France Tours & Trips 2020

• 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.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise on board a paddle steamer
• EXCLUSIVE TO CROISIEUROPE the Loire from above(1)
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
  • Full-day excursion to the castles of the Loire Valley: guided tours of the castles of Ussé, Azay-le-Rideau and the gardens of Villandry
  • Wine-tasting in the cellars of the Brissac castle(3)
  • Secret courtyards and covered passageways in Nantes
  • The Saint-Nazaire shipyard, embodiment of French pride
  • The wine route of the Muscadet through the vineyards of the Nantes region

• 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.

• Rome: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum
• Florence: Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria Square
• Venice: Private boat ride; visit St. Mark’s Square; glassblower demonstration; pasta dinner at a local restaurant
• Lugano: Stop in the lakeside town
• Lucerne: Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge
• Paris: Guided sightseeing; enjoy a Seine Cruise
• On this Escape, you can experience Europe’s most popular destinations without the crowds—and even better—without the high-season prices
• Rome, Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris—these exciting and vibrant cities await you on this thrilling European tour

• Onboard welcome reception
• Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
• Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes
• Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided walk in Tournon or bike with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk in Vienne or hike with your Adventure Host
• Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill
• Cheese tasting on board
• Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; transfer to Basel; onboard welcome reception
• Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to a local winery in Breisach or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or hike up Philosophers' Way; visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
• Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; cruise through the Rhine Gorge; free time in Koblenz
• Choice of “Cologne Highlights” walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of canal cruise or walk with your Adventure Host
• Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhône and Rhine Rivers
• The views will be spectacular so be sure to pack your camera so you can capture the romance and splendor of this magical journey

• 6 Dinner with Wine (DW)
• 13 Breakfast (B)
• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Paris: Shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert.
• Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
• : Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
• : Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
• : We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
• : Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• : Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• : From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• : You may purchase arrival transfers from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on arrival days, or when additional nights accommodation has been booked through Insight Vacations. If your departure flights are as per the itinerary end dates, departure transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way to the airport. Alternatively, please make your own way from/to the airport.
• Amsterdam: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam for a delightful Welcome Dinner, served with wine.
• Veneto: Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how to make the perfect Bellini.
• Rome: Food and family go hand-in-hand in Italy and are pillars of the Italian way of life. Experience it for yourself with an invitation from your local host to join them for a truly Italian, home-cooked meal.
• Florence: Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina dinner in the city known for its delicious cuts of steak.
• Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
• Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
• Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
• Vatican: Gain priority access into the Vatican Museums and admire the famous Bramante Staircase. Witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and view the splendid dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
• Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft.  The workshop advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
• Heidelberg: Venture inside the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town. See the massive Heideleberg Tun built into the cellar in 1591, visit the Apothecary Museum and enjoy panoramic views of Heidelberg and the Neckar Valley.
• Heidelberg: Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during your orientation with your Travel Director.
• Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.
• Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica.
• Rome: During your orientation with you Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
• Rome: Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure.
• Florence: Join a Local Expert 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. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
• Mount Pilatus: Enjoy a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Pilatus to witness a panorama of snow-capped peaks as you take in the pristine mountain air.
• Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
• Paris: With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
• Paris: Shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert.
• : "Venice is so unique that anyone seeing it for the first time is never fully prepared for the magic, from seeing their first gondola to the facade of St. Mark’s Cathedral."
• : "Italians are very fashionable but their cooking is the opposite - simple, rustic and down to earth. A handful of quality vegetables, fresh herbs and beans are turned into a warm and comforting soup."
• : "I love to see how guests react to Paris because, despite its fame, it still surprises. It’s a majestic city, which shines in the daytime and sparkles at night."
• : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
• : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

• 9 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
• 1 Dinner (D)
• 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
• Rome: Travel to Isola Tiberina for an evening with Fabio and his family. Enjoy a drinks reception at their apartment before our Be My Guest dinner in a unique setting amongst Roman excavations.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 London, Paris, Florence and Rome with a Local Specialist
• : Discover Lucerne and Venice
• : Visit a glassblowing factory in Venice and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
• : View the White Cliffs of Dover, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and the ancient sites of Rome
• : See the Somme Battlefields and the vineyards of Burgundy in France
• : Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

• 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

• Spend your free time in Barcelona visiting Gaudi's modern basilica, La Sagrada Familia – a Gothic masterpiece that embodies the city’s artistic and progressive heart.
• Hike in the majestic Spanish Pyrenees mountains, revelling in the fresh air, panoramic views and an exhilarating sense of freedom.
• Explore the idyllic Provencal landscapes of southern France and gain an understanding as to why this part of the world is so adored by artists.
• The Leaning Tower may be Pisa’s most iconic image, but there’s so much more to discover – The Piazza dei Miracoli and Pisa Baptistry are masterpieces in Medieval-Italian architecture.
• Enjoy plenty of free time in Rome to discover the ancient Colosseum, stroll through Vatican City and gaze up towards the gods inside St Peter's Basilica.

• 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!

• A ride through the most prestigious vineyards of Bordeaux
• Numerous opportunities of wine tasting in prestigious wine estate
• Explore the medieval town of St Emilion listed as World Heritage by UNESCO

• Onboard welcome reception
• Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys ; onboard crêpe tasting and Pastry Demonstration
• Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or 'A Taste of Normandy' excursion
• Choice of guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike tour
• Choice of excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine's Château de Malmaison or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided sightseeing or historic sights on 'Heart of Paris' walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host
• Transfer to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class)
• Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays)
• Full day at leisure
• This fabulous Seine River cruise begins and ends in Paris with a 3-night vacation in London to crown your European vacation in style! Take in the beautiful views along the Seine River and the picturesque and historical region of Normandy
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  In Vernon, choose between two guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles

• Caen: Visit the Memorial Museum for Peace
• Arromanches: Watch the movie at the 360 circular cinema
• Mulberry harbor: See the remains
• Arromanches-les-bains: Visit the D-Day Museum
• Longues-sur-mer: See the German artillery bunkers
• Utah beach: See the memorials and visit the museum
• Sainte-mÈre-Église: Visit the Airborne Museum
• Omaha beach: Visit the American Military Cemetery & Memorial
• Beny-sur-mer : Visit the Canadian Cemetery
• Juno beach: Visit the exhibition, the bunker, and the Memorial to the Canadians
• Ranville: Visit the Memorial Pegasus Museum and bridge
• On June 6, 1944, otherwise known as D-Day, Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy and gained a foothold in the fight against Nazi Germany
• On this WWII D-Day Landing Beaches & Battle of Normandy tour, you’ll visit some of the beaches where the battles took place as well as some of the museums and cemeteries that are a tribute to the Allied forces

• Paris : Welcome dinner at a local restaurant, orientation drive, guided sightseeing, visit the courtyard of Les InvalidesGIVERNY
• Normandy beaches: Visit Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and cemetery with the Monument to the BravesBAYEUX
• Mont st. michel: Guided visit of the abbey
• Angers: Take pictures of the castleLOIRE VALLEY
• Civray de touraine: Wine tasting at the Père Auguste wine cellarPARIS-LONDON
• This France tour is the perfect way to see the highlights of Paris plus Brittany, the Loire Valley, and the World War II landing beaches in Normandy in a short amount of time—with overnights in Paris, Deauville, Caen, Mont St
• Michel, and the Loire Valley

• Visit the Gutenberg museum
• attend a lively Edith Piaf-style show on board