France

DAY 1: Arrival Paris (D)
Upon arrival into Paris, you will be met by our coach which will transfer you to the hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 2: Paris (B)
During your time in Paris, see the Eiffel Tower, the facades of the Louvre, the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Then join a local foodie as you explore a patisserie, boulangeries, fromagerie and chocolatier, a treat to all the senses as you sample the delicacies along the way. This evening is at leisure.

DAY 3: Paris – Reims (150km/2h) – Amiens (180km/2h30min) (B / D)
Depart Paris and head to the champagne district. We travel to Epernay and the most famous street, the Avenue de Champagne which features the leading champagne manufacturers. Here we have a tour and tasting at one of the well-known champagne houses. Continue into the French countryside to Amiens. On arrival, an orientation of the city includes a visit to the Amiens Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art. Amiens cathedral is the tallest complete cathedral in France, its stone-vaulted nave reaching an internal height of 42.30 metres. It also has the greatest interior volume of any French cathedral and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.

DAY 4: Amiens (B / D)
Our first visit is to the Adelaide Cemetery, then see the Victoria School in Villers Bretonneux where the names of almost 11,000 Australians missing in France are recorded. Next, visit the new Sir John Monash Centre, which tells the story of Australia’s achievements on the Western Front. Continue to the Australian Memorial Park at Hamel, scene of a great Australian victory orchestrated by General John Monash, before returning to Amiens. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant along the waterfront.

DAY 5: Amiens – Giverny ( 130km/2h) – Honfleur (130km/2h)– Caen (70km/1h) (B / D)
Travel to Giverny and visit Monet’s garden. The artist lived and painted in Giverny from 1883 to his death in 1926, and directed the renovation of the house. Monet had the nearby river partially diverted for the gardens and hired up to seven gardeners to tend to it. Monet gained much of his inspiration from his gardens and believed it was important to surround himself with nature and paint outdoors. We visit the house and gardens before continuing to the charming fishing town of Honfleur and visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum that chronicles the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066. Continue to our hotel.

DAY 6: Caen – excursion to Normandy beaches and D-Day Landings
Travel past Juno and Gold Beaches, which both played a part in the 1944 Normandy landings. Visit the D-Day Museum and with a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent near Omaha Beach. Follow the route of the Rangers and visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. We then return to our hotel where this evening is free.

DAY 7: Caen – Mont St Michel ( 130km/2h) – Saint Malo (50km/1h)(B)
Journey through Bocage country for an exploration of the hilltop abbey of Mont Saint-Michel with your Local Expert. The abbey stands on an island and is reached by a causeway across the shining sands, Continue along the Emerald Coast to stunning Saint Malom situated on the Rance Estuary and one of the most charming places in France. A Local Expert will take you on an exploration of the City. Walk through the maze of streets of Intra Muros, the walled city, to the cathedral, the burial place of Jacques Cartier and other celebrated voyages. This evening is free.

DAY 8: Saint Malo – Le Mans (220km/3h) – Tours (100km/1h30min) (B)
We farewell the coast and head inland, towards the Loire Valley. En route, stop in Le Mans to visit the Museum where Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche, Audi and more, are represented with their legendary models, to immerse the visitor into the greatest endurance race in the world. Continue to our hotel near the town of Tours, our base for the next 3 nights.

DAY 9: Tours – Amboise – Tours (30km/1h) (B)
Travel to Amboise where we visit the Chateau du Clos Luce, most famous for being the official residence of Leonardo da Vinci between 1516 and 1519, when Leonardo died. The Château has a mission of giving an overview of the work of Leonardo to the general public and with 2019 marking 500 years since his death, what more appropriate time to visit! Next, it’s time to taste some of the wines of the Loire Valley at a nearby winery before heading back to our hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 10: Tours – Loire Valley Exploring (B / L)
A short drive brings you to magnificent Château de Chenonceau, a jewel of the French Renaissance, set on elegant arches spanning the River Cher. This was home to Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henri II, until she was evicted by the vengeful Queen, Catherine de Medici. Join a Local Expert to admire the sumptuous décor, intricate ceilings and lavish artworks before free time in the formal gardens, where roses and clipped lavender are laid out in typical French style. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Chenonceau before returning to our hotel.

DAY 11: Tours – Lyon (490km/6h) (B / D)
Travel through the heart of France to the gastronomic capital of Lyon. On arrival join a Local Expert for a tour of the old city, revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the quaint traboules of France’s largest Renaissance city and marvel at the inspiring cityscape from Fourvière Hill. This evening, a dinner of French flavours at a local restaurant.

DAY 12: Lyon – Nice (480km/6h)
Transfer to Nice. Enjoy half day guided tour of Nice including flower market, Promenade des Anglais, Notre Dame Cathedral.

Day 13 Nice – Avignon (260km/3h30min)
Transfer to Avignon. Visit the city of Avignon, the ancient city of the popes. The city boasts one of the most beautiful medieval cities of France. A most spectacular memory will be Avignon’s most famous bridge, St. Benezet Bridge, built in the 12th century over the Rhone River. Only four of its originally seventeen arches are still standing.

Day 14 Avignon - Marseilles (100km/1h30min)
Transfer to Marseilles. Enjoy guided tour of Marseilles. Marseille and a historic sightseeing tour. Wind through the colorful streets of France’s oldest city and witness the bustle of the country’s largest port. You’ll stop at the gorgeous Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, a Neo-Byzantine Catholic church that sits atop Marseille’s highest point. From this vantage point, catch sweeping views of the Vieux Port (Old Port), the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the grand Chateau d’If, a central setting in The Count of Monte Cristo. Stop by the 11th-century Abbey of St Victor, a monastery built upon an ancient Roman necropolis. Hear some of the site’s history and significance to the early Christian population in Marseille.

Day 15 Marseilles Departure
Departure transfer to airport