OPERA TICKETS AND HOTEL ROOMS ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED.
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.

TOUR SCHEDULE
(subject to minor change)
Fri. July 10:Aix-en-Provence
Arrival day in Aix-en-Provence (depart Vancouver Thursday, July 9).The closest airport is Marseille, 30 minutes away and transfer will be available for those arriving on designated flights (additional cost).
Accommodation for five nights at the 4-star Hotel Aquabella.

Enjoy a welcome reception this evening.

Sat. July 11:Aix-en-Provence
A morning walking tour of Aix including the market.Dominated by 17th and 18th-century architecture, Aix offers a palpable and rich heritage.The fountains, the quaint squares, the cathedral, the grain market, the mansions along Cours Mirabeau and the Mazarin district, the Place de la Rotonde, and the Saint Jean de Malte Church all leave an impression.Also visit the Paul Cézanne studio.Dozens of works, presently in famous museums around the world, have been painted in this sacred-like, quiet sunbathed space.

Evening performance of The Golden Cockerel by Rimsky-Korsakov in the Théâtre de L’Archevȇché.opera performance in the Théâtre de L’Archevȇché.

Sun. July 12:Aix-en-Provence
A full day excursion to the Luberon Valley north of Aix.Enjoy the picturesque hill-top medieval villages including Gordes listed as one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”.Continue to Notre-Dame Abbey in Sénanqué.Built in the 12th century, this abbey is a beautiful example of primitive Cistercian architecture.As you walk through the narrow streets and enjoy the small squares of Roussillon, capital of ochre, you’ll see and feel the colour that is an inherent part of its history.

Evening performance of L’Incoronazione di Poppea by Monteverdi at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume.

Mon. July 13:Aix-en-Provence
Half day excursion to Arles, a historical city on the Rhône and home to numerous ancient Roman monuments including the splendid Arena, the Amphitheatre and vestiges of the Roman Forum.Vincent Van Gogh came to Arles for its bright southern colours and blue shades.During your stroll along the bank of the Rhône, you’ll see the splendid Place de la République, the church of Saint-Throphime with its outstanding Romanesque portal and the ancient hospital Hôtel-Dieu, where Van Gogh was hospitalised.A guided visit of Ancient Arles Museum is included.

Evening performance of Wozzeck by Berg at the Grand Théâtre de Provence.

Tue. July 14:Aix-en-Provence
All day at leisure to celebrate French National day.Enjoy an evening out and fireworks on your own.

Optional evening performance of Innocence by Kaija Sariaho at the Grand Théâtre de Provence.

Wed. July 15:Aix-en-Provence - Orange
Depart Aix by bus this morning to Avignon and join your local guide in a walking tour to discover the rich historical centre of the city.Enjoy skip-the-line access and visit the Pope’s Palace, the largest Gothic-style palace in Europe where successive popes resided between 1309 and 1377.Walk along the cobbled streets to the Place de l’Horloge, see the town hall and the theatre. Continue to Orange and accommodation for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Arene.

Thu. July 16:Orange
Free day. Visit the Triumphal Arch, a fabulous piece of Roman heritage, dating to the rule of Augustus in the 1st century and Le Musée d’Art et d’Histoire d’Orange with its fascinating Gallo-Roman section, or you could choose to tour one of the 21 wine estates and chteaux in the Orange area.

The Chorégies d’Orange is one of the oldest festivals in France dating back to 1869.It takes place in a perfectly preserved Roman Amphitheatre seating 8,300 people.

Evening performance of Ballet for Life / Queen + Béjart by the Béjart Ballet Lausanne in the ancient arena

Fri. July 17:Orange - Beaune
Morning departure by bus to Beaune and accommodation for three nights at the 4-star Hotel de la Poste.

Opera/concert performance this evening.

Sat. July 18:Beaune
Morning walking tour of Beaune, including the market and the Hospices de Beaune. Recognisable by its roof of geometrically coloured tiles, this former 15th century hospital has now become the Hôtel-Dieu museum and exhibits masterpieces such as Rogier van der Weyden’s Last Judgement.From the Place de la Halle and its famous Hôtel Dieu, your guide will describe the history of Beaune, as you pass through the Basilique Collégiale Notre Dame and the Hôtel des Ducs.

Opera/concert
performance this evening.

Sun. July 19:Beaune
Morning free to stroll along the ancient ramparts surrounding the city and enjoy sights such as the Château de Beaune, the Théâtre de Verdure and the statue garden of the Square des Lions.

Afternoon wine tasting at Chateau Pommard.Just three kilometres south of Beaune, the ancient vineyard of Clos Marey-Monge sits close to the centre of the Côte d’Or.At 20 hectares, it is the largest private Clos in Burgundy.

Opera/concert
performance this evening.

Mon. July 20:Beaune
Departure day as your bus takes you to Paris for your return to Canada, or onward travels.


Tour includes:

  • Accommodation for 10 nights
  • Welcome reception and daily breakfast
  • Six opera/concert tickets
  • Guided tours as described in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees where applicable
  • Coach and driver for tours and transfers
  • Gratuities to drivers and guides
  • Full-time French tour escort
  • Vancouver Opera Guild Tour Director
  • $300 donation to the Vancouver Opera Guild ($400 for non-members)
Not included:
  • Arrival transfer
  • Airfare (Great Expeditions will be pleased to assist with airline reservations)

TOUR COST
Guild Members: Cdn. $6,470 per person based on sharing twin accommodation.
Non-Guild Members: Cdn. $6,570 per person based on sharing twin accommodation.
Single supplement: Cdn. $1,990


RESERVATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of $2000 per person is required at time of booking with balance due by April 27 2020. For bookings made after April 27 2020, full payment is required at time of booking.

CANCELLATIONS
All payments are non-refundable unless space can be resold.


COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that tour members purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect themselves against money loss in the event of cancellation due to personal or family illness.We also offer comprehensive insurance which includes trip cancellation/interruption plus excess hospital/medical benefits, baggage and travel accident.Some exclusions for pre-existing conditions do apply.Insurance premiums are age banded.
Please ask for an insurance quote at time of booking..


PRICES
Prices quoted are in Canadian dollars based on a full tour, and airfares and foreign exchange rates in effect at time of printing (October 2019).We reserve the right to adjust the tour cost if there are exceptional price changes beyond our control.


For further information, please contact:
Elisabeth Dawson 604-922-8008
or
Genny MacLean (Great Expeditions) 604-738-5535


LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This paragraph defines our responsibility with respect to all our tours.Please read it carefully.Payment of deposit represents an acceptance by purchaser of the following terms and conditions.Great Expeditions (its owners, outfitters, agents and employees) gives notice that all arrangements for accommodation, transportation and/or, all related travel services, have been made by Great Expeditions only as agent, upon the express condition that Great Expeditions shall not be liable for any injury, damage, delay, mishap, inconvenience or irregularity occasioned through the default of any company or individual engaged in providing the arranged accommodation.Great Expeditions cannot be responsible for negligent conduct or financial irresponsibility of these suppliers, since they maintain no control over them.Such passenger conveyance, hotel accommodation, etc. is subject to the laws of the state or country where provided.In addition, Great Expeditions assumes no liability resulting directly or indirectly from any of the following causes:acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, government regulations, etc. over which it has no control.Great Expeditions reserves the right to substitute hotels and leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable.The right is also reserved to cancel any trip prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received which shall release Great Expeditions from any further liability.Great Expeditions reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person or member of any tour should such person’s actions or general deportment impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other members of the tour, and it is agreed a refund of the amount recovered from suppliers of unused land services is the limit of Great Expeditions’ responsibility.

CARRIER’S RESPONSIBILITY
No carrier shall have or incur any responsibility or liability to any passenger or for property accompanying passengers, except for its liability as a common carrier.In particular, Great Expeditions advises the customer that any air carrier’s liability may be limited by its tariffs, conditions of carriage and international conventions and agreements.