Women in History Month in France

“Women in History Month” is coming up next month and we thought it apt to talk about the Spirited Women in History Tours and their grand trip to Paris June 16 to 24, 2004. Participants on this unique Spirited Women in History tour will discover Paris and other nearby sites while gaining rare insight into some of history’s most celebrated women from the worlds of journalism, dance, business, gastronomy, fashion, and art. Beginning with Adrienne de Lafayette and ending with Josephine Baker, the tour offers eight days exploring a Paris that even repeat visitors have never seen. 

Vicki Leon, author of eight impudent books on women’s history says:  “Over the years, I’ve learned several key things about taking trips.  Landscapes are swell, but the heart of travel is the human landscape.  That’s what we remember; the culture, the people, past and present, is who we care about … That’s why the approach of Spirited Women in History is so appealing.”
 
Highlights of the tour include:
 
* Travel with Vicki Leon, historian and author of the Uppity Women and Outrageous Women series, which have sold over 300,000 copies in four languages.           
* Reception with the current ‘Madame de Lafayette’, Countess Irascema de Pusy Lafayette and husband Gilbert, who is the head of the Marquis’ family. 
* Nationally-known photographer, Claude Abron introduces us to the ‘Eves’, the 19th-century nude sculptures that adorn so many buildings and depict women as both Powerful and Sensual figures
* Garden dinner with sculptress Dominique Rivaux
* Immerse yourself in the world of Widow (Veuve) Cliquot, France’s first internationally-recognized businesswoman. Visit her mansion, the Hotel du Marc, open by a private arrangement then take a spin through Champagne’s marvelous and little-known vineyard roads in antique cars and their English-speaking owners.
* Pamper yourself at an exotic 1920′s hammam (spa)
* Readings from a princess and poetess from Afghanistan
* Middle Eastern dinner, music and dance – the ‘belly dance’ – a sacred dance by and for women that in ancient times had a very different meaning than it does today
* Medieval festival in Dreux with our hostess, Ginette Chanal, President of the Office of Tourism
* Consultant to the film Lautrec, Nadege Maruta, explains the history of the cancan and ends with a high-stepping, petticoat waiving lesson
* Access to the very private and intimate salon at the 19th century Opera
* Private lunch at Lanvin’s VIP dining room hosted by female executive at Lanvin
* Gala dinner at Lalique’s flagship store where Spirited Women in History  pays homage to Josephine Baker -  a symbol of the long-lasting ties between the U.S. and France
* ample free time for shopping and relaxing.
 
Every step of the tour is carefully led by Catherine Loveland Aubin, main guide and historian. Born and educated in the United States, Catherine has lived much of her adult life in Paris and possesses an exquisite sense of what is most worth sharing in all that Paris has to offer. In addition, most tour activities offer additional presentations and discussions by a variety of experts hand-selected for their knowledge of each subject and site.
 
Home base for this enlightening 9-day tour will be Hotel Saint James and Albany, a four-star hotel ideally situated in the heart of Paris, only a short walk from the Opera, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, and the Champs Elysees. The hotel was once the home of Adrienne de Noailles, the colorful and interesting wife of LaFayette, and the tour begins with a personal visit with the current Madame LaFayette, Countess Irascema de Pusy LaFayette and her husband, Gilbert.
 
A division of Beyond Boundaries, Spirited Women in History Tours develops convivial and highly interactive trips focusing on what long-ago female achievers said and did. These tours are unique, exclusive, and authentic, allowing participants to experience travel in an entirely original way. For more information, call 1-800-487-1136 or e-mail info@womeninhistorytours.com or visit  womeninhistorytours.com

Travelvideo.TV – your news source for the travel and tourism industry.

February 20, 2004   Posted in: France