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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Toulouse, France

 

Day 2: Arrive Toulouse After arriving in Toulouse today, our time is at leisure until we meet our tour director this evening for a welcome dinner and a ­briefing about the journey ahead. D

Day 3: Toulouse/Carcassonne Today we tour nearby Carcassonne, the quintessential medieval town with the longest city walls in Europe. Sitting atop a hill overlooking vast green plains that stretch all the way to the Pyrénées, Carcassonne boasts battlements and ramparts dating to the 1st-century Romans. We return to Toulouse mid-afternoon. B

Day 4: Toulouse/Albi/Sarlat We travel today to the historic market town of Albi in the Midi-Pyrénées. Hometown of Belle Epoque artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi was built with rose-colored bricks that cast a warm glow over the city’s medieval streets and ramparts. Our city tour here includes the Palais de la Berbie, an ancient fortress housing a museum devoted to the works of Toulouse-Lautrec; and the huge 13th-century Cathédrale Ste-Cécile. Leaving Albi, we continue to the rugged unspoiled countryside of the Perigord region and the Dordogne Valley. We travel on to Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of France’s prettiest villages and one of Europe’s best preserved medieval gems, with more registered historic sites than anywhere else on the continent. We’re in the land of the truffle and foie gras, so bon appétit! B,D

Day 5: Sarlat/Lascaux II This morning we tour the Caves at Lascaux II, the reproductions of the original pre-historic cave paintings found nearby. After lunch at a charming local inn, we spend the afternoon on a leisurely cruise along the Dordogne River, life-blood of this fertile region and redolent with history. As we pass cliff-top castles and fortified medieval towns, the historical region of Aquitane comes to life – this is where beloved Eleanor of Aquitane reigned in the 12th century. We return to Sarlat where we enjoy a walking tour then dinner tonight at our hotel. B,L,D

Day 6: Sarlat/Rocamadour This morning is at leisure to visit Sarlat’s popular morning market on our own. Vendors line the streets selling such local delicacies as truffles, products of walnuts and pork, wines, brandies, breads, pastries, cheeses, and more. After lunch on our own (perhaps a picnic of fare from the market?), our explorations continue in Rocamadour, a revered pilgrimage site and medieval village whose three tiers cling almost impossibly to a sheer limestone cliff. We take a guided walking tour then enjoy some free time before we return to Sarlat mid-afternoon. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. B,D

Day 7: Sarlat/Magnac Laval/Saumur This morning we depart for the Loire Valley, stopping in the busy market town of Le Dorat for a typical country lunch at a local restaurant.  From here we travel on to Saumur and our hotel, a converted 18th-century mansion on the banks of the Loire River. B,L

Day 8: Saumur Today is at leisure to enjoy Saumur as we wish. Options include exploring the town’s old quarter; visiting the 14th-century chateau high above the town; or tasting the renowned locally made sparkling wine – methode champenoise – at Maison du Vin. B,D

Day 9: Saumur/Chenonceaux We’re in chateaux country, where England battled for control of France; where Joan of Arc triumphed; and where a great opu­lence reigned during the 16th century. Originally built as fortresses to keep intruders out, the Loire Valley’s grand chateaux now welcome visitors from around the world. We tour a most impressive one today: Chenonceau, the Renaissance masterpiece considered the most romantic chateau of all. Lunch today is at La Cave in Montluis. B, L

Day 10: Saumur/Mont-St-Michel/Crèpon Traveling north this morning, we stop at Mont-St-Michel, Normandy’s famed Gothic abbey that sits atop a 264-foot high rock formation at the edge of the sea. With a history equal to its dra­matic setting, the Abbey was con­structed between 1017-1521 of granite hauled stone by stone from Brittany. After a guided tour and some free time for lunch and to explore on our own, we continue on to our lodgings in Crepon:  a restored but rustic 35-room farmhouse dating to the 13th century. We dine there tonight on fresh regional fare. B,D

Day 11: Crèpon/Bayeux/Caen Miraculously spared wartime bombing, and the first town to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy, medieval Bayeux is our first stop today. Here we visit the Tapestry Museum, home of the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry depicting the exploits of William the Conqueror. This afternoon we commemorate World War II at the British Cemetery, then continue on to Caen to visit the Memorial Museum devoted to “history for peace.” Time permitting, we may visit Arromanches late this afternoon. B,D

Day 12: D-Day Landing Beaches A poignant, inspiring day is ahead as we travel to the very places where Allied forces overcame overwhelming odds to alter the course of World War II. We visit Pointe du Hoc, where American Rangers scaled towering cliffs to establish a beachhead; Utah Beach; and Ste-Mere-Eglise, where the 82nd Airborne Division successfully parachuted on June 5, 1944. We end the day at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in Colleville. It’s a particularly moving site; row upon endless row of white marble crosses and Stars of David honor the nearly 10,000 soldiers buried here. B,L,D

Day 13: Crèpon/Honfleur/Giverny/Paris This morning we visit the lovely, picturesque port of Honfleur before continuing on to the village of Giverny and the home and gardens of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Here we see the familiar lily pond and Japanese footbridge of Monet’s paintings, as well as his home, now restored to its original design. From here we travel to Paris, reaching our hotel late afternoon. This evening is at leisure. B

Day 14: Paris Today we get acquainted with one of the world’s great cities, including an inside visit to the Louvre, one of the world’s great museums. This afternoon is free for independent exploration; tonight we gather for a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 15: Depart for U.S. A morning departure for the airport and our connecting flights to the U.S. B

Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
• 13 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels
• 26 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 9 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2010 Tour Dates & Prices

	Oct 11	Oct 1 Oct 4	Sep 6* Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 20, 27
Boston, New York	$4,195	$4,295	$4,395
Charlotte, Phil, Wash, DC	$4,395	$4,495	$4,595
Atl, Chicago, Cinc, Cleve, Dallas, Detroit, Hou, Miami, Minn, Orlando, Tampa	$4,495	$4,595	$4,695
Denver, Los Ang, Phoenix, Port (OR), San Fran, Seattle	$4,595	$4,695	$4,795

 

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only ­prices. Prices are per person based on double occu­pancy. Single travelers please add $1,195. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2010 tour prices above are guaranteed.

* Accommodations in Normandy will be at the Churchill Hotel in Bayeux

Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:  $3,195 per person. Airline taxes and departure fees of $481 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Toulouse 2-3 Toulouse Crowne Plaza First Class 4-6 Sarlat-en-Perigord (Dordogne) Hostellerie de Meysset First Class 7-9 Saumur (Loire Valley) Hotel Anne d'Anjou Not rated 10-12 Crepon (Normandy) Ferme de la Raçonniere Not rated 13-14 Paris Hotel Chateau Frontenac Sup. First Class 15 Depart Paris for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.