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Experience the Grand Châteaux of the Loire Valley, France (7 nights – 9 days)

Sample itinerary

Day 1 Departure US Flights from your home airport to Paris, France Day 2 Blois Bonjour et bienvenue! Welcome to France! Morning arrival at Charles DeGaulle Airport in Paris. After claiming your luggage and clearing Customs you’ll be met by your French tour escort and private motorcoach. Transfer to the beautiful Loire Valley. Known as the "Garden of France" the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with more than a thousand châteaux. The entire valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will stay in Blois, a beautiful and historic town in the heart of the Loire Valley. The architecture of Blois reflects the grandeur of past residents. Dominating the cityscape are the magnificent Château de Blois (once home to France's kings) and the Cathédrale Saint-Louis. Vieux Blois (Old Town) is characterized by its handsome half-timbered burghers' houses, narrow pedestrian streets, and picturesque staircases. Upon arrival you will check in to your hotel with some free time to explore the center.

Day 3 Chambord Castle/Blois Today you will have a full day exploring the Loire Valley and see some of the castles. Visit Château du Chambord, a unique monument by its architecture and proportions. Commissioned by King Francis I and imagined by the great Leonardo da Vinci. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, Chambord is the largest and most majestic castle of the Loire. The Estate of Chambord is also a national game reserve that is the same size as the city of Paris. Day 4 Blois Today you will have time to explore Blois, the beautiful Château Royal and its illustrious history. Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, the castle is a marvel of Renaissance architecture with ornate loggias, galleries, and oriel windows. The Francis I wing is a fine example of Renaissance design. The most audacious achievement is a stunning staircase overlooking the courtyard and whose lavish ornamentation suggests a ceremonial function. Thanks to its large openings, onlookers could watch the king and his courtiers gaining access to the royal suites. Enjoy a walk at the Jardins du Roy surrounding the château. Created by King Louis XII, the gardens are filled with aromatic plants, lilies, irises, vibrant flowers, and an assortment of fragrant roses. During your free time you can also enjoy some of the beaches along the river. Concert at Château De Blois Day 5 Cheverny Castle/Blois Transfer to Cheverny with time to visit the Château. This magnificent castle provides a truly authentic and unforgettable experience and a glimpse of the area's rich past and breathtaking present. It has been owned by the same family since the XIII and is remarkably intact, with virtually no changes having been made to it in the past 350 years. The Château, which led to the creation of Moulinsart in the famous comic book Tintin, is also famous for the tradition of the horse-back hunt and its impressive pack of 100 dogs. You may have a chance to witness the spectacular daily event of “the dogs’ soup”. Concert at Château of Cheverny

Day 6 Valençay Castle/Blois Transfer to Valençay. The Château is an impressive palace with marvelous formal gardens, a large nature park, a maze, animals, and play areas for children. It served as state guesthouse during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. The château’s outbuildings are home to a surprising gem: a theatre built in the First French Empire style. Napoleon himself suggested its construction in order to entertain the Spanish royal family during their imprisonment at Valençay. The original interior has been untouched and remains today, from the backdrops to the trompe-l’oeil paintings decorating the walls and ceiling, and it has even retained some of its original machinery and ten or so stage sets. Concert at Valençay Day 7 Paris Transfer to Paris. Stop en route to visit the lovely city of Chartres. Upon arrival you will have a brief walking tour through the medieval cobblestone lanes of the Vieux Quartiers (Old Town). You will have also a guided tour of the magnificent Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres. When a huge fire in 1194 devastated the church that previously stood on the site, the Chartres community was inspired to build a new cathedral. Called the “French Acropolis” by Rodin, this magnificent two-spired Gothic cathedral is one of the architectural masterpieces of the Middle Ages. The 176 glorious stained-glass windows inside (more than 3,000 square yards of glass!) attest to the talents of the French craftsmen of medieval times. Impromptu at Chartres Cathedral Continue to Paris. the quintessential European city known for its historical landmarks and cutting-edge fashion. Your panoramic tour will include the avenue Champs Elysées. Lined on either side with luxury shops, cafes and clubs, this wide boulevard is acclaimed as “the most beautiful avenue in the world” by proud Parisians. At the end of the Champs Elysées you’ll find the majestic Arc de Triomphe, commissioned in 1806 by the legendary Napoleon. During free time, ascend to the top of the Arc for a birds-eye view of the city. Continue to the city’s largest square, the Place de la Concorde. Designed in 1775, the Place is filled with fountains and statues and ringed by opulent stone buildings.

Day 8 Paris On your final day in Paris you’ll have free time. Visit the Louvre Museum. For a taste of medieval history, visit the Cluny Museum, home to an outstanding collection of European medieval art including the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Visit sublime Sainte-Chapelle, located in the central courtyard of the Palais de la Cité (residence of the French kings from the 10th – 14th centuries, now home to the Paris law courts and the notorious Conciergerie). Dedicated in 1248, Ste-Chapelle was constructed by King Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns and other Christian relics. Explore the neighborhood of Montmartre with its monolithic Sacre Coeur Basilica and the Place du Tertre where local artists congregate. Stop at D’Orsay Museum for its amazing collection of Impressionist paintings. For a student vibe, trendy shopping, and exciting nightlife, stroll the Latin Quarter and Le Marais districts. Other options include the Rodin Museum, Les Invalides (where Napoleon is buried), the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens. Tonight you’ll enjoy a festive farewell dinner at a fine Parisian restaurant to celebrate your successful concert tour! Performance at La Madeleine Church Day 9 Return US Transfer by private bus to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your return flight to the U.S. Welcome home! Tour inclusions • Arrangements and publicity for 3-4 concerts, including exchanges where possible. • Round trip group airfare • 7 nights in 3/4-star hotels – 5 in Blois and 2 in Paris - based on double occupancy,

all rooms with private WC/shower. Limited number of single rooms are available for a surcharge.

• Breakfast daily at hotels and one other meal including a farewell dinner in Paris. • English speaking tour escort throughout the tour. • Private, deluxe air-conditioned coach transportation as needed for all scheduled

group activities as in the itinerary. • Guided city tours: Loire Valley, Blois, Cheverny, Valençay and Paris • Group entrances: per itinerary and per consultation with the group leader • All hotel, coach, and group meal taxes.