INCLUSIONS

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

• 17 nights comfortable hotels (3-4 star)
• 17 breakfasts
• 2 lunches
• 5 dinners 

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES

• English-speaking locally based tour director
• Guided tours and admissions to major attractions
• Authentic local experiences and culinary delights

TRAVEL

• Private Transfers in an air-conditioned coach
• Steam train of Martel Le Truffadou
• Dordogne sightseeing river cruise
• Avignon dinner cruise

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Porterage in and out of hotels included where available
• Small group, not more than 20 travellers

Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for joining this tour and is in addition to the package price.

Not included: 

• Airfares (unless requested)
• Airport transfers unless specified
• Travel insurance
• Excess baggage
• Visa fees if applicable
• Any tips or porterage at airports, hotels, drivers & local staff
• Meals and beverages not specified on itinerary
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry & medical expenses
• Incidental expenses such as taxi fares, telecommunications

Itinerary

ACCOMMODATION

HOTELS

25hours Hotel Terminus Nord, Paris

Le Chateau des Reynats, Chancelade

Pullman La Pléiade, Montpellier

Avignon Grand Hotel, Avignon

25hours Hotel Terminus Nord, Paris

Le Chateau des Reynats, Chancelade

Pullman La Pléiade, Montpellier

Mercure Lyon Genas Eurexpo, Lyon

Le Grand Monarque Hotel, Loire Valley

Mercure Carcassonne La Cité

GETTING THERE

Hotel Check In/Out Times
Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure. If you arrive prior to the check in time, the hotel will store your luggage until the check in time and can also store your luggage until you are ready to depart for your onward journey.  Hotel check in:  most hotels have check in from 3PM
Hotel check out: most hotels require check out by 10AM, 11AM or midday

If you are making your own flight arrangements, we require your flight itinerary no later than 45 days prior to travel (and even if you are not making airport transfer arrangements with us).  Where transfers are part of your arrangement, if your itinerary is not provided to us within the required timeframe, you forfeit the airport transfers, or additional fees may be incurred for the service.

note: if you have extended your stay by your own arrangement transfers cannot be provided, and are by your own arrangement.

FLIGHT INFORMATION
As an Australian travel company we can provide flight assistance for flights originating from Australia. If joining the tour from outside Australia we recommend making your own flight arrangements or to use the service of a travel advisor located within your country of residence for access to best fares.

DETAILS

TRIP AVAILABILTY

If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience. 

FELLOW TRAVELLERS 

You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 20 travellers. This is a Solos Only tour (couple free). You are welcome to join with a friend, but couples do not join this tour.

THE PACE  [3 out of 5]
Travellers of 70 years or over will be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor. More Information > Visit Travel Fitness

This tour includes a reasonable amount of sightseeing on foot and is graded as a medium-paced tour. At least an average level of fitness level is required to participate in this tour. It will be more enjoyed with a good level of fitness.  For travellers with mobility issues or slower walking pace this tour is not suitable.

You need to be able to stand and walk for extended periods.  When out for full day tours there may be as much as 4 hours (or more) standing and walking across the day; this includes stopping along the way and may be split across different tours in the morning and the afternoon.  

ABOUT THE MEALS   
It’s regular that our trips include some group dining to ensure the social aspect of travelling together.  There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.
France is a land of gastronomy and there is much to be enjoyed but for anyone with gluten, dairy or other intolerances you may find that awareness of food intolerance issues is less than what you are accustomed to in your home country.  

Are you a flexitarian?
If you have dietary requirements, please advise if it is due to allergies or for medical reasons or if it is a personal preference and if you are flexible. Dietary requirements will limit choices. If a dietary requirement is not essential due to medical reasons and you are a flexitarian, then we recommend that you exclude your personal preferences if not necessary to provide more options with the meal choices.

GROUP TOUR MANAGER & LOCAL GUIDES
The role of your Group Tour Manager is to lead the group, take charge of all the trip logistics on tour, and of course, make sure the trip runs as smoothly as possible so ultimately you have the best possible experience. From time to time, as is the nature of travel, ‘hiccups’ can occur, such as unexpected delays to due to traffic congestion, unexpected weather conditions that make a change of plans necessary, and many other things that go hand in hand with travel. In these circumstances your group leader will do their utmost to make the best possible alternative plans – please be ready to accept that these situations are out of the control of anyone and trust in your group leader to assist as best as possible.

ACCOMMODATION – DOUBLE FOR SINGLE USE
We arrange our itinerary to provide all our solo travellers wit their own room to have a standard double room. Throughout Europe the beds can be somewhat smaller than an average queen sized bed here in Australia. For example a standard double sized bed is from 137 – 187cm, in Europe the beds are smaller and average between 120 and 140cm.

If you think that you have been given the incorrect room type anytime while on tour, it’s best to speak directly to your tour director who can sort this out for you at the time.

MORE INFORMATION

• Weather >
• Airport >
• Money >
• Disclaimer >

TRAVELLER REVIEWS

'I would highly recommend a holiday with Encounter Travel. My trip was well organised and the co-ordinator was fun and helpful and full of energy. I met some great people of all walks of life. There is a good mix of organised activities and free time. I had a blast.'

Linda, Victoria

'Thank you for your organisation of a great holiday. As a first time traveller with Encounter, I didn't know what to expect. The Red Centre is indescribably beautiful and should be on every Australians' bucket list. We saw every sensational attraction in just the right order - each new experience was more incredible than the last. Thank you for recruiting such a great group of people for my travelling companions. The hotels were clean and very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be transported across such an amazing landscape so comfortably. I learnt so much about our wonderful country and wished I had done such a trip years earlier.'

Sarah, 52 years, Sydney, Australia

'Did a Red Centre solo 7 day tour absolutely fantastic, Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon, Palm Valley you have to see it and experience it. The coach drivers were professional, excellent knowledge and with a great sense of humor.'

David, Eschol Park, Sydne, New South Wales

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