The 2012 World Figure Skating Championships
Nice, France
March 24-April 2, 2012
Nice, star of the Côte d’Azur, is rich in opportunities for sightseeing and exploration. The picturesque surrounding countryside inspired many great masters of modern art (Chagall, Matisse, Picasso); many of their greatest works are in nearby museums.
Explore Old Nice’s twisting, narrow lanes and small shops, enjoy its bustling vegetable and colorful flower markets. Nearby, visit a lovely private villa decorated by Cocteau and Picasso, and the magnificent Villa Ephrussi of the Rothchilds--the most beautiful of all French Riviera palaces set among nine gardens.
Walk through charming Eze, Antibes and St. Paul de Vence (Chagall’s favorite) and browse through their shops. Learn about local cuisine and sample local products on a market tour led by a food journalist. All of these treats are yours, wrapped around a week of figure skating events where champions compete for the gold! Our pre-Nice tour takes us to Toulouse, capital of southwest France’s Languedoc, an area with a long, intriguing history.
See historic Albi, jewel-like Cordes-sur-Ciel, well-preserved medieval Carcassonne with its medieval walls still intact, the magnificent stained glass windows in Auch’s cathedral, and picturesque bastides (fortified) villages from the Middle Ages. After Nice, travel to Southern Spain—Andalucia--for a fascinating week of spectacular sights, superb food, emotional pageantry and processions during Easter Week. It’s a time of epic productions and parades filled with scenes that could have come from a Hollywood blockbuster. Following Spain, a 4-night extension to neighboring Portugal visits the lovely hill-town of Evora and Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais. All tours are available individually or as a package.
| Pre-Nice Tour Ancient Towns, Fortified Villages & Medieval Cathedrals of Southwest France March 18-25, 2012 |
Nice Tour ANDALUCIA IN EASTER WEEK March 18-25, 2012 |
(Optional Extension) A PORTUGUESE IDYLL April 8-12, 2012 |
Itinerary
Sat, Mar 24 Depart for Nice, France.
Sun, Mar 25 Arrive at Nice airport. Transfer on your own to our hotel in central Nice. Remainder of day free.
Mon, Mar 26 Drive to elegant St Jean Cap Ferrat to visit an amazing private villa decorated by Cocteau and Picasso; rarely open to the public. On to the famous Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, the Riviera’s most beautiful Palace containing more than 5,000 pieces of art in a striking setting amidst 9 wonderful gardens. Lunch in the villa’s salon de thé. Walk through Eze, high on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean. (B,L)
Tue, Mar 27 Morning walking tour of Old Nice with its colorful red-roofed buildings and charming narrow, irregular, curving streets and alleys filled with boutiques and shoppers. The food markets displaying a wide variety of local fresh, prepared and live foods, and the flower market is ablaze with color. Opening, Pairs’ Short. (B)
Wed, Mar 28 AM free. Men’s Short, Pairs’ Free Skate.
Thu, Mar 29 Visit Chagall’s favorite hill-town, St Paul de Vence. Stroll the streets of this picturesque medieval village, and visit a beautiful 14th C. wine cellar for a tasting. Return for the Dance Short, Men’s Free. (B)
Fri, Mar 30 With a food journalist, discover the food market taste local specialties. Later, the Ladies’ Short Program, Dance Free.
Sat, Mar 31 Drive to Antibes for the Picasso Museum, recently entirely renovated, to see works produced while he lived . Return to Nice for the Ladies’ Free Skate. Gala Farewell Lunch or Dinner at a special location just outside Nice today! (B,L or D)
Sun, Apr 1 Transfer on own to the airport to fly home, or join the post-tour to Spain. Morning free for those staying for the Exhibition, with transfer to the arena for the afternoon event. (B)
Mon, Apr 2 Transfer on your own to the airport for flights home. (B)
Package Tour Costs
Packages available for 6, 7 or 8 Nights
| No. of Nights | Cash Discount Price | Single | Credit Card Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Single | DSO | Double | Single | DSO | |
| 6 | $4,575 | $5,495 | $5,765 | $4,740 | $5,730 | $5,995 |
| 7 | $4,695 | $5,895 | $6,195 | $4,880 | $6,140 | $6,460 |
| 8 | $4,895 | $6,285 | $6,635 | $5,095 | $6,545 | $6,915 |
†DSO = Double room for Single occupancy.
Supplements for Upgrades to Sea View Rooms: Cash: $130 per night (double), $250 per night (DSO); Credit Card: $135 per night (double/single), $260 per night (DSO).
* For Cash Discount, all payments must be by check.
Tour Costs include:
6-, 7- or 8-Nights at Hotel Negresco • All-Events Skating Ticket, prime seating •Deluxe motor coach/English-speaking guide for sightseeing excursions • RT hotel-arena transfers for all skating events • Entrance fees to sites/museums in the itinerary • American breakfast daily, 1 lunch and Gala Farewell lunch/dinner, plus specialty snacks and wine-tasting • On-site Escort • Hotel Porterage (1 bag person) and Service Charges
Not Included in Tour Costs:
International Airfare • Airport/Hotel Transfers • Gratuities for Guides and Drivers • Items of a Personal Nature • Travel insurance • Anything not specifically included above.
Our Hotel
THE HOTEL NEGRESCO is a boutique, historic “museum-hotel” from 1913, with a 5* luxury rating and a Michelin star. The striking dome of the hallmark Royal Salon entry was designed by Gustave Eiffel. On the fashionable Promenade des Anglais in the heart of Nice, the hotel has 125 rooms each decorated differently with authentic art works and furniture; some rooms have sea views (available at a supplement). A complete refurbishment was completed in 2010. There are 2 restaurants and a bar. Rooms feature a full range of amenities reflecting the 5* rating. Upgrades to seaview rooms available (extra cost).
