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www.escortedglobustours.com A division of the Atlas Travel Network |
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GRAND FRANCE (WAP2010) A 17-Day tour starting from $4,829 |
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Live, experienced travel consultants available:
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About This Tour |
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Vacation Overview This fantastic vacation combines two exciting river cruises and showcases the variety that France has to offer—from its scenery to its food and drink! Your vacation begins in Nice on the stunning Cote d’Azur. Embark in Arles and sail north along the scenic Rhône and Saône Rivers to discover charming cities along the way. Explore Avignon, charming Viviers, medieval Tournon, Vienne, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as fascinating Macon, Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saone, and Beaune. In Paris, begin your journey along the Seine into the picturesque Normandy region. Experience Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise, Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny, Joan of Arc’s Rouen, dramatic Château Gaillard at Les Andelys, and take an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches or sample creamy camembert cheese and Calvados apple brandy—delicacies for which northern France is famous! |
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What's Included? |
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Meals Buffet breakfast (B) in Côte d'Azur; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; Complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day Hotels Côte d’Azur Boscolo Plaza, Nice (SF) |
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Sightseeing / Highlights |
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City Highlights Cruise: Deluxe 14-night cruise from Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds Nice: Orientation walk of Old Town Arles: Welcome reception; Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes Viviers: Guided walk; visit Old Town and the cathedral Tournon: Orientation walk Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill Beaune: Orientation walk; Hôtel Dieu Les Andelys: Orientation; Château Gaillard Rouen: Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Cathedral; choice of excursion to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy” Vernon: Choice of guided excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle Conflans: Choice of guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or Saint-Germaine-en-Laye Paris: Guided sightseeingNotes:In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered. Ship Avalon CreativityAvalon Scenery® |
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Your Itinerary |
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| Day 1: (Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2: Côte d’Azur, France. (Mon.) Welcome to France! Time at leisure to get acquainted with your new surroundings. This evening, an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco is available. Day 3: Côte d’Azur–Arles (Embarkation). (Tue.) This morning, enjoy a guided stroll through the narrow winding streets of Nice’s OLD TOWN. After lunch, transfer by motorcoach to Arles in the Provence region, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D) Day 4: Arles. (Wed.) On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist. (B,L,D) Day 5: Avignon. (Thu.) The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 6: Cruising–Viviers. (Fri.) A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you glide gently by. The charming town of Viviers was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D) Day 7: Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Vienne. (Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (B,L,D) Day 8: Lyon. (Sun.) Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from FOURVIÈRE HILL; explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; Place Terraux, and beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. An optional dinner gives gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine. (B,L,D) Day 9: Mâcon–Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône. (Mon.) Wake up this morning on the River Saône in Mâcon, a city that plays an important part in the wine trade. There’s some free time for exploring after breakfast, then enjoy a short cruise to Tournus. Here the cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône. (B,L,D) Day 10: Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris (Embarkation). (Tue.) After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew on the Avalon Scenery and head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area, which produces the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the HÔTEL-DIEU charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. After lunch, continue north past the forest of Fontainebleau to Paris, the “City of Light,” where you board the Avalon Creativity docked on the River Seine. This evening, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D) Day 11: Paris. (Wed.) Paris’ famous sights are living history. Your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D) Day 12: Paris–Conflans. (Thu.) After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans—and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or the guided visit to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which boasts a 14th-century château with views over the Seine Valley toward Paris, and whose town center has its roots in the 11th century. It is a lively market town with many boutiques and cafés in its pedestrian areas. (B,L,D) Day 13: Vernon. (Fri.) This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at Giverny or a visit of Bizy Castle with its magnificent courtyard. There’s still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D) Day 14: Rouen. (Sat.) Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city. It is perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (B,L,D) Day 15: Rouen. (Sun.) Make your choice today between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches—with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “Taste of Normandy” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong alcoholic apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. This afternoon, we explore the Calvados region, famous for the apple brandy and cider. (B,L,D) Day 16: Les Andelys. (Mon.) The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing CHÂTEAU GAILLARD at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D) Day 17: Paris (Disembarkation). (Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
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Dates & Prices |
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Additional Information |
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Price Details US Cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges: $196Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Nice.in single room $350, in twin room $220Extra nights per person in Paris:in single room $440, in twin room $259Cruise-Only Option From $3,699Day 3 Arles (Embarkation) - Day 17 Paris (Disembarkation)Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary. Ask your Travel Consultant for details at the time of booking.Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:Category / Decks / PriceB / Sapphire Deck / $998A / Sapphire Deck / $1,098P / Royal Deck / $1,298Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $2,398 Related Tours WPA|Grand France (Paris to Côte d’Azur) |
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Specials |
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Save up to $2,000 on select 2010 Europe River Cruises Save up to $2,000 per couple on these select 2010 Avalon Waterways River Cruises.*
$2,000 off per couple
Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches 8 days from Paris to Paris or 9 days incl. travel
Aug 30, 2010
11 days from Côte d’Azur to Paris or 12 days incl. travel
Aug 30, 2010
12 days from Prague to Paris or 11 days incl. travel
Aug 19, 2010 Sept 30, 2010
13 days from Budapest to Prague or 14 days incl. travel
Oct 21, 2010 Oct 24, 2010
13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel
Oct 18, 2010
13 days from Paris to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel
October 4, 2010
13 days Vienna to Bucharest or 12 days incl. travel
Aug 17, 2010
14 days from Amsterdam to Basel or 15 days incl. travel
Oct 16, 2010
15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest 16 days incl. travel
Aug 21, 2010 Oct 9, 2010 Oct 16, 2010
15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam 16 days incl. travel
August 28, 2010 September 4, 2010 September 25, 2010 October 2, 2010
The Upper Rhine to the City of Music 13 days from Zürich to Vienna or 14 days incl. travel
Oct 29, 2010
23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam or 24 days incl. travel
August 27, 2010
*Book a select 2010 Europe Avalon Waterways River Cruise vacation to receive $1,000 off per person. Book a select Taste of Danube river cruise vacation to receive the $500 off per person. Offer available on select dates of select cruises listed above. Suites excluded. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied anytime after May 18, 2010 for travel at select times in 2010. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
Avalon Waterways Will Not Be Undersold! Avalon will match competitor pricing on 2010 European river cruises!*
Call today and gives us the name and departure date of a competitor's river cruise you are considering. If Avalon has a comparable 2010 cruise available, they'll match the per diem price - with the newest fleet on the market, why not?
*Book a Europe Avalon River cruise vacation to receive the match offer. Must provide the name and departure date of the competitor cruise in order to qualify. Must be made, under deposit, and discount applied prior to March 2, 2010 for travel through December 31st, 2010. Offer good in conjunction with other qualifying offers including Journeys Club. Offer is subject to change and could be withdrawn at any time. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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| Important Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. |
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