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Intergenerational in the City of Lights: À la Découverte de Paris

Program Number: 17424RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/29/2013 - 7/7/2013; 6/30/2013 - 7/8/2013; 7/6/2013 - 7/14/2013; 7/9/2013 - 7/17/2013; 7/13/2013 - 7/21/2013; 7/16/2013 - 7/24/2013; 7/20/2013 - 7/28/2013; 7/27/2013 - 8/4/2013; 6/28/2014 - 7/6/2014; 7/5/2014 - 7/13/2014; 7/12/2014 - 7/20/2014; 7/19/2014 - 7/27/2014;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: France
Price starting at: $2,496.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational
Intergenerational 		Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 18; 7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Program intended for grandchildren from 14 - 17 years of age.

Bienvenue! The avenues of Paris are open to you and a grandchild as you discover the art, culture and cuisine for which the city is famous. Converse with Parisians in their own language, admire the greatest artworks ever created, go underground beneath the Eiffel Tower and hear the story of Quasimodo at Notre Dame Cathedral. All this and more packs an unforgettable week of adventure in Europe’s most exciting city.




Highlights

• With an experienced teacher, learn the basics of the French language, then practice over dinner with a Parisian family.
• Explore the Eiffel Tower’s original machine room, underground bunker and first-floor control room.
• After visiting the Musée d’Orsay, have a portrait of you and your grandchild painted by an artist in Montmartre.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day indoors and out; cobblestone streets, stairs, occasional uneven terrain; standing in museums and other sites indoors and out. Extensive use of Paris Metro.



Pease see date specific information for intergenerational program ages. One youth per adult in shared accommodations. Triple rooms are not available for this program. Participants wishing to enroll with two adults and one youth should enroll one adult and one child in a double room with the second adult in a single room. (rooms will be adjoining).




Date Specific Information

6-29-2013, 7-6-2013

This program is for adults and youth age 10-13.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



6-30-2013, 7-16-2013

This program date is for adults and youth age 14-17.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



7-9-2013, 7-20-2013

This program is for adults and youth age 14-17.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



7-13-2013

This program date is for adults and youth age 10-13. Enjoy a fantastic Bastille Day fireworks display on 14 July!
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



7-27-2013

This program date is for adults and youth age 10-13.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



6-28-2014, 7-5-2014, 7-12-2014, 7-19-2014

This program date is designed for grandchildren ages 14 -17. Triples are not available, but side by side rooms are possible
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Paris, 7 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Paris
7 nights
Departure

To really experience Paris, you’ll need to know some French. An experienced teacher will introduce you to French language, culture, and history during your time in the City of Lights. On Ile de la Cité, where the city of Paris was started, explore Notre Dame Cathedral to hear tales of gargoyles and Quasimodo. Visit the Eiffel Tower, learn about the Impressionists at the Musée d’Orsay and have a portrait of you and your grandchild painted by an artist in Montmartre. Discuss Parisian culture, schooling and daily life over dinner with a Parisian family and discover the many works of art on display in the Louvre. Spend an evening at the theater to experience firsthand the dramatic and artistic atmosphere of the City of Lights. Enjoy some time in Monet’s home and garden in Giverny.




France

The epicurious and the curious find much to admire in Western Europe’s largest nation, whose agricultural riches and terrain of beaches, mountains and fertile fields have drawn residents for thousands of years. The northern region hosts the nation’s Parisian capital, as well as unique Breton culture, while the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast sports the chic beach-goers and the terraced vineyards of the interior.
Accommodations
Four-star hotel in the heart of historic Paris.
Meals and Lodgings
   Le Patio Saint Antoine
  Paris, France 7 nights
 Le Patio Saint Antoine
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: An exceptional setting in the heart of Paris, the floor is covered of jade marble and antique furniture in the hall. A few strides further, the purple velvet seats and the Art Deco works of art light up the eyes. The elegance of the setting combines with a warm and friendly atmosphere to assure an exceptional stay. This hotel is a true oasis of serenity and has many charms: the private gardens nestled in the center of the building appear as the jewel of the establishment.
  Contact info: 289b Rue du Faubourg St Antoine
75011 Paris,   France
phone: +33 (0)1 40 09 40 00
web: www.lepatiosaintantoine.com/uk/index.php
  Room amenities: Alarm clock, Complimentary Newspapers, Desk & chairs, Hairdryer, Individual Air conditioning, Individual Heating, Interconnecting/adjoining rooms, Iron & ironing board, Minibar, Kitchenette stocked with the basics needed for preparing and eating food, Tea/Coffee making facilities, Bathrooms have bathtubs and showers, Radio, Safety deposit box, Non-smoking rooms, Smoking rooms, Soundproof windows, TV - Pay per view and satellite, Windows may be opened. Please note that hotel rooms in France are often smaller than hotel rooms in the U.S. There are no dressers in the rooms.
  Facility amenities: 24 hour Front Desk, Concierge, Fax & photocopying, Garden, Valet laundry service, Luggage room, Meeting rooms, Porterage, Taxi service, Direct telephone line, Phone features: voicemail, Wifi in bedroom, Wifi in lobby/public rooms There is a small set of stairs from the reception and breakfast room areas leading to the first courtyard and elevator. There is a set of stairs to access the meeting room and hotel restrooms.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: TBD Contact Road Scholar Travel Services for rates and bookings
  Additional nights after: TBD Contact Road Scholar Travel Services for rates and bookings


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Program starts with orientation at 5 p.m. at the hotel in Paris. Hotel check-in begins at 2 p.m. You will be staying at Le Patio Saint Antoine that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast at hotel in Paris. Hotel check-out is at 12 p.m. You will be staying at Le Patio Saint Antoine the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
N/A
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Buses and taxis are available.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Paris
  Nearest highway: A6
  Nearest airport:  Charles de Gaulle Airport
  Transportation to site: Independent travelers may take a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The cost is between 60 and 80 euros, and can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. You may also take one of the Air France buses from the airport. One way fare is 16.50 euros or you can purchase a round trip ticket for 27 euros (tickets can be purchased by anyone regardless of airline). Travel time is about one hour but this varies depending on traffic conditions. Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes from four different places at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Paris Shuttle, a third party service, offers discounted shared shuttle and private transfer rates to Road Scholar participants. The rate they offer is about 10% discount off their published rate. By using the web link below, you can take advantage of these rates and book your transfer for arrival in Paris. You will need to pay in advance with a credit card to confirm reservations and print your own voucher. (Note that the website does not indicate that it is a Road Scholar or discount price.) www.parishuttle.com/index.php?partner=P60WEN
  From End of Program
  Location: Paris
  Transportation from site: Independent travelers can take a taxi from the hotel to the airport or can ask the hotel for assistance in arranging a shuttle transfer. Paris Shuttle, a third party service, offers discounted shared shuttle and private transfer rates to Road Scholar participants. The rate they offer is about 10% discount off their published rate. By using the web link below, you can take advantage of these rates and book your transfer for departure in Paris. You will need to pay in advance with a credit card to confirm reservations and print your own voucher. (Note that the website does not indicate that it is a Road Scholar or discount price.) www.parishuttle.com/index.php?partner=P60WEN
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Depart from USA for Paris
(Tuesday, July 9)
   
 Depart From: Departures from the USA for Paris

Day 2: Arrival and Orientation
(Wednesday, July 10)
   
 Arrive To: After your arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport you will transfer to your program hotel in Paris.
 Afternoon: Check in at your hotel and take time to settle in, then meet with your group for introductions and an orientation session.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Introduction to the French Language
(Thursday, July 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: The first lesson in a new country is to familiarize yourself with the language. Your local expert will give you a brief overview of the language and pronunciation and then focus on useful vocabulary and common phrases.
 Lunch: After transfering to Montmartre, you will receive money for lunch. Your challenge is to read the menu and order in French.
 Afternoon: After lunch continue to use your French skills - and bargaining skills! - as you find an artist to paint or draw your portrait in the Place du Tertre. Once you have mastered the French language (or at least learned how to order pommes frites!) you will then embark on an in-depth discovery of Montmartre. The area is famous for its many artists as well as for the white-domed Basilique du Sacre-Coeur that rests at the summit of the city's highest hill.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: The Founding and History of Paris
(Friday, July 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: This morning you will learn about French history during an on-site lecture and field trip to the very island where Paris was founded, the Ile de la Cite. You will discover the word's most famous cathedral, Notre Dame, as well as the Sainte Chapelle with its stunning stained glass windows. Also explore the Conciergerie, a former royal palace that was used as a prison during the French Revolution.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
 Afternoon: Take some time to explore Paris at your own pace. Your local expert will give you some suggestions and directions if needed.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant
 Evening: Attend an evening performance to experience firsthand the dramatic and artistic atmosphere of the City of Lights.
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: The Louvre and the River Seine
(Saturday, July 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: Learn about the rich history of art in France and the remarkable development of Impressionism in Paris. Enjoy a unique discovery of the Louvre, one of the most important collections of art in the world. You will divide into teams and be given a list of masterpieces to find. This treasure hunt is both an adventure and an opportunity to learn about many different periods and styles of art.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
 Afternoon: This afternoon, admire the monuments and architecture of the City of Lights by river cruise.
 Dinner: Tonight you will dine with French residents and hear firsthand about life in France. Take some time to ask questions and have an in-depth discussion about the differences between your cultures.
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Impressionism: Monet's Gardens and the Musee d'Orsay
(Sunday, July 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: This morning you will travel by bus to Giverny, where Claude Monet created and painted his incredible gardens. You will feel as if you have stepped right into one of the artist's famous water lily paintings.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
 Afternoon: At the Musee d'Orsay you will discover one of the greatest collections of Impressionist masterpieces in the world. As your local expert leads you through the galleries you will marvel at the bold brushstrokes and colors of works by Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, and many others.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Modern Paris and French Baking
(Monday, July 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: Explore the iconic symbol of modern Paris, the famous Tour d'Eiffel. The tower was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle, a World's Fair marking the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. You will discover the original machine room, tour the first floor control room and - bien sur! - enjoy a fantastic view of the city.
 Lunch: Lunch on the Eiffel Tower, at a nearby cafe of your choice or picnic on the Champs des Mars.
 Afternoon: Take the opportunity to see how REAL French bread is made and practice your baking skills as you create your own mouth-watering brioche. Take notes on making this delicious bread so that you can amaze your family and friends back home!
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to explore local cuisine.
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Market Visit and Farewell to Paris
(Tuesday, July 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel
 Morning: Visit one of the city's many open-air markets where you can browse the stalls and mingle with Parisians doing their morning shopping. Experience the sights, smells and delicious treats of the marche!
 Lunch: Lunch on your own at a local cafe or restaurant.
 Afternoon: This afternoon enjoy some free time to explore Paris at your own pace or join your expert instructor for an optional walking exploration of Pere Lachaise. This world-famous cemetery is the final resting place for legendary figures such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison as well as many great French politicians, writers and performers such as Moliere, Edith Piaf and Marcel Marceau. A unique setting for a final French history lesson, to be sure!
 Dinner: Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
 Evening: Tonight you bid farewell to Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
   
Accommodations: Le Patio Saint Antoine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Departures from Paris
(Wednesday, July 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel
 Morning: Morning transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for return flights to the USA
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Moveable Feast


Author: Ernest Hemingway


Description: A treasure for anyone interested in Parisian cafe society and its luminaries circa 1925. Hemingway includes sharp portraits of Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ford Maddox Ford and others who idled on their way to greatness.



A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver


Author: E.L. Konigsburg


Description: A marvelous fictionalized portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and England successively, traveler to Constantinople, wife of a future saint, mother of Richard the Lionheart and for 15 years a prisoner of the English Crown. For young adults.



A Traveller's History of Paris


Author: Robert Coles


Description: A fast-moving, short survey of French history with a focus on Paris from its foundation, through the heady days of revolution and up to modern times.



Cathedral, The Story of its Construction


Author: David MacAulay


Description: In this illuminating book for middle readers, master draughtsman MacAulay presents text and innovative drawings that detail the planning and construction of a 13th-century Gothic cathedral. It's a masterpiece.



Cathedrals and Castles, The Cathedral Builders of the Middle Ages


Author: Alain Erlande-Brandenburg


Description: This pocket-size encyclopedia of the art, architecture and culture of the Middle Ages features hundreds of drawings, color illustrations and a brief chronology.



Charlotte in Paris


Author: Joan Knight


Description: In this sequel to Charlotte in Giverny (Item FRN813), Charlotte's family moves to Paris, where our heroine becomes friends with Edouard Manet's niece.



City Walks with Kids Paris


Author: Christina Henry De Tessan


Description: These 50 colorful convenient cards, each with a map and suggested walk or activity, include neighborhoods and attractions of Paris for the family.



Eyewitness Guide Paris


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: Gorgeous, well illustrated and filled with maps, this compact book provides an excellent overview of the French capital, its history, traditions and sights.



Fodor's Around Paris With Kids, 68 Great Things to Do Together


Author: -


Description: A compact colorful guide to Paris for families, featuring a handpicked selection of attractions that kids will find especially interesting. With games, activities, color photographs, maps and diagrams.



Fodor's Paris' 25 Best


Author: Fodor's


Description: This shirt-pocket map and guide includes essential information on the city's history, highlights and sightseeing, ideal for a short visit to the City of Light.



France


Author: Mary Colson


Description: One in the illustrated and informative Countries Around the World series, geared for ages 8-11.



Lily B. on the Brink of Paris


Author: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel


Description: This imaginative story of a teenager separated from her class on a field trip to Paris and the adventures that befall her will appeal to any teen or pre-teen on vacation in the City of Light.



Lonely Planet French Phrasebook


Author: Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet


Description: This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.



Lonely Planet Not for Parents Paris


Author: Lonely Planet Publications


Description: Jam-packed with photos, fun facts and goofy cartoons, this glossy guide is just the thing for eight-year-old travelers.



Murder in the Latin Quarter


Author: Cara Black


Description: The ninth installment in Black's series featuring "adorably punkish" detective Aimee Leduc, who gets around on a pink Vespa. This time, Aimee's investigations lead her through the old university district of Paris -- its colorful streets, schools, museums, cafes and bookstores providing a vivid backdrop to the suspense.



Murder in the Marais


Author: Cara Black


Description: Literate and thrilling, with a strong sense of the geography and flavor of Paris, the first in a series of mysteries starring Aimee Ledoc shows off the French-American detective's wit and wile. The series continues with Murder in Belleville (FRN562), Murder in the Sentier (FRN563) and many more.



Paris Map


Author: Borch Maps


Description: A sturdy laminated map of the city center at a scale of 1:12,000 and all of Paris at a scale of 1:15,000.



Paris Stories


Author: Mavis Gallant, Michael Ondaatje (Introduction)


Description: All written in Paris (where Gallant has long lived), these magnificent stories take place from the Left Bank to the French Riviera, postwar Germany and Franco-era Spain. If you haven’t read her work (many of the stories originally appeared in the New Yorker), you are in for a treat. Gallant is one of the great 20th century short story writers.



Paris in Mind


Author: Jennifer Lee (Editor)


Description: With selections spanning 300 years, this wonderful anthology reflects America's long connection to Paris and the French. The 30 American writers tapped include Benjamin Franklin, Ernest Hemingway and David Sedaris.



Paris to the Moon


Author: Adam Gopnik


Description: Gopnik writes with candor and humor about Paris and Parisian ways in these charming reflections on adapting to life in glorious exile.



Paris to the Past, Traveling Through French History by Train


Author: Ina Caro


Description: The infectiously enthusiastic Ina Caro charts 25 day trips from Paris in this marvelously conceived history and guide. From the splendor of Chartres, wonders of Sainte-Chapelle and elegant Place de la Concorde, Caro enchants.



Parisian Chic, A Style Guide


Author: Ines de la Fressange


Description: Icon of chic and quintessential Parisienne, Ines de la Fressange includes her favorite offbeat museums, shops, salons and spas, restaurants, cafes and hotels in this charming guide, jammed with photographs, drawings and hand-written lists.



Revolution


Author: Jennifer Donnelly


Description: The action in this YA novel, set against the backdrop of Paris, brings together figures from the French Revolution, the Classical roots of American rock-- and the very modern struggles of a 21st-century teenage girl coming of age.



The Family Under the Bridge


Author: Natalie Savage Carlson, Garth Williams (Illustrator)


Description: This Newbery Medal winning book for children ages 9-12 is a charming, wonderfully human story recounting the Parisian adventures of the hobo Armand and the three homeless children who make him shed his grumpy ways.



The Food of France


Author: Waverly Root


Description: An evocative and beautifully written survey of French food. First published in 1958 and revised in the mid-1970s, the book covers the important regions of French cuisine by dividing them into domains of Butter (northern France), Fat (Alsace) and Oil (the south).



The Invention of Hugo Cabret


Author: Brian Selznick


Description: An intricate mystery told as a graphic novel for middle schoolers, Brain Selznick's captivating tale of an orphan boy on the streets of Paris in the 1930s seems a brilliant choice for Martin Scorsese's first 3-D venture, a family film starring Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen. The movie opens November 23.



The Most Beautiful Walk in the World, A Pedestrian in Paris


Author: John Baxter


Description: Australian critic and writer Baxter draws on his second career as a literary tour guide in his adopted city for this witty memoir, laced with terrific tales.



The Road from the Past, Traveling through History in France


Author: Ina Caro


Description: Time travel through France by way of its finest castles, chateaux, cathedrals and monasteries. This unusual travelogue is an invaluable companion for traveling in Paris, southern France, the Dordogne and the Loire Valley, combining personal observation with large doses of well-presented history.



The Secret Life of the Seine


Author: Mort Rosenblum


Description: After losing his Paris apartment, Rosenblum, a born storyteller, takes to a houseboat moored on the Seine. The result is this entertaining tour of the places and people he encounters during his explorations along the river.





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