Italy and France

Kuala Lumpur 2 nights, Rome 2 nights, Florence 3 nights,  Cinque Terra 3 nights, Nice 2 nights,  Avignon 4 nights, Paris 2 nights

 *Fully escorted from Australia
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Departing  from Australia 02 May 2009

VERY HEAVILY BOOKED  -  SPACE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY  -  REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW
 

Join us for this leisurely tour through Tuscany and Provence as we travel from Rome to Paris.  This tour is perfect for anyone who prefers to experience the 'real' countryside of places they visit and who prefers to base themselves in charming towns and take short excursions to nearby villages and attractions.  

We'll spend 3 nights in a charming village in the Cinque Terra area of Northern Italy which has  eighteen kilometers of sheer rocky coastline , terraced hills and vineyards sloping steeply down to the sea. Five little villages are built into the rocks between the beach and the hills. You can hike between the villages, swim, explore the towns, drink red wine, and watch blazing Mediterranean sunsets.  Centuries old footpaths and mule tracks wind high above the sea, leading through olive groves and vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods.

We'll spend 4 nights in  Avignon, great city of the popes, and for centuries one of the major artistic centres of France.   Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity. Just to "see" the town itself, you could wander the narrow streets inside the fortified walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site for days without tiring of them.

We have 2 nights in Kuala Lumpur en-route to Rome where we spend 2 nights before heading to Florence - a definite 'must see' city of Tuscany - for 3 nights and then on to Cinque Terra, Provence via Nice and finally to Paris via the TGV. 

 


Day 1      02 May, 2009   Australia - Kuala Lumpur  Depart from home port in Australia with Malaysia Airlines  to Kuala Lumpur.  Accommodation: Grand Plaza Parkroyal  (or similar ) 2 nights

Day 2     03 May, 2009  Kuala Lumpur  (B)  EXPLORE KUALA LUMPUR  Full day at leisure to shop or take an optional sightseeing tour.  This evening join your tour escort for dinner at a local restaurant  (own expense)

Day 3     04 May, 2009   Kuala Lumpur - Rome (B)  A full day at leisure to shop till you drop, relax in the hotel pool or do some further sightseeing.  Late evening transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to Rome  

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Day 4   05 May, 2009     Rome  (D)  ARRIVAL IN ROME Upon arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, meet your private English speaking tour escort, then board your private motorcoach and proceed to your centrally-located hotel, settle in and get ready to explore your surroundings. Plan an evening visit to the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most celebrated sights. The Trevi is at its best at night, when the fountain is illuminated. Throw a coin into the spray to ensure your return to this wonderful city! Welcome dinner with musical entertainment in a typical restaurant.
Accommodation:  Accommodation: 3* superior Hotel Raffaello (or similar)   2 nights 

Day 5   06 May, 2009    Rome (B)  ROME CITY SIGHTSEEING & VATICAN MUSEUM TOUR   This morning your guided tour begins with the Vatican Museums to view outstanding collections of masterpieces. You’ll see exceptional statues from antiquity and stunning Renaissance paintings in the Raphael Rooms. Then, marvel at Michelangelo’s Last Judgment and brightly-colored ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Your guided tour continues with a visit to the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, which houses priceless works of art, in particular Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Dove of the Holy Spirit.  In the afternoon, you’ll see with your guide some of the best-known monuments of Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum (outside viewing only) and the Arch of Constantine. You will visit the Roman Forum. Once the heart of a vast empire, the Forum was filled with extravagant buildings and crowded with people from all over the known world.

Day 6  07 May, 2009    Rome - Florence (B)   ROME, SIENA, FLORENCE  Board your coach this morning, heading north through Chianti country to the pristine provincial town of Siena, Florence’s great rival. See the Piazza del Campo (where colorful horse races are held twice a year), the Palazzo Pubblico (Siena’s town hall since the 1300s) and the Mangia (from mangiare, to eat), a tower which looks like a huge tooth!  A visit is included to Giovanni Pisano’s cathedral, a stunning compilation of rich tracery, alternately colored colonnettes, and sculptural facades, Gothic style at its greatest. Continue past the lush vineyards and little villages of Italy’s heartland. Your destination: splendid Firenze, the "jewel of the Renaissance."  Settle in your hotel and explore your surroundings. Stroll along the River Arno, or over it, using the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, built in 1345. This medieval bridge is especially attractive at sunset when it reflects the warm Italian light. Overnight in Florence.   Accommodation: 4* Hotel Albani (or similar) 3 nights

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Day 7  08 May, 2009     Florence (B)  FLORENCE CITY SIGHTSEEING, ACCADEMIA  Hear about the Medici family this morning, and the art of politics, as a local guide leads you on a city tour. See the Duomo, the Baptistry with Ghiberti’s Doors of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Piazza della Signoria. In the church of Santa Croce, see the final resting places of Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. A visit is also included to the Accademia, where you’ll admire the best known of all Florentine treasures, Michelangelo’s David.  The afternoon is free for activities of your choice. You may want to visit the gallery known as the Uffizi, home to the world’s most impressive private collection of Italian Renaissance art. See masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Lippi, Giotto, Raphael and Tintoretto. Overnight in Florence.
 

Day 8   09 May, 2009    Florence (B, L) EXCURSION TO TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE INCLUDING PIENZA AND MONTERIGGIONI This morning, travel to southern Tuscany to explore the superb town of Pienza, the birthplace of the humanist Pope Pius II (1405), who rebuilt the old town center with true Renaissance flair. Landmarks include a Duomo with fine altarpieces and the Palazzo Piccolomini, the former papal residence. After lunch in a typical Tuscan farmhouse, proceed on to the fortress city of Monteriggioni. Dante was so impressed with the shape of this city that he used it as a metaphor for one of the rings of the inferno; he described it as a” ringed shaped citadel whose circling ramparts are crowned with towers.” The cypress lined roads dot this beautiful landscape, just as if we were inside one of the famous paintings of the Renaissance masters.  Return to Florence for overnight at your hotel


Day 9   10 May, 2009   Florence - Cinque Terra, PORTOVENERE  (B)   This morning travel to Pisa, the city whose navy once dominated the Western Mediterranean, for a sightseeing stop at the Leaning Tower (now tilting 17.5 feet from its vertical axis!).   Your coach continues to the spectacularly-scenic Ligurian Coast, where the Apuane Alps send high ridges into the sea. The name Cinque Terre, or Five Lands, refers to the dramatically-situated villages that have clung to the very edges of these vertiginous cliffs since the Middle Ages. Long accessible only by boat or mule paths, the area has retained its traditional occupation (fishing and wine making) and offers unusual insights into an old-fashioned Italian culture.    Accommodation:  3* superior Grand Hotel Portovenere (or similar)  3 nights
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Day 10    11 May, 2009   Cinqueterra (B)  EXCURSION TO CINQUE TERRE VILLAGES BY TRAIN PASS   Enjoy a full-day of exploration on the Cinque Terre peninsula.  Visit the northernmost and largest of the villages, Monterosso al Mare, which overlooks a wide bay lined with a beach.
The next village, Vernazza, is the most caratteristica, with its promenade and piazza on the water and its streets linked by steep steps. From its Castello Doria, visitors enjoy sweeping views of the town and the coast.   Then, on to Corniglia, perched on a ridge high above the sea, and quite an uphill hike from the train station.   Continue to Manarola, the most untouched of the villages. There’s no road between the villages, just a path, once used by donkeys and known as the Sentierro Azzuro. The famous Via dell’ Amore (Lovers’ Lane) is the stretch between Manarola and Riomaggiore, a 15- to 30-minute walk across terraced vineyards, olive groves and patches of wildflowers. Visitors can enjoy the walk or hop back on the train.   Last stop: Riomaggiore, where houses stretch down to the port along the ravine that forms the main street. The older part of town is a few minutes’ walk south of the station, through a long tunnel.   Overnight in Portovenere/Cinque Terre area.

Day 11  12 May, 2009    Cinqueterra PORTOVENERE (B) Day at leisure - perhaps take an optional excursion to Portofino.


Day 12   13 May, 2009    PORTOVENERE/SAN REMO/NICE  (B)    This morning, travel along the Italian Riviera to the western part of the Ligurian Region. Stop in San Remo, celebrated for its mild climate and often called the City of Flowers ("la Cittá dei Fiori"). The town is home to an international flower market and the production of olive oil is also a key element in its economy. The medieval old town centre, known locally as "La Pigna", includes the Russian Orthodox Church, the Romanesque-gothic Cathedral of San Siro, the Casino, the Borea d'Olmo Ducal Palace, the Villa Nobel and the Villa Ormond with its luxuriant botanical garden. Local attractions include an 18-hole golf course, horse-back riding, tennis clubs, and the ancient "Porto Vecchio" marina. Residents have included Monet, Garibaldi and Alfred Nobel.  After time for lunch on your own and some free time, board your bus and continue on to Nice for overnight.  Accommodation:  4* Hotel Westminster (or similar) 2 nights

Day 13    14 May, 2009 - NICE/MONACO/ NICE WALKING TOUR (B)   Today you’ll enjoy superb panoramic views of the Principality of Monaco, a fabulous display of white buildings and winding roads set into steep hillsides. You’ll notice landmarks such as the fabled Casino of Monte Carlo and the Prince’s Palace.   Your day ends in the elegant city of Nice, the capital of the French Riviera. You’re now on the Côte d’Azur, celebrated for its sunny climate, the turquoise Mediterranean and the vedettes de cinéma who inhabit the surrounding hills.
This evening, follow your courier on a walking tour highlighting the Promenade des Anglais, which is said to be Europe’s most handsome boulevard. Overnight in Nice.

Day 14    15 May, 2009 – NICE/AIX-EN-PROVENCE/ AVIGNON    This morning, your coach takes you west along the French Riviera toward the familiar round shape of la Montagne Sainte-Victoire, often featured in Cézanne’s paintings. It lets you know that you’re arriving in Aix-en-Provence, a beautiful city of many fountains where craftsmen design the terra-cotta santons that have become a trademark of Provence.   Continue to Avignon, the beautiful medieval city known as La Cité des Papes for the Roman Catholic popes who took up residence here in the 14th century, now renowned for its summer theater festival. View the imposing Palace of the Popes. Other sights include the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms, the Saint-Bénézet Bridge (le fameux Pont d’Avignon!), the central Place de l’Horloge, and the charming rue des Teinturiers.
Marvel at the Romans’ engineering genius at the Pont du Gard — an aqueduct built in 19 B.C., which delivered 44 million gallons of water daily to the city of Nemausis (Nîmes).   Overnight in Avignon.  Accommodation:  4* Hotel Europe (or similar)  4 nights

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Day 15     16 May, 2009 – AVIGNON/LES BAUX/ARLES/AVIGNON   This morning, enjoy the scenic ride against the backdrop of the craggy Alpilles Mountains. On the horizon appear the ruins of the village of Les Baux, set dramatically against sun-drenched cliffs overlooking the Val d’Enfer. The Lords of Les Baux, who claimed to have been descended from Balthazar (one of the Three Kings or Wise Men), ruled for centuries over the region, sending their conquering armies as far as Albania. Troubadours from all over Europe came to this "court of love" and recited Western Europe’s earliest-known vernacular poetry. Unfortunately, to crush the Protestant rebellion against King Louis XIII in 1632, Cardinal Richelieu ordered the destruction of Les Baux. Nowadays, the castle and ramparts are a mere shell but delightful Renaissance houses, underground buildings and narrow streets hollowed out of the rock contribute to the village’s appeal.

Continue to Arles, the city called "the soul of Provence" by the artists, writers and historians who were lured by its glorious past, rich folklore and luminosity. Vincent van Gogh, the grand master of Expressionism, lived and worked here in the 1880s. During your stay in the city, you may want to visit the Espace van Gogh, a cultural center with a wing dedicated to Vincent van Gogh. The center is located in Arles’ former hospital, where van Gogh resided during periods of depression and where he painted works such as Le Jardin de l’Hôpital d’Arles. Or, check out the Fondation Vincent van Gogh, an art institute that exhibits works of artists influenced by van Gogh.  On the Place du Forum, you will see the Café Van Gogh, a congenial restaurant with an outdoor terrace that you will recognize as the model for van Gogh’s famous painting, Café La Nuit.   At the end of the tour return to Avignon for overnight.
 

Day 16   17 May, 2009 – AVIGNON/SAINT-REMY/AVIGNON Today’s excursion takes you into the heart of Provence to Saint-Rémy, whose Old Town exudes the charm of Provence’s medieval villages. Landmarks include the 18th-century Hôtel Estrine, which houses the Centre d’Art-Présence Van Gogh, honoring (one of) the town’s most illustrious residents; the 16th-century Hôtel de Sade with its archaeological collection of artifacts found in nearby Glanum; the Hôtel d’Almeran-Millane, where Gounod first introduced his Mireille; and the 16th-century Mistral de Mondragon mansion housing the Musée des Alpilles, with exhibits related to the town’s most famous native as well as local traditions and crafts.
Overnight in Avignon.
 

Day 17   18 May, 2009 - AVIGNON/LUBERON: ROUSSILLON/ GORDES/AVIGNON
Today discover the most beautiful villages of Luberon,  Situated at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse, the village of Roussillon is surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is considered one of the most impressive villages in France. Situated in the heart of one of the biggest ocher deposits in the world, Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ocher quarries.  The red, yellow and brown shades of the earth form a striking contrast with the lush green pinetrees. The vivid blue of the Provençal sky and the exceptional quality of light make this a magical site.    Gordes Standing on the edge of the plateau of Vaucluse, Gordes is one of the "in" villages of Luberon where many movies stars and artists have made their home. Its houses of white and gray stone rise up in a spiral around the rock where the village is set. At the very top is the church and the castle which face out onto the hills of the Luberon.    Back to hotel in Avignon for overnight
 

Day 18   19 May, 2009 - AVIGNON/TGV TRAIN TO PARIS (B)
After breakfast transfer to the train station for an exhilarating experience on the high-tech TGV train that whisks you away at 170 mph across the scenic provinces of France. The foreground will be a dizzying blur, but look beyond at hundreds of miles of sleepy farmlands and at villages huddled together around their parish churches.   Arrive less than four hours later in a whole different world: the stately monuments and broad boulevards of the French capital.   Transfer by private bus to your hotel, and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

You may want to start your explorations in Montmartre, Paris’ highest hill and its most celebrated bohemian district. Artists still flock to the charming Place du Tertre, as they did when Toulouse-Lautrec painted the French Cancan dancers at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret. Enjoy panoramic views of the city as you make your way to the Sacré-Coeur, the white-domed basilica which anchors the Parisian skyline. Dinner on own and Overnight in Paris.  Accommodation: 4* Hotel Holiday Inn Republique (or similar)  2 nights

Day 19  20 May, 2009   Paris  (B)   PARIS FREE DAY: OPTIONS - CITY SIGHTSEEING, LOUVRE, OPERA DISTRICT
Today, explore the city at leisure. On the Right Bank of the River Seine, see Napoléon’s Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, the Place de la Concorde, and the exuberant Opéra Garnier. On the Left Bank, discover the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Standing proudly on an island in the midst of all this glory is Paris’ jewel, Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Treat yourself to a visit of le Louvre. Explore its newly-opened galleries and their ancient treasures as well as the modern underground shopping galleria beneath I. M. Pei’s glass pyramid.

Plan to have lunch at the Galeries Lafayette, the most elegant of the city’s department stores with its splendid 19th-century glass and iron atrium. The cafeteria is located on the 6th floor, from which there’s an extraordinary rooftop view of Paris, with the fabulous gilded roof of the Opera Garnier in the forefront. Then, take the time to walk around the Opéra district. See its centerpiece, the Opéra Garnier.   Overnight in Paris.


Day 20   21 May, 2009   Paris - Australia  (B)  PARIS & RETURN FLIGHT HOME Our tour ends this morning after breakfast with a transfer to Charles De Gaulle airport and onward flight to Australia via Kuala Lumpur.

Day 21    22 May, 2009  En-route to Australia

Day 22    23 May, 2009   Arrive home. Most good things must come to an end. Your suitcase full of memorabilia and of film ready to be processed, you’ll arrive home eager to share your discoveries with family and friends.

Tour price $AU13590 includes:

· Private guided sightseeing tours including private bus transportation as follows:

 

 

 To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

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