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The French Escapade 2010-2011

12 days with Trafalgar

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800-680-2858	Tour Itinerary	800-680-2858
Discounts are offered on dates in red. Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing  FastDeal #   Departs US  Starting   Price * Inc Air Starting  Price * No Air #T196229 Nov 4, '10 Call $1,985 #T308927 Nov 11, '10 Call $1,985 #T536306 Nov 18, '10 Call $1,985 #T856952 Nov 25, '10 Call $1,975 #T521183 Dec 2, '10 Call $1,975 #T38744 Dec 9, '10 Call $1,975 #T378250 Dec 15, '10 Call $2,025 #T483624 Dec 22, '10 Call $2,149 #T767837 Jan 2, '11 Call $1,949 #T516014 Jan 27, '11 Call $1,949 #T638585 Feb 10, '11 Call $1,949 #T14866 Mar 3, '11 Call $1,975 #T671203 Mar 10, '11 Call $2,000 #T726572 Mar 17, '11 Call $2,000 #T308013 Mar 24, '11 Call $2,000 #T242927 Mar 31, '11 Call $2,000 #T35027 Apr 7, '11 Call $2,000 Discounts are offered on dates in red. Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing DAY 1 DEPART USA Overnight flight to Paris.  DAY 2 ARRIVE PARIS Welcome to Paris! After hotel check-in, time to unwind after your flight and later perhaps browse through the stalls of the ‘bouquinistes’ (booksellers) along the banks of the Seine River. Later this afternoon we will meet with our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink - a great way to start our tour!  DAY 3 PARIS – ANNECY After breakfast we leave the French capital to drive southwards, passing by the magnificent forests of Fontainebleau and the rich rolling farmland of the region of Auxerre. Then after passing the vine-clad hills of Burgundy we drive through the Jura Mountains to the Alps and to the charming town of Annecy. Located at the northern end of one of the most beautiful lakes in the French Alps, we will have time to explore the town’s narrow arcaded streets, stroll along quiet canals flowing between tall houses with decorative balconies. Our Tour Director will point out to us the massive Château d’Annecy, former residence of the Counts of Geneva, and wherever you look you will see the majestic, snow-capped Alps soaring above and reflected in the glassy waters of the lake. A little corner of paradise where tonight we will enjoy a ‘Be My Guest’ dinner of delicious regional specialties in an authentic local restaurant. (BB BG)  DAY 4 ANNECY – CHARTREUSE – GRENOBLE – AIX-EN-PROVENCE This morning a beautiful drive takes us along the mountain valleys, which border the vast winter sports region for which France is renowned worldwide. Our route also takes us past the Chartreuse massif where the Carthusian monks have produced their powerful alcoholic elixir for more than three centuries. We pass the university and Olympic city of Grenoble and then we cross the magnificent mountain pass, which will take us towards Sisteron on the Route Napoleon (weather conditions permitting). In the shadow of the Lure Mountain we join the highway and are soon in the old Roman city of Aix-en-Provence. A vibrant student city, Aix is abundant in elegant 19th century architecture, café-filled traffic free squares, naturally steaming warm water fountains and wonderful shops and boutiques. For all these reasons it is without doubt, France’s most popular provincial city! Orientation will show us the Place de la Rotonde and the Cours Mirabeau. Why not take a walk in the footsteps of Paul Cezanne – the Impressionist painter who, along with many others, lived and worked here due to the perfect quality of light? (BB D) DAY 5 AIX-EN-PROVENCE – ST. PAUL DE VENCE – NICE Today we continue to Grasse, where we stop to visit the Fragonard Perfumery – a lovely 19th century building set in the heart of the old town. We continue on to St. Paul de Vence – a medieval hilltop town, filled with art galleries and handicraft shops, as well as the homes of the rich and famous! Finally, we reach the Mediterranean coast and the palm-fringed city of Nice – the perfect place to escape the cold of winter and enjoy the kind and pleasant climate of the Mediterranean. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant. (BB HD)  DAY 6 NICE ORIENTATION AND EXCURSION TO MONTE CARLO Nice in winter is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets and with Trafalgar you will have the time and help of your Tour Director to make the most of it. Orientation includes the Promenade des Anglais, Place Massena and the Old Town. Then we will enjoy a scenic drive to glamorous Monte Carlo where we’ll have the chance to maybe ‘break the bank’ in one of the famous casinos! (BB)  DAY 7 NICE – CANNES – ST. TROPEZ – MARSEILLE Today we make sure to have cameras at the ready for a day of astounding scenery and impressive sights. First a drive along the coast brings us to the sophistication of Cannes where we will see the many hotel-palaces, the palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette and the Film Festival Center. Admire the yachts in the marina before continuing to Ste. Maxime where we will take the local boat service across to St. Tropez (weather permitting), the resort made famous by Brigitte Bardot. Later we drive on to Hyérès overlooking the so-called ‘Iles d’Or’ (Golden Isles), and past the pretty resorts of Bandol and La Ciotat to Marseille – today France’s second biggest city. (BB D)  DAY 8 MARSEILLE SIGHTSEEING – ARLES – AVIGNON Our guide who is an expert on its history and recent booming development, brings Marseille to life for us. We will drive along the Corniche road for spectacular views of the Mediterranean, stop at Notre Dame de la Garde for breathtaking views over the city, and visit the recently refurbished Town Hall district and the charming old port with its many restaurants and fishing boats. Leaving Marseille we head to the old Roman city of Arles to see the splendour of the Romanesque architecture at the Cathedral of St. Trophime, the Roman arena and the Café La Nuit depicted in Van Gogh’s famous painting. Then on to Avignon where our orientation highlights the monumental architecture of the 14th century Palace of the Popes, the famous broken bridge of ‘Sur le pont’ fame and the bustling Place de l’Horloge. Then we have time to explore the streets of the old town. (BB)  DAY 9 AVIGNON – CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE – LYON This morning we drive along the Rhône valley to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the favorite wine-town of the Popes. Here we enjoy a wine tasting and also stop at the Papal fortress to admire the magnificent views over Avignon and the Luberon. Later we pass by the town of Montelimar and may take the opportunity to purchase the famous nougat! On arrival in Lyon, a city which is located at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers, our orientation shows us the 19th century elegance of the Place Bellecour, views of the Old Town along the River Saône and the modern architecture of the Part Dieu district. (BB)   DAY 10 LYON – TGV TRAIN – PARIS This morning after breakfast we will board our rapid and supremely comfortable TGV train. The journey will take us through Burgundy’s fertile vineyards and pass by the rolling farmland of Auxerre before reaching the fascinating and beautiful city of Paris where we will spend the next two nights. Tonight there is the opportunity to enjoy one of the world famous spectacular Parisian cabaret shows, featuring the can-can! (BB)  DAY 11 PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE The Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, the Left Bank, the Louvre Museum, Opera House and Notre Dame Cathedral are all features on our guided sightseeing tour this morning. We will also enjoy astonishing views over the city when we take the elevator to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. The balance of the day is at leisure to visit the city’s many museums and art galleries, and perhaps to take an excursion to visit the sumptuous Palace of Versailles. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (BB FD)  DAY 12 PARIS – USA This morning it is time to say ‘au revoir’ to Paris, your Tour Director and your newly found traveling companions as our French tour comes to an end. Transfers are available, conditions apply. (BB)

800-680-2858	Tour Map	800-680-2858

800-680-2858	All This Included	800-680-2858
Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Paris. 10 hot buffet breakfasts. 2 three-course dinners. ’Be My Guest’ Dinner in Annecy. Highlight Dinner in Nice. Farewell Dinner with wine in Paris. First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities. All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included. Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard. High speed TGV train from Lyon to Paris. Escorted by one of Trafalgar’s top professional, multi-lingual Tour Directors. A qualified local city guide in Marseille and Paris. A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.

800-680-2858	Tour Highlights	800-680-2858
Annecy: Orientation of the mountain-ringed, lakeside town. Aix-en-Provence: Visit the Cours Mirabeau and Place de la Rotonde. Grasse: Visit the Fragonard Perfumery in the old town. St. Paul de Vence: Visit this picturesque ‘perched village’. Nice: Drive along the Promenade des Anglais and see the Place Massena. Monte Carlo Excursion: Visit one of the casinos. Cannes: Drive along the Croisette St. Tropez: Cruise from Ste. Maxime (weather permitting). Marseille: Visit Notre Dame de la Garde. Arles: See the Roman Arena. Avignon: Orientation includes the Papal Palace. Châteauneuf du Pape: Wine tasting. Lyon: Orientation includes Place Bellecour and the Old Town. Paris: Ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower by elevator. Hidden Treasure: Our Tour Directors, with their years of experience, have discovered many genuine secret treasures of Europe and at least one will be revealed to you as a spontaneous surprise during your Trafalgar tour.

800-680-2858	All This Included	800-680-2858
Paris: Hilton La Defense (SF)  Annecy: Novotel Atria Centre (F)  Aix-En-Provence: Novotel Aix Beaumanoir (F) Nice: Boscolo Park (SF)  Marseille: Holiday Inn Marseille Prado (F) Avignon: Mercure Cité Des Papes (F) Lyon: Park & Suites Part Dieu (F) Paris: Hilton La Defense (SF)

800-680-2858	Notes	800-680-2858
Ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor about the airport transfers that are available at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Tour departure December 15 will celebrate Christmas in Paris and tour departure December 22 will celebrate Christmas in Aix-en-Provence and New Year’s Eve in Paris in true French style. Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

800-680-2858	Terms and Conditions	800-680-2858
For terms and conditions of this Trafalgar tour, please click here. * The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.