Country Roads of France (2014) from Insight Vacations

Highlights:

Leafy vineyards, majestic mountains, Riviera sunshine, Roman remains and fortified towns combine with great food and wine for an engaging ‘Tour de France’.
Tour Pace - Comfortable: A medium paced tour consisting of a mix of overnight and two-night stays. The journey by TGV train is a relaxing way to return to the glittering city of Paris.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES AND DINING

- Chablis: Taste one of the most famous white wines in the world. Treasure the purity of flavour, and rapier-like effect on the palate with an expert vintner.
- Rocamadour: Stop to sample the local cheese.
- Côte d’Azur: The secrets of perfume making are revealed during a guided tour of a perfume laboratory.
- Côte d’Azur: Drive along one of the scenic corniche roads for a walk through the old streets of Monaco to see the Palace and visit the Tomb of Princess Grace.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Embark on a Côtes du Rhone excursion to the famous wine village, where you sample wine with an expert and gain a few tips about what to look for in a robust red - apparently, its colour, fragrance and ‘legs’ are all as important as the taste!
- Arles: Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh in this old Provencal town. Visit the ancient two-tiered amphitheatre built by the Romans in the 1st century AD and which is still used for plays and concerts today.
- Lascaux Caves: Containing some of the oldest and finest prehistoric art in the world. For preservation reasons, they have been replicated in all their glory.
- Paris: See the monuments, museums, buildings and bridges on a Seine River cruise through the heart of Paris.
- Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine. Bon Appétit!

ADDITIONAL INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

- Troyes: Explore the medieval heart of the Champagne capital.
- Vézelay: Visit this medieval town with its famous basilica.
- Chamonix: Stay in France’s mountaineering capital.
- Annecy: Enjoy free time in the Little Venice area
- Eze: Explore the winding streets of this fortified medieval village.
- Monaco: Drive on part of the Grand Prix circuit.
- Saint-Paul de Vence: Discover the village’s artistic vocation.
- Aix-en-Provence: See the mansions of the Cours Mirabeau.
- Avignon: See the old Papal Palace and famous bridge.
- Pont du Gard: See the famous Roman aqueduct.
- Camargue: Visit Stes Maries-de-la-Mer.
- Nîmes: See the Maison Carrée and Roman Arena.
- Carcassonne: Enjoy a walking tour of this fortified town.
- Albi: See the soaring brick cathedral.
- Cahors: See the Pont Valentré.
- Rocamadour: Visit this medieval cliff top town.
- Dordogne: See the golden limestone buildings of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
- Paris: See Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
- Scenic Drives: Burgundy, High Alps, Route Napoleon, Cote d’Azur, Camargue, Dordogne Valley.

PREMIUM HOTELS AND LOCATIONS

- The 5-star Grand Hôtel De La Cloche boasts a supreme view over Dijon’s prestigious Place Darcy and has been welcoming prominent world figures since the 15th century. The luxurious refined decor and timeless interior garden offer guests every comfort and privacy.
- Chamonix’s comfortable Hotel Le Prieure is in the Savoyard chalet style.
- The Avignon Grand Hotel is a stunning 4 star hotel combining comfort with elegance for an altogether unique experience of pure luxury.
- The Imperator Concorde is located in the heart of Nimes close to the Maison Carree and the beautiful Jardins de la Fontaine. It has been modernized but retains its Art-Deco charm from the old-style caged elevator, to the bellman with his hat.

INCLUDED QUALITY DINING

- A Welcome Reception with drinks and Welcome Dinner (WD)
- 15 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 5 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES

- Escorted by one of Insight’s expert Tour Directors - your ‘travelling concierge’, expert guide, consummate facilitator and friend in a foreign land who ensures your journey is as enjoyable as possible.
- Baggage handling everywhere on tour, with seamless and prompt delivery to your door at every hotel
- Hotel and restaurant tips included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for coins or banknotes
- Free Wi-Fi in most hotel rooms or lobbies
- Personal radio headsets to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert’s fascinating insights and commentary
- Insight Flourishes - from time to time your Tour Director will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination
- Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom. Complimentary on-board wi-fi where possible
- Airport transfers at scheduled times on the first and last day of your escorted journey
- Standard class train journey by TGV from Poitiers to Paris

Country Roads of France (2014)

From $4775 USD

Welcome to Paris

Airport transfers depart from Charles de Gaulle Airport for the tour hotel at 08:30, 11:00 & 13:30. Relax and settle in, or start exploring this great capital. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Meals: Welcome Dinner

Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile/Pullman Montparnasse, Paris

Troyes, Chablis & the Dukes of Burgundy

Head to Troyes, capital of the Champagne region - its magnificent core of medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a champagne cork. Continue into Burgundy, once a powerful duchy and synonymous with fine wine. Stop in the quiet village of Chablis which gives its name to one of the most famous French wines. Join an expert vintner for a taste and introduction to these refreshing steely whites. Move on to your historic hotel in Dijon, boasting many handsome buildings from the time when the Duchy of Burgundy was more powerful than the Kings of France.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Cloche, Dijon

Excursion to Vézelay

The next morning, set off through the leafy Burgundian countryside with road signs that read like a wine list. Stop in the picturesque town of Vézelay. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried here and Richard the Lionheart set off for the Crusades from the famous basilica. Return to Dijon for some relaxing time at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Cloche, Dijon

The Mountaineering Mecca of Chamonix

After breakfast, head towards the Maconnais and Beaujolais before turning east into the Alps. A scenic symphony awaits you as you head into the high Alps and climb towards Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain. Your destination is the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. Why not take a spectacular drive high into the mountains this evening for a traditional Savoyard style dinner?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Le Prieure, Chamonix

Lakes, Mountains & Grenoble

This morning embark on a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of Annecy. Enjoy free time for lunch in the Little Venice area or perhaps take a boat trip. Then it’s off to Grenoble, the ancient capital of the Dauphiné region. Perhaps take the “bubble” cable cars up 260 meters above the Isère river to the Fort de la Bastile from where there are superb views of the city and surrounding mountains?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Mercure Centre Alpotel, Grenoble

In the footsteps of Napoleon to Nice

Glorious mountain scenery today, as you travel along part of the spectacular route used by the emperor Napoleon when he returned from his first exile to try to take the throne of France once more. Continue to the French Riviera and the elegant resort of Nice.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Hotel: Radisson SAS Nice

Nice, Monaco & the Côte d’Azur

Wake up ready to rub shoulders with the jet-set on the glamorous Côte d’Azur! Explore the medieval village of Eze, miraculously perched high on a rock and surrounded by ancient walls. After taking in the views, unlock the secrets of the French perfume industry with a visit to a perfumery, where fragrance experts waft exclusive scents from stoppered bottles. Then drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco and walk with your Tour Director through the old town to see the Royal Palace, yacht-filled harbour and the Cathedral, housing the tomb of Princess Grace. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera at your own pace.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Hotel: Radisson SAS Nice

Hilltop towns, Pretty Provence & Avignon

Visit the medieval village of St Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the cafés and sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau. Journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence” and head for Avignon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Avignon Grand

Avignon, City of the Popes & Châteauneuf-du-Pape

In the morning, see the remaining arches of the 12th century Pont Saint-Benezet, the pont d’Avignon of the famous song and walk through the medieval battlements to the town centre, dominated by the fortified Papal Palace. Then drive to the three tiered Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, before heading towards the Rhône River and the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. At one of the cellars meet a wine maker who talks you through the complexities of the wine and its historic background. Return to Avignon, where you are at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Avignon Grand

A Roman Dream in Arles & Nîmes

The town of Arles and surrounding countryside were aninspiration to Van Gogh, with the fields of sunflowers he so loved to paint. It was also home to Roman legionnaires and you visit the Amphitheatre next. Continue through the Camargue to Stes Maries-de-la-Mer, where Gypsies gather annually to honour their patron saint. You may see flamingos and wild horses on the way to Nîmes. An orientation tour shows you the Roman Arena and 2,000-year-old Roman Temple, Maison Carrée.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Imperator Concorde, Nimes

The Turrets and Towers of Carcassonne and Albi

Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before heading inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Travellers are often amazed at their first sight of this medieval gem. The city has a complete set of ramparts and a medieval keep. After your walking tour, continue to your hotel in Albi, known for its amazing cathedral and the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Hostellerie Saint Antoine, Albi

Cahors, Rocamadour & the Dordogne

Stop in Cahors, famous for its ‘Black Wine’, and see the Pont Valentré before heading to Rocamadour. A resting place for pilgrims on their way to Spain, the medieval town is perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River. After some time to explore and sample some of the delicious cheeses local to the area, drive on to your hotel in the Dordogne.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: La Truffe Noire/Le Quercy, Dordogne

Sarlat-la-Canéda & the Dordogne Valley Excursion

A morning drive takes you into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings have been faithfully reproduced. Later make your way to the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, its medieval core blessed with fine historic golden limestone houses.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: La Truffe Noire/Le Quercy, Dordogne

The TGV back to Paris

Drive to historic Poitiers to board your sleek TGV train for the comfortable journey to Paris. By night why not try a French cabaret show?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile/Pullman Montparnasse, Paris

Paris, Romantic Capital on the Seine

Sightseeing in the morning with a local expert shows you Notre Dame Cathedral and the façades of the Louvre. Drive from the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower. Paris has grown up on the banks of the Seine and its many landmarks, quays and bridges are best viewed from the comfort of a relaxing River Seine cruise. Food is an obsession in France so for your final night, enjoy a Champagne Celebration Dinner of seasonal produce at a typical Parisian restaurant with good wine and good company.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile/Pullman Montparnasse, Paris

Au revoir Paris

Departure transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 & 11:00.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Agency: Insight Vacations

Country Roads of France (2014)

From $4775 USD

Agency: Insight Vacations

Country Roads of France (2014)

From $4775 USD

Agency: Insight Vacations