also the city where most of the French Kings were crowned. Orientation tour of Reims includes a guided visit of the Gothic cathedral. At the superb Piper-Heidsieck champagne caves, embark a small carriage for a magical tour with recorded commentery. A champagne tasting completes the visit. In the afternoon, visit the prestigious wine cellars of Moet Chandon. N.B.: The temperature is rather low in the wine-cellars.

Show at the Moulin Rouge Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris Show at the Moulin Rouge Departure time: 10:00pm Schedule: Daily Highlights: An unforgettable evening at the Moulin Rouge with the FEERIE (Fairy) show. N.B. 1/2 bottle of Champagne per person. Formal dress required.

The hidden secrets of the Eiffel Tower & River Cruise Call for Price
	This Tour is Available from: Paris The hidden secrets of the Eiffel Tower plus River Cruise Departure time: 10:00am Schedule: Wednesdays and Saturdays only - Every 30 minutes Duration: Approx. 2 1/2 hours Highlights: you are invited to discover the hidden secrets of one of the most visited sites in the world. Enter the surprising machinery room, where the elevators are operated. Visit the old military bunker located under the Champs the Mars and the technical gallery located under the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. Continue the tour with a one-hour Seine cruise on the famous Bateaux Parisiens.

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Tour Features 2012

Itinerary 2012

Rates

Hotels

Sightseeing/Excursions

Information/Restrictions

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