© 2011 Intimate France
24 October 2011
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Detailed Itinerary (or download a PDF copy here) Day 1 (Sunday, April 29) We meet in the lobby of the Best Western Marseille Airport and plunge right into our Provence adventure. Just one hour up the road is our first destination, the fabled food and flea market at l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, known throughout France. Here, we’ll shop for a picnic lunch, which we’ll enjoy near town. Then it’s on to the riverside village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. In springtime the springs that form the source of the Sorgue River are at their peak – a thundering waterfall leaping from the base of a mighty cliff. Late in the day, as we make our way north, we come to our hotel, the Bellerive, surrounded by vines near Rasteau. DINNER is in our hotel’s restaurant, considered one of the finest tables in the area. OVERNIGHT – RASTEAU Day 2 (Monday, April 30) France is chock-full of lovely stone villages, and we visit two of the prettiest today: the perched village of Séguret, and lovely Gigondas (a fine red wine is made here). Also on our agenda is fascinating Vaison-la-Romaine, three towns in one – Roman, medieval and modern. We explore the old streets of the ville haute and admire the Roman-era excavations before having lunch. Later, we return to the beautiful Bellerive. OVERNIGHT – RASTEAU Day 3 (Tuesday, May 1) 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, arriving in the small town of Grignan in time to visit its renaissance château. In the evening we enjoy DINNER at the Bellerive's gastronomic restaurant. OVERNIGHT – RASTEAU Day 4 (Wednesday, May 2) From Rasteau this morning, we go south. Around 10 a.m. we arrive in old Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern France’s most renowned wine village. After free time, we come to old Avignon, still protected by its proud city walls and recalling the days in the 14th century when it was the seat of the Roman 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; and the Musée Angladon, with 19th century art and furnishings. You’ll also enjoy wandering the animated streets and exploring the upscale shops. Late in the afternoon, we come to the charming village of Saignon and check into our old stone hotel, facing the fountain in the main square. This peaceful village, high on a hill, is dominated by a brace of rocks whose level tops afford a magnificent view of the surrounding hills, culminating in 6,273-foot Mont Ventoux. Tonight we have DINNER in our hotel’s cheerful dining room. OVERNIGHT – SAIGNON Day 5 (Thursday, May 3) Our first stop is the delightful perched village of Roussillon, an ochre-colored marvel high on a cliff, where we go for a walk and have LUNCH. Later, we visit pretty Gordes, perched high above the Lubéron valley. Then it’s on to the ancient Abbey of Sénanque, founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century in a wild and romantic valley. OVERNIGHT – SAIGNON Day 6 (Friday, May 4) From Saignon today we visit the market town of Apt, then explore the hill villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste. This is Provence at its best – medieval villages of stone houses with red-tile roofs, hidden in a tangle of winding streets. Later we visit the charming village of Ménerbes, made famous by Peter Mayle, whose stone farmhouse here was celebrated in the book “A Year in Provence.” OVERNIGHT – SAIGNON Day 7 (Saturday, May 5) Just 90 minutes from Saignon is Roman Arles. We arrive in late morning, in time to visit the legendary Arles market, one of southern France’s best. After LUNCH 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 8 (Sunday, May 6) 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 arrive at 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 before DINNER. OVERNIGHT – ARLES Day 9 (Monday, May 7) We start a bit early 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. 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. OVERNIGHT – ARLES Day 10 (Tuesday, May 8) Out of the country and into the city today, we leave Arles 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 9) A walking tour of Aix begins our day. See the old Cathedral of St. Sauveur and some of 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. OVERNIGHT – AIX-EN-PROVENCE Day 12 (Thursday, May 10) 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 11) 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 flights. Notes MEALS – Tour includes breakfast every day, as well as eight other meals (lunches and dinners), as indicated in BOLD CAPS on the itinerary. OUR HOTELS Hôtel Bellerive, Rasteau (Vaison-la-Romaine) Hôtel du Presbytère, Saignon Hôtel Calendal, Arles Hôtel Mozart, Aix-en-Provence HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS mentioned in the itinerary are subject to availability. ITINERARY – Details of this preliminary itinerary could change. A final itinerary will be issued closer to trip departure. SIGHTSEEING – All sightseeing listed in itinerary is included as part of the tour. * TOUR PRICE of $3,895 per person is an estimate as any significant decline in the value of the U.S. dollar vs. the euro may result in imposition of a currency surcharge. Ask us for details. |
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