Tour: RB - 2012 (RB) - 2012 / 2013

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Itinerary

DAY 1Arrive in Paris, France

The day is free to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. After dinner you may wish to join an optional outing to get a first impression of the “City of Light.” (Dinner)

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DAY 2Paris

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysées. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, and for a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Balance of the day at leisure and lots to do. An optional excursion to the Louvre Museum as well as exciting evening outings are available. (Breakfast)

The Arc de Triomphe standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle

Notre Dame Cathedral

Europe’s most famous cathedral, whose twin Gothic towers loom above France’s most beloved river, the Seine, actually owes a lot of its international success to the author Victor Hugo. Back in 1831, when Hugo wrote his classic novel about a hunchbacked bell-ringer at Notre Dame who falls in love with a beautiful gypsy, the medieval cathedral had fallen on hard times. During the Revolution in 1789, it had been seized, looted of its treasures and converted into an atheistic “Temple of Reason.” Even worse, after the monarchy was restored in 1815, Notre Dame was used as riverside warehouse – its once-splendid glass windows now dimmed and its facades decaying pathetically above the Île de la Cité. But Parisian’s indifference to their landmark ended suddenly in 1831, when Victor Hugo published his romantic novel the “Hunchback of Notre Dame,” (called “Notre-Dame de Paris” in French). The book was an international bestseller and lured armies of tourists to Paris in search of its Gothic cathedral setting. Hugo used this groundswell of public interest to lobby the French government for renovations of his beloved Notre Dame. From 1845 to 1864, repairs were indeed carried out – the clogged medieval streets nearby were cleared, revealing the marvelous edifice we see today.

Louvre

Today, a thick pane of bullet-proof security glass keeps artlovers a safe distance from the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, Wife of Francesco Giacondo,” known in French as “La Joconde” and English as the “Mona Lisa.” But back in 1911, it was simply hung on the walls of the Musée du Louvre like any other canvas. That was until a former museum employee named Vincenzo Perrugia strolled into the gallery before opening hours on August 21, noticed the room was empty, took down the Mona Lisa and walked out of the Louvre with it under a painting smock. When the loss was finally noticed, the police were mystified. For two years, the whereabouts of the masterpiece was unknown, while French detectives made various wild guesses. (It had been stolen by the Germans. By anarchists. By evil geniuses. By lunatics.) They actually arrested the country’s top art critic, Guillame Apollinaire, then let him free. Then, out of the blue in 1913, an Italian art dealer in Florence was contacted by a man calling himself “Leonardo” who claimed to have the Mona Lisa and wanted to see it hang in the Uffizi, Italy’s top art museum. Although he found it hard to believe that the thief could be so reckless, the dealer tipped off the police and agreed to meet the strange Leonardo in a Milan hotel room. There, the nondescript fellow opened his suitcase, emptied out his socks and underwear, opened up a false bottom in the case to reveal the Mona Lisa – and was immediately arrested.

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DAY 3Paris–Beaune–Dijon

A pleasant morning drive takes you to Beaune, a picturesque town located in the Burgundy hills. Here, enjoy a WINE TASTING before heading for Dijon, which was the capital of Burgundy from the 11th to the 15th centuries. During your orientation, hear about the various dukes who ruled over the area, then have the rest of the afternoon to browse the shops and enjoy this charming city. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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DAY 4Dijon–Avignon–Pont du Gard–NÎmes

On your way south, stop in Avignon for pictures of the magnificent Palace of the Popes and the bridge of the popular song. At Pont du Gard, admire the Roman Aqueduct, a monumental feat of engineering completed in the year 19 BC. Next is Nîmes, where you will stay for the next two days. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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DAY 5At Leisure in NÎmes

Follow your Tour Director on a walking tour of the town. An entire day at leisure to relax or to explore further at your own pace. Exciting optional excursions are available. (Breakfast)

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DAY 6NÎmes–Aix-en-Provence

Arrive in Aix-en-Provence, one of France’s most elegant cities. Explore its center during your walking tour, stroll along shaded Cours Mirabeau, admire its famous cafés and fountains, and discover colorful squares. (Breakfast, Dinner)

See the seemingly never ending lavender fields in Provence

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DAY 7Aix-en-Provence–Grasse–Nice

Drive to Grasse and visit a PERFUME FACTORY. Then, arrive in Nice, “Queen of the Riviera.” Enjoy free time to explore the Old Town or the famous beach. Later, why not join an optional outing to Monte Carlo? (Breakfast)

Promenade des Anglais – promenade along the Mediterranean at Nice, France

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DAY 8Nice

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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DATES & PRICES