A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words...

Pictures of adventures! 3 days of pictures have been uploaded to Shutterfly. Check out the account at: https://dealfrancetrip2015.shutterfly.com

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Seeing the Sites...

The last two days have been a wonderful whirlwind of culture and experience! On Tuesday afternoon, we arrived on the TGV in Bordeaux, the fifth largest city in France. We met our lovely drivers, Jean-Marie and Christian, who have spent the last two and a half days driving us as we have viewed the beautiful French countryside from the coaches. While in Bordeaux students viewed L'Opera and had free time to explore the city, tasting local dishes and treats. After spending a few hours in Bordeaux, we boarded our bus to Biarritz, where we would stay for the next two nights. One thing we was missing in the hotel was consistent, operable wifi; however, the absence of the wifi led the students to play and talk in the hotel's courtyard and RELAX! It really turned out to be a great "inconvenience" for the students and chaperones alike.

Each night in Biarritz, students ate at a lovely, authentic restaurant in the Basque country, Geltokia. 

The highlight of the past two days was our trip to San Sebastián, Spain on Wednesday. It was an easy, scenic 45 minute drive from our hotel. Students learned there was no need have their passport stamped again because since 1998 any country in the Schengen area of Europe has an open border. 

Once we arrived in San Sebastián, we took a walking tour through the old part of San Sebastian called Parte Vieja. Students experienced open air market stands, authentic cobblestone streets and passageways and the architecture of l'Eglise Santa Maria. A beautiful scenic walk up Monte Urgull mendia followed, concluding at Chateau de La Mota. Students were then given free time to explore the old and new parts of the city. Some students went to the beach while others shopped and tasted Tapas at various restaurants. With a quick stop in St. Jean de Luz, students visited the church where Louis XIV married the Infant of Spain when she was 7 years old and he was 14. Our final stop of the day was back in Biarritz on the coast. Students walked through town to visit the coastline and the Virgin Mary statue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The bridge to access the statue was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the same architect to design the Eiffel Tower. It was a great day of experiences and exploration! 

The vast majority of today has been spent traveling from southwest France to southeast France. We drove to Carcassone, a small Roman, medieval city. There were many cobblestone paths and beautiful castles and structures, many overlooking the town. Carcassone is a contraction of "carcas" and "sone." Carcas is for Dame Carcas, and sone means ringing - the Dame Carcas ringing. Additionally, Carcassone is known for its foie-gras (duck liver) and other duck/geese dishes. Students learned that a lot of these dishes are banned in the United States because they are seen as animal cruelty. After touring with our tour guides, Nicolas and Francy, and viewing "meurtrieres," narrow passages that open wide for shooting arrows, we were given free time for lunch and shopping. Many of the restaurants had outdoor seating and we had mostly beautiful weather - until we were greeted with large gusts of wind and clouds. After lunch and souvenir shopping, we returned to the bus at 3:30 to drive to Orange, the location of our next hotel and restaurant. 

Keep checking the blog and Shutterfly for a picture upload once we reach the hotel's wifi! 

Paris by Land, Water and Air!

The day began with a hearty Parisian breakfast to energize us for a busy, exciting day.  After boarding the bus, we toured various areas of Paris, seeing the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Napoleon's Tomb. Some historians question whether Napoleon Bonaparte is actually buried in the Eglise du Dome Church at the Hotel des Invalides.  The most wonderful stop on the bus tour was at a scenic view of the Effiel Tower.  Students took many beautiful pictures at this stop. Make sure you ask to see these wonderful pictures!

After seeing Paris by land, students had free time to explore the musée du Louvre. Next up was Paris by water! Students took a boat tour by water on the Seine River.  Before boarding the boat, some students purchased locks and left their mark on the Love Lock Bridge. On the boat, we passed under many of the 37 bridges that cross the Seine River and saw all the beautiful sites and people sitting along the river.

Our final tour of Paris was 56 stories in the air from the observation deck of Montparnasse Tower at night. Students were able to see the Eiffel Tower light show at 9:00 pm, which was breathtaking.

After traversing Paris by land, water, air and underground on Le Metro, students are tucked away in their rooms resting for the three hour trip to Bordeaux in the morning!

  

And the adventure begins...

The day that was deemed the longest and most difficult day of the trip become a fulfilling cultural experience for all! We began the day in Washington, DC and concluded with a wonderful dinner in Paris.  Along the way, some students traveled to Chateau de Versailles to experience and learn about the life of Louis XIV and Marie-Antoinette. Did you know Marie-Antoniette gave birth in public in front of as many as 70 people?! Actually, all members of royalty were required to give birth in public.  We were able to visit the room where many of these public births took place as well as the Hall of Mirrors and the beautiful palace gardens.  Other students explored downtown Paris and returned telling of cool shops and bookstores they found.  Although we are all feeling the jet lag , the day was exciting and rewarding for all! 

Be sure to explore the additional pictures posted by Mr. Monaco on Shutterfly.  He shared the account information in our google group.  

Bonsoir! 

We have landed safely! Keep checking back for updates through the week!

And we're off!! Actual takeoff time 7:25! À tout à l’heure! #springbreak

Final Countdown!

We are just a few days away from our trip to France! I am sure everyone is very excited! As we make final preparations to leave, EF tours reminds us about a few important details.

What To Bring--Click on the link to see the recommended packing list. Are you ready!?
http://www.eftours.com/tour-preparation?individualid=202920372&utm_medium=email-cont&utm_source=ihpax&utm_campaign=pretour

C'est la vie!--Gather the physical addresses of family and friends before you go to possibly send a postcard or letter from your various travel destinations!

Most important!--Do you have all you travel documents ready? Please remember that your passport must be valid for six months AFTER your travel return date. http://www.eftours.com/tour-requirements


Please log-on to our French Promenade blog each day to see pictures and information about our adventures!