Bordeaux Wine Country, Lourdes, and Provence

Day 1

(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2Arrival in Paris, France

(Sat.) Time to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. After dinner you may wish to join an optional outing to get a first impression of the “City of Light.” (D)

Day 3Paris

(Sun.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysées. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, and for a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Balance of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director has suggestions for exciting afternoon excursions; tonight a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket! (B)

Day 4Paris–Bordeaux

(Mon.) Morning departure aboard the famous high-speed “TGV” TRAIN to Bordeaux. In the afternoon, join your Tour Director for a pleasant walk through the center of this captivating city. (B,D)

Day 5Bordeaux. Excursion to St. Emilion

(Tue.) Tour the most famous wine region of France, then stop in St. Emilion for the highlight of today: An expert will explain the local secrets of the Bordeaux wine during a WINE TASTING. Afterwards, time to have lunch in this pretty town before returning to Bordeaux. Tonight is your chance to try out the local restaurants. (B)

Day 6Bordeaux–Biarritz–Lourdes

(Wed.) A scenic drive south, following the Atlantic coast to the charming resort of Biarritz. Stop for a short visit here before continuing to Lourdes of pilgrimage fame, where you will stay for the next two nights. You may wish to join this evening’s memorable rosary and candlelight procession. (B,D)

Day 7Lourdes

(Thu.) Enjoy morning sightseeing with a Local Guide. The rest of the day, plenty of time to soak in the special atmosphere of this place and to follow the pilgrims to the grotto, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernardette in 1858. There is also an opportunity to join an excursion to the nearby Pyrenees. (B)

Day 8Lourdes–Carcassonne–Nîmes

(Fri.) Stop for a lunch break in the beautifully preserved medieval walled city of Carcassonne on your way towards Provence.

 Then continue to Nîmes, where your Tour Director will take you for an orientation walk through the center: admire the well-preserved Roman Amphitheater and the Maison Carré. Dinner is served for you at your comfortable hotel. (B,D)

Day 9Nîmes. Excursion to Pont du Gard and Avignon

(Sat.) Enjoy your drive through the gently rolling hills to Pont du Gard. Admire the 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct, a monumental feat of engineering. Next, drive through the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape on your way to Avignon, where your orientation tour includes a picture stop of the bridge of the popular song and the massive Palace of the Popes. Time to browse through the many attractive shops or to join the locals sitting at one of the outdoor sidewalk cafés before returning to Nîmes. (B)

Day 10Nîmes–Aix-en-Provence–Cannes–Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco

(Sun.) This morning is dedicated to Aix-en-Provence, one of France’s most elegant cities. Explore its center on foot, stroll along shaded Cours Mirabeau, admire its famous cafés and fountains, and discover colorful squares. Later, head east past Cézanne’s Mount St. Victoire and drive through Cannes, where you will see the Festival Hall and the Croissette on your way to your beachfront hotel in the Principality of Monaco. Tonight, you may wish to try your luck at the casino! (B)

Day 11At Leisure in Monte Carlo

(Mon.) Your day is at leisure to just relax or dabble in the Mediterranean. Exciting optional excursions are available. (B)

Day 12Monte Carlo–Nice Airport

(Tue.) Morning transfers to Nice Airport for homebound flight. For land-only travelers, airport transfers are available. Ask your Travel Agent for details. (B)

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