Paris, Dijon and Vence
Programme Overview
Duration: 10 days
SPECIAL OFFER – 9 nights for the price of 6 valid for travel throughout 2010 with no ‘book by’ date. Please enquire for details.
A 10 day tour including a city break to Paris followed by a relaxing retreat to Dijon and Vence.
Highlights: Paris, Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy, Vence
Arrival in Paris
Upon arrival at Paris airport, you will be met by your representative and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Paris, where you will be assisted with check-in.
You will be confirmed at the Hôtel Balzac for 3 nights.
Overnight: Hôtel Balzac, Paris
Meal Plan:
Paris
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide in Paris. Visit the Marais, one of Paris's most historic districts. This area houses many former residences of aristocratic families, which have now been restored and are now museums. You will see the Place des Vosges, lined with pink brick and covered arcades. You will have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Carnavalet Museum, dedicated to the history of Paris itself. The museum is housed in a 1548 town house and a 17th-century mansion featuring objets d’art, furniture, paintings and sculptures. Continue to the Ile de la Cité, where you will visit the breathtaking Sainte Chapelle, a gem of Gothic architecture built in 1248 by Louis IX.
This afternoon experience Montmartre, a different quarter of Paris forever associated with the Bohemian lifestyles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Parisians call it the “Butte” (knoll) as it is the highest point in the city. Discover Montmartre’s charms along the winding back streets, small squares and terraces. You will see many artists painting quick-fire portraits in the “place du Tertre” and have stunning views from the Sacré-Coeur.
You may wish to visit the Dalí Exhibition, a unique permanent exhibition in France entirely devoted to the master of surrealism. The nearby Place des Abbesses, one of the capital’s most picturesque squares, is also worth exploring. You will find original boutiques selling clothes, accessories or vintage furniture.
This evening why not soak up the atmosphere of a Parisian jazz club or have a romantic dinner in a trendy restaurant?
Overnight: Hôtel Balzac, Paris
Meal Plan: B
Giverny & Auvres-sur-Oise
Meet your driver and English-speaking guide for a full day excursion to Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise. First head to Giverny and visit to the Fondation Claude Monet. The house, where the Master of Impressionism lived for over 40 years, is decorated in the original color schemes he admired and in the gardens you will see the famous Japanese bridge and water lily pond, his greatest source of inspiration. Continue your journey and explore the charming riverside village of Auvers-sur-Oise. Many painters found inspiration there: Cézanne, Van Gogh, Pissarro and Daubigny. Van Gogh only stayed there seventy days but he painted seventy-two pictures. You will see the famous Auberge Ravoux, the inn where he sojourned, the famous church and the castle, now a museum dedicated to the artists who made the village famous.
Overnight: Hôtel Balzac, Paris
Meal Plan: B
Paris - Dijon
Today you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred with your representative to the Paris railway station to begin your assisted rail journey. Here you will be shown to your pre-reserved 1st class seating and your luggage will be handled onboard for you. Upon arrival at the Dijon railway station you will be met from the door of the train and your luggage will be handled for you.
After lunch at leisure, enjoy a walking tour of Dijon. Once the capital city of the mighty Dukes of Burgundy before coming under the control of the French crown, Dijon is still the capital of the Burgundy region and its wonderful old quarters are among the most interesting in France. Stroll through a network of narrow streets and small squares with fine 15th-16th century mansions. The medieval Verrerie street with its half-timbered houses is particularly remarkable. Admire the 13th-century gothic church of Notre-Dame before coming up behind the Ducal Palace, which houses a prestigious art collection.
After your tour you will be transferred to the stunning Abbaye de la Bussière.
Overnight: Abbaye de la Bussière, La Bussière-sur-Ouche
Meal Plan: B
Beaune and the vineyards
This morning meet your driver and expert English-speaking guide for a full day sightseeing tour to include the wine country south of Dijon and a visit to the Château de Chassagne-Montrachet.
Visit the wealthy town of Beaune, capital of wine, with its 15th century Hospices famous for its tiled roof, which has become an icon of Burgundy. The Hospices are better known as Hôtel-Dieu and were founded as a hospital to provide free care for the poor, the orphans, the elderly or pregnant women of the town.
You will have a guided tour at the Château de Chassagne-Montrachet which produces some of the best crus of Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise fine wines. Interestingly the Château hosts a rolling programme of exhibitions by contemporary artists.
Weather permitting, your guide will take you on a short walk through the vineyards surrounding the Château.
Overnight: Abbaye de la Bussière, La Bussière-sur-Ouche
Meal Plan: B
Burgundy
You'll spend the morning at leisure, exploring the region of Burgundy.
This afternoon enjoy an unforgettable drive on board a Citroën 2CV… in a true French style. Various options are available: you can either have your own chauffeur or, if you feel adventurous, drive the 2CV yourself and explore at your own pace (the vehicles are equipped with pre-programmed GPS).
Overnight: Abbaye de la Bussière, La Bussière-sur-Ouche
Meal Plan: B
Dijon - Nice - Vence
This morning you will be transferred to Dijon train station for your direct journey to Nice by TGV. Upon arrival at the Nice railway station you will be met from the door of the train and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the French Riviera.
Overnight: Château Saint Martin and Spa
Meal Plan: B
Vence
Today will yours to relax and enjoy the hotels spa and other facilities (swimming pool, tennis court, pétanque court, fitness room, etc)
Optional sightseeing: Meet your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle for a half-day sightseeing tour the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It is still a mecca for contemporary artists who keep the artistic vocation alive. Visit the Fondation Maeght, a small modern art museum set on a wooded clifftop. This private foundation contains one of the most important collections in Europe, with paintings, sculptures drawings and other works by Braque, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Léger or Miró.
Overnight: Château Saint Martin and Spa
Meal Plan: B
Vence
You will have another leisurely day for relaxation.
Optional sightseeing: This morning you will be met by your private vehicle and English-speaking driver to be transferred into Nice. Upon arrival, spend the morning tasting delicacies in the Old Town, learn all about Provençal olive oils and have a light Mediterranean meal prepared with only the freshest ingredients from the market. Your guide will be a food critic and cookbook author who is fascinated with Nice and its unique culinary tradition, a result of its history and climate. After 2pm you will be free to spend time at leisure in the city for sightseeing or shopping before being transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight: Château Saint Martin and Spa
Meal Plan: B
Departure
Today you will be privately transferred to the airport to board your homebound flight.
Overnight:
Meal Plan: B