France

France

An Adventure of Culture, Cuisine and the Course of History

Departures for 2020 & 2021

Day One
We will meet at our converted château-overlooking the River Loire-right in the heart of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As soon as you are checked in, we are off to our first visit-the Château de Chambord. One of the largest in the Loire Valley, this 'castle' was originally built as a hunting lodge by King Francis I and is one of the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture.

Later we will have a short rest before joining together for a welcome drink, followed by our first meal together at a local inn (Auberge) well known for its delicacies.

Welcome drink/UNESCO World Heritage Site/ Tour of Château de Chambord/ Dinner together/ Overnight Loire Valley.

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Day Two
We are off early to the Château de Chenonceau. One of the most dramatic Chateaux (originally built in 1522) in all of France and we will take our time visiting not only the beautiful building but also the elaborate gardens. We will have a picnic lunch while enjoying local vintages on the dramatic grounds of the castle.

In the afternoon, we will have some free time to explore the village of Blois known for its winding streets and half-timbered medieval buildings, also dominated by its own Château de Blois. Join us back at our hotel/Château for a sampling of one of the regions more famous wines, the lovely Sancerre. Dinner on your own with plenty of recommendations from us.

Breakfast/Tour of Château de Chenonceau/Winery lunch together/Free time in Blois/ UNESCO World Heritage site (Loire Valley)/ Wine Tasting/Overnight Loire Valley.

Day Three
We are off early to the city of Avignon, once known as the seat of Catholic power as Benedict XII and his successor, Clement VI built the Pope's Palace in the 1300's. We will take our time visiting the Palace and the lovely historic center of Avignon deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Be ready in the afternoon as we leave for the outskirts of Avignon to Provence. Here we will nestle into the lovely Provencal town of St. Remy. Take your time to wander around the delightful shops and cafe that this town holds. Join us for dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants for a joyful multi-course meal.

Breakfast/ High Speed Train/ Tour of the Pope's Palace and the city center of Avignon/ Transportation to Avignon UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historical Center of Avignon and the Papal Palace)/ Dinner together/Overnight St. Remy.

Day Four
Vincent Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works during his stay in St. Remy-including such works as Wheat field with Cypresses and Olive Grove(s). As you walk around the town you will see reproductions set up by the town to commemorate one of the most famous artists ever. We will visit the St. Paul's monastery where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works.

The surrounding area as includes many treasures including the Roman ruins at Glanum which features a series of stunning Greek columns. In the afternoon we will arrive at the quintessential town of Les Baux, where you might want to grab a bite to eat at a local cafe. Then we will make our way up to the Fortress and the Chateau at the top of the village, where we can enjoy sweeping views of the countryside. If you want you can also take in the Carrieres de Lumieres exibit at your leisure.

Join us later in the garden of our hotel for a taste testing of local vintages before dinner on your own with plenty of recommendations from us.

Breakfast/ Tour of St. Remy and surrounding area/ Romans ruins at Glanum/ The town of Les Baux/ Wine tasting/ Overnight St. Remy.

Day Five
Have a leisurely morning. Sleep in, sit by the pool, or shop some of the boutiques in town. Later we will have our vineyard tour with some of the best vintages of the area. We will end up at the famous village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we will have a stroll of the lovely village and then end up tasting some of the best rated wines in the world.

We will return to St. Remy in the afternoon. You can partake in the hotel spa if you would like or take a dip in the pool. Either way join us for dinner at a local spot.

Breakfast/ Trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape/ Wine tasting/ Dinner together/ Overnight St. Remy

Day Six
Our tour takes us to the famous Pont Du Gard an ancient Roman aqueduct and bridge. A feat of engineering dating 2000 years we will take our time visiting this monument and the facinating museum. Afterwards join us for a picnic lunch right on the grounds, complete with wine.

In the afternoon we head to the heart of the Vaucluse/ Luberon area of Provence. Our converted villa awaits us near the town of Menerbes, made famous by the author Peter Mayle in his many books. Join us in the afternoon, as we head to the nearest town for a walk to take in the sights. Here we will sit down to one of our favorite restaurants for a multi course meal with excellent local wine.

Breakfast together/ UNESCO World Heritage Site Pont du Gard/ Picnic lunch/ Transfer to Luberon area of Provence/ Dinner together/ Overnight Provence.

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Day Seven
We will have a late morning leave off before making our way through the Provence countryside through market towns and undulating roads. Take your time to enjoy the true heart of Provence as we make our way through the small towns of La Coste and Gordes, and Rousillon.

Join us back at the villa where we will enjoy French recipes as we have a cooking demonstration. Dinner will be served in the dining room of our villa where we will eat what we just cooked along with wine pairings from local wineries.

Breakfast/Countryside tour of Provencal towns/Dinner together/ Overnight Provence.

Day Eight
This morning we head back to Paris by fast train. After checking into our hotel join us as we catch the local features in the area of our hotel such as the Pantheon, the Cathedral de Notre Dame and the Luxembourg gardens. There in the splendor of the garden we will have a champagne toast together to end our fabulous trip in France.

Breakfast/ Fast train back to Paris/ Champagne toast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Paris and the banks of the Seine)/ Overnight Paris.

Day Nine
We end our trip this morning in Paris. You might like to join us on the Add On+ as we explore Monet's garden, Mont. St. Michel and the Normandy W.W.II Landing beaches and memorial, among other places. Either way, we bid you Bon Voyage!

Breakfast.

What Does This Tour Include?

4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Welcome Toast
The Loire Valley
The Château de Chambord
Château de Chenonceau
The Village of Blois in the Loire Valley
Chateaux Wine Tastings
Cheese tasting
Provence towns of Menerbes, Gordes, and Rousillon
Roman Ruins at Glanum
The Ancient Roman Aqueduct at Pont du Gard
Olive and Olive Oil taste testing
Cooking demonstration
High Speed trains to Avignon & back to Paris
Clean, Comfortable, Centrally located Hotels
Comfortable Transportation
Champagne Toast
8 Breakfasts
1 Picnic lunch
5 Multi-course Dinners with Wine
Two bi-lingual and bi-cultural guides with 18 years experience
Attention to detail and the pace of the trip

Your responsibility Airfare to and from the tour and transportation from the airport to our starting hotel in the Loire Valley and from our ending point (Paris) to the airport at the end of the tour.

Our tour starts in the Loire Valley (closest airport-Paris) and ends in Paris.

Tour Price :

For 12 or more participants U.S.D.

For 10 or more participants U.S.D.

For 8 or more participants U.S.D.

Deposits of $1000 per person. This trip is limited to 14 people. To secure a place on this tour you are encouraged to place your deposit as soon as possible. No one has a space on this tour until deposits are in and a Trip Term contract signed and returned. Until final payment date all deposits are fully refundable.

This just in- Our France Add-On+
What more can France offer us? Mont St. Michel, Monet's garden and the emotionally moving W.W.II landing beaches in Normandy. We have put them all together, and more, as we truly make this trip a complete highlight tour of France and all of it's beauty. Won't you join us?

Day One
We leave Paris early for Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny. It was here that Monet lived from 1883 until his death. We will tour the garden and his home. Later you will have time to visit the Musée des Impressionnismes (Museum of Impressionism) nearby. There are plenty of places to sit and have a light lunch near the gardens.

Later we are off the lovely fishing village of Honfleur, We will check into our hotel and have our first dinner in Haute Normandie with it’s accompanying specialties.

Breakfast. Shuttle to Giverny. Monet's Garden. The Museum of Impressionism. Transportation to Honfluer. Dinner together. Overnight Honfleur

Day Two
The lovely fishing village of Honfleur is yours to walk around today. Hit the markets or take a walk along the river. There is so much to see and enjoy in this town.

Join us for afternoon tea in the beautiful salon of our hotel this afternoon. Here we can relax before dinner on your own with plenty of recommendations from us.

Breakfast. Afternoon tea. Overnight Honfleur.

Day Three
Tuesday, 6 June 1944 is known as D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in world history. We will visit Omaha and Utah beaches before visiting the American Cemetery and Memorial to pay our respects.

We will stop off for lunch back in town before traveling to Mont St. Michel one of the most recognized landmarks in all of France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After we check into our hotel we will walk together to dinner. Overnight Mont st. Michel

Breakfast. Tour of D-Day beaches and museum. Dinner together. Overnight Mont St. Michel area.

Day Four
We are up early for our tour of the Abbey and the Mont. Views are impressive back to the shore and we will take our time to explore the beautiful landscape.

Join us later for a Calvados taste testing and then later for dinner as we spend our last might together. Our fantastic tour end here at the north shore of France.

Breakfast. Tour of Mont St. Michel. Dinner. Overnight Mt. St. Michel

Add On+ U.S.D.

Includes transportation where noted/ 3 breakfasts/ 3 dinners/ Calvados tasting /visit & tour of Monet's garden & house/ Normandy Beaches & Memorial/ Mont St. Michel. Tour ends at Mt. St. Michel. We will help book your transportation needs back to Paris.

Who are your leaders?

Manolis Hajifotiou

A native of Greece, Manolis has been leading tours in Europe for 21 years. Besides traveling, his passion is playing his guitar and creating his own music. He also likes to keep up with the stone house he shares with his wife, Patricia, especially trimming their olive trees. He looks forward to showing you his favorite places and making sure you feel right at home.

Patricia Hajifotiou

A native of the U.S.A., Patricia has been leading tours in Europe for 21 years. She lives on the island of Evia, Greece, with her husband Manolis. When she is not on tour, she lives off the grid in a rock house, powered by the wind and sun. There she likes to spend her time digging in the garden. She looks forward to showing you the places she likes the best.

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