The Best of Provence and Paris
September 18-27, 2013
Price per person, based on double occupancy, $3,898.00. Single supplement is an extra $595.00
Down payment of $300.00 to accompany the reservation form
Final balance due on or before June 1, 2013
Note: Deadlines are not invoked unless the trip is filled and are more to help travelers space out payments
Enjoy the sites of Nice, Cannes, Arles w/high speed train for Paris portion of trip.
Look at the itinerary below for our 10-day trip to Imperial Europe.
Visit the forms and brochures page for information about registering for this trip.
Day 1: Depart USA
We depart Chicago this afternoon for our overnight flight to Nice, France. Sit back and enjoy the service while in flight.
DAY 2: ARRIVE IN NICE
We arrive in Nice early this afternoon and are met by our tour guide who will welcome us to France. We will enjoy an orientation
tour of Nice as we transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest, freshen up or enjoy a stroll around
town on your own. Overnight in Nice.
DAY 3: SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE
We enjoy a day tour to Saint- Paul-de-Vence today. Saint- Paul-de-Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns on the French
Riviera and is wellknown for its modern and contemporary art museums and galleries. We will enjoy a visit to a Artist studio-workshop
and Vence Matisse Chapel. Overnight in Nice.
DAY 4: ANTIBES, BIOT, VALLAURIS AND CANNES
This morning we tour the small towns of Antibes, Biot and Vallauris. Our tour will begin in the old town of Antibes where
we can stroll through the narrow streets and visit the Provençal Market. Antibes, once surrounded by ramparts ( partly still
existing), founded ca. 400 BC by the Greeks, today has preserved its authenticity, hosting the Picasso museum in the old
Grimaldi Castle and a 16th century fort overlooking one of the largest private yacht harbors in France. During the Roman
times, Biot had once specialized in wine and oil jars, but today is known for its glass factories producing a unique type
of glass suffused with tiny bubbles. Vallauris is famous for its pottery and is where Picasso discovered his passion for
creating pottery. While in Vallauris in 1951, Picasso painted the famous plywood painting of La Guerre et la Paix. He painted
it inside the castle near the castle. You will be able to stroll through the main street, lined with pottery shops. You
can visit a pottery shop if interested. This afternoon we enjoy a visit to Cannes which is the home to the famous Cannes
Film Festival held there each year. The city is also famous for its various luxury shops, restaurants, and hotels. Overnight
in Nice.
DAY 5: MONACO, MONTECARLO AND VILLA EPHRUSI DE ROTHCHILD
This morning we enjoy a morning visit to both Monaco and Montecarlo. We'll enjoy a visit to the Montecarlo Casino and other
general interest sites before an afternoon visit to the beautiful Villa Ephrusi de Rothchild. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
is a French seaside palazzo constructed between 1905 and 1912 at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera by Baroness
Béatrice de Rothschild (1864- 1934) in the Goût Rothschild. It was designed by the Belgian architect Aaron Messiah. A member
of the prominent Rothschild banking family, and the wife of the wealthy Russian-Jewish banker Baron de Ephrussi, Béatrice
de Rothschild built her rose-colored villa on a promontory on the isthmus of Cap Ferrat overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The Baroness filled the mansion with antique furniture, Old Master paintings, sculptures, objets d'art, and assembled an
extensive collection of rare porcelain. The gardens are classified by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable
Gardens of France. Overnight in Nice.
DAY 6: ARLES, ARCS SAINT ROSELINE
We depart Nice this morning and travel to Arles. On the way we will make a stop at the Chateau Sainte Roseline, which not
only is a famous wine producer but also an important historical site. We'll have some time for wine tasting but also visit
the Roman chapel. It was built in the 12th century and is of major interest for those that enjoy unique religious art. Pilgrims
come from all over France and Europe to pay tribute to the spiritual art work. It is also home to a mural work by Chagall.
We will enjoy a visit to a private property to learn about olive production before coming to Arles where we will finish
our day with a visit to the Roman Ruins and items of interest relating to Vincent Van Gogh. Overnight in Arles.
DAY 7: MORNING TGV TRAIN TO PARIS, AFTERNOON PARIS
We travel by high speed TGV train to Paris, the capital of France and one of the most romantic cities in the world. Upon
our arrival in Paris we will enjoy an afternoon highlight tour with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral and we'll view the
Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Champe- Elysees. This evening we check into our Paris hotel and enjoy the remainder of
the evening free. Overnight in Paris.
DAY 8: LOUVRE MUSEUM AND FREE AFTERNOON
This morning we enjoy a guided visit to the Louvre Museum which is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited
art museum in the world and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, France, it is located on the Right Bank of
the Seine. Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century are exhibited over an area of 652,300 square feet.
This afternoon you are free to explore Paris on your own, or in groups, or return to the hotel. You may also remain in the
Louvre to explore on your own after the guided tour but before departing the building.
DAY 9: FREE DAY IN PARIS
We enjoy a free day in Paris to explore on your own. Wayne & Valerie will work with any travelers if they need assistance
on this day with suggestions or leading them to areas of interest.
DAY 10: RETURN HOME
We depart Paris this morning for our return flight home.