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.

• 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 are included each night, plus a remote family-run lodge in the heart of the alps, 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.

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

• 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.

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

• Welcome dinner
• Berlin 3 day Unlimited Public Transport Pass
• Contiki Pride Party Pack
• Exclusive Reserved Contiki Party Space at Pride 2021
• Ticket to the Official Pride After Party
• Ticket to the Official Amsterdam Pride After Party
• Exclusive Reserved Contiki Party Space at Pride Amsterdam 2021

• 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!

• Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 10 days!
• Paris Seinorama: City Tour + Seine Cruise + Eiffel Tower (PS)
• Monaco Tour (full-day, from Nice)

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS 

An exceptional cruise from the mouth of the Rhône to the Saône River

EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:

• Discovery in the wild Camargue
• Arles
• The hanging houses in the Vercors Massif
• Lyon and its strategic street doorways
• The Beaujolais vineyards
• Mâcon and its historic downtown

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

• : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
• : 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.
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
• : 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.
• London: Enjoy a Thames River Dinner Cruise and admire this magnificent city from the water. Sit back and take in the striking landmarks and bridges, and enjoy the eclectic riverbank architecture along with a delicious meal.
• Dining Summary: 9 Breakfast (B), and 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
• 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.
• Aalsmeer: The colossal Aalsmeer Flower Auction is the size of 200 football pitches and even has its own fire brigade, hairdresser and bicycle repairman! Over 30,000 species are featured, with 43 million flowers and 5 million plants are sold daily Monday to Friday. The most popular varieties are roses, tulips and chrysanthemums.
• Almere: Visit the Floriade Expo 2022, a once-in-a-decade horticultural and international garden. With the theme Growing Green Cities, as well as being the perfect place to enjoy flowers, plants, vegetables and fruits in park-like surroundings, the event provides an invaluable opportunity to introduce its two million visitors to sustainable cities.
• Bruges: Visit the Market Square and famous belfry of the Market Hall with your Local Expert. See the Gothic town hall in Burg Square and the frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel followed by relaxing canal cruise.
• 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.
• Chambord: The stunning Loire Valley is world-famous for its magnificent Chateaux, as well as beautiful landscapes and delicious wine. Visit two of the most famous Chateaux: Chenonceau Castle, and Chateau de Chambord, and be transported back in time as you explore them and their gardens.
• Versailles: Visit the Château de Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. This former royal residence is world renowned for its architecture, grandeur and extravagant gardens.
• Giverny: View the gardens that inspired many of Impressionist Claude Monet’s most famous masterpieces.

• Indulge in the wines of Provence during a tasting at a family-owned Château.
• Taste locally made cheese during a visit to a goat farm in the Provençal countryside.
• Enjoy a typical French lunch in the tearoom of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
• Hunt for truffles with a local chef and his truffle-sniffing dogs.
• Zoom through the French countryside at 186 mph aboard a TGV high-speed train.
• Learn the secrets of perfume making during a hands-on workshop.
• Take in views of the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks during a scenic cruise along the River Seine.
• Bask in the Mediterranean atmosphere during a visit to the colorful village of Cassis.
• Visit the gardens of Villa Rothschild that boast stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea.

• 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