French Sampler
This tour is an ideal introduction to the major regions and sights of France. We start in Paris, the magical City of Lights, then continue on to the D-Day beaches of Normandy, visit palaces and castles in the Loire River Valley, taste wine and picnic among the vineyards of Burgundy, wander through the sun-bleached hill villages of Provence and wind up the tour on the glamorous French Riviera.
This tour is 15 days, 14 nights. The tour will begin in Paris on August 31, 2010 (meaning you'll need to leave the US on August 30). You can arrive any time on August 31, but an arrival by noon would be best. The tour will end in Nice on Sept 14, and you can fly out any time that day. You may want to spend an extra day or two on your own in Paris, either at the beginning or at the end. We can help arrange this.
Total cost for this tour: $4195 per person, based on double occupancy. For singles there is no extra charge if they are willing to share a room (even if we can't find a roommate for you). If singles prefer a guaranteed room to themselves, the single supplement is $800 (which only covers the difference in room cost between one person in a room, vs. two people sharing).
To secure a space on this tour, we require a deposit of $500 per person. The deposit is fully refundable for up 14 days after we receive it. Beyond that date the deposit is non-refundable. Final payment of the balance is due 60 days before the tour start date. All payments must be in the form of cash or check. We do not accept credit cards.
To schedule a tour like this for your own private group, or to find out about future tours like this, please contact us.
Total cost for this tour: $4195 per person, based on double occupancy. For singles there is no extra charge if they are willing to share a room (even if we can't find a roommate for you). If singles prefer a guaranteed room to themselves, the single supplement is $800 (which only covers the difference in room cost between one person in a room, vs. two people sharing).
To secure a space on this tour, we require a deposit of $500 per person. The deposit is fully refundable for up 14 days after we receive it. Beyond that date the deposit is non-refundable. Final payment of the balance is due 60 days before the tour start date. All payments must be in the form of cash or check. We do not accept credit cards.
To schedule a tour like this for your own private group, or to find out about future tours like this, please contact us.
Tue, Aug 31: Paris. Arrive in Paris, where you'll be met by your guide and transported to our hotel near the Eiffel Tower. You'll have some time to freshen up, then we'll head out for a walk to explore Notre-Dame cathedral and the Latin Quarter before we have dinner in a local restaurant (D).
Wed, Sept 1: Paris. This morning we'll tour the Louvre, where we'll see ancient Greek statues, a few Michelagelo's, da Vinci's Mona Lisa, plus a few select other paintings. You'll have the afternoon free to explore on your own: visit the Eiffel Tower, take a boat ride on the Seine, wander the Champs-Elysees, or just sit in a cafe and watch the people go by (B).
Thu, Sept 2: Paris. Day trip to Epernay in the Champagne region. You'll visit one of the most famous producers in the world, with a guided tour through some of the miles of caves that lie under the vineyards of Champagne, followed by a tasting. Late afternoon return to Paris, with the evening free (B).
Fri, Sept 3: Travel to Normandy. This morning we'll tour the Orsay museum, home to some of the greatest Impressionist paintings. Afterwards we'll load up our van and drive an hour to Giverny, where we'll visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet. From there we continue on about two hours to Honfleur, our home in Normandy for the next three nights (B, D).
Sat, Sept 4: D-Day. We'll spend the day touring the most important D-Day sights, including the Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Late afternoon return to Honfleur, with free time to sample some of the local Calvados (apple brandy), and the many cheeses produced in the region (B).
Sun, Sept 5: From Normandy we head three hours south into the lush Loire Valley, play ground of the rich and noble during the Renaissance. In the afternoon we'll visit Chambord, one of the most impressive palaces, before arriving in our home town of Amboise for the evening (B, D).
Mon, Sept 6: Loire Valley. This morning we'll tour Chenonceau palace, with plenty of time to explore the manicured gardens and the neighboring vineyard. In the afternoon you'll have free time back in Amboise, where you can taste wine, visit Leonardo daVinci's last home, or just relax in a village café (B).
Tue, Sept 7: On to Burgundy. Today we're heading to Burgundy, one of France's best known wine regions. We'll introduce you to the breadth of Burgundy wines with a visit to a local cellar, where you'll sample over 15 different wines (B, D).
Wed, Sept 8: Profound Burgundy. This morning you'll tour the Hotel Dieu, a 15th-century hospice. Afterwards you'll have some free time to explore the abundance of the weekly farmer's market, where you'll assemble a picnic lunch. We'll head out into the countryside for a picnic among the vineyards before returning to Beaune for the afternoon, where there are no shortage of wine tasting opportunities (B).
Thu, Sept 9: Provence. Heading south the scenery will shift dramatically as we enter the arid Mediterranean climate of Provence. After dropping luggage at our hotel, we'll visit the mental hospital where Van Gogh spent his most productive year and walk through the heart of our village, St. Remy (B, D).
Fri, Sept 10: Roman Provence. We'll visit the Pont du Gard, a 2000-year old aqueduct that is a stunning testament to Roman engineering. Afterwards we'll visit the Roman theater at Orange, one of the best-preserved in the world. As we amble back towards St. Remy we'll stop in Chateauneuf du Pape for some wine tasting (B).
Sat, Sept 11: Hill Villages. We'll spend the day exploring one of the most picturesque parts of Provence today, with a drive through the Luberon region. We'll visit the red city of Roussillion, the cliff-hanging Gordes, and stop at a 1000-year old abbey before returning to St. Remy for the evening (B).
Sun, Sept 12: French Riviera. From St. Remy we'll complete the last leg our trip to the French Riviera. In the afternoon we'll visit the villa and gardens of one of the Rothschild family members, occupying a stunning location on Cap St. Jean Ferrat. Afterwards you'll have some time to explore old Nice and the beach front promenade before dinner (B, D)
Mon, Sept 13: Monaco. We'll see how the other 0.1% live with a visit to the Principality of Monaco. After a visit to the cathedral, we'll watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, then you'll have the afternoon free to explore the narrow streets and sky scrapers of this little country. Late afternoon return to our home before our farewell dinner (B, D).
Tue, Sept 14: Tour over after breakfast. You'll be transported to Nice airport for your departure, or stay on in France on your on (B).
Wed, Sept 1: Paris. This morning we'll tour the Louvre, where we'll see ancient Greek statues, a few Michelagelo's, da Vinci's Mona Lisa, plus a few select other paintings. You'll have the afternoon free to explore on your own: visit the Eiffel Tower, take a boat ride on the Seine, wander the Champs-Elysees, or just sit in a cafe and watch the people go by (B).
Thu, Sept 2: Paris. Day trip to Epernay in the Champagne region. You'll visit one of the most famous producers in the world, with a guided tour through some of the miles of caves that lie under the vineyards of Champagne, followed by a tasting. Late afternoon return to Paris, with the evening free (B).
Fri, Sept 3: Travel to Normandy. This morning we'll tour the Orsay museum, home to some of the greatest Impressionist paintings. Afterwards we'll load up our van and drive an hour to Giverny, where we'll visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet. From there we continue on about two hours to Honfleur, our home in Normandy for the next three nights (B, D).
Sat, Sept 4: D-Day. We'll spend the day touring the most important D-Day sights, including the Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Late afternoon return to Honfleur, with free time to sample some of the local Calvados (apple brandy), and the many cheeses produced in the region (B).
Sun, Sept 5: From Normandy we head three hours south into the lush Loire Valley, play ground of the rich and noble during the Renaissance. In the afternoon we'll visit Chambord, one of the most impressive palaces, before arriving in our home town of Amboise for the evening (B, D).
Mon, Sept 6: Loire Valley. This morning we'll tour Chenonceau palace, with plenty of time to explore the manicured gardens and the neighboring vineyard. In the afternoon you'll have free time back in Amboise, where you can taste wine, visit Leonardo daVinci's last home, or just relax in a village café (B).
Tue, Sept 7: On to Burgundy. Today we're heading to Burgundy, one of France's best known wine regions. We'll introduce you to the breadth of Burgundy wines with a visit to a local cellar, where you'll sample over 15 different wines (B, D).
Wed, Sept 8: Profound Burgundy. This morning you'll tour the Hotel Dieu, a 15th-century hospice. Afterwards you'll have some free time to explore the abundance of the weekly farmer's market, where you'll assemble a picnic lunch. We'll head out into the countryside for a picnic among the vineyards before returning to Beaune for the afternoon, where there are no shortage of wine tasting opportunities (B).
Thu, Sept 9: Provence. Heading south the scenery will shift dramatically as we enter the arid Mediterranean climate of Provence. After dropping luggage at our hotel, we'll visit the mental hospital where Van Gogh spent his most productive year and walk through the heart of our village, St. Remy (B, D).
Fri, Sept 10: Roman Provence. We'll visit the Pont du Gard, a 2000-year old aqueduct that is a stunning testament to Roman engineering. Afterwards we'll visit the Roman theater at Orange, one of the best-preserved in the world. As we amble back towards St. Remy we'll stop in Chateauneuf du Pape for some wine tasting (B).
Sat, Sept 11: Hill Villages. We'll spend the day exploring one of the most picturesque parts of Provence today, with a drive through the Luberon region. We'll visit the red city of Roussillion, the cliff-hanging Gordes, and stop at a 1000-year old abbey before returning to St. Remy for the evening (B).
Sun, Sept 12: French Riviera. From St. Remy we'll complete the last leg our trip to the French Riviera. In the afternoon we'll visit the villa and gardens of one of the Rothschild family members, occupying a stunning location on Cap St. Jean Ferrat. Afterwards you'll have some time to explore old Nice and the beach front promenade before dinner (B, D)
Mon, Sept 13: Monaco. We'll see how the other 0.1% live with a visit to the Principality of Monaco. After a visit to the cathedral, we'll watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, then you'll have the afternoon free to explore the narrow streets and sky scrapers of this little country. Late afternoon return to our home before our farewell dinner (B, D).
Tue, Sept 14: Tour over after breakfast. You'll be transported to Nice airport for your departure, or stay on in France on your on (B).
The tour includes: accommodations in comfortable, characteristic hotels, all in central locations; all ground transportation from arrival in Paris to departure from Nice; breakfast each morning; other meals as indicated in the itinerary (L=lunch, D=dinner); entry and tour of all sights indicated in the itinerary; the services of your Hand Crafted guide, who also acts as driver, interpreter, and window on European culture and history.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals not indicated in the itinerary; free time transportation and sightseeing.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals not indicated in the itinerary; free time transportation and sightseeing.