France - Beyond Paris - Castles - Wine - Beaches
Paris - Normandy - Mont St Michael - Le Mans - Tours - Bordeaux - Marseilles - Nice

May 26 - June 5 2011
$3,190* 

Celebrate Memorial Day Week in France and don't miss the castles, wines and beaches on Best Single Travel's Beyond Paris Singles Vacation...
Paris is undoubtedly one of the world's great cities, with enough monuments, museums and shows to last a lifetime. The northern province of Normandy is steeped in history both ancient and modern, while the Loire Valley is world famous for its chateaus and the French Riviera's Nice is the epitome of chic. Then there is the food and wine - the allure of Bordeaux's rich reds are bound to tempt.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday, : Your Hometown

Your vacation begins when you board your overnight flight to Paris. Plan your flight to arrive on Friday. Remember you are flying home from Nice!

Day 2 - Paris

Upon arrival at the Paris airport take a shuttle to our hotel. Check-in and receive your 2 day Paris hop on hop off bus pass. Arrive early and enjoy the day in Paris.

Paris is steeped in history and packed full of world famous landmarks, A hop on hop off bus is by far the best way to see the capital. Enjoy great views from the open top deck of your bus and see the sites of Paris that you choose. The bus offers 4 different routes and it is valid for 2 consecutive days. The Paris Grand Tour will take you to all the main sights, while the other 3 routes concentrate on particular areas (Montparnasse/St Germain tour, Montmartre/Grands Bouleverds tour and Bastille/Bercy tour).

Meet in the hotel lobby for an optional dinner at 7:00pm

Day 3 - Paris to Caen, Normandy

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at our hotel. Then continue to enjoy the sights of Paris using the hop on hop off bus.

Later that afternoon we will meet at our hotel for a transfer to the Paris train station and board our train to Caen.

Almost completely destroyed in 1944 during WWII, it is a remarkable that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve. In recent years the town have made further significant efforts, and the town has an attractive, historic centre.

Upon arrival in Caen the group will transfer to our hotel for check-in and our Welcome Dinner.

Day 4 - Normandy

On June 6 in 1944, 135,000 men and 20,000 vehicles were brought onto the shores of Normandy via five landing beaches during the night. Today we see the Normandy invasion with our guide and discover: the D-Day landing beaches, airborne sectors, D-day battlefields and the D-day museums. Visit the Invasion Landings Museum at Arromaches; see the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II.

Enjoy a sunset stroll along the picturesque old port of Honfleur, and the coastal resort of Trouville-Sur-Mer or the prestigious Deauville. Honfleur, the best preserved of the old ports of Normandy, is a near-perfect seaside town that lacks only a beach. The ancient port, however, still functions - the channel to the beautiful Vieux Bassin is kept open by regular dredging and you can usually buy fish either directly from the boats or from stands on the pier, still by right run by fishermen's wives. Overnight Caen

Day 5 - Mont St Michael - St Malo

As we leave the Normandy Beaches our first glimpse of Mont St Michael will be an unforgettable experience.

In 708, a dream led Saint Aubert, bishop of Avranches, to create a shrine to Saint Michael. Mont-Saint-Michel became one of the major pilgrimage destinations in medieval Christendom. Our guided tour will include The Abbey, a UNESCO site, perched precariously on a 264-foot high rocky islet surrounded by over half a mile of massive walls and reached by a steep climb up winding streets.

Then we drive to St Malo, a walled port city on the English Channel. Check-in to our hotel and then free time to explore the fortified port and to shop or stroll along the harbor. Have dinner at one of the many restaurants or pubs

Day 6 - St Michael to Le Mans to Tours

After breakfast we drive towards the Loire Valley, stopping at Le Mans, a truly unique city, world-famous for the 24-hour La Mans car race first held in 1923. There is far more to Le Mans than just its legendary motor sports past; the Old Town area features ancient Roman walls, a true labyrinth of winding alleyways, and many old buildings.

Tour the Le Mans racetrack and The Musée de l'Automobile, including a superb collection of 150 cars from the year 1885 to recent winners.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Tours, explore the city famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Unique to the Old City are preserved half-timbered buildings and la Place Plumereau, a square with busy pubs and restaurants, whose open-air tables fill the center of the square.

Day 7 - Loire Valley to Bordeaux

Today we have a guided tour of three of the most impressive castles in the Loire Valley.

The royal Château de Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley was constructed as a hunting lodge by King François I in part to be near to his mistress and was never completed.

Chateau de Blois has been the residence of several French kings and also where Joan of Arc received a blessing from the Archbishop of Reims in 1429 before departing with her army to drive the English from Orléans.

Chenonceau is not only remarkable for its architecture and history but also for the fine quality of its collections: Renaissance furniture, a vast ensemble of XVI th and XVII th centuries tapestries and a great number of masterpieces. Beyond the Castle Chenonceau discover the two renowned and magnificent gardens that Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici have given their names to.

Early evening train to Bordeaux and transfer to our hotel.

Day 8 - Bordeaux

Morning free to sleep late, explore or shop the city of Bordeaux. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century. In the heart of Bordeaux is Rue Sainte-Catherine, a pedestrian only shopping street with .75 miles of shops, restaurants and cafés; it is also the longest shopping street in Europe.

Discover the secrets of Bordeaux and see the vineyards that have made Bordeaux wines world famous on our afternoon guided tour. Then we will taste some of the finest wines in the region.

Day 9 - Bordeaux to Marseilles to Nice

Early morning transfer to train station and our 6:25am train to Marseilles. Arrive in Marseilles in time for lunch and a few hours at the Old Port. The port is filled with fishing boats and yachts, and surrounded by small streets teeming with seafood restaurants and shops. The wide streets offer leisurely strolling and many terrace cafes. Make a "loop" of the Old Port, walking around three sides and then taking the little ferryboat across from one side to the other.

We board our train to Nice and upon arrival we transfer to our hotel and check-in. Relax, have dinner (not included) and a leisurely walk.

Day 10 - Nice

Discover this picture-postcard city on the French Riviera on our morning walking tour of Nice. Our guide will show us the maze of staircases and lanes, fine Baroque churches, bustling flower market and the famed Promenade des Anglais. Visit the Old Town, site of the trading center founded by the Greeks 2,700 years ago.

After our group tour, the afternoon is free to explore the streets, beaches and markets of Nice. Walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais and enjoy the views of the Mediterranean.

Tonight we will walk to a local restaurant for our farewell dinner.

Day 11 - Nice - Depart Home

Say Au Vois to Nice as your France singles vacation ends and you are transferred to the Nice airport for your return flight home. 

Beyond Paris France Castles - Wine - Beaches Price - $3,190* Includes * 9-Nights Accommodations * Breakfast Daily * 2 Dinners * Singles Travel Hostess * English Speaking Guides * Tours and Admissions as stated in itinerary * Trains and Buses in France * Airport / Hotel Transfers on Tour Dates * Taxes and Surcharges Click Here for Hotels *The price per person is for a double room. Free roommate matching is available so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement".  If you wish to room alone the cost is an additional $950  Not included * Airline Flights * Tips $15 per day collected the first day of tour

Deposit - $500 Balance Due April 11