EXPERIENCE VIVE LA FRANCE ANNECY RHONE RIVER CRUISE & LOIRE VALLEY CASTLE 23 days 27 JULY 18 AUGUST 2019: $ 9875 pp + Airfare Singles Add $ 2690 With Greg & Gaye of the Finesse Holidays Opulence, sophistication and elegance, France is a land of impeccable style, dazzling culture and perfect panache. Join us for this trip of a lifetime. After flying to Geneva we have our 2 hour drive to Lyon for our 7 night Rhone River Cruise. Inclusions from Geneva Hotel Paris. * 8 day Southern France River cruise all inclusive followed by 2 nights in Lyon. * 4 nights experiencing the quaint towns on Lake Annecy and the French Alps. * Highlight 9 days Loire Valley Castle Chateau Du Lac. Exclusive Use. A luxurious, exquisitely decorated 19 th century Chateau. * All Breakfasts, dinners, plus lunches on cruise, numerous day and ½ day tours and most transfers * All Bridge Fees and Welcome drinks at each Venue. PORTOFINO Option at end of holiday.
2: HOTEL ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS for EMERGENCIES: Bridge Program: Greg s Contact Phone Number +61 0415 816 919 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- RHONE RIVER CRUISE THE MISTRAL JULY 27 AUG 03 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- LYON MERCURE BEAUX - ARTS - AUG 03 05 73-75 Rue du Président Édouard Herriot, 69002 Lyon, France +33 4 78 38 09 50 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNECY SPLENDID HOTEL ANNECY - AUG 05 09 Address: 4 Quai Eustache Chappuis, 74000 Annecy, France Phone: +33 4 50 45 20 00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOIRE VALLEY - CHATEAU ALLURE DU LAC - AUG 09-18 Address: 49220 Grez-Neuville, France -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 bridge sessions are at (B4Red). All singles are welcome and you will be matched with another single. All workshops come with literature. 7: BRIDGE WORKSHOPS & TUTORIALS: Please contact us for any material you wish to discuss. Some of the topics that will be covered include Bergen Raises, Jacoby, View to your opening lead, Declarer play, The Real Losing Trick Count. Additional lessons will be conducted at request of clients. 8: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: International flight specials have not appeared yet and for most airlines occur in November. When these appear you must ensure your flight arrives in Geneva before by 10:15 on July 27 or have a night at our airport hotel on the 26 th. At the end of the holiday from Loire Valley you will be transferred to Paris airport but we don t envisage an arrival before 13:30 ( so assume 14:00 or more ). Therefore, you will require a night in Paris if your flight leaves before say 16:30 for safety. If you want to do the optional extra and come to Portofino for 7 nights then you don t have to worry about the return to Paris as you will be with the hosts on a 17:20 flight to Genoa. Your hosts will be flying from Genoa back to Rome on Aug 25 to spend a night in a quaint town near the airport before their flight home. RECOMMENDATION if travelling Economy is to wait till November. You may ask Greg for assistance.
3: ITINERARY Please note that times may be adjusted slightly Your hosts will be departing Sydney on July 24 for a stopover somewhere and arriving in Geneva on July 26, staying at The Starling Geneva Hotel. The 1 km transfer is not included here. July 27 11:30 12:00 Depart our hotel in Geneva The Starling Geneva Hotel. LYON RIVER CRUISE: July 27 15:00 Board our ship. 18:00 Welcome Drinks Departs 8 pm. July 28 09:00 Tour of Macon July 29 09:30 Tutorial 1 10:00 Bridge Burgundy Pairs 1 July 30 09:30 Tutorial 2 10:00 Bridge Burgundy Pairs 2. July 31 09:30 Avignon Walking Tour 14:00 Bridge Burgundy Pairs 3. Aug 01 09:30 Arles Coach Tour 15:00 Bridge Burgundy Pairs 4 Aug 02 09:30 Tutorial 3 10:00 Walk-In Pairs. Aug 03 08:00 Depart cruise for transfer to hotel in Lyon. LYON MERCURE BEAUX - ARTS Aug 03 09:30 Approx arrival time 10:00 Private guided walking tour of Lyon. 13:45 Bridge at local bridge club in Lyon. Commences 14:30. 450 metre walk. Aug 04 14:00 Lesson followed by bridge, Session 6. 19:30 Dinner at local restaurant. Aug 05 12:00 Depart hotel for coach transfer to Annecy. ANNECY SPLENDID HOTEL ANNECY Aug 05 20:00 Dinner at local restaurant. Aug 06 10:30 2 hour Boat cruise Lake Annecy with commentary. Aug 07 13:30 Tutorial 5 14:00 Bridge Burgundy Pairs 7 Aug 08 12:00 Depart hotel for lunch cruise on Lake Annecy. 15:30 Bridge Walk In Pairs 1 Aug 09 08:00 Depart hotel for 10:40 flight to Nantes. LOIRE VALLEY CHATEAU ALLURE DU LAC - All dinners included some by Gaye at Chateau. Aug 09 12:40 Transfer from Airport to Chateau before afternoon, settle in, couple of drinks before dinner Aug 10 09:30 Bridge Normandy Pairs 8 13:30 Loire Valley Wine tour to stock up. Aug 11 09:30 Tutorial 10:00 Normandy Pairs 9 18:30 Gaye s Dinner 20:00 WalkIn Pairs 2 Aug 12 10:30 Tour to Angers and The Cave Museum 5 hours. Aug 13 09:30 Tutorial followed by Bridge 11 13:30 Loire Valley Wine & Sightseeing Tour Aug 14 09:30 Bridge Session Normandy Pairs 12 14:30 Bridge Session WalkIn Pairs 3 Aug 15 10:00 Nice scenic drive to visit 2 old castles. CHATEAU SAUMUR & AZAY LE RIDEAU Aug 16 10:30 Tour of Chateau Gontier Commune ( 4 hrs duration) 15:30 Bridge Pairs 13 Aug 17 09:00 Bridge Session WalkIn Pairs 4 14:30 Burgundy Pairs 14 Aug 18 09:00 Depart for Paris/CDG. ETA is 13:30 Time to cry End of holiday or on to Portofino.
6: RHONE & SAONE RIVERS CRUISE - - JULY 27 AUG 03 Lyon to Lyon Day Port Arr Dep Comments 1 Lyon 21:00 Embark 3 pm 2 Macon 06:00 19:00 Tour Included 3 Chalon sur Saone 03:00 14:30 Short Stop 3 Tournus 17:30 18:30 4 Lyon 06:00 15:00 5 Avignon 13:30 Guided Walking Tour 6 Avignon 12:00 Arles 15:30 22:00 Guided Walking Tour 7 Viviers 8:00 08:30 Short Stop La Voulte 12:30 13:30 Short Stop 8 Lyon 06:30 Disembarkation 8:00am
Tours Include: Day 2 Macon - July 28 Day 5 Avignon - July 31 The most southerly terroir in the Bourgogne winegrowing region, the Mâconnais covers a 10kwide strip of vines 35km long, between Sennecey-le- Grand and Saint-Vérand. The region nestles between two valleys, the Grosne to the west and the Saône to the east. This is a winegrowing region with two faces. To the southwest of Tournus, the Monts du Mâconnais are a succession of wooded hilltops and little valleys, ideal for vine cultivation. Further to the south, the hills give way to a grandiose landscape that is dominated by some monumental outcrops, including those of Vergisson and Solutré. The vines can be found on the slopes where soil and sunshine permit. Today's port of call is the ancient city of Avignon. During the afternoon you can take an optional walking tour of the city. Visit the Palais des Papes, see the Church of St Agricol and walk up to the viewpoint at Rocher des Domes where you will appreciate some fantastic views of the river valley and the famous 'Pont d'avignon'. The ship will remain moored in Avignon overnight. Day 6 Arles Aug 01 The afternoon's tour takes you into the heart of the Camargue, an area known for its white horses, flamingos and wonderful beaches. Visit the lovely village of Saintes Maries de la Mer with its Gypsy Church. Even if you haven't yet paid the ancient Roman town a visit, you're sure to recognize pictures of it. Vincent van Gogh painted Arles in 187 of his works. A few of his motifs have today been restored to their original state. The famous Camargue is also very close to Arles
3: LYON MERCURE BEAUX ARTS - AUG 03-05 The team at the Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux-Arts are delighted to welcome you into a warm, relaxing atmosphere! The staff are passionate about ensuring our stay in the ancient capital of the Gauls is a unique and unforgettable one. At the heart of the city centre of Lyon, the Mercure Lyon Beaux-Arts hotel is a beautiful 19th-century building, located in a district classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. An extended range of Lyonnaise gastronomy restaurants can be found less than 100 m from the hotel. Benefiting from a central location, close to the Part-Dieu and Perrache TGV stations and 30 km from the airport, this address is ideal for discovering Lyons. On holiday, enjoy and ideally placed establishment close to the tourist and cultural activities (theatres, national museums and opera) of the French gastronomic capital and the shops (luxury and department stores), within a radius of 500m. Aug 03 08:00 Depart river cruise. Transfer to hotel. 10:00 1.5 hour walking tour of Lyon 14:30 Bridge (450 metres to Bridge Club) 19:30 Dinner at local restaurant Aug 04 Free Morning 14:00 Lesson followed by Bridge 19:30 Dinner at Local Restaurant Aug 05 12:00 Depart hotel for coach transfer to Annecy From Lyon we take a 1½ hour drive to France s prettiest town in Annecy.
4: ANNECY SPLENDID HOTEL ANNECY AUGUST 05-09 Just in front of the lake of Annecy and in the heart of the historic part of the city, the situation of our hotel is one of the best in the whole town. Annecy, France: is it really France's prettiest town? It's all subjective, of course, but a lot of French like to say so. It's certainly a lovely city, and named the second-best French city in which to live. It's been called the Venice of the Alps, a French fairy tale and one of France's top 10 cities. Even CNN calls it one of France's most beautiful destinations. And the Michelin guide calls it "one of the most remarkable landscapes in the French Alps", itself an area already famous for its remarkable areas. So what is it with this small city most tourists never get around to visiting?
Tours: This will let you contemplate the beauty of the purest lake in Europe and its stunning setting in the heart of the French Alps. We will take the two-hour "omnibus" ferry boat which allows you to stop off in any of Lake Annecy's lakeside villages. (Veyrier du Lac, Menthon St Bernard, Talloires, Doussard and Sevrier). We will also enjoy a lunch cruise on the lake. There will be no dinner supplied on this evening. From Annecy you will be transferred to Geneva for our flight to Nantes. Flight Geneva 10:40 am EZS 1363 arrives NANTES 12:10 pm
4: LOIRE VALLEY - CHATEAU ALLURE DU LAC JUNE 03-10 Magnificent and breathtaking are the words that come to mind when you first see Château Allure du Lac, a luxurious château in the Pays de la Loire. Constructed in the 19th century, the château was extensively renovated by its current owner. Luxurious fabrics and fine antiques are part of the tasteful and elegant décor throughout the château. A dramatic entrance hall and graceful stairway lead to a first - floor mezzanine. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and guests can make themselves at home with they arrive by relaxing in the Drawing room, the Grand Salon, or on the Lakeside terrace. The Drawing room is cozy and inviting with rich paneling, a huge fireplace and private terrace for evening drinks. The Grand Salon is elegant with the original paneled walls, large windows, French period furniture and a mirrored mantle above a carved oak fireplace. A high-speed dumbwaiter connects the Silver Reception room's service kitchen to the main kitchen two floors below, and there is elevator access for guests on all floors. There will be 5 half day & day tours here plus 3 days to play only bridge etc
Tours Included: 1) Loire Valley Scenic Wine Tour: 2A) Angers Angers is a city in western France beside the Maine river at the edge of the Loire Valley. The medieval seat of the Plantagenet dynasty, it has an old town with half-timbered houses such as ornate Maison d'adam (now the Maison des Artisans). The Cathédrale St-Maurice, in central Place Sainte-Croix, features twin 75m spires and elaborate stained-glass rose windows. The most spectacular and powerful building is the Angers Castle (pictured) The city's newer areas offer a thriving cafe culture. 2B) Cave Museum Village Troglodyte of Rochemenier: Discover the underground world of Cave Museum, Village Troglodyte de Rochemenier. You'll have the chance to see a collection of tools from the people who once lived among the troglodyte caves. Visit the chapel carved in the 13th century, look at photos from the late 19th and early 20th century, and watch the farm animals in the big backyard. Be sure to stop by the bar, which stays cool naturally, and enjoy a dish of ice cream. 3: Chateau Gontier Listed amongst the most beautiful detours in France, the thousand-year-old town of Château-Gontier, on the banks of the River Mayenne, combines built heritage and attractive landscapes. Its historic centre in the upper town, with narrow streets dotted with private mansions, gives you a glimpse of its rich past as a linen cloth trading town. Built in the 11th century, the Romanesque church of St John the Baptist is the oldest church in Château- Gontier, and boasts a remarkable crypt.
4) Day tour to visit 2 nearby Castles. CHATEAU SAUMUR & AZAY LE RIDEAU 5) Angers Castle and more At the heart of the city, this huge medieval castle with its 17 towers is home to the remarkable late 14th-century Tapestry of the Apocalypse. HOTEL UPGRADES: The apparent austerity of this shale and limestone fortress, which the young king Louis IX had built on the edge of his kingdom in the 13th century, contrasts with the tranquil grounds inside the castle walls and the pleasant residence of the Dukes of Anjou, composed of buildings constructed at the end of the Gothic era. To transform and embellish the castle into a more welcoming home for the Anjou court, terraces and gardens were laid out, galleries built and the gateway erected. The star attraction within the walls of the Château d Angers is the Tapestry of the Apocalypse or woven in 1375. With its 104 metres in length, it is the largest medieval tapestry anywhere in the world. The Royal Apartments are closed for restoration. Double/Twin Single Rosa-Stella River Cruise Category S 0 0 Category A 50 pp 75 pp Juliette Balcony Deck 2 650 pp 875 pp Juliette Balcony Deck 3 820 pp 1000 pp Lyon Mercure Beaux Arts Stand Room 20 m2 0 0 Superior Room 29 m2 65 pp 120 pp Annecy Splendid Hotel Traditional Room 20 m2 0 0 Executive or Junior 23 m2 60 pp 120 pp Loire Valley Chateau Allure Chateau Room 0 0 Du Lac 2 Storey Suite Room 300 pp N/A
OPTIONAL EXTRA VILLA L AURORA PORTOFINO - ITALY AUG 18-25 $ 2750 Twin For those seeking an exclusive retreat, on the unique Portofino s Peninsula, Villa L'Aurora assumes the magical allure of an earthly paradise. Villa L'Aurora (The Dawn) lies on the south east side of Portofino s Peninsula Natural and marine Park. The pink colored Villa L'Aurora is immersed in the dense greenery of a terrace olive grove and offers you a striking view over the bay. Although the Villa is high above the sea, about 150 steps down, you can walk to a private stone platform for a lovely dip in the sea. You can also reach the villa with a private elevator that connects the harbor below to the pedestrian cobbled path 300 mt / 880ft from the villa s gate. The pink colored Villa L' Aurora is immersed in the dense greenery of a terrace olive grove and offers you a striking view over the bay. You wont get many opportunities to have an experience like this. 8 days of luxury and fun. First of all we will take the 1½ hour flight from Paris at the end of our bridge holiday to Genoa and then the 1 and a bit hour transfer to Portofino. After settling in we will have a drink or two on our wonderful courtyard before going to a typical Italian restaurant for dinner. Whats Included: * 7 nights in an exquisite home over Portofino Bay. (direct access to ocean) * Return flight from Paris to Genoa. You can go back to Rome at a slight additional cost. * Return Transfer from Genoa Airport to Portofino. * Guide on 1 st day to show us Santa Marguarita, Portofino and some of Cinque Terre. * Minibus for 3 days to do shopping and tours. 1 tour via Ferry to Cinque Terre. * All Breakfasts, dinners, plus a few lunch supplies. * Welcome & Farewell drinks. * Although limited to only 6 rooms there will be a couple of sessions of bridge.
Flights Paris to Genoa (Portofino) Return. Departure Paris 17:20 AF 1316 arrives Genoa (Portofino) 18:55 Included. Departure Genoa (Portofino) 12:00 AF 1517 arrives Paris 13:40 Included. or Alternate Departure Genoa (Portofino) 11:15 Alit 1384 arrives Rome 12:20 Included.