Vineyards, villages and the Riviera

Day 1 : Bordeaux

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to discover the city centre of Bordeaux.

Day 2 : Bordeaux > Saint Emilion > Bordeaux

Today you will join a full day private tour exploring Saint Emilion, a renowned wine region. Visit an underground wine cave and enjoy wine tasting with a local producer. After the tour, return to your hotel for your overnight.

Day 3 : Bordeaux > Arcachon > Bordeaux

After breakfast you will explore the coastal Arcachon region and its beautiful landscapes. Stop at the famous Dune de Pilat, the tallest dune in Europe, where you can enjoy the views. Next, visit an oyster farm and enjoy an oyster tasting accompanied by local wine. Later, return to your hotel via the scenic Cap Ferret coast.

Day 4 : Bordeaux > Saint-Remy-de-Provence

Depart charming Bordeaux and drive to Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Stop at Carcassonne, a hilltop town famous for its impressive medieval citadel, with numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. Enjoy a taste of local cuisine at one of the restaurants before continuing your journey to Saint-Remy-de-Provence.

Day 5 : Saint-Remy-de-Provence > Luberon > Saint-Remy-de-Provence

Today you will visit the Luberon, one of the most picturesque areas of Provence; the village of Gordes and the other perched hilltop villages of Roussillon. Stop at the mysterious Lacoste dominated by the Marquis de Sade castle; Bonnieux and Menerbes. Explore Gordes, a beautiful perched medieval village, where you can learn about the region’s history and enjoy local produce as you wander around the village stores with your guide. Stop at the Lavender Museum in Coustellet to learn about the making of essential oils, lavender cosmetics and soaps.

Day 6 : Saint-Remy-de-Provence > Alpilles > Saint-Remy-de-Provence

Meet your private guide at the hotel for a full day excursion by private car. Visit Saint-Remy-de-Provence town centre where Vincent Van Gogh spent many years. The extraordinary light and colours of this village inspired Van Gogh’s masterpieces. Next you will visit the surrounding Alpilles village of Les Baux-de-Provence and surrounding area. In Le Baux where you will visit an olive oil mill for a tasting of olive oil, tapenade and more, while learning about the olive oil making process. Transfer back to Saint-Remy-de-Provence.

Day 7 : Saint-Remy-de-Provence > Chateauneuf-du-Pape > Avignon

Meet your private guide at the hotel for a full day of touring to Avignon and the southern Rhone wine country. Travel to Chateauneuf-du-Pape – one of the country’s premier wine-growing regions. Visit a vineyard, enjoy a wine tasting and marvel at its wine cellar. After your tasting, have lunch at La Mere Germaine, a restaurant in Chateauneuf-du-Pape which is a favourite with winemakers, artists and celebrities visiting the area.

Afterwards, travel to Avignon and check in to your hotel before the afternoon’s guided tour of the town. Surrounded by imposing city walls, Avignon is well-known as the residence of the Pope in the 14th century. You will also visit the incredible Palace of the Popes to see the enormous banquet rooms, original frescoes, floor tiles and other details of its interior. The Palace paints a vivid portrait of the Pope’s life in that era.

Day 8 : Avignon > Arles > Pont du Gard > Avignon

Enjoy a full day tour by private car to Arles and Pont du Gard. Arles, a 2000 year-old city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a real open-air museum with exceptionally well-preserved ancient architectural masterpieces. A lively city full of ancient, fascinating traditions, its special language, costumes and traditional festivals make Arles a capital of Provencal culture. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the Theatre Antique and St Trophime Square with its cloisters and church that were part of the Arles Route, one of the three routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the historic centre – your guide will tell you about the many Arlesiennes traditions.

Pont du Gard is a fairy- tale medieval village, perhaps the most impressive Roman site in all of France. This fascinating aqueduct is a technical and artistic masterpiece, built in the 1st century by the Roman Emperor Augustus, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pont du Gard has been beautifully preserved and is surrounded by 407 hectares of protected National Park land, with the river Gardon flowing below its arches.

Day 9 : Avignon > Aix-de-Provence > Antibes

After breakfast depart Avignon by a private car. Stop in Aix-en-Provence where you may visit Cezanne’s workshop and enjoy lunch before arriving in Antibes.

Day 10 : Antibes > Biot > Nice > Antibes

After breakfast you will be driven to Nice with a stop in Biot to visit the Glass Blowing Museum. Arrive in Nice and meet your guide for a walking tour in the Old Town of Nice. Overnight in Antibes.

Optional activity in Biot: Glass blowing workshop, activity subject to availability. Please enquire about details.

Day 11 : Antibes

Enjoy the day at leisure, relaxing, shopping or enjoying the local beach.

Day 12 : Antibes > Nice

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport, where arrangements end.