Itinerary Summary

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1 - 3	Paris	Eiffel Tower, The Louvre & Art Museums, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Versailles	Hotel Helios Opera, Hotel Raphael
3 - 6	Normandy Region	D-Day Beaches, Regional Cider, Mont Saint-Michel, Monet House	Grand Hotel of Luxembourg, Hotel Villa Lara
6 - 9	Loire Valley	French Châteaux, Picturesque Towns, Food & Wine	Chateau d'Artigny, Hotel Le Choiseul
9 - 10	Paris	Eiffel Tower, The Louvre & Art Museums, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Versailles	Hôtel Lodge du Centre, Hotel Napoleon

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 3

International Airport

You will be transferred from Paris airport to your hotel in a private vehicle

Paris

2 Nights

Paris, standing by the romantic River Seine, by any other name would have been just as enigmatic and iconic. The city conjures up visions of cafés, wide tree-lined avenues, riverside promenades and a proverbial nightlife set to a background score of lively accordions playing Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose.

Included Activities

Enjoyable Discovery of Paris Landmarks
Get picked up from your centrally located hotel at a convenient time on this exciting exploration of the City of Lights. Accompany your driver guide on a private tour of iconic landmarks such as the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and the famous opera district. Get a glimpse of the courtyard of the renowned Louvre Museum and watch the Seine river as it flows gently by. Stop frequently to capture stunning images of all the prominent attractions and many others while you listen to interesting anecdotes and historical facts narrated by your guide. Return to your hotel with cherished memories of your time. (Half Day; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Paris Cooking Class: Macarons & More
Make the most of this opportunity to learn the art of making the perfect little French macarons in a variety of colorful shades at this Paris cooking class. Pick up the insider tricks of the trade from a master pastry chef. Watch how an Italian meringue, the macaronade, is perfectly created with sweet fillings piped inside delicate pastry shells. Enjoy your delicious works of art in the company of steaming cups of tea and coffee, sharing stories and anecdotes on French culinary culture with your chef and cooking group. Come back from class, armed with secret recipes to treat your family and friends back home! (Duration: 3 hrs, Time: 1500 hrs; Shared Activity; Meeting Point: Le Foodist Cooking classes 59 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris, France; Group size: Max 8 guests; Macaron tasting & hot beverages included; Fitness level: Easy; Please inform ahead of food allergies, if any).

Hotel Options

Hotel Helios Opera – Opt 1

Room	Superior Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Hotel Raphael – Opt 2

Room	Classic Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 3 - 6

You will be transferred from your hotel to Paris train station in a private vehicle

Board your train from Paris (St Lazare) to Normandy Region (Caen) (Duration: 2.25 hrs).

You will be transferred from the Normandy Region train station to your hotel in a private vehicle

Normandy Region

3 Nights

The Normandy region, shaped by miles of the Atlantic coast, numerous streams and rivers (including the Seine), has always been known for its rich agricultural and marine produce. It has also been an important center of scholarship and learning, captured by the striking island monastery of Mont St-Michel and the romantic ruins of the Jumièges Abbey.

Included Activities

Exploring Normandy’s D-Day Beaches
Recreate the historic events from June 1944 when British, Canadian and US forces landed along the beaches of Normandy during World War II. Popularly known as D-Day, this invasion of Nazi-occupied France by the Allied armies signaled the beginning of the end of WWII. Either in the morning or afternoon, as per your convenience, expect to be picked up by your local guide. Drive down to the D-Day beaches and explore the entire stretch or customize your tour to particular British, Canadian or US zones. (Duration: 4 hrs, morning or afternoon; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Taste the Flavors of Normandy
Set off on a private culinary journey of the Normandy region, home to the famous Camembert cheese and Calvados brandy. Drive out in the afternoon, past green pastures and grazing cattle, as you head to one of the last standing farms in Camembert village that still produces its cheese on site. Get to know the techniques used to produce this soft, creamy, cow’s milk cheese before you help yourself to some of it. Make your way to yet another farm, known for its fine apples and apple products. Learn about the process of extracting apple juice to produce a cider that is then distilled to give you flavorful calvados. Sample this fine apple brandy, which is aged in magnificent oak barrels to give it a unique taste. Stop by an organic apple farm and settle in to savor the taste of some of their innovative products. Afterward, explore the picturesque hamlet of Beuvron-en-Auge and capture beautiful photos of one of the prettiest villages in the country. Wind up your tour to reach your hotel in the early evening. (Half Day; Time: 1300 hrs; Cheese and Cider Tastings Included; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy. Please note that lunch can be included at an additional cost. This tour is dependent on weather conditions.)

Medieval Day Out: Mont St-Michel & Abbey
Discover the medieval island monastery of Mont St-Michel and abbey on this day-long excursion. After an early breakfast in your hotel, drive out from Bayeux to the lovely little island with your local guide. Explore the charming medieval village with its cobbled streets and winding alleyways before climbing up the ancient stone steps leading to the abbey. Perched above the village of Mont St-Michel, stand the romantic ruins of the abbey. Wander through the historic abbey, taking in each architectural detail and anecdote at your leisure. After a fruitful day spent exploring the lovely village, monastery and abbey, return to your hotel in Bayeux. (Full Day, from 0900; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy, walking; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Hotel Options

Grand Hotel of Luxembourg – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Hotel Villa Lara – Opt 2

Room	Classic Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 6 - 9

You will be transferred from your hotel to Normandy Region train station in a private vehicle

Board your train from Normandy Region (Caen) to Loire Valley East (St Pierre des Corps) (Duration: 4 hrs).

You will be transferred from the Loire Valley East train station to your hotel in a private vehicle

Loire Valley

3 Nights

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the prosperous and fertile Loire River valley straddling Central France is known for its classic French châteaux and grand palaces. The eastern part of the region, Loire Valley East, is strewn with pretty little French towns, famous chateaux and castle grounds dotting a beautiful countryside.

Included Activities

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Loire Valley
Get an unmatched aerial view of the beautiful UNESCO-listed French countryside surrounding the Loire River Valley on this hot air balloon ride. Depending on the availability of the balloons and weather permitting, enjoy a ride either at dawn or dusk for the most spectacular views. Meet your local guide at Amboise, before flying off over this big sky country. Expect to be greeted by the tour staff before lift-off, which will also include a photograph session. As you drift off in the wind, admire some of the most beautiful French castles and classic châteaux with their landscaped grounds and gardens from above. Note the idyllic villages and vineyards below, before touchdown. At the tour’s end, celebrate your unique experience with the crew and other passengers around the balloons, with a traditional toast. After receiving a certificate for completing your balloon ride, drive back to your hotel. (Duration: 3 hrs, morning or evening; Shared Activity; Group size: Max 8 guests; Glass of wine included; Fitness level: Easy; Flight may be canceled due to poor weather).

A Glimpse of Royal History at Château Royal d’Amboise
Discover various secrets of the French monarchy at the 15th century Château Royal d’Amboise, which majestically overlooks the Loire river. Soak up the picturesque location, perched on a spur. Marvel at its Gothic-style architecture and vestiges of the Renaissance Royal House. Take a tour of this former residence of the Valois and Bourbon dynasties of France, and a retreat for yesteryear master artists. Learn about their rich and interesting past, as your guide elaborates behind the scenes’ stories of royal families here, including political and artistic influences on French history. Get a glimpse of the royal lifestyle with the interactive Histopad digital experience. Next up, make your way through the maze of underground pathways, past the many rooms, along the ramparts and on the towers of the castle. Enjoy stunning views of Amboise and the Loire Valley beyond. Lastly, ambling about the terraced botanical gardens, take time to visit the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci at Saint-Hubert’s Chapel on site. (Duration: 1 hr; Time: On request; Private Activity; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Hotel Options

Chateau d'Artigny – Opt 1

Room	Superior Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Hotel Le Choiseul – Opt 2

Room	Superior Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 9 - 10

You will be transferred from your hotel to Loire Valley East train station in a private vehicle

Board your train from Loire Valley East (St Pierre des Corps) to Paris (Montparnasse) (Duration: 1.25 hrs).

You will be transferred from the Paris train station to your hotel in a private vehicle

Paris

1 Night

Hotel Options

Hôtel Lodge du Centre – Opt 1

Room	Cosy Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	International

Hotel Napoleon – Opt 2

Room	Executive Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

You will be transferred from your hotel to Paris airport in a private vehicle

International Departure

Price & Inclusions

Option 1 From $ 5,590 /person
Option 2 From $ 6,990 /person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.

Price Includes

Accommodation in one double room for 10 days / 9 nights.
Meals as indicated
The following train journeys in the highest class available :
- Paris (St Lazare) – Normandy Region (Caen)
- Normandy Region (Caen) – Loire Valley East (St Pierre des Corps)
- Loire Valley East (St Pierre des Corps) – Paris (Montparnasse)
All activities as listed :
- Paris: Enjoyable Discovery of Paris Landmarks
- Paris: Paris Cooking Class: Macarons & More
- Normandy Region: Exploring Normandy’s D-Day Beaches
- Normandy Region: Taste the Flavors of Normandy
- Normandy Region: Medieval Day Out: Mont St-Michel & Abbey
- Loire Valley: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Loire Valley
- Loire Valley: A Glimpse of Royal History at Château Royal d’Amboise
All activities specified in the itinerary including transfers and entrance fees unless otherwise specified
Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip
Welcome kit including all important documents and information regarding your itinerary
All airport and hotel transfers as indicated above

Not Included

France: Visitor’s tax 1.50 to 3 Euro per person and night, payable directly at the hotels
Tips, additional meals and personal expenses
Entrance fees, unless otherwise stated in the activity descriptions
Visa fees
Travel, health and cancellation insurance
International airfare (from your home country to your destination and return)

France: Landscapes, History and Wine

Itinerary Summary

Ideal For

Itinerary Details

Paris

Normandy Region

Loire Valley

Paris

Price & Inclusions

Price Includes

Not Included