We feature tours for the discriminating woman seeking unique experiences with style, flair and creativity. Our contacts throughout France will offer you the opportunity to meet the designers, gardeners, chefs and boutique owners you have read about in our favorite publications. Each of our tours includes time for you to explore your personal passions, take photographs, dine in small cafes, make memories to share with your friends and write in your journal. Each hotel is chosen for location, service, ambiance, and attention to guest requests. Our guides are bi-lingual and travel to France regularly in search of the latest boutiques, best markets and the latest restaurants. We create a Paris Dream Day just for you our valued client.
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Tuscany and Venice a Personal Experience
September 13 to 24, 2006
Come with us to Italy, you will experience the elegance and style of the sixteenth century complete with private tours of wineries, museums, and historic palaces. Our expert guide is Anna Canepa; she is a well known figure among world travelers visiting Italy in search of the very finest cuisine, accommodation and inside visits to private homes and museums. Throughout our sojourn every detail is planned to offer you all the very best that you have come to expect from Armstrong & Hedges LTD.
September 13
Wednesday
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Depart your home city for Florence. We can offer our expert service in reserving your flights. |
September 14
Thursday |
 Arrival in Florence late this morning. You will be met and transferred to our luxury bed and breakfast, In Piazza Della Signoria (www.inpiazzadellasignoria.com). A welcome lunch at a typical trattoria will welcome you to this magnificent renaissance city. Your afternoon and evening are
free to explore the myriad of piazzas, gardens, boutiques and quaint cafes surrounding the historic center of Florence. Also you can tour the city by horse and carriage (an option). L
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September 15
Friday
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 After a buffet breakfast, a morning visit to the Uffizzi Museum (www.uffizi.com) home of the world’s most important Italian Renaissance art collections. Lunch today will be at il Guscio famous for fine Tuscan cuisine. The afternoon will offer time to visit the Ferragamo Store/Museum to see a most unique display of shoes designed for famous people through the years. The balance of the day and evening are yours to create a memorable personal experience. We can suggest dining, touring and shopping itineraries. B/L
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September 16
Saturday
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 After buffet breakfast a leisurely walk will take us to the Pitti Palace and its magnificent Boboli Garden. Lunch at I 13 Gobbi followed by an afternoon visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s sculpture including the David. Free time for shopping before a wonderful dinner under the stars. B/L/D
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September 17
Sunday |
After buffet breakfast, we will depart for San Casciano in Chianti and settle in at the charming Villa Il Poggiale, (www.villapoggiale.it) the former property of Princess Corsini dating to the fifteenth century. Visit the Chianti area with Silvio Toccafondi, an expert local guide. He will take us to farms producing exquisite Tuscan foods. Lunch will be enjoyed in a private home. We will explore the hill town villages made famous in books and films, including San Gimingnano. A great day in the rustic Tuscan countryside. A private dinner just for us will be prepared and served at the villa. B/L/D
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September 18
Monday |
 After a fabulous buffet breakfast we will depart for Siena. We will have a private guided tour of the city and lunch overlooking the famous Piazza del Campo, site of the Palio each July and August. You can purchase banners of the families that participate in this centuries old tradition. Beautiful
pottery abounds in the shops. In the afternoon we will travel to Montepulciano to visit Le Capezzine, the splendid estate property of Avignonesi Winery. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery, followed by a tasting and private dinner. B/L/D
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September 19
Tuesday |
After our breakfast we are headed to the coast and the villages of Cinque Terre. We will visit the Consorzio, an organization that preserves the traditions of local wine and food; tasting and shopping for local delicacies will be a highlight. Lunch will be unique, on Palmaria Island a short boat ride to a fabulous seaside setting. Return to the Tuscan Riviera and Forte dei Marmi, one of the most elegant resort towns in Italy. Tonight we will dine at a landmark Tuscan trattoria in the charming artistic town of Pietrasanta. B/L/D
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September 20
Wednesday |
Today is for pampering, rest by the pool, or an optional massage or manicure/pedicure. You may also opt for an optional private visit to the outlets. Lunch will be served at the villa. Late afternoon we will depart for the private home of world renowned chef, Jeffrey Thickman. You will be immersed in a hands on Tuscan cooking class complete with dinner, wine and perhaps some musical entertainment. B/L/D
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September 21
Thursday |
 After our breakfast we will depart for Venice by private transportation. Upon arrival in Venice we will have a private water taxi to transfer us to our hotel. The Dona Palace, a former aristocratic residence transformed into luxury accommodations. Enjoy lunch in a typical Venetian café before a private guided tour of Venice. Dinner this evening is a surprise. B/L
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September 22
Friday |
 Today begins with a visit to the famous opera house, Le Fenice. A beautiful walk through the city will take us to the Guggenheim Museum for a private tour and lunch. While on the Giudecca we can visit a well known mask maker and a beautiful gallery of exquisite glass beads for jewelry already designed or of your own creation. Tonight the highlight of our tour, a unique experience of Venetian style and elegance. A private dinner at Palazzo Morosini, hosted by Countess Fulvia Sesani; one of the most recognized chefs in Italy. An evening for all of the glitter and glitz you can wear. B/L/D
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September 23
Saturday |
 A full day on your own in Venice. We will have many ideas to satisfy the museum goers, shoppers and gourmets. . Dinner tonight is on our own. Perhaps Harry’s Bar or the Hotel Cipriani, or a Baroque music concert in a famous church will be of interest. B
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| September 24 |
After breakfast a private transfer to the Venice airport. B |
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Included in your private sojurn:
Ten nights in moderate deluxe accommodations
Buffet breakfast daily
Eight lunches
Eight dinners
Private transportation throughout the tour
Entrance to Uffizi Musuem
Entrance to Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Entrance to Ferragamo Shoe Museum
Entrance to the Accademia Museum
Private guided tour of Chianti
Private guided tour of Siena
Private tour of Avignonesi Winery with tasting and dinner
Full day tour to Cinque Terre
Private hands on cooking class at the home of Jeffrey Thickman
Guided walking tour of Venice
Guided visit of Le Fenice Opera House
Private tour of Guggenheim Museum
Services of Anna Canepa, renown Italian expert guide
Services of Michele Abrate, tour host
All taxes and service fees for included activities
Baggage handling for one standard suitcase
Pre tour reading list, web research and final documents
Cost: $4995.00 per person double occupancy
Single occupancy is available, please inquire
Air transportation to Italy is additional
Travel Insurance is available and recommended with deposit.
Tour is limited to 12 persons, not suitable for persons under 18
Deposit of $1000.00 per person due to secure reservations.
Call our office to request a complete brochure, reservation form
and pre-trip planning information. |
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Eighth Annual Springtime in Provence and the Cote d’ Azur
May 26-June 5, 2006
Girlfriends, Mothers and Daughters |
Experience the beauty of France in the spring time. We will stroll the quaint lanes of Provencal villages, visit their weekly markets and shop for culinary treasures. Travel by private car and driver throughout the vineyards and flower strewn fields of this romantic countryside with women like you. The romance and excitement of Cannes awaits as we journey along the crystal waters of the Mediterranean Sea. You will experience the small hillside villages of Eze and St. Paul de Vence, and Cagnes Sur Mer. All the while sampling wonderful cuisine, visiting galleries and walking along the Croisette you will feel inspired by the French Riviera.
Itinerary:
| May 26 |
Depart your home city for Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport. |
| May 27 |
Arrival in Charles de Gaulle airport this morning we will meet for breakfast before
boarding the TGV, the high speed train to Avignon. Lunch is served onboard.
Your hotel for the next five nights is the Hotel d’Europe located in the historic
center of the city. Enjoy the afternoon in the shadows of the 14th century Papal Palace.
Tonight dinner will be served on the tree shaded terrace with a scent of lavender in the air. B/ L/D |
| May 28 |
Today after a bountiful buffet breakfast we will meet our Provencal guides, Nadine and Martine and travel via private cars to the antique center of Provence, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The market is known for beautiful fabrics, table linens, olive oil products, antiques and collectibles. Lunch will be served in a beautiful garden setting. Dinner is your own choice. B/L |
| May 29 |
Today we will have a private walking tour of Avignon with a visit to the Papal Palace. We will enjoy a private wine tasting and lunch in this historic setting. The balance of the day you can explore this historic city and choose from several great bistros and restaurants for dinner. B/L |
| May 30 |
We will enjoy a full day exploring the Luberon Valley with our private guides. We will visit several charming hilltop villages filled with galleries and boutiques. The homes are built of stone and adorned with Provencal blue shutters, they feature arbors covered with grape vines and lavender planted in gorgeous clay pots. Some of the villages are Gordes, La Coste, Rousillion and Bonnieux. Lunch and dinner will be on your own. B |
| May 31 |
Wednesday is market day in St. Remy de Provence and we are going to meet the farmers, cheese makers, olive growers, bakers and artisans of Provence. A country picnic is planned to enjoy our market finds. The afternoon will offer a visit to a most extraordinary garden featuring plants and herbs from Provence and the Mediterranean coast. Dinner will be at the hotel. B/D |
| June 1 |
Today we will depart Avignon for Cannes. Our journey will make a short visit to Aix en Provence to visit Cezanne’s Atelier. A charming village with a great café for lunch, and arrrival in Cannes later this afternoon. Our hotel is the five star Hotel Majestic Barrier located right on the Croisette. Dinner on your own this evening. B/L |
| June 2 |
A full day is planned exploring the French Riviera. Travel to Cagnes Sur Mer to visit Renoir’s home, Les Colettes. Guided tour of the Musee Renoir with many original Masterpieces, photographs and personal objects. Continue to St. Paul de Vence, The Art market Capital of the South of France. Planned lunch at La Colombe d’Or. Visit Foundation Maeght, the works of Miro, Chagall, Braque and Giacometti are a A sampling of the great 20th century masters on display. Return via Eze and a cocktail at Chateau Eza, a 14th century residence between the sea and the sky. B/L |
| June 3 |
Saturday is market day in Cannes. There is also a wonderful antique/brocante market not to be missed. With boutiques, museums and a beautiful Mediterranean waiting to be seen, the day is yours. Later this afternoon we will gather for cocktails and plan our evening in Monte Carlo. B/D |
| June 4 |
Sunday is a wonderful day for exploring. Nice is on the itinerary with a few surprises. A farewell dinner will give us all an opportunity to relax and share our memories. B/D |
| June 5 |
After breakfast we will be transferred to Nice to board our flights home. If you choose to extend your stay in France or Europe you can board the train in Cannes or Nice. B |
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Included:
Five nights Hotel d’Europe, Avignon
Four nights Hotel Majestic Barriere, Cannes
Full buffet breakfast daily
First class TGV train Paris to Avignon
Ten days of private car/driver/guide transportation
Four lunches in cafes or bistros
Lunch at La Colombe d’ Or, St. Paul de Vence
Four gastronomic dinners with wine
Private walking tour of Avignon
Private tour of the Papal Palace with lunch and winetasting
Visits to Luberon Valley villages with guide
Visit to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for Sunday antique market
Visit to weekly market in St. Remy de Provence with picnic lunch
Private tour of the Jardin de l’Alchimiste in Eygalieres
Visit to Cezannes Atelier in Aix en Provence
Visit to Renoir’s home Les Colettes in Cagnes Sur Mer
Visit the Renoir Museum
Visit Fondation Maeght
Sunset cocktail in Eze
Entrance to Casino Monte Carlo
Fully escorted by Michele Abrate, Provencal expert
All gratuities for guides, hotels and included meals
Porterage of one suitcase in and out of hotels
Pre-trip reading list, web sites, maps and guides |
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Cost:
$4595.00 per person, double occupancy
$1000.00 single supplement
Air transportation is additional
Travel insurance is available and
recommended
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© Armstrong & Hedges, Ltd., 2004
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