13 day Best of France escorted coach tour with Trafalgar

Inclusions

• 12 nights first class hotel accommodation with private facilities
• Touring by luxury coach
• 12 hot buffet breakfasts, 4 three-course dinners with local wine, local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Nice and a farewell dinner with wine in Paris 
• Premium sightseeing including wine tasting in Burgundy and authentic local dining in Tour
• Local guided sightseeing in Paris and the walled city of Carcassonne
• Escorted by a professional tour director

Itinerary

Day 1    Arrive Paris
Welcome to Paris, from architecture to cuisine, your trip reveals a host of regional delights and specialities. Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel.

Day 2   Paris - Beaune - Lyon
Drive south into Burgundy wine country, past the Côte d'Or vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges. Arrive in the medieval town of Beaune and sample delicious regional wines at a local wine cellar. Tonight in Lyon, why not try out some gourmet specialities for which the city is justifiably famous! Hotel: Novotel Lyon Gerland.

Day 3    Lyon - Avignon - Monaco - Nice (2 nights)
Stop in Avignon to see the Papal Palace and the bridge made famous in the song, ‘sur le pont d’Avignon’. Traverse Provence, a picturesque area favoured by artists such as Van Gogh and Cézanne, to the Principality of Monaco. This small city state is both a constitutional monarchy and home to many rich and famous people! Explore the cathedral, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace are buried. Hotel: Boscolo Plaza.

Day 4    Nice
Spend today as you wish. The Côte d'Azur is a sparkling and pristine stretch of famous coastline. You might like to lounge on the beach, shop in elegant boutiques or perhaps visit the hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. This evening, why not dine in one of the many pleasant local restaurants.

Day 5    Nice - Cannes - Carcassonne
The Boulevard de la Croisette is Cannes most sophisticated street! See the Film Festival Centre where the awards ceremony is held each year. Pass Alaric’s Mountain to Carcassonne, a walled city and UNESCO World Heritage site which was extensively restored in the 19th century. See the double ring of ramparts featuring 53 towers during your sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. Hotel: Mercure Porte de la Cité.

Day 6    Carcassonne - Lourdes - Biarritz
Wend your way through the Corbières Hills and 'Cathar' landscapes toward the Pyrenées. See the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto at Lourdes, a holy site of pilgrimage. Hotel: Novotel Anglet Aeroport.

Day 7    Biarritz - Bordeaux (2 nights)
Follow the west coast north through Les Landes to the classical town of Bordeaux. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century and the annual wine fair held in the city attracts buyers from all over the world. See the sights including the magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces during your orientation. Hotel: Pullman Aquitania.

Day 8    Dordogne 
Drive to the renowned wine village of St. Emilion. Take a scenic half-day included excursion through beautiful countryside and picturesque scenery in the Dordogne region, best known for the enchanting medieval 'Bastide' villages.

Day 9    Bordeaux - Loire Valley- Tours
Continue north through the Poitou Charentes region to the Loire Valley, and stop to visit the beautiful fairytale Château Chenonceau, which straddles the River Cher. One of the most remarkable castles ever built, Chenonceau features stunning landscaped gardens and priceless collections of Renaissance furniture, tapestries and art. Hotel: Mercure Tours Nord.

Day 10    Tours - Mont St. Michel - Omaha Beach
In Brittany, visit the island-town of Mont St. Michel, featuring the Abbey and picturesque streets. Follow the Liberty Highway to St. Lô and the D-Day landing beaches. Visit the D-Day museum and learn in detail about how the operation was planned and executed. Hotel: Mercure Omaha Beach.

Day 11    Omaha Beach - Giverny - Paris (2 nights)
Head south-east towards the valley of the River Seine. Stop at Giverny and visit the house and gardens where Claude Monet lived for most of his life. One of the founders of French Impressionism. This evening in the glittering capital, Paris, consider a trip to one of the city’s renowned cabaret venues. Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel.

Day 12    Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, the Champs Élysées - see all these landmarks and more during your sightseeing tour. See the unique skyline from the second level of the Eiffel Tower, where you enjoy panoramic views across the city. Spend the rest of the day seeing more sights and shopping for souvenirs.

Day 13    Depart Paris
Say ‘au revoir' to your fellow travellers at the end of a magical and memorable holiday. Airport transfers are available.

Departure dates and Prices*

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 27 March 2012
• ^Members receive an additional 5% off departure dates in October when you book this 13 day tour. Discount has not been deducted from the price. The discount is available for all bookings where at least one person in the party is an RACQ member at the time of booking
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see Trafalgar Europe & Britain 2012 brochure