BORDEAUX, PROVENCE & THE RIVIERA ITINERARY:
OCTOBER 16-17, 2008
Board an overnight flight to Bordeaux. Later, meet your
fellow travellers for welcome drinks and dinner at your hotel.
Radisson SAS Grand Hotel, Bordeaux D
OCTOBER 18, 2008 Bordeaux/Médoc Region/Bordeaux
The wide boulevards, magnificent cathedral and fine
buildings of the old town contribute to the beauty of Bordeaux,
one of France's great ports and a center of wine production. See
the city's highlights on a tour that includes the Place de la
Bourse, Place du Parlement and the Cathedral of St André. Then
drive through the Médoc region, an area graced with vineyards
from top labels including Latour and Margaux. At Chateau
Loudenne, you are welcomed by Les Médocaines (the women from the
Médoc), a group of enterprising females who are involved in
winemaking at various chateaux in this region, to Château
Loudenne for a wine-blending workshop. Learn about their
experiences as women working in this traditionally
male-dominated field and pause for a light lunch prepared by
chef Gaëlle Benoiste Pilloire and accompanied by matching wines
produced by Les Médocaines.
Radisson SAS Grand Hotel B, L
OCTOBER 19, 2008 Bordeaux/St. Emilion/Bordeaux
Drive to the picturesque medieval village of St. Emilion,
boasting ancient churches, fine period buildings and cobbled
streets. Visit its "subterranean town" that houses a
10th-century monolithic, rock-carved church. After lunch at a
charming auberge, visit a beautiful wine-producing château for a
wine tasting. Then roll up your sleeves and lend a hand in the
kitchen at an afternoon cooking class. Your host chef guides you
through the mysteries of French cuisine. Sample the results
tonight at dinner.
Radisson SAS Grand Hotel B, L, D
OCTOBER 20, 2008 Bordeaux/Toulouse/Carcassonne
Travel southeast to Toulouse, sometimes called "the City of
Violets" because of its violet plantations. Tour of its Old
Town, a web of narrow lanes and small squares dominated by the
St. Sernin Basilica, the largest Romanesque basilica in Europe.
Visit the Place du Capitole and the Jacobin monastery before
stopping at the Berdoues Perfumery that first produced the
Violettes de Toulouse perfume. Continue to your hotel in
Carcassonne.
Hotel de la Cité B, L
OCTOBER 21, 2008 Carcassone/Nimes/Avignon
Complete with battlement walls and a drawbridge, the walled
citadel of Carcassone is the most complete example of a medieval
fortress city in existence today. After a city visit, head
toward Nimes for a look at the city's ancient Roman past. Visit
the arena and the first century BC Maison Carrée, one of the
best preserved Roman temples. Continue to Avignon and check in
to your hotel, a 17th-century former cardinal's mansion nestled
under the mighty Papal Palace. Hotel la Mirande B, L, D
OCTOBER 22, 2008 Avignon
Built early in the 14th century, the imposing Palace of the
Popes is a reminder of the days of religious conflict when
Avignon vied with Rome for papal authority. After your visit and
lunch, explore the fascinating Musée Souleiado, specializing in
the famous cotton printed Provençal textiles. Continue to Les
Olivades, one of few companies that still produces the printed
fabrics based on original designs. Visit the textile-printing
factory and the adjacent store. Hotel La Mirande B, L, D
OCTOBER 23, 2008 Avignon/St-Remy-de-Provence/Arles/Avignon
Experience the magic of Van Gogh's countryside this morning
as you travel to St-Remy-de-Provence. Indulge your sweet tooth
at the artisan Chocolatier Joel Durand and at Le Petit Duc that
produces typical regional cookies. Then visit St. Paul de
Mausole, where Van Gogh was voluntarily interned for a year.
Stop for lunch at a typical Provençal farmhouse (uniquely carved
out of the surrounding rock) that has been in the same family
for generations. With lavender fields as the backdrop to this
rustic setting, enjoy a fresh lunch with homegrown produce and
olive oil. Travel to the hilltop town of Les Baux, en route to
Arles, the principal Roman town in Provence and its spiritual
capital. On a walking tour discover its stunning Roman remains,
including the magnificent amphitheater, and the fine Romanesque
Cathedral from which Augustine left to evangelize England. You
may recognize it from some of Van Gogh's most famous works that
were painted during his time here. Hotel La Mirande B, L, D
OCTOBER 24, 2008 Avignon/Aix-en-Provence/Cannes
Take a leisurely drive through the Provençal countryside to
delightful Aix-en-Provence, the former capital of the region.
After a walking tour of the Old Town and lunch, continue to
fashionable Cannes on the Côte d'Azur, famous for its annual
film festival.
Intercontinental Carlton Cannes B, L, D
OCTOBER 25, 2008 Cannes/Grasse/Cannes
Discover the artistry behind the famous "bubbled" glass of
the area during a morning visit to the famous Biot Glassworks.
Then in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, you are
privileged to attend a perfume creation workshop at the
Fragonard Perfumery. A theoretical introduction to the history
and world of perfumes teaches you about various extraction
methods used in perfumery, and learn about the role of "the
nose," as the professional perfumer is known. Put all that you
have learned into the creation of your own personalized
fragrance. This evening join your fellow travellers for a
farewell dinner at the hotel. Intercontinental Carlton Cannes B,
L, D
OCTOBER 26, 2008
Cannes/Nice/ St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat/ Monte Carlo/Cannes
Explore the historic atmosphere of Nice's old town and
colorful market, followed by a private visit to a local artist's
studio and a lunch of local Niçoise specialties. Then head
toward St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a visit to the elegant Villa
Ephrussi de Rothschild with its outstanding collection of objets
d'art and lovely gardens overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Continue along the famous Corniche Road to Monte Carlo, where
you see the extravagant Palais Princier, residence of the royal
family, and visit the magnificent 19th-century cathedral. There
is also a chance to stop at the famous casino before heading
back to Cannes for farewell drinks.
Intercontinental Carlton Cannes B, L
OCTOBER 27, 2008 Nice/USA or Canada
Board your homebound flight. B
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