Tour Details - PARIS TO NORMANDY'S LANDING BEACHES - CATEGORY E (ART THEMED CRUISE)
PARIS TO NORMANDY'S LANDING BEACHES - CATEGORY E (ART THEMED CRUISE)
DISCOUNTS ON EVERY TOUR, UP TO 10% !!!
Tour Duration: 8 days Tour Code: WPPA-E2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$2475 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION). Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine, the "City of Light," where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)
2
PARIS. Paris' famous sights are living history. 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, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife, including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)
3
PARIS-CONFLANS After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River 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 Napoleon and Josephine's CHATEAU de MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it "the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation." (B,L,D)
4
VERNON. 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)
5
ROUEN. Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city, 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)
6
ROUEN Make your choice today of 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 apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (B,L,D)
7
LES ANDELYS The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England's King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D)
8
PARIS (DISEMBARKATION). Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave before 8 am. (B)
CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Paris to Paris in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds. (category E) PARIS: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing CONFLANS: Choice of guided excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise or Chateau de Malmaison VERNON: Choice of guided excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle ROUEN: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the Cathedral; choice of excursions to Normandy landing beaches or "A Taste of Normandy" LES ANDELYS: Orientation, see Chateau Gaillard 30 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. Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the cruise description
Meals Breakfast - 7 Lunch - 6 Dinner - 7
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
30
EUR
Name:VISIT THE EIFFEL TOWER Location:PARIS Details:Start your encounter of Paris with a visit to its most famous land mark - the Eiffel Tower. Your local expert will accompany you up to the second floor, from where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Paris and all its famous buildings - the Military Academy, the Louvre, the Arch of Triumph, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame. Sign up for this excursion once you arrive at your hospitality desk. Avalon holds a reservation for preferred access to elevators. Departure of this excursion is at 1.15 pm from your Meeting Point Hotel - limited number of seats available.
167
EUR
Name:AN EVENING AT THE MOULIN ROUGE Location:PARIS Details:"The Moulin Rouge Theatre is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colourful show "Feerie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes."
49
EUR
Name:MONA LISA'S SMILE AND THE LOUVRE MUSEUM Location:PARIS Details:"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35 000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
43
EUR
Name:THE ARTIST'S QUARTER OF MONTMARTRE Location:PARIS Details:Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacre Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and love. Listen to the stories, and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
53
EUR
Name:VISIT TO HONFLEUR Location:ROUEN Details:The estuary of the Seine has always exercised its fascination on numerous artists, painters, writers and musicians such as: William Turner, Johan Bartold Jongkind, Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Charles Baudelaire and Erik Satie. Honfleur is a medieval town and it reveals her riches to all those who take the time to look. The old town hall, the former Salt Halls, St. Catherine's Church and old docks are inviting places for a stroll or to have a cafe au lait or simply to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this picturesque city. Our local experts guide you through the secrets of this jewel of Normandy.
Optional Excursions
