DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Paris.

DAY    2            ARRIVE PARIS - AMBOISE - LOIRE VALLEY (3 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our Tour manager/guide, where we will board our own private bus and transfer into the Loire Valley. Our sightseeing begins with a visit to the Chateau d'Amboise, a one-time royal residence that was used to greet royal pilgrims en route from Paris to Santiago, Spain during the Middle Ages. Leonardo da Vinci is thought to have designed the spiral staircase, and the Petite Chapel, features a plaque, suggesting the burial place of Leonardo. We continue with a visit to Le Clos Luce, "The House of Light," a plush palace, where Leonardo spent the last years of his life. The house does a wonderful job of recreating the everyday atmosphere Leonardo enjoyed in his final years, and there are sketches and models of Leonardo's incredible inventions. We continue to our hotel in the Loire Valley.

DAY    3            THE LOIRE VALLEY (THE ROMANCE OF THE CHATEAU)
Our morning commences with a visit to the fairytale Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau, the most feminine of the Loire chateau, which is surrounded by a complex system of moats and weirs. Azay was a pleasure palace, lived in during fine weather, and today is often considered a Renaissance museum because of its period furniture, portraits and tapestries. We continue to the little village of Chenonceau, where we will visit the fabulous Chateau, the toast of the Loire! This 15th century Renaissance palace is forever associated with Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, who were responsible for much of the current design. Our afternoon continues as we view the unique Troglodyte houses, before visiting the famous Cave Cellars of the Vouvray Vineyards.

DAY    4            THE LOIRE VALLEY (CASTLES AND KINGS)
This morning we will explore Blois, often called the "Versailles of the Renaissance," the second capital of France, and the "city of kings." Dominating the town is the Château de Blois, begun in the 13th century by the comtes de Blois, it reached the apex of its power in 1515, when François I moved to the château. The château is like an illustrated storybook of French architecture, highlighted by the François I wing, a French Renaissance masterpiece, containing a spiral staircase with ornamented balustrades and the king's symbol, the salamander. This afternoon we visit the Loire Valley's largest residence and the brainchild of Francois I, Chateau Chambord. This massive "weekend retreat" for Francois I took over 15 years and 1800 men to complete. Highlights of our visit will include: the Double Spiral Staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci, and a walk along the roof, for wonderful views of the Loire

DAY    5            THE LOIRE VALLEY - CHARTRES - VERSAILLES - PARIS
                    (5 NIGHTS)     (THE AGE OF FAITH AND THE AGE OF REASON)
This morning we journey to Chartres, where we will visit Chartres Cathedral, the jewel in the crown of medieval churches in Europe. We will tour the Cathedral, which is a testimony in stone to the religious fervor of the Middle Ages. Chartres Cathedral boasts an unrivaled expanse of sculpture, as well as one of Europe's most impressive collections of stained glass windows. We continue with a visit to Versailles, a palace commissioned by Louis XIV around Louis XIII's hunting lodge. Our visit commences as we explore the ornate State Apartments, highlighted by the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. After time to explore the spectacular Gardens and fountains at Versailles, we continue to Paris, "The City of Lights." This afternoon we will take a Seine River Cruise, which will take us under many of Paris' graceful bridges, and past many important landmarks and monuments along both banks - a perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris.

DAY    6            PARIS (REVOLUTION & CORONATION)
This morning we explore the treasures of the Ile de la Cite, beginning with a visit to the ethereal and magical Sainte Chapelle, one of the masterpieces of Western architecture, commissioned by Louis IX. The tiny Gothic marvel features 15 of the most spectacular stained glass windows in Europe, which depict over 1,000 religious scenes. We continue with a visit to the adjoining Conciergerie, forming part of the huge Palais de Justice. This historic building served as a prison from 1391-1914, including those that awaited their execution during the Revolution. Highlights of our visit will include: the superb four-aisled Gothic Hall, the 11th century torture chamber and the 14th century clock tower. Our morning concludes with a visit to the cathedral of Notre Dame, begun in 1163 on a spot that had already been a religious shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon. This afternoon we will explore the Marais Quarter, whose history stretches back to the beginning of the city. The Marais is a perfect place to take in the Parisian lifestyle and features magnificent shops and cafes, as well as La Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. Our afternoon will also take us through the Place de la Bastille, where on July 14,1789, an angry Parisian mob stormed the notorious prison and freed the prisoners. This evening, for a complete contrast, we will visit the modern Pompidou Center. This colorful combination of steel, glass, pipes and tubes houses fine collections of modern art.

DAY    7            DAY TRIP TO MALMAISON & CHATEAU DE PIERREFONDS
This morning we travel just outside of Paris for a visit to the Chateau de Malmaison, Cardinal Richilieu's 17th century estate, which was used as a retreat for Napoleon and Josephine. Our tour will take us through the State Apartments of Josephine and Napoleon, and we will have an opportunity to view a moody portrait of Napoleon by David. After exploring the splendid "English" Gardens, we will visit Chateau Bois Preau, set in the wooded grounds and housing a museum dedicated to Napoleon's exile and death. This afternoon we will visit Chateau de Pierrefonds, a beautiful castle salvaged and restored under Napoleon III. Reborn as a royal residence, the castle is complete with a moat, drawbridge, round towers, double sentry walks and features a diligent reconstruction of medieval military architecture. We return to Paris for the evening.

DAY    8            PARIS (THE RISE AND FALL OF NAPOLEON)
Our morning commences with an ascent of the Arc de Triomphe, a massive triumphal arch, commissioned by Napoleon, which today is a symbol of Paris and home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We continue with a stroll along the Champs Elysees, Paris' most spectacular thoroughfare, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture. We return to the Place de la Concorde, before strolling through the Jardin des Tuileries, the beautiful Neo-Classical gardens, which lead to the Arc de Triomphe du Carousel. We will view this triumphal arch commisioned by Napoleon in 1805, before entering the Louvre. We will enjoy a specialist-guided tour through the museum, which will include: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, The Coronation of Napoleon, and many of the finest paintings and sculpture from Western Civilization. This afternoon we visit the Hotel des Invalides, an imposing building commissioned by Louis XIV for his wounded and homeless veterans. We will visit the Dome Church, built by Mansart for Louis XIV in 1676. The church is one of the finest examples of 17th century French architecture and is highlighted by the massive Tomb of Napoleon. This evening we will dine in and stroll through the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times and which is generally associated with artists, intellectuals and political unrest. During our walk we will view the Sorbonne, Paris' oldest university.

DAY    9            PARIS (PARIS OF THE IMPRESSIONISTS)
This morning we will visit the Musee D'Orsay, dedicated to the rich diversity of visual arts from 1846 to 1914, and featuring masterpieces by: Delacroix, Manet, Degas, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin and Lautrec. We continue with an ascent to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Paris' most recognizable landmark, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. Paris is one of the most important centers of fashion in the world, and this afternoon we will visit the elegant stores of Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for a first-hand look at the latest trends in fashion. This evening we will ascend to Montmartre, an area of Paris made famous in the late 19th century as an artists haunt. We will spend time in the Place du Tertre, a square known for its local artwork, before visiting the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, a huge white church which dominates the Parisian skyline.

DAY    10          DEPARTURE FROM PARIS
Our enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as our tour manager/guide accompanies us to the airport for the return flight home.