Seine River Cruise: Paris & Highlights of Normandy
Cruise into the very heart of the French experience aboard Vantage’s Deluxe, state-of-the-art ms River Venture — the finest ship on the Seine. You’ll board in Paris for a leisurely 10-night cruise, and savor layers of history, charming half-timbered villages, and magnificent limestone cliffs as you sail toward Normandy. Along the way, visit Monet’s famed gardens at Giverny, stroll ancient Rouen and lovely Les Andelys, follow the splendid Abbey Trail, and dock in charming Honfleur, a luminous seaside locale that inspired the French Impressionists. This old port will also serve as home base for your full-day excursion to the D-Day landmarks in Normandy. Visiting these sites, you’ll learn about the operation that landed 160,000 troops on Normandy’s shores. Plus, you’ll hear stories of those who lived through these dramatic events — and now live in our hearts and minds some 70 years later. Concluding with a night in Paris, this incredible sojourn is sure to ignite — or reignite — your passion for France!
Every painter will tell you that an important (and most enjoyable) part of being an artist is to paint outdoors. For centuries many of the world’s great artists have painted on-location to capture fleeting moments of exquisite color and light. These artists often translated their sketches in the studio to become the most important works of art.
Join Tom Lynch for a simple and fun way to learn and experience this classic art form. The group will travel together to some of the most beautiful painting sites. In the morning, Tom will demonstrate and teach you how to translate the landscape into art through a series of simple lessons and exercises. In the afternoon, the group will have ample painting time to complete a comprehensive painting focusing on that day’s objective. At the end of each day the group will meet for a critique and discussion of the next day’s plan.
Demonstrations, practice lessons, and plenty of individual assistance are the hallmarks of Tom’s workshops. The mission of this workshop is to enjoy the outdoors with a group, guided by a master while experiencing the creative process. Your workshop starts with a welcome dinner on Sunday evening, and concludes with a farewell wine and cheese exhibition on Friday afternoon.
