IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival

AIX-LES-BAINS, FRANCE

August 23-31, 2026

p. 802-862-2200 • explore@americanexpeditions.net

At American Expeditions, we have a network that spans the globe. When you choose to embark on a journey with us, we treat your group as part of our extended family, leveraging our extensive connections to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.

Bonjour! Paddle in France with your teammates!

Join fellow Breast Cancer Survivors from around the world in the 2026 International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Participatory Dragon Boat Festival. Experience the beautiful French alpine landscape and culture as your dragon boat team participates in the 2026 IBCPC festival in Aix-les-Bains. This thermal spa village, situated in the foothills of the French Alps, is home to the largest freshwater lake in the country, making it an idyllic setting for this special event.

Take in the breathtaking landscapes, French culture and cuisine, all organized to align with your team's race schedule. You focus on your strokes; we’ll take care of the rest.

Paddles up!

DAY 1 | Sunday, August 23

DEPART THE UNITED STATES FOR FRANCE

Depart the U.S. on a flight bound for Geneva, Switzerland.

DAY 2 | Monday, August 24

WELCOME TO FRANCE!

Arrive in Geneva Airport after your overnight flight from North America. Your American Expeditions tour manager will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals area. Together, board your private motor coach, and cross the border from Switzerland to France.

Enjoy the dramatic alpine scenery as you transfer to your hotel in Aix-les-Bains or Annecy (approx. 1-1.5 hours). Welcome to France!

Check in to your hotel. Your American Expeditions tour manager will lead an orientation walk of the local area.

Tonight, enjoy an evening at leisure to recoup from your travels. Explore the village, walk the along the lakeshore, and rest up for the days ahead!

DAY 3 | Tuesday, August 25

REGISTRATION + PRACTICE || SIGHTSEEING || WELCOME DINNER

Following breakfast at your hotel, gather and board your private motor coach to transfer to Lake Bourget for team registration + practice for the 2026 IBCPC Dragon Boat Festival.

Afterwards, transfer by motor coach to the neighboring village of Chambery. Upon arrival, your local guide will lead you on a walking tour of the City of the Dukes. Walk in the footsteps of French royalty as you visit the castle; take in the eclectic architecture of Old Town as your guide introduces you to this former capital of the States of Savoy. And no trip to Chambery is complete without a stop at the famous Elephants Fountain! Return to your hotel to refresh before a festive welcome dinner and cruise on Lake Bourget to celebrate the start of your team's time in France!

DAY 4 | Wednesday, August 26

SIGHTSEEING/EXCURSION TO ANNECY || PRACTICE

Following breakfast at your hotel, race practices may take place on Lac du Bourget today.

Arranged to compliment to your training schedule, transfer by motor coach to nearby Annecy, an idyllic town situated between the Alps and the eponymous Lake Annecy. Nicknamed "Venice of the Alps", Annecy is home to a labyrinthine canal system lined with colorful houses, small bridges, blooming flowers, and welcoming storefronts.

Upon arrival, embark on a guided tour of Old Town Annecy, the town's storybook historic center. Admire the Château d'Annecy, or "Annecy Castle", which became the residence of the Counts of Geneva during the 13th and 14th centuries and underwent many successive modifications over the 15th and 16th centuries, gaining a unique appearance blending medieval defensive architecture and Renaissance elegance. It was abandoned as a residence in the 17th century, later used as a military barracks until 1947, and then purchased by the city of Annecy in 1953 and converted into a museum. Visit the Palais de I'Île, or "Palace of the Isle", a former noble residence, courtyard, prison, and mint sitting on a triangular islet surrounded by canals.

Following your tour, enjoy free time to explore at your leisure. Perhaps you’ll try one of the local bakeries or cafes for lunch, or rent a pedalo boat to peddle your way across Lake Annecy!

DAY 5 | Thursday, August 27

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS | OPENING CEREMONY + PARADE

Explore the beautiful alpine scenery with an optional excursion. Consider a trip to the summit of Mont le Revard and explore the network of trails by foot or mountain bike, or save up your energy for the water and choose a scenic drive to the peak. No matter what mode you select, the panoramic views from the top are not to be missed! En route, visit a working dairy farm, and sample local cheeses from the region.

Or perhaps visit Abbaye d'Hautecombe, a 12th-century abbey founded by Cistercian monks and beautifully situated on the western shores of Lake Bourget.

Team leaders attend IBCPC Congress + Manager & Steering Meeting.

Tonight, join other BCS paddlers from around the world in the Parade of Nations for the

DAY 6 | Friday, August 28

OPENING CEREMONY | 500m RACES

This morning, get ready for your first day of races. Transfer by private motor coach to Lake Bourget

A Opening Ceremony will kick of the 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival.

Your team will compete in 500m races today - paddles up!

Following your races, return to your hotel by private motor coach. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

DAY 7 | Saturday, August 29

200m RACES || SANDY SMITH RACE || CLOSING CEREMONY

Refuel with breakfast and gather to transfer by private motor coach to Lake Bourget.

Join your teammates and paddle in participatory races with fellow BCS teams.

Races conclude with the Sandy Smith Global Race with Flower Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony of the festival.

Refresh and rest up after an exciting day on the water; your tour manager will provide restaurant recommendations nearby!

DAY 8 | Sunday, August 30

RESERVE RACE DAY or DAY AT LEISURE

Today is reserved for potential races. Otherwise, enjoy the day at leisure. Excursions can be arranged on request.

Consider a scenic bike ride along the shores of Lac du Bourget where you can assess the water from all angles in preparation for tomorrow’s race. Or, relax and treat yourself to one of Aix’s famous thermal baths!

This evening, celebrate the culmination of the races with your teammates at an optional festive farewell dinner - supplement applies.

DAY 9 | Monday, August 31

DEPARTURE || EXTEND YOUR STAY

Check out of your hotel this morning.

Board your coach bound for Geneva Airport and your flight home to North America.

Alternatively, extend your time in France or Europe.

The French Riveria de Alpes awaits...

Your Tour INCLUDES:

COMPLIMENTARY TRAVEL - you deserve it!

- One complimentary land and air package in single occupancy for every 30 paying travelers.

FLIGHTS - professionally managed with group airfare

- Roundtrip from your home airport to Geneva.

Our flight team handles custom flight requests and upgrades.

ACCOMMODATIONS - thoughtfully selected to match group needs

- 7 nights in a quality 3 or 4* hotel

MEALS - varied, flavorful, and highlighting local cuisine

- Breakfast daily at your hotel
- Welcome dinner cruise

Additional meals can be arranged upon request.

ACTIVITIES + TOURS + ENTRANCES - handpicked for your travelers

Experience fabulous sightseeing with our entertaining and informative guides:

- Guided walking tour of Chambery
- Guided walking tour of Annecy

Options excursions will be offered to add to your tour!

TOUR MANAGER to handle on-the-road logistics

A full-time tour manager to accompany your group every step of the way from arrival through departure. Our beloved tour managers assist with:

- Greeting and gathering the group upon arrival
- Expediting hotel check-ins and check-outs
- Liaising with reception desks, coach drivers, and guides
- Facilitating concerts and rehearsals
- Directing on-site entrances and activities, handling tickets and vouchers
- Keeping each day well-paced
- Sharing cultural content and interpreting local customs
- Sending everyone home with fond memories & hopes to travel together again soon!

TRANSPORTATION in a private, modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver for all services specified in your itinerary.

INSURANCE that covers our commitment to you

American Expeditions & Music Contact International, Inc. holds $5,000,000.00 of Travel Agent and Tour operators Professional Liability Insurance.

TOUR ENHANCEMENT MATERIALS to help plan, promote, and prepare for your tour

A custom Traveler’s Resource (TR) website: We build this site specifically for your tour as a resource for travelers to engage in from the start. The TR Site is where travelers view the itinerary and watch it develop. There are maps, pictures, packing lists, recommendations for destination-based books and movies, collections of FAQs, and helpful travel links. We’ll build your site when your group is registered for this tour!
A customized Tour Handbook with hourly itinerary, packing tips and lists, practical “Things to Know”, destination background, and other fun content. This printed booklet is provided for each traveler about a month before departure.
A luggage tag, passport/document holder, and outlet adaptor for each traveler is also included.

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONS SERVICE goes beyond logistics

A unique opportunity to make lifelong friends through travel and pilgrimage! When we bring groups together, friendships develop that frequently extend to years of heartfelt reunions on tours we plan around the world.
You are in good hands! We’ve got 30+ years’ experience arranging custom cultural and special interest tours, performance tours, and festivals for choirs, bands, and orchestras.
Our American Expeditions team is the best in the business! We are paddlers, musicians, teachers, event planners, parents, performers, volunteers, travelers, linguists, athletes, and more, from many countries, sharing our expertise at producing great tour experiences.
We are right there with you! Often, a person who works on your tour, escorts it. This means your tour manager’s expectations for a great program and activities are as high as yours!
Details are our specialty! Group leaders appreciate our well-organized, user-friendly systems and tools for handling group logistics, payments, and diverse traveler needs.
You’ll love our flexibility! Do some of your travelers need individual flights? Adjoining rooms? Gluten-free meals? We are always glad to help.
No matter where you live, consider us local! We will travel to meet your group, present the tour, and help you promote and plan for it. We also Zoom, Skype, and video chat.

CONVENIENT ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM - tour accounting has never been easier!

American Expeditions has a secure, password-protected, online payment site where tour members register and pay for their tour in increments. Reminders and statements are sent electronically.

Your designated leader is emailed a weekly report on group finances and has access to a portal to view payments at any time. We have a system for handling scholarships and monies from fundraisers as well. If for any reason you prefer to collect payments from your travelers and send us a group payment, that’s fine too!

Contact us today!

We are excited to begin planning this tour with you!

TOUR PACKAGE PRICES you can rely on

Coming soon!

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