Join a 7 Day Luxury Coach Tour of France before embarking on a cruise of the Rhine and Danube rivers through some of the most fascinating towns and beautiful rural regions in Europe. Complete your trip with three exciting nights in Prague.
Day 1. Arrive Paris, Transfer to Versailles
Be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Versailles. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, before a Welcome Reception this evening with your APT Tour Director and fellow guests.
Day 2. Versailles, Villers Bretonneux, Rouen, Deauville
Tour the resplendent Palace of Versailles this morning, the residence of French royalty for many centuries and a breathtaking château. Discover the dramatic history of the French monarchy and marvel at the ostentatious design of the world-famous palace complex. Then travel to the small town of Villers-Bretonneux, where a moving war memorial bears the names of 10,773 Australian soldiers who died in France in World War I. Re-board your coach and depart for Rouen, the historic riverside capital of Normandy, where a guided walking tour reveals the medieval sights, half-timbered buildings and more. Then, continue to Deauville and check in to your hotel for the night.
Day 3. Deauville
Delve into wartime history with a day of guided tours taking in significant World War II sites. Tour the beaches of Normandy and see where the events of D-Day unfolded, when thousands of Allied forces travelled through terrible weather to launch their unexpected attack. Visit the Mémorial de Caen Peace Museum and Gardens, dedicated to the history of conflict in the 20th century; see the clifftop Pointe du Hoc, used by the U.S Army Ranger Assault Group during D-Day; and visit the Normandy American Cemetery and War Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, honouring American soldiers who died in the Second World War. The burial site, on a bluff overlooking Omaha beach, is the first American cemetery on European soil. This evening is at leisure for you to relax or explore.
Day 4. Bayeux, Mont St-Michel, Saint Malo, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, depart Deauville for the Roman city of Bayeux. Here you’ll see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, the oldest surviving complete tapestry in the world. Almost 70 metres long, the tapestry tells the story of the Norman conquest of England and is thought to date back as early as 1077. Re-board your coach and travel to the rocky island of Mont St-Michel for a tour of the famous abbey. Discover the crypts, chapels and magnificent arches of this World Heritage-listed site before travelling onward to the walled coastal city of Saint Malo. Tonight, sample your choice of French cuisine with our Dine Around Dinner. Enjoy the ambience of a traditional French bistro, dine in your waterfront hotel, or visit a créperie for a delicious French delicacy.
Day 5. Saint Malo Sightseeing
This morning, discover the sights of Saint Malo on a guided walking tour. Explore the maritime history and cultural attractions of the city, including a cathedral and tower. This afternoon, discover why Saint Malo is so famous for seafood restaurants as you enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh local shellfish and fish.
Day 6. Rennes, Chinon, Tours
Discover Rennes today, and enjoy a guided walking tour of the medieval and Renaissance houses that stand in the city’s historic centre. Continue onward to Chinon, where you’ll discover two spectacular châteaux. The first, Château de Villandry, is a beautifully restored Renaissance palace with magnificent gardens to explore. The second, the magical Château d’Ussé, is thought to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. Depart Chinon and travel to Tours, where you’ll check in to your hotel. Then, enjoy sampling delicious French cuisine during a special dinner of culinary masterpieces at your hotel restaurant. Dine overlooking the River Indre, in the peaceful setting of the Loire Valley.
Day 7. Tours, Freedom of Choice Touring
Explore Tours today with your choice of touring activity. You may like to discover some of the famous wineries of France during a vineyard tour and wine tasting; alternatively, see spectacular horticultural displays during a tour revealing the Gardens of France.
Day 8. Blois, Chartres, Paris
Depart Tours today and travel to Blois, a beautiful city on the banks of the Loire River. Enjoy a guided tour through the city’s winding streets, and see the famous Château de Chambord, a spectacular palace featuring distinctive Renaissance architecture. Then, travel to the town of Chartres to visit what is considered to be the finest Gothic cathedral in France. After exploring Chartres, depart for Paris, and check in to your hotel for the night.
Day 9. Paris Sightseeing, Freedom of Choice Touring
After breakfast, discover the sights and attractions of the French capital with a choice of touring activities. Take a sightseeing tour, including the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, where you’ll ascend to the second level of the tower to enjoy amazing views out over Paris. Alternatively, you could opt to discover French cuisine during a cooking class, or learn about photography during a tour designed to help you take the perfect picture of Paris. An excursion to Giverny, the picturesque village once home to the celebrated Impressionist artist Claude Monet, is another option. Tonight, enjoy a lovely Welcome Dinner cruise along the Seine River for a unique look at the city. Afterwards, embark on a Paris Illuminations Tour and see why Paris is known as the City of Light. Learn about the city’s history as you tour the boulevards with their animated cafés and illuminated monuments.
Day 10. Paris at Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps stroll along the boutique-lined boulevards, sip coffee in the Latin Quarter or go for a wander along the famous Rue Mouffetard. This evening, you may like to visit the famous Moulin Rouge, the historic cabaret and birthplace of the can-can (own expense).
Day 11. Paris, Amsterdam
After breakfast, board a stylish high-speed train for your luxury 3.5 hour journey to Amsterdam. On arrival, enjoy a tour of the Netherlands Maritime Museum before dinner at your hotel.
Day 12. Amsterdam
After breakfast today, enjoy a morning at leisure before boarding your luxury river ship this afternoon.
Day 13. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today select your activity from our three options, including a canal tour through the city’s famous waterways, a tour of the exhibitions at the Van Gogh Museum or a Wetlands Safari tour. Later, stop for a photo at Rembrandt’s Windmill.
Day 14. Düsseldorf, Cologne, Freedom of Choice Touring
Choose your excursion in Düsseldorf. Perhaps travel to Venlo and explore the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo. Alternatively, visit Maastricht. Then, enjoy a tour of Cologne.
Day 15. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge and arrive in Rüdesheim, where you have a choice of activities.
Day 16. Freudenberg, Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Wertheim, perhaps embark on a guided bicycle tour, take a walking tour, or go for a paddle on the Tauber River. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of Wertheim Castle and a glass of Sekt.
Day 17. Würzburg, Rothenburg - Kitzingen, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, you may like to embark on a tour taking in the Resi-dential Palace. Alternatively, visit medieval Rothenburg. This evening, enjoy a special wine tasting event in Kitzingen, and a medieval evening on board.
Day 18. Bamberg
Travel to the World Heritage-listed city of Bamberg for a guided tour. Visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Cruise to Nuremberg.
Day 19. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Nuremberg today, choose your activity. Take a World War II tour, a medieval tour, or explore by Segway.
Day 20. Regensburg Freedom of Choice Touring
Arrive in Regensburg today, and choose from three touring options.
Day 21. Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring, Linz
This morning arrive in Passau and choose your touring option.
Day 22. Melk, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dürnstein
Tour Melk Abbey, then perhaps take a guided bicycle ride to Dürnstein. Or, cruise to Dürnstein for a walking tour.
Day 23. Vienna, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a tour of Vienna. This evening, choose from three tantalising dining options.
Day 24. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy your second day in the Austrian capital with a choice of touring options.
Day 25. Budapest
Arrive in Budapest for a tour. Visit the Hungarian State Opera House for a private tour, a glass of champagne and a private recital. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner and twilight cruise.
Day 26. Budapest, Disembark Ship, Velké Bílovice, Prague
This morning after breakfast, disembark your ship and travel to the historic town of Velké Bílovice, in the Czech Republic, for lunch in a traditional Czech winery cellar. Then continue to Prague.
Day 27. Prague Sightseeing
This morning following breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Prague’s Old Town.
Day 28. Prague at Leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure today to further explore the enchanting city of Prague as you please. Tonight, indulge in a delicious Farewell Dinner.
Day 29. Depart Prague
After breakfast this morning, your tour concludes and you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
