|
|
  As an organizer for your group you will travel for free on this tour.  HISTORY AND ART TOUR For established group of 20 participants minimum Single supplement: $ 875 * Please inquire for best airfare from your hometown * (Additional) Day 1 - Paris, Giverny, Rouen. Meet and greet with French history and WWII expert bilingual tour guide in Paris. On to Giverny. Stop for snack on the freeway. Tour of Monet's house and gardens, a unique experience to sample live the Japanese gardens, which has been the background of the Lily pound saga. Departure from Giverny to Rouen: arrival at the hotel Mercure Rouen Centre, conveniently located next to the cathedral. Little electric train tour of the historical city with cathedral (painted by Monet), the medieval ½ timbered houses leading to the square where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Dinner with overview of the trip at the hotel. Overnight at Mercure Hotel center, in Rouen. Day 2- Rouen - Caen WWII Memorial Museum - British and Canadian Beaches. On to the city of Caen for an extensive tour of WWII Memorial Museum, an inter-active unique experience which will prepare you for the D DAY excursions. Lunch at leisure at the Museum Cafeteria. Tour of Pegasus Bridge, next to Benouville, the first liberated French village in the night of June 5th to 6th. We move along Sword beach (British sector), Juno (Canadian sector), Gold (British sector). On to Bayeux for installation at Grand Hotel du Luxembourg, in the heart of Bayeux's historical center. It features splendidly and luxuriously redone rooms, with, excellent bathrooms and elegant furniture. Gourmet dinner and overnight at The Hotel (Restaurant is Louis XIII style with coffered ceilings and high antique chairs). Day 3- Bayeux.Arromanches, Longues sur Mer. Omaha, American cemetery, Pointe du Hoc. Tour of Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux, located on the line separating the British and American sectors in 1944. Tour of Normandy invasion beaches: Overview of Arromanches with the remains of "Mulberry" artificial harbor, tour of German gun batteries and bunker command post of Longes sur Mer. Free time for lunch in scenic fisherman harbor of Port en Bessin. Then on to the American Cemetery (over looking Omaha Beach) to pay respect to the American soldiers who fell for freedom. Tour of different memorials along Omaha beach. On to Pointe du Hoc, where the 2nd battalion of specially trained rangers took over the German batteries which fire could cover the whole area of Omaha beach.135 rangers out of 225 were killed during this commando style attack where they had to climb the stiff rocky cliff under German fire: the rangers prevailed, saving thousands of American lifes on the landing beaches. On to Bayeux for Free time to tour queen Mathilda 12th century tapestry relating the invasion of England by William the conqueror, Duke of Normandy (or shopping). Gourmet dinner and overnight at Grand Hotel du Luxembourg, in Bayeux. Day 4 - Utah beach, Ste Mere l'Eglise- Saint Malo. On to Utah beach (10am arrival) where disembarked the American 4th division on June 6th 1944. Overview of historical background and visit of landing Museum. On to neighboring Ste Mere l'Eglise. Free time for lunch. Visit of this historical site where the 82nd airborne private steele had his parachute stuck to the church's steeple with German snipers shooting at him. On to St Malo for a little touristic train tour of this walled historical privateers port town, which was rebuilt stone by stone after the war. Dinner at leisure. Overnight with the chateau life at Chateau de Bonaban, a 17th century chateau located between St Malo and Mont St Michel, which blend the sumptuous past with modern comfort. Day 5 -Saint Malo- Mont St Michel - Villandry formal Gardens. Loire Valley On for a tour of Mont St Michel, this unique abbey built on the top of a rock and surrounded by its medieval walled quarters. Free time for lunch On to Chateau country. Tour of formal gardens at Villandry's castle, in the Loire Valley. Continuation to Tours, capital city of the region and installation at Hotel de l'Univers, a deluxe property with traditional comfort, next to the city hall. (Built in 1846,totally renovated from 1997 to 2000). Dinner at leisure and overnight at hotel de l'Univers Day 6- Loire Valley: Chenonceaux, Azay, Tours. Tour of Chenonceaux's castle built over the Cher River. Lunch at leisure at the former chateau stables transformed into a cafeteria. On to Azay le rideau for tour of this gem of a Renaissance castle. Back to the city of Tours for a walking tour of medieval part of town, followed by free time for shopping. Meet in the hotel lobby at 7:30pm for departure to La Cave troglodyte restaurant (dug into a chalk cliff). Gourmet dinner in this exceptional environment, reminder of medieval "agapes". Back to Hotel de L'Univers for overnight. Day 7- Chartres. Paris. Departure to Chartres. Tour of Chartres cathedral and its exceptional stained glass windows. Lunch at leisure followed by free time for shopping in this quaint medieval town. Back to Paris for installation at Charming Hotel Jardins d'Eiffel on the left bank, between the Eiffel Tower and St Germain des Pres. Dinner at leisure. Overnight Paris. Jardins d'Eiffel. Day 8 - Paris city tour. Farewell dinner at Eiffel Tower. Three Hours city tour with stops at Notre Dame and Invalides. Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Invalides (stop and visit). St Germain des pres, City Hall, Notre Dame (stop and visit), Madeleine, Opera. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. (For shopping or Museums or just walking around) Farewell gala dinner at restaurant Altitude 95 on the 3rd floor of the Eiffel Tower. Overnight hotel Jardins d'Eiffel. Day 09 Paris - Home Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to CDG airport for your flight back home, or optional extensions available; Paris, other regions, canal or river cruises. Package includes: De Luxe Bus throughout the itinerary. French History and WWII expert bilingual guide services throughout itinerary All excursions and entrance fees as mentioned in itinerary, PLUS SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EVENTS Taxes and service Hotels/airport porterage 1 night Hotel Mercure Rouen (3 stars), or similar. 2 Nights Hotel Luxembourg, Bayeux (3 stars), or similar. 1 night Chateau de Bonaban (4 stars), or similar. 2 Nights Hotel L'Univers (4 stars), or similar. 2 Nights Hotel Jardins d'Eiffel, Paris (3 stars), or similar. 8 breakfasts 5 dinners 1 Eiffel Tower farewell dinner, restaurant Altitude 95 Cancellation and medical insurance Does not include: Transatlantic airfare (please inquire for rates from your home town) Items not mentioned in itinerary as included. Personal expenses All meals and services not mentioned as included in itinerary Driver and guide's tips (if you want to pre-include tips' cost, please add $35 .00 per person)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
