Western France

Dates: Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2024 (14 Days)
with Steve Smith Begins Rouen, Ends Bordeaux

Cost: $4595 Single Supplement $900
Early Pay Discount ($300) available until Feb 18

Welcome to Western France, where the past intertwines with the present in a captivating tapestry of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. The tour includes the dramatic cliffs of Etretat, the charming harbor town of Honfluer, the charms of rural Normandy, D-Day beaches, the bucolic beauty of the Dordogne Valley, and much more. Culinary enthusiasts will delight in the regions seafood delicacies, delectable Breton crepes, local ciders, and Bordeaux’s wines. Imprint invites you on this multifaceted journey, promising a memorable blend of warmth, authenticity, and diverse experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina | Embark 3/24
Our journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. We’ll board the Magellan Explorer and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Boarding between 15:00 and 16:00.

Days 2-3 At Sea | Drake Passage 3/25-26
We sail towards Antarctica, crossing the famous passage named for Sir Francis Drake, the 16th century British explorer. As we sail en route to the South Shetland Islands you may opt to attend the program of lectures and presentations. With access to expert guides, we’ll watch for wildlife from the glass-enclosed lounge or from the outside decks. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the vista changes noticeably as we begin to see icebergs and, eventually, the first sight of Antarctic land.

Days 4-8 Explore Antarctica 3/27-31
We will be sailing between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, viewing ice-filled fjords and spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals, and whales. From the ship we’ll enjoy spectacular views from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing our daily adventures. No journey is the same - flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. Possibilities include Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many others. Each day we’ll disembark by Zodiac to explore the environment with expert polar guides. Between we’ll have the options of lectures and leisure time enjoyed on board.


What’s Included:

13 nights accommodation; All breakfasts, 6 dinners, 3 lunches; All tour transport; All tips (tour manager, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-time services of a Imprint tour manager, local guides; All entrances: D-Day Museum, Fort La Latte, Mushroom Cave, Abbey Fontevraud, Pre-history art cave (or Museum of Prehistory), Castelenaud; All activities: Walking tours - Rouen, Honfleur, St. Malo, Dinan, Oradour sur Glane, St. Emilion, and Bordeaux; Route of the Ancient Abbeys, Jumièges Abbey, Etretat, Calvados tasting, D-Day beaches, wine tastings (2), canoe excursion, market visits, and more.

Important exceptions:

Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing and meals, and expenditures of a personal nature.

Please note that all itinerary details and hotels are subject to change

Recommended Viewing

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Les Miserables (2019)

Amelie (2001)

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Marie Antoinette (2006)

La Vie en Rose (2007)

Recommended Reading

“All the Light We Cannot See” By Anthony Doerr

“A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway

“My Life in France” by Julia Child

“Almost French” by Sarah Turnbull

“A History of France” by John Julius Norwich

“A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayle

What to Know

Visas:
France does not require visas for citizens of the United States and Canada

Currency:
Euro, EUR Please check currency rates before departing

Weather / When to go:
September is one of the better times to visit France. There are thinner crowds and more moderate temperatures compared to the hot and crowded summer months.

Is an Imprint Tour right for me?
Visit the link below to discover more about what to expect physically and mentally from our tour experiences.

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