East Central Reporter

The Charleston Chamber of Commerce has announced its itinerary for the 2016 fall travel program. 

This year, chamber members and area residents are invited to take a nine-day, seven-night tour of the French Riviera. The tour will depart from O’Hare International Airport on Nov. 1 and return on Nov. 9. The program is being offered through a partnership between the chamber and a group travel organization known as Chamber Explorations.

Cindy White, Charleston Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, recently outlined the details of the trip.

“We’ve been doing travel programs for several years now, and it’s just something that chambers are getting into,” White told The East Central Reporter. “It’s just another benefit to offer to chamber members and to community residents.”

Visitors will arrive in Nice, France, on Nov. 2. The first full day’s itinerary features a tour of the city with visits to the Chagall Museum, the Notre Dame Church and the century-old Nice Flower Market. Each day the group will depart the hotel on outings to destinations along the Riviera, ranging from Cannes in the west to Ventimiglia, Italy, in the east. Highlights of the tour include stops in St. Tropez, Antibes and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Vacationers with the tour also will have options while staying in Nice.

“There are two leisure days built into the tour,” White said.

These include stops at Aix-en-Provence, the city of art and light, as well as Eze and St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat along the Mediterranean coast. There is an additional cost for passengers who choose the optional treks, and those who pass on these may spend the days visiting museums, relaxing by the sea or any other way they desire.

The price total tag for the trip is $2,795 per person, double occupancy. According to a chamber press release, it is anticipated that this trip will fill up quickly because of the special pricing. A deposit of $500 per person is due with the reservation form to secure a seat on the flight -- and payment in full is due by Aug. 18. The total price includes roundtrip airfare from O’Hare, international air departure taxes and fees, baggage handling, and accommodations for seven nights at either the Hotel Ellington or the Aston La Scala Hotel in Nice. Also included in the package are admission fees to sites on the itinerary and 10 meals. 

Participants who pay their deposit by May 31 -- and make final payment by check or money order -- are entitled to a booking discount of $100 per person, or $200 per couple.

“I was told by the company that this is a very good price for this kind of a tour,” White said. “We did another one to Italy, and it was over $3,000 per person, double occupancy.”

For those who want to know more about the program, an informational meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today at the Charleston Chamber Office, 501 Jackson Ave. To contact the office directly, dial 217-345-7041 or visit the chamber’s website at www.charlestonchamber.com.