TRIP ITINERARY TO PARIS, PROVENCE, AND THE ALPS

                                               Day 1-2
Transatlantic flight to Paris. You will be greeted at the airport by a bilingual representative for a transfer to your hotel. Rest and relax before your evening dinner in the trendy Les Halles area. Enjoy a night tour of Paris. B/D

                                         Day 3
In the morning, visit the Louvre Museum (without a guide) to view its "Venus", Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", and the "Winged Victory". Tour the Musee d'Orsay in the afternoon, with a guide. In the evening, relax aboard a Bateaux Mouches on the Seine River.B/D


                                                    Day 4
This morning, take a short train ride for a guided tour of the Versailles Chateau, home of Louis XIV, the "Sun King". Enjoy a walk through the gardens to the Apollo Basin and to the Grand Trianon. Return to Paris in the mid-afternoon. With your escort, climb or maybe take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Next, on to the Picasso or Rodin Museum. Spend the late afternoon and evening in the artistic Montmartre area and the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Enjoy dinner in Montmartre. B/D

                                                   Day 5
Board the T.G.V., the world's fastest passenger train, for a trip to Avignon. Explore Avignon, the 14th century center of Christiandom, with its Pope's Palace and the "Pont d'Avignon", renowned for its song. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in Avignon. B/D

                                                  Day 6
Today, you will visit the world's largest Roman aqueduct, le Pont du Gard. Continue on to the medieval cliff village of Les Baux. Descend into the caves of the Cathedral des Images to experience a musical photographic exposition. Continue on to Nice for dinner this evening.  B/D

                                        Day 7
 Today, choose to visit the flower market in old Nice and walk along the "Promenade des Anglais", or take the scenic train ride to Monaco. Dinner is on your own before the night train to the Alps. You will be with an escort and will sleep in couchettes on the train. B

                                                       Day 8
 You will be greeted at the station for a transfer to your hotel. You are on your own in the morning to relax, breathe the fresh alpine air, and look up at the 15, 770 foot "Mont Blanc". In the afternoon, hike to the "Mer de Glace", the meeting point of glacier and mountain. Enjoy dinner this evening in Chamonix. B/D

                                                       Day 9
This morning take the tram, in the center of town, to the top of the "Aiguille du Midi", one of the highest peaks in Europe. Return to the hotel for your transfer to the Paris T.G.V. You will be greeted on your arrival at the hotel, and taken to dinner. B/D

                                                      Day 10
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your transatlantic return flight. B

TRIP INCLUDES:

  • Round trip transatlantic airfare.
  • 7 Nights in hotels with breakfast.
  • 1 Night in train "couchette" accommodation.
  • 8 Dinners.
  • Bilingual escort through sections of the trip.
  • Private deluxe bus for excursions.
  • Transfers between airports, hotels, and train stations.
  • Train from Paris/Avignon, Avignon/Chamonix, and Chamonix/Paris.
  • Entrance fees to Versailles, Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, and Cathedral de Images.
  • Night tour of Paris.
  • Bateaux Mouches boat ride.
  • Hike guide.
  • Tram to "Mer de Glace".
  • Tram to "Aiguille du Midi".