Adventures by Disney proudly presents the Gateway Collection, the newest vacation option offers families flexibility via expanded free time, so they have more time to visit places of interest, and an affordable way to see some of the world’s most desirable locales.
Travel to Italy, London & Paris or Costa Rica with no more than 50 Guests, stay in comfortable lodging, enjoy the service of two Disney-trained Adventure Guides, VIP access to things difficult to arrange on your own, special fun for the kids and now, expanded free time, so you have the flexibility to visit the venues that interest you most, all with the attention to detail that only Disney can provide. Your Adventure Guides provide concierge service every step of the way, ensuring that you have what you need before you even know you need it! The Gateway vacations include plenty of time on your own so that you can enjoy the convenience of guided travel yet still see and do what interests you most.
Check out the itineraries for the Adventure by Disney Gateway vacations below.
Travel through time to explore Italy, from ancient Rome to the Venetian Renaissance. Explore the Venice canals by gondola, learn to make pizzas in Florence and marvel at the beauty of the Sistine Chapel. It’s an experience for all ages.
The adventure begins in jolly old England with a visit to Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. It then crosses the English Channel to Paris for a scavenger hunt in the Louvre and a family lunch in the Eiffel Tower. Oh la la!
Delve into the natural wonders and wildlife of the country’s vibrant forests, such as the lush and stunning Tortuguero. Enjoy the extremes?from zip lining above the rainforest canopy to touring ancient forests filled with exotic creatures. It’s the world’s ultimate eco-adventure destination!
We specialize in family vacations, and would be excited to help you plan the perfect getaway.
The cities & seaside resort areas of the French Riviera are so unique, that I thought I would recap my visit, which was many years ago, but is still fresh in my mind.
The view of the Alps as you approach Nice is a treat as is the view of the seacoast prior to landing. Nice is actually a very unpretentious pleasant city that one feels at home in immediately. There are individual neighborhoods and if the signs weren’t in French, it could be anywhere USA. Along the Promenade Anglais, there are very expensive hotels and fabulous private homes. This is the avenue along the Mediterranean so it’s very prime real estate. Once you walk a few blocks into the town, it’s just a series of retailers and lots of great bakeries and restaurants. There is a Promenade within the city that offers more of the same but without cars, Just lots of French people and their dogs…
Monte Carlo is the most exclusive and wealthy of all. It’s quite beautiful and as clean as can be but I didn’t feel very comfortable there as the people are sooo rich, we regular folk just don’t fit in.
I was fortunate enough to have time to visit two famous villages. One is Eze, a medieval hilltop that juts out 1,491 ft. over the Mediterranean Sea and has narrow, winding lanes and hidden passageways. Amazing to see, charming and very pricey. There are a couple of hotels, restaurants, art studios and shops.
The other village is St Paul de Vence in Provence. It is also a hilltop village only it is, like Nice, a real place with real people. The shops are for the locals, not tourists and everything, even the fresh produce, looks like a picture postcard. Visit the sumptuous Colombe d’Or where the famous painters used to meet. This fascinating village attracts talented and discerning artists from around the world.
A lot of the other names that ring a bell are really nothing special. For instance, St. Tropez is world famous but it’s just a fishing village with small boats and locals dining outdoors. The rich tourists, as best as I can guess, aren’t actually staying there, or I just missed seeing them …
Discover the places you’ve always longed to see. Marvel at each country’s historic icons and scenic panoramas. England, Ireland and Northern Ireland, while home to perhaps the most trend-setting and international of European cities, also have some of the most beautiful countryside on earth. In Italy, you can see more than 2,000 years of history within one city, witness the genius of Michelangelo and DaVinci or visit an enchanting island city that defies reason. France shares with us the pleasures of life: excellent wines, awe-inspiring art and sumptuous food. Germany zooms ahead along its Autobahn, but stops long enough to raise a stein, sing a song and welcome the world. The Netherlands, with one wooden shoe in its charming past and the other in the innovative future, continues to enchant visitors with its iconic windmills, tulips and canals.
We welcome you to research European Travel Package by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners. You’ll find a selection of tours, cruises, vacations and rail packages.
Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:
It’s not too late to plan a getaway over the Christmas or New Years Holiday, and you’ll find that prices are quite reasonable.
Winter in London: 6 nights accommodations at the Holiday Inn Regents Park; buffet breakfast daily; guided sightseeing tour of London; Free travel on London’s buses and Underground Subway…just $750 pp
Christmas in Paris: 7 nights hotel; buffet breakfast daily; guided sightseeing tour of Paris; guided visit to the Palace of Versailles & plenty of leisure time…just $850 pp
Christmastime in Bavaria & Austria - 6 nights first class hotels accommodations (2 nights in Munich, 2 nights in Salzburg and 2 in Vienna); transportation between cities; breakfast daily; Sightseeing with Local Guides includes Marienplatz in Munich, Mirabell Gardens and Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. A scenic drive through the Bavarian and the Tyrolean Alps takes you to Innsbruck, a quaint medieval city famous for its crystal. All this, for just$1,149 pp
Splendors of Italy:8 nights hotel accommodations (2 nights in Rome, 1 night Siena, 3 night Florence area, 2 nights Venice); breakfast daily; 2 dinners; City tours in Rome and Florence. Just $1,369 pp
Rose Bowl & Universal Studios Package: 3 nights hotel accommodations at the Hilton Los Angeles, reserved tournament of roses parade ticket, Dec 31st float construction sightseeing tour, round trip parade day transfers,roundtrip airport transfers, breakfast daily & box lunch on parade day, Official tournament of Roses Parade program from $1,095 pp
Walt Disney World Vacation Package: 5 nights hotel accomodations at the Disney Port Orleans (Dec 22nd-27th) including the Magic Your Way Package w/ 6 day park hopper passes just $946 pp
Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just an enthusiast, expand your horizons on a tour or France river cruise through the Burgundy Wine Region.
Most of the vineyards in the Champagne region can be found in Epernay and Reims. In Reims you will also find the amazing Louis XV Palace, the Roman Porta de Mars, and many museums dedicated to the art of making effervescent wine. The 13th century Reims Cathedral is a famous jewel of Gothic architecture. The cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was destroyed in World War I, but was restored with its stunning facade, interior and stained-glass windows. Try to make time to visit Moet Chandon and Taittinger vineyards as well as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Beaunne, is the wine capital of Burgundy, and an ideal base to explore the vineyards. The burgundy region is known as the meeting place of civilizations. Located in the center of France, it is easily accessible via the high speed TGV train and numerous highways winding throughout.
Below is a video compliments of the France Tourist Board. You can also click to register with the France Tourist Board to win a trip to Alsace, Burgundy and Champagne region.
Amidst the beauty of the Norman-style cottages, the apple cider mills and lovely picturesque stops like Honfleur and Deauville, there is a vast treasure of history to be studied by all ages. As a baby boomer for whom World War II is a history lesson , great black and white movies and songs of lost love, this visit to Normandy was a real eye opener.
At the Mulberry Musuem in Arramanches, one is taught things never learned in school. If not for a brilliant plan devised by Winston Churchill, the D Day Invasion could have proved even more sorrowful. Had we not been able to get supplies and tanks (to be placed on hugh concrete blocks) from England, surreptitiously delivered to the Omaha Beaches by night and underwater, all those brave men would have died in vain. Because those who survived were able to chase back the Germans and free Paris, the war was won by the Allies!
At the somber but beautiful American Military Cemetary, one can actually see the incredible heights the Allied Forces had to climb after surviving the beach landing. It was an extremely moving visit.
Please visit our France website for more on the packages that visit the Normandy Beaches.
Eze is a fascinating medieval village situated about half way between Nice and Monte Carlo. Eze Village is one of the most charming stone villages in France. Èze has been described as an “eagle’s nest” because of its location overlooking a high cliff located over 437 meters above sea level on the French Mediterranean. Èze is famous worldwide for the gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea from the top of its hill, and it is a renowned tourist site on the French Riviera.
The small medieval village is famous for its beauty and charm. It has many shops, art galleries, hotels and restaurants that attract a large number of tourists and honeymooners. As a result Èze has become a “museum village”. There are very few local residents that live here. The Fragonard perfume factory has a sales outlet here. There are other perfumeries, and a wonderful aromatic selection of spices for sale.
Eze is a great place to spend a few hours while your cruise ship is docked along the French Riviera in Cannes or Nice. Cruise ship shore excursions to Eze are usually scheduled for half a day. If your shore excursion arrive you early you will miss the crowds that this tiny village holds later in the day. But on either side of the summer, there are no crowds and you can enjoy strolling the narrow lanes or having a bite to eat at one of the cafes with tables tucked away in whatever nook or cranny that presents itself.
While walking the paths of Eze, you can easily see that it was once surrounded by a 12th century fortified castle. The castle was torn down in 1706, but the village remained. The village forms a circular pattern around the base of the castle. Many of the local residents are now artisans, and shoppers can spend a lot of time wandering in and out of the cave-like shops. I purchased a water color of Eze from a local artist. It will always remind me of our few hours in Eze!
The Seine River flows through the city of Paris dividing the Right and Left Banks. Our cruise along the river was so romantic and delightful that we absolutely had to do it twice! The first time was at night, so the second time we decided to go at twilight so we could really see all the incredible architecture, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, Ile St Louis and famous bridges like le Pont Neuf.
The cruise takes a little over an hour on one of the many bateaux (boats) and it’s an absolute must! The cruise is very reasonably priced at $10 USD (approximately 14 Euros) each and there is narration in many languages.
One of the best parts is seeing the Eiffel Tower all lit up upon your return. If you take a cruise later in the evening, the Eiffel Tower has an incredible extra light show at 9, 10 and 11PM. Dinner cruises are also offered and are very elegant, requiring more than country club casual dress.
Interesting note: When we were cruising under the various bridges linking the Right and Left Banks, the people of Paris would stand on the bridges waving “Allo” at us. Who would’ve thought??
On August 7th, the movie Julie and Julia will open in theatres around the US. I was lucky enough to see a preview and in addition to Bon Appetit, all I can say is Viva La France! The movie is partly based on Julia Child’s book “My Life in France.”
There is no way to see this marvelously entertaining movie without wanting to see Paris. Whether it’s a first trip or a tenth, the movie is a love song to the City of Lights and makes one want to be there tomorrow. The Eiffel Tower, a cruise down the Seine, the Place de La Concorde, Montmartre, you name it…
Julia and her husband Paul dine in restaurants that are so French they couldn’t possibly be anywhere else. There is a charming scene about Julia’s very first meal in France and it’s Sole Meuniere. It was love at first taste and several years later, we all were in love with Julia and her French Chef series.
Please check out the low airfares to Paris so you, too, can taste the Sole, Boeuf Bourguignon, a freshly baked baguette, or chocolate dessert baked by a French chocolatier. My first meal in Paris was in a small local café and it was just chicken and French Fries. Yummmmm…one of the best meals ever!
There are many different types of tour vacations for France that include Paris only, or perhaps combined with a trip to the Normandy Beaches, the Chateaux in the Loire Valley, Provence or Monte Carlo & Nice in the South of France. If buses are not your style, you can travel by train or by riverboat as well.
We have gotten a lot of inquiries about the Burt Wolf Travel River Cruise itineraries for 2009. Please note that these are special chartered voyages, so not every agncy can book the trips. Our agents will be happy to assist you with the reservation process.
Today we are going to highlight the July 11th – 22nd, 2209 trip: River Cruising through France with Burt Wolf
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,909 to $4,558 (plus airfare).
Burt Wolf, the host of the public television series Travels & Traditions, invites you to join him on this Avalon Waterways’ Tour and River Cruise from Paris, France through Burgundy and Provence to Nice. Burt will be the onboard host throughout the trip. This is a unique opportunity to travel with Burt, see the sights, and experience the places where his television shows were filmed.
In addition to being your host throughout the entire cruise, Burt will conduct the following special events:
A Tasting of the Wines of the Region.
A Talk on Understanding and Buying the Wines of the Region.
A Talk on Understanding European Architecture.
A Talk on Pairing Food and Wine.
A Talk and Tasting of Pastis and Absinthe.
A Talk on How his Public Television Programs are Produced
Prior to the cruise, Burt will mail each guest a packet of his research and background material about the tour locations, and a DVD of one of his programs that relates to the tour. These materials are his personal evaluation of the area – the history, art, architecture, what to eat, what to buy, and what to see. It will give you detailed background information on the places we are going to visit. It will also give you some ideas for things you might like to do in your free time.
Onboard, Burt will present an overview of the area and give a number of talks about the importance of the locations we will be visiting.
Cruising through France on the Sâone and Rhône Rivers is a perfect combination of cruising and touring with a pace you set yourself.
Unlike ocean cruising, our river cruise docks right in the city centers and the old towns. You can tour close to the ship or venture further into town.
The ship’s entire interior is non-smoking and all announcements are in English.
With Burt as your host, the tour begins with two days of sightseeing in Paris, then a drive south into the Burgundy region for a tour and wine tasting in the city of Beaune. We continue on to the village of Chalon-sur-Sâone to board our boat. We cruise down the Sâone River with stops in the ancient towns of Tournus and Mâcon. Then two days in Lyon – France’s gastronomic center where we will enjoy the wines of the region. On the Rhône River, additional stops will include the twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage (famous for their medieval architecture), Avignon (14th century residence of the Popes) where we will have a tasting of the wines and foods of the region, then on to Arles with its Roman Amphitheater and the sunlight that inspired Van Gogh. Our final stop will be in the Mediterranean city of Nice on the Côte d’Azur. Avalon Scenery’s English-speaking Captain, Cruise Director and crew are experienced professionals dedicated to your comfort.
One of the most popular aspects of a Burt Wolf River Cruise is the excellence of the food and free wine onboard. Each full day on board, there is a full breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner — one sitting with open seating arrangements (non-assigned). At dinner, each evening, there is a selection of a red wine and a white wine from Europe’s most-famous wine regions, which are served throughout the meal without charge.
Breakfast: 7:00am – 8:30am
A buffet table includes a wide variety of breads, cereals, fruit and fruit salad, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cheeses, pastries, yogurts, and juices. Scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and other hot items can vary from day to day. The chef will prepare fresh omelets and other egg dishes to order.
Lunch: Usually served at 12:30pm depending on the cruise schedule
Buffet-style with appetizers, soups, sandwiches, cold cuts, breads, salad bar, two main courses (one of which may be a carving station), dessert table, cheese board, and fresh fruit.
Afternoon Tea:
Coffee, tea and cake will be served either in the lounge or on the Sun or Sky Deck.
Dinner: Usually served at 7:30pm depending on cruise schedule.
Dinner is traditionally four courses including a vegetarian selection. Choice of entrees with every dinner including complimentary red and white wines from the region.
On Days 3 and 4: Buffet breakfast will be offered at our Paris hotel.
On Day 12: Buffet breakfast will be offered at our Nice hotel.
The Land/Cruise cost (including hotels in Nice and Paris), per person (based on double occupancy):
Basic Cabin (category E)
$3,909
B-Level Cabin / Rear (category B)
$4,408
B-Level Cabin / Forward (category A)
$4,458
Top Deck Cabin (category P)
$4,558
Jr. Suite
$5,108
Cabins are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Expenses not included in the Land/Cruise cost include: roundtrip airfare, travel insurance, port tax (approximately $98.00); 2 lunches and 2 dinners in Paris (Days 2 and 3); 1 lunch in Beaune (Day 4); 1 lunch and 1 dinner in Nice (Day 11); miscellaneous expenses onboard (laundry, internet, telephone, minibar, liquor/food not on the regular menu, porters at airports, excess baggage fees, gratuities to your Cruise Director, guides and ship’s crew), passport, airport transfers in Europe (approximately $70.00 per person. If you book your air in conjunction with the cruise, the airport transfer fee is waived), and all other items of a personal nature.
Adventures by Disney proudly presents the Gateway Collection, the newest vacation option offers families flexibility via expanded free time, so they have more time to visit places of interest, and an affordable way to see some of the world’s most desirable locales.
The cities & seaside resort areas of the French Riviera are so unique, that I thought I would recap my visit, which was many years ago, but is still fresh in my mind.
Discover the places you’ve always longed to see. Marvel at each country’s historic icons and scenic panoramas. England, Ireland and Northern Ireland, while home to perhaps the most trend-setting and international of European cities, also have some of the most beautiful countryside on earth. In Italy, you can see more than 2,000 years of history within one city, witness the genius of Michelangelo and DaVinci or visit an enchanting island city that defies reason. France shares with us the pleasures of life: excellent wines, awe-inspiring art and sumptuous food. Germany zooms ahead along its Autobahn, but stops long enough to raise a stein, sing a song and welcome the world. The Netherlands, with one wooden shoe in its charming past and the other in the innovative future, continues to enchant visitors with its iconic windmills, tulips and canals.
Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just an enthusiast, expand your horizons on a 
The Seine River flows through the city of Paris dividing the Right and Left Banks. Our cruise along the river was so romantic and delightful that we absolutely had to do it twice! The first time was at night, so the second time we decided to go at twilight so we could really see all the incredible architecture, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, Ile St Louis and famous bridges like le Pont Neuf.
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,909 to $4,558 (plus airfare).
