| Day 1 | USA-Paris |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Paris |
| Day 3 | Charles de Gaulle Airport |
| Day 4 | Paris Air Show/Le Bourget |
| Day 5 | Toulouse |
| Day 6 | Toulouse |
| Day 7 | Pau |
| Day 8 | Pau-USA |
History of Flight in France: From the Paris Air Show back to the Wright Brothers
June 16-23, 2007
With Luther Gore, Professor Emeritus, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
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This program has been cancelled. If you are interested in seeing future programs like this, please let us know by emailing cavaliertravels@virginia.edu. |
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Overview
Please join us on an exciting journey in France to learn about the fascinating history of flight! We begin in Paris with a unique, behind-the-scenes guided tour at Roissy-Charles De Gaulle Airport. Then, in the company of U.Va. experts and experts from around the world, and with privileged access, enjoy a day at the world renowned Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, located on the outskirts of Paris. We will also have the chance to visit France's Musee de l'Air and watch air show demonstrations from the museum's terrace as we enjoy refreshments.
Later, travel to Toulouse, the city where Airbus has its headquarters and is considered the heart of France's air industry. Tour ENA, France's school for Air Traffic Controllers, then view the giant A-380 aircraft now in production. Enjoy a guided visit of Les Ailes Anciennes - a treasure-trove of flight history - before continuing to the enchanting city of Pau.
Join School of Engineering and Applied Science Professor Emertus Luther Gore for the entire program, including in Pau, at the foot of the Pyrenees, where the Wright brothers founded the first ever school of flight; follow in the Wright’s footsteps and discover their enduring legacy.
Pau was also the training field where, in World War I, American airmen trained for the Lafayette Escadrille. Three U.Va. students were members of this distinguished group of volunteers fighting for France before America's entry into the conflict including James R. McConnell (immortalized by the statue near Clemons library).
We have also made arrangements for a reduced-priced companion program that omits the aviation activities. Accommodations, all breakfasts, group dinners, and some city visits are included, as well as a Paris museum pass.
Program Highlights
- An exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Charles de Gaulle International Airport.
- A full day at the Paris Air Show with special reserved table seating and exclusive access.
- A private tour of l'ENA, where France's Air Traffic Controllers are trained.
- A private guided tour of the Airbus plant, including a view of the mammoth A-380.
- A stay in Pau, where in 1909 the Wright Brothers founded the first ever flight school.
- Comfortable, charming accommodations, throughout, and in Pau, a fabulous view of the Pyrenees Mountains from each guest room.
Accommodations
Hotel Regina
Located on Paris' Right Bank near the Louvre Museum and overlooking the Tuilerie gardens, the Regina offers spacious rooms furnished with antiques and modern conveniences such as direct dial phones, cable television and air conditioning. En-suite bathrooms are decorated with marble and are equipped with hairdryers.
Hotel Crowne Plaza
This 4-star hotel is ideally situated off of the famous Place du Capitole, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, bordered by the breathtaking Capitolium building. Its 162 recently renovated rooms combine space, comfort and practicality. In addition to its gourmet restaurant Autant-Tic, the hotel boasts a bar, a health club, and a lovely interior garden.
Hotel Parc Beaumont
The hotel Parc Beaumont is a recently opened 4-star property unusual in architecture and lavish in comfort. Each guest rooms offers breathtaking views of the mountains, wood floors, warm tones, and marble bathrooms. In addition, the hotel boasts an exclusive spa and indoor pool and Jacuzzi, and a gastronomic restaurant, Jeu de Paume.
Meals
- Five breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners are included.
- Welcome Reception
- Farewell Reception
Faculty
Luther Y. Gore is Professor Emeritus of Humanities from the University of Virginia. He taught there from 1958 to 1993 in the Division of Humanities of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. He chaired the Division from 1970-1974. Professor Gore developed a course in the history of flight with Professor George Matthews of the Aerospace Engineering Department and taught the course from 1978 until he retired in 1993. He has published articles on aviation and military history and was instrumental in the founding of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA). He served as the Executive Secretary of ASAA for 15 years. He is Co-Founder of the Charlottesville Aviation Luncheon Club, which for the last twelve years has provided luncheon speakers on aerospace/aviation topics for an enthusiastic audience of pilots, aircraft owners, historians, and other interested parties in Central Virginia.
This program is dedicated to the memory of Professor George B. Matthews, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia.
^ back to topItinerary
Day 1 - USA-Paris
Depart your gateway city for Paris.
Day 2 - Paris
Arrive in Paris and transfer to the Regina Hotel. Our program begins this afternoon with an orientation walking tour of your neighborhood and its highlights including the Pyramid of the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, St. Madeleine Church, and the luxurious Place Vendme. This evening, gather for a welcome reception at the Regina.
Day 3 - Charles de Gaulle Airport
After a leisurely breakfast, gather for your first lecture. After lunch, depart for a unique behind the scenes tour of France's busiest airport: Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. From security, to the tarmac, to luggage handling and airplane maintenance, find out how the airport operates, handling thousands of flights each day. This evening's dinner is in a local Parisian brasserie.
Day 4 - Paris Air Show/Le Bourget
Rise early this morning and drive out to Le Bourget - site of the Paris Air Show. A full day is planned there, where in addition to the air show, you will have access to France's Air and Space Museum, and a reserved table where breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon open bar will be available. Enjoy seats on the terrace to watch the air show demonstrations, and come and go all day at your leisure, exploring the vast historic collection of the Air and Space Museum and the modern and futuristic prototypes of the show. At the conclusion of the show, return to the Regina for an evening at leisure in Paris.
Day 5 - Toulouse
After breakfast transfer to Paris' Orly airport and fly to Toulouse. Upon arrival, tour the Toulouse airport where our group will be granted special permission to view the control tower. After a casual lunch in Toulouse, check into the Hotel Crowne Plaza. Later, enjoy a private guided tour of l'ENA, followed by a walking tour of some of Toulouse's main sites including the Capitole, the Basilica St. Sernin, and Couvent des Jacobins and the Hotel Bernuy. Dinner this evening is at leisure.
Day 6 - Toulouse
Begin today at the Les Ailes Anciennes, a museum featuring numerous historical planes-from the T33 T-Bird to the Super Guppy and the Gloster Meteor. The Les Ailes Anciennes Association founded the museum, and has acquired and restored airplanes and helicopters since the early 1980s. Today, its impressive collection represents a snapshot of modern evolution of flight. After lunch at leisure, enjoy a guided tour of the Airbus plant, including the hangers housing the famous - and controversial -- new A380 - soon to be the largest commercial plane in the world. Drive to Pau this evening and check into your hotel facing the Pyrenees.
Day 7 - Pau
This morning travel back in time and learn how in 1909 the Wright Brothers founded the first flight school in the world in Pau. View the site of this school and visit with members of the Pau Wright Aviation Association, a group that organizes exhibits and events associated with flight and the Wright family. Enjoy some time at leisure this afternoon to explore the picturesque town of Pau. This evening, gather for a festive farewell reception and dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Jeu de Paume.
Day 8 - Pau/USA
Depart Pau for your return flights to the United States.
^ back to topProgram Fees
$4,875* per person, double occupancy, land only**. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $1,485.
Price includes:
- Four-star accommodations.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner; R=reception).
- All special visits, excursions; all transportation and sightseeing with expert guides as set forth in the itinerary.
- The assistance of a representative of U.Va., the services of a study leader and an ATA tour manager.
- Baggage handling for one bag plus one carry-on per person; pre-trip notes and guidelines; service charges, taxes and basic gratuities.
Price does not include:
- Domestic airfare, international airfare; transportation to and from the departure city; transfers to and from airports for persons not using or meeting group flights; passport photos and fees; visa fees; personal items such as wines, liquors, a-la-carte orders, room service, and valet/laundry charges; expenses incurred by Academic Travel Abroad in making individual travel arrangements before or after the program; and other items not specifically mentioned as included.
$2,850 Companion Fee (omits the aviation activities.) Accommodations, all breakfasts, group dinners, and some city visits are included, as well as a Paris museum pass.
*Program price based on a minimum of 20 participants.
** The tour operator can handle your air transportation for you. Please call us for details.
How To Register
Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us at 800-346-3882. Or, e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.
A deposit of $500 per person is required to reserve your spot. The balance of the program price must be paid by check upon receipt of invoice approximately 90 days prior to departure. If you elect to charge your airfare to a credit card, the international ticket will be charged to your account approximately 3 weeks prior to departure.
Deposits can be made via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check. Please make checks payable to Academic Travel Abroad, Inc.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.
^ back to topTerms & Conditions
SINGLE/SHARED ROOMS
A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Academic Travel Abroad will assist persons requesting a roommate. However, neither a single room nor a share can be guaranteed. Participants will be notified if we are unsuccessful in finding a suitable roommate. In this case, the single supplement will be charged.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
$500 deposit upon application. Balance due upon receipt of invoice, 90 days before departure. Credit cards may be used for airfare. If payment is not received by 30 days prior to departure, your space is subject to cancellation.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
After confirmation on the tour, a nonrefundable processing fee of $150 per person will be charged upon written cancellation. Written cancellation between 90-61 days of departure: full refund, minus your deposit (including nonrefundable processing fee). Written cancellation between 60 and 30 days prior to departure: 50% refund of the tour price. Written cancellation within 30 days prior to departure: no refund. Airfare is fully refundable up to time of ticket issuance, generally three to four weeks before departure. Thereafter tickets are nonrefundable and no changes are allowed. Cancellation on day of departure or after tour departs: no refund. No refund for unused portions of tour, including, but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights and sightseeing. Cancellation of program by Cavalier Travels and Academic Travel Abroad: full refund. Cancellation of the program after departure by Cavalier Travels or Academic Travel Abroad: full refund of all land fees, less the cost of service up to the time of the group's return. NOTE: Neither Cavalier Travels nor Academic Travel Abroad accepts liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable domestic ticket to the tour departure city and return.
A NOTE ABOUT ITINERARY AND COST
While every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, the itinerary as described is subject to modification and change by Cavalier Travel and Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. The program cost is based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values in effect August, 2006, and assumes that a minimum of 20 participants will join the program. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed price, it is subject to change. If it is necessary to levy a surcharge, notification will be given before time of invoicing (approximately 90 days prior to departure). In the event of cancellation due to a surcharge, all monies are fully refundable except for processing fee.
INSURANCE
A package of trip cancellation, baggage and medical insurance is available through Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. for coverage of nonrefundable expenses incurred in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. $150,000 of flight insurance is automatically provided with each ticket written by Academic Travel Abroad.
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
To enjoy your travels to the fullest you should be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diets, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the enjoyment of other participants.
RESPONSIBILITY
Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. and Cavalier travel act only as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all matters of reservations and tour operation. We and our agents accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor do we accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions or acts of God. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the tour participant. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. We likewise reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any tour participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason therefor. In the event of the exercise of this right, we shall be under no liability to such person(s) except to refund such amount as our absolute discretion deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the tour. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk entirely. It is understood that air, ship or train tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and all other transportation companies involved in this tour are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The tour participant agrees on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, Academic Travel Abroad, Inc., and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury or death occurring in relation to this tour.
CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL PROGRAM
CST #2059002-40
ATA is a participant in the California Seller of Travel program. California law requires that certain sellers of travel have a trust account or bond. ATA has a trust account. ATA is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation.