Best of France 2013

RMC presents:

The Best of France

Paris – Provence – The French Riviera

TOUR CANCELLED

* departure from Montauk school about 8pm

PARIS — the “City of Lights” is enchanting at every turn, at any time and in every season. There is so much to see; The Cathedral of Notre Dame, the famous Champs-Elyees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Around every corner and narrow street, you’ll find quaint splendor that highlights the character of this beautiful city. During our stay, there will also be an Optional Tour to the fabulous Castle of Versailles. Paris simply glistens with riches to be explored. Even if you have been to Paris before, it is a city that you can return to again and again.

There are a few places you can’t help but fall in love with at first sight. Provence is one of them. Located in south easternmost corner of France, its Luberon Mountains, rippling lavender fields and honey-stoned hilltop villages have inspired everyone from Van Gogh and Cezanne, to the Romans who settled on the area in the second century B.C. Its extraordinary history and bewitching natural beauty make it a special place to visit.

After enjoying the unique and subtle flavors of the wines, cheeses and traditional dishes, we head south towards the French Riviera to fabled Nice our overnight destination. And no stay on the Riviera is complete without a visit to Monte Carlo, where we will have a chance to play in the famed Casino, and have time to explore the fabled Cote d’Azur.

Our Hotels

In Paris:  The Hotel Millennium Opera  The 4 star Hotel Millennium Opera was completely renovated in 1999. It’s  five minutes away from the some of the most scenic parts of Paris such as the opera house and not far from the Louvre Museum. 163 Art Deco style rooms are equipped with direct-dial phone, hair drier, mini bar, safety box and cable TV.  The hotel also features its restaurant ” la Brasserie Haussmann ” and  bar ” la Bibliothèque .”

In Ax-En-Provence: The Grand Hotel Roi Rene The Grand Hotel Roi René is located in the city center, close to the Fontaine des 4 Dauphins in the historical downtown district. The hotel was Sir Winston Churchill’s favorite residence when staying in Provence. All 134 rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with private facilities, satellite TV, direct telephone. Most rooms overlook the open-air garden. The hotel is equipped with a Wi-Fi system. The hotel also offers a  patio, a restaurant with large bay windows,  swimming pool,  lounge and  private garden.

In Nice: The West End Hotel  Overlooking the beach and the Bay of Angels, this hotel with Belle Epoque facade offers a desirable location on Nice’s famed Promenade des Anglais. Hotel West End occupies a palatial, fully renovated 1842 building. The lobby entices with multiple arcades, sitting areas, antiques, art work, and a staircase with ornate wrought iron. Guests enjoy access to the hotel’s private beach.  The 121 rooms are comfortably furnished and feature satellite TV, direct telephone, Wi-Fi and a safe.

Tour Includes:

  • Round-trip transportation to JFK
  • Round-trip jet flights to Paris & return from Nice
  • Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels
  • Accommodations in First Class hotels
  • Airline & hotel taxes
  • Service charges at the hotel
  • Portage
  • Daily breakfast
  • Additional meals as indicated
  • Sightseeing entrance fees

Added Features:

  • Welcome dinner by the Eiffel Tower
  • Optional tour to Versailles
  • Optional dinner cruise on the River Seine
  • First Class rail from Paris to Aix-en-Provence
  • Lunch in the medieval city of St. Paul de Vence
  • Visit to the Casino in Monte Carlo
  • Special Farewell Dinner in Monte Carlo

Tour Itinerary

1st Day, Friday, March 22: To Paris
Depart from Montauk for Paris via JFK.

2nd Day, Saturday, March 23: In Paris (D)
Morning arrival in Paris. After clearing customs, we transfer tour Left Bank hotel, time to rest and get accustomed to the time change before having our “Welcome to Paris” dinner at the famous Les Ombres restaurant right by the Eiffel Tower with its great views of the City of Lights as glorious Paris takes on a new brilliance at night.

3rd Day, Sunday, March 24: In Paris: (B)
This morning’s sightseeing tour highlights the best of Paris including visiting the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon and the intriguing Left Bank, Sacre-Coeur and a visit to the famed Notre Dame Cathedral. In the afternoon, why not do to the Louvre, one of the world’s great museums to experience so much of the treasures housed here? Or “walk the city” as Paris is a wonderful walking city with so much to see and do. Evening on your own. Or take an optional Bateaux Parisien dinner cruise for incomparable views of Paris and its monuments all lit up in a fantastic display of beauty as you cruise the River Seine. Later on, maybe experience some of the world famous nightspots like the Lido or the Moulin Rouge.

4th Day, Monday, March 25: In Paris: Day Free for Exploration or Optional Tour ½ Day Morning Tour to Versailles (B)
For those not on the tour, perhaps spend the day at the Musee d’ Orsay, filled with impressionist paintings. Maybe find a relaxing outdoor café and watch local Parisian life pass by. Or, take an optional morning excursion to Versailles as you explore the Palace of Versailles where, from 1682, Louis XIV officially installed the court and government of the Kingdom. You will discover the Great Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Apartments. There will be some free time at the end of the excursion to stroll through the French gardens surrounded by sculptures (statues, busts, marble vases) made from 1661 by teams of sculptors initially supervised by Charles Le Brun, the King’s leading painter. Return to Paris in the early afternoon. This evening, you are on your own to experience one of the great local Parisian restaurants.

5th Day, Tuesday, March 26: To Aix-en-Provence (B/D)
An early breakfast as we transfer to the rail station where we board our high-speed train south to Aix-en-Provence, the most charming center in all Provence. This faded university town was once a seat of aristocracy with its streets walked by counts and kings. Founded in 122 B.C. by a Roman general, Caius Sextius Calvinus, who named it Aquae Sextiae after himself, Aix (pronounced “ex”) has been, in turn, a Roman military outpost, a civilian colony, the administrative capital of a province of the later Roman Empire, the seat of an archbishop, and the official residence of the medieval comtes de Provence. The celebrated son of this old capital city of Provence, Paul Cézanne immortalized the countryside nearby just as he painted it. We will have a bit of time for independent exploring before dinner.

6th Day, Wednesday, March 27: To St Paul de Vence & Nice (B/L)
After an early breakfast, we board our coach for our journey through the French countryside to St. Paul de Vence, a picturesque medieval village and artist colony where we will enjoy exploring its ancient cobblestone lanes, fortified walls and art galleries. The picture-perfect views and plays on light here make it clear why so many famous painters including Renoir, Chagall, and Picasso, who came here for inspiration. We will have lunch at a local restaurant before we continue to Nice for our French Riviera headquarters. Evening on our own to explore.

7th Day, Thursday, March 28: In Nice- To Monte Carlo (B/D)
Morning at leisure then in the afternoon, we depart for the Old Town of Monte Carlo where we will see the Palace Cathedral, Cousteau and the Oceanographic Museum. Some free time at Casino Square to do some luxury shopping, see the stunning gardens and mega yachts in the harbor or simply watch the beautiful people at play in their favorite haunt before we have our farewell dinner in this charming town. After dinner, there will be some time to spend in the “Golden Square,” home to the casinos and the famous “Hôtel de Paris,” where you can try your luck at the roulette or baccarat tables, if you’re feeling lucky. Return from Monte Carlo, brilliantly lit up at night and offering magical panoramic views, back to Nice.

8th Day, Friday, March 29: To Montauk (B)
An early morning coach trip to Nice airport for our connecting flights home. Upon arrival in New York, we return to Montauk.

PRICE PER PERSON
Double Occupancy $2,799

Add to above costs:
U.S. airline facility, security, taxes, fuel surcharge & airline fee: $487
Prepaid Gratuities: $70

Single Room supplement: $899

Optional Sightseeing
Optional 1/2 morning Versailles Tour $95
(price based on a minimum of 10 participants)
Optional evening Paris dinner cruise $135