Travel to France and explore Provence's rugged beauty and rustic charms that continue to captivate hearts. This eight day France vacation tour adventure begins in charming Avignon. A short motor-coach ride to Orange, a UNESCO world heritage site, will indoctrinate travelers in the imperial Roman past that influenced this region for centuries and is...Read More
- Day 1
AVIGNON
Arrival at Avignon railway station and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to start discovering this lovely and charming town.
- Day 2
AVIGNON I ARLES I LES BAUX DE PROVENCE I ST. RÉMY DE PROVENCE I ORANGE I AVIGNON
Your day begins with a visit of Arles, a good example of the adaptation of an ancient city to medieval European civilization. Here, you will see the beautiful amphitheater and all sites painted by Van Gogh between 1888 and 1890. Continue your tour with a visit of Les Baux de Provence, a village set upon a rock, and of St. Rémy de Provence, a picturesque market town. The medieval streets of the Old Town jumble together to form a maze filled with upscale boutiques and pretty shops stocking Provençal products. Next stop will be in Orange, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a visit of the well preserved Roman Triumphal Arch, a symbol of the Roman imperial glory, your driver will take you on a journey through the vineyards between Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where a wine tasting session of the most prestigious red wine in the Rhone Valley awaits you. Overnight in Avignon. (B)
- Day 3
AVIGNON I GORDES I ROUSSILLON I AVIGNON
Morning tour of Avignon, the City of the Popes. See the Popes’ Palace, the largest gothic palace in the world, and the majestic Pont d’Avignon. In the afternoon, continue to Gordes, a hilltop village in the Luberon region. Its houses and buildings of white stone root themselves into the sharp cliff of the mountain. Continue to Roussillon, a village that has seduced many artists. Its houses offer the passersby a harmony of enchanting colors, art galleries, and some very good restaurants. Overnight in Avignon. (B)
- Day 4
Avignon I Nimes I Uzès I Avignon
Start with a tour of Nimes, known for its great wealth of ancient buildings. See the Pont du Gard, the majestic Roman aqueduct, the Maison Carré, a gorgeous example of a Roman Temple, and the Arena, the bestpreserved arena in France. Continue with a visit of Uzès, a charming medieval village, and self-proclaimed first duchy of France. (B)
- Day 5
Avignon I Aix-en-Provence I Nice
Today visit the fountain filled Aix-en-Provence and step back in time. Vestiges of the Roman city are still visible at the Thermes Sextius spa, Gothic cloisters can be admired at the Cathedral, and sumptuous neoclassical houses that long inspired writers and artists can be seen in the Mazarin quarter. Continue to Nice and check in at your hotel. (B)
- Day 6
Nice
Today tour the lovely town of Nice. See the Promenade des Anglais, the famous waterfront boulevard, the elegant Belle Époque-style buildings, and Marché aux Fleurs. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
- Day 7
Nice I Cannes I Saint Paul de Vence I Monte Carlo I Eze I Nice
Your day is filled with exciting visits. Start with a visit of Cannes, the glitzy town known for its film festival. After a visit of Saint Paul de Vence, a medieval fortified village, we continue to the Principality of Monaco. From casinos to elegant balls, Monte Carlo has plenty of luxurious attractions to draw international jetsetters. The next stop will be the tiny village of Eze, perched on a rocky hill above the sea. With narrow cobblestone, pedestrian-only streets, wonderful views of the surrounding hills and the azure water below, it is just as it was centuries ago. After a visit of the Fragonard perfumery we head back to the hotel. (B)
- Day 8
Nice to the USA (or extend your stay)
Morning transfer to airport for your return flight home. (B)
