Alsace, Burgundy, Loire Valley and Paris - visit some of the top sites in France as you enjoy the freedom of the open road in your rental car! Enjoy luxurious castle stays during your trip, and opt to have a Local Professional Guide join you in some or the places you visit or do it all on a self guided basis - your choice! Spend the last few days of your trip in the wonderful metropolis of Paris where there is a dizzying number of activities that you can choose from!

With all of the details looked after for you from car rental, to accommodation, train tickets and transfers as well as any private Guides that you may like to have join you throughout your trip, you cn relax and let Kensington Tours look after all of the details!

Discover the beauty of the Alsace region with its hilly vineyards, bucolic countryside and picturesque towns and villages such as Colmar, Riquewihr, Obernai, Ribeauvillé while you are based out of Strasbourg - a world heritage UNESCO site, located close to the border with Germany. Learn about the colorful history of the area, visit sites such as the Haut-Koenigburg castle, and wander through the narrow, cobble stones laneways alongside the Ille river that runs through Colmar.

Explore places of interest on the drive to Burgundy, and here, take in the intricate Burgundian tiled roofs of the historical buildings, explore the interesting city of Dijon and the wine-centric town of Beaune. Stop off and do some wine tastings as you drive along the "Routes des Grands Crus" and see the actual places of some of Burgundy's top producing wines as you go through the quaint villages.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vezelay en route to the Loire Valley, and once you arrive in the heart of castle country, discover the spendour of some of the best in the area - either in the company of a Local Guide or independently.

Visit the likes of Blois and Chartres en route to Paris and relax in the capital and see some of what this great city has to offer.

Staying in some of the best Castle hotels in the country, you are sure to feel like royalty by the end of your trip!

Strasbourg is a world heritage UNESCO site, located close to the border with Germany, and provides the perfect base to explore the surrounding Alsace wine region. The city exudes charm, and has a rich and fascinating story to tell. Having been in German hands for some eight centuries, there is still a strong influence on everyday culture, ever-present in the local Alsace dialect, medieval architecture, hearty cuisine and colourful place names. The heart of the old city lies within the arms of the River Ill, forming a small island. It’s magnificent Gothic cathedral, around which the city has grown, dominates the centre and should be the first stop for visitors to the city. The medieval past is most strongly felt along the winding cobbled streets of the "Petite France" area, where tanners and weavers once resided.

Take a private train station transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Enjoy the direct train ride from Paris to Strasbourg. The ride is approximately 2.5 hours in length.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Consider having a Professional English speaking Guide join you for a three hour guided walking tour of historical Strasbourg. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if this is of interest to you.

Part of the Grandes Etapes de France group, the wonderful Chateau de l'Ile hotel is situated 6 km from Strasbourg, ideally located in a 4 hectare park within a tree-lined bend in the Ill River. With its half-timbered style and flowery balconies, it reflects traditional Alsatian architecture and is ideally suited to discover the region. The hotel has a traditional brasserie and gastronomic restaurant as well as the Ile Spa. The 62 rooms are decorated with elegance in the spirit of the 18th and 19th centuries and offer pleasant views over the Ill River or the typical village of Ostwald.

Overnight at Chateau de l`Ile (4*).

Includes Car Rental for the day.

Explore the villages of the Alsace with the freedom of your hired car. Drive along the Alsatian Wine Road and discover the charm and treasures of the wine growing villages with their flower-decked streets, historic houses, Roman churches and fountains. There are many very picturesque villages and towns along the way such as Obernai, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg. Stop at the Château de Haut-Koenigburg, (close to Selestat) remarkably restored at the beginning of the 20th century. This castle provides an opportunity to bring back to life the atmosphere of the Late Middle Ages, with interesting collections of furniture and arms (15th – 17th century). The city of Colmar is also well worthwhile - indeed, it is known as the Venice of France since the river meanders through the city. As you stroll through its narrow cobbled streets, flanked on either side by sixteenth and seventeenth century half timbered houses, you will be struck by the calm and atmosphere of this authentic medieval setting, even further enhanced by a large pedestrian zone.

Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like to have an English speaking Guide accompany you on 2 hour Guided tour of the city of Colmar.

Overnight at Chateau de l`Ile (4*).

A famous Chateau in France.

Includes Car Rental for the day.

Enjoy the drive from Alsace to Burgundy today stopping of in places of interest en route such as Belfort, Montbeliard & Besancon. Because of Belfort's strategic location, at the request of Louis XIV, military architect Vauban fortified the city with a pentagonal wall. The fortification work made Belfort one of the keystones in the Eastern Marches defensive system, and one of the most spectacular towns in the region. Vauban's ramparts, the citadel which is now home to the Museums of Art and History, the famous Lion sculpted by Bartholdi. Then visit the city of Montbéliard, born of the marriage between an heiress from Comté and a young prince of the empire, has preserved the charm that is so unique to the lovely cities of the Württemberg Empire. Stone-built market places, 17th century Protestant church, Renaissance townhouses and small houses in bright colors. A castle dominates the city. Your next discovery: Besançon, nestling in a loop of the River Doubs, offers visitors the charming spectacle of its narrow streets. The 16th century townhouses with their robust pediments on the façades, the 18th century mansions, the powerful colors that differ from façade to façade thanks to the use of Chailluz limestone. From the Battant quarter, formerly the winegrowers quarter, to the streets around St John's Cathedral, you will stroll and discover inner courtyards whose staircases are adorned with iron balustrades, fountains and beautifully maintained parks and gardens.

Two miles from Vougeot, in the heart of the grands Crus, between Dijon and Beaune, the Château de Gilly (4*), with its 47 rooms and suites, is the very essence of Burgundy. This 14th century Cistercian residence, with formal French gardens, combines modern comfort, serenity, tradition, and fine cuisine. It has preserved its authentic 14th & 16th Century character, reflected in its moats, French-style gardens and dining Room with its magnificent vaulted ceiling. At the château there is the Vouge river, outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, table tennis, pétanque and the possibility for bicycling and fishing.

Overnight at Chateau de Gilly (4*).

Includes Car hire for the day.

Dijon is exceptionally rich in art treasures and historic buildings, a product of its days as the independent capital of the Flemish-Burgundian State ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy. Places of interest include the Palace of the Dukes: the Dukes of Burgundy held court here, but the building seen today was mainly built in the 17th century for the parliament. It now houses the Fine Arts Museum, Notre-Dame: magnificent 13th century Gothic church, Saint-Michael church: begun in the 15th century & completed in the 17th century combining flamboyant Gothic with Renaissance details, Musée Magnin: a collection of French and foreign 16th- 19th century paintings in this 17th- century mansion. Enjoy exploring the city.

After you have seen Dijon, drive along the “Route des Grands Crus”, the road of the vineyards including: Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. Squeezed in between the flat plain of the Saône to the southeast and a plateau of rough woodland to the northwest, this narrow escarpment is about 30 miles (50 km) long. The grapes of the great Burgundy vineyards grow in the golden-reddish soil of the slope. The classification of the characteristics of the land is extremely technical and elaborate, but for the layman a rough rule of thumb might be that 95 percent of the best vines are on the uphill side of the N74 thoroughfare. The names on the signs haunt the dreams of wine lovers the world over: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, Romanée Conti, Nuits-St-Georges, Aloxe- Corton, Meursault and Chassagne Montrachet. Stop off at the Clos de Vougeot on your way to Beaune. Monks first planted vine in Clos de Vougeot in the 12th century. Nowadays, protected by a wall of stones, Clos de Vougeot is the largest grand cru area in Burgundy. If you are interested in doing a wine tasting, it is important to note that most wineries do not accept people without prior arrangements. Wine tastings can be easily arranged from Beaune.

Once the region’s main town, Beaune is now the capital of Burgundy‘s wine. Its most beautiful building, the Hôtel-Dieu, is an old hospice built in the 15th century in Burgundian Flemish art. It is famous for its multicoloured tiled roofs. Other places of interest are the collegiate church and the wine museum which is housed in the former mansion of the Dukes of Burgundy and presents the history of wine from ancient times until today.

If you would like to have an in depth experience of Dijon and Beaune you can avail of an English speaking Guide to accompany you as you explore both locations. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like to add a Local Guide to your itinerary today.

Overnight at Chateau de Gilly (4*).

Located a mere 12 km outside of Tours, Montbazon is situated on the river Indre between the towns Veigné, Monts and Sorigny.

Includes Car hire for the day.

Leaving Burgundy today, drive to the Loire Valley in your rental car for the next part of your trip. En route, enjoy a stop off in the pretty village of Vezelay. Founded in the 12th century, the narrow winding streets of the village are hemmed in by ancient houses featuring many examples of the local architecture, and the original village ramparts. The Abbey of St Mary Magdalene, listed by UNESCO as being a World Heritage Site contains the relics of Saint Mary. This town was historically a starting point for pilgrims following one of several French pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostella. Continue north west ward towards the Loire valley, and your hotel that awaits you!

The Château d'Artigny (4*) is perfectly in keeping with the royal estates surrounding it, and is typical & classic splendour of the great days of this region. It offers 47 rooms and 6 suites, a 25 hectare park, 2 tennis courts, an outdoor pool which is heated in cold weather, a pool house with a sauna, spa, relaxation room, pétanque, table tennis, golf practice, a restaurant and reception rooms.

Overnight at Chateau d`Artigny (4*).

Includes Car hire for the day.

Today is all about the castles of the Loire valley! Start the day off exploring Tours; the ancient capital of the Kingdom of France, which enjoys an exceptional location in the centre of the famous Loire valley. Louis XI made the city the French capital, and it prospered on arms and fabrics. However, during Henri IV's reign the city lost favour with the monarchy, and the capital left Tours for Paris.. The pedestrian Place Plumereau is Tours' most atmospheric quarter, set in the medieval heart of the city and full of cafés, boutiques and galleries. Streets such as rue Briçonnet reveal half-timbered façades, hidden courtyards and crooked towers. A gateway leads to Place St. Pierre-le-Puellier, a square with sunken Gallo-Roman remains and a Romanesque church converted into a café.

From Tours, drive to the castle of Chenenceau. Sitting across the Cher river, Château Chenonceau was originally built between 1513 and 1521 but has been revised and remodelled, keeping with the Renaissance style for hundreds of years. Governed over centuries by the wives and mistresses of kings and nobility, the château reflects this feminine influence.

Depending on timing, you can decide if you would prefer to visit Villandry or Azay le Rideau castle (or both). Villandry castle was the last great Renaissance chateau built in the Loire Valley and a perfect example of 16th-century architecture. Its spectacular gardens were restored to their Renaissance splendour earlier this century. The result is a patchwork of sculpted shrubs and flowers on three levels the kitchen garden, the ornamental garden and, on the highest level, the water garden.

Designed to look like a Gothic fortress, Château Azay-le-Rideau was only intended to be a summer residence. Built by a financier and his wife between 1518 and 1527, the château appears fortified while the interior affords complete luxury.

Get the most out of your discovery of the Loire valley and castles and consider having a Local English speaking Guide join you for either half of the day (4 hrs) or the full day (8hrs) as you explore the beautiful castles and/or picturesque towns in the Loire valley. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like to have a Guide join you for your itinerary today.

Overnight at Chateau d`Artigny (4*).

Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. After visiting the city you will no doubt find it hard to disagree. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The city's most prized museum is the Louvre, though there are dozens of other important ones.

Drop off your rental car at a city centre AVIS car hire branch (Details will be on your voucher).

There are so many things to do and see in Paris it is hard to know where to start! Within the city you can choose from any number of private guided tours - of neighbourhoods or places of interest such as the Louvre or with a focus on architecture. Consider a few hours with a personal shopper, or a guided tour in a vintage car through one of the neighbourhoods. If you are interested in doing something further afield consider a day trip to Chatres, Giverny (known because of Monet's paintings), Versailles, Normandy or Burgundy. A fun way to spend an afternoon is by hot air balloon - this is possible to do in the Parisian countryside. Please ask your Sale Advisor if you are interested in any of these optional tours and activities.

The Elysees Ceramic (3*) hotel is situated in one of the huge avenues branching out from the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs Elysees is a mere 5 minute stroll away, and all kinds of public transport is close-at-hand. It is an exceptional Parisian house, with a unique "art nouveau" facade, sculpted in painted ceramic blocks. The architecture is indeed impressive. It is large in size, and very tastefully decorated in an authentic Parisian style. Wooden panels on the walls, flowery draped curtains and quality furniture give a touch of elegance to a cosy atmosphere. This 3-star first-class property is in an excellent location, where guests can find comfort, with a touch of luxury, and good services.

Overnight at Elysees Ceramic (3*).

Discover Paris in a truly original and personalised manner aboard your very own 2CV. The 2CV, the quintessential symbol of the “French touch”, thanks to its convertible, soft top roof offers a magnificent panoramic view. You will be driven by a knowledgeable, English speaking chauffeur, and discover the most famous, beautiful and elegant monuments of Paris. The capacity of the 2CV vehicles is 3. If there are more in your group additional cars will be arranged so you can travel in convoy. (Includes hotel pick up and drop off in central Paris).

Enjoy the many wonders of Paris. Consider taking a stroll down one of the many quays by the river Seine, or wandering around any of the fascinating neighbourhoods such as Montematre, the Marais or the Left bank. Of course there are a plethora of museums and galleries to choose from if you are so inclined. Consider getting a 2 Day Paris Pass that includes a Paris Transport Travel card for 2 days (zone 1-3) to see all of the sites that are of personal interest to you. The Paris Pass is a smartcard offering free access to 65 attractions in Paris such as the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Orsay museum, Musee Rodin, commented cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and Pompidou museum. With this pass, you have access to 22 museums, 24 historical monuments, 15 art galleries, 3 tourist attractions, 1 cruise and special offers in shops and restaurants. Please contact your Advisor if you would like more details.

Overnight at Elysees Ceramic (3*).

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).