France Tours & Trips 2020

• Florence: The Pazzi and de Medici feud is brought to light in this visit to the 12th-century Castle of Trebbio where you will enjoy a traditional Tuscan Be My Guest buffet, explore the cellars, and indulge in olive oil and wine tasting.
• Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
• Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
• Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
• Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
• Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• London: See London's iconic sites with a Local Specialist.
• Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
• Explore Rome, Florence, Paris and London with a Local Specialist
• Discover Venice and Lucerne
• Visit St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and a glassblowing factory in Venice
• View the Colosseum and other ancient sites in Rome, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the White Cliffs of Dover, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament in London
• See the Tuscan countryside, the vineyards of Burgundy and the Somme Battlefield in France
• Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

• Paris: Experience a classic old style quintessentially Parisian Bistro, run by Daniel and his family, at your Be My Guest Dinner. This is where the locals come and is one of our favourite places for rustic and soulful French cuisine.
• Explore London and Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Bath and Windsor
• Visit the Roman Baths in Bath, Stonehenge and the Palace of Versailles
• View the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace in London and the White Cliffs of Dover

• Explore the walled city of Avignon, crossing the 12th-century Pont St-Benezet bridge and munching on classic French fare like baguettes with cheese.
• Visit a mixture of well-known and lesser-touristed cities for a real snapshot of Western Europe, from Eiffel Tower to alleyway bars.
• Spend two days or more in most destinations for a chance to go deeper than the highlights – with some help from Lonely Planet and your Intrepid leader of course.
• Three days in Amsterdam gives you time to see the varied sides of the city, from the sidewalk cafe culture to the leafy parks and master-filled museums.
• Admire the panoramic landscapes and weaving coastline from Barcelona to France’s Provence region. With all transport arrangements taken care of, you can focus on soaking it all up.

• Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking all the sights off your bucket list!
• Rome: Get together with the Contiki crew and enjoy a traditional three-course meal with local specialties. Pasta la vista baby!
• Cinque Terre National Park: We’ll take care of your rail pass, so you can just zip around the iconic clifftop villages and focus on the Insta stories.
• Monaco City: Walk in the footsteps of Grace Kelly at the Royal Palace and see the Monte Carlo Casino (where the car park looks like a Fast & Furious set).

• See the White Cliffs
• View the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower on your sightseeing tour
• Orientation includes views of the Chapel Bridge and a visit to the Lion Monument
• Cruise by private boat to St. Mark's Square and visit a traditional glassblowing workshop
• See Piazza Santa Croce
• Visit St. Peter's Basilica, view the Colosseum and see the ancient sites with your Local Specialist

• Villandry: Return to 17th-century France and join the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a delightful Be My Guest lunch.
• Villandry: Visit Château Villandry in the Loire Valley and admire the exquisite Renaissance gardens that surround this elegant estate.
• Beaune: Vist the Hopsices de Beaune and learn about its captivating past as well as admiring its flamboyant Gothic architecture.
• Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
• Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
• Arles: Hear more about the city that is famed for being the inspiration behind the Van Gogh paintings during a city orientation.
• Lourdes: Explore Lourdes, globally renowned as a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site and attracting over three million faithful visitors every year.
• Saint-Émilion: Take in the vine-laden surroundings and established wine-making heritage of Saint-Émilion.
• Mont-Saint-Michel: Savour your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel and cross the causeway to explore the tidal island town.
• Omaha Beach: Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings and visit Omaha Beach.
• Giverny: View the gardens that inspired many of Impressionist Claude Monet’s most famous masterpieces.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Explore Carcassonne and Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Lyon, Avignon, Monaco, Nice, Arles, Lourdes and Bordeaux
• Visit the Hospices de Beaune, Château de Villandry, the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach, Claude Monet's home at Giverny and the Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris
• View the Papal Palace in Avignon, the Royal Palace and Cathedral in Monaco, Promenade des Anglais and Place Massena in Nice, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Esplanade des Quinconces in Bordeaux, the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, the D-Day Beach of Omaha in Normandy and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See the Roman Amphitheatre and the Cathedral in Arles
• Scenic Drive through the Dordogne and the Loire Valley
• Loire Valley: Step back in time with a stay in the regal 16th and 17th-century Chateâu de Beauvois.

• The Tour du Mont Blanc is undoubtably one of Europe’s most iconic and beautiful long-distance treks. Enjoy a week of hiking to the backdrop of snow-capped peaks, lakes, glaciers and mountain pastures.
• Comfortable and clean hotels & lodges are included each night, plus a remote family-run mountain auberge in the heart of valley of Les Chapieux, offering up truly magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
• Take a load off – literally! Your luggage will be transferred between your accommodation each day, meaning you’ll only have to carry a day pack, and your luggage will be waiting at your hotel.
• Filling breakfasts, picnic lunches and hearty dinners are included on each walking day – fuelling up for your explorations couldn’t be easier (or more delicious!).
• With an experienced and highly qualified International Mountain Leader by your side every step of the way, you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.

• Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
• Munich: Roll through the Bavarian city on two wheels with an expert guide, for a fun and fascinating jaunt.
• Munich: This locally guided walking tour will take you around all the highlights of this Bavarian, including Marienplatz and Rathaus Glockenspiel.
• Munich: We'll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
• Innsbruck: Snow-capped peaks. Pristine air. Chocolate-box buildings. Innsbruck is the answer to all of your Alpine travel wishes.
• Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
• Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument
• Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
• Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’.
• Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).

• View the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower on your sightseeing tour
• Visit this charming town
• Orientation tour of this gastronomic city
• View the Palace of the Popes and the Pont d'Avignon
• Visit the Principality
• Search for inspiration in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in this famous town
• Explore this beautifully preserved walled city
• View St. Bernadette's Grotto
• Visit this seaside resort
• Orientation tour
• Visit the famous wine village
• Visit the magnificent Château de Chenonceau with your Local Specialist and view the Châteaux at Amboise and Chambord
• Visit the island town and view the abbey
• Hear about the D-Day Landings at Omaha Beach
• Visit this picturesque port
• View the cathedral

• Tuscany: If you are travelling on a Founder's Collection departure, on Day 6 you are invited to an exclusive lunch and wine tasting with Marchese Mazzei at his centuries-old Tuscan estate. This experience will replace the lunch and wine tasting at the Guardastelle Estate.
• Rome: Stroll around the Roman Forum, learning more about the ancient ruins of government buildings while enjoying the panoramic views over the Eternal City. Then, skip the queues to view the iconic Colosseum and hear the remarkable history of the largest amphitheater in the ancient world.
• Rome: Every side street has something to offer, as you’ll see on a guided exploration of the hidden sites of Rome with your knowledgeable Local Expert. Get away from the crowds and discover more culture and art in this living masterpiece.
• Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century, when a volcanic eruption engulfed the streets. Hear more about the lavish lives the locals lived and visit well-preserved ruins of baths and local shops.
• Capri: Arrive in style for your overnight stay as the jet-set do, travelling to your luxurious Capri hotel by open-top taxi. Don’t forget your headscarf or hat and sunglasses so passersby can speculate about the visiting VIP.
• Capri: Embark on a private cruise that takes you around the dramatic coast of Capri to seek out hidden coves and grottos that few get to see. The White Grotto is a dazzling sight with the stalactites that dangle over its entrance.
• Perugia: Meet Marta, fourth-generation weaver and recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant at Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti. Discover how she and her weavers are preserving the medieval Umbrian tradition of loom-weaving at their artisanal workshop and sharing their own piece of a colourful history. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience Marta and her students help to safeguard the unique patterns while contributing to the protection of Umbria’s cultural heritage. The workshop is owned by women and actively empowers women and girls through its education and training programs.
• San Gimignano: Visit this small hillside city and find out why it's called the 'medieval Manhattan of Italy'. Enter the exquisite Porto San Giovanni, the main city gate, that's stood the test of time since the 13th century. Explore well-preserved streets and beautiful ceramic stores.
• Pisa: Accompanied by your Local Expert, marvel at the gravity-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa and see the Duomo and baptistery.
• Cinque Terre: Experience some of the most awe-inspiring coastal scenery on earth at the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre. Join your Local Expert and discover charming Manarola, a picturesque fishing village, before travelling by train to the historic and colourful resort town of Rapallo.
• Venice: Take a private water taxi along the Grand Canal to make an elegant arrival at your luxurious hotel, which sits right by the water’s edge. Soak up the romance of this enchanting city as you experience a relaxing journey on the water.
• Venice: Join your Local Expert for an enriching exploration of the many wondrous sights of Venice. Admire St. Mark’s Basilica, a brilliant example of Italo-Byzantine architecture, and feel the whispers from the Bridge of Sighs, a historic passageway to the Doge's Palace.
• Venice: The bygone glamour of luxury travels breathes within the vintage carriages of the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. It is, quite simply, the most storied set of carriages in the world transporting you to another world entirely. From the art deco flourishes to the masterful marquetry the train epitomises the opulence and elegance of the Golden Age of travel.
• Optional - Assisi: Join a Local Expert for a guided visit to the imposing Basilica of St. Francis.
• Optional - Assisi: Treat your palate as you sample Umbrian specialities at a tasting experience.
• Optional - Florence: Join an art historian to immerse yourself in Renaissance Florence. Visit the Accademia Museum and marvel at the statue of David, a Michelangelo masterpiece. See the impressive trio of the Duomo, Bell Tower and Baptistery before arriving to Piazza della Signoria, traditionally the political heart of the city.
• Optional - Florence: Join a local foodie and get to know Florence one bite at a time on your walking tour. Learn about Florentine speciliaties, visit the lively Mercato Centrale and sample a selection of gourmet highlights.
• Vatican: Enter the Vatican Museums and visit the Sistine Chapel on a tour with your Local Expert. Be awed by the frescoes that adorn the walls and roof, painted by masters such as Michelangelo, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio.
• Venice: Triumphantly enter the Doge's Palace as a guardian permits only you and your travelling companions to enter for an after-hours tour. Discover the art, culture and history of the Venetian Republic in a small, intimate group.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
  • Paris, a new and original visit of the capital city
  • Meaux, with its historic and gastronomic heritage
  • Château Thierry and falcony show(1)
  • Reims
  • Hautvillers, birthplace of Champagne

• Alsace's 'Route des Vins' wine road through world-famous vineyards
• Rich historic interest: hilltop Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle and the UNESCO listed Selestat Humanist Library
• Half-timbered houses adorned with geraniums in unspoilt villages

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel through a superb valley whose changing light has inspired countless painters and poets of all ages
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • The Claude Monet Foundation in Giverny
  • The Landing Beaches
  • The Norman Abbey Circuit

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Extensive discovery of the region and its terroir
• This cruise exists with a biking-adapted program, ref LSR_BIK
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Tastings of local specialties in Mâcon and Tournon
  • Lyon and its peculiar "traboules"
  • The highly spiritual Cluny Abbey
  • Visit to a local olive oil producer's in Arles
  • Discovery in jeeps through the wild Camargue
  • Avignon and the Papal Palace with its private apartments

• If you’re dreaming of a France river cruise
• come along with us on a French Escapade aboard ms Emerald along the rivers Rhône and Saône… and visit the 'City of Light' Paris
• cultural Provence and the jet-setting city of Cannes on the Riviera along the way. Travel into the countryside past vineyards where some of the world’s best grapes become some of the world’s best wines
• stopping to taste some of them. Discover river towns with Roman roots and lingering traces of medieval magic in their streets
• experience the cowboy traditions and cuisine of La Camargue
• and sample the pleasures of regional cuisine and wine throughout your trip. Explore a palace fit for a pope and an abbey that was once one of the most powerful in Europe. You'll find something new
• something wonderful every day. And during two nights in Paris
• you'll dine at chic Fouquet's on the Champs-Élysées!