Day 1: Nice
Today you will be arriving in Nice. Later transfer to the Hotel
for introductions and a brief orientation. Then we will stroll along the
traffic free lanes of Old Nice en route to a dinner of local specialties.
Overnight at Hotel in Nice.
Day 2: Nice
Today in the morning you will make walking tour of Nice's
Italianate Old City and some free time, we'll hop a bus for a tour of the
greater city. Later we will make a drive along the richest slice of Riviera
real estate to the dramatically situated village
of Eze, where we'll stop to explore
its skinny, steep lanes and spectacular views. Later transfer to the Hotel for
Overnight Stay.
Day 3: Hill Towns/Perfume and France's
Grand Canyon
Today you will start a head for the hills at Nice's back
door and drive the through brilliant scenery just miles from the Mediterranean
as we make our way to Grasse,
perfume capital of the world. Follow your nose to a tour of a local perfume
factory and then have time to wander the old city. Then continue our drive into
the mountains and explore the magnificent Gorges du Verdon (by foot and
bus).Later transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Gorges du Verdon
national park.
Day 4: Into the Luberon of
Provence
Today after breakfast it’s over the hills we go, as we enter
the hill town-happy Luberon area that Peter Mayle made so famous. We’ll enjoy
dramatic landscapes and sublimely perched villages, and have all afternoon to
explore the picturesque village of
Roussillon
— famous for its dramatic ochre cliffs. Overnight at Hotel in Roussillion.
Day 5:
Luberon
Towns,
Orange and Vaison la Romaine
Today begins your day in nearby
Isle
sur la Sorgue, the Venice of
Provence, where water runs everywhere. It's also market day, so you’ll have fun
rubbing elbows with local shoppers to assemble our riverside picnic. We'll then
travel to Orange and visit Europe's
best-preserved Roman Theater.
Our day ends in Vaison la Romaine, where we get three towns in one: the
mini-Pompeii Roman town, the medieval upper village, and the modern provencal
town in-between. Overnight at Vaison la Romaine.
Day 6: Côtes du Rhône
Villages
After a morning tour of Roman Vaison with a local guide,
we'll set sail for a wine safari along the glorious Côtes du Rhône wine road.
We'll circumnavigate the Dentelles de Monomial Mountains and break for
vineyards and huggable villages, then return to Vaison for a free late
afternoon and evening. Overnight at Hotel in Côtes du Rhône Villages
Day 7: Chateauneuf du Pape and
Avignon
Today begins with a stop in
Provence's
most renowned wine village, Chateauneuf du Pape. We'll be in Avignon
by noon and immediately set out on a
walking tour of this vibrant city. You'll be free this afternoon to dance on
the Pont d' Avignon and sample its many traffic-free streets and outdoor cafes.
Overnight at Hotel Avignon
Day 8: Les Baux and the Pont Du Gard
Today begins with a beat-the-crowds visit to sky-high Les
Baux. Then we'll cross the flat Rhone basin to have
lunch and make a serious inspection of the marvelous 2000 year old Pont du Gard
aqueduct, before returning to Avignon
for a free evening. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Arles
and the Camargue
Today we will beeline to Arles
and spend most of our day here. After a walking tour of Arles'
historic center you’ll be free to walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh,
visit still more Roman sights or sample a sun dappled café. We'll leave Arles
driving through France's
Everglades — the Camargue. We'll search for pink
flamingos, wild horses, and bulls as we make our way to Cassis, where we'll
sleep. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Cassis
Today you will be free for "vacation-from-your-vacation"
day. Take a boat ride to the gorgeous Calanques inlets, ringed with sundrenched
white limestone cliffs and translucent azur beaches — or catch up on your
journal, sample Bouillabaisse, and soak up some sun as you study the local
sidewalk café scene. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Abbey of Thoronet and
Antibes
Today begins with a visit of the overlooked, medieval abbey
of Thoronet. We’ll eat lunch there, and then head to nearby Antibes
to tour its deservedly famous Picasso museum and explore its pedestrian
friendly old city. Overnight at the Riviera.
Day 12: Free Day in Nice area
Today is free to explore the highlights of this fabled
coastline. Enjoy Nice's world-class art museums and beachfront promenades,
Prince Rainier's jewel-box principality of Monaco
and/or adorable little Villefranche-sur-Mer. As it's our last night together,
we'll celebrate with a gala "last supper." Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13: Tour Over
Today you will have a flight towards your own Destination.
