Best of Provence
Provence is a myth that never lets you down: peaceful walks among infinite lavender fields, glasses of rosé at sunset, flourishing and innovative gastronomy. Provence is internationally known by painters for its mystic light, so many of whom have immortalized its landscapes.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Avignon - Visit the Palace of the Popes. The world's largest Gothic Palace is both a colossal fortress and a sumptuous Palace. You will have the privilege of entering Saint Martial Chapel, a masterpiece of 14th century Italian art.
Day 2 - Visit Châteauneuf du Pape, an attractive medieval town just north of Avignon. This is a favorite destination for all wine lovers wishing to taste one of the most prestigious Rhone Valley vintages. Wine tasting and lunch in the wine cellar.
Day 3 - L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a green haven criss-crossed by the River Sorgue. Today it is one of the main European centers for antiques, with over 300 permanent antiques and second-hand goods dealers.
Day 4 - Discover Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, just a few miles away from L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The natural beauty of the site has moved the hearts of many writers and poets, including Petrarch, Boccaccio, Chateaubriand, Frédéric Mistral and René Char.
Day 5 - Cycle through the most beautiful villages in Provence. Bonnieux is a beautiful hilltop village on the northern slope of the Luberon range, across from the village of Lacoste. Enjoy a stroll through the charming village streets. At a restaurant or café, savor the easy-going Provençal way of life. The Ochre House is in the village of Roussillon in a peaceful environment near several restaurants.
Day 6 - Visit Gordes, built around a Renaissance château. Gordes enjoys layered houses built on the sides of the cliffs, steep little cobblestone streets, and endless flights of steps. Upon leaving, we will stop for a photo of Notre Dame of Sénanque Abbey, hopefully during lavender season.
Next we visit Les Baux-de-Provence, ranked as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France,” in the Alpilles Regional Nature Park. In the Val d’Enfer (Hell Valley), monumental limestone quarries are the scene each year of a unique show featuring the great names in the history of art. Their masterpieces are projected onto vast walls and gallery floors.
Day 7 - Aix en Provence - Guided tour of Aix’s old town. This afternoon visit Cezanne’s Studio & Museum Granet for a pinch of art and culture.
Day 8 - Boat Tour in the Calanques National Park. The coastline between Marseille and Cassis boasts incredible biodiversity and countless coves with crystal-clear waters, some of which can only be reached by boat or on foot.
Day 9 - Provencal Cooking Lesson - Start your day by visiting the colorful, local market where you will carefully select the freshest local ingredients. You will pass the next several hours cooking and learning the secrets of the Provençal kitchen. Your experience will culminate under the olive trees where you will enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Bordeaux to Basque Country
This Program actually crosses the France/Spain border highlighting the vast cultural differences in a very narrow geography. The Southwest of France is as diverse as it is surprising. Enjoy vibrant cities, beaches, and an incredible food/wine scene.
Day 1 - Paris to Bordeaux - The Place de la Bourse (The Water Mirror) and Cite du Vin (Wine Museum). Stroll along the Quaysides on the Garonne River. I recommend slurping some oysters along the way.
Day 2 - At the gates of Bordeaux, you can set out to discover the world’s most renowned vineyards with six wine routes that will lead you to the picturesque village of Saint-Emilion.
Day 3 - Excursion to Arcachon Bay. Admire Europe's highest natural sand dune, the Pilat Dune, and sample local oysters and caviar. Arcachon is rich in forests and wild nature on the coast.
Day 4 - Situated in the heart of the Basque Country, Biarritz is an elegant and glamorous seaside resort. Its beaches, history and 19th century mansions have helped to forge its reputation. It also happens to be Europe’s surf capital, so if you like to mix in a little adrenaline and exercise into your vacation, BTZ can accommodate you!
Day 5 - Visit French Basque Country. It is a place to enjoy nationally and internationally renowned gastronomy with a wealth of products, including Ossau-Iraty ewe’s-milk cheese, Bayonne ham and Espelette chilli peppers. Bayonne, Saint Jean de Luz are a few of my favorites.
Day 6 - Surf’s up. Test your surf skills by joining a surf lesson, or enjoy a leisure day on the beach. Join the locals for an apres surf snack at Le Comptoir du Foie Gras.
Day 7 - Cross the border into Spain with a visit to every Foodies Paradise: San Sebastian. San Sebastian has more Michelin rated restaurants per square meter than anywhere in the world! Join a Pinxtos (similar to tapas) Tour, making a meal by sampling the local specialties of San Sebastian’s top restaurants and bars.
Day 8 - Excursion to Bilbao to visit the incredible Guggenheim Museum. Bilbao also boasts incredible contemporary architecture as well as an impressive gastronomic scene.
Day 9 - Day of Leisure.
Day 10 - Departure from Marseilles
Chateaux & Vineyards in the Loire Valley & Burgundy
The Loire Valley is home to a plethora of chateaux brimming with incredible architecture as well as fascinating stories and history. The chateaux also are complimented with impeccable gardens earning the Region the nickname of the Garden of France. Couple chateaux visits with tastings in some of the best vineyards in France and you have an amazing ten day itinerary. It only makes sense to pass a few days in neighboring Burgundy, where they have perfected the “Art of Living.
Day 1 - Arrive in Tours and discover this charming city. Visit the Chateau de Chenonceau. The property was designed, influenced and passed amongst wives and mistresses earning it the nickname: “The Ladies Chateau.”
Day 2 - Tour of the Chateau & Gardens of Villandry. Renowned for its French formal gardens which provide an enchanting setting. Take an easy canoe ride on the Cher River which will afford incredible views of the Chateaux from the most serene of perspectives.
Day 3 - Visit to the Chateau Royal d’Ambois. This afternoon is designated to wine tasting at Cave Duhard first and later a tasting and aperitif at Domaine de Rocheville.
Day 4 - This morning you will enjoy an iconic Loire Valley experience: the hot air balloon ride. Later you will explore Saumer and visit the Gratien & Meyer sparkling wine cellars. Enjoy a rich, and comprehensive cellar tour with tastings and discover the epic adventure of Gratien & Meyer.
Day 5 - Located on the banks of the Loire, Blois immediately seduces visitors with its royal castle and chateau. Tour of the Chateau de Blois. This afternoon wine tasting at Cave des Domes.
Day 6 - Travel to Chambord by bicycle, one of the best methods to explore this Valley of the Kings. Leave plenty of time to visit the Gardens and Castle, the largest Chateau in the Loire Valley.
Day 7 - Welcome to Beaune, the Wine Capital of Burgundy! Discover the city by strolling through its timeless lanes. An emblematic example of 15th century Flamboyant Gothic architecture, the Hospices bring together all the spiritual, artistic and wine-making traditions of Burgundy.
Day 8 - Discovery of Beaune market. Visit and wine tasting at the Château du Clos de Vougeot. Beune is a town of wine shops, so take your time shopping & tasting your way through the afternoon.
Day 9 - Visit Dijon. Start at Les Halles (listed monument!), epicentre of the region’s gastronomy, and stop at the boutiques of the town centre. Mustard, gingerbread, crème de cassis, and more…
France for Food & Wine Lovers (Paris, Champagne & Lyon)
“Go to France and eat.” Julia Childs answer to the oft asked question on how to become a passionate cook. The French approach gastronomy as an art form. Whether your preference is chocolates, cheeses, wines, champagne, baguettes or other, the French have it mastered. This itinerary covers some of our favorite routes and regions to experience authentic French food and wine.
Day 1 - Paris food tour led by a local chef or food writer, we will stroll the charming streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Left Bank, exploring the culinary culture of Paris. Our guide will introduce the basics of French cuisine and take us to meet the owners of tiny food shops, taste artisanal products, and enliven our senses to the amazing culinary traditions.
Day 2 - Wine and France are inextricably entwined. A vibrant thread in the fabric of daily life and culture, wine has helped shape France's history, gastronomy, and urban landscape. Our Paris wine tour and tasting, led by a sommelier or oenologist guide, introduces the basics of French wines, from the Bordeaux and Burgundy to the country’s lesser known appellations.
Day 3 - Our Paris chocolate & pastry tour, will explain how Paris came to be the center of the chocolate world and why that matters. As we visit chocolate shops, we’ll learn the history behind this delicacy. Truffles, pralines, ganache...What's the difference? Our walk, beginning in Saint- Germain-des-Prés, will answer these questions and more. Next, we'll go on to discuss the rich dessert history associated with Paris and, more importantly, the evolution of the celebrated Parisian treat, the macaron.
Day 4 - Departure to Epernay to discovery Champagne vineyards. Champagne degustation between the villages of Venteuil and Hautvillers. Guided tour in English of the HAUTVILLERS village, the village of Dom Pérignon, birthplace of Champagne, in the heart of the UNESCO classified vineyards.
Day 5 - Discovery of Epernay and the vineyard, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, from the new tethered balloon in Epernay, including a glass of Champagne (depending on weather forecasts).
Day 6 - Cooking Lesson with acclaimed Chef on French plates perfectly complimented by bubbly.
Afternoon Guided tour of a smaller and familial champagne house. This evening you can visit some of the champagne bars in Reims.
Day 7 - Travel to Lyon, world renown for its vibrant cultural life and gastronomy. Guided tour of the Old Lyon, Fourviere Hill and Gallo Romain sites.
Day 8 - Today you will enjoy a Tasting Tour at the cover market Halles Paul Bocuse, a true temple of food. Fifty carefully selected producers who all contribute to Lyon’s reputation as the “World Capital of Gastronomy!”
Day 9 - Annecy is internationally renown for the beauty of its harmonious landscape as well as its crystal clear lake. Tour of Annecy with boat tour. Afternoon visit to a cheese ripening cellar under the Annecy castle.
Joie de Vivres Tour (Paris, Provence, Cotes D’Azur)
Our mission to create a 10 day tour that covers three of the most exciting regions in France is no easy feat, but below you will discover our idea on maximizing ten days in Paris, Provence and the Cotes D’Azur.
Day 1 - France’s charming capital is full of historically significant monuments, impressive architecture, and traditional cafés and brasseries. Take a boat ride along the Seine, flanked by the emblematic monuments from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame.
Day 2 - Louvre Tour - Join an art historian to dive into the most-visited collection of art in the world. Later, join a savory food tour led by a local chef or food writer. Stroll the charming streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Left Bank, exploring the culinary culture of Paris.
Day 3 - Today we recommend an excursion to either Giverny to enjoy Monet’s Impressionist Garden or Versailles to discover its’ architectural and artistic splendor.
Day 4 - Paris to Avignon. This afternoon you will visit the Palace of the Popes. The Gothic architecture is incredible and tours are offered with cutting edge technology, allowing one to experience the Palace during its’ hey day!
Day 5 - Bike the most beautiful Villages in Provence - Rousillon, Lourmarin & Menerbes and experience the famous lavender fields along the way. There will be regular wine and cheese breaks along the way.
Day 6 - Today you can choose to go wine tasting in the important Chateauneuf du Pape wine region or we can arrange a Provencal cooking lesson with scenic picnic.
Day 7 - Arrive on the glamorous Cotes D’Azur and visit Saint Cap Jean Ferat. Tour the impressive Ephrussie Museum and lush gardens. Return to Nice via Villafranche harbor.
Day 8 - Morning Tour of Nice. This afternoon we have arranged a private driver to escort you to Monoco and Eze, two of the most breathtaking towns on the Riviera.
Day 9 - Day of Leisure.
Day 10 - Departure from Marseilles