Paris and the Loire Valley

•   No more than 24 guests – small group size means sight-doing, not just sightseeing, for hands-on cultural immersion

Day 1: Arrive Paris for a Parisian Rhapsody
Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your boutique hotel on Paris’ Right Bank. Settle in, freshen up and meet us for a walking tour through the intellectually stimulating, bohemian-inspired Latin Quarter. Cross the bridge onto the Ile de la Cité to Notre Dame Cathedral, looming large as one of the most historically significant buildings in Paris. A glass of wine and an aperitif refresh at our cocktail reception. Revived and re-energized, we’ll head out to a small island for a fun welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Le Pigonnet – Aix-en-Provence, France
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: A Bike Ride & a Cooking Class
After a delicious petit dejeuner (a term you will speak with ease after tomorrow’s informal French lesson), hop aboard a bicycle for a ride in nearby Le Marais, pedaling leisurely past peaceful squares, chic boutiques, art galleries and artful museums. Off your bike, don your apron and chef’s hat for a hands-on cooking class, à la Julia Child, as you learn how to prepare a mouth-watering, regionally inspired meal, paired with the perfect wine and cheese. Walk off your gourmet lunch this afternoon as you explore the city on your own. Dine tonight as you choose in one of many tempting restaurants and cafés – this is Paris after all where the city is truly a feast for the senses!
Overnight: Le Pigonnet – Aix-en-Provence, France
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Châteaux... and Châteaux
Say adieu to city life this morning. It’s all aboard the high-speed TGV train for a ride out to Angers, home to the moated Château Angers, a castle that took 100 years to build. Go inside a specially constructed part of the château to get a close look at the astounding 77-piece tapestry, the Apocalypse of St. John, commissioned by 14th-century Dukes. Half-timbered homes were in style in the 15th century; see them on a walk through town, then head out to your lovely château hotel overlooking the Loire River. A language lesson during your drive introduces the basics of conversational French.
Overnight: Hostellerie Le Phébus – Joucas, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4: A country castle and a picnic
Begin the day like a local as we head to the market to shop for our picnic lunch... the sights, sounds and smells should get your spirit and appetite pumped for our bike ride along country lanes and past vineyards to a castle in Breze, weather permitting. Still privately owned, Château de Breze is uniquely fascinating to explore. If you’re game, challenge yourself to a stroll down in the castle’s labyrinthine tunnels that date to the Middle Ages, then come back up into the fresh air for a picnic lunch... and a wine tasting... Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is all yours.
Overnight: Hostellerie Le Phébus – Joucas, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Horses, hiking and fine wine
One look at the lush landscapes of the Loire Valley and you’ll understand why equestrians like to saddle up here. Not far from your hotel is Cadre Noir de Saumur, one of the world’s most prestigious riding academies. Saumur is home to some of the best equestrians in Europe, many of whom trained at the academy. Learn more about them on today’s tour and get a closer look at the fine horses that are stabled here. Time at leisure in the town of Saumur gives you the opportunity to have lunch on your own in a sidewalk café within the shadow of the immense Château Saumur, perched above the old town. Surrounded by vineyards, the town is also renowned for its champignons; you may want to sample a mushroom or two with your meal! The art of living in the Loire Valley continues with a visit to the nearby town of Turquant, where you may see artisans, gilders and glassblowers among them, at work in their craft shops. Stretch your legs and your imagination on an afternoon hike along the “windmill road” through the inspirational countryside – the scenery is rewarding everywhere you look! Dinner tonight celebrates the bounty of the land and the vine when you taste regional wines and traditional cuisine at Le Moulin Bleu, which is housed in an Angers-style mill overlooking beautiful vineyards.
Overnight: Hostellerie du Vallon de Valrugues – St-Rémy-de-Provence,
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Canoeing & Châteaux Gardens
Boating along the Vienne River near Chinon is a great way to immerse in the region’s tranquil landscapes and to discover firsthand why so many of the landed gentry built their châteaux here; you’ll have that opportunity this morning as we glide downstream aboard canoes. Enjoy time to explore the village of Chinon on your own before we continue on to the Château de Villandry for a visit to its 16th-century gardens. Described as “the imaginative 20th-century re-creation of a Renaissance castle garden,” this floral showcase was designated a UNESCO World  Heritage Site and boasts a water garden, ornamental flowers and vegetable garden lined with box row hedges. Spend the next two nights at a 17th-century manor house hotel in Luynes, set on 350 acres of Loire Valley parkland.
Overnight: Hostellerie du Vallon de Valrugues – St-Rémy-de-Provence,
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: The art of living in Amboise... and da Vinci
Spend the morning in picturesque Amboise, seeing where the artist Leonardo da Vinci spent his last days. Visit his home at Château du Clos Lucé before exploring the sights on your own. Ce soir, you’ll experience an inside look at life in a private castle – below the stairs in the staff’s old kitchen! Your hostess, the Countess, will show you the proper way to set a French table sharing traditions handed down by her grandmother in their 300-year-old family home. Then it’s time for a typical French dinner of local products freshly prepared by the chef in the old kitchen. Storytelling, singing and merry-making with live, old-fashioned music makes this farewell party one to long remember and cherish!
Overnight: Hostellerie du Vallon de Valrugues – St-Rémy-de-Provence,
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: Say farewell to France...
Tour ends: Paris. Ride aboard the TGV to Paris. A transfer is included to the Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home. Allow three hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included:

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/20/2012 - 5/28/2012	$4,690
6/3/2012 - 6/11/2012	$4,690
6/17/2012 - 6/25/2012	$4,690
6/24/2012 - 7/2/2012	$4,690
8/26/2012 - 9/3/2012	$4,690
9/9/2012 - 9/17/2012	$4,690
9/16/2012 - 9/24/2012	$4,690
9/30/2012 - 10/8/2012	$4,690
10/7/2012 - 10/15/2012	$4,690
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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