Day 2 Thursday 9 September 2010 Paris
This morning we arrive in Paris. We will be met by our private coach and be transferred into the city of Paris. Gabriel will welcome you at the hotel. We will have an exciting orientation tour of Paris with a local guide. During the tour we will see the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the cathedral of Notre Dame and more. There will also be free time in the afternoon for independent sightseeing and shopping. This evening there will be welcome drinks. Gabriel will welcome the group and outline the wonderful experiences we will have during the tour.

Day 3 Friday 10 September 2010 Paris
This morning we will visit the Grande Epicerie of the Bon Marchè, a large food hall offering a fantastic selection of seasonal and rare foods. Here you will find some of the best French cheeses, charcuteries, pastries, breads, meat, fish and wine. It is also a great place to buy a gourmet sandwich or special delights for a picnic. The afternoon is free for sightseeing or shopping. This evening we will dine in a small French restaurant where a musical group plays traditional French music. BD

Day 4 Saturday 11 September 2010 Paris
This morning Gabriel will take the group to the charming Mouffetard market, one of the oldest street markets in Paris. The street, lined with high quality colourful food stalls and speciality shops, winds its way downhill through the Latin Quarter. We then travel to one of Paris’ most stunning restaurants in the Bois de Boulgne for an included lunch. BL

Day 5 Sunday 12 September 2010 Loire Valley
This morning we depart Paris and travel to the Loire valley where we visit the magnificent Chateau de Chenonceau. It is an amazing example of a Renaissance period chateau and was lived in by Henri II’s mistress, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medici and many other kings, queens and mistresses. We then travel to Chateau de Chissay where we will be staying for the next two nights. It is a spectacular historic building dating from the 16th century. We have dinner at the Chateau tonight. BD

Day 6 Monday 13 September 2010 Loire Valley
This morning we visit a winery that makes some of the finest white wines of the Loire Valley. We will then have lunch in one of the best restaurants of the Loire Valley to taste some of the regional specialties. This will be a very enjoyable and relaxing afternoon. BL

Day 7 Tuesday 14 September 2010 Sarlat-la-Canéda
We leave the Loire Valley and travel to the Dordogne region and the delightful medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canèda where we will spend the next four nights. The Dordogne is known for its medieval villages, green valleys, fine food and wine and gentle way of life. On the way we stop in Jarnac for a visit at a Cognac House and a memorable cognac tasting. B

Day 8 Wednesday 15 September 2010 Sarlat-la-Canéda
Today we will visit the wonderful market of Sarlat and buy some delicious local food and wines and enjoy an included picnic lunch. BL

Day 9 Thursday 16 September 2010 Sarlat-la-Canéda
This morning we will have a walking tour of Sarlat with a local guide. The town has the atmosphere of a well-preserved market town at the time of the Ancient Regime. We will see the medieval old town with its fine examples of merchant town houses and narrow medieval streets. Gothic and Renaissance buildings add to the atmosphere. B

Day 10 Friday 17 September 2010 Sarlat-la-Canéda
Today we visit some of the beautiful villages of the Dordogne. We travel to Le Roque- Gageac a beautiful village which is a regular winner of France’s prettiest village award. We will have time to relax and wander around this honeycombed coloured stone village. We then visit the village of Domme, spectacularly situated on a rocky crag overlooking the Dordogne Valley. Domme is a perfectly preserved medieval gem and its covered market and Governor’s House are particularly fine examples of traditional architecture. We will continue on to Beynac-et-Cazenac where an historic castle rises spectacularly from the top of a huge rock in the village centre. B

Day 11 Saturday 18 September 2010 Albi
Today we travel to the historic town of Albi. On the way we visit the hilltop village of Cordes-sur-Ciel where we savour a superb lunch in one of the regions finest restaurants. Albi sits in a commanding position by the River Tarn and structures from bridges to Albi’s outstanding cathedral are made from the local brick that owes its unusual rosy hues to local river clays. Albi is also famous as the birthplace of artist Toulouse-Lautrec. BL

Day 12 Sunday 19 September 2010 Albi
Today is a rest day to relax and discover the beautiful town of Albi. Maybe a visit to the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum? B

Day 13 Monday 20 September 2010 Aix-en-Provence
After breakfast we travel to Provence and the sparkling capital of the region, Aix-en- Provence, where we spend the next five nights. We first travel to the historic town of Arles, once home to the artist Vincent van Gogh. There will be a lunch break here before we travel on to Aix-en-Provence. B

Day 14 Tuesday 21 September 2010 Aix-en-Provence
Today Gabriel will guide the group through the old town of Aix-en-Provence around the superb morning market. We will sample the wonderful fresh produce of the surrounding Provençal countryside. We then travel to Marseilles for an included lunch in one of the best Mediterranean restaurants. BL

Day 15 Wednesday 22 September 2010 Aix-en-Provence
We travel to Cassis, where we spend a relaxing day in this picturesque seaside village. En route we stop in Marseilles to visit the famous Notre Dame Basilica. B

Day 16 Thursday 23 September 2010 Aix-en-Provence
Today we discover the beauty of Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages of Provence. We go on to the wonderful village of Bonnieux where we have lunch in an outstanding provencal restaurant. BL

Day 17 Friday 24 September 2010 Aix-en-Provence
After a relaxing day, this evening we enjoy our final dinner to celebrate our time in France with Gabriel. BD

Day 18 Saturday 25 September 2010 Departure
This morning we say au revoir to Aix-en-Provence and France and are transferred to Marseilles airport for our flight to Paris and then home.

Day 19 Sunday 26 September 2010
Arrival back in Australia This evening we arrive back in Australia. The tour concludes.

Key: B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner