Italy & France Summer 2008

Cauthers’ Travel Group Summer 2008           Italy - France      16 days
Le Grand Tour de La France et L’Italie

DAYS 1-2: ARRIVAL
"All roads lead to Rome," or in this case all flight paths. Across the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Atlantic Ocean, above the plains of northern Europe, and finally onto the runway of Fiumicino Airport.
Welcome to Rome, the "Eternal City."
Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 3: Rome VISIT TO THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
Today, consider an early visit to the Vatican Museums to beat the crowds and view outstanding collections of masterpieces. Discover exceptional statues from antiquity and stunning Renaissance paintings in the Raphael Rooms. Then, marvel at Michelangelo’s Last Judgment and brightly-colored ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. See the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, which houses priceless works of art, in particular Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Dove of the Holy Spirit.
We can also visit to the Vatican Grottoes, a series of crypts built under St. Peter’s Basilica, where many of the Catholic Church’s popes are buried, including Pope John Paul II.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 4: TRAIN TO FLORENCE
Today, board a train bound for Firenze, often called the "jewel of the Renaissance." Never in the history of mankind has so much genius, in all its forms, been concentrated in one place as it was in Florence during the fifteenth century.
This evening, stroll along the River Arno, or over it, using the picturesque Ponte Vecchio.
Dinner and overnight in Florence.

DAY 5: TRAIN TO VENICE
This morning, board a train bound for magical Venice.
The afternoon is free to plan as you wish. Why not venture on foot, following the narrow alleys that crisscross the city, along canals and over canals, linking together secluded piazzas where tourists are rare?
Dinner and overnight in Venice.

DAY 6: VENICE: PIAZZA SAN MARCO, ST. MARK'S CAMPANILE
This is one of the few cities in the world where there is always something left to discover and enjoy. Wander around the twisting streets and admire the beauty of Venice.
In the evening marvel at the dueling orchestras at the Piazza San Marco. Find the Caffè Florian, a favorite haunt of 19th-century writers Byron, Dickens and Proust, where shirt-sleeved musicians play vigorously, filling the air with classical favorites.
Take the lift (or climb!) to the top of St. Mark’s campanile where, at 323 feet above the hustle and bustle of the square, you’ll enjoy one of the most spectacular views across Venice. Weather permitting, you may even get a glimpse of the Alps looming in the distance!
Dinner and overnight in Venice.

DAY 7: MILAN: THE LAST SUPPER & CITY SIGHTSEEING
This morning, travel to Milan, a thriving metropolis and fashion center.
In the afternoon we will try to visit Santa Maria delle Grazie, the monastery where you’ll view Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Only a limited number of sightseers are allowed to enter at any given time, after special precautions are taken to ensure that pollutants don’t reach the delicate wall plaster.
Then, a some friends will introduce landmarks such as Castello Sforzesco, the huge brick building which was the residence of the Dukes of Milan, the celebrated Teatro della Scala and the extravagant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, built in the 19th century as one of the world’s first shopping malls! A visit is included to the Duomo, the third-largest church in the world and the largest Gothic building in Italy. It’s often called the "porcupine cathedral" for its 135 spires and 200 statues.
Dinner and overnight in Milan.

DAY 8: TO NICE
Say goodby to Italy. Once we arrive in France, the day is all yours to explore as you wish in this vibrant city. Swim in blue Mediterranean waters; contemplate the paintings of Matisse and Chagall in Nice’s art museums; climb the Rocher du Château to look out over the whole grand sweep of the Bay of Angels. Dinner and overnight in Nice.

DAY 9: THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Based on how people feel we could take a short morning or afternoon excursion to Monaco or Cannes by train (30 minutes). Enjoy some more time playing in the waves or shopping. Tonight stroll nonchalantly along the Promenade des Anglais as you say au revoir to the Riviera. Dinner and overnight in Nice.

DAY 10: AVIGNON: PALACE OF THE POPES & PONT DU GARD
Back on the train early this morning, for a short ride to Avignon. Once in Avignon, where you’ll enjoy an afternoon walking tour, which includes a visit to the imposing fortress-like Palace of the Popes, which is the world’s largest Gothic palace. It was begun in 1334 and built with walls 18 feet thick since the Avignon Popes, controlled by the French kings, had to ward off invaders. The private apartments of the Popes have retained their frescoes.
Other landmarks include the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms, the Saint-Bénézet Bridge (le fameux Pont d’Avignon!), the central Place de l’Horloge, and the charming rue des Teinturiers.
Either this day or the following, we can catch a bus in town for half hour to the Romans’ engineering genius at the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC which delivered 44 million gallons of water each day to the Roman city of Nemausus (Nîmes). Dinner and overnight in Avignon.

DAY 11: TGV TRAIN TO PARIS
Today, board a TGV train bound for the Paris (no clickety-clacks on these smooth rails). We will rent some apartments to use as our base for the rest of our stay. That afternoon we can visit the Eiffel Tower area and take in a night cruise on the Seine.
Dinner and overnight in Paris.

DAY 12: EXCURSION TO CHENONCEAU, AMBOISE AND CHAMBORD
Your visit is Tours, the capital of la Touraine, the lovely province where French monarchs built fancy castles to entertain their courtiers. Visit the country homes of French royalty, including the châteaux of Amboise, Chenonceau, which spans the River Cher, and Chambord of François I.
Dinner and overnight in Paris.

DAY 13: A PARIS
Rest day in the City of Lights. We can visit magnificent basilica of Sacre Coeur, The Centre Pompidou, Notre Dame, and the Cemetery of Père La Chaise.
Dinner and overnight in Paris.

DAY 13: MONT ST. MICHEL
Board the train at Gare de Montparnasse at 7:00 – arrive the monastery at 10:50. The abbey of Mont St. Michel appears out of the mists, la Merveille perched upon a mountain of granite. You’ll walk its steep streets, hear tales of pilgrimages, and of prisoners who were once kept here. Spend some free time browsing in the souvenir shops at the foot of the Mont, or walking along the dike laid across a flat sea bed, where incoming tides are said to rush in as fast as a galloping horse.
Catch the bus back to the train station at 3:15 (last one @ 4:45) and return to Paris at 7:15. Dinner en route and overnight in Paris.

DAY 14: PARIS: LOUVRE, GALERIES LAFAYETTE
This day we will visit the Louvre Museum. Explore its newly-opened galleries and their ancient treasures as well as the modernistic underground galleria beneath I. M. Pei’s glass pyramid. See Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Vénus de Milo, among countless other masterpieces. Plan to have lunch at the Galeries Lafayette, the most elegant of the city’s department stores with its splendid 19th-century glass and iron atrium. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

DAY 15: EXCURSION TO VERSAILLES
Travel by RER train to Versailles for a visit to the amazing palace where the Sun King, Madame de Pompadour and Queen Marie-Antoinette all come to life. There's also the extensive park, with the Trianon Gardens and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet. One can easily imagine the sense of self-importance that must have inflated the egos of these kings and queens.
Dinner and overnight in Paris.

DAY 16: RETURN FLIGHT
Most good things must come to an end. Your suitcase full of memorabilia and of film ready to be processed, you’ll arrive home later today, eager to share your discoveries with family and friends.

Take the RER train or the Air France bus to the airport and depart back home.

Cost Estimates

8 Days of Train Travel Youth Pass 8 days = $301($325 for 9)S458 adult
Hotel average $60 for shared room for 15 nights = $900
Airfare if purchased in early December = $1200

Preliminary Total $2401

Costs not factored in
Food (guess $25 a day or more x 15 = $375)
Metro/Bus Tickets (guess $30)
Entry fees (most museums are free to students but a few places cost $5-10)
Shopping & souvenirs Laundry


Cost Breakdown
Using the 2005 Trip as a reference along with current internet prices in the order they might occur:

Airfare PDX-FCO CDG-PDX

Transfer from airport to Rome

Subway to Vatican not necessary, can walk everywhere easily

Rome Apartment http://www.the-beehive.com/2 nights Pay before $45 each

Vatican Museum – Sistine Chapel a must see; whole group activity $10

Entry Colosseum a must see; whole group activity $10

Museum Florence – David Statue okay to skip $10

Convent Florence $43 each

Vaperetto – Sea Bus Venice not necessary, can walk everywhere easily $7

Gondola Ride - okay to skip; 30 minutes $50 each average

Venice – Bed & Breakfast -expensive – 2 nights average $65 each per

Entry to climb St. Marks Tower okay to skip

The Last Supper – Milan a must see if possible

Milan Hotel

Paris Metro –at ~$1.20 At least 2 trips a day for 5 days; more likely 15

Nice Hotel Ibis Hotel Chain – 2 nights $50 each

RER commuter train to Versailles - round-trip; whole group activity

Avignon Hotel Ibis Hotel Chain – 1 night $50 each

Entry Mt. St. Michel a must see; whole group activity $5

Paris Apartment – Neuilly www.vacationinparis.ocm
ID46- SeineSation - 8 persons $145
ID110 Perfectly Parisian – 7 persons $180
6 nights @ $30
Pay before $30

Louvre Museum – Paris free for students

Paris Metro Tickets

D’Orsee Museum – Paris free for students

Eiffel Tower okay to skip $20

Seine Boat Tour a must see; whole group activity $10

Air France Bus to CDG Leaves from Porte Maillot $15

Miscellaneous Things to Note

Baggage

The most restrictive airline regulations permit two checked pieces per passenger for which the total sum of the linear dimensions (length + width + height) of both should not exceed 117 inches or a maximum weight of 50 pounds. The linear dimensions of the first piece must not exceed the sum of 62 inches and the second piece must not exceed the sum of 55 inches. One piece of carry-on luggage is allowed per passenger for which the linear dimensions should not exceed a sum of 41 inches or a maximum weight of 13 pounds and must fit completely underneath an aircraft seat. Differing baggage allowances may apply, depending on program carrier. Baggage allowances are subject to change by the carrier without notice.