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L'INSPIRATION DES ARTISTS Provence & Côte D'Azur 13 day tour including arrival/departure days The South of France has been one of the most fashionable tourist destinations for more than a century. The attractions of Nice, Cannes and the mountain villages that overlook the deep blue Mediterranean speak for themselves. And Monaco, with its famed gambling capital of Monte Carlo literally, shouts its presence. Then there is Provence, the inspiration of a thousand artists and writers from pre-history to contemporary times. Even the shortest stay illustrates the magnetic pull of this region; its history, unspoilt towns and villages, chic Riviera resorts, gastronomic delights, scenic diversity and above all, the incredible light so beloved of painters. DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2008
Cost: $3829 USD per adult sharing a twin/double; single $4349 USD What your tour price includes: Your accommodation for 12 nights while on the tour including breakfast daily and dinners as listed below. Your price also includes all entrance fees to attractions, transportation, services of driver/guide-companion and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide. Pre and post tour airport transfers and accommodation are not included but can be reserved at a specially discounted price.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY DAY ONE Arrival Nice where you'll be met by your Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd representative and transferred to our centrally located hotel. People will be arriving at different times throughout the day, but we hope you'll have some time to stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais and choose a place for your first Mediterranean meal tonight. Dinner tonight is not included in the tour. NIGHTSTOP Nice
DAY TWO This morning, we'll drive along either the Grande or Moyen Corniche to Monaco. This will be the first of many scenic delights of this tour. Once in Monaco, there will be time to explore this, the second smallest country in the world, which has been ruled by the same dynasty for 700 years. This afternoon we'll visit one of the local 'perched villages' such as Eze. This might give us a chance to work off our lunch while building an appetite for our dinner! Note: the evening meal is served late in France. We'll seldom be dining before 7.30 to 8.00pm. Dining in France is considered an experience and you can expect to be seated for some time. The evenings give us the opportunity of reflecting on the day's sightseeing and planning the following day's activities. We shouldn't be too worried about retiring late as we'll not often be leaving for the day's touring much before 9.15am as attractions don't open until mid morning. NIGHTSTOP Nice
DAY THREE A day of herbs and perfumes will start in the ancient fortified village of St. Paul-de-Vence. ‘Every turn taken in St. Paul could transfer to canvas.’ With the aroma of the famous ‘Herbes de Provence,’ perusing the many boutiques lining the alleyways, and exploring the artists' galleries, is sure to be one of your lasting memories of the tour. Neighbouring Vence will be the lunch stop allowing time afterwards to explore, amongst other things, the 10th century cathedral of St Verun and its mosaic by Marc Chagall. NIGHTSTOP Cape d'Antibes
DAY FOUR Today we'll spend time in the film festival town of Cannes, perhaps stopping for a while to watch the locals enjoying their unique sport 'boules'. Maybe, you might even join them for a game! Depending on group interests and local events, we'll use the rest of our day for leisurely exploration of the scenic coast between Cannes and St Raphael and climb one of the narrow hilly interior roads into the Pic de l'Ours. Alternatively, your guide may suggest exploring Cannes on day 5 on our way to Aix-en-Provence and using today to explore either the scenic mountains around Sospel or even crossing the border for a brief visit to scenic resorts on the Italian coast. This flexibility is typical of a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour and there will be other alternatives to exercise the same choice decisions later in the tour. This is why all of our itineraries are described as tentative. NIGHTSTOP Cape d'Antibes
DAY FIVE We’ll commence our journey today with a drive along the rugged coastline, taking in the most spectacular scenery of the Côte d’Azur. En route, we’ll pass through the film festival town of Cannes and the charmingly situated Port of St. Raphael, if we haven't explored here on day 4. Our alternative itinerary to Aix will take us past the Montagne St Victoire, the mountain idolised by Cezanne, and typical interior towns en route. We'll be taking excursions down the back roads to discover sights and experiences often missed by those taking the main highways. NIGHTSTOP Aix-en Provence
DAY SIX Today will be spent relaxing in the yellow-stoned town of Aix-en-Provence. A walking tour will take us along the footsteps of Cezanne, passing hot thermal springs, the Pavillon de Vendome and the Musée des Tapisseries (tapestry museum), finishing in the ‘Atelier’ or studio of Paul Cezanne. Aix has a large number of interesting areas including a local natural history museum which is worth visiting as it sets the tone for the natural environment in which we're travelling. There is also a museum of fine arts and archaeology and for those who'll just wish to sit and watch local life go by, sometime spent the besides the fountains and in the shade of the trees lining the Cours Mirabeau will be moments to savour. Your guide will provide everyone with a pass giving you free entrance to museums and other attractions. Our conveniently located central accommodation is also a perfect base for shopping trips! NIGHTSTOP Aix-en-Provence
DAY SEVEN Heading further inland, we’ll follow the route of the Durance river to Avignon. As we meander through the vineyards, we may indulge in a ‘picnic provençal.’ Our route will take us through Menerbes, the village immortalised by Peter Mayles 'A Year in Provence'. It's recommended that if you haven't already read this book it makes ideal pre-tour reading. Our featured highlight of the day is the 14th century walled city of Avignon, once home to the Catholic popes and the city became the capital of Christianity. The presence of the Church transformed the appearance of the old medieval city and the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) dominates the old historic core of the city. Another 'must see' is, of course, the St Bénézet Bridge (Pont St-Bénézet), known to generations of school children who have learnt to sing that catchy tune 'Sur le pont, Avignon...'. Our choice of accommodations for the next two nights is selected from several chateau style properties or small family-run hotels we use approximately twenty minutes from Avigon itself. Here, we have more of an opportunity to experience French life than we would if following the standard coach-tour tour itinerary and staying in the city itself. NIGHTSTOP Avignon
DAY EIGHT Wine and Romans! Whilst wandering throughout the vineyards of the Côtes-du-Rhone, we’ll be visiting two of the most spectacularly preserved feats of the Roman Empire: the aqueduct of the Pont-de-Gard and the Roman theatre of Orange. Our classical day will end with a visit to the famous wine caves of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This is a perfect balanced day and one when the photographers aboard are certain to want to ensure they are fully loaded! NIGHTSTOP Avignon
DAY NINE During today’s excursion, we’ll venture further west into Languedoc country. A visit to the Roman ‘Square’ Temple of Nimes will be cooled off by the effervescence of the nearby Perrier source. Then, turn south for the region known as the Camargue with our first stop at the fortified village of Aigues-Mortes, Latin for ‘dead waters'. It was developed in the middle of nowhere by St Louis, who set off on the Crusades from here. Further into the Camargue, we’ll see France’s proud claim to having one of the top spots for natural history, with views of flamingos amongst other tropical birds. A short hop afterwards, passing the pure white horses of the region, will take us into Van Gogh’s Arles. NIGHTSTOP Arles
DAY TEN Today, we have no need of our trusty mini-van as the day is spent in Arles. A guided walk through the narrow streets of Arles will offer us scenes painted by Van Gogh himself. The local market is not to be missed, and the Roman Amphitheatre, once seating 21,000, is one of the largest and most complete ancient monuments of it’s kind, rivalling those of Rome itself. Our day spent here is a real highlight of the tour. There is also the opportunity for some interesting shopping for regional goods and souvenirs. Once again, those who enjoy merely sitting at a pavement café, drinking a bottle of the local wine and watching life pass by, will not be disappointed by the many opportunities to do so. NIGHTSTOP Arles
DAY ELEVEN Heading into the ‘Little Alps’ our first visit will take us into the Huguenot stronghold of Les Baux-de-Provence. Situated on a precipice, the town will reward us with a view of ‘half of Provence.’ The village itself is simply incredible, carved as it's been almost out of the very rock of the hilltop. There are few places that truly deserve the description 'unique' but this certainly is one of them. Please note this is one of the many sites on this tour that is not accessible by any form of motorised transport and involves considerable walking. We re-emphasise that the majority of Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tours are unsuitable for those with impaired mobility. NIGHTSTOP Arles
DAY tWELVE Our return eastward to Nice may take us on a brief visit to Marseille, dubbed 'Gateway to the Orient & Africa'. We will certainly be following the scenic coastal road along the Côte d'Azur and through some of the famous towns and traditional villages that sit beside the sea. An undoubted highlight will be the most chic of all Mediterranean resorts, St Tropez. We will return to Nice, our nightstop for tonight. Dinner is not included tonight. NIGHTSTOP Nice
DAY THIRTEEN Alas, we must face the inevitable and a return flight home. You may, of course, have decided to extend your time and be spending a few more days in Nice or perhaps travelling on to join another Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour. If leaving, you'll be transferred to the airport or rail station, as appropriate. The beauty of the Côte d'Azur and countless historic, cultural and scenic highlights of Provence will be providing you with memories and pleasant reminiscences for many months, if not for years to come.
This tour is operated by Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd |
