HEARTLAND TOURS FRANCE
Heartland Tours France
TOUR 1
PARIS - LOIRE VALLEY
06 -12 September 2022
Starts in Paris - Ends in Tours, Loire
3 days cancellation free
DAY 1 & 2. PARIS
Welcome to Paris
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Bonjour! Greet at your boutique hotel in central Paris
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Head to Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, overlooking Paris and stroll through the cobblestones streets where the local artists expose their works. Lunch in a traditional Bistro.
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In the evening, sit back for a sightseeing tour in the city of lights see the splendor of Paris by night.
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Day 2, we beat the crowd with an early morning visit to the Eiffel Tour. Brunch in the gorgeously tiled Belle Epoque Brasserie.
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In the afternoon, guided visit in the Louvre.
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After a traditional dinner, an unforgettable evening in world famous Moulin Rouge Cabaret show!
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Day 3, let's enjoy the most beautiful shop windows and fashion of the capital or just sit at a terrace of a cafe, before heading to the Loire Valley.
DAY 3. PARIS - CHAMBORD
Renaissance castle & wine tasting
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Away from the bustle of Paris, we head to the nice city of Blois and have lunch. Blois is famous for its fine chocolate and is France's best chocolate maker, so don't miss out!
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Discover the Renaissance masterpiece royal Castle, the impressive Chambord, 440 rooms, 200 chimneys and staircase designed by Leonardo Da Vinci (included).
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A glass of fruity Vouvray will be waiting for you, paired with the most delicious local French cuisine in a gourmet restaurant to celebrate our first day in the Loire (included).
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4 nights in an authentic hotel
DAY 4 - E- BIKE & TASTING
Off the beaten track
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The Loire produces world-class wines and beautiful sceneries. So time to combine both on an E-bike tour (easy -30 km) through the breathtaking countryside with stops at vineyards on the way (included).
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Alternatively, immerse in the art of perfumery and exotic fragrances with a world-renowned perfumer and historian (1.5hr workshop optional)
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Stop at a traditional soap factory, using traditional processes and refined natural products and creative high-end jewelers.
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Guided visit of the mesmerizing Royal Monastery of Fontevraud, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the greatest queen of France left her mark.
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Taste local produce paired with wine, overlooking the Loire Valley (included)
DAY 5 CHINON - VILLANDRY
Best red wines of the region!
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Chinon is a UNESCO listed charming fortified village and produces the best red wine of the region!
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Meet the friendly vineyard owners in their cellars and taste delicious wines. Share the passion of family-owned winemaking that has been passed on for generations.
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Wander through the cobblestone and narrow streets of Chinon medieval village
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Enter in Alice in Wonderland with Villandry manicured Renaissance gardens (guided visit castle & gardens - included)
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Join the unique Boules de Fort game that only exits in the Loire region. No level of fitness required. (optional)
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Dinner (included)
DAY 6. ANGERS & SAUMUR
Second producer of 'Champagne'
in France
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Angers is the most vibrant and elegant capital of Anjou, the world producer of Cointreau orange liqueur. This beautiful city is an enticing mix of university culture and history.
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Enjoy time at your leisure in the city center cobbled streets, with plenty of cafes and shops to stop off and enjoy a glass of fruity Muscadet wine.
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A must-see is the 328 feet long gigantic14th century 'Apocalypse Tapestry' a fascinating piece of art, woven between mythic and prophetic visions (guided visit optional)
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Taste the finest 'Saumur Brut ', cousin of Champagne, cellar visit & wine tasting (included)
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Access the most intriguing winery-castle of the region and its underground fortress & taste wines from Chateau own vineyards (guided visit included)
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Enjoy your time in Saumur and its towering limestone cliffs that line the river banks, as well as ancient Troglodyte dwellings hewn into the rock-face.
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Hot-air-balloon flight over Europe wildest river, looking from above - evening flight (optional)
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Dinner in a troglodyte restaurant (included).
DAY 7 - AMBOISE & TOURS
Leonardo Da Vinci
Let's go to Amboise where Leonardo Da Vinci rests. Stroll through its cobbled streets; try its renowned chocolate and pastries before visiting the house of Leonardo Da Vinci (included), stepping into his intriguing life of the most genius inventor of all time.
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Heading to Tours vibrant city, we will have time for one last Vouvray tasting together paired with delicious cuisine in Tours in Place Plumereau before you embark on the train to Paris (direct connection 1.45 minutes )
Heartland Tours France
TOUR 2
LOIRE VALLEY - BRITTANY
16 - 22 September 2022
Starts in Tours city - Ends in Paris
3 days cancellation free
DAY 1 TOURS - CHENONCEAU
Art & Sophistication
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Greet and meet in Tours city.
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Tours is a dynamic university town and was once a thriving silk production center with 20,000 weavers.
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Visit of Tours landmarks & cathedral
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Lunch in Tours. On our way to Chenonceau will stop at Amboise, a charming village where Leonardo Da Vinci rests.
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Guided visit of the most romantic castle of the Loire and its magnificent gardens, Chateau of Chenonceau.
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Welcome dinner in a gourmet restaurant.
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3 nights in charming authentic Loire style accommodation
DAY 2 SAUMUR MARKET DAY
Immerse in village atmosphere
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Stroll in the streets of Saumur, where the large Sunday market is the heartbeat of the little town and spreads out through its streets and squares. Find your favorite local produce, organic or inorganic!
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Lunch in Saumur and taste of the local red wines, Champigny & Saumur .
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Afternoon in Angers. Time at your leisure in the sophisticated town of Angers and beautiful window shop. Don't miss out on the 'Apocalypse Tapestry', a fascinating and spectacular piece of art, woven between mythic and prophetic visions- Or opt for the captivating modern tapestry exhibition of Jean Lurca displayed in the magnificent 12-century cloister (guided visit optional).
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Evening hot-air-balloon flight (optional)
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Dinner in Angers (not included)
DAY 3 E-BIKE TOUR THROUGH VINEYARDS
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E-bike tour in scenic countryside and stop at vineyards & wine tasting. The Loire offers ideal conditions for bike trips - (easy -30 km) minimum fitness level required (included).
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Alternatively, visit the champagne cave of Saumur & taste the bubbles. Enjoy the Loire river scenery at Montsoreau castle and its modern art exhibition. Have lunch on a terrasse overlooking the river (optional). We will accommodate your interests and well being.
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Evening and dinner in Chinon a UNESCO listed charming village, the right place for gastronomes! Wander in its narrow cobbled streets and find your restaurant paired with a world-class wine of Chinon, the best in the region (not included)
DAY 4 SAINT NAZAIRE
Guided tour in France's largest shipyard
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En route for Saint Nazaire and an amazing guided visit where the giants of the sea are being built. You will feel small next to impressive installations. See exceptional vessels at different stages of construction, from the assembly of the hull to equipping and applying the finishing touches, all on an industrial site along the banks of the Loire. A must-see guided visit! (included).
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On our way to Pornic
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Dinner on the coast of Brittany (included)
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3 nights in charming villages on the coast of Brittany.
DAY 5 & 6 BRITTANY
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Spend time at your leisure, walk along the coastline, stroll along the harbor and cafes, in one of the most picturesque fishing villages of the Atlantic Loire.
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Visit of the stunning Bay of Jade of the Atlantic Loire (Brittany) from Pornic to Vannes.
DAY 7. BRITTANY -CHARTRES
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Farewell lunch in Chartres with our travel companions (included)
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Explore Chartres and its most famous cathedral and amazing stained glass windows, UNESCO listed, the only cathedral in the world with its original stain glass dating back from Middle Ages.
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Heading to Paris
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Our unforgettable journey has come to an end so, for now, it is a found 'aurevoir', as you prepare to return home with fantastic shared memories.
Heartland Tours France
TOUR INCLUSION
The tour allows flexibility to accommodate your interests and well being
Both Tour includes:
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7 days /6 nights for each tour
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Tailored for 8 adults maximum, singles and/or couples
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All paid accommodation and breakfasts
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Twin rooms (2 persons sharing a bedroom)
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Single room with a $500 nzd supplement (309 Euros or $358 USD) - and as per hotel availability
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Guests choosing to combine both tours (14 days /12 nights, at a discounted price of $8500) with a single room (no extra charge).
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5 traditional meals without wine (approximately $50 nzd/person ($36 USD or 31Euros)
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2 native French guides from the region (English fluent) 24 hrs at your service
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Free public transport for the first 2 days in Paris -
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Transport in a spacious car & petrol
Activities:
- Some activities are included in the price of the tour
- Some are optional and require extra charge.
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An evening at the Mouling Rouge (included)
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E-bike and equipment (included) - Alternative activities are also available
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Guided visit of the Louvre museum (included)
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Access the Eiffel tower top (included)
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Cellar visits (4) & wine tasting - whites, reds, rose & bubbly (included)
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Castles entrance tickets & guided visits (included)
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Guided visit of St Nazaire world largest Naval base (included)
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Visit of art installations in troglodytes (man-made underground galleries dating back from the Middle Ages) (optional)
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Perfume workshop (optional)
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Hot air balloon flight price to be confirmed for 2022)
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Soap factory (3 Euros/person)
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Perfume workshop (price to be confirmed for 2022)
The Tour Excludes:
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Flight to France
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Travel documents, health insurances.
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Any extra visits that are not part of the tour.
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Single room request comes with an extra charge (as per hotel requirements and availability)
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All other dinners/lunches
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Taxis or extra metro tickets (other than the ones included in the tour).
* A full travel insurances cover is mandatory
* A valid passport and travel documents (Visa) including a French 'Passe Sanitaire' (full Covid19 vaccination French certificate). Please check the terms & conditions of your flight, with the travel agencies or your travel agent and the French Embassy.
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Full payment on the 05 of June.
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Lock your space now by paying a deposit.
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3 days cancellation free
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100% refund if we cancel the tour
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Please note, that not all activities are included in the tour price and others require an extra charge.
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Note, activities are subject to availability at the time of your booking and the prices indicated in the website might slightly vary.
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Some activities need a pre-enrolment (e.g. Moulin Rouge) and won't be refunded, if you cancel.
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Single room are with a supplement.
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Terms & conditions will be provided when processing your booking.