Arkansas Master Gardener Study Tour - France - sold out

Your Tour Host - Janet Carson, University of Arkansas Master Gardener Program Director

May 13-May 21, 2015 AMAWATERWAYS-PARIS

Daily Program Features (Cruise Only)

Day 1      May 13    DEPART USA/CANADA Board your overnight flight to Paris, France. 

Day 2    ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE – EMBARKATION Arrive in Paris and embark to your luxurious ship. Meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. (D) 

Day 3    VERNON Spend the morning enjoying the scenery along the Seine as you cruise to the provincial town of Vernon. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the town at your leisure. Later, you will visit Giverny and the home and gardens of Impressionist master Claude Monet. The artist lived here for more than four decades and immortalized his ponds and flower gardens in some of his most iconic paintings. The ship moors overnight in Vernon. (B,L,D) 

Day 4    VERNON – CAUDEBEC After a scenic morning cruise on the Seine, arrive in the old fishing village of Caudebec. You will have a choice of two different tours. The first option is to visit Honfleur, a historic and picturesque port with pastel-colored houses that was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. The town’s medieval Sainte-Catherine church, with its separate bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. As an alternative, choose the "Routes des Abbayes" excursion spotlighting Normandy's famous abbeys, more than 100 of which once covered this region. You will visit the ruined abbey in Jumièges as well as St. Wandrille, still a working monastery. (B,L,D) 

Day 5    CAUDEBEC – NORMANDY BEACHES Today, you have the choice of three different excursions. “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion to the US sector, Omaha and Utah beaches. Your first stop will be the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. You will have free time to see the museums and have lunch on your own before visiting the US Cemetery and Omaha Beach at St. Laurent-sur-Mer. Your last stop is the Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc before returning to the ship in Rouen. As an alternative, you can tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. Your first stop will be the Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, followed by the Pegasus Monument in Ranville. You will have free time for lunch on your own before visiting the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s WWII museum, with a final stop at Arromanches. A third option is an excursion to rural Normandy, which includes a visit to the Pays d’Auge and “Routes du Cidre” (the Cider Road). You will visit beautiful Norman towns and villages, such as Beuvron-en-Auge, Crevecoeur-en-Auge and Crambremer, and tour a Calvados distillery where you may sample apple cider and apple brandy. (B,L,D) 

Day 6    ROUEN – LES ANDELYS Enjoy a morning walk through this medieval city and see the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore Rouen on your own, perhaps stopping to sample some of Normandy’s famous and delicious cheeses. This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Seine to Les Andelys. (B,L,D) 

Day 7    LES ANDELYS – CONFLANS An afternoon stroll along the river in Les Andelys offers beautiful views of the Seine Valley’s dramatic white cliffs, centuries-old half-timbered houses, and the hilltop ruins of Château Gaillard. This former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart changed hands a number of times during the Hundred Years’ War. Athletically-inclined guests may enjoy hiking up to visit the ruins of this historic castle before we continue our cruise along the Seine. The ship arrives tonight in Conflans. (B,L,D) 

Day 8    CONFLANS – PARIS Today, you have a choice of two excursions. The first option is to visit Château Malmaison, former home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Your tour includes the Château’s interior, gardens and museum. Alternatively, travel to Auvers-sur-Oise, a town famous for the Impressionist painters who lived there in the 19th century, such as Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro. Your “Artists’ Walk” tour will include many sites associated with their work, including the Auberge Ravoux, former home of Vincent van Gogh. The upstairs room where Van Gogh died has been meticulously preserved. He and his brother Theo are both buried in the nearby town cemetery. The ship departs this afternoon for Paris, arriving in the evening. (B,L,D) 

Day 9    PARIS – DISEMBARKATION Disembark your cruise in Paris. (B)

Optional 2 night-PRE OR POST Paris Extension: $609.40 p.p. double occupancy. 

Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel  (or similar)

  • Two night Package, Pre or Post
  • Included: 
    • Hotel Taxes
    • Baggage Handling at the hotel
    • Daily Breakfast at hotel
    • City Tour of Paris
    • Transfer between hotel and vessel in Paris
    • English speaking AmaWaterways host or hostess at hotel

 

Included Features:

  • 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom – 84% of the staterooms with French Balconies. 
  • All gourmet meals onboard (Early Riser Coffee and Croissants, a Rich Buffet Breakfast, a Festive Lunch Buffet, Afternoon Tea & Coffee with Cake, Cookies & Sandwiches and a Multi-Course Dinner
  • Free Flowing Red and White Wine from the local regions, Beer or Soft Drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Free Coffee, Tea, Ice-Water and Ice-Tea are included all day. Cappuccino, Latte and Espresso can be requested free of charge during all meals! Complimentary coffee & tea station available 24 hours. 
  • Two Cocktail Receptions and Gala Dinners (Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner and Captains Farewell Cocktail Reception and Gala Dinner) and several Theme Dinners 
  • Bottled water, fluffy bathrobes and slippers are provided free of charge in each cabin 
  • Use of the Hot Tub / Whirlpool on the Sun Deck and the Wellness Center inside including Sauna and Fitness equipment (free of charge) 
  • Use of the Bicycles and helmets onboard free of charge 
  • Complimentary use of the internet onboard (via flat-screen TV & keyboard in each stateroom and wireless in our two lounges)
  • Complimentary In Cabin Movies
  • Elevator on board operating between 4 different levels: Restaurant (Level 1), Cello Deck Staterooms (Level 2), Lobby and Panorama Lounge (Level 3) and Violin Deck Staterooms (Level 4) 
  • Nightly Piano Music and also during tea and coffee
  • Our daily shore excursion program during the cruise with English speaking guides. Use of our Quiet vox headsets is also included at no additional cost.
  • Services of our professional English Speaking Cruise Director 

What’s not included?

  • All pre and post cruise land arrangements
  • All other beverages except of the ones mentioned above 
  • Taxes and gratuities (Recommendation: EURO 12 pp/ night for the entire crew and EURO 3 pp/ night for the Cruise Director on board.  These can be pre-paid at USD$147 per person for the 7-night cruise.
  • 3% credit card fee
  • Roundtrip airfare to Paris
  • Use of the Telephone in each cabin 
  • Items purchased in the Gift Shop 
  • Port charges of $168 per person
  • Cancellation Insurance
  • Optional shore excursions that might be offered in addition to our daily included shore excursion program