ITINERARY
Thursday, October 2, 2008
U.S. to France
Today is a travel day. Arrange your flights to depart your home city today, arriving in France, tomorrow morning. The tour begins in Avignon, and you have several ways of getting there.
- Fly Direct to Avignon. Use a multi-airline search engine (like www.kayak.com) and search for flights from your home city to AVN airport code. Do a multi-city search, as you will be returning from Lyon (LYS is the airport code). There are no direct flights from the US to Avignon, so you will have to change planes in a major gateway city in Europe.
- Fly into Paris (CDG airport code) and take a high-speed train right from the airport to Avignon (about 3 hours). The Avignon train station code is KZN. When we searched Chicago to Avignon on United.com using the ORD to AVN codes, it automatically booked the train for the segment from CDG to KZN.
- Fly into Marseilles (MRS airport code). Taxi to the train station and book a ticket on the high speed train to Avignon (about 1 hour).
On all our international tours we recommend that you consider arriving in the starting city one day early to rest and recover from jet lag. Let us know if you would like us to book an extra night for you at our group hotel.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Arrival in Avignon
Because everyone is arriving at different times on different flights or trains, Toto Tours has not included a transfer to the hotel upon arrival. It is very easy to get there by public transportation. Whether you arrive by plane or high-speed train, go to the tourist information desk and ask how to transfer to the central train station in Avignon (we will give you the exact address before departure). It will cost a fraction of what a taxi will cost. Once you reach the central station, our hotel is a very quick taxi ride away.
Check in at the hotel and enjoy some free time to explore on your own or relax. This evening we gather in the hotel for a welcome reception and introductions. Later Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant to toast the beginning of our French escapade. (Dinner included)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Touring Avignon
After breakfast this morning, enjoy an audio-guided visit of the “Palais des Pape,” one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. The Pope’s Palace, first built in the 1300s, is the size of four normal French cathedrals. This amazing and expansive structure is the highlight of Avignon. Returning to our hotel after the city tour, the remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the town. Our hotel is located in the heart of the old town. Nearby are many restaurants from which to choose for lunch and dinner, plus endless sightseeing options. (Breakfast)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Isle sur la Sorgue / Roussillon
After breakfast, we board our motorcoach and drive to Isle sur la Sorgue (30 min), a charming village built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue river. The river flows through, past, in and around the town, in its many natural beds and several canals. The town is well-known for its two Sunday markets—the Provencal market and the famous antique market.
After lunch (on your own), we continue on to Roussillon (30 min from Avignon). This ochre-red village is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, with its red rocks, red stone buildings and red tile roofs. We will visit the natural park of jagged cliffs of ochre, known as the Giants’ Causeway (Sentier des Ocres). In late afternoon, we return to Avignon and the evening is free. (Breakfast)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Châteauneuf-du-Pape / Aix-les-Bains
We depart Avignon after breakfast, bound for Aix-les-Bains. About 20 minutes along the road from Avignon we stop in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a village looking over the plain of Comtat and 3,000 hectares of vineyards. The village is almost completely dedicated to its world famous wine of the same name, which is also part of the similarly famous Côtes-du-Rhône.
Eons ago, the Rhone River extended up into the Alps. When it receded, it deposited large, smooth calcium stones in its wake, which now play an integral part in the production of wine here, retaining heat trapped during the day to keep the grape-producing ground a constant temperature after sunset. Châteauneuf-du-Pape was designated the first Appellation in France in 1923. From it followed the “Appellation Controlée” system applied to other French wine regions.
We visit the museum of winemaking and then, of course, do some wine tasting. Our lunch at one winery includes three glasses of three different Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. After lunch we continue to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, a beautiful drive of about three hours. After checking in at our hotel, the evening is free for independent exploration and dining. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Annecy
Enjoy free time this morning to explore the town of Aix-les-Bains where our hotel is located. This is a spa town, and a wonderful one is located close to the hotel. You might choose to book a massage or facial treatment this morning.
Just before lunchtime, we drive to the beautiful lakes and mountain setting of Annecy (25 min drive). The canal crossing Annecy brings Venice to mind as you wander along its banks. We take some free time for lunch (on your own) at one of the plentiful restaurants along the canal, then stroll the medieval narrow streets to admire the renaissance houses along the canal as well as the famous old prison, one of the most photographed monuments in France!
There are also plenty of trails by the lake, the cleanest lake in Europe, surrounded by majestic mountains. We have the option of renting a motorboat to cruise on the lake. Returning to the hotel in the afternoon, enjoy some free time before dinner.
Tonight we visit the Aix-les-Bains Casino, the most beautiful in all of France. It was built in the 1850s and received a splendid rennovation in 2007. Enjoy dinner tonight in the original table game room. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Enjoy a full-day excursion to breathtaking Mont Blanc and its glacier today. With its 15,775 ft summit, it is the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe.
Our adventure begins with a one-hour drive to Chamonix. A 25-minute train ride from Chamonix take us through deep forests and splendid vistas overlooking the valley, arriving at the unique Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”) glacier. You can choose to walk down a trail (20-minutes) or take the gondola (2-minutes) to explore the inside of the glacier. We enter a tunnel carved in the ice and view an exhibit of amazing ice sculptures.
Following our hike we take the train back down to Chamonix (25-minutes) for lunch (on your own) and free time in the early afternoon to explore, go souvenir shopping, or simply admire the surrounding mountains from the terrace of a café. At the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Aix-les-Bains (1 hour drive), and the remainder of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Chanaz / Lac du Bourget / Lyon
We check out of our hotel after breakfast this morning and drive to Chanaz (30 min), the flowery village of the Savoie district. Here we visit an original 19th century mill specializing in the making of almond oil the same way it has been done for centuries. The mill is the only one left in France, and is listed as an historical monument. We enjoy tasting the delicious and organic walnut, hazelnut and almond oils as well as the homemade jams.
We stop for lunch by the emerald Lac du Bourget and enjoy views of the majestic cliffs of the Alps. In the afternoon, we continue on to Lyon (1 hour, 15-minutes). This capital of French gastronomy is full of restaurants within walking distance from our hotel. After check-in, the evening is free. We will provide restaurant recommendations. (Breakfast)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Historic Lyon
This morning is free to sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or do some independent sightseeing. This afternoon we take a guided tour of historic Lyon. We start with the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere, with its splendid 19th century architecture and breathtaking view of the city. Explore the Roman ampitheatre built around 43AD. From there, we walk down the hill (20 min) to the Medieval and Renaissance quarter of Lyon, second biggest renaissance quarter in the world after Venice. The quarter is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. At the conclusion of the city tour, the remainder of the day is free. (Breakfast)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is reserved for you to do exactly what you please—explorations on your own or last-minute souvenir shopping. Lyon is the second-largest city in France after Paris, so there are plenty of museums, shops, and walks of interest to occupy your time.
We gather together this evening for cocktails and a Farewell Dinner to celebrate once more the gastronomic delights of Provence. (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. When planning your departure, be sure to check on train schedules from the Lyon Train Station (XYD) back to CDG airport in Paris. The airport code for Lyon is LYS. We will help to organize your transfer (not included) to either the train station or the airport. Let us know if you wish to extend your stay at our hotel in Lyon. (Breakfast) |
