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FABULOUS FRANCE
June 4 – 18, 2011
PLEASE JOIN OUR SMALL GROUP AS WE EXPERIENCE THE HISTORY
OF THE NORMANDY BEACHES, A CHATEAU HOTEL IN THE LOIRE VALLEY, A FRENCH PICNIC IN THE LUBERON, COUNTRY MARKETS, ARTISTS’ HOMES AND GARDENS, WINETASTINGS AND MOST MEMORABLE SIGHTS IN THESE PARTS OF FABULOUS FRANCE. TEN FABULOUS FRENCH DINNERS ARE INCLUDED AS WELL!
GUNTER AND LINDA WALTER
FABULOUS FRANCE
JUNE 4 - 18, 2011
JUNE 04, SAT: USA-PARIS
JUNE 05, SUN: PARIS-HONFLEUR. Airport welcome by your tour director, then travel west along the Seine River to Giverny for a visit to Monet’s house that was featured prominently in many of his paintings. The house has been restored to its former glory but the true highlight of your visit is the beautiful garden that inspired his famous Water Lilies series. Later continue past Rouen, site of the burning of Joan of Arc, to Honfleur, a charming seaside resort noted for its old port and artistic connections. The balance of the day is free to rest and unwind and tonight enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with wine at a popular restaurant. (D)
JUNE 06, MON: HONFLEUR. Spend a leisurely morning in Honfleur, cradle of Impressionism and home of Jacques Cartier, a famous explorer who claimed Canada for France. During our walking tour visit Ste.Catherine Church, built entirely of wood by local shipwrights in the 16C, the picturesque old port and the Boudin Museum, primarily devoted to Normandy born Eugene Boudin and his friends, Courbet, Monet and Jongkind. The balance of the day is free to enjoy the city at your own pace and this evening sit down to a delicious meal of fresh local seafood. (B,D)
JUNE 07, TUE: HONFLEUR. Our excursion today takes us first to Caen for a visit to Le Memorial, France’s biggest museum dedicated to World War II. The Memorial takes the visitor on a trip from 1918 to the present, dealing successively with the failure of the Versailles Peace Treaty, the occupation, D-Day, the Battle of Normandy and the liberation of France. Later visit Omaha Beach, where thousands of Americans landed in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944. Then we pay our respects at the American Cemetery in St. Laurent and at the Rangers’ Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Return to Honfleur for dinner and overnight. (B)
JUNE 08, WED: HONFLEUR-LOIRE VALLEY. Leaving Honfleur we travel south past Alencon and Le Mans to Tours, the old Gallo-Roman metropolis and the town of St. Martin. St. Martin, one of Europe’s most famous saints, died in 397 and Tours became immediately a place of pilgrimage. Enjoy a walk through the Old Town followed by a visit to the 19C New Basilica of St. Martin. Our next stop is the Chateau de Villandry for a stroll through the amazing water, ornamental and kitchen gardens - a stunning display of plants, fruits and vegetables designed in the 16C. Dinner tonight at your beautiful hotel – the Chateau de Rochecotte. (B,D)
JUNE 09, THU: LOIRE VALLEY. This morning we visit the Chateau of Chenonceau, a must see of all the many chateaux of the area. Called the Chateau of the Six Women, it has connection to some of France’s most intriguing women, including Diane de Poitiers (mistress of Henri II) and Catherine de Medici. The chateau is filled with treasures and fine furnishings and set in elegant gardens. After a break for lunch we visit Chateau de Cheverny, built in the purest Louis XIII classical style. The chateau’s perfectly preserved exterior encloses a sumptuously furnished interior. Before returning to our hotel enjoy a ride on electric cars through the castle grounds followed by a boat cruise on the chateau’s canal. (B,D)
JUNE 10, FRI: LOIRE VALLEY-LYON. This morning we motor east to Bourges, one of the loveliest towns in Gaul. From whichever direction you approach the city you see the soaring Cathedral, classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument. The interior of France’s largest Gothic Cathedral with its vivid lightning and beautiful stained-glass windows gives a rare feeling of unity. Next take a stroll over to the beautifully laid out Town Hall Garden, then continue east past pretty countryside and ancient villages to Lyon, perfectly located at the meeting point of the Rhone and Soane Rivers. (B,D)
JUNE 11, SAT: LYON. During our morning tour of Lyon admire first the remains of the Roman Theatre, started by Caesar Augustus (1BC), then continue to the Basilica Notre Dame de Fourviere, a famous place of pilgrimage built after the Franco-Prussian War (1870). The outside with its octagonal towers presents an odd blend of Byzantine and medieval features and the interior’s decoration is most unusual. Next take a walk with your tour director through Le Vieux Lyon, the medieval and Renaissance quarter of the city, before we enjoy a visit to the Fine Arts Gallery, the Musee des Beaux-Arts. It offers a remarkable survey of European paintings, sculptures, art objects and antiquities through the centuries throughout the world. The afternoon is free with time for browsing or peek into the city’s lovely shops. (B,D)
JUNE 12, SUN: LYON. After a leisurely breakfast enjoy first a stroll across the local Sunday morning market Marche de l’Artisanat (crafts), then through the Parc de la Tete d’Or, offering one of France’s most beautiful rose gardens – around 130 species provide a fascinating display of the queen of the flowers. We continue north to Bourg-en-Bresse for a visit to the Monastery of Brou. The church is a gem of Flamboyant Gothic style, its tombs, reredos, statues and pews make it an outstanding museum of 16C Flemish sculpture. After a break for lunch we drive through one of France’s most famous wine areas – the Beaujolais region and learn about the different techniques used in the winemaking process during our wine-tasting of local Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages and Brouilly. Late afternoon arrive back in Lyon for dinner and overnight. (B)
JUNE 13, MON: LYON-AIX-EN-PROVENCE. Leaving Lyon we take in pastoral landscapes and farm country on our way south to the impressive Roman Aqueduct of Pont du Gard, one of the best preserved and most beautiful witnesses of Roman civilization. We continue through the typical Provencal countryside, Les Alpilles, which inspired painters such as Vincent van Gogh and Cezanne. Last stop for today is Les-Baux-de-Provence, located breathtakingly on a spur of the Alpilles. Free time for strolling and browsing, then a short drive brings us to Aix-en-Provence, our home for the next two nights. (B,D)
JUNE 14, TUE: AIX-EN-PROVENCE. This hometown of the painter Paul Cezanne is considered by many to be the most graceful town in Provence. After a leisurely breakfast walk through its picturesque streets to admire the fountains, cathedral, designer shops and bustling cafes. Next enjoy free time to stroll Tuesday morning’s main market (fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes, bric-a-brac), then visit Cezanne’s Studio which has been left as it was at his death in 1906. Enjoy a free afternoon on your own in Aix or take an included excursion to Arles, a charming city on the Rhone River. Our walking tour takes in the beautifully preserved 1C Arena of Arles and the Musee de l’Arles Antique with its dazzling display of Roman sarcophagi and sculptures. There is time to stop for a glass of wine at the renowned Cafe at Night, easy to recognize from Vincent’s famous Le Café de Nuit, then return to Aix for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
JUNE 15, WED: AIX-EN-PROVENCE. Whole day is set aside for an excursion to the mountainous Luberon, a region full of charm with striking solitary woods, rocky landscape and hill-top villages. Enjoy picture stops at Lourmarin and Bonnieux as well as a visit to the romanesque Abbey of Senanque, nicely located in a valley filled with lavender. For lunch today experience a French pique-nique in the great Luberon countryside, and then travel through the land of the bories – huts standing like beehives among the olive trees. Stop at the Village des Bories to learn more about these corbelled drystone structures, and then return to Aix. (B,L)
JUNE 16, THU: AIX-EN-PROVENCE-NICE. This morning we motor east to Cagnes-sur-Mer for a visit to Pierre Auguste Renoir’s Maison Les Colettes, where the great Impressionist spent most winters from 1908 until his death in 1919. After visiting the Musée Renoir and its lovely garden, we continue to St.Paul-de-Vence, a picturesque, medieval hill town, with free time for lunch, browsing and shopping. Late afternoon arrive in Nice, the fashionable resort and capital of the Cote d’Azur. (B,D)
JUNE 17, FRI: NICE. After a leisurely breakfast take a stroll through the famous flower market of Nice, one of the most colorful ones in Europe, then enjoy a visit to a small museum dedicated to the work of Henri Matisse who had close ties to Nice and spent many years on the French Riviera. After a break for lunch drive along the sea to St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a visit to the elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild with its outstanding collection of objects d’art and themed gardens overlooking the Mediterranean. Return to Nice and this evening we gather for a special Farewell Dinner of local fare and wine at a popular restaurant. (B,D)
JUNE 18, SAT: NICE-USA. This morning transfer to Nice Airport for your daylight flight back to the USA. (B)
SPECIAL INCLUDED FEATURES TO NOTE:
• Visit to Monet’s House and Garden, Giverny
• Welcome Dinner with wine, Honfleur
• Visit to Eugene Boudin Museum, Honfleur
• Visit to Le Memorial Museum and Omaha Beach
• Visit to Basilica of St. Martin, Tours
• Visit to the Gardens of Chateau Villandry
• Visit to Chateau Chenonceau and Chateau Cheverny
• Visit to the Gothic Cathedral, Bourges
• Visit to Basilica Notre Dame, Musee des Beaux-Arts, Marche de l’Artisanat and Parc de la Tete d’Or, Lyon
• Wine-tasting in the Beaujolais region
• Visit to Pont du Gard and Les-Baux, Provence
• Visit to main market and Cezanne’s Studio, Aix-en-Provence
• Visit to Roman Arena and Musee Antique, Arles
• Visit to Senanque Abbey, Village des Bories and French picnic lunch in the Luberon Mountains
• Sea-view rooms at the Westminster Hotel, Nice
• Visit to Renoir’s Maison and St. Paul-de-Vence
• Visit to Matisse Museum and Flower Market, Nice
• Visit to Villa Ephrussi Rothchild, St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat
• Farewell Dinner with wine, Nice
LAND ARRANGEMENTS ALSO INCLUDE:
• Accommodations in first-class hotels with porterage
• Breakfast buffet daily, one picnic lunch and 10 dinners
• Services of professional tour director, Gunter Walter
• Gratuities to tour director and local city guides
• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned coach
• All sightseeing and excursions as outlined in this itinerary, including entrance and guide fees
• Headsets included throughout the tour
TRIP PRICE:
For land arrangements: Land cost $4393.00 per person sharing a twin room
Single supplement: $$1375.00
Price based on minimum group size of 20 and exchange rate of 1.30 dollars to one euro.
DEPOSIT TO HOLD SPACE:
$600.00 per person to hold space.
AIRFARE:
Regency Travel will assist in ticketing the best available schedule and the best possible rate. Travellers are welcome to arrange their own air using frequent fliers or upgrades. Roundtrip hotel/airport transfers are included only at group flight times. Taxis are readily available at the airport for other flight times. For information please call Linda Walter at 901-844-6105 or (800) 278-8924 ext. 105 or Glenda Owen , 901-844-6106.
Insurance: Trip cancellation medical/baggage insurance is necessary and will be billed at the group rate at final payment.. This covers illness or death in immediate family of traveller or traveller’s roommate and with this group rate, covers pre-existing conditions of a medical nature only.
CANCELLATION:
• Before Jan 1, 2011 : $150.00 per person
• From that date until Mar. 1 : $600.00 per person
• From Mar. 1 until departure: 100% of land costs
For information, bookings, or brochures for friends, please call LINDA WALTER (901) 844-6105 or GLENDA OWEN (901) 844-6106 at Regency Travel or (800) 278-8924 ext. 105.
FABULOUS FRANCE 2011
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I will will not need Regency Travel’s air arrangements and realize that arrival at a different time from the tour group means that I will get to the hotel on my own.
Responsibility Regency Travel and/or its agents act only in the capacity of tour operators for the clients in all matters pertaining to travel by air or surface. They shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss occasioned by neglect, default of any company or person engaged in conveying the tour, or any hotel proprietor or vehicle rental organization or other persons supplying services or materials in connection with the tour. Regency Travel reserves the right to withdraw a tour at any time, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a member of a tour/or to make changes in the published itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant or if they deem necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the passengers. All prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to re confirmation when final payment is made. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and purchased of these tours. The services of any IATA carrier, may be used in connection with the air portion of these tours. Neither Regency nor Voyager Tours is responsible for any airline penalties or fees due to changes in schedule or itinerary nor tickets booked by clients.
FABULOUS FRANCE
JUNE 4 – 18, 2011
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