Travel Dates
Departing 24th Jul 2020
Package Provider: Trafalgar
Package Type: Package
Region: Europe
Duration: 17 Nights
Voyage through vineyards and valleys, as you soak up France’s rich history and heritage
Visit Joan of Arc's Rouen, the D-Day landing beaches at Omaha and Juno and marvel at the masterpieces of France's châteaux, before visiting vibrant Paris and soaking up its joie de vivre.
Immerse yourself in the festive and warm atmosphere of Portugal and Spain where you will discover a unique way of life. You will visit Porto, a subtle mixture of modernity and history famous for its wine, or Salamanca and its cathedral, Spain's "golden city". It has a rich architectural, religious and gastronomic culture.
Your Fly, Tour & Cruise package includes:
Extend your flights and stay longer - talk to our travel experts about more options
Trafalgar guided holiday itinerary & highlights:
Connect with locals
Dive into Culture
Local Specialist
Sightseeing highlights:
Date |
Itinerary |
25 Jul 20 |
Arrive Paris Bienvenue! The 'City of Lights' welcomes you as you prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through France. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director this evening for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive to admire the glittering cityscape of Paris - past grand boulevards and iconic sites like the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Hotel: Evergreen Laurel. Meals - Welcome Reception |
26 Jul 20 |
Paris – Rouen – Honfleur – Bayeux - Normandy Beaches This morning, we depart Paris and venture to the city of Rouen, the tragic site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. We travel to the enchanting harbour town of Honfleur - its narrow lanes and colourful shopfronts have long attracted artists who have immortalised its beauty on canvas. Arriving in Bayeux, we visit the Tapestry Museum. Here you'll 'Dive Into Culture' and see the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting events before and during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This evening, we dine at our hotel. Hotel: Mercure Omaha Beach. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
27 Jul 20 |
Full day Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches including Omaha Beach and Juno Beach We begin the day visiting the American Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives on the D-Day Landing Beaches of Omaha imagining the sense of terror and triumph felt the fateful day that Allied forces set foot on mainland Europe. We stop for lunch in the seaside setting of Arromanches, once at the heart of the Normandy landings, before visiting the D-Day Museum to learn about the artificial harbour used by the Allies. Finish the day on the beaches of Juno, where the Canadian forces came ashore in 1944. Hotel: Mercure Omaha Beach. Meals: Breakfast |
28 Jul 20 |
Normandy Beaches – Mont St. Michel This morning, travel to the fortified island town of Mont St. Michel. Here we'll join a 'Local Specialist' for a tour of Mont St. Michel's medieval Benedictine Abbey. Legend has it, the abbey was built after the Archangel Michael appeared to the Bishop of Avranches inspiring him to build a church atop the island. Consider an Optional Experience to the historic walled port city of Saint-Malo, once the home of famous French explorer, Jacques Cartier. Hotel: Le Relais du Roy. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
29 Jul 20 |
Mont St. Michel – Loire Valley Journey through the scenic countryside, stopping to 'Connect With Locals' over a light 'Be My Guest' meal with wine at a 17th-century château set within beautiful gardens. We journey to the Loire Valley, where we will spend the next two nights. Hotel: Novotel Amboise. Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest. |
30 Jul 20 |
Châteaux Excursion We spend our day admiring the beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley and join a 'Local Specialist' for a visit to the Amboise Royal Château. It is here that King François I hosted Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb now lies in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert adjoining the château. We continue with a visit to Chenonceau, built on the Cher River. The château is often referred to as the Ladies Castle, due to the many women who influenced its construction and development. Today it contains priceless collections, including Renaissance furniture, tapestries and masterpieces by Rubens and Tintoretto. Hotel: Novotel Amboise. Meals: Breakfast |
31 Jul 20 |
Loire Valley – Chambord – Paris Our first stop today is the royal Château de Chambord of King François I, regarded as one of the world's most remarkable châteaux, with its exquisite Italian Renaissance architecture and decorative moat. We journey back to Paris this afternoon and spend the rest of our day in the 'City of Lights' with free time to take in some of the sights. Celebrate with your Travel Director and newfound friends this evening at a Farewell Dinner with local wines at a Parisian bistro. Hotel: Renaissance La Défense. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner |
01 Aug 20 |
Depart Paris For now it's time to say a fond au revoir to France and your fellow travellers at the end of a memorable trip. Meal: Breakfast |
Porto, the Douro Valley and Salamanca River Cruise
Cruise Highlights
Date |
Itinerary |
04 Aug 20 |
Porto Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight, join us on an optional excursion by coach for both packages: Tour of Porto "by night". |
05 Aug 20 |
Porto – Optional Excursion & Free Day Join us for the optional excursions proposed : CLASSIC: Guided tour of Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe. DISCOVERY: Touring Porto via tram and visiting the tram museum. The afternoon is free to do as you please, or you can ask to be dropped off to the city center via rabelo boat. We'll return on board for dinner and an evening of Fado entertainment. |
06 Aug 20 |
Porto – Regua Join us for the optional excursions proposed : CLASSIC: Tour of Guimaraes. DISCOVERY: Hiking along the Douro River. The afternoon will be spent cruising. Enjoy an evening of dancing or a stroll through Regua by night on your own. |
07 Aug 20 |
Regua – Vega De Terron Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Discover the formal gardens at the Mateus Palace and Vila Real. The afternoon will be spent cruising. Enjoy an evening of Flamenco entertainment. |
08 Aug 20 |
Barca D’Alva – Salamanca Join us for the optional excursions proposed : CLASSIC: Discover Salamanca and its unusual cathedral. DISCOVERY: Discover Salamanca's old town by bike. Enjoy an evening of entertainment. |
09 Aug 20 |
Barca D’Alva – Ferradosa – Pinhao The morning will be spent cruising. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Discover the Porto wines, including tasting*. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening. |
10 Aug 20 |
Pinhao – Porto Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Lamego. The afternoon will be spent cruising. Enjoy an evening of traditional folk entertainment. |
11 Aug 20 |
Porto Departure Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services. |
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.