2009 Adventures by Disney Flavors of France – Aix-en-Provence and Paris
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Treat your senses to the best of France, from the rippling lavender fields of Provence to the bustling sidewalk cafés of Paris. Discover Provencal pleasures as you kayak the waters under an ancient aqueduct, sample the sun-kissed wines of a country vineyard, and sail through the wind on a mountain crest bike ride. Then it’s off to Paris by bullet train to indulge in the avant-garde – from the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the shops of the Champs Elysées – before bidding adieu to your delectable French adventure.
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- Aix-en-Provence
- Pont du Gard
- Château de Beaupré
- Luberon Valley
- Village of Gordes
- La Route des Crêtes
- Ochre Cliffs of Roussillon
- The Louvre
- Paris
- Cézanne’s painting locale
- Catered French country lunch
- Wine tasting
- Kayaking on the Gard River
- Picnic at the Pont du Gard
- Biking in the Luberon Valley
- Lunch at the Eiffel Tower
- French entertainer Patrick Vallory
- Pastry-making with a French chef
- Louvre art detective game
- Playing pétanque at a French château
- Nougat, caramel & honey tasting
- Disney movie night
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Travel Dates (7 Days/6 Nights)
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2009 Season
- March 29, 2009 - April 04, 2009
- April 05, 2009 - April 11, 2009
- May 31, 2009 - June 06, 2009
- June 07, 2009 - June 13, 2009
- June 14, 2009 - June 20, 2009
- June 21, 2009 - June 27, 2009
- June 28, 2009 - July 04, 2009
- July 05, 2009 - July 11, 2009
- July 12, 2009 - July 18, 2009
- July 19, 2009 - July 25, 2009
- July 26, 2009 - August 01, 2009
- August 09, 2009 - August 15, 2009
- August 23, 2009 - August 29, 2009
- August 30, 2009 - September 05, 2009*
- September 13, 2009 - September 19, 2009
- September 27, 2009 - October 03, 2009*
- October 04, 2009 - October 10, 2009*
- December 23, 2009 - December 29, 2009
*Adults Only (18 and older).
Day One: Marseille
Arrive at Marseille Airport
Bienvenue! Upon exiting customs, you will be met by an Adventures by Disney representative who will escort you to your transfer vehicle. Relax as the driver assists with your luggage and escorts you to the Grand Mercure Roi René hotel in Aix-en-Provence.
The Grand Hotel Mercure Roi René
After an Adventure Guide checks you in, unwind from the flight in this comfortable hotel named after Good King René, the royal poet and painter from Naples, who retired to Provence and became a protector of the arts that flourish so beautifully here.
Lunch On Your Own
If you arrive early in the day, explore on your own the many lunch options in this historic district. Ask your Adventure Guides for recommendations.
Late Afternoon Poolside Reception and Welcome
Meet the other families that will enjoy the adventure with you and say “Enchanté!” (“Nice to meet you!”) at the poolside reception in the hotel’s interior courtyard.
Dinner at Le Passage
Taste the magic of Provençal cuisine as you dine at this contemporary brasserie in the heart of Aix-en-Provence. Admire the gallery exhibition that adorns the walls and enjoy the laughs and illusions of favorite French entertainer, Patrick Vallory, famous for his comedic sleight-of-hand.
Meal Included: Dinner
Day Two: Aix-en-Provence
Walking Tour of Aix-en-Provence
Stroll with a local expert through the cobblestone streets of this beautiful Roman town that was once both home to and inspiration of the celebrated painter Paul Cézanne and classic author Émile Zola. Discover Aix’s numerous fountains, some as ancient as the Roman empire and burbling with warm waters from the city’s famous therapeutic hot springs. Wander under stone archways and down quaint narrow streets lined with some of France’s trendiest clothing stores. In this picturesque city, modern meets medieval in astonishing ways!
Visit to Cézanne's Painting Locale
Ride the motor coach to the scenic summit of des Lauves, a hillside just outside of Aix, where Cézanne painted 11 oil paintings and 17 watercolor paintings, all exhibited by the greatest museums in the world. As your local expert shares the history of this influential artist, view the Sainte Victoire mountain, which dominates the landscape and inspired some of Cézanne’s most memorable works.
Picnic Lunch at Château de Beaupré
Enjoy a picnic at this opulent country manor surrounded by verdant vineyards and the lush colors of Cézanne’s cherished countryside.
Wine Tasting and Nougat Noshing
After lunch, adults tour the winery and participate in a privately- hosted wine-tasting in the19th-century cellar, while Junior Adventurers indulge their sweet tooth with Provençal nougat, buttery caramels and ambrosial honey.
Pétanque!
As your taste buds rejoice, learn from a local expert the French version of lawn bowling called pétanque. Relax like a true Provençal as you play this fun and deceptively challenging game under the Mediterranean sun.
Dinner On Your Own in Aix
An international destination, Aix-en-Provence offers delectable cuisine from every corner of the world: from tasty Lebanese dishes and melt-in-your-mouth sushi to the finest in traditional French dining — all within walking distance of your hotel! Be sure to ask your Adventure Guides for recommendations to make this dinner on your own a memorable one. Afterwards, stroll through the romantic cobblestone streets and squares by moonlight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Three: Pont du Gard
Kayak Gard River to Pont du Gard
Discover Provence’s scenic wonders on this kayaking adventure*! As you glide along the gentle Gard River, listen to the cicadas chirp and the leaves rustle in the breezes. Pass canyons surrounded by cypress trees and oaks, and enjoy the view as your kayak floats under the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct.
Picnic Lunch at Pont du Gard
This architectural marvel provides an impressive backdrop as you picnic with your newfound friends along the river bank. Feast on the local Mediterranean fare as you relax and regain your land legs for the next excursion.
Pont du Gard Channel Walk and Museum Tour
Take in the stunning view of the countryside as a local expert guides you along the massive stone water channel. Afterwards, learn the amazing history of the Roman aqueduct via giant multimedia screens and magnificently detailed models. Explore three different galleries as modern scientists, Victorian engineers, and Medieval architects present the ongoing debates of how this incredible monument should be restored.
Dinner at Bistro Romain
The Roman theme continues into the night as you walk from your hotel to the delightful Bistro Romain for an Italian dinner with Provençal flair. Savor the food as well as the eye-catching artwork displayed in this “museum restaurant.”
Disney Movie Night
While adults take a break from the day’s activities at the hotel, Junior Adventurers enjoy a private Disney movie presentation with popcorn and soft drinks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
*Please note that for kayaking, guests must be at least 6 years old and able to swim. Children 6 to 12 years old must share a 2-person or 3-person kayak with an adult 16 years or older.
Day Four: Gordes
Bicycle and Walking Excursion on La Route des Crêtes
Pedal under the bristling bows of firs and cedars on this scenic road that winds along the crest of the picturesque Petit Luberon mountains. For those who prefer to keep both feet on the ground, stroll along a charming wooded path that parallels the bicycle route. Afterwards, continue by motor coach to the fantastic medieval village and castle of Gordes.
Lunch On Your Own in Gordes
This quaint historic town clings to the mountain’s flanks — no wonder it has been named one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in France”! Stroll through its narrow streets to discover a variety of inviting restaurants and shaded terrasses under leafy trees where you can relish the unforgettable flavors of Provençal cuisine.
Tour the Ochre Cliffs of Roussillon
Once a source of ochre for paint pigments, these startling rock formations surround the charming village of Roussillon. On the privately-guided tour, view the ridges of terracotta and gold that ripple down the hillsides, and then admire on your own the meandering streets and jaunty rooftops of this colorful hamlet.
Pastry Making at Lôtre Restaurant in Aix
Kids grab their own dough and filling as the chef treats them to an exclusive pastry-making class at the elegant Lôtre Restaurant. A great way for Junior Adventurers to experience the art of French cuisine!
Dinner at the Lôtre Restaurant
Savor fresh, seasonal vegetables plucked from the garden by the chef himself, then simmered with the heady flavor of olive oil in these regional specialties. Meanwhile Junior Adventurers dig into a separate, kids-only dinner topped off with the pastry they made for dessert!
Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day Five: Paris
Travel to Paris
Experience high-tech French transportation as the sleek TGV bullet train speeds you to your next destination: Paris!
Lunch on the TGV
Taste the sumptuous bread of France’s famous Boulangerie Paul, which provides your boxed lunch during the speedy rail trip North.
Arrive at Hilton Arc de Triomphe
Steps away from the Champs Elyseés, this conveniently-located hotel features enchanting Art Deco décor with modern amenities. Make yourself at home in the cradle of the arts!
City Tour of Central Paris
Adventure Guides take you for a leisurely stroll and orientation tour of the stately neighborhoods, shopping and dining districts that surround the hotel.
Dinner On Your Own in Paris
Now is the chance to venture out and experience the grand French ritual of le dîner! Your Adventure Guides will help you find the perfect restaurant for an extraordinary family meal on your own as only the French can create.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Six: Paris
Privately-Guided City Tour
After breakfast, take a private motor coach tour down one of the world’s most famous streets, the Champs Elysées. On the way to the Louvre Museum, you’ll view some of Paris’ most popular landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens. C’est magnifique!
Louvre Museum
It would take more than a lifetime to see everything in this museum! So, follow an expert art historian who will illuminate the world's greatest masterpieces — including the enigmatic Mona Lisa. Meanwhile, kids will love discovering famous art works as they play the Louvre art detective game, an interactive scavenger hunt through the museum.
Seine River Water Taxi
Take in the beauty of the city from a unique point of view as you ride the Seine Water Taxi to the Eiffel Tower for lunch.
Lunch at Altitude 95 on the Eiffel Tower
Ride the elevator to the first level of the Eiffel Tower where you will dine at the stylish Altitude 95 restaurant. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime meal with a view!
View from the Top of the Eiffel Tower
Ride the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Snap a photo or two of this breathtaking view of Paris.
Afternoon On Your Own in Paris
In your free time this afternoon, ask your Adventure Guides to help your family plan an ideal afternoon on your own in the city. You may choose to shop in trendy boutiques, meander though museums, or admire the jaw-dropping monuments that make Paris one of the world’s greatest destinations. Wind your way through Les Catacombs, relive the Middle Ages at Musée du Cluny, visit the extraordinary cemetery of Père-LaChaise, and more!
Farewell Dinner at Ladurée Champs Elysées
Dine in the height of Belle Époque elegance at the Ladurée restaurant on the Champs Elysées, steps away from the Arc de Triomphe. When you leave, don’t forget your gift from La Durée: a delectable souvenir box of their world-famous, mouth-watering macaroons!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Seven: Paris
Breakfast at the Hotel
Bid your newfound friends a bon voyage as you enjoy one last meal in Paris.
Transfer to Airport
Board pre-arranged transportation to the airport and say au revoir, until you return again!
- Grand Mercure Roi René - Nights 1, 2, 3, & 4
- Hilton Arc de Triomphe - Nights 5 & 6

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