ITINERARY-13 DAYS
DAY 1-ARRIVE PARIS
Welcome to Paris, the City of Light. France is a diverse and fascinating country with so much to offer. From architecture to cuisine, your trip reveals a host of regional delights and specialities.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 2-PARIS – BEAUNE – LYON
Drive south into Burgundy wine country, once home to the powerful Dukes of Burgundy, past the Côte d'Or vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 3-LYON – AVIGNON – MONACO – FRENCH RIVIERA (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.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 4-FRENCH RIVIERA
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.
DAY 5-FRENCH RIVIERA – ARLES – CARCASSONNE
Visit the town of Arles with free time to explore the city. Wind your way through the Corbières Hills and ‘Cathar' landscapes on the way to Carcassonne, a walled city and UNESCO World Heritage site which was extensively restored in the 19th century.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 6-CARCASSONNE – LOURDES – BIARRITZ
Drive toward the Pyrénées and see the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto at Lourdes, a holy site of pilgrimage. Arrive at a graceful Basque town on France’s Atlantic coast.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 7-BIARRITZ – BORDEAUX (2 NIGHTS)
Head north through Les Landes to the classical town of Bordeaux. Built on the River Garonne, this is the world's major wine industry capital. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century and the bi-annual wine fair held in the city attracts buyers from all over the world.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 8-DORDOGNE EXCURSION
Enjoy a scenic half-day included excursion through beautiful countryside and picturesque scenery in the Dordogne region, best known for the enchanting medieval 'Bastide' villages.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 9-BORDEAUX – LOIRE VALLEY
Continue north through the Poitou Charentes region to the Loire Valley and stop to visit the beautiful fairytale Château Chenonceau. One of the most remarkable castles ever built, Chenonceau features stunning landscaped gardens and priceless collections of Renaissance furniture, tapestries and art.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 10-LOIRE VALLEY – MONT ST. MICHEL – OMAHA BEACH
Travel through Brittany to visit the island-town of Mont St. Michel on the Normandy coast, featuring the abbey and picturesque streets. Follow the Liberty Highway to St. Lô and on to Omaha Beach where your Travel Director provides an excellent account of the momentous events that took place here.Transfer to the Hotel.
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, some of his most famous paintings were inspired by this spectacular garden.Transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 12-PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Today your Local Specialist reveals not just where, but how real Parisians live and shop, showing you the quaint historical local neighbourhoods. This short insider walk finishes at one of Paris's loveliest squares, little known to outsiders, but a real favourite of the locals.
DAY 13-DEPART PARIS
Say 'au revoir' to your fellow travellers at the end of a magical and memorable holiday.
(A UNIT OF NOVA GROUP OF COMPANIES)
NOVA TRAVEL
BEST OF FRANCE-13 DAYS