PROVENCE & RIVIERA

8 Days 7 Nights

Small Group Tour

Itinerary:

DAY 1: Arrive in Avignon: Picked up by a private minibus & your driver-guide & transfer to your hotel in Avignon City Center. Settle in your 4-star Hotel & overnight at your hotel in Avignon.

DAY 2: Treasures of Provence: Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up at Avignon tourist office (6mn walking distance from your hotel) by your driver-guide and departure to Arles noted for the wealth of its Roman and Romanesque heritage. Walk through the city to discover the Roman heritage: the amphitheater, the Roman theater and the ancient sites still well preserved and painted by Van Gogh between 1888 and 1890. Enjoy the market in Arles on Saturday morning. Your tour continue to Les Baux-de-Provence, superb stone fortress that you will admire from the Val d’Enfer panoramic view. You will enjoy the audiovisual show in the Carrières de Lumière: a multimedia exhibition of famous paintings are displayed on the walls of the quarry accompanied by music. The Carrieres de Lumiere are closed from January to beginning of March: more time will be allowed in the village of Les Baux during this period. Then on to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, take a look at Saint-Paul de Mausole to see some sites painted by Van Gogh. Your tour continue with a panoramic tour of the city of Orange to discover the Roman Arch of Triumph, symbol of the Roman imperialism glory. Visit the impressive Roman Theater Drive through the vineyards between Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and stop for panoramic view on the Rhone river valley from the old-castle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Wine tasting in a property in Chateauneuf du Pape. Back to Avignon & overnight at your hotel.

DAY 3: Avignon & Villages in Luberon: Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide at Avignon tourist office for a 2 hours private guided tour of Avignon, known as the City of Popes. Avignon sits on the leafy banks of the majestic Rhône River. In the 14th century, Avignon was the capital of Christendom. The city’s intact ramparts and pedestrianized center lend Avignon a small-town, medieval feel. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city’s historic center including a visit to Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d’Avignon. This afternoon, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the most beautiful hilltops villages in Provence. Roussillon, top-hill village, surrounded by red, orange and yellow ochre cliffs, natural unusual landscape. Gordes: discover this top-hill medieval village, completely made with the local dry stones called “lauze”, its fortified castle and church dominate the typical houses of the village fitting, classified among one of the most beautiful villages in France. Drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse: walk up to the cave from which the River Sorgues emerges. This impressive resurgence spring hasn’t revealed its secrets yet and many speleologists have searched in vain the exact depth of the well. Markets on Tuesdays in Gordes and on Thursdays in Roussillon. Back to Avignon & overnight at your hotel.

DAY 4: Pont Du Gard, Nimes, Uzes: Breakfast at your hotel. Morning a leisure. This afternoon you will enjoy the visit of Nimes, where you will discover the impressive Roman buildings. You will visit the Arena, the best-conserved Roman amphitheater in the world. The amphitheater could hold more than 24,000 spectators and is still used today for bullfighting. When events occur such as concerts or bullfights, the amphitheater will be closed and the visit will be replaced by a video in the Maison Carree, one of the best preserved temples in the Roman world. Then you will explore Uzès, charming medieval town and the first Duchy of France, set in the garrigues countryside. As ducal seat, bishopric and consular seat, Uzes has preserved its layout as a medieval stronghold, embellished in the 17th and 18th centuries. See the Place aux Herbes (picturesque square), the episcopal palace, the Ducal Palace, the Fenestrelle Tower (a unique bell-tower) and Saint Theodorit Cathedral. Your tour ends with a visit at the splendid Pont du Gard, amazing vestige of a Roman aqueduct which drove the water to Nîmes. Back to Avignon. Overnight at your hotel in Avignon

DAY 5: Aix-En-Provence, Nice: Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up at Avignon tourist office by your driver-guide & transfer to Aix en Provence where you will enjoy a 2 hours guided walking tour of its historic centre and walk along the famous Cours Mirabeau which is lined with many trees, fine houses and fountains to walk around. Aix has sumptuous 17th and 18th century architecture, mansions and ornate fountains springing everywhere, lively streets and lovely squares. Transfer to Nice. Settle in your 4-star hotel in Nice & overnight at your hotel.

DAY 6: Nice: Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up at Avignon tourist office by your driver-guide and departure for a 3 hours guided visit of the city of Nice. The center of Nice is easy to explore. The Promenade des Anglais, the waterfront boulevard, is one of the most famous streets in France. Behind the pebbly beach is the old town with its rambling old lanes and its famous Marché aux Fleurs. This is the charismatic heart of the city and it contrasts well with the belle époque buildings that line the waterfront and the west of the city. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Nice

DAY 7: French Riviera: Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up at Avignon tourist office by your driver-guide and following the coast road, drive through Antibes and the old town where Picasso lived, the incredible harbor and its ramparts built by Vauban. Stop in Cannes, the star of the Riviera, famous for its film festival, glitzy hotels, old port & exotic sports cars and yachts. Walk the renowned “Croisette Promenade”. Your tour continues to Saint Paul de Vence, walk around the cobbled stone streets of one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera. It is well-known for its modern and contemporary art museums and galleries. Upon your arrival in Monaco you will stop in Eze to discover this old medieval village perched like eagles nests; take the opportunity to visit the Perfumerie Fragonard. Driving through the village of La Turbie with its trophy of the Alps, reach the luxurious principality of Monaco with the Prince’s Palace, the Monte-Carlo Casino, the gardens & the world-famous racetrack for the Grand Prix Circuit. Back to Nice & overnight at your hotel.

DAY 8: Departure: Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up at your hotel by a private minibus and transfer to Nice Airport or train station.

Included:

Private transfers on Day 1, 5 & 8
Transport in air-condition minivan (8 participants maximum) with the services of a qualified English speaking driver-guide according to the above program.
Visits & Entrance according to the above program: 1 Full Day tour of Provence, 1/2 Day Tour Luberon, 1/2 Day Tour of Pont-du-Gard – Nîmes – Uzès, 1 Full Day tour of French Riviera, Guided visit of Avignon (2hrs), Aix-en-Provence (2hrs), Nice (3 hrs), Orange Antic Theater, Nîmes Arena or Maison Carrée, Pont du Gard, Wine-tasting in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Audiovisual show in the Carrières de Lumière
4 nights accommodation B&B in 4-star hotel de l’Horloge in Avignon.
3 nights accommodation B&B in 4-star Splendid Hotel & Spa in Nice.

*During the Avignon festival, supplement applied. (from 02nd July to 25th July 2020)

*Package descriptions and pricing are subject to change without notice.