Best of France - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

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

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Paris.



• Day 2 - Arrive Paris On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport you're met and transferred to your hotel. 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 travellers.
  
  Hotel: Concorde Ambassador



• Day 3 - Paris – Beaune – Lyon We drive southwards into Burgundy wine country and past the Cote 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 specialities for which Lyon is justifiably famous? (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Gerland



• Day 4 - Lyon – Avignon – Nice (2 nights) – Monte Carlo Excursion 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 Nice. Later enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before visiting the Principality of Monaco to see the famous Monte Carlo casinos!
  (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Ellington (2 nights)



• Day 5 - Nice at leisure After breakfast you'll have a full day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the CÙte 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 – Nîmes – Carcassonne Today our drive takes us through Cannes along this magnificent coast and then through the Camargue to Nimes. Here we see the Roman arena, the Maison CarrÈ and city gardens. Then on past Alaric's Mountain to the walled city of Carcassonne. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Hotel des Trois Courronnes / Hotel du Soleil le Terminus



• Day 7 - Carcassonne – Lourdes – Biarritz This morning we enjoy a guided tour of this magical city. Then we wind our way through the Corbieres Hills and 'Cathar' landscapes toward the Pyrenees and the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. Here we will see the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto en route to Biarritz. There's time for a walk along the beach 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. Then, take some time at leisure to explore in the old quarter. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Centre Meriadeck



• Day 9 - Bordeaux – St. Emilion – Dordogne Valley Our first stop is at St. Emilion, famous for its red wines. Here we will be able to wander through the winding streets, admire the ancient architecture and perhaps buy some fine wine. Then through the Dordogne, we travel via Bergerac to see the castle of Beynac, the fortress of Castelnaud and Josephine Baker's Ch‚teau of Les Milandes. Next via La Roque-Gageac, with its quaint houses clinging to the Dordogne cliffs. From here we continue via Les Eyzies, 'the cradle of pre-history' before arriving at our ch‚teau-hotel in the Dordogne Valley. Tonight, we will enjoy a gourmet dinner in the elegant dining-room of this 19th century ch‚teau. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Chateau des Reynats



• Day 10 - Dordogne Valley – Loire Valley – Tours Our journey continues to Limoges, where we'll see a porcelain manufacture demonstration. Then we stop to visit the beautiful fairytale Palace of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley before reaching our hotel in Tours. This evening, why not take the opportunity of dining with the Troglodytes? (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Mercure Nord



• Day 11 - Tours – Mont St. Michel – Omaha Beach (Bayeux) 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. Lu 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 ñ inspiration for his 'water-lily' paintings. Next we continue to lively Paris for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Concorde Ambassador (2 nights)



• 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 ElysÈes. 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 It's 'au revoir' today as we transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)


Depart USAArrive ParisParis – Beaune – LyonLyon – Avignon – Nice – Monte Carlo ExcursionNice at leisureNice – Nîmes – CarcassonneCarcassonne – Lourdes – BiarritzBiarritz – BordeauxBordeaux – St. Emilion – Dordogne ValleyDordogne Valley – Loire Valley – ToursTours – Mont St. Michel – Omaha Beach (Bayeux)Omaha Beach – Giverny – Paris Paris sightseeing & at leisureParis – USA

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: Evening excursion to Monte Carlo to see the Casinos.
• Cannes: Drive along the 'Croisette'.
• Nîmes: See the Roman arena, Maison Carre and city gardens.
• Carcassonne: Visit the walled city.
• Lourdes: See St. Bernadette's grotto.
• Bordeaux: Orientation includes the Esplanade des Quinconces.
• St. Emilion: Visit the wine village.
• Dordogne Valley: See the Château of Beynac, Château of Castelnaud and Château des Milandes.
• La Roque-Gageac: Visit this charming village.
• Les Eyzies: Visit the town of Cro-Magnon man.
• Limoges: Witness a demonstration of porcelain manufacture.
• 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.
• Giverny: Visit Claude Monet's home.
• Paris: Sightseeing includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower and views of the Champs ElysÈes and Notre Dame, plus Les Invalides visit.
• Scenic drives Burgundy wine region, Rhone Valley, French Riviera, Camargue, snow- capped Pyrenees, Landes Forest, Bordeaux vineyards, Dordogne Valley and the Loire Valley.

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Dining Highlights

• 1 Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Paris
• 12 Hot Buffet breakfasts
• 4 three-course dinners in hotels
• 2 local speciality restaurant dinners on the French Riviera and Dordogne
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Paris
19 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Paris and Carcassonne.
• Chauffeur driven on Trafalgarís luxury air-conditioned coaches with onboard washroom.
• Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges, tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

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Airport Transfers
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Transfers will be provided on Days 2 and 14. Group transfers on arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 08.30, 11.00 and 13.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.00 and 11.30.
• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• You are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure
• Flights are either booked by Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
• Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
• In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
• Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
• 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.