The Experience
Combine the sophistication and glamour of Paris with the beauty of the legendary French Riviera. The ,˜City of Lights” beckons with its rich history, spellbinding architecture, the flair and joie de vivre that only the Parisians can pull off. With all the wonderful restaurants, museums and iconic buildings, few can resist its charm. With the modern high speed French TGV train between Paris and Nice, there’s the opportunity to take in the beautiful French countryside before learning the reason why the French Riviera has been a popular vacation spot for Europeans for centuries. Nice trule does offer something for everyone, as the fifth largest city in France. Discover the palm tree lines Pomenade des Anglais, as well as the romantic narrow streets of its Old Town and the myriad of museums and markets throughout the French Riviera. This is a fantastic complete vacations for those who want to experience the romance of Paris and the French Riviera. Includes:
- 3 nights Paris
- Half-day Paris city tour and Seine cruise
- 3-day Central Zone Paris Visite Pass
- 3 nights Nice
- Hop-on/hop-off
- Nice city tour
- Half-day excursion to either Antibes/Cannes or Monaco/eze
- One 3-course dinner with local specialties in Nice
- 1st-class rail with seat reservation
- Daily breakfast
Day 1 – Paris) Arrive by rail or air in the City of Lights, with optional private meet-and-greet transfers available, then check into your hotel. Charming, authentic, properties are available on either the Left or the Right Bank, all close to the world-famous Metro subway, with a Visite Pass for getting around. (Accommodation, Paris) Your included Visite Pass is the best way to get around Paris without fighting the traffic. Included in your Avanti Destinations package, a Visite Pass is good for unlimited travel on the Metro subway and surface buses in Paris for either Zones 1-3 or 1-5. A Zones 1-3 pass takes you to 95% of the Paris sights most travelers wish to see. Day 2 – Paris) After breakfast, you have a choice of departures for your half day city tour, with the balance of your day at leisure to explore, shop or sit in a trendy Paris sidewalk cafe and simply relax and partake the native Parisian’s favorite activity – people watching. (Breakfast & accommodation, Paris) Paris City Tour and Cruise ,“ your choice of the 8:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. departure with hotel pick up. Tour lasts 3½ hours aboard an eight-passenger air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking driver-guide. You will see the Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower (15-minute photo stop), Notre Dame Cathedral (20-minute photo stop), the Latin Quarter and finish with a visit to the artist’s village of Montmartre. After the city tour you have a one-hour Seine River cruise (with commentary in English). (Your tour ends at the Pont de l’Alma with easy access to the Metro for the return to your hotel on your own. Entrance fees to sites not included.) Day 3 – Paris) Your third day in Paris starts with breakfast, and is at your leisure. May we suggest an optional city tour or excursion to complete your Paris experience? (Breakfast & accommodation, Paris) Can’t afford Haute Couture clothing? Au contraire – learn the secrets of Couture Discount Shopping on this small group escorted walking tour. Daily at 11:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m., lasts 2½ hours. Introduction To French Wines Don’t know much about wine but you’d like to learn? Daily at 3:00 p.m., lasts 1 hour. Tasting at Anciennes Caves du sommelier de Louis XV. Moulin Rouge Show with dinner at Noces de Jeannette The birth place of the naughty, French Can Can. Daily at 7:00 p.m. lasts 5 hours with hotel pick up and return. Day 4 – Paris to Nice) After breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the rail station for your TGV journey to Nice. Optional transfers in Paris and Nice are available. (Breakfast, Paris; accommodation, Nice) About the TGV (tay-gay-vay, in French)) France’s TGV or Train à Grande Vitesse (French for high-speed train), are the world’s standard for speed, comfort and safety. These trains average a world’s record 182 miles per hour between most destinations. Service is timely, silky smooth, with quiet, comfortable seating, private tables, dining facilities and even snack service at your seat. Best of all Avanti makes your rail travel arrangements for you directly for your convenience. Day 5 – Nice) After your breakfast, set off for the Hop-on Hop-off Le Grand Tour of Nice and its many attractions. Use the tour to explore the many interesting neighborhoods and markets throughout the city. (Breakfast & accommodation, Nice) Nice Hop on Hop off Le Grand Tour Daily every 40 minutes from 9:30 a.m. Stops include the famous Promenade des Anglais, Port Quai Lunel, Place Garibaldi, Acropolis-Barla, Cimiez-Monastere (near Matisse museum), Chagall Museum, Place Massena at Avenue Verdun and more. (Exchange your voucher aboard a double-deck bus for a 24-hour pass. Commentary in English via headphones.) Day 6 – Nice) After breakfast be in the lobby of your hotel for the tour you have selected. You have your afternoon free then in the evening you have 7:30 p.m. reservations at one of Nice’s oceanfront restaurants on the Promenade des Anglais. (Breakfast & accommodation, Nice) Half-day tour of Cannes & Antibes Daily, lasts 4 hours with hotel pick up. Your coach takes the highway to Cannes to see le Boulevard de la Croisette, le Palais des Festivals, le Marche forville, old town, and more. Then to Antibes passing through Juan le Pins on Cap d’Antibes. Once in Antibes you have free time to window shop or enjoy a snack before taking the scenic seaside road back to Nice. (Please be in hotel lobby 15 minutes before departure. Departs at 9:00am, returns at 1:00pm.) Half-day tour of Monte Carlo & Eze Daily, lasts 4 1/2 hours with hotel pick up. Visit Monaco with a photo stop in Villefrance, then continue on to Monte Carlo along the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit before stopping in the Casino Square. Departing for Eze, you visit the perfume factory Fragonard then on to the eagle’s nest village of Eze with free time to admire the village, and the view. (Optional Casino admission: 10 Euro, passport required. Under 18 not admitted. Departs at 9:00 a.m., returns at 1:30 p.m.) 3-course Dinner at Restaurant Le Gustave 5 Arrive on your own next to the Casino Ruhl on Promenade des Anglais for your 7:30 p.m. reservation. Le Gustave 5 features a traditional French cuisine with Nicois and Provenial specialties served in an elegant and discreet atmosphere. (Meal includes 1/2 bottle wine, mineral water and coffee. If you wish to change your reservation time please contact the restaurant directly.) Day 7 – Depart Nice) After breakfast, you’re either headed home, or off to your next Avanti destination. (Breakfast, Nice)