Art History Alive

arthisto November 5th, 2009

PARIS IN SPRINGTIME
JUNE 13 – 20, 2010 ~ 8 DAYS ~ GROUP SIZE: 6-8
PRICE PER PERSON $4,100.00

I love Paris in its prettiest season, springtime.  So, we will spend a week exploring this gorgeous city; its museums, shops, and bistros, but we will also visit Claude Monet’s home and garden in its most gorgeous showtime.  Who of you, have stood in front of a Monet painting, of his beloved garden, and wondered if it was as beautiful in real life? On this trip we will stand in his garden and you will see for yourself. For those of you, like me, who have been to this marvelous place before, together we will spend a few leisurely hours wandering not only his enormous garden, but his home as well. Left as it was, it appears that he has just stepped out to pick some herbs to be incorporated into the family dinner. The dining room table is set, fresh cut flowers abound, and all is ready for a family gathering. Here in this beautiful and gracious home, Monet thrived from 1883 until the time of his death in 1926. I never, never tire of Giverny.

While in Paris, our home will be a tiny, very French hotel on the Left Bank, where I have been staying for years. I am well acquainted with the neighborhood and its restaurants and really look forward to showing you around. The Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and on and on and on.

Below is a sampling of how I like to spend my days in Paris. Why not join me? Apply to travel to Paris and let’s start planning.

Physical Level: Moderate

DAY 1

Arrive Paris and check into our hotel, Pas de Calais, in the late morning. This day will begin with a leisurley walk through the colorful Latin Quarter to the center of historic Paris.  These winding back streets past cafes and tiny shops will bring us to the heart of historic Paris and the Cathedral of Notre Dame.  We will walk through the Cathedral and around the exterior which is so beautiful, is actually competes with the astounding interior.  Behind the Cathedral, on the pretty Ile St-Louis, we will have our lunch, and then walk over to the gorgeous little Gothic gem of Sainte Chapelle.  At this point it might be time for a rest back at our hotel before our first celebratory dinner in Paris.

DAY 2

After breakfast at our hotel, we will travel to the outskirts of Paris to visit the Palace of Versailles, and its beautiful gardens.  We will walk through the Trianon, the Petite Trianon, and visit Marie Antionette’s hamlet.  We will have our lunch beside the Grand

Canal in the gardens of Versailles.   Another easy evening in Paris.

DAY 3

Lets enjoy a free morning.  At midday we will meet for lunch in the famous Tuillerie Gardens of the Louvre Palace, and then we will visit this most famous museum. We will enjoy the museum’s highlights including, of course, DaVinci’s, Mona Lisa, and the ancient Greek Winged Victory, together before breaking up to enjoy this museum at your own pace.  Following this experience, of inside art immersion, we will go outside on to Place de la Concorde, where the frightening guillotine stood during the French Revolution.  If time permits we can visit Musee de l’Orangerie to view Monet’s 360 degree painting of his water lillies.  Time for a well earned rest.  Dinner.

DAY 4

Lazy morning with a re-visit to a favorite museum, or some shopping, before we meet for lunch and our double decker bus ride  to Giveny and Claud Monet’s home and garden.  We will wander this garden and his house, see where he cooked and entertained his many artist friends.  This is a wonderful, very French day.  Back in Paris around 7 PM for a lovely dinner together.

DAY 5

A great day to wander the left bank.  Beginning after breakfast we will start out toward the ancient Roman road, now a colorful shopping street call Rue Mouffetard.  On our way we will stop in at the small but fascinating, Musee de Cluny, the foremost medieval art museum in all of France, housed in a medieval mansion that was built over the ruins of a huge Roman bath. Extraordinary!  From here we will visit St. Sulpice, the cathedral of the Left Bank, that was featured in Dan Brown’s, “The DaVinci Code”.  From here will wander on to the Luxembourg park, up past the Pantheon, burial place of Victor Hugo and Madame Curie, to “the rue.”  A wonderful walk brimming with sidewalk culture, and window shopping.

Day 6

Today we will board a train for the 50 minute ride to the beautiful and historic town of Chartres.  Chartres is the home of the largest cathedral in all of France, and it is amazing!  But so are the beautiful half-timbered houses in the historic area of the town.  All very walkable, with fun shopping and a delicious lunch.

DAY 7

In the morning, we will visit the Eiffel Tower with its magnificent views of Paris and beyond.  On a clear day you can see the Cathedral of Chartres.  The most recognizable icon in the world, its only competition for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, was a gigantic guillotine.  Thank goodness the powers that were, chose the Eiffel Tower!  After lunch we’ll visit Musee d’Orsay, this artfully transformed train station, with its collection of paintings and sculpture beginning in the late 1800’s. Monet, Renoir, VanGogh, and Latrec are all here, as well as a wonderful book store. We will all be in Paris together for our final evening, which might just call for some Champagne (again).

Day 8:

Travel back to the United States or elsewhere.

Shopping and rest time are built into this itinerary, and all is done at a leisurely pace.

Art History Alive will offer these five destinations in 2010! Great places to visit, more interesting things to learn, and very small groups. Over the next few weeks I will post a list of recommended reading and movies, destination specific, that will allow you to front load your travel experience.

You will notice that we have added two itineraries that include my absolute favorite places in California.  If Europe is not on

your radar screen for this year, consider touring the best that California has to offer.  I am a fifth generation Californian and would love to show you around.  I think that you will agree, this is wonderful line up and I sincerely hope that you will share it with your friends and family.

We are very happy to announce:

• Early booking benefits
• Alumni discounts
• Refundable deposits

The NEW money saving opportunities are on the Specials and Discounts Page. These trips can fill up fast so early booking is important and saves you money.

All trips include: Hotels, all meals and house wines, (well, you don’t have to have wine with breakfast) ground transportation, museum admissions, and travel insurance.

• Art and History , Destination Updates , Food, Wine, and Friends , Upcoming Trip
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