INDEPENDENT TOUR TO FRANCE – JULY 2017
TUESDAY 4 JULY D DAY!
The day everyone has been dreaming of for so long has finally dawned and all are eager to embark on this great adventure to France with new friends! There was great excitement this afternoon as 32 students, accompanied by an array of family members, gathered at OR Tambo and early check-in certainly worked to our advantage. These students represent 6 different schools: PHSG, PBHS, Somerset College, Maris Stella, St Charles College & Paarl Boys’ High and the 3 designated chaperones are Mrs Muriel Vermaak (SCC), Ms Mirella Lippi and Ms Megan Jelley, both from PHSG. After fond farewells to parents & friends, we made our way through Emigration, where no problems were encountered. Once safely on the ‘other side’, all were able to enjoy some free time before gathering at the departure gate and and we will be boarding the luxurious A380 at 18h00. Please rest assured that all arrangements are firmly in place and that the safety & security of your precious children is of paramount importance. I have no doubt that a wonderful tour awaits, filled with special memories and abundant blessings - I will update the site as soon as I find connectivity in Paris tomorrow! Bon voyage and a reminder that photos will be loaded on a face book page linked to my website: https://www.facebook.com/Personal-Touch-Schooltours-July-Independent-2017-1097618880338438/
WEDNESDAY 5 JULY SAFE ARRIVAL AND BIENVENUE A PARIS!
It is now 22h30 and this is the first time I have been able to access my computer today! We had a pleasant flight and, in spite of very little sleep and an unbelievably early start, everyone was in high spirits and excited to be in Paris! We had some time to freshen up using the airport ablutions, before boarding our coach to the hotel, Paris Louis Blanc. Upon arrival, as expected, our rooms were not yet available, so we left our luggage in the bagagerie, before embarking on our first metro experience to the Jardin des Tuileries. The gardens are in full bloom, boasting amazing colours and all were ecstatic to see the Louvre, the Obélisque, the Eiffel Tower & the Arc de Triomphe. We had time to relax and absorb all this beauty, whilst sampling our first baguettes and crepes and then ,at 14h00 we made our way back to the hotel, where we were able to relax in our rooms. At 17h00 we re-grouped for our outing to Galéries Lafayette, a national monument and a world renowned department store, which boasts an incredible stained glass dome and dinner tonight will be served in the restaurant adjacent to the hotel, Chez Papa. Everyone is so looking forward to a good night's sleep and to recharging batteries for our packed day tomorrow, which will include a visit to the Louvre, Notre Dame and Montmartre.
THURSDAY 6 JULY THE LOUVRE, NOTRE DAME AND MONTMARTRE!
Everyone so enjoyed dinner last night at Chez Papa – the food was excellent and the ambiance electric! After a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast we made our way to the Louvre, where our large group was divided into 2 and all appreciated the input from their specialist guides, as they focused on so many famous works of art. We then took advantage of the slightly cooler weather to enjoy a stroll along the banks of the River Seine to Notre Dame, where all were afforded some free time to eat lunch & explore. At 14h30 we returned to the hotel for a quick rest & recharge and at 16h30 we will head off for our late afternoon/evening in Montmartre. We will visit the beautiful basilica of Sacré Coeur and at the Place du Tertre I am sure that many will chose to have their portraits painted! Dinner will be served at La Cremaillère, which is situated on the Square and there is no doubt that all will enjoy the ambiance of this famous restaurant.
FRIDAY 7 JULY CHAMPS ELYSEES, CRUISE, DINNER, PARIS BY NIGHT + EIFFEL TOWER!
We all had such an AMAZING evening in Montmartre last night – the group has bonded so well and it was such fun, so memorable. All were delighted to have a slower start this morning and at 10h00 we left for the Champs Elysées, where they had a few glorious hours to discover the magic of this world famous boulevard. We are now back at the hotel for a quick rest and in the early evening we will have a leisurely cruise on the Seine, followed by a delicious 3-course meal in the restaurant alongside the river. Our guide will arrive at 20h30 for our Paris by night coach tour, which is always so wonderful. To complete an amazing day, at 23h00 we will ascend to the 2nd floor of the magnificent Eiffel Tower and only return to the hotel by coach after midnight! Everyone has had such a happy day and all are very excited for Disneyland Paris tomorrow!
SATURDAY 8 JULY DISNEYLAND PARIS!
We returned to the hotel after midnight last night, but this did not deter them from rising early to set off for the much anticipated visit to Disneyland Paris! Arnold stole the show with his Superman ‘one-sie’ (!) and upon arrival all bounded in, determined to bring out their inner-child again! At 19h30 a very happy, but weary band of travelers returned to the hotel, with just enough time to freshen up for dinner in a restaurant within close proximity. Everyone has had such a wonderful time in Paris and we have covered so much in a relatively short space of time. Tomorrow we fly from Orly Airport to Nice on the glorious Côte d’Azur, where we will be greeted by members of Le Centre International d’Antibes and travel to Campus Horticole. I will update the site tomorrow evening from the magnificent French Riviera, but please know that your children have all bonded so well, shared amazing memories and are having the time of their lives!
SUNDAY 9 JULY SAFE ARRIVAL IN ANTIBES!
All (bar the 4 who over slept!) were awake bright and early for our scheduled 07h00 departure to Orly Airport. Here we were fortunate enough to secure a dedicated desk for our group check-in, which certainly reduced the stress levels …. that was until 5 boys decided to go AWOL ….with harsh consequences! On the plane to Nice, many caught up on some much needed rest, but all awoke to appreciate the glorious sun-kissed coastline, lined with azure blue waters and the run-way which extends right out into the sea. Axel, our animateur from Le Centre International d'Antibes, was there to greet us upon arrival and he accompanied us back to the campus, interacting with the students en route. After a delicious picnic lunch in the quad, everyone changed into beach wear before boarding the transfer bus to Antibes, where all enjoyed a walking orientation tour through the fascinating streets of the 'vieille ville'. At 16h00 all were afforded ‘du temps libre’ (free time), with some choosing to relax on the beach and enjoy a first swim in the Mediterranean Sea, whilst others opted to explore, with an ice cream in hand! Upon return to the campus, everyone had time to settle in to their rooms before enjoying dinner in the restaurant, after which they were introduced to the 250 other international students on campus this week - all are so excited for the wonderful week that awaits…!
MONDAY 10 JULY COURS INTERNATIONAUX + VISIT TO CANNES
Last night’s social function was really successful and everyone so enjoyed the ice-breaker activities with the many other students on campus. After breakfast this morning, all were placed in classes to suit their individual level and afterwards I chatted to them re their placement - based on their response, Claire (who is in charge of the pedagogy) authorized a few adjustments, which will be implemented tomorrow. After a delicious lunch and armed with hats, sunscreen and beach towels, we all hopped on board the train to Cannes. Once we had seen the Palais des Festivals, home to the annual Cannes Film Festival, and been photographed on the red carpet, all were afforded ‘du temps libre’ (free time!). The options were a) walking up to Le Suquet with our animateur, Axel for a magnificent view over the yacht-lined bay & the Estérel Mountains b) shopping in either the well-known brand stores such as Zara, Morgan and Sephora, as well as the more affordable shops on the Rue Meynadier or c) swimming in the azure blue waters and enjoying the glorious sunshine...or all three! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and at 17h30pm, a very happy band of travelers returned to campus. This evening there is a ‘soiree barbecue’ (a fancy braai!), which is always great fun, with plenty of food, music and social interaction amongst all the students on campus!
TUESDAY 11 JULY FRAGONARD PARFUMERIE + FLORIAN CONFISSERIE
Les Sud Afs really made their mark at last night’s soirée barbecue and undoubtedly solidified their position as the A-team on campus!! The theme was ‘boy/girl swap-around’ and oh my word, they did it so well! The boys looked exquisite, with perfect hair & make-up and the girls transformed into handsome males of all descriptions! Sadly there are no photos that I am permitted to load and we have to accept that ‘what happens in France, stays in France’!! After breakfast this morning all happily made their way to class and everyone is so much more confident to communicate in French! At 13h30 we hopped on board our coach and made our way to Grasse, which is dubbed the ‘balcony of Provence’ for its magnificent, panoramic views. It is also the home of French perfume and at the Fragonard Parfumerie, all enjoyed a fascinating & most informative tour, with the on-site boutique proving to be a great hit - judging by the packets & strong scent in the coach thereafter, many purchases had been made! The tour then continued on to the Gorges du Loup, where we visited the Florian confisserie, which is world renowned for its sweets, chocolates & jams and their on-site boutique was equally as popular. Laden with packets, we all happily returned to campus, with many looking forward to participating in the planned karaoke evening!
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY LESSONS + EXCURSION TO NICE
All have thoroughly enjoyed their classes and made so many new friends. Our afternoon excursion was to Nice and in order to catch the 13h20 train our students were given packed lunches which they took with them. Everyone was very excited for their visit to this beautiful city which is dubbed the ‘Queen of the Riviera’ and it is difficult to imagine the carnage which took place in this idyllic part of the world one year ago. Upon arrival we walked down to the spectacular Fontaine du Soleil, on the Place Masséna and it was here that we arranged to meet again at 17h00. They were all very keen to find Fenocchios – a famous ice cream parlour - and they followed Nafice (our replacement animateur for today) through the narrow streets of the quaint Vieux NIce to find it! There are 107 different flavours, ranging from Nutella; Rocher; Nougat; Noisette; Cactus; Rhubarb; Menthe Fraiche; Violette; Coca Cola; Pinacolada; Menthe Chocolat etc and, with such a vast choice, it is always really hard to make a decision! Jesse from PBHS held the record of 10 scoops…until our Jacob knocked him off the throne with his 12 scoops! All were then afforded some glorious ‘temps libre’, to either enjoy the shops along Boulevard Jean Medicin or to appreciate the ambience of the Promenade des Anglais, lined with its palm trees and the azure blue waters flanked by pebbled beaches. A very happy group later returned to Antibes in such high spirits and what a wonderful day’s outing this was!
THURSDAY 13 JULY SUN, SEA & SAILING!
Today marked the end of the formal lessons with Le Centre International d'Antibes, as tomorrow is un jour ferié en France. All our students were proud recipients of a DELF accredited certificate which attests to the 12 hours of tuition + the level attained + a comment from the teachers and once again the educators expressed their delight with the South Africans, praising their positive, enthusiastic and serious approach. After lunch everyone excitedly boarded the coach to the Yacht Club in Antibes, where they donned life jackets and listened attentively to the instructions for sailing on a catamaran! This was such a wonderful experience and all were stunned by the incredible beauty of the calm azure blue waters, with the vieille ville in close proximity and Italy in the distance! There was much laughter as they were towed out to sea and all returned an hour and a half later wanting more! We then made our way to the public beach, where we relaxed, frolicked in the waters and ate ice-creams until our departure for campus at 17h00, with an optional stop in Antibes for those who wanted to shop a little. It was such a special afternoon in an idyllic part of the world and tonight is the traditional soirée cabaret – I hope that our SA students are ready to showcase their many & varied talents!
FRIDAY 14 JULY UN JOUR FERIE - EZE + MONACO + JUAN LES PINS!
Le 14 juillet - un jour ferié en France! With no formal classes today, all were very excited about their outing to the Principality of Monaco. We boarded our coach at 10h30 and with such magnificent weather, the scenery along la route du littoral was quite spectacular. En route the coach made a stop at the beautiful mediaeval town of Eze, where all enjoyed exploring this quaint ‘village perché’, with its 360 degree view of the Côte d’Azur from the summit. We then continued on to Monaco, where all enjoyed a ride on ‘le petit train’, a tourist train which weaves through the famous ‘Grand Prix’ streets of Monte Carlo, providing valuable commentary. At the Palace they were afforded some free time to shop for souvenirs and to eat their packed lunches, before visiting the Cathedral and the Princess Grace Exotic Gardens. We arrived back at Campus around 17h00 and they all appreciated the time to relax, cool off in the pool and to pack, before our scheduled outing and tonight we will visit the vibrant summer resort of Juan les Pins, which is bound to be a perfect ending to our incredible week on the French Riviera! It is hard to believe that we leave tomorrow and I will confirm all arrangements in the morning…
SATURDAY 15 JULY HOMEWARD BOUND!
The dinner was beautifully presented in the restaurant last night in honour of the French National Day (see the photos!) and the outing to Juan les Pins was such a lovely way to end our time on the Côte d’Azur! The days have simply flown by and no one can believe all we have packed into such a relatively short space of time! The tour has been filled with happy & valuable memories and the firm bonds of friendships which have been formed will last a lifetime. All were able to have another visit to Antibes this morning, before returning to Campus for a picnic lunch and farewell to our animateur, Axel, who has been so attentive and created such a happy spirit amongst the group – merci beaucoup! Our return flights have been confirmed and we will depart Nice at 18h10 on AF 7709 bound for Paris and here we will remain in transit before boarding AF 990 which is scheduled to arrive at ORT at 09h55 tomorrow, Sunday 16 July. It has been a real delight to once again escort an outstanding group of South African students and they have fully embraced every opportunity. Whilst your children are tired and obviously looking forward to enjoying the comforts of home and seeing family + friends, everyone will leave with a sense of sadness at having to say farewell to the special people they have grown so accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. The many tales of the tour may not be immediately forthcoming, but they will certainly continue to reveal themselves in the days, months and years to come! To act ‘in loco parentis’ is no mean task and I would sincerely like to thank Muriel Vermaak (SCC), Mirella Lippi (PHSG) and Megan Jelley (PHSG) for their amazing support and dedication to their role as chaperones. They have been superb and I value their professionalism, commitment, sense of fun and the special friendship we share – merci beaucoup mes chères amies – you certainly flew the banner high for Personal Touch! It has been such a successful & happy tour and as parents you can rest assured that you have afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity. It remains for me to wish all a happy home-coming ~ ‘merci beaucoup, bon retour et a la prochaine’!