Highlights: Around Paris/Loire Valley

Paris: Day one

One of the world’s most celebrated cities.

At the heart of countless decisive historical events and at the forefront of the today’s modern world, Paris is a rare example of a city that has never lost its prestige. It is no wonder that millions of people from around the globe flock to this European capital every year for business, pleasure, or a bit of both. French capital’s prestigious past and dynamic present make it the European capital of MICE.

Paris Hosts more corporate conferences, events, incentives and meetings than any other capital on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. As one of the most visited cities in the world, Paris has something to offer for every budget, so stop hesitating and come experience the ‘City of Light’!

• Round trip airport transfer
• Check in
• Hotel Porterage
• VIP treatment upon arrival at the Hotel
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner on own

Paris: Day two

Sample itinerary:

At the Opera Square, you will have the opportunity to experience the bustle of Parisian life and its Grand Boulevards while viewing the elegant Rue de la Paix and the majestic Place Vendôme. Travel down rue Saint Honoré before viewing the impressive Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid.

Drive along the Seine to discover Paris’s two islands, Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint Louis, on which you will see Marie-Antoinette’s former prison, the Conciergerie. Admire the imposing Gothic architectural wonder, Notre Dame Cathedral. Continue along the Left Bank, progressing deeper into the Latin Quarter, where you will see La Sorbonne, the historical University of Paris, the Pantheon and go around the Luxembourg Gardens.

Drive through the fashionable Saint Germain des Prés district until you reach the left bank of the Seine river. Across the river, you will admire the spectacular Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Europe, where the 3,300-year old Egyptian obelisk stands. Drive up the famous Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, where the tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies. Continue down the Avenue Kléber to the Trocadero, for a photo stop at one of the finest views of the 117-year old Eiffel Tower.

Then pass by the imposing Invalides Dome with the tombs of Napoléon and his son, so called "EAGLET". Return to the Right Bank via the opulent Alexander III Bridge and continue along the center of fashion, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. End your tour with a view of the Madeleine Church, very close to your starting point.

• Daily buffet breakfast in Hotel
• Half-day Paris Panoramic tour with licensed, fully experienced english-speaking guide
• lunch at leisure
• Dinner on own

Paris: Day three

Cracking the Da Vinci code : See the sights where the best-selling novel takes place

You have just read the Da Vinci code or you remember it very well and would like to check out the spots in Paris referred to in Dan Brown's thriller! Where was Jacques Saunière murdered? Are there really secret messages revealed in Da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Madonna of the Rocks? Our guides will reveal to you the true stories of the past that inspired Dan Brown to write his great novel. They will show you the routes through Paris taken by the heroes, Robert Langdon & Sophie Neveu, which is not totally geographically accurate.

You will visit the Saint Sulpice church where the Opus Dei albino monk murders sister Sandrine and discovered Paris' original rose-line.

For those in quest of the Holy Grail, maybe this tour will help you find it.

OR

Ritz Cooking School Demonstration

The Ritz cooking school is located in the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris. You will be transferred to the Ritz, where you will have the opportunity to discover French cuisine and “savoir faire” during a private demonstration and tasting. The chef will share professional secrets and tips throughout this 2 1/2 hour course.

OR

This tour takes you to the outskirts of Normandy, along the Seine river to discover Monet’s home and gardens, source of inspiration for over 3 decades. In the picturesque gardens you will view the notorious water lilies which were vastly celebrated by Monet. You will also visit Monet's house, where the artist lived and painted for 43 long years. He died there in 1926.

The magnificent Palace of Versailles is a witness to the splendors and pomp of the Golden Century (17 th C.) and reflects the glory of Louis XIV, the Sun King.  Visit the Royal Chapel where Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette. Next up is the Grand Apartments and the dazzling Gallery of Mirrors which was the scene of the signing of the Versailles Peace Treaty in 1919, ending World War I. Visit the Queen's apartments and the gallery of portraits. To end the tour visit the Gardens, designed by Le Nôtre, his greatest triumph, filled with pools, fountains, grottos, statues and the Grand Canal, the setting of Louis XIV's boating parties.

Dress code: Dressy evening attire

• Seated dinner up to 240 people in 3 rooms: Grand Salon up to 80 people– Salon de Musique up to 80 people – Salle à manger up to 80 people
• No Smoking
• Only a professional photographer is allowed to take picture or film.

This sumptuous museum allows your guests to discover a magnificent collection of 17th and 18th century masterpieces by renowned artists like Rembrandt and Fragonard. Unique to Paris, you will enjoy an exceptional evening in this 19th century private mansion with all the atmosphere and character of a grand and noble residence.

• Buffet breakfast at Hotel
• Optional tours and activities
• lunch at leisure
• Paris Farewell dinner at Jacquemart André Museum

Loire valley: Day one

Chenonceau is known to be the most ‘feminine’ castle of the Loire Valley region. It was designed, built, decorated and expanded for and solely by women. Walk up the magnificent avenue of trees before visiting the long gallery, which spans the Cher river with the Flemish tapestries and fine paintings.

• Early morning Motorcoach transfer to Paris Montparnasse station
• TGV (High speed train) to Loire Valley (57 minutes trip  for 250 miles ! )
• Visit of Chenonceau Castle

Loire valley: Day two

Full day Chateaux country (visit of Chambord & Cheverny) with a wine tasting

In the middle of a huge park, now a national wildlife reserve, stands the vast fairy-tale castle of Chambord built in 1519 by the flamboyant François I. Inside are 440 rooms and 84 staircases plus one that is an extraordinary double-spiral and on the roof are 365 sculpted chimneys.

Today, the castle of Chambord is a National Property, and the royal apartments have been partly restored and furnished for your pleasure and enjoyment.

The charming 17 th century castle of Cheverny was built in 1634 for the private use of its owners, the Counts of this name and is still owned by their descendants.

The splendor of interior decoration and furniture make Cheverny a miniature Versailles. In the park, you can visit a small hunting museum.

Dinner at Hotel

• Full day Chateaux country (visit of Chambord & Cheverny) with a wine tasting
• Lunch at leisure
• Dinner at Hotel

Loire valley: Day three

Half day Chateaux (Azay le Rideau & Villandry)

Azay le Rideau , one of the most graceful Early Renaissance buildings, rises in part from the very bed of the river Indre. The two wings, at right angles, are basically gothic, but all the decorative carving is in the Italian Renaissance style. Fully furnished, the inside is a most interesting museum.

On the banks of the Cher near the point where it joins the Loire, is the castle of Villandry whose unique attraction lies in the magnificence of its Renaissance gardens. Here, reconstructed with loving care and the utmost fidelity, are the three-dimensional Renaissance gardens.

Nothing grows here that was not known in Renaissance days. As a fitting background, there is an old village with a Romanesque church and the gentle beauty of the landscape of the Loire Valley.

Farewell Renaissance dinner in the Royal Castle of Amboise, overlooking the Loire valley

Early morning motorcoach transfer to Paris airport