8 Day Paradise in Provence

DAY 1, Monday - Depart USA
Depart USA for France. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment

DAY 2, Tuesday - Aix-en-Provence
Arrive at Marseille Airport and transfer to the regional capital, Aix-en-­Provence, a delightful base for our Provence stay. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, and in the evening, meet your group at the hotel for a welcome reception and dinner
Overnight: Aix-en-Provence
Meals: Reception, Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - Aix-en-Provence, Luberon Winery
This morning's orientation tour brings us to the charming Cours Mirabeau, a wide thoroughfare which harmonizes 16th, 17th, and 18th century houses with plane-trees and decorative fountains. Our tour continues to visit the studio dedicated to Paul Cézanne, the famous French Post-Impressionist painter who lived and worked in Aix. We will see the elegant square of the Palace of Justice as well as views of the Montagne St. Victoire, before a delightful excursion to Luberon National Park, with its hilltop villages and rolling green hills, reminiscent of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence. From here, we drive to a nearby wine estate for a guided tour of the winery and gardens, followed by a tasting of some of the winery's most prized vintage wines. Enjoy a flavorful lunch with paired wines in the estate's courtyard, before continuing to visit the village of Lourmarin, located at the foot of the Luberon Massif. Enjoy time at leisure to walk the village's old stone streets which wind round typical Mediterranean architecture and beautifully shaded public squares. From here, we drive to the enchanting hilltop village of Gordes, considered the "Parthenon of Provence"
Overnight: Aix-en-Provence
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Thursday - Avignon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Pont du Gard, St. Rémy-de-Provence
This morning, enjoy a short drive to the Provençal town of Avignon, home of the historical Avignon Papacy. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the town, including the famous broken bridge, the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most historic medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the lively Place d'Horloge. From here, we drive to the Cote du Rhone vineyards and the lovely town of Chateauneuf du Pape, where we will enjoy a sampling of some of the wines for which Rhone is famous. Following our tasting, we are off to view the UNESCO World Heritage Pont du Gard, the most ancient Roman aqueduct in France. Our tour continues to St. Rémy-de-Provence to see the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the asylum where Van Gogh spent some of his troubled last days
Overnight: Aix-en-Provence
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Friday - Van Gogh's Arles, Les-Baux-de-Provence
Today's journey takes us into the heart of the Camargue to Arles, where we will see such sites as the Roman Arena and the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Trophime. From here, we drive north along thickly forested slopes to Les Baux, a mysterious hilltop town in the French countryside. Often labeled "the most beautiful village in France," owing to its rich cultural heritage and medieval history, Le Baux is a truly fascinating town that in every way blends the Renaissance with the contemporary. Enjoy a private cooking class that highlights the delicate flavors of Southern France, followed by lunch (drinks included)
Overnight: Aix-en-Provence
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Saturday - Aix-en-Provence, French Riviera Excursion, Cannes, Nice
After breakfast this morning, we depart for the French Riviera, passing the Abbey of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume en route to St. Maxime, the stylish resort of the Esterel Coast. From here, we board a small ship to cruise across the Mediterranean from St. Maximim to St. Tropez. Enjoy time at leisure in the land of the rich and famous, people-watching from one of the terrace cafés, before we head to Cannes, where we drive along the Boulevard de la Croisette to see the Film Festival Centre. Our tour continues to Nice where the evening is yours to pursue whatever piques your interest
Overnight: Nice
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Sunday - Nice Orientation, Monte Carlo Excursion
This morning's tour takes you into the heart of Nice to see such sights as the famous Promenade des Anglais, a "must see" for visitors due to its history and nightlife, the Old Town, and Place Massena. We then take a mini-train up to the "Colline du Château" for panoramic views of the city and Bay of the Angels below, which is, in fact, the best way to view Nice. Our tour continues to Eze to visit a perfumery and attend a perfume making class. Dive into the world of perfumery, nose first, and discover the basic processes of fragrance making. Have fun creating your very own fragrance which you may take home in a personalized perfume bottle with your name or the name you have chosen for your creation. Each of these newly created perfumes will be classified and conserved to facilitate possible re-ordering. Later, we drive to Monaco to visit the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino, one of the Riviera's most frequented landmarks. Undoubtedly the true highlight of this 8-day getaway, Monte Carlo is the epitome of wealth and glamour, a prime haunt for royalty and some of Hollywood's most famous actors and actresses. Serving as one of Europe's leading travel resorts, Monte Carlo is not to be missed. At the hotel this evening, we celebrate our last night in France together with a farewell dinner
Overnight: Nice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Depart for USA
Transfer to the Nice airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast