Paris and the heart of normandy - seine river cruise

Bonjour mes amis! We are heading back to France with a leisurely cruise on the Seine. We begin by exploring Paris from the comfort of our lovely ship. As we travel downriver towards Normandy, we explore all the charming ports and points of interest along the way. Arriving in the seaside village of Honfleur, we explore landing beaches, history, and gourmet treats of the region. Space is limited! Please reserve before it sails away! RailandSailVacations.com (800) 576-4905

Included in your travels: 

· Round-trip flights to Paris from Seattle, SFO, LAX*

  *Other gateways by request

· 2 nights downtown hotel in Honfleur, Normandy with breakfast

· Welcome dinner

· Daily included ship excursions

· Caudebec & Rouen tours with tastings

· Landing beaches day tour with lunch

· Day tour to Monet’s Giverny home

· Eiffel Tower & Louvre Museum tour with lunch

· Panoramic Paris City Tour

· 6-night Seine River Cruise—M/S Botticelli

· Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner shipboard

· Included wifi onboard

· Unlimited beer, wine, shipboard cocktails

· All airport transfers in France

· Time for personal discoveries

· Experienced USA Tour Manager

· Caring and professional travel arrangements

Day 1— Thursday April 8 — Depart for France! Make your way to your gateway airport. Wheels up, tray tables down, and pass that champagne all around! This is it! We are on our way, ready for croissants every day! Sit back and relax for your flight to Paris—you deserve it, my friend! Inflight meals, bubbly, and a night flight for some rest are what you have to look forward to!

Day 2— Friday April 9 — Welcome to Paris! After a skimpy breakfast and cup of bad inflight coffee, we land in Paris, gather our things and enjoy a panoramic city tour of Paris. In the afternoon, board our ship, the M/S Botticelli, and enjoy a warm welcome and dinner prepared by our French chefs onboard. Tonight enjoy a nighttime illuminations cruise from the comfort of our own ship. (Inflight meals, welcome aboard dinner).

Day 3— Saturday April 10 — Explore Paris! This morning enjoy a private city tour of Paris by motorcoach. After lunch, continue with a visit to the famous Louvre Museum to say hello to Mona Lisa. Last stop is a visit to the Eiffel Tower with included admission to go up and explore the viewing decks! Return to the comfort of our ship for dinner and an evening of entertainment! (breakfast, lunch, dinner served aboard)

Day 4– Sunday April 11 — Paris to Giverny It’s Monet Day! Enjoy a beautiful morning of daylight cruising. In the afternoon, Rail and Sail guests are off for a private excursion to Claude Monet’s home and gardens. We enjoy a guided walk through his home, grounds, and famous ponds from which he drew so much inspiration for his impressionist paintings. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served aboard) 

Day 5 — Monday April 12 — Rouen & Daylight River Cruising Another relaxing morning of cruising the Seine brings us to Rouen in the afternoon, the city where Joan of Arc was arrested, tried, and met her fate. Filled with beautiful architecture including the tower where Joan was imprisoned, Rouen is always a favorite port. Its beautiful church and cathedral spires were also a favorite subject for the paintbrush of Monet. We explore the pedestrian-only old town with a local guide, and finish with local Normandy tastings. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served aboard)

Day 6 — Tuesday April 13 — Caudebec & Daylight River Cruising In the morning, enjoy cruising with beautiful scenery as we pass through Boucles de la Seine Normande National Park. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of this quaint French village & Notre Dame Cathedral with a local guide, and finish with tastings of more Normandy gourmet specialties. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served aboard)

Day 7 – Wednesday April 14 — Explore Honfleur & Landing Beaches Enjoy breakfast aboard. We depart this morning for a day of remembrance, history, and exploration as we visit the museums, memorials, and landing beaches of the Allied Forces and their contributions and sacrifices during D-Day. (breakfast, lunch, dinner) 

Day 8— Thursday April 15 — Honfleur This morning we say farewell to our beautiful rivership. After disembarkation, we enjoy this charming seaside town on a walking tour with our local guide. We will visit the Mariner’s Church—built like a ship in a community of shipbuilders, as well as the beautiful half-timbered houses and structures easily enjoyed on our slow walking tour. Enjoy a free afternoon for shopping or libations at the many harborside cafes. Overnight in our Honfleur hotel tonight. (breakfast)

Day 9— Friday April 16 — Honfleur A free day in Honfleur for further explorations and relaxation. C’est la vie! Overnight in our Honfleur hotel tonight. (breakfast, farewell dinner)

Day 10– Saturday April 17 —Au revoir mes amis! A hearty breakfast and café au lait before heading back to the airport and our swift trip home. Merci France! (breakfast, inflight meals)