KINGSMEAD COLLEGE TOUR TO FRANCE – AUGUST 2017
SATURDAY 5 AUGUST D DAY!
The day everyone has been dreaming of for so long has finally dawned and all are eager to embark on this great ‘aventure en France’! The 4 designated chaperones for the tour are Joelle Harding, Raoudha Cherni, Karin Nicklin and Bronwyn Bocher and all are acutely aware that the safety and security of your precious children is of paramount importance. Everyone took advantage of a stress-free early check-in and then, after reassuring chats with mums & dads, the teachers led the girls through emigration where, other than one concern, no problems were encountered. Once on the ‘other side’, they were able to enjoy some free time, before gathering at the boarding gate where they will meet members of my group of 30 students. We are scheduled to land at Roissy Charles de Gaulle bright & early tomorrow morning, connecting thereafter to Nice, Côte d’Azur, where the group will be warmly greeted by Benjamin, their ‘animateur’ from Le Centre International d’Antibes. Please rest assured that all arrangements are firmly in place and I have no doubt that a wonderful tour awaits your daughters, filled with special memories and abundant blessings. I will update the site as soon as I find connectivity in France tomorrow. A reminder that photos will be loaded on a face book pagelink ed to my website – if you are a member of face book, then either search ‘Personal Touch Schooltours – Kingsmead College 2017’ or follow the link below and click ‘LIKE’ to receive updates as they are posted:https://www.facebook.com/Personal-Touch-Schooltours-Kingsmead-College-2017-476606672705051/ A demain…
SUNDAY 6 AUGUST RAVIES D’ETRE EN FRANCE!
The flight was smooth and, in spite of an early arrival at 05h20, all were in surprisingly high spirits! With time in hand, the girls made their way calmly to terminal 2F, where they passed through security & passport control, before freshening up for their flight to Nice. Upon arrival they were delighted to be re-united with their luggage, before meeting their animateur, Benjamin, who escorted them to a waiting coach bound for Antibes. At Port Vauban the girls were introduced to their host families - all are truly lovely and I have no doubt that your precious daughters will be well cared for and feel comfortable with them for the week. The girls returned ‘home’ with the families for lunch and they had time to freshen up & settle in before their orientation tour of the vieille ville. After the formal tour, all were afforded ‘du temps libre’ (free time) and, whilst some chose to relax on the beach and enjoy a first swim in the Mediterranean Sea, others opted to explore, with an ice cream or two in hand! At 18h00 the girls made their way home, with many using the local bus for the first time - bravo! Everyone has immediately fallen in love with this beautiful part of the world and they are all so keen to embrace the incredible ‘French experience’ that awaits!
MONDAY 7 AUGUST COURS INTERNATIONAUX + EXCURSION TO MONACO!
Everyone slept really well last night and all seem very happy with their host families. The teachers were so proud of their girls for navigating their way to school this morning and for using the public transport with such confidence. Campus Horticole is set in such beautiful surroundings – the site is owned by the French Ministry of Agriculture and loaned to Le Centre International d’Antibes during the summer holidays. At 08h45 the girls were assigned to their specific classes with other international students of the same abi lity and all were excited to start their ‘cours internationaux’, where the emphasis is placed on improving communicative skills and confidence to speak. At lunchtime they enjoyed a delicious multi-course meal in the restaurant, after which they departed by coach for the Principality of Monaco. The winding ‘route du littoral’ offered such magnificent views and upon arrival they hopped on board the ‘petit train’, a tourist train which weaves through the famous ‘Grand Prix’ streets of Monte Carlo, providing valuable commentary. After a photo shoot in front of Le Palais, all had some free time to enjoy souvenir shopping, before walking past the Cathedral and through the Princess Grace Exotic Gardens to their coach. They returned to the campus in time to enjoy the ‘soiree barbecue’, which provided them with the opportunity to socialize with all the other international students who are at the school this week. Quelle journée magnifique!
TUESDAY 8 AUGUST FRENCH COURSE + EXCURSION TO CANNES!
The girls arrived in high spirits this morning, all very proud to have mastered the local bus system! After lunch, armed with hats, sunscreen and beach towels, all hopped on board the train to Cannes where they headed straight for the famous Palais des Festivals, home to the annual Cannes Film Festival. After an orientation talk and photographs on the red carpet, the girls were afforded ‘du temps libre’ (free time!)and the options were a) walking up to Le Suquet with Benjamin for a magnificent view over the yacht-lined bay & the Estérel Mountains b) shopping in the famous name brand boutiques along Rue d’Antibes & in the affordable shops on the Rue Meynadier or c)relaxing and swimming in the azure blue waters of the Mediterranean...or all three! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and at 17h30, a very happy band of travellers returned to Antibes and to their host families for dinner.
WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST FRENCH COURSE + EXCURION TO VIEUX GRASSE!
This morning all gathered in the beautiful gardens on campus, where they enjoyed chatting to the other international students before making their way to class. The lessons have been great fun and the girls are so much more confident to communicate in French – bravo les filles! After lunch they hopped on board the coach to Grasse, which is dubbed the ‘balcony of Provence’ for its magnificent panoramic views. It is also the home of French perfume and at the Fragonard Parfumerie everyone enjoyed a fascinating & most informative tour with their guide. The on-site boutique was a great hit and, judging by the packets, many purchases were made! Thereafter they made their way to Vieux Grasse, where many enjoyed a visit to the Musée Provençal du Costume et du Bijou, followed by a visit to the Notre Dame du Puy Cathedral which boasts 3 original Rubens’ paintings! Several ice creams and crepes later, they returned to Antibes, all unanimously agreeing that it had been a wonderful afternoon!
THURSDAY 10 AUGUST LESSONS + FUN IN THE SUN…ON A KAYAK!
The girls are benefitting enormously from their French course and after another rewarding morning in the classroom, they were looking forward to an afternoon with a difference! Armed with sunscreen, hats and beach towels, they made their way to the Yacht Club of Antibes, where they donned life jackets, before selecting a kayak of their choice. They had originally been assigned catamarans but, with the wind presenting problems, this was not possible for reasons of safety & security. They all had such a wonderful afternoon and were stunned by the incredible beauty of the calm azure blue waters, with the vieille ville in close proximity and Italy in the distance! There was much laughter as they bobbed about on the Mediterranean and they then enjoyed time at the public beach, frolicking in the waters and eating ice-creams before their transfer back to Antibes. It was such a special afternoon in an idyllic part of the world and everyone is so very happy!
FRIDAY 11 AUGUST DELF CERTIFICATES + DINNER IN JUAN LES PINS!
Today marked the end of formal lessons at Le Centre International d'Antibes and all were very proud to receive their DELF accredited certificates, which attest to the 15 hours of tuition and the level attained, as well as an individual comment from the teacher. The educators were once again full of high praise for our SA students, commenting on their level of participation & enthusiastic approach to the tasks at hand and, furthermore, they were impressed with the marked improvement in the girls’ confidence to communicate. This afternoon they were afforded some free time to explore all the hidden gems Antibes has to offer, with many heading directly to the beach to enjoy the glorious sunshine! This evening a group dinner has been organized in an Italian restaurant on the beachfront in the vibrant seaside resort of Juan les Pins and this will be a wonderful way to end their special time on the Côte d’Azur! They will say a fond farewell to host families tomorrow morning and spend the day in Nice, before boarding their flight to Paris at 17h00. A demain …
SATURDAY 12 AUGUST NICE + ARRIVAL IN PARIS!
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening & dinner last night in Juan les Pins and it was a lovely way for the girls to end their time on the Côte d’Azur! At 08h30 this morning all gathered at Port Vauban, where they said a fond farewell to host families, before hopping on their coach bound for Nice, the ‘Queen of the Riviera’! They had a wonderful day and all particularly enjoyed sampling the specialties of the region at the famous Cours Saléya market, as well as the delicious ice cream on offer at Fenocchios! At 17h00 they boarded their flight to Orly and everyone was very excited to be in Paris! Their coach was waiting to whisk them to hotel Campanile Paris La Villette, where all were warmly welcomed by the hotel staff whom I have come to know personally over the years – should you wish to contact your daughters, the telephone number is + 33 6 34 48 50 95. Once at the hotel, they enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal with drinks, before returning to their rooms to relax and recharge batteries for all that lies ahead.
SUNDAY 13 AUGUST OPERA GARNIER + LA SAINTE CHAPELLE + MONTMARTRE!
As an alternative to the Musée d’Orsay, a guided tour of the magnificent Palais Garnier/Opéra Garnier was arranged for this morning. Upon arrival the girls were divided into 2 groups and all without exception were overwhelmed by the beauty and opulence of this vastly impressive historic monument – it truly is a memory which they will all keep close to their hearts forever. Thereafter they made their way to l’Ile de la Cité, with the beautiful Cathedral of Notre Dame and here all were able to relax and enjoy some lunch. In the early afternoon they had a visit to La Sainte Chapelle, a royal medieval Gothic chapel, which boasts a huge expanse of exquisite stained glass and this they really enjoyed. At 14h30 all returned to the hotel for a quick rest & recharge, before heading off for Montmartre, the highest natural point in Paris, where the beautiful basilica of Sacré Coeur dominates the sky-line. At the Place du Tertre some chose to have their portraits painted, after which they gathered in the famous restaurant La Cremaillère, where they met up with the students in my group and together we all enjoyed a delicious 3 course dinner with drinks. There were in total 80 ‘Personal Touchers” in the restaurant and what fun we all had, with the resident singer attesting to the fact that the South Africans really know how to get a party started…bravo!!
MONDAY 14 AUGUST SORBONNE + LOUVRE + CRUISE + EIFFEL TOWER!
The girls were grateful for a slightly later start this morning and all enjoyed their visit to the Paris-Sorbonne University which had been privately arranged. After lunch they made their way to the Louvre where they were divided into 2 groups – whilst the one enjoyed a guided tour the others were able to appreciate the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries and stroll in glorious sunshine along the River Seine. Everyone really enjoyed their tour of this world famous museum and all so appreciated the incredible works of art, including the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory & Venus de Milo. The group then decided to return to the hotel to relax and change for the evening programme, which included a delicious 3 course dinner with drinks in a restaurant alongside the River, followed by a cruise and finally an ascent to the 2nd level of a sparkling Eiffel Tower at 23h00. The coach returned with the girls to the hotel at 00h30 and all were very much looking forward to some sleep after such a full day!
TUESDAY 15 AUGUST HOMEWARD BOUND!
Today marks the final day of their tour and everyone without exception has had the most wonderful experience! They have done so much in a relatively short space of time and the girls have fully embraced every opportunity. Their final few hours in Paris today were spent shopping (!) with some choosing to explore the glorious boulevard of the Champs Elysées. whilst others opted for Galéries Lafayette, a world renowned department store, with H & M, Sephora, Zara and many other ‘gems’ in close proximity! They returned to the hotel around 16h00, with enough time to freshen up and re-pack suitcases before their airport transfer at 16h45. Their homeward flight has been confirmed and AF990 is expected to depart on time at 23h25, with a scheduled arrival at O R Tambo tomorrow, Wednesday 16 August @ 09h55. The tour has been a resounding success and incredibly valuable on so many levels and the girls share so many happy memories. To act ‘in loco parentis’ is no mean task and sincere thanks must go to Mrs Joelle Harding & her team for taking such good care of your precious daughters. All are bound to be exhausted after such a full & intense programme and whilst the many wonderful anecdotes may not be immediately forthcoming, they will I know reveal themselves in the days, months and even years to come. As parents, you have certainly afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity and I have no doubt that each and every child will return not only academically enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence. It has been a pleasure & a privilege to organize Kingsmead College’s 7th French Tour and it only remains for me to wish everyone a very happy home-coming - ‘merci beaucoup, bon retour et à la prochaine’!