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Leafy vineyards, majestic mountains, Riviera sunshine, Roman remains and fortified towns combine with great food and wine for an engaging ‘Tour de France’.

16 days, Priced from A$4475

Country Roads Tour, Departs from & returns to Paris

Tour code E723

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Itinerary

Day 1 – PARIS AT LEISURE

Welcome to Paris! On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 08:30, 11:00 & 13:30. Relax and settle in, or start exploring this great capital. This evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Afterwards, the ‘city of light’ awaits.

Hotel: Concorde Opera

Day 2 – PARIS – TROYES – CHABLIS – DIJON

Head to Troyes, capital of the Champagne region – its magnificent core of medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a champagne cork. Continue into Burgundy, once a powerful duchy and synonymous with fine wine. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the wines that make this region so famous. Stop in the quiet village of Chablis for a taste of the local nectar before reaching Dijon.

Hotel: Sofitel Dijon (BB,D)

Day 3 – VEZELAY EXCURSION

After breakfast, set off through the leafy Burgundian countryside with road signs that read like a wine list. Stop in the picturesque town of Vézelay. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried here and Richard the Lionheart set off for the Crusades from the famous basilica. Later, return to your hotel for some relaxing time at leisure. (BB)

Day 4 – DIJON – CHAMONIX

A scenic symphony awaits you as you head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont Blanc and the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix.

Hotel: Prieure

Day 5 – CHAMONIX – ANNECY – AIX-LES-BAINS

After breakfast, embark on a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of Annecy. Free time for lunch in the Little Venice area or take a boat trip. Continue to your hotel in the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, nestled on the edge of France’s largest and most celebrated lake, Lac du Bourget and overlooked by Mt Revard.

Hotel: Marina Adelphia (BB,D)

Day 6 – AIX-LES-BAINS – NICE

Glorious mountain scenery today, as you travel in the footsteps of Napoleon, as he made his victorious return from Elba. A scenic, rugged landscape leads from the Alps, down to the French Riviera and the elegant resort of Nice.

Hotel: Radisson Blu (BB)

Day 7 – MONACO EXCURSION

On a morning sightseeing tour, journey to the principality of Monaco to see the Grimaldi Palace. You also visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit and views of the port with its luxury yachts. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera. (BB)

Day 8 – NICE – ST. PAUL DE VENCE – AVIGNON

Visit the medieval village of St Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Get to know the village, revel in its pleasures and experience its art and lifestyle. Continue to Aix-en Provence to see the elegant mansions and popular Cours Mirabeau. Journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence”. Home for the next three nights is Avignon.

Hotel: Avignon Grand Hotel/Imperator Nimes (BB,D)

Day 9 – RHONE EXCURSION

Stop at the imposing Pont du Gard, a three tiered Roman aqueduct. Head towards the Rhône River and the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the famous wine. Back in Avignon, take a little train ride past the Palace of the Popes and ‘Pont d’Avignon’. (BB)

Day 10 – ARLES – NIMES AND CAMARGUE EXCURSION

Drive to Arles, one-time home to Van Gogh and Roman legionnaires, and visit the Amphitheatre. Continue through the Camargue to Stes Maries de-la-Mer, where Gypsies gather annually to honour their patron saint. You may see flamingos and wild horses on the way to Nîmes. An orientation tour shows you the Roman Arena and 2,000-year-old Roman Temple, Maison Carrée. (BB)

Day 11 – AVIGNON – CARCASSONE – ALBI

Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before heading inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. The city has a complete set of ramparts and a medieval keep. After your walking tour, continue to your hotel in Albi, known for its Cathedral and the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec.

Hotel: St Antoine (BB,D)

Day 12 – ALBI – ROCAMADOUR – DORDOGNE

Stop in Cahors, famous for its ‘Black Wine’. Continue to Rocamadour, a tiny medieval town perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River. After some free time to explore, drive on to your hotel in the Dordogne. For dinner tonight there is a selection of local restaurants to choose from.

Hotel: La Truffe Noire/Château De La Fleunie (BB,DA)

Day 13 – DORDOGNE VALLEY EXCURSION

A morning drive takes you into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit the prehistoric site at Lascaux to view the world-famous cave paintings. Later make your way to the town of Sarlat-la-Caneda with its fine historic golden limestone houses. (BB,D)

Day 14 – DORDOGNE – LIMOGES – PARIS

Your first stop is at Limoges to visit a porcelain showroom. Continue to historic Poitiers to board your TGV train for the fast and comfortable journey to Paris.

Hotel: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel (BB)

Day 15 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with a local guide shows you Notre Dame Cathedral and façades of the Louvre. Drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower before embarking on a scenic cruise along the Seine. The tour concludes with a visit to Napoleon’s tomb in the gilded Église du Dôme. (BB)

Day 16 – PARIS

Departure transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 & 11:00. (BB)

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Tour Dates & Total Prices 2012

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Extra Tour Discount – ON YOUR 2ND TOUR

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Young Traveller Savings – 5-17 Year-olds

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This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveller Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE!

Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult, sharing a twin room (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour. This discount cannot be combined with our Small Group or Milestone Celebrations Discount.