Normandy Tulips & Monet's Garden

Blessed with a stunning natural beauty, Normandy begs to be explored. You can expect dramatic coastal landscapes, quaint pastoral villages, picturesque ports, classic half-timbered buildings and fabulous food, from Camembert to Calvados, from cider to seafood. The legacy of the region's epic history, from the Norman invasion of England in 1066 to the D-Day Landings of 1944, has left its mark. This tour stays in a beautifully authentic Normandy hotel in the heart of the pretty pilgrimage town of Lisieux, you can start exploring as soon as you arrive. This is a special April departure which features a visit to the magnificent Chateau de Vendeuvre during the 'Festival de la Tulipe'. The extensive Chateau gardens become a riot of colour with at least 30,000 spring bulbs of tulips, narcissus, crocus and hyacinths. Complete your holiday with an included visit to Monet's House and Garden, in the village of Giverny on the Seine, where the artist found inspiration to create his impressionist masterpieces.Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with continental breakfast- 3 dinners in the hotel (set menu)- Porterage- Tea / coffee with dinner- Included excursions as stated- Entrance to Chateau de Vendeuvre & Gardens during 'Festival de la Tulipe'- Entrance to Monet's Garden- Optional excursion to Deauville & Honfleur

5 day tour
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you will travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais and then onto Lisieux to check in to your centrally located hotel for your 4-night stay. 3 nights DBB and one night BB only to allow you to try out one of the many local restaurants in Lisieux town (within easy walking distance from the hotel)nnDAY 2 - 4 - At leisure in Lisieux with TWO included excursions and one optional excursionnnINCLUDED EXCURSIONSnChateau de Vendeuvre and GardensnVendeuvre is one of the most beautiful chateaux in Normandy with its beautifully decorated 18th century interiors, original kitchens and the Museum of Miniature Furniture with 700 pieces. It is, however, the truly remarkable gardens that are the stars of the show. Thousands of tulips, narcissi, hyacinths and grape hyacinths await you.The gardens are the inspiration of the Count of Vendeuvre who has been influenced by the renaissance gardens of Italy and their use of water. Discover the different gardens - utility garden, topiary garden, unique water garden, romantic garden, mazes and the exotic garden! (There are some steps up to the Chateau).nnMonet's GardennToday you visit the picturesque village of Giverny on the bank of the River Seine. A treat for art lovers and gardeners alike, Giverny was the home of French impressionist painter, Claude Monet for over 40 years. He lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926. The exuberant gardens stretch from his house down to the river and provided the inspiration for many of his well-known paintings including the famous water lily series as well as the 'Pont Japonais' (Japanese Bridge) which has been re-constructed for visitors to enjoy. Admission to the house and gardens is included.nnOPTIONAL EXCURSIONnDeauville & HonfleurnWith its fine sandy beaches, Deauville is renowned for its glamorous reputation and symbolises elegance, prestige and sophistication. Time to soak up the atmosphere here before taking the coastal road to the picturesque old port of Honfleur, a favourite haunt of numerous celebrated artists including Claude Monet. Situated on the Seine estuary, medieval Honfleur exudes maritime charm around the Vieux Bassin with its narrow houses and lively café scene but there is much more to see in the alluring cobbled streets of the old town.nnDAY 5 - After breakfast, travel back to Calais for the return Channel crossing and the journey home.Grand Hotel de l'Esperance, Lisieux
This 3* landmark hotel in the centre of Lisieux, set in a typical Norman half-timbered building, offers a warm welcome and plentiful charm and atmosphere. nnThe upscale restaurant serves regional Normandy cuisine and there is also a bar. nnThe hotel have 90 recently refurbished, spacious and comfortable bedrooms with TV and a safe. There is a lift.