Description
Fall in Love With the Loire Valley, Paris and Provence, France (Europe) for Two Nights at Chateau Belmont in the Loire Valley, Two Nights at Hotel Le Littre in Paris, and Two Nights at Hotel Cezanne in Aix-en-Provence for Two, Including Rail Transfers, a Tour of Chateaux and a Wine Tasting, an Eiffel Tower Tour with Summit Access, a Seine River Cruise, Tour of Versailles, and Your Choice of a Tour of Luberon Market and Villages or a Tour of St. Remy de Provence, Les Baux and Arles (Land Only)
Step into a fairy tale, complete with stunning castles, an enchanting countryside, and outstanding wines when you visit the beautiful Loire Valley, where you'll tour breathtaking chateaux, walk through spectacular gardens, and taste fantastic wines. Boasting an atmosphere all its own, Paris is a city of many splendors (as Hemingway once wrote), from stately museums, famous monuments, Neoclassical architecture, the gentle River Seine, churches that date back hundreds of years, as well as the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower. Then make your way to the south of France and the stunning landscape of Provence, where you'll discover the vibrant village markets, learn about the traditions and visit some of the region's most authentic villages.
The charms of chateaux and wine tasting will have you falling in love with the Loire Valley! Your small-group full-day guided tour begins with a visit to Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the most exquisite chateaux in the Loire Valley thanks to its unique architecture. The history of the chateau is defined by an almost uninterrupted succession of women who built, embellished, protected, restored and saved it. View the extraordinary collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings as you tour the magnificent rooms, and enjoy the beautiful walkways of the Garden of Diane de Poitiers, the Garden of Catherine de Medicis, the Garden Green and the Maze. Transfer to Amboise for the lunch, and then get ready for Les Caves Ambacia, the Loire Valley wine experience! This sensorial visit combines heritage from the past and modernity conceptualised as a multi-stage tour, and is followed by a wine tasting class led by a sommelier, including four wines including one vintage Vouvray wine. Savor your lunch at leisure in Amboise and then transfer to Chambord for a guided tour of the Chateau de Chambord. Two centuries after having opened to the public, Chambord remains one of the most awe-inspiring Renaissance constructions, arousing admiration and fascination throughout the world. Far from serving as a residential palace or a mere hunting lodge, the chateau is a stupendous work of art; imagined by King François I and inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, it has yet to divulge its innermost secrets.
Located in the heart of Tours, the four-star Clarion Hotel Château Belmont welcomes you to a peaceful and relaxing place very close to the city life of Tours. Set in the middle of a majestic 2.5 hectare park, the chateau offers the comforts of personalized hotel service and the pleasure of prestigious amenities including French cooking, a heated indoor pool, a spa and a hammam. The grounds surround you with greenery and a long history of almost four centuries, and the chateau's shaded park augments its magical environment. This chateau was formerly a vineyard known for its white wines, and is now the perfect place to relax near the medieval city of Tours!
Of all Paris' sights, one landmark you absolutely cannot miss is the Eiffel Tower, the tallest structure in all of Paris. You'll see all of the City of Lights from the top, and with your skip the line pass, you won't have to waste any time ascending all 1,063 feet! Continue to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel's private apartments, and when you board the elevator for the summit, be sure to hit record on your mobile for a dizzying video of the view and ironwork! You'll also get to cruise down the Seine River and discover the heart of Paris and its unique architecture, on display with Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum, Musée d'Orsay, Palais de Justice, and more. Another must-see when staying in Paris is a small-group half-day tour of the Palace of Versailles, the former residence of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The Palace of Versailles has been listed as a World Heritage Site for 40 years and is one of the greatest achievements in French 17th century art. Here you will be able to discover the famous French-style gardens, the outside of Marie Antoinette's Hamlet and the outside of the Grand and Petit Trianon. You will also be taken by your guide inside the palace for a one-hour guided tour around the Grands Apartments and the Galerie des Glaces.
After hours and days of walking all over the city, seeing and experiencing its many delights, you'll truly enjoy your luxurious accommodations at Hotel Le Littre in the heart of the city, where you'll have all the calm, privacy and services you need at your fingertips. Located on the Left Bank, Hotel Le Littre is between Saint Germain des Pres and Montparnasse, the new areas for fashion designers and luxury shops.
Every day is market day in Provence! Each day of the week you'll find small and large markets, which are as popular with locals as with tourists, adding color and vitality to every village. Participate in this most French of rituals on a small-group full-day tour of Luberon market and villages. As you peruse the stalls, you'll find the best local, seasonal fruit and vegetables; meat, fish, bread, olives, tapenade, honey and conserves, herbs and spices, cheese, goat cheese, flowers, oils and wines, ready-to-eat rotisserie chickens, Provencal fabrics and housewares, clothes, the perfect straw hat or straw basket to take to the markets, and so much more! Spend time in the dry-stone built village Gordes located in the heart of the Vaucluse mountains, take a stroll in the charming rocky promontory, and admire the breathtaking view of the Luberon mountain. Your next stop will be the village of Roussillon and its colorful houses. Get a taste of Provençal life by strolling through one of the most beautiful Provençal markets in the Luberon, Lourmarin, also famous for its Renaissance castle. Discover the city of Apt, famous for the candied-fruits production. In the town of L'Isle sur la Sorgue, walk along the various canals and discover the antique shops. Then drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse, where you will walk up to the cave from which the River Sorgue emerges.
Explore the diversity of the Provençal way of life that inspired Van Gogh, from the Roman culture and architecture, to the magnificent landscapes and beautiful villages, on this small-group full-day tour! Leave from Aix en Provence with your expert local guide, and arrive in Saint Rémy de Provence to spend free time in the village. Enjoy a photo stop at the Antiques and St. Paul de Mausole, a Roman monument and the hospital where Van Gogh was confined from 1889 to 1890. Then, discover the exceptional village Les Baux de Provence. Since the Middle Ages, the village has kept its narrow streets, the imposing ruins of a castle and the memory of the proud lords and troubadours. From the rocky spur, it's a breathtaking view of exceptional scenery. Continue this Provence day tour to Arles, where you will walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh to discover the places where he created his most famous paintings. Arles is also famous worldwide for its architectural heritage, including the Roman amphitheatre and theatre, and the magnificent Romanesque Saint Trophime church.
Peaceful, charming and authentic, the boutique Hotel Cezanne has featured in the city's history for 100 years. Just a 5 minute walk from the prestigious Cours Mirabeau, it is ideally located near the city's ancient walls on the site of one of the first Roman cities in the Mediterranean basin. The Cézanne breakfast is a ritual in itself and served in the dining room, where you will find a fresh juice bar, home-made sweet and savoury pies, pastries, pancakes, brioche, artisanal charcuterie boards and jams from Hautes-Alpes.
Your trip for two includes:
2 nights accommodations at Chateau Belmont in Paris in a Junior Suite
2 night Acommodations at the Hotel Le Littre in a Superior room in Paris
2 nights accommodations at the Hotel Cezanne in a Superior room Aix En Provence
Daily breakfast
One-way transfer from CDG Airport to Chateau Belmont
Tour of Chateaux of Chenonceau and a wine tasting, including English-speaking guide and entrance fees
First class rail tickets from Paris train station to Paris Le Littre hotel
Small group half-day tour of Versailles, including English-speaking guide and entrance fees
Eiffel Tower tickets with summit access and 1-hour cruise on the river Seine
First-class rail tickets from TGV train station to Aix En Provence
One-way transfer from Aix En Provence train station to Hotel Cezanne
Small group full-day tour of Luberon market and villages, including English-speaking guide
Small group full-day tour to St Remy de Provences, including English-speaking guide (lunch and entrance fees not included)
One-way transfer from Hotel Cezanne to Marseille Airport
All room-related taxes (including VAT)
Free concierge reservation service
Item Special Note
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Hotel may be substituted with equal or similar accommodations. Tours and excursions run on specific days of the week and at specific times. Local city taxes are the responsibility of the traveler and are required to be paid directly to hotel. A minimum 30 day advance reservation is required. Please email us at auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.