Guided Holidays
Fabulous France
Fabulous France is a 17 night holiday with the choice of extending to 21 nights. You’ll spend 9 nights in beautiful Provence, in two different locations, before heading north to the Loire Valley for 4 nights, then on to Paris. Here you can choose to leave us after 4 nights or stay on for the additional 4. Visit the famous sites you’ve dreamt of seeing, as well as those little out of the way places you might have missed on your own. You’ll stay in carefully selected 3 and 4 * hotels and beautiful B&Bs. Breakfast and guided half day and full day programmes with expert local guides, the Paris Museum Pass, as well as ‘welcome’ and ‘farewell’ dinners are included. Some afternoons and evenings are free for indulging your special interests and relaxing.
Price per person:
17 nights; 13th – 30th June ‘12
AUD$8647.00 [double/twin share] AUD$1140.00 [single supplement]
20 nights; 13th June – 3rd July ‘12
AUD$10245.00 [double/twin share] AUD$1540.00 [single supplement]
A deposit of $1000 p/p is required at the time of booking, with the balance due 90 days prior to departure. Payment by credit card via Pay Pal, is available, with a surcharge of 1.3%, or by direct deposit or personal cheque.
Min 4, Max 6 people. BOOKINGS CLOSE; Sorry, booked out. Enquire now for 2013
For further information or to register your interest call Maggie on +61 (0)410 412 036.
Fabulous France Inclusions
- Land content only, including 17 / 21 nights in 3* or 4* accommodation, carefully selected for its character and position [always in the centre of town]. Twin/share or single [with supplement], all with private facilities.
- 17 / 21 Continental breakfasts, a picnic lunch and 2 dinners [first and last nights].
- Transfers and transportation between destinations.
- 5 guided half day and 12 full day programmes, [21 nights option] using the services of an expert local walking guide or driver/ guide in mini-bus.
- 4 free days as per the Itinerary.
- Entrance fees to all venues during guided programmes, [museums, chateaux etc] as per the Itinerary.
- A complimentary 4 / 6 Day Paris Museum Pass, which provides free entry to over 60 attractions in and around Paris, for use anytime in those 4 / 6 days. See www.paris-pass.com
- Your personal guide and programme co-ordinator.
Not Included
- Airfares.
- Meals, apart from breakfasts 1 lunch and 2 dinners.
- Entrances to museums etc during ‘free time’ [apart from those included in The Paris Museum Pass].
- Items of a personal nature, [telephone, laundry etc].
- Travel Insurance [essential].
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1 AVIGNON
Arrive in the beautiful walled city of Avignon (ah-veen-yohn) in the South of France. We’ll meet and greet, unpack, settle in then we’ll take a wander to get our bearings. Our wonderful hotel is right in the medieval centre and that’s where we’ll dine together for our ‘welcome dinner’ tonight.
DAY 2 AVIGNON
After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, we’ll join a walking tour to explore the medieval heart of the city, and continue on to see the surprising Sur le Pont d’Avignon. After stopping for some lunch, we’ll enter the monumental Palace of the Popes, where you can spend as long as you like, taking in this magnificent piece of history. Evening Free.
DAYS 3, 4, 5 AVIGNON:
For the next three days we’ll wander the countryside of this stunningly beautiful region. With our own English speaking driver/guide, we can relax in the comfort of the mini-bus. We’ll make frequent stops for photos, coffees and walks in quaint villages and spend Sunday morning at one of France’s most famous Antique Markets. We’ll see towns clinging to the side of hills, Roman ruins and beautiful abbeys. We’ll visit the clinic where Van Gogh was treated and see the magic of this region to which he and so many other artists such as Cezanne, Picasso, Renoir, and Matisse were drawn. Evenings Free.
DAY 6 AVIGNON TO MOUSTIERS SAINTE MARIE:
Today is moving day. We’ll load the mini-van and set off for a day of sightseeing on the way to our next destination, Moustiers Sainte Marie. Located in the centre of Provence, this village is set high on a rocky cliff at the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. Our B&B built in 1765 is located in the heart of Moustiers Sainte Marie, which has earned the official label of “one of the most beautiful villages of France”.
DAYS 7, 8, 9 MOUSTIERS SAINTE MARIE:
One day the mountains the next day, the sea. We’ll spend a day driving around the magnificent ‘green gorge’ stopping for a picnic lunch with a view! Followed by a day to the famous French Riviera. We’ll visit Villa Ephrussi and Gardens perched above the azure Mediterranean and end the day with an aperitif in glitzy Monte Carlo. Friday is Market Day in Moustiers, this will be a free day for you to shop at the markets or the many shops in the village that sell its famous ceramics.
DAY 10 PROVENCE TO LOIRE VALLEY:
Today we leave the South of France and head north. Our mini-van will take us to the TGV station in Avignon, where we’ll board this fast train to Amboise [am-bwa] in the heart the of Chateaux region of Loire. Sit back and enjoy the scenery then unpack and settle in for a whole different view of France.
DAYS 11, 12, 13 AMBOISE - LOIRE VALLEY:
During these days, we’ll indulge ourselves in the splendour of the famous chateaux of the aristocracy of 16th Century France. Set among the rivers and hillsides of this beautiful valley, we’ll see the Chateauz of Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry as well as the fascinating Abbey of Frontevraul. There will be a free day too to explore the town of Amboise and its chateau. Evenings free.
DAY 14 LOIRE VALLEY TO PARIS:
We’ll take the fast train to Paris and be there by lunch-time. After settling into our hotel on the fashionable Left Bank, we’ll venture out and start savouring the delights of Paris. Maggie will lead an orientation walk around the area to get our bearings, we’ll cross the River Seine to the Ile de la Cite, to visit the exquisite hidden treasure, Sainte- Chapelle. This evening is free, perhaps you’d like to take a river cruise or see a show.
DAYS 15, 16 & 17 PARIS:
After breakfast each morning, we’ll be joined by our Parisian guide and Art Historian, who will lead us on a 3 hour walk. After visiting Notre Dame, we’ll explore St Germain-des-Pres and the Left Bank , a wonderful cross section of Paris with the oldest church, charming streets & squares, artists’ studios and famous literary cafes. The chic area of the Marais will be next, with it’s mix of avant-garde and ancient architecture, beautiful gardens and fascinating history, this is a delightful walk. Then, the Museum of the Louvre – former seat of the French throne and now the grandest museum in the world. We’ll be introduced to this masterpiece building with its juxtaposed architecture of old and new, as well as some of the famous works of art it its collection. Afterwards, we’ll choose somewhere to lunch, from the dozens of cafes and bistros in the area, or buy a baguette from a street stall and have a picnic! The afternoons are free for shopping or museum visits. [with your Museum Pass, entry will be free]. Evenings free.
DAY 18 PARIS:
For those who are leaving us today, it will be packing up and a sad ‘au revoir’. Maggie will organize transport to the airport or train station for your departure. For those lucky ones staying on, thisis your completely free day in Paris. Enjoy!
DAY 19 PARIS:
We’re heading out of Paris today by train, to the village of Giverny and the house and garden of the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Have your camera charged, you won’t be able to resist taking lots of photos! We’ll be back in time for dinner. Evening free
DAY 20 PARIS:
Again today we head out of Paris on the train. This time we’re off to the Palace of Versailles and Isabelle will accompany us. There’s so much to see and learn, it’s best to have our expert guide with us. This is an all day affair! Evening free
DAY 21 PARIS:
As this is the last day of the tour and you are sure to have things you still want to do and see, it is officially free. However Maggie will be happy to help you get to wherever you would like to go. We’ll meet in the evening for our final ‘farewell dinner’.
