Day 1-2 DEPART CANADA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2-3 PARIS
Welcome to Paris, one of the world’s most exciting cities! Airport transfers depart from Charles de Gaulle Airport for your landmark hotel at 08:30, 11:00 & 13:30. This evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light informal meal. Afterwards, the ‘city of light’ awaits.(Welcome Reception)

Day 3-4 SPARKLING CHAMPAGNE
The high speed TGV train ferries you eastwards to the town of Reims, important in French history as the coronation place of kings. Drive out into the Champagne vineyards to learn about the appellation system. Walk in the footsteps of Napoleon as you visit the underground cellars and taste some exceptional champagne. An exquisite and delicious lunch has been arranged, which of course includes a glass of the local sparkling wine. Then return to Paris where the evening is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)

Day 4-5 PARIS AND THE PALAIS DU LOUVRE
In the mid 19th century, Baron Haussmann transformed much of medieval Paris into something more modern. Admire his work as you glide along the elegant, tree lined boulevards that link all the iconic sights like the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Disembark for a private tour of one of the world’s greatest art collections at the Louvre Museum. Your guide leads you through the galleries to see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Mona Lisa and many more works amassed over the ages by the Kings of France.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 5-6 PARIS – CHARTRES – LOIRE VALLEY
Head south to Chartres to visit the magnificent gothic Cathedral, world renowned for its stained glass windows. Then on again, past Orleans, and along the valley of the Loire River, where the nobility and royalty of France built their chateaux as symbols of their wealth and power. Visit King Francis’ ‘hunting lodge’ of Chambord - 440 rooms and a chimney for every day of the year! Now on through Chinon, with its associations with Joan of Arc, to your 15th century château hotel, set in its own park.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 6-7 LOIRE – COGNAC – BORDEAUX
Enter Aquitaine today, paradoxically named land of water but in fact famous for its wines. Stop in Cognac to examine the secrets of the distillation process and taste the brandy. Then move on to Bordeaux, containing the finest examples of 18C architecture in France. See the façades of the quay sides, the Grand Théâtre and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces. Tonight, your gala evening begins with a drive to the Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte, one of the leading estates in the Graves region. On arrival taste some of the recent vintage before sitting down to a mouth watering three course dinner, all accompanied with matching wine to enhance your dining experience.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Day 7-8 ST EMILION AND THE DORDOGNE
Travel out to the wine town of St-Emilion perched on a rocky out crop overlooking the Dordogne Valley. St-Emilion offers all the beauty of a medieval village with ancient paved streets, ramparts surrounded by vines and rows of houses that slope down the plains below. Then take a scenic excursion into the beautiful countryside of the Dordogne. Today’s excursion also includes a tasting of the full-bodied red wines for which the region is famous.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8-9 BORDEAUX – CARCASSONNE – FLOURE
As you follow the fertile Garonne Valley upstream this morning, vineyards are everywhere. Travel through the plum growing region, where the prunes ‘pruneaux d’Agen’ are renowned throughout France. Continuing east, you arrive at the medieval town of Carcassonne. Entering Carcassonne is like stepping back in time; the city has a complete set of ramparts, a medieval keep, even a sports ground for jousting! In a tiny, nearby village your charming, rustic and unmistakably French hotel awaits with its heavy oak beams, lovely gardens and a great outdoor pool.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 9-10 FLOURE – VILLENEUVE-LÈS-AVIGNON
Head east and follow the Golfe du Lion around the flat marshy area formed by the Rhone Delta, famous for wild, white horses, black bulls and pink flamingoes. Upon reaching historic Avignon, visit the 14th Century ‘Palace of Popes’ and see the four remaining arches of the Bridge of St. Benezet, the Pont D’Avignon of the famous song. Your 5 star hotel lies across the river, nestled in a priest’s garden perfumed by roses and wisteria.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 10-11 POST-IMPRESSIONISTS LANDS
A journey into the sun baked landscapes that played a key role in the development of modern art. First drive to the charming village of St Remy, birthplace of Nostradamus. At the nearby asylum of St. Paul de Mausole, Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works. Visit the beautiful cloister, gardens and upstairs Van Gogh’s bedroom and bath. Now visit medieval Les Baux-de-Provence, perched atop a rocky spur, and crowned with a ruined castle. After taking in the magnificent views, taste the local produce at a nearby olive oil mill. Return to your charming and elegant hotel, where you are at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 11-12 VILLENEUVE-LÈS-AVIGNON – NICE
Eastwards today to the thermal resort of Aix-en-Provence for a brief stop near the fountains and shady plane trees of the elegant Cours Mirabeau. Take ‘La Provençale’, the inland highway, towards the Côte d’Azur before veering off to the hill-top village of St Paul de Vence, where famous contemporary painters perpetuate art as a living tradition. Savour a glass of wine and superb highlight lunch before driving down to the sparkling Mediterranean and the elegant resort of Nice. Take a stroll along the fabled Promenade des Anglais, or browse in the exclusive boutiques.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)

Day 12-13 THE LEGENDARY CÔTE D’AZUR
Drive to Monaco to walk through the old town to see the Royal Palace, the yacht-filled harbour and the Cathedral where the late Prince Ranier and Princess Grace are buried. Then return along the coast to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on Cap Ferrat. Surrounded by 17 acres of landscaped gardens, the magnificent rose-coloured villa of Baroness Rothschild is filled with rare porcelain, old master paintings and antique furniture. Balance of the afternoon is at leisure in Nice. Tonight you have reservations for an end-of-tour Celebration dinner with wine at a delightful local restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 13-14 RETURN TO CANADA
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Transfers arrive at Nice Airport at 06:15 and 09:00 hours.(Buffet Breakfast)

Duration - 13 days

Prices are updated frequently and are subject to change. Please call 1866 940 0214 for most up to date pricing.

Tour Departure Dates	Pricing
Fri Jun 08 2012 to Wed Jun 20 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Jun 08 2012 to Wed Jun 20 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Aug 31 2012 to Wed Sep 12 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Aug 31 2012 to Wed Sep 12 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 07 2012 to Wed Sep 19 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 07 2012 to Wed Sep 19 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 14 2012 to Wed Sep 26 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 14 2012 to Wed Sep 26 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 21 2012 to Wed Oct 03 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 21 2012 to Wed Oct 03 2012	$6699** per Adult
Fri Sep 28 2012 to Wed Oct 10 2012	$6599** per Adult
Fri Sep 28 2012 to Wed Oct 10 2012	$6599** per Adult
Fri Oct 05 2012 to Wed Oct 17 2012	$6565** per Adult
Fri Oct 05 2012 to Wed Oct 17 2012	$6565** per Adult
Fri Oct 12 2012 to Wed Oct 24 2012	$6565** per Adult
Fri Oct 12 2012 to Wed Oct 24 2012	$6565** per Adult
Fri Oct 19 2012 to Wed Oct 31 2012	$6565** per Adult
Fri Oct 19 2012 to Wed Oct 31 2012	$6565** per Adult

** Taxes and fees included. Airfare not included.