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France 
World class cuisine, châteaux, lavender fields of Provence, Roman ruins, Van Gogh gardens, the eternal city of Paris, and so much more!
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Including our AddOn+
with Mont St. Michel, Monet's garden and the emotionally moving W.W.II landing beaches in Normandy.

We are adding departures for 2023 
​Email us here for more information
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Get going on dreaming about your trip! Schedule a free 30 minute planning session​

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Join Our Pre-Tour in Paris-
We will set up 2-3 days in this marvelous world capital for you to enjoy on your own. A perfect hotel in St. Germain, skip-the line tickets to all the best sites-Notre Dame the Louvre etc. We can even set up walking, foodie and cooking tours for you. All custom for you that you roll out on your own. We will even book for you, the fast train you will need to meet us in the Loire Valley.
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.
Email us with any questions-Here

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.
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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/Picnic lunch /Free time in Blois/ UNESCO World Heritage site (Loire Valley)/ Wine Tasting/Overnight Loire Valley.
​Day Three
We are off mid-day by fast train 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. 

After checking in we will have an orientation walk of this city before dinner together within the city walls of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Breakfast/ Private transport to train station/ Fast Train to Avignon/ Private transportation to our hotel/ Orientation walk of Avignon/ Overnight Avignon UNESCO World Heritage Site 
Day Four
This morning is yours for the taking. After breakfast you can choose a quiet place in our hotel for reading or sit in a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the locals as they go about their day. 

Lunch is on your own at any of the sidewalk cafes that line these cobblestone streets. 

Join us in the afternoon for our private tour of Avignon. In the 14th Century Avignon was the center of the Catholic faith when the Papacy was in residence here. We will enjoy the outstanding Gothic architecture of the Petit Palais and the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms. We will also enjoy the ramparts and bridge from the 12th century that spans the Rhone. We will take our time soaking in this auspicious walled city.

Dinner on your own tonight with plenty of recommendations from us.

Breakfast/ Leisurely morning on your own/ Afternoon private tour with local guide/ Skip the line entry tickets /Dinner recommendations/ Overnight Avignon UNESCO World Heritage Site ​

Day Five
We are off this morning to the heart of Provence, St. Remy. 
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. This morning, we will visit the St. Paul's monastery where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works.

Later we will check into our hotel and afterwards you can 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/ Tour of St. Remy and surrounding area/ St. Paul's MonasteryDinner together/Overnight St. Remy.
DaySix

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 exhibit at your leisure.

In the afternoon upon retrun to the hotel, you can indulge in some spa offerings they have, or have a dip in the pool, or both!

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/ Optional Spa/  Overnight St. Remy.
Day Seven
​This morning we move to another part of the Provence area, the Luberon.
On our way we will visit 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 fascinating 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.
Email us with any questions-Here
Day Eight
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, Gordes, and Roussillon.

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.
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Day Nine 
Our trip ends in the beautiful country side of France, provence. From here you might like to move onto other areas of France-Marsaille or Lordes? Or maybe your would like to do the Paris pre-trip now? Either way we are here to assist you in anything you want to do. 

Breakfast/  
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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 Roussillon
  • Roman Ruins at Glanum
  • The Ancient Roman Aqueduct at Pont du Gard
  • Olive and Olive Oil taste testing
  • High Speed train to Avignon 
  • Clean, Comfortable, Centrally located Hotels
  • Comfortable Private Transportation
  • Champagne Toast
  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 1 Picnic lunch
  • 5 Multi-course Dinners with Wine
  • Two bilingual and bicultural guides with 23 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 Provence

Tour Price :

This trip is limited to 16 participants
Price 
For 14 or more participants $TBD
For 12 or more participants $TBD
For 10 or more participants  $TBD
For 8 or more participants   $TBD

Deposits of $1000 per person. This trip is limited to 16 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. 


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 its 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 its accompanying specialties. 


Breakfast. Shuttle to  Giverny. Monet's Garden. The Museum of Impressionism. Transportation to Honfleur. 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. 

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Join us later for a Calvados taste testing and then later for dinner as we spend our last night 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+  Price

$XXX per person double occupancy.

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.

                                                                
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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.