Provence and the Cote D’azur: Sun-Kissed South of France

This afternoon, guests will meet their guide at the hotel lobby and set out for a walking tour of Nice's charming Old Town. Founded by the ancient Greeks, the historic city of Nice is almost 2400 years old. In the 9th century it was badly damaged by the Muslim Saracens. By the early Middle Ages, it was often politically in league with Italian kingdoms, particularly with Pisa – and even as few as 150 years ago it was ruled by the Kingdom of Sardinia. By the mid 1700's – thanks of its pleasant climate – Nice developed as a winter vacation destination for wealthy Northern Europeans, particularly the English. Guests will learn more about the city's fascinating history as they visit the lovely flower market on Cours Saleya, and see the main sights including Place Massena, Place du Palais, and Place Rossetti. There will be time to walk down the beautiful Promenade des Anglais and visit the city's 19th-century Opera House. The tour will finish back at the hotel.

Your group will have this entire day free to explore Nice at leisure. After breakfast, they can start with a leisurely stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and revisit the Flower Market from the previous day's tour. The picturesque Old Town with its stunning architecture is always delightful, and guests can also choose to shop afterwards in the city's beautiful boutiques. For lunch, we recommend a seaside cafe, which would offer fantastic views of the glittering sea. Nice offers some of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean for swimming, which guests can enjoy afterward. It is also home to fantastic art museums such as the Beaux-Arts Museum, the Musée Matisse, and the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain de Nice, perfect for an afternoon tour. (Please note that all three museums are free of charge.)

After breakfast, your group will meet their guide in the hotel and board their private coach for a fantastic sightseeing excursion. On the itinerary are visit to the charming medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and Cannes, the fashionable capital of the French Riviera. Guests will also enjoy a ride on the "petit train" in Cannes, before boarding their private coach and returning to the hotel. The evening is free for them to enjoy the many charms of Nice at leisure. Guests can choose to relax by the fountains of Place Garibaldi, enjoy the vibrant food and nightlife scene, or simply take a relaxing walk down the promenade.

This tour will begin with a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a picture-perfect medieval village that is home to a thriving art scene. Its boutiques are a great place for those wanting to peruse Provencal fabrics and sample local gourmet delicacies, including olive oil, wine, and fruit liqueurs. Afterward, guests will travel on to the nearby city of Vence to visit its Rosaire Chapel, whose interiors were designed by Matisse towards the end of his life. This was a project of personal passion and dedication for the artist, and inside, guests will find gorgeous tile work, stained-glass and murals painted by Matisse himself. From Vence, your group will travel south, back towards the coast, to one of the French Riviera's crown jewels: Cannes, home to fashion, beautiful beaches, and one of the most famous film festivals in the world. As they arrive, there will be free time for lunch and exploring, followed by a fun, one-hour sightseeing tour on Cannes' white "petit train". The train will take them through Cannes' medieval port to the city's best known destination: the seaside, star-studded promenade locally known as "la Croisette." Afterward, guests will board the private coach and return to their hotel in Nice.

This morning, a local guide will take your group for an interesting sightseeing excursion to Eze and Monaco by private coach. Located atop a hill, the charming medieval town of Eze is famous for its perfume traditions. Monaco on the other hand, needs no introduction; it has hosted some of the world's biggest movers and shakers ever since the opening of its first casino in the 19th century. After a guided tour of the city center, guests will return by private coach. The final evening in Nice is at leisure for guests to revisit their favorite sights or simply unwind.

Accompanied by a local guide, your group will start by learning all about the world of French perfume at the Fragonard Perfumery, in the scenic village of Eze. Guests will enjoy a short guided tour of this village before continuing east to the Principality of Monaco. This is the second-smallest independent state in Europe, after Vatican City, and a glamorous playground of the rich and famous. Upon arrival, guests will have free time for lunch, followed by a guided tour of the Old Town of Monaco. Then, there will be time to explore on their own or simply soak in the vibe of this vibrant city. Guests could also visit the Royal Palace before returning to Nice in the late afternoon.

This morning, your group is in for a real treat: a sightseeing excursion of Marseille's famed Massif des Calanques by boat. After the cruise, guests will also visit Cassis, where they will have free time to lunch and explore the town. Afterward, they will return to the hotel by private coach and have the remainder of the day at leisure. There are plenty of ways to make the most of this last evening in Marseilles: guests can choose to visit the Vieux Old Port and soak up the lively atmosphere, or head to the bohemian Cours Julien. Marseilles is famous for its live music venues and guests could pop into one of the many rooftop bars for fantastic views of the cityscape at night.

Having met their local guide at the hotel lobby, your group will begin today's excursion with a short drive to the scenic fishing town of Cassis. There, they will embark on a 90-minute cruise to eight of the most beautiful calanques. The calanques can be described as rocky stretch of land along the coastline that contains dramatically carved-out, limestone coves. They resemble fjords, although fjords are carved by glaciers and not by the sea. The Massif des Calanques lies between the ports of Marseille and Cassis and spans approximately 12 miles. This is one of the most naturally beautiful areas in all of France. After the cruise - sure to be an unforgettable experience - guests will return back to Cassis and enjoy some free time to have lunch and explore Cassis. It is often described as one of the least spoiled towns on the Cote d'Azur. In the mid-afternoon, your group will return to the hotel in Marseille.

In the morning, your group will heading northwest through the lavender fields and vineyards of the Provencal countryside to the historic city of Arles, which is home to some remarkably well-preserved Roman ruins. This is also the setting that so inspired Vincent Van Gogh. He painted "Cafe de Nuit", "Starry Night", and "Les Alyscamps" while living in Arles. Upon arrival to Arles at mid-morning, guests will meet a local guide for a walking tour. Afterward, they will re-board the coach and make the short drive to the city of Nimes, which is home to one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Upon arrival there will be free time to have lunch, and then the guide will take them inside the city's 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre-turned-bullring. After the visit, your group will make a final stop at one of the most famous sites in France: the ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Pont du Gard. This impressively constructed (and preserved) UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed in 19 BC. In its heyday, it transported water over 30 miles to the Roman community in Nimes. After seeing this ancient feat of engineering, your group will proceed to Avignon.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will meet a local guide for a sightseeing tour of the historic, walled city of Avignon. There will be free time for lunch and later, guests will drive a short distance to the impressive Chateauneuf-du-Pape, with its beautiful vineyards. There will be plenty of time to taste some delicious wine at the vineyard before guests return to Avignon by private coach. The evening is at leisure for guests to enjoy the charms of the city as they wish.

Avignon was one of the most influential cities in Christian Europe during the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, the papacy moved from Vatican City to Avignon for nearly 70 years until the Pope returned to Rome and Avignon elected a second pope. Naturally, this caused a major rift in Catholic Europe for about four decades. As a result of the Papacy's temporary home in Avignon, the magnificent Palais des Papes was constructed in Avignon, which guests will visit during their sightseeing tour of Avignon. Guests will also go inside the city's 12th-century Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms. There will be some free time for lunch, after which, guests will take a short drive to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The castle there was originally constructed as the Pope's summer residence and today, it is home to some of France's best vineyards. Your group will enjoy a wine tasting before returning to Avignon in the late afternoon.

Founded by the Romans, Aix-en-Provence oozes provincial, French charm, taking visitors back in time. Home to gorgeous squares, elegant fountains and lovely cafe-filled streets, Aix-en-Provence was a source of inspiration for post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne and for writers Ernest Hemingway and Emile Zola. On this guided, sightseeing tour, your group will discover the picturesque streets and beautiful architecture of the city. They will visit iconic landmarks such as the Cours Mirabeau, and the famous fountains around the city. They will walk amid beautiful medieval mansions and visit lively markets to soak in the enchanting atmosphere in this city, before being escorted back to the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will check out and proceed to Marseille Airport for their return flight back home.