December in France is a really special experience - yes, to enjoy it you must "rug up" - but it is well worth braving the cold in Paris to witness the Champs Elysees resplendent with Christmas lights, discover the renowned Christmas markets and enjoy the festive atmosphere like a true Parisian, surrounded by far fewer fellow tourists than in the Winter months!

The tour will then continue to the picture-postcard region of Alsace , land of Hansel and Gretel villages and sprawling vineyards. We stay two nights in the charming half-timbered town of Colmar , discovering the canals, cobblestone streets and the famous Christmas market and a day visiting the beautiful villages and castles of the Route du Vin.

The French Alps are at their most superb in winter and our next stop, at Lausanne (Switzerland) on lovely Lac Leman, is the perfect setting against a backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains. During our two night stay here we will also visit the exquisite lakeside town of Annecy and Mont Blanc, the most magnificent mountain of them all.

The tour includes 4 nights in Paris, 2 nights in Colmar and 2 nights in Lausanne in 1st class boutique accommodation, breakfast and one lunch or dinner each day (special local experiences such as a fondue lunch, lunch lake cruise viewing the Alps, dinner in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower....)

The tour dates are 7th - 15th December - perfect if you are visiting relatives in Europe or England for Christmas, or if you would like to experience France in winter but still be home for our lovely hot summer Christmas in Australia!

The itinerary is finalised and I am just waiting on a couple of items to be confirmed before the cost will be released next week - but the price will be approximately $4500 per person (not including airfares) for the eight night tour. If you would like to join us and would like a copy of the detailed itinerary and final tour cost, please email me or call me on 03 98891885. This tour will be restricted to 14 guests maximum. I will be escorting this tour myself and would be delighted to welcome old friends and new guests alike on this magical trip.

This newly refurbished, beautifully decorated new barge is now operating on the Burgundy Canal (don't worry, it doesn't look like the picture above! See the website reference below for some very tempting pictures) and provides a slightly different experience to our other barges which as many of you know offer all meals on board. The Savoir Vivre provides delicious breakfasts and lunches and then dinners are on-shore at a carefully selected range of local restaurants. The aim is to provide you with authentic locations which offer typical French cuisine and relaxed environments with plenty of ambience.

From their website: "The Burgundy region offers a voyage of discovery encompassing culture, architecture, history and natural beauty.

  Enjoy vineyard tours, explore ancient chateaux, browse authentic markets. Cycle along the towpaths next to your private moving boutique hotel.

  Walk into the local village to a café in the square, balloon over divinely beautiful countryside or play a round of golf on one of the several high quality courses nearby.

  Or just simply watch all this glide quietly by as you sip fresh coffee on deck on a balmy morning; maybe later savor the peace and calm alone while moored in idyllic surroundings – perhaps with a glass of wine… or two.

 This is the "Savoir Vivre" way to cruise.

The Savoir Vivre takes 8 passengers and I am thinking about including it on one of our tours next year - I'd love your feedback if you think this would be interesting! We will be putting the Savoir Vivre on our website in the next couple of weeks but in the meantime have a look at their website!

I was recently reading a survey that highlighted the top 20 "Must-Do" things to do and see in France - it struck me, and I was proud to note, that many of these areas and sights are featured on our tours. Here's a list!!

MONT ST MICHEL - "Legendary Northern France"

TRADITIONAL RIVER BOAT TRIP ON THE DORDOGNE RIVER - "Spectacular South West & Barging through Burgundy"

VISIT THE MILLAU VIADUCT - Our special tour of the Tarn Gorges, Provence & the Cote d'Azur that I will be escorting next year

DISCOVER THE MUSEUMS OF PARIS - Most of our tours start and end in Paris and we can of course provide Paris museum passes!

CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE - "Discover the Loire Valley"

D-DAY BEACHES, CEMETRIES & WAR MEMORIALS/SOMME BATTLEFIELDS - "Legendary Northern France" and "Battlefields of the Somme & Belgium"

PLUS BEAUX VILLAGES - (villages earn this title as a reward for its own special charm) - EVERY one of our tours includes at least one of these, for example Les Baux in Provence, Beynac in the Dordogne....

MARCHES DE NOEL - (Christmas markets) - Yes, as of this newsletter!

MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS - "Spectacular South West & Barging through Burgundy", "Flavours of Provence", "Provence & the Cote d'Azur"

TRAVEL ON THE TGV TRAIN - "Spectacular South West & Barging through Burgundy", "Flavours of Provence", "Provence & the Cote d'Azur", "Magnificent Italy & France"

MONET'S GARDEN AT GIVERNY - "Legendary Northern France"

Those of you that have travelled with us will know that we have a delightful time on our tours combining these highlights with lesser known, "off the beaten track" experiences. Think about discovering these wonderful treasures yourself with us in 2011 -  or it's not too late to book on  "Legendary Northern France", "Flavours of Provence" or "Provence & the Cote d'Azur" in August/September this year!

"Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" was created in 1982 and works independently to promote small, picturesque villages throughout the country. There are strict criteria to be met before a village can be accepted: it must not have more than 2,000 inhabitants and there must be at least two "protected areas". Which French region boasts the highest number of plus beaux villages?

This is our competition question for this month! The winner will receive a lovely collection of French stationery carefully chosen by me - and just so you know, I am VERY fussy!! Email me with the answer to this question and the first correct answer will be the winner - and as usual, I am excusing myself in advance for not answering anyone but the winner, as I am always inundated with entries - if you do not receive a reply, you know you (unfortunately) haven't won! Sorry!

A bientot, until next month,

Sue Heine

Tour Director