We are very excited to offer a new trip in 2012 called Paris and Provence.We have learned that many of our guests on the Provence trips have spent several days in Paris on their own, without the benefit of tour guides who are extremely familiar with the city.With the luxury accommodations that we can now offer, along with our own intimate knowledge of the City of Light, we are excited to offer a trip in September 2012 that combine the best of Paris and Provence:
Three days in Paris and five days in Provence, with all museum passes, fast train to Avignon and most meals included.Accommodations are in luxury two bedroom apartments, each accommodating four people, in the centrally located and beautiful neighborhood of the 7th arrondissement in Paris.In Provence, you will be staying at Les Murets, a lovely six bedroom home outside of Gordes, in the heart of Provence.Here’s what the trip looks like:
*Activities may vary by day. Itinerary subject to change.*
Thursday: Arrive in Paris in the morning and check in to your beautiful apartment.In the afternoon, you will walk to the Eiffel tower and board an open air bus that will take you all over Paris.After a few stops along the way, and visits to monuments including Notre Dame, the Ile St Louis and a brief boat ride on the Seine, you will have tasted just enough of this magnificent city to whet your appetite for more, before returning to your apartment for a home cooked meal and an early bedtime.
Friday: First thing, we'll head to a secret destination to catch the view from the spectacular restaurant upstairs where we will have breakfast.Then we’ll hop on the metro and visit our favorite museum, followed by a leisurely stroll through the Tuilerie Gardens. Then we'll visit the Palais Royal and have lunch at the iconic bistrot where Keanu Reeves and Diane Keaton dined in Something’s Gotta Give.In the afternoon, we will head over to the St. Germain part of town, visiting some famous writers’ haunts and shopping in the small but fashionable boutiques.Dinner will be in a lovely restaurant near the apartment.
Saturday: We will have a private tour of the Louvre early Saturday morning, beating the crowds and taking in just enough to appreciate this landmark without being too exhausted.We will head to the Marais after the museum where you will have the possibility to go off on your own for lunch, armed with maps and a good understanding of the metro system so that you won’t get lost.You may wish to spend the afternoon roaming this historic part of town which is always bustling with people on a Saturday. Dinner will be in another fine restaurant close to your apartment.
Sunday: You will be able to sleep in a little, and then head to the Gare de Lyon for a secret treat before we are whisked in first class comfort to Provence. Our driver will greet us at the Avignon train station and give you a brief tour of the historic city of Avignon, home of the Papacy during the 13th century.You will arrive at Les Murets, your home in Provence, in time for hors d’oeuvres and dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Luberon valley.
Monday: Optional one hour hike into Gordes. Visit to the Gordes market which is one of the most scenic and enjoyable in the spectacular village of Gordes. Lunch in a lovely restaurant outside of Gordes followed by a visit to Menerbes, home of Picasso's mistress Dora Maar, and a drive through the remarkable town of Roussillon. We'll top off the day with a visit to the 11th Century Abbaye de Senanque, one of the most photographed and iconic scenes in all of Provence. Dinner at Les Murets.
Tuesday: Early rise for a trip to St. Remy and its most colorful and varied market. We'll dine at a wonderful restaurant near St. Remy and then drive along the spectacular route that crosses the Alpilles Mountains, stopping off at Les Baux for scenery and photo op. We'll head back to St. Remy to visit the beautiful hospital where Van Gogh lived, visiting his room and taking in the countryside that he painted. On the way home, we''ll stop off at a vineyard for a wine tasting and drive through the charming village of Eygalieres. Dinner will be light and simple on the terrace that evening!
Wednesday: Weather permitting, we will get up early and head to the Mediterranean capital of Marseille, and then take the dramatic road to the seaport village of Cassis, where we will dine on the port overlooking the colorful boats and sea. After a quick visit to the village, we will go out on a brief boat ride to see some of the gorgeous "Calanques" that make up this dramatic coast. On the way home, if time permits, we will stop off in the bustling town of Aix en Provence, for a stroll up the Cours Mirabeau and a little free time for shopping. Dinner at Les Murets.
Thursday: We'll sleep in just a little and then drive to the charming villages of Bonnieux and Lourmarin, stopping for lunch at a famous restaurant near Lourmarin. We'll visit a local vineyard on our way back and will drive home via Lacoste, to see the imposing Chateau of the Marquis de Sade, newly renovated by Pierre Cardin who now lives there. We'll end with a visit to the studio and shop of Edith Mezard, one of the leading “tastemakers” in France. Our final festive dinner will include a show and tell at home on the terrace.
Day nine, Friday: Early rise and leave for the Avignon train station for a return trip to Paris.
Costs: Our special introductory price for 2012 is $4,400 for double occupancy. There is a $500 surcharge for a single room. Costs include accommodations in Paris along with most meals and all museum passes, first class train ticket from Paris to Avignon, pick up and drop off at the Avignon train station and all transportation within Provence, gourmet meals including all breakfasts and dinners and six elegant restaurant lunches plus all wine, aperitifs and gratuities.
Not included: Airfare to Paris and train from Avignon. To book the trip: A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due per person at registration. No reservation will be confirmed until the deposit is received. Seven participants are needed to do the trip.
September 20th to September 28th, 2012 - 3 spaces available
