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 |
|---|---|
| Tour Code: | ITW572 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 04 May 2013 |
| Price: | $9,675 |
| Single Supplement: | $2,320 |
| Places you'll visit: |
|
| Highlights: |
|
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. Arrive Paris
Tour Paris and spend the afternoon at leisure, visit the 25 hectare Jardin du Luxembourg or the Parc de Bagatelle. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner cruise tonight.
Accommodation: Paris, Pullman Bercy Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. Monet's Garden
Visit Monet's Garden, designed with an artist's eye for colour.
Accommodation: Paris, Pullman Bercy Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3. Loire Valley, Château Chenonceaux
In the Loire Valley visit the Villandry Garden, with its potager filled with ornamental and edible vegetables, and Chateau Chenonceaux.
Accommodation: Tours, Univers Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4. Burgundy, Wineries
Enjoy a tour of one of Burgundy's most important towns, Beaune. Visit the Marche aux Vins before dining on classic Burgundy dishes and wines.
Accommodation: Beaune, Novotel Beaune or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5. Avignon
Tour the Papal Palace and Saint Andre Abbey gardens. Admire ancient walls, pretty gardens and narrow streets.
Accommodation: Avignon, Grand Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6. Provence
Visit Arles to see the magnificent Roman arena. Enjoy free time to explore Avignon at your leisure.
Accommodation: Avignon, Grand Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7. Grasse, Cote d'Azur
Travel to the Provence - Alpes - Cote d'Azur region. Visit a Grasse perfumery then continue to Nice.
Accommodation: Nice, Mercure Centre Notre Dame or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8. Nice, Monaco
Visit the gardens of Ephrussi de Rothschild, featuring French and Japanese gardens. See the Exotic Garden and Princess Grace Rose Garden in Monaco. Continue to the Jardin de la Madone in Menton.
Accommodation: Nice, Mercure Centre Notre Dame or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9. Cinque Terre
Explore the fishing villages of Cinque Terre, then head to La Spezia.
Accommodation: La Spezia, My One Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10. Pisa
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa, then enjoy lunch in a Tuscan vineyard. Stop at the gardens of Villa La Gamberaia.
Accommodation: Florence, Baglioni Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11. Florence
In Florence see the Accademia, the Duomo and the Baptistry. Later, perhaps visit Boboli Gardens.
Accommodation: Florence, Baglioni Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12. Tuscany, Rome
Travel to San Gimignano, then see the gardens at Villa Lante at Bagnaia. Your journey continues to Rome.
Accommodation: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco de Principi or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13. Rome Sights
See Militia Tower, Piazza Venezia, Trajan's and Augustine Forums, the Temple of Venus and the Colosseum.
Accommodation: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco de Principi or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14. Vatican, Tivoli
Visit the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. Then head to the exquisite Villa d'Este garden at Tivoli.
Accommodation: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco de Principi or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15. Ninfa, Pompeii
Travel to the gardens of Ninfa, set in rambling ruins. Visit fascinating Pompeii, then travel to Sorrento.
Accommodation: Hilton Sorrento Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16. La Mortella, Depart Rome
Cruise to the island of Ischia and the fabulous La Mortella garden. Cruise back to Naples and on to Rome where your tour concludes upon arrival.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- 15 nights accommodation
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 8 dinners
- Entrance to gardens
- Services of a Tour Manager and Botanical Guide
- Tipping and porterage
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.
