France | French & Italian Gardens in Spring
Discover the highlights of France and Italy in Spring, taking in romantic Paris and the Loire Valley, historic Rome, the countryside of Provence and Tuscany, quaint fishing villages and grand European gardens. Highlights include Monet's Garden, the Villandry Garden in the Loire Valley, Villa d'Este and the Ninfa gardens.
| Duration: | 16 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW572 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 07 May 2011, 05 May 2012 |
| Price: | $8,950 |
| Single Supplement: | $2,345 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
If you enjoy visiting gardens and getting off the beaten track when you travel, then you'll enjoy this tour, designed for the gardening enthusiast who loves to travel beyond the garden gate into stately homes and manicured gardens as well as visiting iconic destinational attractions. The small group size and personalised boutique experiences mean you have the opportunity to travel with people who have similar interests to you. It's a chance to share ideas, engage in stimulating conversation and make new friends.
If you are happy to share a room, we'll find you a traveller of the same gender to share with. If we can't, we'll give you a single room at no extra charge, or if you prefer we can organise a guaranteed single room for you at an additional cost.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 20
Day 1 Paris Sights
Today check in to your hotel then tour Paris. See the Eiffel Tower, Hotel de Ville, Palais du Louvre, Champs Élysées, Sacré Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Musée d'Orsay. The afternoon is free, or visit the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Parc de Bagatelle. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner cruise tonight. D
Two Night Stay: Paris, Pullman Bercy Hotel or similar.
Day 2 Monet's Garden
Visit Monet's Garden at Giverny, designed with an artist's eye for colour. Then enjoy free time in Paris. B
Day 3 Loire Valley, Chateau Chenonceaux
At the Loire Valley visit the Villandry Garden with its formal potager filled with ornamental and edible vegetables and romantic Chateau Chenonceaux. B D
Stay: Tours, Univers Hotel or similar.
Day 4 Burgundy, Wineries
Travel to Beaune, where a tour will take you to the Marche aux Vins. Taste classic burgundies then dine at a local restaurant on classic Burgundy dishes and wines. B D
Stay: Beaune, Novotel Beaune or similar.
Day 5 Avignon
Tour the Papal Palace and Saint Andre Abbey gardens. Admire ancient walls, pretty gardens and narrow streets. B D
Two Night Stay: Avignon, Grand Hotel or similar.
Day 6 Provence
Visit Arles to see the Roman arena. Enjoy free time in Avignon. B
Day 7 Grasse, Cote d'Azur
Travel to the Provence - Alpes - Cote d'Azur region. Visit the Grasse perfumery then continue to Nice. B
Two Night Stay: Nice, Mercure Centre Notre Dame or similar.
Day 8 Nice, Monaco
Visit the gardens of Ephrussi de Rothschild, then see the Exotic Garden and Princess Grace Rose Garden in Monaco. Continue to the Jardin de la Madone in Menton. B
Day 9 Le Cinque Terre villages
Explore the five fishing villages then head to La Spezia. B D
Stay: La Spezia, Jolly Hotel or similar.
Day 10 Pisa, Florence
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa, enjoy lunch in a Tuscan vineyard then head to Florence via the gardens at Villa La Gamberaia. B L D
Two Night Stay: Florence, Baglioni Hotel or similar.
Day 11 Florence, Boboli Gardens
Tour Florence, seeing the Accademia, the Duomo and the Baptistry. Enjoy free time, or visit the Boboli Gardens. Their design, by Niccolò Pericoli, was used as a basis for royal gardens in Europe. B
Day 12 Tuscany, Rome
Travel to San Gimignano then see the gardens at Villa Lante at Bagnaia before continuing to Rome. B D
Three Night Stay: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco de Principi or similar.
Day 13 Rome Sights
Tour Militia Tower, Piazza Venezia, Trajan's and Augustine forums, The Capitol, the Temple of Venus and Rome and the Colosseum. The afternoon is at leisure. B
Day 14 Vatican, Tivoli
Visit the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. Then head to the exquisite Villa d'Este garden at Tivoli. B D
Day 15 Ninfa, Pompeii
Travel to the gardens of Ninfa, set in rambling ruins. Visit fascinating Pompeii, then travel to Sorrento. B D
Stay: Sorrento.
Day 16 La Mortella, Rome
Cruise to Ischia to visit the renowned La Mortella Garden. Continue to Naples then Rome where your tour concludes. B
9 AND 10 DAY OPTIONS AVAILABLE - Please contact us for details
Inclusions
- 15 nights accomodation
- Meals as Indicated
- Entrance to gardens
What's Not Included
- Connections to start point of Tour
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
