The French Escapade (Winter 2009/2010)

Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2 - Arrive Paris
Welcome to Paris! After hotel check-in, time to unwind after your flight and later perhaps browse the stalls of the ‘bouquinistes’ (booksellers) along the banks of the Seine River. Later we will meet with our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink - a great way to start our tour!

Hotel: Hilton La Defense / Holiday Inn La Villette

Day 3 - Paris – Annecy
After breakfast we leave the French capital to drive southwards, passing by the magnificent forests of Fontainebleau and the rich rolling farmland of the region of Auxerre. Then through the vine-clad hills of Burgundy we drive through the Jura Mountains to the Alps and to the charming town of Annecy. Located at the northern end of one of the most beautiful lakes in the French Alps, we will have time to explore the town’s narrow arcaded streets, stroll along quiet canals flowing between tall houses with decorative balconies. Our Tour Director will point out to us the massive Château d’Annecy, former residence of the Counts of Geneva, and wherever you look you will see the majestic, snow-capped Alps soaring above and reflected in the glassy waters of the lake. A little corner of paradise where tonight we will enjoy a Be My Guest dinner of delicious regional specialties in an authentic local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Hotel: Novotel Atria Centre

Day 4 - Annecy – Chartreuse – Grenoble – Aix-en-Provence
This morning a beautiful drive takes us along the mountain valleys, which border the vast winter sports region for which France is renowned worldwide. Our route also takes us past the Chartreuse massif where the Carthusian monks have produced their powerful alcoholic elixir for more than three centuries. We pass the university and Olympic city of Grenoble and then we cross the magnificent mountain pass, which will take us towards Sisteron on the Route Napoleon (weather conditions permitting). In the shadow of the Lure Mountain we join the highway and are soon in the old Roman city of Aix-en-Provence. A vibrant student city, Aix is abundant in elegant 19th century architecture, café-filled traffic free squares, naturally steaming warm water fountains and wonderful shops and boutiques. For all these reasons it is without doubt, France’s most popular provincial city! Orientation will show us the Place de la Rotonde and the Cours Mirabeau. Why not take a walk in the footsteps of Paul Cezanne – the Impressionist painter who, along with many others, lived and worked here due to the perfect quality of light? (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Novotel Aix Beaumanoir

Day 5 - Aix-en-Provence – St. Paul de Vence – Nice (2 nights)
Then we continue to Grasse, where we stop to visit the Fragonard Perfumery – a lovely 19th century building set in the heart of the old town. We continue on to St. Paul de Vence – a medieval hilltop town, filled with art galleries and handicraft shops, as well as the homes of the rich and famous! Finally, we reach the Mediterranean coast and the palm-fringed city of Nice – the perfect place to escape the cold of winter and enjoy the kind and pleasant climate of the Mediterranean. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Hotel: Boscolo Park / Novotel Nice Acropolis

Day 6 - Nice orientation and excursion to Monte Carlo
Nice in winter is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets and with Trafalgar you will have the time and help of your Tour Director to make the most of it. Orientation includes the Promenade des Anglais, Place Massena and the Old Town. Then this evening we will enjoy a scenic drive to glamorous Monte Carlo where we’ll have the chance to ‘break the bank’ in one of the famous casinos! (Buffet breakfast)

Day 7 - Nice – Cannes – St. Tropez – Marseille
Cameras at the ready for a day of astounding scenery and impressive sights including a Hidden Treasure! First a drive along the coast brings us to the sophistication of Cannes where we will see the many hotel-palaces, the palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette and the Film Festival Center. Admire the yachts in the marina before continuing to Ste. Maxime where we will take the local boat service across to St. Tropez (weather permitting), the resort made famous by Brigitte Bardot. Later we drive on to Hyeres overlooking the so-called ‘Iles d’Or’ (Golden Isles), and past the pretty resorts of Bandol and La Ciotat to Marseille – today France’s second biggest city. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Holiday Inn Marseille

Day 8 - Marseille sightseeing – Arles – Avignon
Our guide who is an expert on its history and recent booming development, brings Marseille to life for us. We will drive along the Corniche road for spectacular views of the Mediterranean, stop at Notre Dame de la Garde for breathtaking views over the city, and visit the recently refurbished Town Hall district and the charming old port with its many restaurants and fishing boats. Leaving Marseille we head to the old Roman city of Arles to see the splendour of the Romanesque architecture at the Cathedral of St. Trophime, the Roman arena and the Café La Nuit depicted in Van Gogh’s famous painting. Then on to Avignon where our orientation highlights the monumental architecture of the 14th century Palace of the Popes, the famous broken bridge of ‘Sur le pont’ fame and the bustling Place de l’Horloge. We have time to explore the old town before we enjoy dinner in our hotel. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Mercure Cite des Papes

Day 9 - Avignon – Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Lyon
This morning we drive along the Rhone valley to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the favorite wine-town of the Popes. Here we enjoy a wine tasting and also stop at the Papal fortress to admire the magnificent views over Avignon and the Luberon. Later we pass by the town of Montelimar and may take the opportunity to purchase the famous nougat! On arrival in Lyon, a city which is located at the confluence of the Saone and Rhone rivers, our orientation shows us the 19th century elegance of the Place de Bellecour, views of the Old Town along the River Saone and the modern architecture of the Part Dieu district. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Park and Suites Part Dieu

Day 10 - Lyon – Beaune – Paris (2 nights)
Enjoy your croissants and coffee before we embark on another enthralling day. Then we leave Lyon and make our way northwards to Burgundy and one of the great auction centres of the region – the city of Beaune. Here we have time to enjoy the colorful Saturday market in the town square, surrounded by typical 300-year old houses. We have time to eat lunch and maybe taste a glass of the excellent wine from the oak barrels, which are to be found in the many wine cellars, before we join the coach for our journey on to our final destination, Paris – perhaps the world’s most beautiful city. Tonight, don’t miss the chance of taking a tour of the illuminations and maybe take in one of the city’s famous cabaret shows! (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Hilton La Defense / Holiday Inn La Villette

Day 11 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure
The Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, the Left Bank, the Louvre, Opera House and Notre Dame Cathedral are all features on our guided sightseeing tour this morning. We’ll also enjoy astonishing views over the city when we take the elevator to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. The balance of the day is at leisure to visit the city’s many museums and art galleries, and perhaps to take an excursion to visit the sumptuous Palace of Versailles. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Day 12 Paris – USA
‘Au revoir’ to Paris, your Tour Director and your newly made traveling companions as our French tour comes to an end this morning. (Buffet breakfast)