View The Loire Royal Legacy May 2017 Brochure

The Loire Royal Legacy
Paris to Nantes to Loire Valley to Paris
CroisiEurope • ms Loire Princesse
May 16 - 29, 2017
14 Days • 30 Meals • Excursions in Every Port
Escorted by David and Roslyn Craig
Visit the intriguing town and monastery of Mont St Michel
Join us as we sail the beautiful Loire on board ms Loire
Princesse, inspired by the paddle wheel design. Glide past
quaint villages, ancient hillside castles, past sun-drenched
olive groves and vineyards while enjoying first-class French
cuisine and watching the gorgeous landscape pass by.
Discover treasures of art, music, food, culture, and history
along the way!
After spending three wonderful nights in Saint Malo, we
transfer to Nantes to embark our ship to leisurely cruise
from town to town, past stunning scenery, visiting some of
the most impressive chateaux, castles and vineyards the
region has to offer. We enjoy tastings of some of the
region’s most distinguished wines and visit notable sights
before concluding our journey with a two night stay in Paris.
Planned with the best of river cruising lifestyle in mind,
we move at a leisurely pace with most nights spent in port
ensuring restful nights complimented by days filled with
scenic cruising and joyous touring. Virtually everything is
included: sightseeing, meals, service charges, taxes, and
all tipping, leaving you free to enjoy every minute of your
river cruise holiday.
Azay-le-Rideau castle
INCLUSIVE FEATURES
 Return economy airfare from Canadian cities listed
 7 night cruise in a comfortable outside cabin on the ms
Loire Princesse
 3 nights first class hotel accommodation in Saint Malo
as indicated or similar
 2 nights first class hotel accommodation in Paris as
indicated or similar
 Transfers between airports, hotels and the ship
 Baggage handling shipside
 30 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 12
breakfasts, L - 9 lunches, D - 9 dinners, plus all meals
during the cruise include wine, beer, or soft drinks at
every lunch and dinner
 Shore excursions included in each port of call (some
optional excursions will be available for purchase on
board)
 Alcoholic beverages from the bar (premium drinks at
extra cost)
 Welcome cocktail reception and gala dinner
 Free Wi-Fi on board
 On board entertainment
 All gratuities (including guides and ship staff) and taxes
for included services (including departure and port
taxes)
 Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value (incl
when you purchase group air with the cruise)
 Services of your cruise/tour escort and / or cruise
director
Our Cruise Ship - ms Loire Princesse
The ms Loire Princesse is 90 metres long and 15
metres wide, with three decks. The ship features 48
spacious outside cabins (15m²), and can accommodate up
to 96 passengers. On the upper deck, the cabins have
delightful balconies (3m x 1.2m). Equipped with the latest
technology, the craft offers the high levels of comfort with
Wi-Fi onboard and in the cabins, individually controlled
combined air-conditioning/heating; plasma screen TV,
radio, hair dryer, safe, mini bar and bathroom facilities. A
splendid restaurant can easily accommodate all
passengers for single-service dining. A huge lounge bar
with central dance floor is a pleasant area to relax and
enjoy the company of other passengers while a large sun
deck with chairs is the ideal spot for passengers to enjoy
some fresh air. The elegant décor in contemporary colours
is in perfect harmony with the warm and convivial
atmosphere onboard. Branded the “Green Ship”, the ms
Loire Princesse has been designed to be environmentally
and ecologically friendly as possible.
When designing and building this new ship,
CroisiEurope has chosen to work with companies that are
part of the Neopolia Marine group, in partnership with the
Saint-Nazaire Shipyards (STX France), where many of the
world’s finest ocean liners are built. The design
development of this new project has been handled by
architect and design studio Stirling Design International.
In April 2015, the ms Loire Princesse started cruising
along the beautiful Loire - the longest river in France visiting areas rich in cultural heritage, many of which are
listed by UNESCO: Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers, the
Castles of the Loire, Saumur, Bouchemaine and Nantes.
The Pays de la Loire region will be of particular interest to
those looking for a new and unique destination rich in
culture and historical significance.
Place du Ralliement, Angers - Credit Atout France / Franck Charel
May 16, Tuesday
Depart Canada
Tour members from across Canada fly to Paris, France.
May 17, Wednesday
Arrive Paris, France / Saint Malo
Arriving in Paris we transfer to Saint Malo to check-in at our
hotel with the balance of the day at leisure to start
exploring. Oceania Saint Malo Hotel (3 nights)
D
May 18, Thursday
Saint Malo
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Saint Malo before
transferring to Cancale for a visit and lunch at a local
restaurant. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Pointe du
Grouin before returning to Saint Malo in the late afternoon.
BL
May 19, Friday
Mont Saint Michel
Our coach will take us to visit the intriguing town and
monastery of Mont Saint Michel. Built between the 11th and
19th centuries, the multi-levelled abbey clutches the
pinnacle of a rocky spur, emerging from the sea and rising
to the tower from which, according to legend, St Michel
threw Satan into the middle of Brittany.
BL
May 20, Saturday
Saint Malo / Nantes / Embark
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and enjoy a wine
and cheese tasting experience. Following lunch on our own
in Saint Malo, we transfer to Nantes to embark the ms
Loire Princesse. Onboard tonight, enjoy a crew
presentation, welcome drinks and dinner on board.
ms Loire Princesse (7 nights)
BLD
May 21, Sunday
Saint-Nazaire / Nantes
Discover Saint-Nazaire, a city by the sea, during your
excursion this morning. Enjoy a visit to the Escal'Atlantic, a
museum which ingeniously retraces the history of Norman
and French ocean liners through a unique experience, then
enter the Saint-Nazaire shipyard. Each passenger will be
asked to produce a valid passport or identity card in order
to gain access to the shipyard. This afternoon we cruise to
Nantes. In the evening, cruise on what King Francois I
called the most beautiful river in France; The Erdre. Enjoy
an evening of entertainment on board.
BLD
May 22, Monday
Nantes / Ancenis
Today we enjoy a tour of Nantes, the city of the Dukes of
Brittany, and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. This
afternoon, appreciate the landscape the Loire River offers
as we cruise to Ancenis, arriving in the evening. This
evening, enjoy the onboard entertainment.
BLD
Enjoy the sights of the Loire river aboard the beautiful ms Loire Princess - Credit CroisiEurope
May 23, Tuesday
Ancenis / Bouchemaine
Set off on an excursion along the Muscadet Wine Route
this morning, passing through several villages where there
is much evidence of the importance of wine production in
this region. Continue the tour to La Chapelle-Heulin and
stop at the Cassemichère Château (or similar). In this
exceptional location, you will have the opportunity to learn
about its historic vineyard, visit the cellars and taste the
lovely white wine: dry, light, fruity and floral. Next, head for
Clisson, a charming medieval town where there are fine
relics from the 15th century and a real flavour of Italy.
Return on board for lunch and the cruise continues to
Bouchemaine where we arrive in the evening. After dinner
on board, enjoy an evening of entertainment provided by
the crew.
BLD
May 24, Wednesday
Angers
Enjoy a tour of the capital of the Anjou region, Angers.
This town has many artistic and historic treasures and has
become famous as much for its rich heritage as for its
modernity and excellent quality of life. Former home of the
House of Plantagenet and a thriving Renaissance city,
Angers also contains the famous medieval fortress of King
René, with its enormous walls. We will visit the 13th
century fortress and see the Apocalypse tapestry, known
as one of the most important sets of medieval tapestries
still in existence. Next we cross the city of canons,
remnants of Roman and Plantagenet Gothic style art
before finally arriving in La Doutre, a delightful district in the
very heart of Angers. After lunch on board, we visit the
Cadre Noir, a French traditional horsemanship school
established in 1825, listed by UNESCO as part of the
Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2011. Then we
continue to Saumur where we appreciate a walk around
the fortified town which is dominated by its castle on high
(exteriors only). Tonight enjoy an evening of music and
dancing along with dinner on board.
BLD
May 25, Thursday Bouchemaine / The Loire Châteaux
Today spend the entire day in the Loire Valley to visit its
magnificent castles. We set off by coach and head for the
castle at Azay-le-Rideau, a UNESCO listed historic
monument. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre
River, a tributary to the Loire, it was created by a wealthy
financier of Francis I, Gilles de Berthelot, who wanted to
reconcile innovative ideas from Italy with the French style
of construction. We discover all the refinement, elegance
and grace of an exceptional Renaissance château.
Following lunch in Villandry, we can take some time to
enjoy a stroll through the famous gardens of the Villandry
Château which is laid out on three levels in a happy
marriage of beauty, diversity and harmony.
Stroll through the magnificent gardens of Villandry Château - Credit Atout France/Joël Damase
We finally continue on to Rigny-Ussé to visit the Ussé
Château. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this quite
magnificent castle looks just like a fairy tale castle with its
fortified towers, turrets and steeples. Enjoy a visit to the
inhabited castle and enjoy a trip to the land of fairy tales
and legends. It is believed that the castle inspired Charles
Perrault to write “The Sleeping Beauty”.
BLD
May 26, Friday
Bouchemaine / Ancenis / Nantes
Set off by coach towards the Loire Angevine “Levée” road,
a beautiful route listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
which offers many wonderful views of the great river. We
continue along the Angevine corniche road, passing pretty
little villages and many viewing points along the Loire. We
rejoin the ship at Ancenis in time for lunch. In the afternoon
cruise on the Loire and enjoy the views of the banks with
its wonderful natural gardens shaped by the river over the
centuries. This cruise is the perfect occasion to appreciate
the most beautiful sights along the last untamed river in
France. We arrive in Nantes to enjoy our last evening on
board with a Gala Dinner filled with music and dancing.
BLD
May 27, Saturday
Nantes / Disembark / Paris
Our cruise journey comes to an end as we are met by our
local assistant at Nantes port and transfer to Paris.
Paris hotel to be advised (2 nights)
B
May 28, Sunday
Paris
Enjoy a day at leisure in the city of light, with the many
sights, sounds and tastes to experience!
BD
May 29, Monday
Paris / Canada
All too soon our journey ends and we say farewell to
France as we fly back home.
B
CRUISE ESCORT
David, President of Craig Travel, and Roslyn bring with
them many years of travel experience both as escorts and
as tour operators. After attending the University of Toronto
and York University, David travelled around the world and
lived in Australia for a number of years before returning to
Canada and Craig Travel. For almost forty years David has
devoted his working life to
arranging and operating tours and
cruises to scores of destinations
around the world. An Australian by
birth, Roslyn, has lived and worked
in the business of travel for most of
her life. For over three decades,
David and Roslyn have led tours
and cruises visiting over 100
countries and all seven continents.
CT RATING 2.5 - Slightly Challenging: Excursions and
land arrangements include some extensive walks, often
over rough surfaces. Cobblestones are used in many
European cities, making walking more difficult. Access to
some decks and to shore in some ports may involve steep
steps. Members should be in good physical condition, able
to walk a kilometre or more without assistance to fully
enjoy this cruise.
REV22AUG16
Cruise Cost in Canadian Dollars per person
Cruise / Tour Only ..................................................... $6,795
Toronto ...................................................................... $8,145
Montreal / Ottawa ...................................................... $8,195
Halifax / St. John’s / Fredericton................................ $8,295
Winnipeg / Thunder Bay ............................................ $8,325
Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $8,435
Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver............................... $8,375
Victoria ....................................................................... $8,435
Rates are per person based on sharing an outside twin
stateroom on the Main Deck. Airfares from other gateways
are available on request. Airfares and air carrier are
subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final
payment. Refer to Inclusive Features for details.
Supplement to Upgrade to higher category:
Category/Description/Deck
Sharing Twin
Upper Deck Outside Twin .......................................... $500
Stateroom categories are subject to availability at time of
booking - book early for best choice. See Deck Plan for
more information on available staterooms. Singles are
extremely limited - please ask for rates.
Cruise price and supplement to upgrade is based on
sharing a twin-bedded stateroom with private bathroom.
Prices are based a minimum 20 members and on rates,
taxes, and fees effective April 2016 and are subject to
change due to factors beyond our control.
Prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of insurance which is
available and is highly recommended. Premiums vary with
the cost, length of the trip, and the traveller’s age. For
passengers up to and including 74 years on departure
date, premiums will range from $348 to $486 pp plus
applicable taxes. Cost supplements for travellers aged 7585 will range from $197 to $404 pp plus applicable taxes.
This insurance is effective from the date of purchase and
carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions.
Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking.
Check our website for the most current information. Refer
to the enrollment form for general information and
conditions.
Final payment will be due February 6, 2017
Deposit is $600 per person
To reserve your spot on this tour, simply complete the
enclosed enrollment form, indicating the tour you wish to
join and your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:
CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD
1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6
Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143
Email: [email protected]
www.craigtravel.com