Best of France 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 14
• Tour Style: Regional
• Destinations: Beaune, Nice, Cannes, Bordeaux, Dordogne Valley, Giverny, Paris

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Paris.



• Day 2 - Arrive Paris Welcome to Paris, capital city of France! After check-in you are free to explore this beautiful city or just relax. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
  
  Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel



• Day 3 - Paris – Beaune – Lyon We drive southwards into Burgundy wine country and past the Côte d’Or vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges to the medieval town of Beaune. Here we sample some of the regional wines at one of the local wine cellars before we head to Lyon for the night. Tonight, why not try out some of the gourmet specialties for which Lyon is justifiably famous? (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Novotel Lyon Gerland



• Day 4 - Lyon – Avignon – Monaco – Nice (2 nights) Our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure today! But first to Avignon where we see the Papal Palace and famous bridge. Then through the Provence of Van Gogh and Cezanne to the tiny but incredibly wealthy Principality of Monaco, which we visit and remember the late Prince Rainier and his beautiful wife, Princess Grace. Later we enjoy a Highlight Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Boscolo Plaza



• Day 5 - Nice at leisure After breakfast you’ll have a full day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur. Perhaps lounge on the beach, shop in the elegant boutiques or maybe visit the hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. This evening, why not dine in one of the many pleasant seaside restaurants? (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 6 - Nice – Cannes – Carcassonne Today our drive takes us through sophisticated Cannes on this magnificent coast where we see the Film Festival Center on the Boulevard de la Croisette. Then we drive on, passing Alaric’s Mountain to reach the walled city of Carcassonne where we enjoy a guided tour of this magical city on arrival. The fortified city, which was thoroughly restored in the 19th century, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Mercure Porte de La Cité



• Day 7 - Carcassonne – Lourdes – Biarritz This morning we wind our way through the Corbières Hills and ‘Cathar’ landscapes toward the Pyrenées and the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. Here we will see the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette’s grotto en route to Biarritz. There is time for a walk along the renowned surfing beach where the Atlantic waves come crashing in, before we reach our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Anglet Aeroport



• Day 8 - Biarritz – Bordeaux We leave Biarritz and cross the country of Les Landes to the classical town of Bordeaux. Here an orientation tour shows us the magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces and the banks of the Gironde. This evening we will enjoy a Be My Guest dinner of regional specialties. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Relais de Margaux Golf & Spa Hotel



• Day 9 - Dordogne excursion First we drive to the renowned wine village of St. Emilion. Then we take a scenic half day to the beautiful countryside and scenery of the Dordogne region, best known for the enchanting medieval ‘Bastide’ villages, built with narrow grid streets, central covered market squares and strong rampart walls to protect the inhabitants during the period of the 100 years war in the 12th & 13th centuries. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 10 - Bordeaux – Loire Valley – Tours Heading north today our journey takes us through the Poitou Charentes region to the Loire Valley, where we stop to visit the beautiful fairytale Palace of Chenonceau, set over the Cher river. Don’t miss the black room of Louise of Lorraine or the Renaissance Kitchens, then on to our hotel for the night. This evening, why not take the opportunity of dining in the old town? (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Mercure Tours Nord



• Day 11 - Tours – Mont St. Michel – Omaha Beach This morning we continue our journey into Brittany, to visit the island-town of Mont St. Michel with its picturesque streets and abbey. From here we travel along the Liberty Highway to St. Lô and the D-Day landing beaches. Here we have the chance to see where this momentous event took place and to remember the lives that were touched by this conflict. Then we have the chance to visit the new D-Day museum, which recalls the events in every detail and is such a poignant reminder of this recent history. Then we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Mercure Omaha Beach



• Day 12 - Omaha Beach – Giverny – Paris (2 nights) This morning we set off towards the valley of the River Seine to make a stop in Giverny. Here we visit the house and gardens of Claude Monet – inspiration for his water-lily paintings. Next we continue to lively Paris. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel



• Day 13 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure Today’s sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to its second level for wonderful views over the city. Other highlights include views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées. Our main highlight will be a stroll through the gardens of Les Invalides where we will visit the tomb of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, housed in the magnificent golden domed church. The rest of the day is at leisure. Later we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)



• Day 14 - Paris – USA This morning, after breakfast, it is ‘au revoir’ to our Tour Director and fellow travelers as our French vacation comes to an end. There are transfers available to Charles de Gaulle Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)



• Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 08.30, 11.00 and 13.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.00 and 11.30.


Depart USAArrive ParisParis – Beaune – LyonLyon – Avignon – Monaco – Nice Nice at leisureNice – Cannes – CarcassonneCarcassonne – Lourdes – BiarritzBiarritz – BordeauxDordogne excursionBordeaux – Loire Valley – ToursTours – Mont St. Michel – Omaha BeachOmaha Beach – Giverny – Paris Paris sightseeing & at leisureParis – USAFree airport transfers:

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Beaune: Visit the medieval town. Wine-tasting at a local wine cellar.
• Avignon: See the Papal Palace.
• Nice: See the Promenade des Anglais and Place Massena.
• Cannes: Drive along the Croisette.
• Carcassonne: Guided tour of this walled city.
• Lourdes: See St. Bernadette's grotto.
• Bordeaux: Orientation includes the Esplanade des Quinconces.
• Dordogne Valley: See Château of Beynac, Château of Castelnaud and Château des Milandes.
• Loire Valley: Visit fairytale Chenonceau castle.
• Mont St. Michel: Visit the island-town and view the abbey.
• Liberty Highway: Drive along this historic route.
• Normandy: Visit the D-Day landing beaches and the new D-Day museum.
• Giverny: Visit Claude Monet's home.
• Paris: Ascend the Eiffel Tower and view Champs Élysées and Notre Dame, plus Les Invalides visit.
• Loire Valley: Visit fairytale Chenonceau Castle.
• Monaco: See the Palace, the cathedral and the Monte Carlo Casino.

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Dining Highlights

• 12 hot buffet breakfasts
• 3 three-course dinners
• Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Nice
• ‘Be My Guest’ speciality restaurant dinner with wine in our château-hotel
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Paris
18 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard. 
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Paris and Carcassonne.
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 14.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.

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Airport Transfers

• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
• For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
• Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
• In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
• All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
• In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• Heathrow Airport National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
• Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
• Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.