Provence and the Côte d’Azur

Highlights:

• Papal palace of Avignon
• Vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Charming Provencal towns
• Footsteps of van Gogh and Cezanne
• Choice of accommodation
  

Day 1 - Arrive Marseille - Avignon
Arrive Marseille where you are privately transferred with your Guardian Angel to the hotel in Avignon.
La Mirande, King Room (Platinum) or La Mirande, Queen Room (Gold)

Day 2 - Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Avignon
Dominated by its Papal Palace, Avignon is a vibrant Provencal town with much character, and today you discover its glories with a walking tour that includes a visit to the great Palace where the Popes reigned supreme during their 'schism' with Rome, and whose mighty rooms express some of the power and the glory of the period. Stop at the local antique street market to pick up a souvenir before enjoying a sweeping panorama of the town with the mighty Rhône River flowing beside it.

This afternoon is a visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape with private vehicle and English-speaking driver driver-guide. It was here, in the rolling hills of the southern Rhône Valley that the Popes of Avignon planted vineyards in the 14th century. There are some 3,200 hectares of vines in the area including five villages cultivating 13 different varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The characteristics of Châteauneuf wines are very varied and, like all Rhone Valley wines, full flavoured. Your visit will of course include some tasting(B).
La Mirande, King Room (Platinum) or La Mirande, Queen Room (Gold)

Day 3 - Avignon - Les Apilles - Avignon
Today meet your local English-speaking driver-guide for a full day sightseeing tour to St Rèmy and Les Baux. Start with a visit to the delightful Saint-Rèmy-de-Provence, a charming town with ancient, narrow streets lined with lovingly restored old houses, shady squares and wonderful fountains. The beauty of the area and its light has inspired many artists, the most famous being Vincent van Gogh. The town was also the birthplace of Nostradamus; the well known 16th century physician and astrologer was born in a house of the avenue Hoche, in the old quarter.

You will visit the former monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. As well as being one of the most beautiful religious monuments in Provence, it is also famous for having accommodated Vincent van Gogh from May 1889 to May 1890. Also tour Glanum, set in a remarkably attractive landscape surrounded by the Alpilles. This Roman site counts among the major classical sites of the South of France (B).
La Mirande, King Room (Platinum) or La Mirande, Queen Room (Gold)

Day 4 - Avignon - Carpentras - Mount Ventoux - Avignon
Meet your English-speaking driver-guide for another full day of sightseeing and head to Carpentras. This beautiful Provencal town lies between the Rhône River and the Durance and is protected by the impressive Mont Ventoux on one side and the Vaucluse Mounts on the other. In the Middle Ages the town was home to a large Jewish community and the 1367 synagogue is the oldest in France.

Try and visit Carpentras on a Friday as an exceptional Provencal market takes over the city streets every Friday morning.

After lunch at leisure your driver-guide may take you to a local patisserie. Its speciality is a very tasty vanilla meringue whose shape was inspired by the small rocks on Mont Ventoux! Drive on to Mont Ventoux, which towers over the landscape and surrounding villages. Amazingly the bare summit looks snowcapped even in the summer months. From the top (1,915m) you will enjoy magical views of the Rhône Valley and see why the mythical Mount Ventoux was declared a Biosphere Reverse by UNESCO in 1990. Return to Avignon at the end of the day (B).
La Mirande, King Room (Platinum) or La Mirande, Queen Room (Gold)

Day 5 - Avignon - Aix-en-Provence - Vence
This morning your English-speaking driver will transfer you from Avignon to Vence.

En route you will stop in Aix-en-Provence where you will meet a local English-speaking guide for a half-day walking tour of Aix-en-Provence. The former capital of the region, Aix-en-Provence is a city of art and light, with several art schools and universities. At the heart of the city is Cours Mirabeau, a lovely avenue of plane trees, lined on one side with wonderful terrace cafes and bookshops. This is the perfect place to sit in the sunshine or in the dappled shade of the trees, sipping a cup of coffee and watching the world go by. The centre of the city of Aix is built around the old town, ringed by boulevards and squares. Discover the town following in the footsteps of Cèzanne. Visit the Musèe-Atelier de Paul Cèzanne where Cèzanne painted some of his most well-known works - there is also a striking collection of simple objects which once featured in his still life paintings.

After lunch at leisure, continue your journey to St. Paul de Vence and check in to your hotel in the heart of the French Riviera (B).
Le Mas de Pierre, Prestige (Platinum) or Le Mas de Pierre, Classic (Gold)

Day 6 - St. Paul de Vence
Meet your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle for a half-day sightseeing tour the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence, still a magnet for contemporary artists. Visit the Fondation Maeght, a privately-owned modern art museum set on a wooded cliff top. This foundation contains one of the most important collections in Europe, with paintings, sculptures drawings and other works by Braque, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Lèger or Mirò.

The afternoon is at leisure (B).
Le Mas de Pierre, Prestige (Platinum) or Le Mas de Pierre, Classic (Gold)

Day 7 - Vence - Saint Tropez - Grimaud - Vence
A full day excursion today to St. Tropez and Grimaud. Before becoming one of the most luxurious spots on the French Riviera, the resort of St. Tropez was a small fishing village, but its popularity with writers and artists from Collette to Picasso has made it the fashionable place to be seen by celebrities, who throng to its sun-kissed streets and beaches. St. Tropez combines rustic Provence and chic Côte d'Azur, with its winding medieval streets, pastel painted fisherman's cottages and port with fishing boats alongside super yachts and glamorous boutiques. The nearby village of Grimaud is also worth a visit. Dating from Roman times, it is one of the most "flowered" villages in France. Though fully restored it successfully maintains its typical provencal character. Points of interest include a windmill, fully restored in 1990, several chapels including the Chapel of the Penitents and the ruins of its medieval castle (B).
Le Mas de Pierre, Prestige (Platinum) or Le Mas de Pierre, Classic (Gold)

Day 8 - Vence - Nice - Vence
This morning you will be met by your private vehicle and English-speaking driver to be transferred into Nice. Upon arrival, spend the morning tasting delicacies in the Old Town, learn all about Provencal olive oils and have a light Mediterranean meal prepared with only the freshest ingredients from the market. Your guide will be a food critic and cookbook author who is fascinated with Nice and its unique culinary tradition, a result of its history and climate. You will be free to spend time at leisure in the city for sightseeing or shopping before being transferred back to your hotel (B,L).
Le Mas de Pierre, Prestige (Platinum) or Le Mas de Pierre, Classic (Gold)

Day 9 - Depart Nice
Transfer to Nice airport by private vehicle for onward flight arrangements (B)

Pricing
As a guide, this 9 day suggested journey in France will cost from $10,070 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability.