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PROVENCE and the COTE D' AZUR
October 12 to 25, 2011
Two idealic destinations
"Provence and the Côte d'Azur",
and one amazing escorted small group tour!
Come along with Travel Broker Tours on our "Provence and the Côte d' Azur" Fully Escorted Tour.
Of all the areas of France, Provence is the most irresistible. Fortified towns guard its old borders; countless villages perch defensively on hilltops; and its great cities - Aix-en-Provence and Avignon - are full of cultural glories. The sensual inducements of Provence include warmth, food and wine, and the perfumes of Mediterranean vegetation. The history of its earliest known natives, of the Greeks, then Romans, raiding Saracens, schismatic popes, and shifting allegiances to different counts and princes, is still in evidence. Provence's complete integration into France dates only from the nineteenth century and, though the Provençal language is only spoken by a small minority, the accent is distinctive even to a foreign ear. In the east the rhythms of speech become clearly Italian.
For many, the Cote d'Azur is the quintessential Mediterranean playground - the glamour queen of the coast - But the remarkable beauty of the hills and land's edge, the scent of the plant life, the mimosa blossom in February and the impossibly blue water after which the coast is named, the Côte d'Azur remains undeniably captivating. The chance to see the works of innumerable artists seduced by the land and light also justifies the trip: Cocteau in Menton and Villefranche, Matisse and Chagall in Nice and Vence and many more. And it must be said that Monaco, Cannes and Nice have their own special magnetism.
Our Program
- Avignon - 4 Nts
- Gargas - 2 Nts
- Aix-en-Provence - 3 Nts
- Nice - 4 Nts
Detailed Itinerary
DEPART Home City
Departure on your international flight to Marseille, France. As a full service travel agency, we are
happy to assist you to arrange your flight and transfer details from your home city to join this
tour.
Day 1: WED Oct 12th, ARRIVE in MARSEILLE
transfer to AVIGNON
Welcome to France! From Marseille Airport transfer to Avignon and the Hotel Bristol. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Meals: (D) Dinner Lodging: Hotel Bristol
Day 2: THU Oct 13th, AVIGNON
On the banks of the Rhone River, peppered with bell towers and pink roofs, the city is dominated by the Doms Rock on which stands the Palais de Papes. Hear stories of Popes and anti-Popes as you explore the palace; continue to the famous Bridge "sur le pont d'Avignon" where people danced. Rest of the day free. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Bristol
Day 3: FRI Oct 14th, TARASCON and ARLES
Your local guide will tell all about the amphibious monster which, according to legend, emerged from the River Rhone in Tarascon devouring children and cattle. Saint Martha captured and calmed the beast, a fact celebrated each year around the 13th century Castle. On to Arles, a Roman capital and, in the Middle Ages, a major religious centre. See the famous Arena and thetare as well as the cloisters of St Tromphime. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Hotel Bristol
Day 4: SAT Oct 15th, PONT DU GARD and
CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
The famous 160ft high aqueduct (2100 years old) still looks great - built by the Romans to carry water to Nimes. Later in Chateauneuf du Pape sample some of the great wines of the Rhone Valley. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Hotel Bristol
Day 5: SUN Oct 16th, AVIGNON to GARGAS
Visit Isle sur la Sorgue with its plane-tree lined avenues and water wheels from earlier days; continue to Fontaine de Vaucluse - where the great spring is the source of the River Sorgue set in a great chasm more than 1000 ft deep. Arrive in Gagargas to stay at the picturesque Mas de la Tour Hotel Meals:
(BD) Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Mas de la Tour Hotel
Day 6: MON Oct 17th, BONNIEUX and MENERBES
Explore the Luberon - see ancient bories (dry stone houses), magnificent views of Mount Ventoux, and hear about the 16 century occupation of Menerbes by the Calvinists. Finally try local wines at a vineyard lose to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Mas de la Tour Hotel
Day 7: TUE Oct 18th, GARGAS to AIX-EN-PROVENCE
This morning drive south across the Luberon mountains to Silvacane, visit the 11th century Cistercian Abbey. continue on to Aix-en-Provence and the Hotel Roi Rene. In the afternoon a local guide will take you on a stroll through the the old capital of Provence with its elegant mansions, charming squares and great avenues - all dotted with attractive fountains Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Hotel Roi Rene
Day 8: WED Oct19th, MONT STE-VICTOIRE
Cezanne painted this limestone rock (reflecting light, turning blue, grey, pink or orange) more than fifty times. Nearby see a weather-beaten, red-shuttered 14th C Château which Picasso bought in 1958, lived there until his death and now lies buried in the gardens, his grave adorned with his sculpture Woman with a Vase. Lunch en route Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Hotel Roi Rene
Day 9: THU Oct 20th, AIX-EN-PROVENCE Free Day Meals: (B) Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Roi Rene
Day 10: FRI Oct 21st, AIX-EN-PROVENCE to NICE
After a section on the autoroutecross the Massif des Maures to Port Grimaud to followthe Mediterranean Coast to Cannes before arriving in Nice at Hotel le Grimaldi. After a section on the autoroute cross the Massif des Maures to Port Grimaud to follow the Mediterranean Coast to Cannes before arriving in Nice at Hotel le Grimaldi. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel le Grimaldi
Day 11: SAT Oct 22nd, MENTON and MONTE CARLO Take the High Road to Menton with great views over the Cote d'Azur. Arrive in Monte Carlo in mid-morning and enjoy the Hop On Hopoff bus service until late afternoon return to Nice. Meals: (B) Breakfast Lodging: Hotel le Grimaldi
DAY 12: SUN Oct 23rd, GRASSE, ST. PAUL and VENCE
Grasse, the world perfume capital for almost 300 years, is a chic 18th C village with a medieval heart surrounded by acres of scented flowers. Towards the end of World War II, Matisse moved 
to Vence, and his legacy is the town's most famous and exciting building, the Chapelle du Rosaire. Finally in St Paul - a visit the Maeght Foundation sculpture garden is a delight - Alberto Giacometti's Cat is sometimes stalking along the edge of the grass; Miró's Egg smiles above a pond and his totemed Fork is outlined against the sky. Meals: (BL) Breakfast, Lunch Lodging: Hotel le Grimaldi
DAY 13: MON Oct 24th, NICE
A Free day. This evening a special Farewell Dinner party. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel le Grimaldi
DAY 14: TUE Oct 25th, HOMEWARD BOUND
After breakfast be transferred to Nice Airport for your continuing flight back home.Meals: (B) Breakfast
Pricing:
Prices per person in Canadian Dollars (CA$) |
In a Twin |
In a Single |
BASIC TOUR - Oct 12 to Oct 25, 2011 |
$3,995.00 |
$4,945.00 |
LAND & AIR - Oct 12 to Oct 25, 2011 |
$5,295.00 |
$6,245.00 |
|
||
Tour Inclusions:
- Air: Return International flights in economy class from Monreal to Marseilles, France are ONLY included if the Land & Air package is purchased. All taxes included.
- Accomodation: Stay in Avignon 4 Nts, Gargas 2 Nts, Aix-en-Provence 3 Nts, Nice 4 Nts at 1st Class hotels in rooms with private bath
- Meals: Full Breakfast Daily, 2 Lunches and 9 table d'hote Dinners. Wine with Farewell Dinner.
- Tour Transportation: By private touring coach throughout the stay in the France.
- Home Pick-up/Drop-off: Clients from Prince Edward Country to Brockville will enjoy home pick-up/drop-off from their home to the Montreal airport ONLY when the Land & Air package is purchased.
- Entrance Fees and Sightseeing: Entrance fees to all sites and places of interest mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tour Escort/Local Guide: A Canadian escort from Travel Broker Tours will travel with the group and a local English-speaking guide for local tours in France.
- Taxes: Local taxes on all included ground transportation, hotel accommodation and included meals per itinerary.
- Gratuities: To all drivers, guides, servers for included meals per itinerary, hotel porters (one bag per person).
- Final Documentation: Final itinerary, mailing address lists, general information, ticket wallet and baggage tags.
Tour Exclusions:
- Please note that return international flights from Montreal to Marseilles and Home Pick-up/Drop-off in Prince Edward County to Brockville area are NOT included in the Basic Tour package (See above pricing box for information on the Land & Air package option, which includes return air and home pick-up and drop-off from Prince Edward County to Brockville area)
- Personal Insurances (travel, baggage, cancellation, etc.)
- Passport & Visa Fees and Immunizations
- All alcoholic beverages and bar beverages (soft drinks).
- Laundry & personal hotel charges, etc.)
- All optional excursions or deviations from the itinerary
- Items of personal nature and souvenirs
- Any item not mentioned in the itinerary or in the inclusions above.
Deposits and Final Payments:
- Deposits: At time of booking CA$1,000 per person + insurance
premium if applicable - Final Payment: Invoices will be issued Auguest 9, 2011; final payment
by Auguest 16, 2011. Payments may be made by personal cheque,
Visa or Mastercard.
Cancellation Charges:
- Once a deposit has been paid the following scale of cancellation charges will apply: (Note that insurance premiums, once paid, are non-refundable)
- Until August 16, 2011: Deposits paid
- From August 17 to September 13, 2011: 40% of final invoice
- From September 14 to September 26, 2011: 65% of final invoice
- September 27, 2011 or later: 100% of final invoice
Travel Broker Tours would be happy to assist you in arranging flights from your home to join us!
For more information or to register for this tour please contact Jeff Barlow at:
Travel Broker Tours
(A division of The Travel Broker & Cruise Centre)
1758 Bath Road Kingston, ON Canada
Telephone: 613-389-7914 or 1-800-387-7678
Email: jeffb@thetravelbroker.ca
Web: www.thetravelbroker.ca
