Highlights of France and Spain (Winter 2011/2012)

11 day tour from A$2265.00*

Tour Style: Regional Tours

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Overview

See Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and the Paris skyline from the Eiffel Tower. Visit ancient castles in the Loire Valley and see the old city of Lyon and the Papal Palace at Avignon. See the glittering coastal towns of Cannes, Monaco and Nice, and cross the Pyrenees from France to Spain to explore cosmopolitan Barcelona, religious Toledo and majestic Madrid.

Highlights

Paris, Chartres, Loire Valley, Bourges, Lyon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Avignon, Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Toledo, Madrid.

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Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE PARIS (2 nights)

Welcome to Paris! Relax after your journey or spend time exploring this beautiful capital city. Later this afternoon, meet your fellow travellers and your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Holiday Inn La Villette (F)

Day 2

PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

The Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Left Bank, Opéra House, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre – see the city’s biggest sights on your included guided sightseeing tour this morning. Scale the dizzy heights of the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator for sensational panoramic views across Paris. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. The city is home to many distinguished museums and art galleries – you’ll be spoilt for choice! Consider an afternoon excursion to see the impressive Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris or maybe even tickets to the world famous Moulin Rouge this evening.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 3

PARIS – LOIRE VALLEY – CHATEAUX – TOURS

Visit Chartres Cathedral, featuring an enormous labyrinth embedded in the floor, thought to hold mystical properties. The Loire River valley is an exceptional cultural landscape with historic cities, villages, and grand châteaux. See the impressive Château of Chambord, and visit Chenonceau, built across the River Cher. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a Be My Guest dinner of mouth-watering specialities in a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Hotel: Holiday Inn Tours City (F)

Day 4

TOURS – BOURGES – LYON

See the Palais Jacques Coeur in Bourges. View the Cathedral of St. Stephen with its beautifully manicured gardens. Pass through Clermont Ferrand and on to Lyon, a gourmet’s paradise! Join an expert Local Guide for an included walking tour through the city’s narrow streets, courtyards and traboules. View Lyon from Fourvière hill in the old part of town, the site of the original Roman settlement. Dine tonight at your hotel.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Park & Suites Part Dieu (F)

Day 5

LYON – CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE – AVIGNON – NICE (2 nights)

Appreciate the amazing views from the castle ruins at Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône region. Visit a wine cellar for a very special wine tasting! In Avignon, see the 14th century Palace of the Popes and the bridge made famous in the song, Sur le Pont d’Avignon. Your orientation in Nice includes the spectacular Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Boscolo Plaza (SF)

Day 6

NICE – MONACO EXCURSION

Spend the morning seeing the sights of your choice. You might like to stroll on the waterfront or shop in the trendy boutiques. A scenic drive along the Côte d’Azur brings you to the playground of the rich and famous – Monte Carlo. See the Royal Palace, home to the ruling Grimaldi family for more than 700 years and the magnificent casino built by Charles Garnier in the 19th century. You might like to try your luck at one of the casinos!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7

NICE – CANNES – BARCELONA (2 nights)

Admire the yachts in the marina as you drive along ‘la Croisette’ in glamorous Cannes. See the building where the annual film festival is held. Through the dramatic Provençal landscape, past the Camargue National Park and over the foothills of the Pyrenées into Spain, the scenery is never dull! Olive groves and vineyards give way to suburbs as you enter Barcelona which lies on the western Mediterranean, your home for the next two nights!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Tryp Condal Mar (F)

Day 8

BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Gain an insight into Barcelona’s rich history from your expert Local Guide during your walking tour of the city. See the Gothic Quarter with its impressive cathedral. View many of Gaudi’s eccentric architectural masterpieces including the Sagrada Familia. See the Columbus Monument then wander along Las Ramblas. Visit the sights of your choice this afternoon. This evening you might like to round off your stay in Barcelona with dinner and a flamenco show.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 9

BARCELONA – ZARAGOZA – MADRID (2 nights)

Journey through the arid Aragon hills to Zaragoza, the city of Goya’s birth. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to St. James while he was praying on the banks of the River Ebro, instructing him to build a church in her honour. Visit the Basilica of El Pilar built in her name, and see the ancient Cathedral of La Seo. Crossing central Spain you arrive in the capital, Madrid, where you might like to dine at one of the open air restaurants.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: NH Parque De Las Avenidas (SF)

Day 10

TOLEDO EXCURSION AND MADRID SIGHTSEEING

Visit the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo, home to one of El Greco’s most celebrated paintings. Your guide will also take you to see the Synagogue. In Madrid, see the Plaza España, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via on your city sightseeing tour. Round off the day in the company of your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 11

DEPART MADRID

Say ‘adios’ to Madrid, your Tour Director and fellow travellers at the end of this memorable holiday. Take home many special memories of your travels in France and Spain. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

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2011/2012 Rates

Departs On Returns On Twin Land Only Single Land Only
Fri, Nov 04, 2011 Mon, Nov 14, 2011 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 Mon, Nov 21, 2011 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 Mon, Nov 28, 2011 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 Mon, Dec 05, 2011 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Dec 02, 2011 Mon, Dec 12, 2011 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Dec 09, 2011 Mon, Dec 19, 2011 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 Mon, Dec 26, 2011 A$2295.00 A$2915.00
Fri, Dec 23, 2011 Mon, Jan 02, 2012 A$2550.00 A$3170.00
Fri, Jan 06, 2012 Mon, Jan 16, 2012 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Jan 20, 2012 Mon, Jan 30, 2012 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Feb 10, 2012 Mon, Feb 20, 2012 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Feb 17, 2012 Mon, Feb 27, 2012 A$2265.00 A$2885.00
Fri, Mar 02, 2012 Mon, Mar 12, 2012 A$2295.00 A$2915.00
Fri, Mar 09, 2012 Mon, Mar 19, 2012 A$2295.00 A$2915.00
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 Mon, Mar 26, 2012 A$2295.00 A$2915.00
Fri, Mar 23, 2012 Mon, Apr 02, 2012 A$2295.00 A$2915.00
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 Mon, Apr 09, 2012 A$2375.00 A$3025.00
Fri, Apr 06, 2012 Mon, Apr 16, 2012 A$2375.00 A$3025.00
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 Mon, Apr 23, 2012 A$2375.00 A$3025.00

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Child Prices: a 25% discount will apply to children under the age of 16 at time of travel. (Optionals for American tours are already discounted.)

Details for our Optional Excursions are not available at this time