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Day 1: leave Adelaide for Paris: 29 March
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Day 2: 30 March
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Arrive Paris hotel: Hotel Minerve on the famous Left Bank ( 6 nights)
After lunch in the garden we will walk around our area to the famous St Germain and Left Bank sectors...time to get our bearings and stop for coffee and cake. Pass the antique shops of the Quai Voltaire and perhaps cross the river to Place Vendome and spend some time in the little district of the Ile de la Cite.
Cruise from Quai d’Orsay along to the Canal St Martin through the little known parts of Paris.
Dinner that evening near the Sorbonne
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Day 3: 31 March
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Today we take in the sights of Paris – Champs Elysses, climb the Arc de Triomphe (there’s a lift), Eiffel tower, Jardins Trocadero, cruise the river Seine to Notre Dame and visit the remains of the Roman city beneath. We will visit the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned and walk through the Marais. The Pompidou centre is here also.
After all of this wonderful sightseeing– time for coffee at the famous Café de Flore ; art deco haunt of J-P Sartre & Simone de Beauvoir
Dinner at the oldest café in Paris – Le Procope,
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Day 4: 1 April
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Giverny Our private tour takes us into the countryside today to spend time in the Gardens of Giverny.
We visit the home of Monet and the gardens and ponds which inspired his famous works.
Dinner that evening on the Ile de la Cite’
After dinner- a candle-lit concert in the tiny Sainte Chapelle.
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Day 5: 2 April
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The Musee d’Orsay and the Impressionists are or first stop today. This former railway station is very close to our hotel and houses works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir , as well as Gaugin, van Gogh, Toulouse- Lautrec, Cezanne.......
We will take the funiculaire to Sacre Coeur and discover the artists village that still remains. A visit to Salvador Dali’s works is included. This day will begin later, so that we can spend the evening with dinner in Montmartre
Show at Lido or Moulin Rouge.
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Day 6: 3 April
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Today we make a start after breakfast to drive in our own mini bus to Versailles.
We spend the day in the palace and gardens of the Sun King. A private tour of specific spots within the palace will kick off the day. Then you are free to wander and look at your own preferences ; the grounds, fountains, rooms and royal apartments...
Dinner that evening in the town of Versailles before heading back to Paris.
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Day 7: 4 April
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All day free to do as you please until 5pm
5pm The Louvre – we lose the crowds and take an evening tour of the Louvre with Clare.
Dinner this evening will be late- in the magnificent Louvre bistrot
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Day 8: 5 April
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We catch the TGV after a leisurely breakfast and travel to Nice on the French Riviera. (5.42 hrs)
Our hotel is Villa Victoria (4 nights)
This afternoon we wander along the ocean to the old town along the Promenade des Anglais and have dinner in one of the rustic French bistros in the tiny lanes
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Day 9: 6 April.
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A leisurely day around town, we visit the Galleries of Matisse and Chagall and have the chance to see the Museum of Modern Art which houses Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Can along with pop art by Roy Lichtenstein. Visit to the famous nice flower markets in Vieux Nice
We take the lift (or walk) up to the park on top of the cliffs which provides beautiful seascapes.
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Day 10: 7 April
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MonteCarlo in the Principality of Monaco visiting the Casino, the Palace, the port and Princess Grace theatre and the beautiful gardens along the waterfront.
We take tea at the Café Royal and then enter the casino to experience the salons and lounges – maybe a flutter??
Watch the changing of the guard at the royal palace, home of the Grimaldis - oldest ruling family in Europe.
We leave the principality late, after dinner and see the beautiful sight of the Cote D’Azur at night.
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Day 11: 8 April
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Visit to Grasse – home of the perfume makers.
The little regional train takes us on this brief journey through the lavender and flower fields where we have a private tour of the perfume-makers.
Lunch in Grasse.
Dinner and concert in Cannes.
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Day 12: 9 April
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Today we drive along the coast to St Tropez where we stop for lunch overlooking the water and the boats.
We pass by Cannes, Cap Ferrat, Juan les Pins, St Maxime with all of the homes of the rich and famous!
This little fishing village makes no concessions to the big yachts and filmstars who visit – it remains a picturesque and non-commercial spot.
We stroll along the quayside and watch the locals play boules in the town square.
Train trip of 2.15 hours takes us on to: .Avignon TGV: ( 4 nights) Chateau de Mazan
. Our hotel is a chateau in the heart of an old town in the Luberon
On arrival here we take a walk on the ramparts and venture out around town!
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Day 13: 10 April
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Later start today.
Leisurely cruise along the river to visit a Chateau Neuf du Papes winery for lunch and wine tastings.....
Visit to Villeneuve Avignon, originally the home for the cardinals and other church dignitaries. Many palaces were built here as they strove to outdo each other!Visit to the L’Occitane fragrance factory.
Dinner this evening in a beautiful place overlooking the stunningly lit palace.
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Day 14: 11 April
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Morning at leisure
Avignon was the home of the popes in medieval times Private tour of medieval Avignon – the Palais du Papes, the art works and the history of the area.
Another wine tasting with lunch in the medieval palace. We stroll out onto the ”Pont d’Avignon” – dancing is optional
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Day 15: 12 April
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Today we visit the villages perches – hilltop villages.
We will visit Gordes, along with the towns scattered around this part of Provence.
One highlight is the springs & spas of the region near to Ile de la Sorgue, as well as the magnificent Luberon characterized in Marcel Pagnol’s books. Wander through the antique markets with time to spare.
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Day 16: 13 April
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Train on to Vichy (4hrs) where we spend the night in this old spa town.
It will break our journey as well as giving us a chance to look at the unique thermals for which the town is famous.
Afternoon at leisure - Maybe have a spa or massage – or both (1 night)
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Day 17:14 April
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After breakfast, a visit to the spa and thermals of Vichy.(across the road from our hotel)
Train at lunchtime to Tours ( 3.15hrs) Loire Valley ( 3nights)
We stay near to the river Loire and the little historic towns of Amboise, Montrichard, Langelais etc. Our hotel is the magnificent Chateau Reignac.
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Day 18: 15 April
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Today is a trip to the chateaux of the Loire – we visit: Chenonceau by boat, along with Chambord and Villandry (– the famous gardens)
Dinner in our chateau.
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Day 19: 16 April
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A visit to the royal castle town of Amboise and Clos De Luce, the former home of Leonardo da Vinci (where we see many of his inventions at work)
Day at leisure – around town! There are so many little places to discover – our guide will spend an hour or two with us, then we’re on our own!
Dinner at the * Michelin star bistrot in Amboise.
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Day 20: 17 April
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Leisurely morning at the chateau. Sit on the terrace and relax.
After lunch, we return to Paris by fast train (1hr).
(1 night)
Dinner and show or concert
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Day 21: 18 April
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Leave Paris for Singapore and home
Day hotel in Singapore on the way.
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Day 22: 20 April
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Arrive Home – Adelaide direct
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