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Accommodations
L’Assiette Champenoise
Surrounded by a peaceful park, this luxurious hotel is close to the town center. The tastefully appointed guest rooms include satellite television, minibars and direct-dial telephones, and the elegant restaurant serves local dishes.
Sofitel Dijon La Cloche
Situated near the Old Town, this elegant hotel combines professional service and world-class facilities to ensure your stay will be an unforgettable experience. The guest rooms feature refined, modern decor and provide satellite/cable television, minibars, hair dryers and direct-dial telephones. The restaurant serves a selection of delicious gourmet cuisine.
Hotel Baltimore
Located in the heart of the city, this hotel is renowned for its array of amenities and hospitable service. Beautifully decorated guest rooms offer satellite television, minibars, hair dryers and direct-dial telephones. In addition to a fitness center, the hotel has a restaurant that serves contemporary French cuisine.
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France 
Paris & the Villages and Vineyards
October 6 - 16, 2011
Discover the bucolic countryside, picturesque vineyards and charming towns of Champagne and Burgundy on a special program that combines the history and charm of these regions with the sophistication of the nation’s capital. Begin in Reims, once the coronation-site of French kings, and today your gateway to the idyllic landscape and renowned champagne houses in the area. Visit Hautvilliers and see the Abbey of Saint Pierre, where Dom Perignon invented the process for champagne production. Walk in the footsteps of Burgundy’s dukes as you traverse the streets in Dijon. Visit Beaune to see its stunning hospital, a repository of priceless works of art. Travel the scenic Route des Grands Crus before concluding in Paris, the City of Light. Explore world-renowned museums and see famous landmarks—a fitting end to a journey showcasing the best of France!
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
INCLUDED FEATURES
EXCLUSIVE AHI EXTRAS
Your exclusive Small-Group experience will accommodate a maximum of 28 travelers.
Luxurious hotel accommodations, renowned for every modern convenience and amenity, in three locations.
A uniquely designed itinerary provides exceptional opportunities to experience the history, culture and wine-making traditions of the Champagne and Burgundy regions and Paris.
Explore the sights and sounds of Reims, one of the Champagne region’s historic and vibrant towns.
Delight in a cruise through the enchanting Champagne Valley.
Discover the history of Dijon.
Admire the art and architecture of Beaune.
Cost Special Tulane pricing is from approximately $3940 per person, plus airfare, and V.A.T., based on double occupancy. An Air Program will be offered.
Booking For booking information please contact Alumni Holidays International at 800-323-7373, or Tulane Alumni Travel at 877-488-5263.
Specific trip details (itinerary, meals, sightseeing & accommodations) will be published in the brochure.
Brochure Request
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 :
In Transit from North America
Air Program travelers will depart their gateway city for Paris, France. The AHI Travel Group Air Program offers advanced seat assignments on most airlines; an air price guarantee that includes all fuel surcharges and airport and airline taxes; arrival and departure transfers, including baggage handling; and many other benefits.
Meals—Appropriate In-Flight Meal Service
Day 2 :
Reims
Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport. After passing through immigration and customs, Group Air Program passengers will be met by an AHI Travel representative in the arrivals hall. Independent Air Program passengers who are able to join the group transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased an AHI transfer should proceed to the group flight arrivals hall to meet the AHI representative.
Transfer to Reims and the L’Assiette Champenoise. After checking in, your luggage will be delivered directly to your room. Your AHI Travel Director will be with you throughout your journey to handle all program logistics and will be available daily to assist with sightseeing arrangements, dinner reservations, shopping suggestions and any other assistance you may require.
Join your fellow travelers for a festive Welcome Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Accommodations— L’Assiette Champenoise
Meals—Appropriate in-flight meal service, lunch and dinner
Day 3 :
Reims
Excursion: Reims
This morning, discover the highlights of this delightful town. Among its treasures is the Cathedral Nôtre Dame de Reims, where France’s kings were once crowned.
Local Flavor
Savor lunch at a local restaurant.
Excursion: Taittinger
Visit Taittinger, one of the most prestigious wine houses in the Champagne region. Indulge in a tasting of its famed vintages after a tour of the estate.
Accommodations— L’Assiette Champenoise
Meals—Breakfast and lunch
Day 4 :
Reims
Excursion: Montagne de Reims
Experience the joy of autumn in the Champagne region with a cruise along the Meuse River. After the cruise, visit Epernay, whose Avenue de Champagne is lined with renowned champagne houses.
Excursion: Hautvilliers
This afternoon, journey to Hautvilliers, the Pearl of Champagne. It was at the town’s Abbey of Saint Pierre that the monk Dom Perignon invented the process for making the famous sparkling wine.
Local Flavor
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Reims.
Accommodations— L’Assiette Champenoise
Meals— Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 :
Troyes/Dijon
Excursion: Troyes
En route to Dijon, stop at Troyes, the former capital of the Champagne region. A tour of this historic city showcases its storied charm.
Upon arrival in Dijon, check in at the Sofitel Dijon La Cloche.
Accommodations— Sofitel Dijon La Cloche
Meals— Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 :
Dijon/Beaune
Excursion: Dijon
Dijon’s historic town center abounds with outstanding architecture and the prestige that has graced this town through the centuries. Among its landmarks are stately stone mansions and charming half-timbered houses that date from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Excursion: Beaune
This afternoon, travel to Beaune, the Jewel of Burgundy. A city known for its beauty, wine and art, its historic sights include the Hospices de Beaune. Built as a hospital to serve the needy, it is home to stunning paintings, impressive furniture and colorful tapestries.
Local Flavor
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Dijon.
Accommodations— Sofitel Dijon La Cloche
Meals— Breakfast and dinner
Day 7 :
Dijon
Excursion: Route des Grands Crus
Embark on a scenic drive of the road that links the wine-producing towns of the Côte d’Or. Visit some of the famous vineyards.
Accommodations— Sofitel Dijon La Cloche
Meals—Breakfast and lunch
Day 8 :
Paris
Board the high-speed TGV train to Paris and the Hotel Baltimore.
Excursion: City of Light
Discover the myriad of landmarks that adorn this dazzling capital. See the Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral de Nôtre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and other exciting highlights.
Accommodations— Hotel Baltimore
Meals— Breakfast and lunch
Day 9 :
Paris
Excursion: Musée d’Orsay
Visit one of Europe’s greatest collections of Impressionist art. See works by Monet, van Gogh, Renoir, Degas and other celebrated artists.
Independent Exploration
The afternoon is free for sightseeing on your own in Paris.
Accommodations— Hotel Baltimore
Meals— Breakfast and lunch
Day 10 :
Paris
Excursion: Le Marais
Today’s walking tour reveals the beauty of the historic Marais district. Admire opulent mansions, stroll under the arcades of the Place des Vosges and discover the culture of one of Paris’ best-loved neighborhoods.
Tonight, attend a Farewell Dinner at a Parisian restaurant.
Accommodations— Hotel Baltimore
Meals— Breakfast and dinner
Day 11 :
In Transit to North America
Following breakfast, depart for Charles de Gaulle Airport for your return flights home.
Meals—Breakfast and appropriate in-flight meal service
Note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change. Many excursions in this program involve an element of walking.
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INCLUDED FEATURES
Accommodations
- Three nights in Reims, France, at the deluxe L’Assiette Champenoise.
- Three nights in Dijon at the deluxe Sofitel Dijon La Cloche.
- Three nights in Paris at the deluxe Hotel Baltimore.
Transportation
- Deluxe motor coach transfers between Reims and Dijon, and TGV train transfer between Dijon and Paris, including baggage handling.
- Shuttle service to and from Reims town center.
Activities and Events
All excursions:
- Experience the treasures of Reims.
- Visit Taittinger, one of the oldest and most prestigious wine producing houses of the Champagne region.
- Cruise through the Champagne Valley.
- Explore Troyes, the former capital of Champagne.
- Discover elegant Epernay and charming Hautvilliers.
- Visit Dijon and Beaune.
- Discover Paris and its neighborhood Le Marais.
- Explore the Musée d’Orsay.
- Attend festive Welcome and Farewell Dinners.
Meals
- Enjoy nine breakfasts, five lunches and four dinners; tea or coffee with all meals, plus wine with dinner.
- Sample authentic regional specialties during select meals at featured local restaurants.
- Take advantage of leisure time to try the local cuisine independently.
Air Program
For your convenience, AHI offers a flexible Air Program featuring special air fares available at an additional cost in conjunction with the Land Program.
AHI has designated specific Group Air Schedules for this departure utilizing scheduled, round-trip jet service between North America and Paris, France. Those participating on these flights will enjoy:
- Motor coach transfers between the arrival/departure airports abroad and the ship, including baggage handling.
- Prices are dependent upon dates, air routes and class of service chosen and will be reflected on your Reservation Confirmation, which will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. Air schedules will be sent with your Final Invoice approximately 90 days before departure.
- Prices quoted to you will include all domestic and foreign governmental airport departure taxes and fees and any applicable fuel surcharges.
- AHI ticketed passengers will also receive Automatic $250,000 Flight Insurance, subject to policy terms.
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OPTIONAL INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY T'ang Dynasty Dinner Show Xi'an, cosmopolitan capital of the T'ang Dynasty (618-907), was an important city on the Silk Road. Standing on the crossroad of commerce and culture, the city's affluence grew and the arts flourished as rulers of this dynasty embraced the many cultures introduced to the city. So admired was Xi'an that the ancient Japanese capitals of Nara and Kyoto were modeled after it. Join this excursion to an entertaining T'ang Dynasty Dinner Show that highlights the culture of this Chinese Golden Age. Enjoy the music, dancing and singing of this glorious period in Chinese history. back
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