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The Allure of France: Provence and the Cote d’Azur

Program Number: 21096RJ
Start and End Dates:
10/3/2013 - 10/11/2013; 10/31/2013 - 11/8/2013; 4/10/2014 - 4/18/2014; 5/8/2014 - 5/16/2014; 5/22/2014 - 5/30/2014; 9/11/2014 - 9/19/2014; 9/26/2014 - 10/4/2014; 10/9/2014 - 10/17/2014; 10/30/2014 - 11/7/2014;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: France
Price starting at: $2,794.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 13; 7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

From the green hills, sunbaked villages and lilac fields of Provence to the brilliant azure waters and billowing white sails of the French Riviera, absorb the colors — not to mention the sights, sounds and flavors — of Southern France on this journey that combines field trips led by top-notch Road Scholar experts with plenty of time for independent discoveries.




Highlights

• Explore Provence’s lively open-air markets, medieval villages and natural environments.
• Discover the famed French Riviera resort of Cannes and the historic city of Nice on expert-led excursions.
• Enjoy independent time to experience this beautiful and unique region on your own.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; some cobblestones and uneven and hilly terrain.




Date Specific Information

10-3-2013, 10-31-2013, 4-10-2014, 5-8-2014, 5-22-2014, 9-11-2014, 9-26-2014, 10-9-2014, 10-30-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Marseille, coach to Aix-en-Provence, 4 nights; coach to Nice, 3 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Marseille
Coach to Aix-en-Provence
4 nights

An expert-led walking excursion introduces you to Aix’s old town including the Cours Mirabeau thoroughfare, the 17th- and 18th-century mansions and the lively Provençal markets. Journey to the picturesque medieval town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue to attend one of the largest open-air markets in Provence. Explore the villages of the Luberon, the hilly area made famous by the book “A Year in Provence.” Take a field trip to Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to examine its impressive Roman monuments. Continue to the spectacular hillside village Les Baux-de-Provence and step inside its historic fort.



Coach to Nice
3 nights
Departure

Venture to the famous French Riviera resort of Cannes for an expert-led walking excursion. Visit the Picasso Museum in Antibes, located in a historic chateau where the artist once lived. Explore Nice’s old town and the Cours Saleya square with its daily flower market. Discover the Roman ruins of Cimiez Hill. Delve into the works of two great French artists who were inspired by Nice, Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse, at the respective museums dedicated to them. Enjoy free time to soak up the sun and the history in this beautiful Mediterranean port city.




France

The epicurious and the curious find much to admire in Western Europe’s largest nation, whose agricultural riches and terrain of beaches, mountains and fertile fields have drawn residents for thousands of years. The northern region hosts the nation’s Parisian capital, as well as unique Breton culture, while the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast sports the chic beach-goers and the terraced vineyards of the interior.
Accommodations
Aix-en-Provence: Stylish hotel in the heart of old town. Nice: Four-star hotel in the city center.
Meals and Lodgings
   Aquabella Hotel
  Aix en Provence, France 4 nights
   Hotel Brice
  Nice, France 3 nights
 Aquabella Hotel
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: Ideally located in the heart of the old town of Aix-en-Provence, at the foot of the ancient fortifications and in the centre of the markets of Provence with their subtle perfumes, Hotel Aquabella offers an exceptional environment. From your window enjoy the view of the roof tiles polished by the years and the brightness of the sun which sparkles on the water of the swimming pool. Have a drink in lounge-bar "L' Instant" or savor the specialities of the Orangery restaurant and The Terrasse de la Tour. Guests can relax at the Aquabella’s spa, Gym & Spa Sensoriel. Guests have access to the sauna, hammam, and hot bath. There is also a Kneipp shower and ice fountain, and gymnastics classes are also available. The hotel’s outdoor swimming pool is open from May to September.
  Contact info: 2, rue des Etuves
Aix-en-Provence,  13100 France
phone: +33 (0)4 42 99 15 00
web: www.aquabella.fr
  Room amenities: The guest rooms at the Aquabella are all air conditioned and equipped with free Wi-Fi access, mini-bar and hairdryer. Bathrobes are also provided.
  Facility amenities: Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Grounds, Terrace, Elevator, Safe, Soundproof Rooms, Heating, Baggage Storage, All Spaces Non-Smoking (Public and Private), Air Conditioning, Sauna, Fitness Center, Solarium, Spa, Hot Tub, Turkish Bath/Steam Bath, Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal), Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Fax/Photocopying, Free WiFi
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: TBD Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at 1-800-241-1404 for rates and bookings.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 Hotel Brice
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Brice Hotel is located in central Nice, just a 5-minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. It offers a sauna, a solarium and grounds with a fountain. A buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room every morning. On sunny days, guests can enjoy a drink from the hotel bar on the terrace under the orange and lemon trees. The hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the tram line and Nice’s central train station. It is ideally located for exploring the city and nearby town such as Monte-Carlo and Cannes.
  Contact info: 44 Rue du Maréchal Joffre
Nice,  06000 France
phone: +33 (0)4 93 88 14 44
web: http://www.nice-hotel-brice.com/
  Room amenities: Each guest room at Brice Hotel is equipped with satellite TV, a mini fridge and a work desk. Each has a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
  Facility amenities: Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Terrace, Elevator, Safe, Baggage Storage, Air Conditioning, Sauna, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Airport Shuttle, Bicycle Rental, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying, Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: TBD Contact Road Scholar Travel Services for rates and bookings.


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
The program starts with Orientation at the hotel in Aix-en-Provence at 6:00 p.m. You will be staying at Aquabella Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
The program ends after breakfast at the hotel in Nice. Check out is at 11:30 a.m. You will be staying at Hotel Brice the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. No
  Parking availability:
n/a
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: TGV is a great option to travel in France and both Nice and Aix-en-Provence are connected to Paris by TGV.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Aix en Provence
  Nearest highway: A7, A46, A54, A9 and A8
  Nearest airport:  Marseille-Provence International Airport
  Transportation to site: A transfer from the airport in Marseille to the hotel in Aix is provided for all participants who purchased air from Road Scholar and arrive on the program start date. If you arrive early or want to make your own way to the hotel, taxis from the Marseille (MRS) airport to the hotel in Aix-en-Provence are available and cost about 40 Euro. We do not recommned using buses. Taxis from the Aix en Provence TGV station into the city will cost about 20-25 euros.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Nice
  Nearest airport:  NCE
  Transportation from site: A transfer from the hotel to the airport in Nice is provided for all participants who purchased air from Road Scholar and depart on the program end date. If you are departing later or want to make your own way to the airport, taxis from the hotel in Nice to the airport are available and cost about 25 Euro. We do not recommned using buses. Taxis from the Hotel to the TGV station will cost no more than 10 Euro.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Marseille (MRS airport), Orientation and Welcome Dinner
(Thursday, October 31)
   
 Morning: NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS COMBINING THIS PROGRAM WITH PROGRAM 21095 ending in Paris CDG: Because these programs are designed to be taken together, your transportation to Aix-en-Provence from Paris has been arranged by Road Scholar and is complimentary. Please see details of program below for start time on this day.
 Afternoon: Arrival at Marseille (MRS airport) and Transfers to the hotel in Aix. Check in starts at 2 p.m. so rooms may not be available if you arrive early. Orientation starts at 6 p.m. Please meet in the lobby of the hotel.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner near the hotel
   
Accommodations: Aquabella Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Aix-en-Provence Old Town and the Local Provencal Market
(Friday, November 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy a walking field trip around Aix-en-Provence to discover this historic city and heart of Provence. Discover the old religious and civil districts around the cathedral and the city hall, XVII and XVIII century mansions facades, and typical squares with their fountains and the Cours Mirabeau. Explore the various Saturday markets; Saturday is the busiest market day and each square offers a different variety of stalls.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in the Old Town of Aix
 Afternoon: Free time: Enjoy Saturday afternoon free to explore. Saturday is the best day for all shops to be open and to enjoy the old town on your own.
 Dinner: Dinner in the Old Town
   
Accommodations: Aquabella Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market and the Sights and Perched Villages of the Luberon
(Saturday, November 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Field Trip: Explore one of the largest markets in Provence and one of the largest antique markets in the world. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a picturesque medieval town that offers a sumptuous setting for a Sunday market. Follow your guide as you learn the history of this small town and also sample some of the local specialties and learn about how they are made. Later enjoy some time to continue the morning at leisure to discover the city on your own and explore the vendor stalls.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
 Afternoon: This afternoon we end the day exploring some of the lesser visited sites of the Luberon, the region made famous by Peter Mayle's book "A Year in Provence." We stop to see the outside of the Abbey of Senanque, walk the streets of Gorde and as we cross over the Luberon mountains, we stop in the village of Lourmarin before making our way back to Aix.
 Dinner: Dinner in the Old Town
   
Accommodations: Aquabella Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Arles, Roman History, Van Gogh and Les Baux-de-Provence
(Sunday, November 3)

Note: Please note there are many stairs and some climbing involved over cobbled stone streets to explore the fortress at Les Beaux-de-Provence.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Explore the Roman and artistic city of Arles. Eight of Arles' Roman and Romanesque monuments and 65 acres of downtown are considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. As part of our visit we explore the old town on foot and discover a few of these special sites. Also learn about the work and places that inspired Van Gogh while he lived in Arles. Later continue the morning at leisure to discover the city on your own.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in Arles
 Afternoon: This afternoon we end the day at Les Baux-de-Provence. This fortified village with an interesting history offers some of the most picturesque views of Provence. Here we visit and learn about the sites in the fortified fortress.
   
Accommodations: Aquabella Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Transfer to Nice, Explore Cannes and Antibes's Picasso Museum
(Monday, November 4)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: This morning we explore the famous town of Cannes. Led by a local expert learn about the cities history during a walking tour that examines the city's early history and its current status as a mecca for the famous and the beautiful.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in Antibes
 Afternoon: After lunch join our local expert to explore the Chateau Grimaldi and the Picasso Museum. Learn about Picasso, his work and his time in France. Later enjoy some more free time to explore the city on your own, see the old city center and explore at your pace some of the small streets before rejoining the group for our drive to Nice to check in to our hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
   
Accommodations: Hotel Brice
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: An Introduction to Nice: The Flower Market and the Old Town
(Tuesday, November 5)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Start the morning in Nice led by our local expert and drive by and explore the sites of Nice. See the Russian Orthodox church. Stop at Castle Hill for a panoramic view of the city and drive along the Promenade des Anglais before reaching the old town and the flower market. Later discover the taste of Nice. Led by our local expert discover and savor the flavors of Nice as you explore the famous local food and flower market and stop at artisan shops where local specialties are made.
 Lunch: Lunch in the Old Town of Nice
 Afternoon: After lunch enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town with your expert guide. Later you can choose to join the coach to return to the hotel or to explore on your own the Old Town or make your way to some other sites on your own.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to explore the local flavors
   
Accommodations: Hotel Brice
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Nice's Ancient Past and Her Artists: Chagall, Matisse and Cimiez Hill
(Wednesday, November 6)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Depart by coach for Cimiez Hill. Start the morning with a brief walk around the Monastery of Cimiez and see its gardens that feature the old ruins of Nice's Roman past. Explore the Matisse Museum and see a comprehensive collection of the artist works. Works from all periods of his life offer a comprehensive panorama: from the first paintings made in 1890 to the famous gouache cut outs, 236 drawings, 218 engravings and the complete presentation of the books illustrated by the artist. Later in the morning travel down Cimiez Hill to the Chagall Museum. The museum features biblical scenes illustrated in 17 large paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows, mosaics and tapestries, 205 preparatory sketches, 39 gouaches (1930), 105 engravings (1956) and 215 lithographs. We leave the Chagall Museum at 12:45 to transfer to the hotel or you may choose to stay in the area to explore on your own.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in Nice
 Afternoon: Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Nice. You may want to go to the Museum of Fine Arts that offers an excellent collection of French painters from all periods. Or for the more contemporary art lover, try the Nice Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner near the hotel
   
Accommodations: Hotel Brice
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Departure for the US
(Thursday, November 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Transfer to the Nice (NCE) airport. Transfer time is dependant on flight time and will happen between 6 a.m. and Noon. Hotel check out is at 11:30 a.m.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Pig in Provence: Good Food and Simple Pleasures in the South of France


Author: Georgeanne Brennan


Description: Marvelously frank about daily chores and the decidedly unglamorous business of raising goats and pigs, Brennan lards her earthy tale of the rural life with recipes, one per chapter.



A Year in Provence


Author: Peter Mayle


Description: The original best-selling tale of settling down in Provence, told with warmth and a great deal of humor. It offers a wonderful inside look at the charms and quirks of the people and the countryside in the south of France.



Death at the Chateau Bremont


Author: M.L. Longworth


Description: When local nobleman Etienne de Bremont falls to his death from the family chateau, the town is abuzz with rumors. A lively whodunit steeped in the rich and romantic atmosphere of Aix-en-Provence, this novel introduces Antoine Verlaque, the handsome and seductive chief magistrate, and his sometime love interest, law professor Marine Bonnet.



Eyewitness Guide Provence & the Cote D'Azur


Author: Roger Williams


Description: This is an illustrated, colorful guide to the art and architecture, literature, history and attractions of Provence. With photographs and site plans, maps and sections on the Riviera, the Var, Bouches-du-Rhones, Vaucluse and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.



Lonely Planet French Phrasebook


Author: Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet


Description: This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.



Lunch in Provence


Author: Rachael Mckenna


Description: A richly evocative blend of photographs, recipes, and literary and historical citations, this lovely book features thirty-five Mediterranean lunchtime recipes from Michelin three-star chef Jean-Andre Charial.



Matisse and Picasso, The Story of their Rivalry and Friendship


Author: Jack Flam


Description: Jack Flam explores the compelling, competitive, parallel lives of these two artists and their very different attitudes toward the idea of artistic greatness, toward the women they loved, and ultimately toward their confrontations with death.



My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle


Author: Marcel Pagnol


Description: Best known as a filmmaker, Pagnol evokes his childhood in Provence and Marseilles fifty years ago. These memoirs sparkle with delight in the people, landscapes and daily life of southern France.



Provence A-Z


Author: Peter Mayle


Description: A companion to all things Provencal, from bouillabaisse to lavender and vinaigre, by the British expatriate and Francophile Peter Mayle.



Provence Alps French Riviera Map 527


Author: Michelin Travel Publications


Description: A colorful and detailed map of the region from Lyon to Marseille along the Rhone River, at a scale of 1:200,000.



Provence, From Minstrels to the Machine


Author: Ford Madox Ford


Description: Madox Ford probes the history, attractions and pleasures of the region in this spirited classic, with illustrations by his companion Biala, written during their time on the Mediterranean coast.



The Dream of Scipio


Author: Iain Pears


Description: An unusually rich and illuminating historical novel, The Dream of Scipio interweaves stories from three separate centuries in the Rhone Valley, ancient Roman, Medieval and 20th century.



The Magic of Provence, Pleasures of Southern France


Author: Yvone Lenard


Description: The adventures and misadventures of a French woman and her American husband who leave L.A. for a home in the Luberon mountains.



The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence


Author: Michael Jacobs


Description: With an excellent introduction on the history, culture, landscapes and the pleasures of Southern France, this illustrated guide features 34 towns and villages across Provence from the Vacluse to Bonnieux and Gordes, tranquil Alpine villages and southern vineyards.



The Road from the Past, Traveling through History in France


Author: Ina Caro


Description: Time travel through France by way of its finest castles, chateaux, cathedrals and monasteries. This unusual travelogue is an invaluable companion for traveling in Paris, southern France, the Dordogne and the Loire Valley, combining personal observation with large doses of well-presented history.



The Roman Provence Guide


Author: Edwin Mullins


Description: Mullin's succinct history and guide to the many monuments, arches and other antiquities of Provincia Nostra, the first Roman territory outside Italy, covers the must-see archaeological sites of Provence and neighboring Languedoc in detail. With 2 maps and 60 black and white photographs.



The Yellow House


Author: Martin Gayford


Description: Gayfor chronicles the turbulent three months and texture of the daily lives of Van Gogh and Gauguin in Arles, where they worked side by side in 1888. With 60 b&W reproductions.



Two Towns in Provence


Author: M. F. K. Fisher


Description: Celebrated food writer M.F.K. Fisher contrasts village life in Aix-en-Provence with bustling Marseilles, evoking these two favorite places with anecdote and loving description.



Vincent Van Gogh, The Passionate Eye


Author: Pascal Bonafoux


Description: From Paris to Asnieres, Amsterdam and Provence, this jewel of a book traces the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh, the spirited, self-destructive painter who celebrated the south of France. Engaging, compact and illustrated with hundreds of photographs.





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