Palace of the Popes, Avignon, France I m addicted to river cruising! It s the perfect way to travel! I love having my hotel room follow me around, it makes travelling effortless. I have always found the cabins on Avalon to be well appointed. They are bright, there is lot s of storage space and the bathrooms are the best small bathrooms afloat. The wall to wall panoramic windows ensure great views and lots of fresh air! And, the Avalon beds are to die for. Whilst river cruising, no time is wasted checking in to hotels or airports! This is perfect touring. Knowing that almost all expenses are covered in the package cost is such a comforting way to `holiday so there are no surprises. All meals, including wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, a variety of evening entertainment, walking tours in each port of call and on board gratuities are all covered whilst cruising. Additional touring expenses are at your discretion. In the past, I have cruised the Port St Louis to Paris portion of this itinerary and I am truly looking forward to returning. Each town and district has specific features of interest and unique history and they all have wonderful architecture and local charm. I look forward to exploring the area between Paris and Normandy, for the first time as I have heard nothing but rave reviews of this area. Avalon has advised that we are holding the only available cabins, on this Grand France itinerary for 2012 due to the world wide demand for river cruises. Please consider joining me on this wonderful tour. We would be happy to reserve one of the remaining cabins for you. In addition to France, I have escorted tours in the past on the waterways from St. Petersburg to Moscow, from Frankfurt to Vienna to visit the Christmas markets and on two occasions from Amsterdam to Budapest! That s why I can t wait to return to the rivers in 2012. Maree McClelland Maree McClelland - Tour Manager
COMMENCE: PARIS DATE: 15 SEPTEMBER 2012 DURATION: FULL TOUR PACKAGE (25 NIGHTS) ITINERARY SUMMARY 3 NIGHTS PARIS (Hotel Millennium Paris Opera) Paris by night tour, Eiffel Tower visit, Welcome Dinner Versailles excursion Giverny excursion Day at leisure in Paris 7 NIGHTS AVALON CREATIVITY cruising on the river Seine Paris tour by day Conflans Vernon Rouen upper Normandy Rouen opportunity to visit historic Normandy landing beaches Les Andelys Paris/disembarkation Beaune Chalon-sur-Saone/embarkation 7 NIGHTS AVALON SCENERY cruising on the Saone and Rhone rivers Chalon-sur-Saone Tournus Macon Beaujolais region Lyon Kyon Tournon Tain l Hermitage Viviers Avignon Arles Camargue Port St Louis (disembarkation) Cote d Azur Hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo 7 NIGHTS WINGS AWAY leisurely touring MEALS INCLUDED Monaco Cap Ferrat Cannes - 2 nights Grand Mercure, Croisette Beach St Paul de Venece excursion Aigues-Mortes Montpellier 2 nights Hotel Crowne Plaza Corum Carcassonne Barcelona 3 nights Hotel Olivia Plaza Flamenco show and farewell dinner Breakfast 25 Lunch 14 Dinners 6 Wine, beer and soft drinks included with dinner on Avalon
EMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Saturday 15 September Arrival Paris A warm welcome awaits us in Paris where our Tour Manager will meet us on arrival at our centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and use as we wish. This evening we are invited to a welcome dinner followed by an introductory tour of Paris, 'The City of Lights', which will include a reserved entrance to ascend the Eiffel Tower. (D) Sunday 16 September Paris Versailles excursion Today we ll enjoy the opulence of the Palace of Versailles. Our local guide will show us through the splendid interior of this lasting monument to the extravagance of the Bourbon kings and afterwards there will be ample time to admire the magnificent gardens. The rest of the day is at leisure in Paris. How about some energetic Can-Can at one of the famous Paris cabarets? (B) Monday 17 September Paris Giverny excursion A short drive from Paris brings us to Monet's evocative Gardens at Giverny. The art historian guide will escort us through one of the best known and loved gardens in the world. Back in Paris the sightseeing opportunities are endless. Enjoy at your own pace. (B) Tuesday 18 September Paris Enjoy the morning at leisure prior to boarding Avalon Creativity on the River Seine, to commence our Grand France river cruise. This evening we will meet our crew at a welcome reception, prior to dinner. (B,D) Wednesday 19 September Paris We have seen the famous Paris sights by night. Today our included city sightseeing will show us the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid contrasting with it ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and again the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. Step out after dinner to enjoy the colourful nightlife. (B,L,D) Thursday 20 September Paris - Conflans Time to set sail. Enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as we cruise gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, after docking at Conflans, we get to choose. We can either join an excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine s Chateau de Malmaison. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it "the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation." (B,L,D) Friday 21 September Vernon This morning we are off to visit Bizy Castle with its magnificent courtyard. The Chateau de Bizy was created during the 19th century in its current form, copied from a roman palace. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D) Saturday 22 September Rouen Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. This morning we will join a guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock. The splendid gothic Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. (B,L,D)
Sunday 23 September Rouen Choose between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery or a "Taste of Normandy" for a more in-depth look at this picturesque agricultural region, of which Calvados, famous for apple brandy and cider, is a part. (B,L,D) Monday 24 September Les Andelys The most dramatic sight along the Seine is the imposing Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England's King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. As always, have your camera handy! (B,L,D) Tuesday 25 September Paris (disembarkation) Beaune, Chalon sur Saone Time to bid farewell to the crew of the Avalon Creativity and head south into Burgundy. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the Hotel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France's architectural highlights. We will enjoy a tasting of Burgundy wines before continuing to Chalon-sur-Saone, where we ll board the Avalon Scenery. Once again, before dinner, we ll meet the crew at a welcome reception. (B,D) Wednesday 26 September Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Macon We are free to explore the Nicephore Niepce photography museum in Chalon sur Saone this morning. Then enjoy free time in Tournus this afternoon. The cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, is worth a visit. Later, we will cruise on to Macon. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, will be offered. (B,L,D) Thursday 27 September Beaujolais region, Lyon Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhone. Lyon is France's second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city's prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture will delight. Survey the city from Fourviere Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the "Beaujolais Nouveau" is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. (B,L,D) Friday 28 September Lyon We have a free day in this fascinating city so continue to explore at your leisure. If you care to rise early, a visit to the local produce market will delight. Our Cruise Director will suggest many things for us to do. (B,L,D) Saturday 29 September Tournon, Tain L Hermitage, Viviers The twin cities of Tournon and Tain, nestled amongst vineyards, between the River Rhone and the granite slopes of the Hermitage will be our morning destination. Charming Viviers developed around its Romanesque Cathedral. The Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences; wonderful places to explore. (B,L,D) Sunday 30 September Avignon Avignon, also referred to as the "City of Popes," was the centre of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. It is dominated by the grandiose Palace of the Popes. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pâpe are available for us to enjoy this afternoon. (B,L,D) Monday 1 October Arles, Armargue, Port St Louis Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the "Little Rome of Gaul." We will see the church of St. Trophime; "Les Alyscamps," the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the Roman Amphitheater. We will depart from Arles before dinner and enjoy tranquil scenes of the Camargue Regional Nature Park area as we cruise to Port St. Louis in the Rhone delta. (B,L,D)
Tuesday 2 October Port St Louis (disembarkation) Cote D Azur Time to farewell our crew before boarding our motor coach for our journey along the magnificent Cote d'azur. Also known as the French Riviera, the Cote d'azur stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. Enjoy the magnificent scenery. (B) Wednesday 3 October Monaco, Cap Ferrat, Cannes Today we will farewell our cruising friends and welcome back our pre cruise Tour Manager. We will transfer to our hotel in Cannes on the French Riviera. En route we ll stop in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to visit the jewel that is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Later our route will pass by Nice and around the Bay of Angels. 2 nights Hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo. (B) Thursday 4 October Cannes, St Paul de Vence excursion A lovely scenic day today as you drive the coastal road along the Cote d'azur and then continue into the hinterland to the charming hill-top village of St-Paul-de-Vence, so beloved of artists living in the area. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) Friday 5 October Cannes, Aigues-Mortes, Montpellier (two nights) Your drive today will take the road past the Massif Des Maures and into Provence. There ll be a pause at historic Aigues-Mortes on the edge of the Camargue. It s from this medieval town that Louis IX set out on the Crusades to the Holy Lands. 2 nights Hotel Crowne Plaza Corum (B) Saturday 6 October A day spent meeting the locals and exploring the town. (B) Montpellier - sightseeing Sunday 7 October Montpellier, Carcassonne, Barcelona (three nights) Our first stop today will be in the picture book walled city of Carcassonne. Here you ll be able to wander through narrow lanes dating back to the time of the Middle-Ages. Later you ll cross into the Spanish region of Catalonia and then, after a short drive, arrive in its capital, Barcelona. 3 nights Hotel Olivia Plaza. (B) Monday 8 October Barcelona - sightseeing Today our local guide will introduce us to the many delights of Spain's most cosmopolitan city. Included in our sightseeing will be the Old Gothic Quarter, the Montjuïc area, Picasso s Museum and, of course, Europe s most unconventional church, Gaudi's Sagrada Família. Afterwards you ll have ample time to discover the many other delights of lively Barcelona. (B) Tuesday 9 October Barcelona, Costa Brava excursion Our excursion from Barcelona will take us north along the wild Costa Brava to discover some of the beautiful inlets which conceal picturesque harbours and quaint fishing villages. Later we ll journey inland to the local grape producing area to visit a cava (sparkling wine) producer to sample one or two of the recent vintages. Tonight will be a treat as we enjoy our farewell dinner and colourful flamenco show. (B,D) Wednesday 10 October Barcelona Time to transfer to Barcelona International Airport for flights home or onward to further exciting destinations. (B) River Seine, Andelys, France
Monet s evocative gardens at Giverny RIVER CRUISING THE AVALON WAY Enjoy unmatched service, sumptuous cuisine, panoramic views, first-class amenities, and spacious staterooms as you cruise through France on the Avalon Creativity (built 2009) and Scenery (built 2008). Carrying a maximum of just 140 passengers, the staterooms offered are a full 15% larger than the industry standard - with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks - you'll be comfortable, relaxed, and fully engaged with the passing French countryside. From a fitness centre and hair salon to Wi-Fi access and a complimentary premium beverage station, these river ships were built with an impressive collection of remarkable amenities to enhance your journey. In port, Avalon helps you see your destinations like a local. Working with local guides, they ensure you experience the area s most famous sights and native stories. Headsets are a standard feature for all guided shore excursions. Avalon understands that great food, accommodation and amenities are an integral part of the perfect holiday. They even provide complimentary wine with meals. 25 NIGHT VIVE LA FRANCE WITH A TOUCH OF SPAIN PACKAGE LAND/CRUISE CONTENT ONLY *EARLY BIRD REGULAR B GRADE $11,460.00 $11,995.00 A GRADE $11,555.00 $12,135.00 P GRADE $11,737.00 $12,320.00 * Early Bird book and deposit by 29 February, 2012 pay in full by 14 May, 2012 Hampered by time constraints? Please ask about our 18 night Paris plus Cruise package 15 September 3 October. Price on application.
Place des Terreaux, Lyon Whilst small print and terms and conditions can be boring, we are bound by law to provide you with the terms and conditions. Please ask one of our consultants for a copy. Much of the information will not relate to our specific River Cruise Tour but many matters such as documentation, your fitness to embark on such a journey and cancellation fees certainly do. If you have any queries regarding the enclosed, please do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Please complete the booking form supplied. If paying your deposit by credit card, please also complete the credit card authority form. You must supply us with a copy of your passport when paying your deposit and returning your completed booking form. Without your passport copy your reservation cannot be confirmed. If you are in the process of applying for a passport, please discuss with one of our consultants. Cap Ferrat, French Riviera
PERSONAL DETAILS FIRST PASSENGER SECOND PASSENGER Title eg Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss, Dr Given name (as shown on passport) Surname (as shown on passport) Preferred name (for badge) Date of birth ADDRESS Number/name of street Suburb State & postcode Home telephone contact Business telephone contact Mobile contact Email address EMERGENCY CONTACT Name Telephone contact PASSPORT DETAILS Number Country of issue Expiry date OTHER INFORMATION Medical/dietary requirements Travelling with friends? If so please list names: Cabin category: B A P Twin share Sole use Bed type: Double Twin Share with We can endeavour to arrange share accommodation please discuss with one of our consultants Travel insurance requirements Wings Away to assist Other please provide policy number Please provide a brief outline of any other requirements: By signing this form I acknowledge that I have read and understood the booking terms and conditions as detailed by Wings Away Travel & Cruiseland and Avalon that have been provided in the brochure booklet. Signed (on behalf of persons listed) Date
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55 Rose Street Essendon Victoria 3040 www.wingsaway.com.au Telephone 03 9337 3744 Freecall 1800 630 640 Facsimile 03 9331 1113 maree@wingsaway.com.au ABN 17 007 150 441 LICENCE NO. 32025