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Attention global jetsetters, adventure seekers and luxury connoisseurs!
How would you like to bring the pages of Dan Brown’s bestseller to life through an exciting luxury travel tour? Imagine racing through the streets of Paris, dashing down London’s alleyways and marveling at the medieval wonders of Edinburgh. Feel the thrill of the chase as you follow in the footsteps of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu! Discover the real truth behind the fiction!
Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, has become an international success, read by thousands! The story is an intricate web of cryptograms, puzzles and codes interwoven to carefully protect an ancient secret that threatens to change history forever! Murder, scandal, secret societies and cliffhangers make the book impossible to put down, and its controversial theories spark curiosity even from the most unlikely readers.
Based in Paris, London and Edinburgh, the story has consequently motivated many Americans to travel abroad, either yearning for more answers or simply moved to visit the monuments and paintings central to this provocative tale. By intertwining both obscure and popular locations in the plot, the Code ingeniously serves as a pseudo handbook for the adventurous traveler who likes to tread on and off the beaten path.
Lucky for you, we’ve taken this handbook and created our own luxury travel tour, Following in the Footsteps of The Da Vinci Code!
This elegant enigma seduces, paralleling the all-consuming plot while ensuring a fulfilling experience overall. We'll scrutinize famous artwork for hidden symbols, unlock the secrets of ancient temples and decipher the clues to our own European adventure... and all the while you will be bathed in luxury and refinement!!
If you'd like to live the adventure most people only read about, see the places you've only imagined and draw your own conclusions about the real truth behind The Da Vinci Code, then you WON’T want to miss this tour!
Here's why...
This is the only tour of its kind that takes you page for page on a real life journey through The Da Vinci Code, encompassing all the significant checkpoints from the cryptic paintings in the Louvre to the dramatic carvings at Rosslyn and everything in between. Plus in the tradition of Elegant Expeditions, we meticulously combine luxury and entertainment for an interactive experience you'll never forget!
The tradition of Elegant Expeditions means extravagance mixed with out of the ordinary surprises. When you venture on an Elegant Expedition, not only will you stay in the finest hotels and dine in the most exquisite restaurants, but you will also take away a life-changing experience.
Why?
Because we intertwine unique elements and meaningful extras that create special moments just for you, stirring emotion, excitement and romance... the very sensations that furtively evade our everyday lives.
Elegant Expeditions gives you more than just a luxury vacation, we give you stories and memories you’ll treasure forever.
When you travel with us, you’re in the hands of true professionals. While relatively new, Elegant Expeditions is a successful offspring of its seasoned sister company, Mayer Motivations, Inc. Mayer Motivations, a multi-million dollar incentive travel company, has helped businesses reward their best clients and high performance employees with extraordinary trips to unique, exotic and memorable locales for more than twenty years. The incentive trips are so memorable and fantastic, people are always asking how they could simply buy them as opposed to winning or earning them.
Thus, Elegant Expeditions was born in 2003, and is now a thriving luxury tour company specializing in extraordinary travel adventures for discriminating individuals.
- With more than twenty years of experience, our Elegant Expeditions staff has connections in hundreds of destinations worldwide, enabling us to offer access to sites unavailable to the average traveler and even to most travel companies. With our status on the international travel scene, you'll truly get... the behind-the-scenes Da Vinci Code experience.
- Anyone can spend hours upon hours creating an itinerary from The Da Vinci Code, but only Elegant Expeditions will blend interactive clues with luxurious surroundings and a dash of theatrics to take your tour to the next level.
- With a history of luxury and service, you can expect only the best in accommodations, dining and entertainment!
- No one beats our standard of personalized customer service, and we hold satisfaction ratings consistently at 95% and above to prove it.
- By creating the itinerary, we've done the work for you. You can relive the story without wasting time hunting down each location and tediously mapping it all out.
- We've booked the lavish hotels, the fascinating tours, the upscale restaurants, the cultural guides, the distinguished art historians and more! You don’t have to worry about reservations or accommodations. It's all taken care of.
- We've intertwined clues and enigmas for you to figure out along the way. You don't just see elements of The Da Vinci Code; you experience your own adventure!
- An Elegant Expeditions hospitality desk will be available daily. No waiting for the hotel concierge, you have your own personal representative ready to assist you with everything you need.
- We've built in plenty of free time so you don’t miss the things YOU want to do. You can visit attractions outside of The Da Vinci Code tour, relax in your hotel room and of course, shop for souvenirs, fashions, food, perfume or wine.
- Transportation is provided for all group activities, and your Elegant Expeditions host will be glad to assist you with locating transportation during your free time. You’ll never have to stress over being late, finding a cab or getting lost.
- We carefully inspect every hotel, restaurant and tour BEFORE you go to ensure a high level of satisfaction is guaranteed – every time. You’ll never be disappointed with... uncomfortable hotel rooms, bad restaurant service or poorly informed tour guides.
- You’ll receive special gifts and sweet treats in your room every night. You’ll feel like royalty throughout your entire experience!
It’s not bragging; it’s just a fact. When people return from one of our fantastic trips, they simply cannot stop talking about it. Check it out.
“Mayer Motivations personnel were absolutely first class and the same can be said for all arrangements and accommodations before and during the trip.”
“I thought our group activities were lots of fun and the high caliber of planning and overseeing every detail made every aspect of the trip flawless. But then I’ve come to expect perfection from Mayer. Thanks for always doing such a terrific job.”
“From the moment we arrived at the airport to the moment we all said goodbye, our group was pampered, fed and gifted every step of the way. The best proof was the number of our group who said without prompting that this was the best trip they had ever taken. For many in that well-traveled group, that is some testimony!”
If you’re going to spend money on a fabulous vacation such as this, don’t waste it on a cheap tour company. You’ll wind up unsatisfied, disappointed and angry that you spent any money at all. At Elegant Expeditions we’ve made sure that our Following in the Footsteps of The Da Vinci Code tour meets all the following criteria:
- Deluxe magnificent accommodations at the Hotel Du Louvre, The Ritz in London and The Balmoral in Edinburgh
- Personal Hospitality and Concierge service
- Fully escorted from the moment you arrive in Paris until the day you depart Edinburgh
- All transportation to scheduled events included
- Well informed, experienced trip escorts and local guides
- Pre-inspected hotels, restaurants and tours
- Entertainment, excitement and adventure every step of the way with special details that transform your vacation into an unforgettable experience!
You could spend hours trying to attempt this adventure on your own, but we've combined it all for you. Aside from the intriguing atmosphere, the camaraderie of other Da Vinci Code fans, and all the extra fun thrown in between, just look at everything you’ll get:
- Deluxe, luxury accommodations at the travel insiders’ favorite, the Hotel Du Louvre, a boutique style setting with plush décor, modern amenities and one of the best brasseries in Paris...not to mention location, location, location!
- An exciting breakfast briefing at the elegant Ritz Carlton
- A special tour at the Musee du Louvre: Cracking The Da Vinci Code Tour with the famed Ellen McBreen and her staff. Our group is divided into smaller groups of 4-6 so that we can take advantage of our guide’s utmost attention to us
- A luxurious lunch at the famed La Tour D’Argent overlooking Notre Dame
- Dinner at the elite Fouquet’s
- A hunt for clues at the Church of Saint Sulpice
- More adventure at Gare Saint Lazare
- A day trip to Versailles with a visit to the mysterious Chateau Villette and an opulent afternoon luncheon
- And of course extra time to catch all the main attractions... Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Musee d’Orsay, Montmarte, Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe...
- Luxury hotel in London at the world-famous Ritz Hotel coupling quiet luxury with 21st century amenities
- A panoramic tour of Fleet street followed by another hunt for clues and reliving the book scenes at the Knights of Templar Church
- An evening tour of St. James park with spectacular views of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
- A mystery dinner at the famous Sherlock Holmes Pub
- The tomb of Sir Isaac Newton and many other famous sites at Westminster Abbey
- And once again plenty of free time for sight-seeing and souvenir shopping... Horseguards Parade, London Millennium Eye Ferris Wheel, Tower Bridge, The Thames, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circle, Harrods...
- Accommodations at one of the finest award-winning hotels in Scotland, The Balmoral, fully equipped with four exquisite dining locales, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a sauna, a steam room and a luxurious health spa
- A historic tour of Edinburgh’s oldest street, The Royal Mile, beginning at the Palace of Holyrood House, past countless shops and attractions and finishing up with a grand tour of the majestic Edinburgh Castle
- Another exciting Following In The Footsteps visit at Rosslyn Chapel and the culmination of our exciting mystery tour
- Luncheon at a Country Manor Home
- A sumptuous and ‘spirited’ feast at the award-winning Witchery by the Castle
- A haunting Murder and Mystery Tour of Historic Old Town
- An unforgettable Farewell Celebration Banquet in an authentic Scottish Castle complete with bagpipers, the famous Haggis Ceremony, mischievous minstrel singers, Highland Dancers... and an unforgettable finale that will stir emotion, touch your heart and move your soul. You won’t believe it until you’ve experienced it!
And these are just a few of the many fun and exciting things you’ll get to see and do on your Following in the Footsteps of The Da Vinci Code adventure!
Day One
Day Two
- Arrive in Paris
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and whisked away in a private car to your elegant accommodations at the Hotel Du Louvre. A delicious luncheon awaits you at the hotel’s famous brasserie. Then... take time to relax, unpack and prepare for the evening’s festivities!
Tonight you’ll take a walking tour of the Champs Elysees and experience the exciting nightlife of Paris’ own Fifth Avenue! Later, enjoy authentic French cuisine at the famous Fouquet’s; frequented by movie stars and media celebrities, you never know who’ll show up at this century-old hot spot! It’s where the French Academy Awards are presented!
Later, as you sink into your luxurious bed, close your eyes and dream of what’s to come tomorrow when we follow in the footsteps of The Da Vinci Code
Day Three
- Paris
Breakfast Briefing at the Ritz
The story begins when our protagonist Harvard Symbologist, Robert Langdon is startled from a cushy slumber in his grand Ritz Carlton suite. We too will begin our adventure here over a sumptuous private breakfast debriefing.
Musee du Louvre: Cracking The Da Vinci Code
Once you have digested the agenda, we’ll head straight to the Louvre to hunt for clues! In the story, Langdon was awakened for questioning regarding the murder of a man he was supposed to have met earlier in the evening, Jacques Sauniere, prominent curator of the Louvre. Upon arrival to the Denon Wing, the location in the Louvre in which Sauniere’s body was discovered, Langdon soon learns he is the prime suspect!
We’ll see the very place the body was found, the bathroom where Sophie and Robert hid, and the security doors that slammed closed when the alarm was set off.
Several pieces of famous artwork are spotlighted here and throughout the story regarding hidden meanings and symbols. Here, we will have the privilege of a private tour with our own art historian who will help us study the pieces in question, decipher the hidden clues, examine other significant artifacts surrounding the mystery of Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail, and reveal several little-known truths about the novel itself!
Panoramic tour of Paris – Avenue Malesherbes
You’ll be whisked away through the streets of Paris for a picturesque tour of the most famous sights and monuments.
Church of Saint Sulpice
In the book, Saint Sulpice Church holds many secrets and clues to finding the Holy Grail. You’ll explore the intriguing mixture of architectural ages, witness the original prime meridian Rose Line, examine 19th century artwork with some unusual inconsistencies and possibly uncover some clues of your own!
Enjoy lunch with the locals in the contemporary milieu of the Left Bank.
Gare Saint Lazare
This is the bustling train station, boasting grand 19th century architecture, at which our hero and his female counterpart, investigative cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, make an ingenious getaway. Explore this historical Impressionist district while searching for your next clue!
Tonight you’ll have some free time to ponder your findings and rest up for tomorrow’s adventure. Dinner is on your own – ask your Elegant Expeditions escort for recommendations! If you wish to dine at some of the popular haute cuisine restaurants like Lucas Carton, Laserre, Alain ducasse, Georges at the Pompidou Centre or Gerard Besson, we will need your request at least 3 months in advance.
Day Four
- After breakfast at the hotel we’ll depart for a short drive to Marie Antoinette and King Louis’s digs at the beautiful palace of Versailles.
After touring the opulent apartments, we’ll head for the mysterious Chateau Villette, the historical chateau that in the novel served as home to the quirky modern-day knight whose years of Grail study prove useful to Langdon and Neveu.
Referred to as La Petite Versailles, the chateau is not open to the general public, and tourists usually must enjoy her beauty from afar. However, as Elegant Expeditions’ guests, we’ll be enjoying an a special luncheon with full VIP access!
Tonight you’ll have time to rest up after your long day of sleuthing, or perhaps explore the nightlife of the famed City of Light. Be sure to ask your Elegant Expeditions’ host for suggestions!
Day Five
- Breakfast at your hotel
Chunnel to London
While Langdon and Neveu illegally hop a private plane to London, we’ll take the more conventional yet every bit as comfortable Channel Tunnel. The professionalism of the Eurostar staff ensures a smooth, relaxing trip with arrival in less than three hours!
During our trip we’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch in our First Class compartment and our planned arrival in London is approximately 2:10 pm.
In the story, an unknown enemy has been following Langdon and Neveu as they unravel each mystery. The latest clue has sent them racing down Fleet Street to the Knights of Templar Church, while their soon-to-follow adversary makes a pit stop at the Horseguards Parade and Saint James’ Park to tie up a couple of unruly loose ends.
Fleet Street and Temple Church
First, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Fleet Street, then head to the Temple Church a.k.a. the Knights of Templar Church. Designed in an unorthodox round shape, the Temple Church houses intricate effigies of heroic Templar Knights; be sure to examine the shrine of the mysteriously missing knight!
After our tour, we’ll check in to London’s showgirl of a hotel, the famous Ritz, just a short walk from Piccadilly Circle.
Saint James’ Park
Tonight, enjoy an evening tour of the park with spectacular views of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
Afterward, in keeping with the air of mystery and adventure, you’ll dine at the famous Sherlock Holmes Pub!
Day Six
- London
Breakfast at your hotel
Westminster Abbey
Our plot takes us to the famous tomb of Sir Isaac Newton resting in Westminster Abbey where you can search for the elusive missing orb, visit poet’s corner and unravel the last clue to the location of the Holy Grail!
The afternoon is free for sight-seeing and of course shopping in London’s trendy shops – or maybe a foray into Harrods! If you have time, take tea at one of the famous hotels like the Lanesborough. Your Elegant Expeditions staff can make all the arrangements.
Dinner is on your own this evening and again, if you wish to dine in any of the more famous London restaurant offerings, please let us know at least 2-3 months in advance!
Day Seven
- Breakfast at the hotel
Flight to Edinburgh
The discovery in Westminster Abbey has led our heroes to the famous Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland so that’s where we will go!
Arrive and check in to one of the finest award-winning hotels in Scotland fully equipped with four exquisite dining locales, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a sauna, a steam room and a luxurious health spa. Be sure to book a massage or spa when you arrive!
The Royal Mile
First, we’ll tour Edinburgh's oldest street, The Royal Mile. Beginning at the Palace of Holyrood House and ending at the Edinburgh Castle, the bustling stretch hosts a plethora of historical shops and attractions in between!
Edinburgh Castle
Standing guard over the city since 1085, the Edinburgh Castle possesses a unique mixture of beauty and foreboding. Serving as a prison for centuries, it was a place of incarceration, torture and the maiden (Scottish guillotine). It was also the home and refuge for many Scottish Kings, thus housing an interesting collection of weapons and armor now preserved for all to see. However, the most notable aspect of the castle is surprisingly not the castle itself, but the amazing panoramic views of the city below!
By the way, be aware of the famous One O'Clock Gun! This is fired every day at precisely 1:00pm to provide everyone with an accurate check for their clocks and watches and consequently startling most unsuspecting tourists! Lucky for us, the gun isn’t fired on Sundays; however, if you’d like to witness this event, you are free to come back tomorrow!
A Bewitching Experience
Tonight we’ll experience a true taste of Scotland at The Witchery by the Castle. This Old Town restaurant combines an award-winning mélange of atmosphere and classic Scottish cuisine not to mention an extensive wine selection.
The Witchery Murder Mystery Tour
After dinner, take a haunting walking tour through historic Old Town! Follow your ‘spirited’ guide on a moonlit journey back in time to revisit horrendous tortures, mysterious murders and a bit of the supernatural...
Day Eight
- Edinburgh
After breakfast, the morning is free for sleeping, shopping, services, finding the home of Dr. Jekyll or perhaps an early spa treatment with some afternoon time for further wandering on the Royal Mile or Princes Street for Edinburgh crystal.
Rosslyn Chapel
Later in the afternoon we’ll visit Rosslyn Chapel; inundated with countless symbols representing every culture imaginable, Rosslyn is a shrine to all faiths. According to our story, it is rumored to house the Holy Grail in a secret underground chamber to which no entries or exits have ever been discovered. Our mission of exploration is evident; perhaps you will be able to unlock her ancient secrets! One thing is for sure, our tale culminates here where fact meets fiction and all is revealed for you to decide!
A Feast to Remember
Tonight we’ll say goodbye with our signature Elegant Expeditions’ finale! Enjoy a private dinner celebration set in an authentic Scottish castle with Scottish bagpipers, a 20-piece marching band, mischievous minstrel singers, Highland dancers and a few other surprises! This is a special evening of heightened emotion, excitement and romance filled with moments you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Day Nine
- You’ll be whisked off to Edinburgh Airport by private car to board your flight home. Now is a good time to record your memoirs and start planning your next Elegant Expeditions Adventure! Who knows, maybe we’ll see you again on our Following In The Footsteps of Angels and Demons tour next Spring!
Elegant Expeditions’ representatives have the experience, know-how and pull to ensure you’re wined, dined, pampered and showered with luxurious attention throughout your entire vacation. You can be sure of it!
How?
Through experience, we knows the ins and outs of what makes a trip a complete success, through personal interaction, we’ve developed lasting relationships with travel industry vendors worldwide and through constant feedback, we’ve perfected the art of the true luxury vacation experience. Trust me, once you’ve traveled with us, you won’t want to travel with anyone else!
You get what you pay for. Sure you could find similar trips for less, but you can bet your bottom dollar you won’t enjoy the personalized customer service, the luxurious accommodations, the attention to detail and the all the extras that guarantee a memorable experience every time.
We guarantee that if it rains, we will always have a backup plan. If your room is not to your satisfaction, we'll jump through hoops to get you a better one. If you don't like your food, we'll offer you other choices. If your luggage is lost, we will find it and anything else it takes to ensure your overall enjoyment.
Remember... we've been doing this for years. We've learned the travel ropes so you don't have to, and we utilize that to make your experience the best it can possibly be. Personalized customer service is what we strive for every step of the way, and you will always be taken care of no matter what.
This trip is specifically designed for the most discerning traveler who demands the utmost in luxury, comfort, class and style. If you don’t enjoy being pampered in the finest hotels, dining on the most exquisite haute cuisine and being treated like royalty through personal attention and white glove service, then stop reading now.
However, if luxury travel is your cup of tea, and you refuse to settle for nothing less than spectacular, then definitely keep reading!
Our trips sell out fast!
Due to the personalized nature of our tours, seating is very limited. We can only allow 15 couples on our Da Vinci Code tour, and it will sell out.
The sooner you reserve your spot, the better!
By May, we will provide information on group airfares for both business and coach class from various cities, but due to the popularity of this tour, you must book your land portion now!
- Call 1-954-523-7400 and ask for Dawn
Since I know it's 100% to your benefit to act right away, I want to sweeten the pot and give you every possible reason to say YES today! If you make your 25% deposit by a specific date, you'll receive three elegant gifts from the travel diva...
- The internationally designed Eurowallet! This travel wallet conveniently separates the different Euro denominations allowing for swift transactions and preventing costly mistakes. No sophisticated traveler should leave home without it.
- A delicacy basket of French cookies, candies, macaroons and other delectable delights from the world-renowned food emporium, Fauchon in your room upon arrival!
- A Special Illustrated Edition of The Da Vinci Code Hardback with Glossy Photos of each action site!
Order today to reserve your spot on the most exciting tour this year! Remember, we only have room for 30 spots, or 15 couples on this tour!
Call 1-954-523-7400 and ask for Dawn.
If you are at all interested in taking this vacation, book TODAY otherwise you could miss your chance to experience your own luxury Da Vinci Code adventure!
I look forward to traveling with you!
Sincerely,
The Travel Diva
Elin Mayer, CEO
Mayer Motivations, Inc.
Elegant Expeditions, Inc.
P.S. Rumor has it the movie of The Da Vinci Code produced by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks will be out in the near future, and the publicity from it has skyrocketed calls from people asking about our tour – so I KNOW this will sell out immediately. Act now!
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