ULTIMATE FRANCE

ULTIMATE FRANCE

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Fully escorted with a maximum of 14 passengers

Come along with us on an extraordinary journey through France.  From iconic Paris, world famous Champagne houses  in Champagne, 7 night wondrous river cruise  along the Rhone and Saone Rivers from Burgundy to Provence, the glamour and beauty of the  French Riviera, stunning towns and villages of Provence, enchanting Chateaux of the  Loire and  the unforgettable Mont Saint-Michel…… this itinerary has it all. 

Our tours are exclusively for solo travellers so come and share the joy of travel with people just like you

$20,850 per person twin

$27,850 per person single

Enquire for costs to upgrade to Business Class

 

For an extra special experience,  upgrade your cabin on the cruise plus some hotel rooms:

Paris – to Deluxe Room

River Cruise – to Panorama Suite

St Paul de Vence – to Deluxe Room

Loire – to Superior Room

Mont St Michel – to Premium Bayview

$1,800 per person twin

$2,950 per person single

 

Earlybird saving - book and pay a deposit 5 February 2019 and get $250 off

Past passenger saving $150

Save an additional $250 if doing 2 tours in one year

 

TOUR HOST:  Tracey Burfield-Mills

Tracey has been creating holidays for clients for over 30 years and is now specialising in tours for solo travellers.  She is the owner/operator of World Travellers Remuera and puts together all the itneraries for our tours based on years of travelling experience.  She is a full member of the New Zealand Intitute of Travel and Tourism (MNZITT).   "Solo travellers have been sadly neglected in the past, says Tracey.    We are the first (and currently only) company in New Zealand that offers tours exclusively for solo travellers.  The difference for a solo traveller travelling on one of our tours is huge.  Being part of a small group of solo travellers provides a wonderful intimate experience where it is like travelling with a group of friends. Everyone is in the same situation which provides a relaxing and comfortable environment.  I also love the fact we all get together prior to departure.  Getting to know each other prior to the tour eases any anxiety about who will be on the tour etc so that by the time we all meet at the airport we are all familiar with each other and can look forward to doing and seeing some amazing things and having fun.  I absolutely love escorting every tour I take away. We see and do great things, stay in lovely hotels, have great meals (and of course great wine) and have sooo much fun! I cannot wait for the next one".

 

Tour inclusions:

Return economy class air fares from Auckland with Emirates

All taxes and levies

7 night Avalon River Cruise

4-5 star hotels in Dubai, Paris, Reims, St Paul de Vence, Aix en Provence, Amboise and Mont St Michel

Sightseeing as specified

Travel in luxury mini-bus

Flight Provence to Loire

Breakfast Daily

Lunch and Dinner while on the River Cruise

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the river cruise

2 Dinners in St Paul de Vence

Gratuities

Services of Tour Host

 

Itinerary

Tuesday 3 September

After checking in at Auckland International Airport enjoy some relaxing time at the Emperors Lounge.  Tonight we depart Auckland  at 8.30 pm and fly to Dubai.  On arrival at 5.35 am we are transferred to our hotel.  One night Taj Dubai Hotel  (Luxury Rooms), conveniently located in the Burj Khalifa precinct,  five minutes from the famed Downtown area and Dubai Mall.

 

Thursday 5 September

Early this morning we are transferred  to the airport for our flight to Paris departing 8.20 am  On arrival  at 1.30 pm we are transferred to our hotel.  Three  nights Hotel Mansart (Superior Capucines Rooms)  located at the corner of the prestigious Place Vendôme, not far from Opéra Garnier and the Louvre.

 

Friday 6 September

This morning enjoy a guided panoramic tour by minibus where we will see  Notre Dame, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre, Opéra, Concorde, Madeleine, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Invalides, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower and Montmartre.  Rest of the day at leisure.  You may like to spend some time admiring the awe-inspiring artworks of the Louvre Museum .  Tonight you may like to have dinner up the Eiffel Tower.

 

Saturday 7 September

Today is left at leisure.  You may like to take an optional excursion to Versailles and Monet’s Garden or spend the day doing your own thing.

 

Sunday 8 September

This morning we travel by minibus to the world famous Champagne region of France, driving through rolling hills and vineyards to the capital of the Champagne Country – Reims.  Spend the afternoon at leisure in Reims and make sure you visit the spectacular Reims Cathedral and you may like a tasting tour at Mumm or Tattinger.  Two nights Hotel de la Paix (Priviledge Rooms) located in the heart of Reims. 

 

Monday 9 September

Today is devoted to Champagne!  Our first stop takes us back some 300 years with a visit to the Benedictine Abbey in Hautvillers where the famous Dom Perignon was the cellarer and pioneered some of the production methods that made champagne the delight it is today.  Our next stop is a family-run winery where the owner will show us around and teach us how his family has been making champagne for three generations.  Of course we will need to sample his wares.  Our next stop is Epernay and  Avenue de Champagne, home to many leading Champagne houses.  There is a king’s ransom of bubbly hidden under this very unique street and you’ll understand why many call this the most valuable street in France.   After lunch step into the cave of Moët & Chandon and  enjoy a tour and tasting .

 

Tuesday 10 September

This morning we leave Champagne and head to St Jean de Losne, where we will board our ship.  On the way we’ll stop in one of France’s most romantic towns – Troyes.  This astonishingly intact, ludicrously pretty historic centre wings you back to the Middle Ages, with its warren of cobbled streets, fine ensemble of half-timbered houses in pastel hues, once home to wealthy textile merchants, and uplifting Gothic churches. This afternoon   board our luxury ship Avalon MS Passion II– (Deluxe Stateroom with Window)  and enjoy a brief evening cruise to Seurre.  Overnight Seurre

 

Wednesday 11 September

This morning enjoy leisurely cruising along the majestic Saone River en route to Macon.  Consider an Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, or to the Castle of Cormatin. Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board our ship. Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trevoux this evening. Overnight Trevoux

 

Thursday 12 September

Sail for lovely Lyon this morning and enjoy a guided tour to view Lyon from Fourviere Hill, explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, monuments and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. There’s free time this afternoon to enjoy this lovely city. Later on board our ship you may like to be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance lecture and enjoy live entertainment after dinner. Overnight Lyon

 

Friday 13 September

Today is free to explore, relax or shop in France’s third largest city.  Or you may like to take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks.  This evening we sail for  Tournon.

 

Saturday 14 September

This morning enjoy a guided walking tour to explore Tournon – one of France’s oldest medieval cities.  See its 16th century castle and Roman ruins between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.  This afternoon we sail for  the charming village of Viviers and explore the pale-stone buildings on a late afternoon guided walking tour.  You'll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. This evening we sail for Avignon.

 

Sunday 15 September

This morning enjoy a guided tour of the fortress city of Avignon-with its ramparts encircling the city-and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.  You may like to take an optional excursion  to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone wine region. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. This evening we sail for Arles.

 

Monday 16 September

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles-the captivating city of the Provence region. You'll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrieres de Lumieres (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d'Enfer. Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Cafe Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by. Overnight Arles

 

Tuesday 17 September

This morning we say Au Revoir to our crew and head to the beautiful village of St Paul de Vence.  Built on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by its ramparts built on the orders of Francois 1st, St Paul is certainly one of the most beautiful village in Provence.  The beauty of the surrounding area, quality of life and exceptional light has inspired numerous famous artists, painters, writers and poets, some ow whom took up residence in the village.  On our way to St Paul de Vence stop in the elegant city of Cannes, home to the Cannes Film Festival. Three nights Le Mas de Pierre (Superior Rooms), located in a two hectare Mediterranean park full of hundred year old olive trees, and on the doorstep of Saint Paul de Vence.  Tonight enjoy an included 3 course dinner at the hotel.

 

Wednesday 18 September

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the gorgeous hotel and explore the beautiful town of St Paul de Vence.

 

Thursday 19 September

Today enjoy an adventure on the glamorous French Riviera visiting  Monaco  and the medieval hillside village of Eze.    We’ll begin our day with a short visit to the glamorous Monte Carlo Casino, whose design was overseen by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris opera.  If this complex looks familiar, it's because you may have seen it in the James Bond films, "Never Say Never Again" and "Goldeneye." It was also the inspiration for the casino in Ian Fleming’s first Bond book, "Casino Royale."  From there we will head  to the  Prince’s Palace where we will visit the State Rooms, see  the Changing of the Guard and the private collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H Prince Rainier III. We’ll  then continue to the Cathedral, where we can pay homage to the Princes and Princesses of Monaco who are buried there.  We’ll finish our time in Monaco with our driver taking us for a spin around the road circuit of the Monaco Grand Prix.  As we leave Monaco we’ll drive through the village of La Turbie.  Known as the “Terrace” of Monaco, due to the panoramic views of the Principality of Monaco before arriving at the enchanting hillside village of Eze where we will be rewarded with panoramic views of the French Riviera and Mediterranean Sea. 

 

Friday 20 September

This morning we head to Aix en Provence where its leafy boulevards and public squares are lined with 17th- and 18th-century mansions and punctuated by  moss-covered fountains.  Aix en Provence  is famous for being home to  Cézanne  and has a very strong student presence with 3 Universities and several French language schools for international students in the town. On the way to Aix en Provence we will stop in Nice,  where the deep blue waters of the Cote d'Azur are the dramatic backdrop for elegant Nice.  Four nights Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix-en-Provence Centre-MGallery by Sofitel (Deluxe  Rooms with Poolview*), Located just a 5-minute walk from Cours Mirabeau and the centre of Aix-en-Provence. *Classic room for twin rooms

 

Saturday 21 September

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy our  lovely  hotel and explore the beautiful town of Aix en Provence.

 

Sunday 22 September

Today we are heading to the coast with visits to Marseilles and Cassis.  First we'll drive up to the highest point in Marseille, Notre Dame de la Garde, for a spectacular 360° view of the city, coastline and mountains. Then we'll drive down into the heart of it where we'll visit The Old Port, the oldest neighborhood in France, le Panier, and the Fort St. Jean.  After Marseilles we make our way to Cassis.   You'll love the staggering view from one of the highest maritime cliffs in Europe overlooking this quaint fishing town.   We’ll finish the day with a 45 minute boat ride amongst the beautiful landscape of the Calanques National Park.

 

Monday 23 September

Today we will visit four of the most beautiful villages in the Luberon –  Gordes,  Rousillon, Lourmarin and Bonnieux.   Loumarin -  nestled in the middle of vineyards, olive groves and almond trees, you’ll notice the Mediterranean influences as you stroll through its winding narrow streets, lined with lovely old houses. Continue on to Bonnieux, built on a plateau dominating the Luberon Valley.  Wander along tiny cobbled lanes and get glimpses of superb residences dating back to the 16th century.  Our next stop is the vibrant village of Roussilon.  Savour views of magnificent red cliffs and quarries and enjoy a pleasant walk past ochre buildings, art galleries and restaurants.  Finish the day with a visit to the charismatic sights of Gordes, where stone homes are packed tightly beneath rocky overhangs crowned with aromatic cedar.

 

Tuesday 24 September

This morning we are transferred to Marseilles for our Ryan Air flight to the Loire.  On arrival we will be transferred to our hotel  in Amboise.  Elegant Amboise, childhood home of Charles VIII and final resting place of the incomparable Leonardo da Vinci, is gorgeously situated on the southern bank of the Loire, guarded by a soaring château.  Three nights Le Clos d’Amboise (Tradition and Comfort Rooms), located in the heart of Amboise.

 

Wednesday 25 September

Today we visit 2 of the  finest Châteaux of the Loire Valley – Château de Villandry and Chateau de Chenonceau

Château de Villandry, built in the 16th century, is famous for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens. Unique in Europe, its five exceptional gardens – the ornamental kitchen garden, ornamental garden, water garden, medicinal garden and maze – are the perfect destination for those who love gardens and strolling.  A viewpoint offers visitors a beautiful panorama of the beautiful and colourful setting. The castle, which has preserved its keep, contains a collection of Spanish furniture and antique paintings.  After visiting Château de Villandry we head to Chateau de Chenonceau. Chateau de Chenonceau is the most visited and photographed chateau of the Loire Valley. It is often described as ‘the ladies chateau’ as throughout its history it is they who have most influenced its design and its destiny...it was not always the chateau we see today.

 Thursday 26 September

Today is free to enjoy Amboise.  You may like to visit Chateau Amboise and/or Le Chateau du Clos Luce – the final home of Leonardo da Vinci. 

 

Friday 27 September

This morning we leave the Loire and travel to Mont St Michel.  A magical island topped by a gravity-defying medieval monastery, the Mont Saint Michel counts among France’s most stunning sights. For centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations, this holy mount is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is its breathtaking bay.  This afternoon we will spend some time on the island including a tour of the Abbey.  One night Le Relais Saint Michel (Comfort Garden Rooms)

 

Saturday 28 September

Early this morning we leave the hotel and make our way back to Paris and to CDG Airport.  This afternoon we depart Paris at 3.35 pm and fly to Dubai arriving at 12.20 am.  Overnight at Dubai International Hotel located inside the terminal at Dubai Airport

Sunday 29 September

This morning depart Dubai at 10.05 am and fly to Auckland

 

Monday 30 September

Arrive Auckland 10.50 am

 

All prices are per person in New Zealand dollars.  Prices are based on payment by cash, eftpos, cheque or direct deposit only.  A surcharge of 2% applies for payment by Visa or Mastercard.  If you would prefer to share a room we will endeavour to match you up with someone of the same gender.  If we cannot, you would be required to pay the single price.  A non-refundable deposit of $3,500 per person is due at time of booking.  Balance due 3 June 2019.  Minimum tour number: 10.   If the group falls below this number World Travellers Remuera reserves the right to cancel the tour in which case a full refund would be given.  This would be known 3 months prior to departure.  Once paid the full amount is non-refundable.

 

Please note:  a good level of fitness is required for this tour