Parisian Dream & the Loire Valley

DAY 1,  Monday - Arrive in Paris & Transfer to Loire Valley
Arrive in Paris and transfer to the Chateau d'Eslcimont, set near Chartres and the idyllic Loire Valley. This tranquil castle, complete with moat, turrets, and gardens set in a 150 acre estate, was built by the Archbishop of Tours in 1543. In the evening, meet the group at the hotel for a welcome drink and reception followed by dinner.
Overnight: Saint-Symphorien-le-Château
Meals: Dinner
 
DAY 2, Tuesday - Loire Valley Excursion
Today begins with a full day exploration of the Loire Valley. The "Ladies Castle," home of Catherine de Medici, Chenonceau will be the first visit. Continue to Chateau d'Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, and view the stunning Chambord Castle Estate. Return to Chateau d'Esclimont for dinner.
Overnight: Saint-Symphorien-le-Château
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
DAY 3, Wednesday - Chartres, French Cooking Class
Today visit Chartres with a cathedral renowned for its stained glass windows. View the workshop where this amazing craft is still practiced. Return to the Chateau d'Esclimont for a cooking class with a top French chef and enjoy the fruits of your labors tonight for dinner.
Overnight: Saint-Symphorien-le-Château
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
DAY 4, Thursday - Versailles Palace Tour, Paris Orientation Tour
Depart today for Paris. On the way, stop at Versailles to admire the Palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Experience the grandeur of French Baroque architecture on an exciting guided tour to the world-famous Palace of Versailles, Europe's most influential chateau. Visit the beautifully decorated State Apartments, Queen's Apartments, and the Hall of Mirrors in equally daunting arcades. Stroll around the palace halls before visiting the beautifully landscaped grounds featuring extensive gardens, beautiful fountains, and an enormous Grand Canal, making it one of the largest formal gardens ever created. On arrival in Paris enjoy an exciting orientation viewing the Eiffel Tower, the celebrated Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V, where many stylish shops and fashion houses boast big-name designer brands. Learn the history of haute couture and of the many famous designers who helped make Paris one of the world's premier fashion capitals. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure to discover the city by night.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
 
DAY 5, Friday - The Louvre, Notre Dame, Fashion Show
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day sightseeing in Paris, with photo stops along the way. Begin with a drive down the Champs Elysees, Paris' most decorated avenue, lined with theaters, cafés, restaurants, shops, and several important architectural monuments, including the famous Arc de Triomphe. Continue for a guided visit to the Louvre Museum, one of the largest, oldest, and most historically significant museums in the world. Your tour begins outside the Louvre with a walk through its commercial square, and continues inside the museum, where an experienced guide will present various exhibitions and many of the museums's most famous holdings, including da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Enjoy lunch on your own at a nearby sidewalk café, before visiting the renowned French Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the building made immortal by Victor Hugo's 19th-century novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This afternoon attend a fashion show and enjoy shopping in the shopping district of Boulevard Haussmann and the Opera district.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
 
DAY 6, Saturday - Montmartre, Flea Market, Left Bank
This morning, enjoy a stroll through the largest and most notable public park in Paris city, the Luxembourg Gardens, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Populated with intricate statues, calming fountains, colorful flowers and a large basin, the formal garden is a rare delight. The Left Bank was a 12th-century scholastic center and is world-famous for its vibrant atmosphere, classy boutiques and bistros, and many prestigious educational establishments, including the Sorbonne. Next, drive north to Montmarte to see the Sacre Coeur Basilica high on the Hill of Martyrs. With artists in the Place du Tertre sketching vistas at nearly every turn, you are constantly reminded of the time when Montmarte was the centre of artistic life in Paris. Later, enjoy time exploring the stalls in the charming scene of Paris' most famous flea markets. Hunt for antiques and bargains among the lively crowd and do last minute shopping. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
DAY 7, Sunday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast