© 2007 Intimate France
12 November 2007

An old favorite returns - Book it!

Personally escorted by Intimate France founder George Nevin

12 days - April 27 - May 9, 2008

Tour begins and ends in Marsei1le

$3,695 per person, double occupancy - Singles, add $450

Detailed Itinerary
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  • Day 1 (Sunday, April 27)
    We meet in the lobby of the Best Western Marseille Airport and plunge right into our Provence adventure. Just 90 minutes up the road is our first destination, Roman Arles. Arriving before noon, we stow our bags at our charming, quiet hotel, then walk through the old town for LUNCH. In the afternoon, we get to know Arles better, with a get-acquainted walking tour and a stop at one or more of the many sights the city has to offer. Perhaps you'd like to explore the Roman amphitheater, the cathedral and cloisters, or the Museum of Old Arles. OVERNIGHT – ARLES

  • Day 2 (Monday, April 28)
    From Arles this morning we head north to the village of Barbentane to visit its Italianate château. You'll enjoy the beautiful castle with its fine old furnishings and quiet grounds. Near noon we depart to the old village of Castillon-du-Gard for LUNCH, followed by a visit to the magnificent Roman aqueduct called the Pont du Gard, dating from the 1st century AD. It's incredibly well-preserved, with an informative museum to explain its significance and construction. We return to Arles in the late afternoon for free time, followed by DINNER. OVERNIGHT – ARLES

  • Day 3 (Tuesday, April 29
    We start a bit earlier today in order to get to the popular, and spectacular, village of les Baux-de-Provence before the big tour buses arrive. You'll love the rustic cobbled streets and windswept castle ruins commanding a view of the valley. Late in the morning, we head to the pretty town of St. Rémy, which we explore and where we have lunch. In the afternoon, join us in visiting the asylum where Van Gogh lived in 1888-89, and to see the nearby ruined Roman town of Glanum. DINNER in Arles. OVERNIGHT – ARLES

  • Day 4 (Wednesday, April 30)
    From Roman Arles this morning, we go north. Around 10:30 a.m. we arrive in old Avignon, still protected by its proud city walls and recalling the days in the 14th century when it was the seat of the Catholic church. We'll see as many of its attractions as time allows: the Palace of the Popes; the famed Pont d'Avignon, celebrated in a French children's song; the Musée Angladon, with 19th century art and furnishings. You'll also enjoy wandering the animated streets and exploring the upscale shops. In the afternoon, we pass through Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern France's most renowned wine region. Later, we come to our hotel, the Bellerive, surrounded by vines near Rasteau. DINNER is at our hotel. OVERNIGHT – RASTEAU

  • Day 5 (Thursday, May 1)
    France is chock-full of lovely stone villages. One of the prettiest is the perched village of Séguret. After exploring its steep streets we head to nearby Vaison-la-Romaine, three towns in one – Roman, medieval and modern. We explore the old streets of the ville médiévale and admire the excavations of the important Roman town. After lunch, we visit several other lovely villages of the region: Gigondas (a fine red wine is made here) and Beaumes-de-Venise (producer of an exquisite sweet wine). Later still, you can relax at the beautiful Bellerive or engage in more tasting of fine Rasteau wines. At day's end, we have DINNER at the hotel. OVERNIGHT – RASTEAU

  • Day 6 (Friday, May 2)
    Very close to Rasteau, across a plain covered to the horizon in grape vines, lies Roman Orange. Here we visit two treasures: a triumphal arch, built by the Romans in 20 BC, and the town's magnificent Roman theater, dating from the reign of Caesar Augustus. It is one of the best-preserved in the world. After lunch, we go north to the lovely village of la Garde-Adhémar before arriving in the small town of Grignan to visit its renaissance château. DINNER at the hotel. OVERNIGHT – RASTEAU

  • Day 7 (Saturday, May 3)
    From Rasteau today we push south to the fabled Lubéron region of Provence. Our first stop is the market town of Apt, to take in its renowned Saturday market. Following lunch, we climb the hill to the charming village of Saignon and check into our old stone hotel, facing the fountain in the main square. There's plenty of time for sightseeing in the afternoon, including the hill villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes. OVERNIGHT – SAIGNON

  • Day 8 (Sunday, May 4)
    The fabled food and flea market at l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is first on today's agenda. Here, we'll shop for a picnic lunch, which we'll enjoy near town. Then it's on to the beautiful riverside village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. In springtime the source of the Sorgue River is at its peak – a thundering waterfall leaping from the base of a mighty cliff. Late in the day, as we make our way back to Saignon, we may want to pause in rustic Oppède-le-Vieux, unlike any other village in this region. DINNER at our hotel. OVERNIGHT – SAIGNON

  • Day 9 (Monday, May 5)
    Our first stop is the Pont Julien, a bridge built by the Romans and still in use today. Later we arrive in of the area's most delightful perched villages: Roussillon, an ochre marvel high on a cliff, where we go for a walk and take a lunch break. Later, we visit pretty Gordes, perched high above the Lubéron valley. Then it's on to the ancient Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque. OVERNIGHT – SAIGNON

  • Day 10 (Tuesday, May 6)
    Out of the country and into the city today, we leave Saignon and proceed south, all the way to the Mediterranean at Cassis. Here, stroll the lively waterfront and enjoy a boat ride to visit three calanques – dramatic, cliff-lined inlets of the Mediterranean. Late in the day we arrive in beautiful Aix-en-Provence, our home for the next three nights. We check into our hotel, then stroll to the Cours Mirabeau, one of France's most beautiful main streets, for a drink. Later, enjoy free time in what may be southern France's most beautiful town., followed by DINNER. OVERNIGHT – AIX-EN-PROVENCE

  • Day 11 (Wednesday, May 7)
    A walking tour of Aix begins the day. See the old Cathedral of St. Sauveur and Aix's many fountains, as well as the pedestrian-only shopping district, a medieval marvel. After a lunch break, we visit the city's fine-arts museum, the Granet, featuring paintings by Cézanne and other artists; and Cézanne's studio on a quiet, tree-lined street. Later, we have DINNER in the art deco splendor of our hotel's restaurant. OVERNIGHT – AIX-EN-PROVENCE

  • Day 12 (Thursday, May 8)
    Late in the morning, after free time in Aix, we leave the city for the nearby perched village of Ventabren. Here, we enjoy a festive FAREWELL LUNCH. Later, back in Aix, do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing, or take time to prepare for tomorrow's departure. OVERNIGHT – AIX-EN-PROVENCE

  • Getaway Day (Friday, May 9)
    It's time to say au revoir to Provence. Aix-en-Provence is only 30 minutes from the Marseille-Provence Airport, providing easy access for morning flight    s.

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