The charming town of Annecy, high in the French Alps, with its canals and sparkling turquoise lake, has always delighted visitors. Surrounded by stunning snow-capped peaks, it is known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’. The highlight of our tour is the ‘Retour des Alpages’ – an annual festival in Annecy town when the cows and other animals are brought down from the high alpine pastures for the winter. Decorated with floral garlands, cowbells tinkling, they parade through the quaint streets to the horns and folk music.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Return ferry Dublin-Holyhead
- Return overnight cruise ferry Hull-Zeebrugge with dinners and
- breakfasts on board
- Luxury coach with fully qualified Driver/Escort
- 5 nights hotel accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast
- Local guide for walking tour of Annecy
- Excursion to Chamonix
HOTEL
Kyriad Hotel Dijon Est Mirande, Dijon
Best Western International, Annecy
Quality Enzo Hotel, Reims
COST
€945 per person sharing
€175 single supplement
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ITINERARY
WEDNESDAY 6TH OCTOBER
After a local pick up we drive to Dublin, catch the ferry to Holyhead and continue across the Pennines to Hull for the overnight cruise ferry to Zeebrugge in Belgium. Relax in ensuite cabins and enjoy dinner and breakfast on board. (Dinner, B&B)
THURSDAY 7TH OCTOBER
We drive across Belgium and through the Champagne regionof northern France to our overnight stop close to Dijon. (Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER
We make an early start and head towards Geneva where we begin our ascent into the mountains to Annecy. After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Town with its pretty cobbled streets, canalside paths, wooden bridges and half-timbered houses. We return to the hotel in time for dinner. (Dinner, B&B)
SATURDAY 9TH OCTOBER
Today is the day of the famous ‘Retour des Alpages’. This festival commemorates the end of the summer grazing period for the dairy herds in the mountains, so the farmers symbolically bring the animals home for the winter by parading them through the streets of Annecy. From early in the morning the town starts to come to life with the arrival of local craftsmen – woodcarvers, lace-makers, weavers, farriers and many more – to recreate the scene of a large medieval market. Folk groups from neighbouring alpine countries, Swiss bellringers and hornblowers, all take their places on different stages ready for the day’s entertainment. The delicious aromas of fried potatoes and the local cheese and potato dish, tartiflette, waft through the air and there are many other Savoyarde specialities to taste and buy. Then, early in the afternoon, the parade begins with gaily-decorated cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, horses and geese being led through the streets. The entertainment continues into the early evening, then we enjoy dinner back at the hotel. (Dinner, B&B)
SUNDAY 10TH OCTOBER
We head further into the mountains today to the popular resort of Chamonix at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. Perhaps take a ride on the Montenvers rack railway, which winds it way around the mountainside to a vast glacier,the Mer de Glace, and its famous Ice Cave and Crystal Gallery. Alternatively, take the high-speed cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, a dramatic granite pinnacle overlooking the summit of Mont Blanc, for unforgettable views – not for the faint-hearted! After a day of stunning scenery we return to Annecy. (Dinner, B&B)
MONDAY 11TH OCTOBER
Leaving Annecy this morning we travel through Burgundy and north to our overnight stop in the cathedral city of Reims, capital of the Champagne region and former coronation site of the kings of France. (Dinner, B&B)
TUESDAY 12TH OCTOBER
We continue across northern France and through Belgium to catch the overnight cruise ferry from Zeebrugge to Hull with ensuite cabins, dinner and breakfast on board. (Dinner, B&B)
WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER
After disembarkation in Hull this morning it’s back across the Pennines and along the North Wales coast to Holyhead for the ferry to Dublin. We then transfer you to your original pick up points. |