Spring Break In Paris
Topic: Art & StudySample Itinerary
DAY 01 - DEPARTURE
Check in at your local airport for the overnight flight to Paris.
DAY 02 - PARIS
Following arrival in Paris, proceed through customs formalities and then meet your driver/tour manger. After everyone is on board the motorcoach, travel northward to Chantilly for a view of the château and a walk through its great Park and English Garden. Next it's on to the center of Paris. The first stop will be at the Trocadéro Gardens. Back on the bus you will have your first views of the city's famous landmarks-the Arc de Triomphe, the elegant Champs-Élysées, the Place de la Concorde with its Obelisk of Luxor, the Place VendÔme, the Opera and the Palais Royal. Then transfer to Sainte-Chapelle for a visit. At the conclusion of your visit, you'll travel on to the hotel for check in and room assignment.
DAY 03 - PARIS
After a relaxing breakfast, take a drive through the Left Bank of Paris. Here you'll visit the Dom Church containing Napoleon's tomb. Next it's on to the Opera Quarter, with its many shops and restaurants. Following some free time, continue on to the Ile de la Cité to visit the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. After a tour, transfer to the Musée du Louvre. A guided
tour will highlight such major works as
Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace
and the
Mona Lisa. After your visit, the remainder of the day will be at leisure.
DAY 04 - VERSAILLES, PARIS
You're off to visit Versailles this morning where you'll start with a visit to the formal gardens and its magnificent fountains and then enjoy a palace tour with two local guides. Included are visits to the solemn
Mansart Chapel and the fantastic
Galerie des Glaces. After your tour, return to Paris. For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, your instructors will plan the sightseeing and leisure activities.
DAY 05 - GIVERNY, PARIS
This morning an excursion to Giverny is planned. Upon arrival take a guided tour of Claude Monet's home, which is now a small gallery, and the beautiful gardens which were subject of some of the artist's renowned paintings. Next you'll visit the Musée d'art Americain Giverny. After the museum visit, return to Paris for further exploration with your instructors.
DAY 06 - PARIS
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, board the motorcoach for the short transfer to Musée d'Orsay. Following your visit here, the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, you'll take a ride through the illuminated city, with stops at the Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower, which you can ascend on an optional basis.
DAY 07 - CHARTRES, BLOIS
Board the motorcoach for the drive to Chartres this morning. Upon arrival you'll have a tour of Chartres magnificent cathedral. Then continue to the Loire Valley and on to Amboise. High above the town lies Clos-Luce, one of the oldest and most beautiful residences in the Loire Valley. Time permitting, you will also tour Chateau d' Amboise. After this full day of sightseeing, you will retire at the hotel in Blois.
DAY 08 - CHENONCEAU, CHAMBORD, PARIS
This morning you'll continue through the Loire Valley with visits to magnificent and charming chateaux in mind. Your first stop is at Chateau de Chenonceau where you'll be able to walk through the chateau at our own pace. The next stop is in Chambord where you'll have a guided tour. After this visit, travel back to the Paris area. Tonight's accommodations are at a hotel near the airport.
DAY 09 - RETURN
After breakfast and time to pack, transfer to the airport for the return flights to the U.S.
