Tour Code

Arrive Nice

Depart Nice

PRO

Sunday

Wednesday

Prices: GB£1775 pp twin room share / single supplement £240

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

DAY ONE

You meet at our conveniently located hotel at 09.00 and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 where you'll be dropped at a central location, or at the rail station for onward travel. We can book additional nights in Nice for those who require them.

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.