Tour French Impression (Summer 2019)

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Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: Experience Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Your Way during your exclusive visit to France’s largest privately-owned chateau, and its magnificent formal gardens. Choose to walk through the gardens guided by the estate’s lead gardener or learn about the subtleties of high society during a dining etiquette class hosted by the owner’s professional butler. For more information about the services and inclusions of your Uniworld Cruise, please refer to their website: www.uniworld.com You will be escorted by one of our fine Travelling Concierges, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary, available on departures with 15 or more guests. At every hotel, you’ll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. From time to time, your Travelling Concierge will enchant you with a Luxury Gold Flourish, which is a local speciality representing the destination. Complimentary, private airport transfers are included on start and end dates and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Complimentary, private train station and cruise port transfers are included when train travel or cruising is included within the itinerary. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city of the itinerary, may be requested but are not guaranteed.

Accommodation

Uniworld’s S.S. Joie de Vivre: Uniworld’s newest Super Ship, S.S. Joie de Vivre, will bring the ’joy of living’ to the rivers of France. Step onboard your floating pied-à-terre, featuring handcrafted furniture and fine antiques, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th century Parisian design from the Golden Twenties to the free-spirited Sixties, all blending seamlessly with modern amenities and exquisite service. Paris: Situated in the heart of the aristocratic district of Le Marais, this modern hotel places you moments away from iconic attractions such as Canal Saint-Martin and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its elegant guest bedrooms, luxury spa, traditional restaurant, bar and lounges are complimented by magnificent views of the Le Marais skyline. Arles: The five-star Jules Cesar Hotel has beautifully blended 18th century character with contemporary art. Curated by master of fashion, Christian Lacroix, the hotel places you in the heart of Arles and offers everything from a luxury spa to a gourmet restaurant. Monte Carlo: Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this prestigious hotel is a destination in its own right, boasting a stunning rooftop pool, an in-house casino and a luxury spa.

Meals

Claude’s: Experience the magic each evening as Club L’Esprit transforms into Claude’s supper club, a vibrant dining and entertainment venue. Claude’s glitzy and glamorous atmosphere is the perfect place to listen to local music, enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails, or view a classic French film on select nights in an intimate cinema. Le Bistrot: The ship’s very own Parisian-style sidewalk cafe serves classic French cuisine. Designed with windows that lower for an open-air ambiance, Le Bistrot is a très bon spot to savor wrap-around views of the Seine. Rouen: During your gourmet walking discovery tour with your Local Expert, experience delights of this historic town as you visit a selection of shops to try regional specialities like delicious cider or the chocolate confection unique to Rouen known as the ’Tears of Joan of Arc.’ Paris: Join a passionate food connoisseur for a small-group gourmet foodie walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers, taste delicious specialities and meet passionate foodies along the way. Paris: Enjoy a privately-hosted dinner at a local Parisian’s home and savour home-cooked French fare at its best. Your EatWith host will give you a real flavour of what local life is really like. Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Explore the medieval hillside village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and savour some of the world’s best wines during a wine tasting hosted at a renowned vineyard. Provence: Visit Maison de Bournissac, a family-owned olive oil mill in the heart of Provence, to learn about the traditional production process and savour a taste of award-winning olive oil served beneath a fig tree. Set within the traditional farmhouse, the Michelin-starred La Maison Domaine de Bournissac is a celebration of Provençal culinary specialities and delights. Chef and owner, Christian Peyre, uses local produce that he frequently sources from his own garden. Dining Summary: 15 Breakfasts (B), 5 Lunches with Wine (LW) and 10 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee. While Cruising: You can enjoy unlimited beverages on-board, including fine wines, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water.

Transport

Luxury Gold is proud to offer various modes of transportation, from luxury coach to included train travel to boutique river cruising and more, so that you always travel in comfort and experience your journey and destination in the best possible and most appropriate way. Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Luxury Gold through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Luxury Gold from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

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Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Paris
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Paris

Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, you will be met and transferred to your luxurious Uniworld ship. Settle into your sumptuous cabin and acquaint yourself with your home for the next few days.
Day 2 Day 2: La Roche-Guyon, Vernon And Monet’S Giverny
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: La Roche-Guyon, Vernon And Monet’S Giverny

Today is a celebration of Northern France’s natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid chateau and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master, Claude Monet. Visit and appreciate the grandeur of the hilltop Chȃteau La Roche-Guyon, surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering sweeping views over the Seine. This is where Medieval knights kept watch for marauding Vikings, where kings Francis I and Henry II once gathered and where enlightenment thinkers exchanged ideas. Later, explore Vernon and Giverny Your Way with the choice to visit the home and gardens of Impressionist master Claude Monet. When Monet bought the property, most of it was an orchard; he transformed it over the years into the enchanting visions immortalised in his paintings, essentially creating each work of art twice: once as a living garden and again as a painting. Alternatively, you may choose to explore the beautiful French countryside on a guided bike ride from Vernon to Giverny. You’ll ride along an easy course for about three miles to the village where the artist lived for decades. See the church and cemetery where Monet is buried and the Hotel Baudy, where his painter friends often stayed, and arrive at the artist’s home and garden for a tour. In the evening, meet your fellow passengers and enjoy a special Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 Day 3: Normandy Beaches
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Normandy Beaches

Explore the Norman Coast, a place forever associated with the Allies’ 1944 D-Day invasion. The tour of Omaha Beach encompasses the major areas of the American assault. Pay your respects at the Normandy American Cemetery.
Day 4 Day 4: Caudebec-En-Caux: Honfleur Or Étretat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Caudebec-En-Caux: Honfleur Or Étretat

Explore riverside Caudebec Your Way. This lovely village, on a serene loop of the Seine, is your base today for one of two very different excursions. Your first option is to be driven through the beautiful Calvados countryside to seaside Honfleur for a delightful discovery walking tour with your Local Expert. Begin at the former smugglers’ harbor of Vieux Bassin, which looks much as it did a century ago, then continue down tiny lanes, where houses stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a jumble of historic styles. You’ll also see St. Catherine’s Church, built in the 15th century by shipwrights who gave it an oak ceiling that looks like the hull of a boat. Alternatively, head to the cliffs of Étretat for a round of golf on one of France’s top courses. This exclusive golfing excursion takes place on a dramatic links course set atop Normandy’s Alabaster Coast. After a morning of golfing, enjoy lunch in charming Étretat and explore the seaside village that so many artists, including Monet, rendered in paint, or return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely afternoon on board.
Day 5 Day 5: Rouen
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Rouen

Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied- Richard the Lionhart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert and Claude Monet are among them.
Day 6 Day 6: Mantes-La-Jolie: Château De Versailles
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Mantes-La-Jolie: Château De Versailles

Experience Château de Versailles Your Way as you discover how French rulers lived over the centuries. Step into the secret rooms of the lavish palace with its regal history - the royal apartments still look much as they did when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette fled in 1789. Alternatively, head for a guided tour of the Versailles Gardens and discover Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet. Château de Versailles, was the official residence of the country’s kings and queens from 1682 until the revolution, and though the monarchy possessed other palaces, Château de Versailles stood alone in magnificence.
Day 7 Day 7: Introduction To Paris
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Introduction To Paris

Explore Paris Your Way - whether you’re a first-time visitor to the City of Light or you’ve visited many times before, there’s something for everyone today. See the city’s most prized attractions on an orientation guided by a Local Expert. Enjoy a drive from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs Élysées to the Place de la Concorde. Pass the magnificent Opéra Garnier, the Place Vendôme which is home to designer salons, the legendary Louvre, the Sorbonne University, and the Panthéon. Stretch your legs at the Luxembourg Gardens, then take in the École Militaire before arriving at the manicured grounds of the Champs de Mars, the perfect vantage point from which to see Paris’s most iconic structure, the Eiffel Tower. Your second option is to take the Métro to the Île de la Cité with your Local Guide to the great cathedral of Notre Dame. An expert in history and architecture will walk you through the cathedral and share insider knowledge. Next, cross the Archbishop’s Bridge to the Left Bank and the Latin Quarter. Wander through the narrow streets where for centuries artists, writers, philosophers and Sorbonne’s students have lived and worked, argued politics, painted, sipped absinthe and lived the bohemian lifestyle for which the district is famous. Your final option is a guided bicycle ride along the Seine River. Join your guide and pedal along the Left Bank, past the Esplanade des Invalides where Napoleon’s tomb is one of the monuments and along the Quay d’Orsay to the Champs de Mars, one of Paris’s largest green spaces, offering one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in the city.
Day 8 Day 8: Gourmet Foodie Walk And The Eiffel Tower
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Gourmet Foodie Walk And The Eiffel Tower

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day, before embarking on the most quintessential of French experiences: a small-group gourmet foodie walk through the streets of Paris. Join your Local Expert and food connoisseur and visit a variety of boutique shops, including pâtisseries, boulangeries, chocolatiers, baguette cafes and tiny cheese shops. Discover why Paris is so famous for its cuisine and meet passionate foodies along the way. In the afternoon, join your Local Expert for a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. As a guest of Luxury Gold, enjoy special VIP entry, allowing you to skip the line. From the 115-metre-high second story, marvel at vistas of Paris in all its glory. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Your Travelling Concierge is on hand to assist you with booking tickets to museums and recommending the best local activities. Perhaps you’d like tickets arranged to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum?
Day 9 Day 9: Vip Visit To Château De Vaux-Le-Vicomte
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Vip Visit To Château De Vaux-Le-Vicomte

Step into the 17th century during an exclusive VIP visit to the largest privately-owned château in France, Vaux-Le-Vicomte, with its magnificent formal gardens. Designed in 1653 by the King’s principle architect, Louis Le Vau, the chateau is the embodiment of revolutionary design and set the tone for the classical era of French architecture. The estate’s gardens are equally impressive, comprising of 40 hectares of treasures, including decorated fountains, patterned flower beds and timeless statues. Experience Château Vaux-Le-Vicomte Your Way as you’re invited to join the estate’s lead gardener for a guided walk through the gardens, or alternatively, learn about the subtleties of high society during a dining etiquette class hosted by a professional butler. Return to Paris where you are invited to join Count Remy de Scitivaux for a dazzling dinner at Le Procope, the oldest Parisian restaurant in continuous operation.
Day 10 Day 10: The Heart Of Provence - Avignon And Arles
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: The Heart Of Provence - Avignon And Arles

Travel first-class onboard the TGV train to Avignon, once the centre of Catholicism. On arrival, join your Travelling Concierge for an orientation of the city, seeing its medieval fortified walls and immense Gothic Papal Palace. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in one of the city’s lovely restaurants before joining your Local Expert and following in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh on a guided walk through Arles. Inspired by the wild beauty and sunbaked houses of Provence, Van Gogh painted over 200 masterpieces in and around the town. Stroll along the Rhône River, which cuts through the city, and visit the famous Arles Amphitheatre, dating back to A.D. 90. During Roman occupation, this prominent structure drew crowds of up to 20,000 spectators who came to revel in the excitement of chariot races and bloody battles. Today the amphitheatre hosts plays, concerts and bullfights. By night, Arles is a Van Gogh painting come to life. In the evening, gather for dinner served in your hotel’s acclaimed Lou Marqués gourmet restaurant for a feast of seasonal dishes and fine wines.
Day 11 Day 11: Pont Du Gard And Châteauneuf-Du-Pape
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Pont Du Gard And Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

Start the day by visiting one of the city’s famed food markets before travelling to Pont du Gard, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient Roman aqueducts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Journey to the medieval village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a renowned winegrowing region and the former summer residence of the Avignon popes. Take in 360-degree views of the Rhône Valley and enjoy a wine tasting at a renowned winery. Hosted by the estate’s vintner, sample a selection of delicious blends and learn why some of the world’s best-loved wines come from this region. Return to Arles to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. So captivating is the beauty of this historic city that you’ll feel as if you’re walking through a Van Gogh painting. Perhaps admire modern art inspired by Van Gogh’s legacy at the Vincent Van Gogh Foundation or dine at one of many lovely restaurants and maybe seal the evening with a wander along the river? Your Travelling Concierge is there to assist you with restaurant reservations.
Day 12 Day 12: Olive Oil Tasting In Provence And Michelin-Starred Lunch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Olive Oil Tasting In Provence And Michelin-Starred Lunch

Set atop a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles Mountains and crowed with a ruined castle, Les-Baux-de-Provence has a reputation as one of the most picturesque villages in France. Start the day with an exploration of the village’s winding streets and take in panoramic views, before continuing to Maison de Bournissac, a small family-owned olive mill situated on the plains below. Meet the owner, see the fruit and mechanised press, and learn about the production process, a fine tradition passed down through the generations. Gather in the shade of a nearby fig tree for a sample of the award-winning olive oil. Then onto the beautiful old Mas, a traditional farmhouse of Provence, and prepare yourself for a spectacular feast at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Maison de Bournissac. Enjoy the finest flavours of Provence, as each Michelin-starred restaurant around the world is meticulously selected based on outstanding food quality. There is time in the afternoon to shop or explore in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the wonderful old home-town of Nostradamus, before returning to Arles to spend the evening at your leisure.
Day 13 Day 13: Provencal Highlights And On To Monaco
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Provencal Highlights And On To Monaco

Journey to Aix-en-Provence, known as ’the most beautiful town in France after Paris’, and see the elegant mansions and bustling cafes of the Cours Mirabeau. Then continue to the hilltop village of St-Paul-de-Vence, where contemporary painters celebrate art as a living tradition. Walk through its winding streets and marvel at elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls, and views of mountains and sea. Today’s travels end in the Principality of Monaco, ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century and famous for being the seaside playground of the rich and famous. Settle into your centrally located hotel and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Day 14 Day 14: The Glitz And Glamour Of Monaco
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: The Glitz And Glamour Of Monaco

Join your Travelling Concierge for sightseeing of glamourous Monaco. See the Grand Prix circuit - famous for hosting the annual Formula One Monaco Grand Prix - explore the old town and admire the Royal Palace where the Grimaldi family lives. Wander along the yacht-filled harbour and visit the cathedral, which houses the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring this fashionable resort town or perhaps venturing further afield to seaside Nice.
Day 15 Day 15: Corniche Roads And Villa Ephrussi De Rothschild
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Corniche Roads And Villa Ephrussi De Rothschild

Embark on a dazzling drive along the Corniche roads of the Riviera and take in breathtaking views along Europe’s most beautiful coast. Travel the Moyenne Corniche road, clinging to rocks between sea and sky, for spectacular views. Stop en route to appreciate sweeping panoramas of the sparkling Mediterranean and lavish villas. Join a Local Expert for a visit to the luxurious Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, one of the finest listed buildings on the French Riviera. The Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild collected art works from all over the world, transforming the Villa at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat into an art lover’s paradise. Explore its nine wonderful gardens, complete with musical fountains, and enjoy stunning views over the Riviera. In the evening, raise a glass to new adventures and friendships at your Celebration Dinner with champagne, hosted at a local restaurant.
Day 16 Day 16: Farewell Monaco
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Farewell Monaco

After breakfast, bid farewell to your travel companions and enjoy a private transfer to Nice airport for your onward journey. On arrival at your home airport, your driver will greet and escort you to your waiting car for your private transfer home.

+13

16 days tour

French Impression (Summer 2019)

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip French Impression (Summer 2019)

Day 1: Welcome To Paris

Day 2: La Roche-Guyon, Vernon And Monet’S Giverny

Day 3: Normandy Beaches

Day 4: Caudebec-En-Caux: Honfleur Or Étretat

Day 5: Rouen

Day 6: Mantes-La-Jolie: Château De Versailles

Day 7: Introduction To Paris

Day 8: Gourmet Foodie Walk And The Eiffel Tower

Day 9: Vip Visit To Château De Vaux-Le-Vicomte

Day 10: The Heart Of Provence - Avignon And Arles

Day 11: Pont Du Gard And Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

Day 12: Olive Oil Tasting In Provence And Michelin-Starred Lunch

Day 13: Provencal Highlights And On To Monaco

Day 14: The Glitz And Glamour Of Monaco

Day 15: Corniche Roads And Villa Ephrussi De Rothschild

Day 16: Farewell Monaco

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