The Loire Valley, Normandy and Paris 9 Days The Perfect Balance of Learning, Fun and Culture Starting in 2012, Experience set out on a journey to bring learning to life through travel and immersion. In collaboration with top universities and industry innovators, we provide unparalleled experiences that inspire students to excel in their educational and career goals. Engaging students in education through travel increases cultural awareness and broadens students’ horizons, inspiring a lifetime of discovery. Benefits of Experiential Learning Experiential learning is the leading way to engage in education, putting curriculum into context to increase student success in the real world. Our integrated lesson plans are designed to continue the experience in the classroom. How to Propose a Program Choose from our selection of immersion study tours, camp programs and Get Started educational tours to match a specific subject of study or cultural experience. Promote the Experience Share with the school, parents and students about the selected program and offer fundraising options, so everyone can have the opportunity to participate. Travel Planning We provide packing lists, travel logistics, lesson plans and more to make planning easy. Building Strong Foundations The Five Pillars of Experience Curriculum-Based Experiential Learning More than simply an educational tour, we lead our travelers on interactive learning experiences that apply to their areas of interest. We collaborate with educators on their desired programs to create lesson plans that empower travelers to put learning into practice. By connecting our groups with industry experts through workshops, tours and lectures, as well as hands-on learning at museums of science, art and history, we integrate curriculum into all aspects of our trips. With our programs, the world becomes a classroom, demonstrating new ways of thinking, enhancing personal development and expanding global awareness. Curated Experiences Our travel experts are well-versed in destinations around the world, researching and developing custom itineraries that are most impactful to the educational goals of our travelers. By identifying key activities and addressing the values of educators, we design authentic programs that promote learning and group engagement. We go beyond the known, basic sightseeing trips, and discover experiences that truly capture the imagination. On our educational tours, travelers get to dig into the science, uncover the history and engage in the culture wherever they travel with us. Exclusive Safety and Travel Technology Our proprietary software is our innovative solution to safeguard our travelers. Advanced preparation is managed through our travel technology to ensure a safe and productive trip for all participants on our educational tours. Essential trip information is accessible to authorized individuals on our travel app, including flights, itineraries, medical details and contacts. With the real-time geofencing feature, no one gets lost in the crowd, and the leaders of the group have an awareness of where travelers are at all times. Communication within the tour group through our travel technology allows everyone to stay connected during the trip. Unparalleled Customer Service From day one, our Travel Specialists step into the shoes of our travelers to build a relationship from a true foundation and continue with them throughout the whole process. Our programs are collaborative, listening to what our travelers are looking for and asking questions, so we can set up the perfect educational tour together. For all our trips, we provide 24/7 on-call support over the phone and a licensed Tour Director who knows the program and the destination inside and out. We take pride in our programs, ensuring enriching and safe experiences, so our travelers have stories worth sharing for a lifetime. All-Inclusive Pricing Activities, transportation, meals and services throughout our educational tours are covered, as stated on the program itineraries. We have no hidden fees and any out-of-pocket spending is designed to give our travelers the freedom to explore. Guides and drivers are well-compensated as part of our services included, so the trip can move along smoothly without worrying over the details. Once the program begins, there’s nothing else left to do but experience! Daily Itinerary (9 Days) DAY 1 TRAVEL TO PARIS Overnight flight from home to Paris. DAY 2 PARIS, CHARTRES TO THE LOIRE VALLEY On arrival in Paris, meet up with the Tour Director and continue on to the Loire Valley, taking in all the scenery along the drive. Stop in the charming town of Chartres to visit Chartres Cathedral, a testimony to the architectural innovations of the Middle Ages, which is filled with sculptures and stained glass windows portraying stories from the Bible. After exploring Chartres, end the day at the accommodations in the Loire Valley area. • Arrive in Paris • En route to the Loire Valley, stop in Chartres • Visit Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site • Continue to the hotel in the Loire Valley area to stay overnight DAY 3 THE LOIRE VALLEY Explore a storybook castle that bridges a river, the Château de Chenonceau. In the afternoon, visit Château de Chambord to begin a journey through the works of Leonardo da Vinci, a true genius of arts, science and invention. At this archetypal castle, he designed the double helix staircase that spirals all the way up to the terrace. Since these are the largest castle grounds in the Loire Valley, continue exploring all there is to see here by bicycle, before returning to accommodations. • Explore the storybook castle, the Château de Chenonceau • Experience the genius of Leonardo da Vinci at Château de Chambord • Ride bicycles around the extensive castle grounds DAY 4 THE LOIRE VALLEY, MONT-SAINT-MICHEL TO NORMANDY Leave the Loire Valley and travel to Normandy. En route, experience the medieval magic of Mont-Saint-Michel, a granite outcrop that becomes an island when the tides rise. Climb the winding Grande Rue through the charming village up to La Merveille, a Gothic monastery. Towering above it all is the abbey, crowned by a statue of St. Michael, the legendary archangel who has drawn pilgrims to the island for hundreds of years. Continue to Normandy and arrive in the evening. • Travel from the Loire Valley to Normandy • Explore the sanctuary island of Mont-Saint-Michel en route • Check in to accommodations in the Normandy area DAY 5 NORMANDY While exploring Utah Beach Museum, discover the preserved history of D-Day on the beach where the Allied troops invaded Normandy in WWII. Afterwards, take a guided half-day tour with a local historian on a journey to Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and Normandy American Cemetery. • Discover the D-Day history at the Utah Beach Museum • Guided half-day tour with a local D-Day historian to Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and Normandy American Cemetery DAY 6 NORMANDY, VERSAILLES TO PARIS Experience the moral story woven into the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the architecture of the medieval period. Explore the Palace of Versailles, viewing the Hall of Mirrors, the stylized gardens and impressive fountains with a local guide. Continue on to the hotel in Paris in time for dinner, featuring the local cuisine. • Tour Bayeux Tapestry Museum with audio commentary • Explore the Palace of Versailles and the Gardens with a local guide • Arrive in Paris in time for dinner DAY 7 PARIS Take in the symbols of Paris, starting at a commemorative monument to the victory of the armies of France at the Arc de Triomphe. Stroll along Champs-Élysées to experience the avenue’s Parisian atmosphere. Walk through the lovely Tuileries Gardens and under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Discover endless works of art, from Leonardo da Vinci’s original “Mona Lisa” to ancient Egyptian artifacts, at the world’s largest art museum, the Louvre. Have dinner in the Latin Quarter and tour the area on foot, learning more about its academic history while passing by the oldest university in Paris, the Sorbonne. • Take a tour of the symbols of Paris, including ascending to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and walking along Champs-Élysées • Stroll through the Tuileries Gardens and Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel • Learn from a private educational guide on a tour of the world-famous Louvre Museum • Dinner and walking tour of the Latin Quarter DAY 8 PARIS Enter the Musée d’Orsay to view the inclusive artworks at France’s national museum of fine and applied arts. Afterwards, visit the vaults of history within the Hôtel des Invalides, including the Dome church to see the tomb of Napoleon. Ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the best pictures of time in Paris. On the last evening in France, stroll the cobbled streets of Montmartre, where all the scenery looks like it came straight out of a movie. While here, stop at the charming artist hub, Place du Tertre. Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica to see the striking sculptures, architecture and panoramic view of Paris. • Enter the Musée d’Orsay • Visit the Hôtel des Invalides and see the tomb of Napoleon • Ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower • Get inspired by Montmartre and Place du Tertre • Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica for a panoramic view of the City of Light DAY 9 PARIS TO HOME Depart Paris and travel home. Trip Information Learning Outcomes On this educational journey through the Loire Valley, Normandy and Paris, students take in storybook castles and monumental landmarks that showcase the cultural arts of France. Experience the genius of Leonardo da Vinci through his inventive architecture and famous works of art on castle tours in the Loire Valley and museums in Paris. Discover the stories of thousands of Americans who paid the ultimate price for freedom far from home at the American Memorial Chapel, ServicesThe D-Day Story Includedand the Utah Beach Museum.