DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
May 9 Day 1 – Our first stop of this tour, Paris, the city of love, light and also beautiful gardens. We will meet our French tour manager at the airport who will stay with us until day 9. Transfer to our hotel for early check-in and enjoy the remainder of the day leisurely to rest or explore the surrounding areas.
May 10 Day 2 – Today we will take a morning panoramic sightseeing tour with a local guide to view the most iconic sights in the city. We will see the Eiffel Tower, stop to appreciate “Le mur vegetal” the stunning vertical garden by Patrick Blanc, we will drive along the famous “Les Champs Elysees” and enjoy views from the coach of L’Arc de Triomphe.
After some free time for lunch we will head to Giverny. We will visit the house and gardens immortalized by Monet in many of his well-known paintings. Return to the hotel in Paris and get ready for our Welcome dinner in a local restaurant in the area.
May 11 Day 3 – This morning we will visit the Chateau Malmaison and Josephine’s garden also known as the Rose Garden. In her lush paradise, Josephine wanted nature to express itself as freely as in the landscapes evoked by the period’s romantic writers such as Rousseau. After lunch we will return to the city and take a one hour Seine River cruise. Transfer to hotel and remainder of day is free at leisure.
May 12 Day 4 – Enjoy this free day at leisure to rest, do some shopping or explore more sights of this outstanding city on your own.
May 13 Day 5 – Our touring coach will join us from today and remain until day 8. We are headed to the Loire Valley where our first stop will be in Amboise with some free time for lunch and check-in into our hotel.
In the afternoon we are on to Meung sur Loire where we will take a guided tour of Les Jardins de Roquelin, one of France’s classified “remarkable gardens”. Return to hotel for free time and dinner.
May 14 Day 6 – This morning we visit a masterpiece of the French Renaissance, the Château de Chenonceau. Famous for its beautiful gallery of arches on the River Cher this magnificent castle of the 16th century is particularly photogenic with its reflection in the water of the river, its sumptuous gardens and its unspoiled natural setting. After lunch, we will transfer to Chaumont-sur-Loire to visit the 28th edition of the International Garden Festival. Return to Amboise and remainder of day free.
May 15 Day 7 – Our morning visit today is to the Chateau de Villandry, we will take a guided tour of the beautiful gardens. Our stop for lunch today will be in Langeais, followed by entrance to Jardin Chateau de la Chatonniere in Azay le Rideau.
May 16 Day 8 – It is time to return to Paris today, but not before we taste some wine from the region! We are headed to Chavignol where we will visit a vineyard and cellar followed by wine and cheese tasting. Free time for lunch in the area and then transfer to Paris. We will say goodbye to our French tour manager today as we are leaving France tomorrow morning.
May 17 Day 9 – This morning we will take the Eurostar to London. On our arrival at London St. Pancras we will meet our English tour manager that will accompany us until day 15.
Transfer to Colchester where we will visit the world-renowned gardens and extensive plant nursery created by award-winning plantswoman Beth Chatto. We will then continue our journey to Bury St. Edmunds for check-in and dinner at our hotel.
May 18 Day 10 – Today we will take a full day excursion to visit some of Suffolk’s the picturesque wool towns. The Wool Towns region includes five of the most charming places in the East of England. We will visit Lavenham with its colourful houses followed by Long Melford where we will take a guided tour of the Kentwell gardens before lunch included at the awarded Scutchers restaurant. There is still time to explore the pretty village of Hadleigh before returning to Bury St. Edmunds.
May 19 Day 11 – This morning we will visit the Helmingham Hall Gardens, a spectacular grade 1 listed garden. We will continue our journey to East Ruston and visit the Old Vicarage before transferring to Norwich where we will have dinner and stay overnight.
May 20 Day 12 – We are off to Wroxham and the Broads National park to discover dramatic landscapes, raw natural beauty and a rare quality of light. We will take a one hour boat river tour and will then head to Bressingham to visit the beautiful gardens. We then return to Norwich where we have lunch included in a local traditional food pub. Remainder of day is free at leisure.
May 21 Day 13 – Today we will visit Fakenham and Pensthorpe Gardens. Pensthorpe National park is the home to four of the most spectacular gardens in Norfolk, including a stunning meadow and the most beautiful of lakeside environments. We will then head to Sheringham where we will have free time to explore the park and beach and free time for lunch. Continue to Sandringham for a guided visit of the House, museum and gardens. From here we will head to Cambridge. We will have our Farewell dinner today at a local restaurant.
May 22 Day 14 – This morning enjoy free time in Cambridge to explore the main sights of the city on own. Why not visit one of the main universities or take a punting tour in the Cam River? We will then head to London in the afternoon. We will say goodbye to our English tour manager today and enjoy the last evening of the tour in this the lively London.
For those including the Chelsea/London add-on:
May 23 Day 15 – Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to and from Chelsea Flower show with a full day ticket to the show. Some will be returning home to Canada or staying on in London to do other things.
May 24 Day 16 – Breakfast at hotel and free day in London
May 25 Day 17 – Transfer to Heathrow airport and return to Canada.
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Please feel free to email me with any questions at swhysall@hotmail.com
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Giverny 
Chelsea Flower Show 
East Ruston Old Vicarage 
Bressingham Gardens 
Chateau Chenonceau 
Grape fields in Loire 
Long-Melford, one of Suffolk’s quaint wool towns 
Village of Sancerre in Loire Valley
