Christmas in a 2 PARIS French Alpine Village

France

Beaune Burgundy

Lake

Geneva CORDON Chamonix 5 The LYON 2 Megève Haute Savoie Valley 1

Italy

Stay 5 nights over Christmas in the Chalet Hotel Chamois d’Or in Cordon

11 Inspiring Days Paris to Milan – Escorted Tour Imagine… celebrating Christmas in a classic chalet style hotel with astounding views over the beautiful and the mighty massif. Now add Christmas shopping in the boutiques of Paris and Christmas Markets of lakeside Annecy, Chamonix, and chic Megève. Visit the ‘City of Peace’ Geneva, travel by cable car up to the roof of Europe, take a train to the ‘Sea of Ice’, enjoy a shoe walk and a romantic horse drawn carriage ride.

62 ISTM R A H S PARIS 5 Christmas Market Visits C M Paris, Lyon, Annecy, A S Days 1 & 2 R K E T 2 PARIS Chamonix and Megève —— Spend 2 nights in vibrant Paris —— Explore the festive Christmas markets of Paris —— Be enchanted on a special ‘Paris by Night’ illuminations drive —— Experience the amazing shopping in the grand boulevards

France FRENCH ALPS Days 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 —— Stay 5 nights in the beautiful alpine village of Cordon surrounded by the soaring peaks of the —— Visit gorgeous, lakeside Annecy and the cosmopolitan city of Geneva —— Explore world famous Chamonix, take the cable car to the & the Train to the dramatic Mer du Glace —— Enjoy a romantic horse drawn carriage ride and a snow shoe walk Beaune LYON —— Savour Megève’s dining, elegant shopping & picturesque Christmas markets Days 3 & 4 Burgundy —— Stay 2 nights in the centre of beautiful Lyon Switzerland —— Visit the fascinating Hospices MILAN Lake Geneva de Beaune in Burgundy Days 10 & 11 —— Visit the hilltop Basilica of —— Stay 1 night in stylish Milan Fourvière, the ancient Roman Geneva —— Travel through the into amphitheatre & excellent Annecy CORDON —— Shop in Milan’s luxurious ‘Golden Triangle’ Christmas markets Chamonix near the elaborate Duomo 5 The Alps —— Dine in a local Milanese restaurant LYON 2 Megève Haute Savoie 1 MILAN

AVERAGE 107 KMS PER DAY ˜ Tour commences Italy ˜ Overnight stays ˜ Included excursions

DAY 1 ~ 17 DECEMBER DAY 3 ~ 19 DECEMBER Paris Hospices de Beaune and to Lyon Your tour commences this evening in Paris. Dinner tonight Travelling south we reach Beaune, capital of the Burgundy is included, but first enjoy a welcome drink. This is wine region. On arrival, enjoy lunchtime at leisure amongst the an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow travellers. quaint medieval streets and squares. We have included a visit Meals: D to the fascinating Hospices de Beaune (audio included). A ST Y Covered with multi-coloured, glazed roof tiles the ‘Hotel Dieu’ Your Paris Hotel – was built over 550 years ago to help the town’s folk in a time of N 2 Crowne Plaza Paris République S poverty and famine. I G T This first class hotel is set in a 19th century H Later we continue to France’s gastronomic capital, building directly on Place de la République. The nearby Lyon, where we stay two nights. Meals: B,D metro services 5 different metro lines, making this a A ST Y perfect base to explore Paris from. Your Lyon hotel – N 2 Mercure Lyon Centre I S DAY 2 ~ 18 DECEMBER G H T Chateau Perrache Paris sightseeing, ‘My Time’, This 4 star contemporary hotel is perfectly located less than Christmas Markets and 200 metres from the Christmas markets in Place Carnot. Paris Illuminations drive This morning we enjoy a guided panoramic tour which will continued bring alive the city from the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe, to the Louvre and Notre Dame. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the broad boulevards and myriad of shops and museums. Make sure you wander through the some of the Christmas markets in Paris. This “We had a wonderful and evening we have included a ‘Paris by Night’ illuminations memorable experience, with an drive. You will be enchanted by the grand monuments and boulevards, from the Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, bathed exceptional tour manager, very safe in glorious light. In addition, department stores around the coach driver and warm ‘family like’ Opera boast gigantic Christmas trees and turn on their festive light shows in competition with the extravagant, festive street Christmas at the Chamois d’Or in displays. C’est Magnifique! Meals: B the French Alps.” Toni & Michael Relax and wander the Christmas Markets

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Enjoy a romantic horse drawn carriage ride

DAY 4 ~ 20 DECEMBER DAY 6 ~ 22 DECEMBER Lyon sightseeing, ‘My Time’ Chamonix, the Aiguille du Midi, Alpine Beauty and Christmas Markets the historic Red Train, the ‘Sea of Ice’ A wonderful day in Lyon! This morning we explore the historic and ‘My Time’ by Euan Landsborough, Roman area, to visit the ancient amphitheatre, and the hilltop Today we visit the world famous resort of Chamonix. On arrival ‘The Mo’ Basilica of Fourvière which dominates the whole town. we enjoy an incredible cable ride up to Aiguille du The views from its terrace are splendid. Your afternoon and Midi, which translated means the ‘Needle of Midday’. At an There is nothing much to the little evening are at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the cobblestoned altitude of 3842 metres (12605ft) you are seemingly within village of Cordon. But that is the streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), stop at a riverside café for reach of Mont Blanc and the views across the French, Italian absolute beauty of it! No mass white wine and oysters, or shop along the pedestrianised and Swiss Alps are astounding. At the top you will also find a shopping mall from Place de la République to Place des tourists, no lines of boutiques café restaurant, and alpine exhibition, plus a Terreaux. The Christmas markets on Place Carnot are excellent, and shops (you’ll pass plenty of stomach clenching, glass bottomed observation platform! Your and at night the hilltop Basilica is beautifully illuminated. afternoon is at leisure in Chamonix town. Time to stroll amongst those when you visit Megève and Lyon is famous as a culinary capital, so this evening explore the cafés, restaurants, shops, boutiques and Christmas markets Chamonix). Just an astonishing the old town and discover your own cosy ‘Bouchon’ – a typical, set under the shadow of the Mont Blanc massif. For those who Christmas card type scene with Lyonnais style restaurant. Meals: B want ‘more mountain, less shopping’ we have also included a wooden chalets, houses barns DAY 5 ~ 21 DECEMBER ticket on the historic ‘Red Train’ which winds its way up through and timber buildings scattered the forests and valleys to Montenvers station. From the café Annecy, Christmas Markets and terrace you have spectacular views up onto some of Chamonix’s across the snow covered Cordon in the Haute Savoie hillside. Perfect for a relaxing highest and most dramatic peaks and down onto the largest After a leisurely start we enter the Haute Savoie region to glacier in France, the spectacular Mer du Glace – ‘Sea of Ice’. winter walk or even trying your enjoy lunchtime exploring the pretty lakeside town of Annecy. For the more energetic, your ticket also includes the cable car hand at snow shoe walking! Here, cobblestoned streets, half-timbered and beautifully down to the top of the 430 steel steps that lead to the glacier From the balcony of our painted houses sit beside picturesque canals which are (subject to opening times). Here you can enter the labyrinth of criss-crossed with stone bridges. With its Château d’Annecy, gorgeous, family run Christmas a man-made ice grotto, complete with ice sculptures, a throne once castle home to the Counts of Geneva, and a back drop of room and beautifully illuminated, carved tunnels. Meals: B,D hotel the views across the and the turquoise lake, the Vieille Ville (Old Town) is mountains, left and right, and on incredibly pretty and the Christmas Markets add to the picture. DAY 7 ~ 23 DECEMBER to Mont Blanc are just enormous. ‘My Time’ in Megève Later this afternoon we continue deep into the heart of the My favourite time is at twilight, mighty French Alps and arrive in the tiny village of Cordon and a horse drawn carriage ride gluhwein (mulled wine) in hand, where we stay the next five nights over Christmas. Set on Today is dedicated to the nearby chic of Megève. just watching the sun set, turning the side of a mountain the views directly across to the Mont Surrounded by a dozen world class ski resorts, and the the snowy mountains at first a Blanc massif are incredible. This peaceful little village provides enormous mountains of the Mont Blanc massif, Megève’s pale pink and then on to a rich a picturesque setting and our charming chalet style hotel chalets and ancient rustic buildings date back as far as the 1300’s. To start the day we enjoy a guided snow shoe walk into rose colour. That’s when you makes a perfect base for exploring the astounding nearby sights. Meals: B,D the snow laden fields around the village. Easy to do, this is a smile and take that big breath, A ST Y great experience. and sigh, then go inside Your Cordon Hotel – Another highlight of today will be a ride on a horse drawn for dinner! N 5 Chalet Hotel Chamois d’Or I S carriage through the delightful old town and local countryside. G H T Cordon makes not only a This family run 4 star hotel, located on the hillside The rest of the day and evening is completely at leisure. From great base for excursions to above Cordon prides itself on its rustic, alpine inspired Megève you have access to all the main peaks by cable cars gorgeous Megève, Chamonix design. Offering sweeping views across the Mont-Blanc and chair lifts. All over the mountains are large restaurants, and the surrounding mountains, or the Aravis mountain range it is the perfect place to cafés and rest facilities all with spectacular views over the stay over Christmas! mighty French Alps. Designer boutiques, restaurants and après but also creates a home ski bars makes this the perfect place to spend the afternoon. from home in our welcoming Of an evening the horse and carriages sitting in the pretty hotel. Perfect for celebrating town square in front of the illuminated church and enormous a memorable Christmas, Christmas tree, decorated with Swarovski crystals, create one with new found friends. of the most gorgeous festive settings you will ever see. Meals: B

64 CREATE HOLIDAY MEMORIES ON AN ALBATROSS FESTIVE TOUR CHRISTMAS TOUR Christmas in a French Alpine Village | 11 days | Paris to Milan

Dates & Prices

11 days only $5,089 per person twin share Solo traveller $6,789 Land only prices in AU dollars

For New Zealand pricing, please refer to our website

Starts Paris Ends Milan 17 Dec 2019 27 Dec 2019

Space strictly limited.

Take an incredible cable car ride up the Aiguille du Midi Book now!

DAY 8 ~ 24 DECEMBER DAY 10 ~ 26 DECEMBER ‘My Time’ in cosmopolitan Geneva The Mont Blanc Tunnel Today, the opportunity for some last minute Christmas to stylish Milan Over $1,100 shopping as we visit Geneva, Switzerland’s second largest Boxing Day! Driving through the Mont Blanc Tunnel which value of extras city and once home of the Red Cross. Perhaps spend time in passes under Europe’s highest mountains, we enter the Italian the ‘Genève Marché International de Noel’ at Place de la Alps near . We soon reach the stylish city of Milan already included Fusterie between the old town and Lake Geneva. As you might where we enjoy a guided panoramic tour and short walking expect, unlike many of the traditional Weihnachtsmarkts, tour to see the elaborate Duomo and famous Opera House, Geneva’s Christmas market offers more of a mix of La Scala. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local —— All excursions, scenic international exhibitors and traditional pre-Christmas food Milanese restaurant. Meals: B,D drives, sightseeing and from many nations. TAY S entrances as described Your Milan Hotel – Geneva boasts some of the best Christmas decorations in the Michelangelo Hotel N 1 —— Fully escorted by our region. Make sure you take a stroll along Rue du Marché to I G H T admire the displays and along Rue de Rive to enjoy the window This modern 4 star hotel is in a brilliant location, experienced Tour Manager opposite the central railway station. displays in the upmarket shops. —— Travel in a first class air conditioned touring coach The warm glow will continue as we enjoy a traditional DAY 11 ~ 27 DECEMBER Christmas Eve Dinner in our hotel. Meals: B,D Milan —— 10 nights authentic, DAY 9 ~ 25 DECEMBER Your Christmas tour comes to a close and it is time to specially selected hotel Christmas Day – ‘My Time’ in a say farewell. accommodation winter paradise! For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours —— Hotel porterage What a magnificent location to relax in over Christmas! Today that begin in Luzern, the good news is, we have arranged a (1 suitcase pp) is at leisure to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery which complimentary Group transfer on 28 December. Meals: B surrounds you, and do as much, or as little, as you want! —— Welcome drink in Paris Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a Why not join us for New Year in Switzerland, —— 17 Meals – Buffet breakfast ‘take it easy and relax’ person there are numerous activities , Italy, Austria or Spain? Our exciting New daily (B) and 7 evening you can enjoy, and your Tour Manager will be at hand to assist Year tours have been specially designed to start dinners (D) and advise you. You can try your hand at winter sports, maybe as this Christmas Holiday ends. See details from snow shoe walking, cross country skiing, or maybe take a page 94. —— A complimentary wine, winter walk from your hotel. beer or soft drink with all Our coach will also be available for shuttles to and from nearby included dinners Megève. A famous walk called the ‘Calvary of Megève’ starts —— Tea and coffee with all from near the ice skating rink. There are a series of 14 chapels included dinners along the way representing the Passion of Christ - the Way of the Cross. Don’t miss the Christmas Day Nativity display. Dinner —— Local as described is in your hotel. Meals: B,D —— Personal audio system whilst on tour —— Free WiFi on most coaches and at hotels “I have been on a lot of tours —— End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for and this has been the best. local guides Our Tour Manager was the best I have encountered and —— Albatross Tours Travel App our Driver was excellent.” NO additional costs! Rosanne Relax with ‘My Time’ in Cordon Image taken by Albatross traveller G. Coates

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