Hidden France Itinerary
(France, Belgium and Holland)
2010 Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
Meet your fellow tour members at our
hotel around 6:00 p.m. Enjoy a light
snack and welcome drink, followed by
an orientation tour and a get-
acquainted walk in the
City of Light.
Paris 2 nights.
Day 2: Paris
The day is all yours to explore the
wonders of the French capital and visit
the sights you want to see. With your
Paris Museum Pass you'll have access
to many great sights and it allows you
to bypass lineups saving you time. This
evening we'll gather under the Eiffel
Tower and have dinner together. Later,
we'll stroll along the Seine then take a
walk up the Champs Elysees to the Arc
de Triomphe. (B/D)
Day 3: Chateaux and Plus Beau Village
Today we head south and stop at Chambord the largest and most extravagant of the Loire chateaux. After
a picnic lunch we drive deep into the heart of France and begin to uncover this country's hidden jewels.
We start with an overnight at the beau village of St. Benoit de Sault. 1 night (B/L)
Day 4: Dordogne & Beynac
After a lazy morning in St. Benoit de Sault we head for one of France's most scenic regions, the
Dordogne. You'll arrive in medieval Beynac with time for a get acquainted walk before dinner.
Beynac 2 nights. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Sarlat & Rocamadour
We start the day with a short but scenic drive to Sarlat and mix with the locals in the bustling market. An
hour to the east brings us to the dramatic cliff-hanging town of Rocamadour. Enjoy an evening stroll
admiring its warmly lit medieval charm. (B/L)
Day 6: Carcassonne
We'll head directly to Cite de Carcassonne, a double walled fortified city, complete with towers and
turrets, dating ack to the 3rd century. Upon arrival we shall check in at our hotel and after a short break
we'll head in to this fortified city just as the crowds head out. Visit the shops before they close and find
the Greatest Romanesque fortified city virtually to ourselves. Carcassonne 1 night (B/L)
Day 7: The Mediterranean and Arles
This morning we head for the Mediterranean sea where we'll stop at a beach for a midday break. Anyone
for a dip before lunch? We settle into our hotel in Arles in time for a walking tour of the historic centre.
You'll have the evening free to wander and sit, following the footsteps of Van Gogh. Arles 2 nights (B/L)
Day 8: Provence and Roman ruins
It's market day in Arles, where we'll spend our morning amongst the local shoppers. We'll head to Nimes
and visit some of the best preserved examples of Roman architecture, the 2000 year old amphitheatre
and the nearby ancient temple Maison CarreÈ. Our day continues with a drive to the perfectly preserved
Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard. (B/D)
Day 9: Gorge du Jonte and La Canourgue
We ascend the great Massif Central on our way to the forgotten department Lozere. We stop for lunch in
the delightful village of Meyrueis before winding through the Gorge du Jonte. We end our day in the
quaint town La Canourgue. 2 nights (B/L)
Day 10: Gorge du Tarn
Today we explore the Tarn Gorge visiting the medieval towns of St. Enimie and St. Chely du Tarn. In the
afternoon adventure down the Tarn in a canoe or kayak. For supper we'll enjoy local cuisine as we dine
up high in the Aubrec. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Senlis
We'll take time to check out the morning market in the local square before heading cross country. We'll
drive all day passing Gustav Eiffel's splendid Viaduc de Garabit, on our way to the pleasant village Senlis
on the outskirts of Paris. We arrive in time to wander the cobbled streets and explore the Cathedral of
Notre Dame. 1 night (B/L)
Day 12: Flanders and Belgium
After a short drive we stop at Vimy Ridge and visit the poignant Canadian war memorial to the 66,000
Canadians who lost their lives in the Great War. We continue north through Flanders leaving France. Our
day ends in Ghent, the flower city and real diamond of Belgium. Admire the wealth of awesome
architecture as you enjoy a stroll along the gloriously illuminated canals. Ghent 1 night (B/L)
Day 13: Brussels and Holland
We visit Brussels "the Capital of Europe." Head for the Grand Place "the most beautiful square in the
world" with its magnificent guildhalls and 15th century Town Hall. Explore the back streets lined with
chocolate shops and lace making. Maybe sneak a peek at the Mannerim-Pis before proceeding north to
the Netherlands. We arrive in Amsterdam with ample time to relax. We gather later for an evening stroll
through the heart of Amsterdam and its Redlight district. 2 nights (B/L)
Day 14: All day in Amsterdam
Today we'll visit the Anne Frank house, followed by a walking tour of historic Amsterdam. You then get a
lesson on how the trams operate as we take a ride to Vondel Park for a picnic lunch. You'll have the
afternoon free to visit one of the many renowned museums or to cruise the canals. Later, we meet at a
Dutch pancake house for our final dinner together. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Tour ends after breakfast
If you're heading home, Schiphol airport is a quick 15 minute train ride from Central Station. You may
decide to stay in Holland and visit the open air museum at Zions Schans or take a train to Haarlem. (B)
Danku en Totstraks.