Depart Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch for London. Domestic connections at special add-on fares are available from other centres. See our Munich Beer Festival option on our page about Le Quarte du Finale Voyage Un.
Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport this morning. You will be met and transferred north to Lille on the Belgium border. The balance of the day is free to relax and recover from the journey. This evening, meet with your fellow tour party members for a Welcome function and dinner hosted by your Tour Leader.
Today will be a memorable experience and no doubt an emotional day for some. We have arranged a full-day tour of the WWI Battlefi elds in the Flanders area. Flanders is today within Belgium and a Flemish Guide will accompany you and explain all the history and the sights and memorials, with particular emphasis on the sites where new Zealanders fought and died. Stops will be made at Poperinge, Ieper (Ypres), Polygon Wood, Tyne-Cot and Passendale, where the Captain of the 1905 ‘Originals’ All Blacks Team – Dave Gallaher lies at rest. Gallaher was tragically killed just weeks before the end of WWI. A lunch at a local Inn is included today.
This morning, travel back to Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is on the north side of Paris and convenient for Lille. We have arranged a return Charter flight today from Paris to Cardiff in Wales. The All Blacks are aiming to make the Quarter Finals by finishing first in their Pool C. If they achieve this, they will play in Cardiff today against the runner-up in Pool D. Their likely opponents will be one-of; Argentina, France or Ireland. This will be a magnificent occasion in one of the World’s great Stadiums. Cardiff on match-day is a festival of colour and excitement as the crowds throng onto the streets surrounding the Stadium – in the heart of Cardiff City.
QUARTER FINAL 2: WINNER POOL C V RUNNER-UP POOL D
The other Quarter Final (QF 1), which is being played in Marseille today is the Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A. This could be Australia or Wales v England or South Africa. You will have the opportunity to watch this live on a big screen prior to the All Blacks match.
After the match this evening, fl y back to Paris, and this time transfer into the city where you will board a Luxury Seine River Cruiser, which will be your home for the next six-nights. This is a Williment Sports Travel Exclusive Inclusion. We have chartered this Luxury Vessel for our clients’ sole use. On board facilities are superb with spacious en-suite cabins with views, fine dining (all meals are included) and nightly entertainment and bar facilities. The crew are multi-lingual and are renowned for their friendliness and courtesy.
After checking into your cabin, join other members of the tour party for a Welcome drink and late supper in the lounge.
This morning is free to sleep-in and relax aboard your Cruiser. Paris is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and you will wake-up on the River adjacent to some of the great buildings and landmarks along the Seine. This evening your Cruiser will depart Paris. But first enjoy an early evening scenic cruise through this marvellously illuminated city.
This morning you will arrive at Vernon. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Claude Monet foundation at Giverny. The pink house with the green shutters, patiently restored, reveals the painters daily life.
As you wonder around the house and gardens, see his huge studio, impregnated with the light that he held so dear, the blue parlour, the yellow dining room, and especially the famous garden full of flowers and the Japanese –inspired water garden. Later, rejoin your cruiser for dinner as she heads towards Caudebec-en-Caux.
Awake this morning to the sight of magnificent countryside as you cruise along the Seine. See steep cliffs, at whose feet stand charming villages. Later in the morning arrive at Caudebec-en-Caux where you will view the Abbey which dates back to the 15th century. Then continue across country on La route des Abbayes and see the ruins at Jumieges and the 10th century St Peters church. These are magnificent examples of French architecture of their period. Later rejoin your cruiser for another night of cuisine and entertainment on the Seine.
This morning you will wake up at the mouth of the Seine River, where it flows into the Atlantic. Enjoy a guided sights tour of picturesque Hornfeur, situated at the foot of the coast of Grace – as it is know. The town is an appealing one with its ‘pond’, St Catherine’s church – all in wood, its old streets and its outer harbour with a fl otilla of fi shing boats. This afternoon’s tour takes in the Cote Fleurie (Flowered Coast). The scenery alternates between sandy beaches and low cliffs – the romantic landscapes that captured the imaginations of the poets and artists of the 19th century. Stops will be made at Trouville and Deauville and a tasting of the local tipple – Calvados will be taken during the tour.
Depart Hornfleur early this morning and cruise back up the Seine. First pass under the magnificent Normandy Bridge and pass through countryside whose variations in light inspired the impressionist painters of the 19th century. In the early afternoon arrive at Rouen and take a fascinating tour of this very old town. See the historic Cathedral restored after WWII bombings, the Old Market Place where Jeanne d’Arc was burnt alive and the old shops and houses erected at all angles, but still standing today.
This morning depart Rouen and continue cruising against the fl ow towards Les Andelys, passing through the famous Amfreville lock. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour from Les Andelys to the Vascoeuil Castle, a unique place where, according to Jules Michelet, art, history and nature fuse into perfect harmony. This evening, back onboard, enjoy a final farewell dinner including entertainment as you cruise towards Paris.
Arrive back in Paris this morning and after breakfast disembark and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Once you have checked-in the day is free to explore Paris. You could climb Mont Martre and take in the views from the Sacre Coeur Basilica or shop on the Avenue des Champs Elysees, Boulevard Haussemann or Rue de Faubourg St-Honore or visit the many fine Museums and Art Galleries that Paris is famous for.
This evening, attend the first Semi Final of the Rugby World Cup 2007 at Stade de France – Saint-Denis. If the All Blacks were victorious in their Quarter Final, they will play tonight against England, South Africa, Australia or Wales.
SEMI FINAL 1: WINNER QF 1 V WINNER QF 2
Another free day in Paris. You could take a day trip out to the Palace of Versailles or visit the Louvre or the Cathedral of Notre Dame or some of the interesting street markets that are scattered throughout this great city.
This evening, attend the second Semi Final of the Rugby World Cup 2007 at Stade de France – Saint-Denis. This match could see Australia, Wales, England or South Africa play against France, Ireland, Italy or Scotland.
This morning, board the Train Grande Vittesse or TGV at Gare de Lyon for a wonderful high-speed cross-country journey to the South of France and the Cotes d’Azur on the French Riviera. This will be an absolute highlight as you get out of Paris and enjoy some free days at Nice, the premier Mediterranean holiday destination of Europe.
The weather will be warm and you can relax and enjoy the beach and the scenery and the wonderful atmosphere for a few days away from the Rugby and the big smoke. This evening, enjoy a dinner at a local Restaurant, hosted by your Tour Leader.
Nice is famous for its beachfront Promenade des Anglais and for its markets and medieval lanes in the Old Town. It is brimming with nightlife – pubs, bars, cafeĢ, casinos and clubs offering a myriad of choice. The convenient train service along the Cotes d’Azur offers easy access to near-by Atibes, Juan les Pins and Cannes to the west and the Principality of Monaco with Monte Carlo its centrepiece and beyond the quaint border town of Menton all to the east.
Today will be special as you join-in on Williment Sports Travel’s Exclusive Inclusion to a French Village in the Alpes Maritime, where the locals, including the Mayor, will welcome everyone to an afternoon and evening of markets, entertainment and food in a wonderful setting. This will be a highlight of your French touring experience. More details will be provided at a later date.
Another free day in Nice, to soak up the sun or to explore along the coast to the legendary towns and resorts near-by.
Today we must return to Paris for the biggest weekend of the year. Travel by either air or TGV and upon arrival back into Paris, transfer to your hotel for the last two nights of the tour. The Rugby World Cup 2007 play-off for 3rd and 4th place will be played this evening and Williment Sports Travel will be pleased to access tickets to this match if required.
Rugby World Cup 2007 Finals Day has arrived. The city will be humming with fans from around the Rugby World and the wonderful atmosphere created by the French peoples’ passion for Rugby, sport in general and their great sense of occasion. Our All Blacks are favoured to make the Final in 2007 as they have done on two previous occasions. However, they will face stiff competition in their quest to be finalists from previous finalists Australia (3 times), France (twice), England (twice) and South Africa once. Of course England are the reigning Rugby World Cup Champions and Australia have won the title twice before and New Zealand and South Africa have each had one term as Rugby World Cup Champions. It will be an epic battle where the stakes are high. If the dramas of the Final in South Africa in 1999 and in Sydney in 2003 are repeated, everyone will get their money’s worth.
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007 – THE FINAL
The celebrations will last all night – win, lose or draw. Paris will be rocking!
Today, you will transfer to the airport and depart Paris for home.
In-flight – lose a day.
Arrive home in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch today. Domestic connections at special add-on fares are available from other centres.
