10 Day Tour: May 8-17, 2025
Pricing
- Base Pricing is always calculated for double occupancy.
- $1000 supplemental for Solo Travelers.
Tour Highlights
7
UNESCO
Sites
7
Places to See
Before you
Die
2
European Capitals
- HIGHLIGHTS
- · Paris
- · The Newly RestoredNotre Dame
- · The Louvre
- · Palace of Versailles
- · Chateau De Chenonceaux
- · Loire Valley
- · Fontenay Abbey
- · Nimes Ruins
- · Avignon
- · Monte Carlo
- YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:
- Roundtrip airfare from Chicago
- First Class Hotel Accommodations
- Daily Breakfast
- 5 Dinners
- Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation
- Admissions to all listed Attractions
- Roundtrip airport transfers in the Chicagoland area
- Guided by Bill Ball
- Baggage Handling
- All Gratuities
Tour Itinerary
Day One We fly to the City of Lights and one of the most beautiful cities of the world—Paris. Culture, history, architecture, art, wine and food are always better in France.
Day Two We tour Paris today visiting the sites you expect and many of those that are not as well known. The great cathedral of Notre Dame—just rehabilitated—will be a highlight as well as the Champs Elysée, Arc de Triumph, and the Place de Concorde.
Day Three This morning, we tour one of the top art museums in the world—the Louvre—home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory and much more. If you only go to one art museum in the world—this is it. You will have a free afternoon to explore other museums, shop, walk the gardens or streets of this incredible city.
Day Four There is one palace that all other palaces in the world are judged by—Versailles. This royal residence above all other royal residences is famous for its gold gilding, carvings, painted ceilings and of course the Hall of Mirrors. This afternoon, we head to the greatest stained glass icon in the world—the Chartres Cathedral. Two superlatives in one day—unbelievable.
Day Five Its off to the Loire Valley and the capital of all palaces that we head to today. The most astonishing of all the great chateaus is Chateau De Chenonceaux and you know we will be visiting that architectural masterpiece. As the French say—”Oo la la!” We will also visit another one of these historic dwellings before we participate in a wine tasting featuring the lovely Loire wines.
Day Six Today we head to Fontenay and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Fontenay Abbey. The Abbey was founded in the 12th Century by Saint Bernard and is the oldest Cistercian Abbey in the world. It is surrounded by stunning gardens listed as one of the top in Europe. Since we are in Burgundy, we will learn about a very specific vintage. We end the day in Dijon—mustard anyone?
Day Seven We visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site at Nimes—one of the capitals of the Roman Empire. We visit the Roman Arena, museum and the great tower left from the Roman walls. This is like stepping back in time and is a real competitor to Italy in the structures left from the great empire.
Day Eight Nearby UNESCO site Avignon is from an era that few people have ever heard of which is why we have to be there. The architecture is second to none. The interior art and décor is fabulous. But most of all, it is the history—the story. This was where the pope fled to when Rome fell and it was here that the Catholic Church split with the anti-pope. This is a story you can’t miss. We visit Nice next with a photo stop in Cannes for that inner movie star in you.
Day Nine Monte Carlo is on the agenda. We will tour the royal palace where Princess Grace once stood sway. We will also visit the Cathedral where she was laid to rest. The streets of Monte Carlo are a famous racetrack and where the rich and famous transverse. This is also the base for Jacque Cousteau and undersea exploration. So much in such a small country.
Day Ten We fly home today captivated by memories of culture, architecture, scenery, history, art, wine, food and the people that makes France, France. This once-in-a-lifetime voyage through time will stick with you forever.
