Paris Holiday
September 26—October 4, 2014
Friday, September 26—Depart the US on your overnight flight to Paris, France.
Saturday, September 27—Bienvenue a Paris! Welcome to Paris. Arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Transfer into the city and our hotel for the week. Time for a brief city tour, plus afternoon for relaxing. Perhaps a nap after your trans-Atlantic flight? Dinner together, included in price.
Sunday, September 28—Meet in the hotel lobby for Brocante Basics, a short discussion about navigating the Paris flea markets. Then, we’re off (via Metro) to the largest Paris flea market with over 2,000 vendors. Lots of time for exploring and shopping for vintage finds. Lunch together at flea market, included in price. Dinner on own.
Monday, September 29—After breakfast, it’s time to visit the Palais du Louvre. Our visit today includes a tour with a historian to learn the history of the palace and how those that lived there influenced French history. The afternoon is open for exploring Paris, or you might want to take part in a visit to a French cooking supply store, the one where Julia Child shopped for kitchen items. Lunch on own. Dinner together, included in price.
Tuesday, September 30—Today, we’re in the kitchen partaking in some French cooking lessons. After a visit to one of the city’s oldest markets, where we’ll select our fresh ingredients, it’s back to the cooking school for a hands-on class. The best part? We get to dine on our creations at lunch. Dinner on own.
Wednesday, October 1—Our Diva Guides meet us at the hotel for the RER (suburban rail line) trip to the Ile de Chatou for the opening of the La Foire Nationale a la Brocante et aux Jambons, the twice-a-year national Antiques and Ham Festival. What a day! There’s nothing wrong with antiquing and pork products. Lunch and dinner on own.
Thursday, October 2—Our visit to France is not complete without a stop at the world-renowned Palace de Versailles. The impressive estate, built by Louis XIV as a symbol of absolute monarchy, boasts extravagant facades, elaborate furnishings, and the magnificent gardens. After walking through the palace, we’ll stop at a secret shopping arcade for some antiquing. Lunch and dinner on own.
Friday, October 3—The last morning in Paris is free for you. In the afternoon, we’ll walk in the shoes of Mademoiselle for a special vintage Chanel shopping tour. Highlights include the Ritz (where Coco had her apartment), the flagship Chanel store, and several vintage fashion boutiques for where we can look for purses, jewelry, jackets, and more. Lunch on own. Our last dinner together is a memorable one as we’ll dine at the Eiffel Tower.
Saturday, October 4—In the morning, we bid au revoir (goodbye) to Paris. Transfers to Charles de Gaulle airport for flights to the US. Or, you might consider staying in Paris or heading off to another European destination.