EXPERIENCE THE 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP IN PARIS, FRANCE

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Tour hosted by David Campese
• 5 days in Paris to experience the best the city has to offer
• Game tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-finals 1 & 2, bronze final and final
• 10 day premium, all-inclusive river cruise on A-ROSA VIVA
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Palace of Versailles
• Walking food tour in Normandy’s Capital, Rouen
• Learn about the Western Front History of WWI, including visits to Villers le Bretonneux, Franco-Australian Museum, Sir John Monash Centre and Le Hamel
• Visit Monet’s Garden at Giverny
• Sample cider and local produce on a tour of a Normandy Apple Cider Farm

Itinerary:

Thursday 19 Oct – Paris
Welcome to Paris, the capital of France! Today, we board our Ship – Enjoy the ship as your hotel in Paris.

Friday 20 Oct – Paris, semi final 1
Today is at leisure in beautiful Paris. This evening we enjoy our first Rugby World Cup game, with return transfers from the ship. WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 1 v WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 2 SEMI-FINAL 1 Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Saturday 21 Oct– Paris, semi final 2
There is free time today to continue exploring the capital before we join the action of semi final 2 tonight. WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 3 v WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 4 SEMI-FINAL 2 Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Sunday 22 Oct – Paris
Before leaving Paris in the evening, we head to the outer Parisian suburb of Le Pecq, starting point of today’s excursion to Versailles.

INCLUDED EXCURSION: FULL-DAY – PALACE OF VERSAILLES
After a 60-minute drive, we will reach the magnificent residence of Louis XIV – the Palace of Versailles. Originally built as a small hunting lodge by Louis XIII in the 17th century, Louis XIV enlarged and remodelled it magnificently, before proclaiming Versailles as seat of the French government. During our private tour we will see how the King and Queen lived, including their grand apartments and reception halls. Afterwards, we will visit the Grand Canal Garden and enjoy a picnic in this stunning setting – lunch pack provided. The excursion continues with a stroll to Petit Trianon, where Marie Antoinette had a private retreat built. Its marvellous landscaped gardens centre around a hamlet of rustic style cottages, which served as meeting place for the Queen and her closest friends. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the palace, its gardens, and some of its subsidiary structures are considered some of France’s most significant monuments

Monday 23 Oct – Rouen
Settled in the 10th century when Vikings became Normans, Rouen is Normandy’s capital. Dubbed by Victor Hugo the city of the 100 church spires, Rouen is a historic treasure trove. Not to be missed is the tower where the patron saint of France, Joan of Arc was imprisoned before she was burned at the stake in the middle of the market square. It is easy to lose track of time here, but you’re reminded of it again by the 600-year-old ‘Big Clock’. This is one of the world’s oldest astronomical clocks and has just one hand – for the hour.

INCLUDED EXCURSION: ROUEN FOOD TOUR
Our exclusive food-walking-tour of Rouen will allow us to sample some of Rouen’s culinary delights, such as luscious cheeses, delicious cider, and mouth-watering macarons, as we also learn about the city’s rich history. The most typical local speciality, Tears of Joan of Arc chocolates are also waiting for us to be tasted.

Tuesday 24 Oct – Rouen
Before heading towards Vernon tonight, we will learn about this region’s rich World War 1 history.

INCLUDED EXCURSION: FULL-DAY – THE WESTERN FRONT HISTORY OF WORLD WAR 1
The first stop of today’s private tour is Villers le Bretonneux, where Australian and British troops repelled a determined German attack in April 1918. Described as a crucial turning point in World War I, it was notably also the first occasion on which tanks fought against each other. To rebuild the town after the war, Australians and French helped each other in solidarity, and built a bond that continues to this day. We will learn about this special relationship during a visit to the Franco-Australia Museum. The collection includes soldiers’ personal effects such as uniforms, letters, and photographs, as well as moving testimonies of the Franco-Australian friendship. Afterwards we will refresh ourselves at a typical French restaurant, before visiting the Sir John Monash Centre, a museum that commemorates Australian servicemen and women who served on the Western Front during the First World War. Last stop on our exclusive excursion is Le Hamel, where three Australian infantry brigades – along with British and American soldiers – coordinated an all arms battle with tanks, aircraft, artillery, and machine guns to successfully fight back German troops in July 1918. According to historians this coordinated approach was the blueprint for larger offensives, which ultimately lead to the Allied victory in November 1918

Wednesday 25 Oct – Vernon
Enroute back to Paris, we call on romantic Vernon, where two spectacular excursions await us today.

INCLUDED EXCURSION: MONET’S GARDEN AT GIVERNY
Between Paris and Rouen lies beautiful Vernon with many of its timber-framed houses dating back to the Middle Ages. Close by is Giverny with its famous gardens, immortalised by the impressionist painter Claude Monet who lived in the village and created his masterpieces in this stunning environment. Today we visit Monet’s former residence, now a museum and adjoined gardens. Once our guided tour concludes, we will have time to further explore the gorgeous town’s charms on our own.

INCLUDED EXCURSION: APPLE CIDER FARM
Known as one of the world’s largest areas for apple production, a visit to Normandy wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a cider farm. Some historians date the first production of cider in this region back to the 6th century. Our taste buds will be flattered as we sample a range of produce at the local cider farm Ferme des Ruelles. During this private tour we will learn about the production of cider and how several apple varieties are blended to create a perfect balance of sweetness, bitterness, acidity, and astringency. In addition to cider, a broad selection of other local produce is on offer also. These include various apple juices, vinegar, jellies, and jams as well as calvados. NOTE: Guests who will visit Monet’s Garden in the morning will then visit the Cider Farm in the afternoon and vice versa.

Thursday 26 Oct – Paris
We return to Paris. Free time for sightseeing, shopping or visit art galleries. There is always so much to do.

Friday 27 Oct – Paris, bronze final
Enjoy more of the city today before we transfer to the bronze final of the Rugby World Cup. RUNNER-UP SEMI-FINAL 1 v RUNNER-UP SEMI-FINAL 2 BRONZE FINAL Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Saturday 28 Oct – Paris, final
Our last full day in Paris today, culminating in the excitement of the Rugby World Cup final! WINNER SEMI-FINAL 1 v WINNER SEMI-FINAL 2 FINAL Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Sunday 29 Oct – Tour concludes
The Cruise Tour comes to an end this morning as we disembark the ship.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Tour Dates: Thursday 19 – Sunday 29 October 203
Priced from $13,000pp* twin share