Join Your Man in Europe for one of the most charming and memorable tours you’ll ever take: a loop through Normandy in northern France, Alsace in the east, and ending in Paris and its surrounding region, known as the Ile de France. This fully escorted small group tour is the perfect way to explore the tranquility of Normandy, the picturesque beauty of Alsace, and the delights of Paris - all at an unhurried pace. Enjoy the food, the people, and the atmosphere of some of the world’s most delightful destinations in a style that makes you part of the place, not just a tourist passing through. Your Man in Europe will take care of every detail, seeing that your journey is unique and unforgettable. Enjoy First Class comfort onboard Europe’s finest high-speed trains, including the newest route between Paris and Strasbourg. In our private van we’ll visit the hidden countryside never dreamed of on a typical big bus tour. We’ll visit – and often stay overnight in – some of the officially-designated “Most Charming Villages in France” – with our accommodations, and many of our meals in quaint Bed & Breakfasts, intimate hotels, and country inns all along our journey.
Even veteran European travelers will find this tour different from any other; and if you’ve never traveled in France it’s a dream-come-true!

STRICTLY LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS, due to small accommodation and dining
venues, as well as limited seating in our van. (Minimum size is 6) Reserve Now!

Here’s the full itinerary for this unforgettable journey:

September 5 (Friday)
Embark on overnight flight to Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport. Flight arrangements are the responsibility of guests, and are not included in tour price. Plan your flight to arrive no later than 11 AM on Saturday, September 6.

 

September 6 (Saturday)

Arrive by 11 AM and meet with the tour guide after your morning arrival. As soon as the group is assembled, we’ll travel into Paris, “The City of Lights”. In Paris our charming hotel overlooks the incomparable Luxembourg Gardens.

In the afternoon we’ll have a picnic lunch together followed by a fun walking tour on the Isle de la Cite, including Notre Dame Catherdral and Ile St. Louis.
We’ll have an early dinner together followed by a surprise evening entertainment you’ll never forget!

September 7 (Sunday):

After breakfast we’ll set out from central Paris to make our way to a delightful, but often overlooked area of Paris just north of the Seine. First we’ll tour Napoleon & Josephine’s fabled home Malmaison. See the wonderfully tasteful home that houses famous artifacts
from the lives of one of history’s most legendary couples. Learn first hand about the
woman who was “the inspiration behind the throne.” Afterward we’ll travel back in time to enjoy a gourmet luncheon at a very recognizable Seine riverbank restaurant, a favorite of Impressionist artists.

Then we’ll move on to the town of Auvers-sur- Ouise, a must-see destination for art lovers – the last home of Vincent Van Gogh. Remarkably unchanged for more than 100 years, it is filled with images immortalized by Van Gogh’s final works. Walk paths traveled by Van Gogh
and stop by the very spots he stood while painting some of his most familiar masterpieces

In the evening we’ll have a memorable dinner together followed by a night-time Seine River Cruise. After that you will truly understand what “The City of Lights” means…

 

September 8 (Monday)

After breakfast we’ll enjoy a morning of sight-seeing, with visits to some of the most famous landmarks of Paris. Using the Paris Metro (subway) we’ll go on a “treasure hunt” to see the Eiffel Tower (up close and personal this time), the Arc de Triumph and Champs Elysees, and Place de la Concorde. Lunch will be on your own today.]

After lunch we’ll leave Paris by train to make our way by train to Rennes. After a short stop there we’ll travel by private van to Mont-Saint-Michel. We’ll take in the verdant scenery on our way to one of the world’s great wonders. All the pictures, guidebooks, and stories about the place don’t come close to capturing Mont-Saint-Michel’s magnificence. It’s a magical castle-like assemblage of spires, towers, and sheer walls on a seemingly inaccessible island in the middle of a broad sand plain. Frequently the ocean tide rushes in, surrounding the island by the sea. In the peak season hoards of tour buses descend upon Mont-Saint-Michel during the daytime; but most of le Mont’s visitors are on the buses back to Paris when the tide surges in. We’ll spend an unforgettable night in a charming hotel in the tiny village which clings to the rocky base of the great, towering abbey.

We’ll see the awe-inspiring vista of the tidal plain as we dine onlocal seafood specialties in one of the restaurants offering the best views. The entire experience ranks very high on the “list of things you must do before you die”.

After dinner together we’ll make our way back to our rooms for a good night’s sleep (as the nightlife on le Mont is a bit slow.)

September 9 (Tuesday)

Ahhhhh, breakfast on LeMont ! What more could one want? After breakfast we’ll have some time to explore the famed abbey itself with all its hidden nooks and cloisters; and enjoy some casual shopping in the picturesque little island village. Lunch will be on your own today.

In the afternoon we begin our driving tour along the coast of Normandy, with stops along the way at our leisure. We’ll be steadily making our way to our next overnight stop, the beyond-picturesque village of Beuvron-en-Auge. On arrival, you’ll think you’ve somehow strayed into medieval England, with its half-timbered buildings (and photo opportunities galore!) We’ll enjoy a quiet evening with dinner together and a stroll through the old village before turning in.

 

September 10 (Wednesday)

After a delightful home made French breakfast we resume our touring in Normandy with a short trip to the North Sea Coast. Our first stop will be the utterly charming seacoast town of Honfleur. Everyone can take a lunch break on your own while strolling in the town center. From there we’ll enjoy a leisurely drive along the coast to visit the Normandy D-Day Beaches. The D-Day experience begins at Arromanches with a stunning cinematic experience. Further up the coast we’ll visit Omaha Beach, and the nearby American Military Cemetery. After an unhurried day of sight- seeing along the shore, we’ll return to Beuvron-en-Auge for dinner on your own and another cozy overnight stay.

September 11 (Thursday)

After breakfast we bid au revoir to our Normandy hideaway, and travel to Rouen. This lovely French city has one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval centers. Its half-timbered buildings and narrow streets offer a glimpse of what Paris must have looked like in the Middle Ages. In the 1890’s Monet painted his series of depictions of the magnificent cathedral there; and we can enjoy seeing just what inspired the great artist. Enjoy lunch on your own in the old town.

Next we travel by rail into Paris to make our connection to the TGV, one of France’s fabulous high-speed trains, to our next destination: Strasbourg. From our First Class seats we’ll enjoy the spectacle of the French countryside streaming by. Our hotel right in the center of the old city is the perfect base for exploring one of Europe’s most stunning cities. There will be some free time to check out this fascinating old city before our welcome dinner at one of Strasbourg’s most inviting restaurants before a very well-earned night’s sleep.

September 12 (Friday)

After breakfast in old Strasbourg we’re off on a private van tour to the absolutely breathtaking village of Kaysersberg. It is so charming you just can’t believe it’s all real! Enjoy a lunch together in this truly enchanting village. From there we’ll make our way to the famed castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, with its soaring red stone walls and towers. This renowned castle is so atmospheric you’ll expect to come upon a furious sword fight between armored knights around every corner!

We’ll complete the day with a visit to one of the regions wonderful wine caves. Alsatian wine is truly a delight; and we’ll have a tour showing how it’s made followed by a wine tasting. After a fantastic day of touring we’ll make our way back to Strasbourg for a last dinner on your own at your favorite café or restaurant.

September 13 (Saturday)

After breakfast in picture-perfect Strasbourg, we’re off to explore the town a bit more, including its splendid cathedral. Bring plenty of film or photo cards – you’re going to need them! The old section of town, known as “Grand Island”, originally established by the Romans in 12 BC, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every turn in the road offers another “Kodak moment”! We’ll enjoy a lunch together in town before making our way to the train station.

Back on the fantastic TGV we’ll be treated to a delightful “moveable feast” for our farewell dinner as we make our way directly to the Charles de Gaulle airport where we will check into a comfortable and convenient hotel for our last night’s stay in France.

September 14 (Sunday)

After breakfast at our Charles de Gaulle Airport hotel everyone will have easy connections for the flights home. All great adventures must come to an end; and this one is no exception. But what an adventure we will have shared!

This tour promises delightful and memorable meals, unforgettable sights, and a chance to check off several “Things to do before I die”! You can’t miss this trip…

Your Tour Guide:
Larry Ivy, Certified French Destination Specialist Extraordinaire, is the Tour Coordinator and guide for Your Man in Europe, and a long-time veteran of European travel and unique private tour-leading. Larry wants just one thing: for you to have “the time of your life”!

This tour is custom-planned for a small group of no more than 8 travelers (with a minimum of 6), plus guide. Even if you are a seasoned traveler, you have never experienced France like this. Whether it’s your first trip or your twentieth, the magic will captivate you. You will be part of a glorious adventure - complete with music, gourmet picnics, and surprises that will delight you at every turn.

This is not a “Big Bus Tour”. There will be no wake-up calls at 5 AM to herd onto the busses. Our travelers will have a friendly, extremely knowledgeable guide for the entire trip – not just a bus driver and contracted tour guide. We do our best to set the mood, to weave a spell, and to make yours a total experience. Hotels and most restaurants on the entire tour have been selected for their very specific location or high level of “atmosphere”. The small group size allows us to personalize the experience in a way large groups simply cannot do.

There is simply no contest between long stuffy confining bus journeys and the openness, freedom and comfort of First Class rail travel. Our travel adventure is not just another mass tour organized by a big commercial tour company.

This is a complete tour; and the prices are not increased during the trip through endless unexpected charges for “extra” tours and arrangements you must handle on your own. Most meals are included, and those that are not included are detailed in the itinerary.

Complete Prices
$2895* Per Person

All prices are based on Double Occupancy. Single supplement is an additional $565.

A $500 deposit holds your place on the tour. Reservations and deposits for this fantastic trip should be made as early as possible, but not later than May 15, 2008.

Tour Includes: All eight breakfasts, four lunches, and six dinners; all ground transportation including airport transfers and First Class rail travel, 8 nights of overnight accommodation (based on double occupancy) in very specially–selected hotels and B&Bs, admissions to all attractions described in the tour itinerary, full time knowledgeable guide services, and standard gratuities. There will be no additional charges for tours and events offered by Your Man in Europe.

Not Included: Airfare to, and returning from Paris, optional travel insurance, extra beverages (meals will include 1 beverage and will be budgeted accordingly); a la cart or premium menu selections beyond the established meal allowances; between meal snacks; gratuities for extra services such as baggage porters, or for superior service (normal gratuities are included in the trip cost); souvenirs; and privately arranged activities.

Also: All overnight accommodations, as well as railroad and van travel will be NO-SMOKING.

*SPECIAL NOTE: Prices are based on the March, 2008 Euro to US Dollar exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.57. Your Man in Europe reserves the right to charge a tour supplement fee equal to any increases in the currency exchange rate exceeding a 2% or greater loss in the US Dollar valuation. The Euro to Dollar currency exchange rate in 2008 has proved very unfavorable for US visitors to Europe. If the trend continues Your Man in Europe will have no choice but to pass the cost increase on to our guests. We regret this situation, and hope that the exchange rate will not continue to deteriorate.

A complete tour packet and Travel Agreement (contract) will be furnished for all guests. All the terms and conditions are fully detailed in the packet.

This tour is strictly limited to 8 guests traveling together

If you’ve been looking for the “Trip of a Lifetime”,
this is IT!