About a third of people on our tours travel alone. You won’t be left on your own – Travelrite will be looking after you and there will be sightseeing excursions, or classes, every day. You will meet a fun group of people and have a fabulous time and learn techniques from one of the country’s most well-known wellbeing and yoga experts. Come along, have fun, and dedicate some time to steeping in practices designed to restore your mental and physical health, while enjoying the beauty of France and Italy. Rachael will lead sessions every day, built around specific activities of the day. All levels of experience and ability will be welcome. You can expect to move, breathe, meditate and learn many different mindfulness practices during our time together, whether you are experienced or a newbie to the world of mindfulness.
Over the past two decades, Rachael has written, produced and performed in film, television and theatre in Australia, the UK and the USA. A presenter on Play School for over a decade now, she’s graced the stage and screen for thousands of ecstatic toddlers and starred in Australia’s most loved dramas, developed engaging television for kids, and written award-winning theatre for the complex brains of teenagers. She’s shared the movement and philosophy of yoga and mindfulness with stressed out urbanites, explored the incredible stories of young people in the remote Northern Territory, and used both the creative, and mindfulness practices, to inspire and educate leaders in the corporate space. Her kid’s series “Moodies”, explores big feelings in little people, is available on ABC iView. She is a regular contributor to Wellbeing Magazine, and her first book “Find Your Strength” – practical advice to survive life’s battlefields, brings ancient yoga and mindfulness philosophy to the modern world. Her second book “Paris For Beginners”, a memoir based on her time studying clown school in Paris with infamous teacher Philippe Gaulier, released in April 2023, has been enjoying a hugely warm reception. She believes in facing life’s challenges with creativity, humour and mindfulness practices, and is eternally grateful for all her teachers.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Monday 20 May, 2024 Departure
Our holiday begins with a flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane to
Paris.
DAY 2 Tuesday 21 May, 2024 Paris, France
We arrive in Paris, where we are met by our coach and transferred to our hotel. After
time to refresh and to meet Rachael, we have a sightseeing tour with a local guide
showing us the romance of Paris – ‘the city of light’. Highlights include Notre Dame
Cathedral, the Louvre, the Tuileries and a drive along the Champs Elysee to the
Arc de Triomphe. Those wishing to dine together can meet in the lobby where the
tour manager will suggest good-value restaurants for dinner. There are so many
traditional and reasonable brasseries on offer, we will be spoilt for choice.
DAY 3 Wednesday 22 May, 2024 Paris
We travel to the Marais. Rachael lived in the Marais and loves the history of the
place. She can recommend some lovely cafés, and talk about some of the historic
buildings and famous falafel restaurants in the area. We will visit the Musée
Carnavalet. This museum, dedicated to the history of Paris’s, courtyard is one of
the most beautiful Paris hidden gems. After time in the museum we will walk
towards the Seine to a church Rachael loves, St Gervais St Protais, which is on Rue
des Barres, one of the oldest streets in Paris, appearing on the earliest maps. From
there, we will stroll across the Pont Louis Philippe to the lesser-known Ile – the
Ile St Louis, where you can sit on the tip of the Ile and see Paris from a different
perspective. We will walk along the cobbled main street on the Isle St Louis to soak
up the atmosphere. This evening we will have an included gourmet dinner aboard
a Bateau Mouche , so group members can get to know each other and to formally
meet Rachael Coopes.
DAY 4 Thursday 23 May, 2024 Paris
Today we visit the beautiful white Basilica Sacre Coeur on top of the hill at
Montmartre, which provides one of the most spectacular views of the city. The
area is home to the last windmill, vineyard and narrow cobbled streets in Paris.
We will have time to explore the streets near the Cathedral, where painters have
sold their wares for about a hundred years. One of the best views of the Sacre
Coeur itself is actually by the beautiful Carousel in the Square Louise Michel. We
will release the inner child with a ride on the carousel. Under Montmartre is the 9th
arrondissement, where Rachael also used to live. She will show us around this great
example of a Parisian residential area with little cafés, stores, and some vintage
shops, plus the amazing Art Nouveau buildings at 14 Rue d’Abbeville. Close by we
will see the old historic Rue des Martyrs.
DAY 5 Friday 24 May, 2024 Paris
Today we travel west of Paris to visit Château de Versailles, the extravagant palace,
set in grand formal gardens, for Louis XIV. In the grounds of Versailles, we visit the
Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, which belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette,
with its romantic landscape of meandering paths, streams, rustic bridges and
lake. We enjoy a free afternoon to explore Paris, according to your interests. Go
shopping, soak up the Parisians atmosphere or walk along the Seine.
DAY 6 Saturday 25 May, 2024 Vichy, France
This morning we travel south through the beautiful French countryside to Vichy,
where we will find the only volcanic hot springs in France. Bathing in its 280 hot
springs dates to Roman times, but it was in the late 1600’s that word of the healing
properties of its hot waters spread to the ruling classes. We will stop on our journey
with time for lunch at Sancerre, a medieval hilltop town overlooking the beautiful
Loire River and the acres of grapevines, perhaps having a glass of the region’s
world-renowned wine. Late afternoon we check into our hotel, where spa facilities
are available and Rachael will offer a movement and meditation session for those
keen to finish the day mindfully.
DAY 7 Sunday 26 May, 2024 Vichy
Vichy is known for being the capital of the Free State during World War II. It adopted
a policy of collaboration with the German occupiers as well as a spa town. This
morning we will have a discussion on the benefits of yoga, breath and mindfulness
practices. Rachael will lead us for our first yoga and mindfulness session. There will
also be free time to use the spa facilities at the hotel.
DAY 8 Monday 27 May, 2024 Vichy
The morning we will travel to the Bords de l’Allier to walk around this picturesque
lake. Rachael will lead a walking meditation for some of the promenade. We will
enjoy free time for group members to stop at interesting taverns to drink or eat.
Of course there will be free time to enjoy the spas. Rachael will lead a yoga and
mindfulness practice in the afternoon.
DAY 9 Tuesday 28 May, 2024 Chamonix, France
Today we travel to Chamonix, a resort town at the base of Mt Blanc. We travel
through rolling countryside then into the Alps. We will stop at a gorgeous small
town on our journey with time for lunch. Rachael will offer a movement and
meditation session based on the timing of our travel.
DAY 10 Wednesday 29 May, 2024 Chamonix
This morning we will travel on a cable car to the high peaks, where we will get
majestic panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. We will enjoy a high
mountain yoga and mindfulness session with Rachael leading the group. Late
afternoon Rachael will also teach a meditation in this glorious location.
DAY 11 Thursday 30 May, 2024 Monsummone Terme, Italy
Today we travel south and into Italy. We continue along the Italian Riviera, with
gorgeous views of the Mediterranean, to the small town of Monsummone Terme
near Lucca. During our two-night stay we are staying in a spa hotel, so that group
members are able to enjoy spa treatments in you leisure. Rachael will offer a
movement and mindfulness session.
DAY 12 Friday 31 May, 2024 Monsummone Terme
We will visit the historic town of Lucca today. Encircled by Renaissance walls built as
ramparts, this town dates back to the Romans. We will enjoy a guided tour and be
able to walk along the tree-lined ramparts, visit the Piazza dell Anfiteatro the site
of a Roman amphitheatre, and see the Guinigi Tower. On the return to our hotel
Rachael will guide us through a delicious movement and meditation session to
seal a wonderful day.
DAY 13 Saturday 1 June, 2024 Bagno Vigoni, Italy
Today we travel to Bagno Vignoni a small Orcia River Valley village, which has long
been a favourite among painters and travellers seeking solitude in a beautiful
location. We travel via Florence with time to soak up the atmosphere in the home
town of Lorenzo the Magnificent and Michelangelo. In the morning we will join
a local guide for a walking tour through Florence. We will see the cathedral, with
its enormous dome, the Baptistry, the Santa Croce church, Piazza Signoria, the
famous Ponte Vecchio and more. We will have some free time for shopping, visiting
museums, galleries or local sights. We continue to Bagno Vignoni, where we will stay
at a small family-owned 15th-century hotel, built by Rossellino as a summerhouse
for Pope Pius II, who enjoyed the advantage of the nearby hot mineral springs. Tour
members will enjoy delicious Tuscan dinners each night during our stay. Rachael
will offer a movement and meditation session based on the timing of our travel.
DAY 14 Sunday 2 June, 2024 Bagno Vignoni
Today we travel to Siena, where we will see the magnificent Piazza del Campo
renowned for the famous Palio horse race held in the Campo, and its splendid
civic tower and the enormous, partially completed Duomo. In the afternoon we
return to Bagno Vignoni, where we will enjoy a yoga and mindfulness session. Tour
members can book spa treatments for our stay.
DAY 15 Monday 3 June, 2024 Bagno Vignoni
Today we first travel through the Tuscan countryside to the town of San Gimignano,
known as the City of Beautiful Towers, a classic walled hill-town in Tuscany,
famous for its medieval architecture. Known for its skyline of towers built by the
feuding nobles of the 12th and 13th centuries, the town featured in the film Tea
with Mussolini. We will return to Bagno Vignoni late afternoon for our yoga and
meditation session.
DAY 16 Tuesday 4 June, 2024 Bagno Vignoni
This morning we travel to a gorgeous town in this region – Pienza, the “Ideal Town
of Renaissance architecture” where we will have the time to walk through the
gorgeous town centre before visiting a cheese shop to taste the typical “pecorino”
cheese produced for centuries in this region of the Val d’Orcia. We continue with a
visit to one of the most stunning towns situated in the southern region of Tuscany
– Montepulciano. On arrival we will have a guided walk in the centre of this
fascinating hilltop town and then a stop at an historical cellar for a wine tasting of
Nobile di Montepulciano. We drive through this breath-taking valley to the nearby
beautiful town of San Quirico before returning to Bagno Vignoni where during the
remainder of the afternoon Rachael will lead our final session together.
DAY 17 Wednesday 5 June, 2024 Departure
We travel to Rome to board our flight to Australia.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $10,490 | $12,690 |
Tour members please bring yoga mats, blocks and straps with you. They will not be provided by the tour organisers or the hotels where we are staying.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd, (ABN 64 005
817 078) is the tour organiser.
TOUR COSTS:
The tour costs are based on airfare, general transport, accommodation costs and foreign exchange rate at 15 May, 2023. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with a full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:
A deposit of $900 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 62 days before departure of the Wellbeing Tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be charged on payment by credit card.
AIR TAXES:
From Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane as listed in the itinerary. Please contact us for air taxes from different cities. Air taxes are as at 15 May, 2023. If they change due to government and airline charges and currency variations, Travelrite International reserves the right to charge additional amounts.
CANCELLATION CONDITIONS:
Cancellations within 62 days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 62 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $900 per person.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare or other
services not utilized after the tour has commenced.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All passengers will either passport or
government issued photo id.
BAGGAGE:
All passengers qualify for the 20kg (44lb) free baggage
allowance.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Adequate travel insurance is recommended
to cover for the cancellation fees which could result from
events such as illness, accident, death etc.
BAGGAGE:
Passengers qualify for one piece of free baggage
allowance on the tour.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS:
The tour has been
priced on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked
60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour,
giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed
with the tour at a modified cost. Travelrite reserves the right to change
advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
TOUR PARTICIPATION:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour organiser.
Travelrite International Pty Ltd, it’s agents, officers, affiliates, and/or
suppliers of services pursuant to or in connection with these holidays
shall act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, transportation
including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do
not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss,
accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a
default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any
services included in tours , or by act of God. Further no responsibilities
are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour
disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints,
weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility
is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or
acts of any government authority. Baggage is at owners risk throughout
the fly/tour holiday. The passage contract between the carriers concerned
when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and
the purchasers of these fly/tour holidays and/or the passengers. The right
is reserved to withdraw any fly/tour holiday and/or make such changes
in the fly/tour holidays as may be found desirable or necessary for the
convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the holiday.
This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State
of Victoria, Australia.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite to book
this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as
your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the
various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services
that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide
or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party
to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite
reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour
itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain
you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for
any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You
agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in
respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain
travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such
good or service may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by sending full names
and addresses of intending tour members with a deposit of
$750 for the tour to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: balwyn@travelrite.com.au
www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN
64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company
which has been marketing throughout Australia for over
40 years and operating in Victoria for more than 43 years.
It has an ATAS10538 accredited office at Balwyn, which is
also accredited with IATA. As such they directly represent
the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and
international hotel, tour and transport operators. Travelrite
International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian
Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
“The whole tour was wonderful and the group was a good mix of personality. The gardens visited were interesting and varied.”
“Very enjoyable. Good mix of people in the group.”
