EN FRANCE TOURS 2020 Scheduled Tours

The Best of Provence

8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS in PROVENCE

June 29, 2020 - July 06, 2020

PROVENCE: Magic scents and sounds of the south; warm, sunny cities; animated markets, picturesque villages; colorful country sites that reveal the ancient history of the region. Provence has inspired painters (Van Gogh in Arles, Cézanne in Aix); composers, writers, and poets (Bizet, Gounod, Mistral). It invites us to taste its unique gastronomic specialties: pistou, bouillabaisse, fougasse, pissaladière; aïoli [garlic mayonnaise], tapenade [purée of olives and capers], daube [Provençal beef stew], goat cheese, and more. It has created its own savory cuisine, using locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables: tomatoes, zucchini, asparagus, olives, garlic, black truffles, spelt [mountain wheat], strawberries, cherries, melons, figs, apricots--seasoned with native aromatic herbs: rosemary, thyme, saffron etc. Most of all, Provence calls us to enjoy the relaxed pace of life in the sunny south of France. Read more for detailed information on our 2020 Provence tour itinerary

 

The Treasures of Burgundy

8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS in BURGUNDY

July 06, 2020 - July 13, 2020

BURGUNDY: Once a powerful duchy ruling over lands in France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Spain and Portugal, with the rich monastical influence of Cluny Abbey, Burgundy is known today mainly for its great wines. The region is famous for its pinot noir and chardonnay wines, named after villages and vineyards renowned for their fine vintages. In historical sites, such as the Clos de Vougeot, early monks pioneered wine production, working for generations to create the best vintages, passing their secrets on to younger vintners. Nowadays Dijon is mainly known for its mustard, but at the time of the dukes, the city was the center of Flemish art and culture. Today it is the home of extraordinary collections of art treasures. The annual wine auction of the Hospice de Beaune has made Beaune the capital and heart of Burgundy wines. Other sites--Auxerre, Vézelay, Autun, Tournus, Cormatin, Brancion, Fontenay Abbey--bear witness to the rich history of the province. Finally, the wealth of local products and the variety of Burgundy's regional cuisine create exquisite dishes: boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, escargots de Bourgogne (snails) and more. Such specialties, accompanied by Burgundy's wines awaken the joie de vivre in all of us--Burgundians and visitors alike. Read more for detailed information on our 2020 Burgundy tour itinerary

 

A Land of a Resilient People

8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS in the BASQUE COUNTRY

August 17, 2020 - August 24, 2020

THE BASQUE COUNTRY: This tour will take you to the Basque Country in both France and Spain to experience the richness of Basque culture: in major towns: Bayonne, Biarritz, San Sebastian, Bilbao; in towns of historical significance: Guernica, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port; in villages noted for their special beauty: Ainhoa, Sare; along the rugged coast of the Bay of Biscay to San Sebastian; in the rural countryside of the Aldudes Valley. You will meet local "Euskaldun," join in Basque events, savor special dishes--in short, have a vacation filled with treasured memories. Read more for detailed information on our 2020 Basque Country tour itinerary

 

A Cradle of Masters of Arts

8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS in DORDOGNE

August 24, 2020 - August 31, 2020

THE DORDOGNE: Ages past, rain, streams and fast-flowing rivers traced through limestone carving caves, grottoes and a diverse landscape of landlocked valleys. Today, exploring this beautiful, rugged land becomes a multi-layered experience: a fascinating walk through the long history of mankind dating back to Cro-Magnon man, 30,000 years ago, a discovery of the evolution of art and architecture, a time to enjoy a little-traveled, rural countryside, a chance to sample some fabulous gourmet specialties. Read more for detailed information on our 2020 Dordogne tour itinerary

 

A Lavish Tapestry of Time

8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS in NORMANDY

September 07, 2020 - September 14, 2020

NORMANDY: Pastoral landscapes dotted with apple trees, half-timbered farms, magnificent beaches and small fishing ports are the backdrop for dramatic events that have shaped the course of history. Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, architectural gem of the Western World, was founded in the 8^th century and has brought pilgrims to Normandy ever since. William the Conqueror, Duke of Nomandy, was born in Falaise, lived in Caen and conquered England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to become King of England, as recounted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Joan of Arc, met her tragic death in Rouen. Visitors still flock to the beaches of Normandy that recall the dramatic D-Day landings of World War II. Norman landscapes have also inspired artists: Monet made Giverny his home; painter Eugène Boudin and composer Eric Satie were born in Honfleur. And finally, those pastoral landscapes give us unforgettable, palate-pleasing specialties that make liberal use of local products: rich cream and butter, apples prepared in special dishes and beverages (cider and calvados), seafood, pré-salé lamb--the list goes on and on. Normandy is a never-ending treat! Read more for detailed information on our 2020 Normandy itinerary

 

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