Book by Dec 1 for 2-FOR-1 AIR!
International airfare is available as well, please enquire when you book!
Add to your wonderful vacation by including one or more of these optional excursions on your trip! The must-see sites and experiences are included, now you can craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking options that appeal to you!
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency, you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency, you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.
THROUGHOUT (applies ONLY to the Oct. 31 departure & tour)
Reverend Pamela Murphy will help to awaken your spirituality and deepen your experience of exploring Provence - spirits meet Spirit as all SIX senses are satisfied on this incredible trip. Optional planned sessions, spontaneous one-on-one sessions and group discussions are included and will be offered throughout the tour. Discover the splendor of “living out loud” in each and every moment of this magical adventure. Say YES to your passion!
CITY: Arles
Les Baux And The Olive Groves Of Les Alpilles
To the east of Arles lie the limestone hills known as the Alpilles. They are the heart of Provence: between the Luberon and the Mediterranean Sea their jagged white peaks jut into the blue sky. The chain is home to many picturesque Provencal villages. Its most famous is Les Baux-de-Provence. All along the chain of blue hills can be seen olive groves and rich vineyards. The valley of Les Baux is now known for its olive oil and its green cracked olives. The wines from the wine cellars in Les Baux are among the best Cotes-du-Rhone. The Montagnette, a smaller chain of limestone hills, has picturesque landscapes where you can smell the Provencal herbs, thyme and rosemary.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
CITY: Avignon
An Afternoon In Provence
Peter Mayle and his book "A year in Provence" made this area world famous. We follow our local expert to the town of Roussillon, once site of a huge ochre quary. The dark orange-red of the soil and the lush green of the vegetation give a breathtaking contrast. Afterwards we follow the road of the lavender fields to Gordes. In June and July this area is full of the violet blue of this Provencal herbs.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Wine Tasting In Chateauneuf Du Pape
When the Pope's fled into exile, it was no coincidence that they chose Avignon as their retreat. We can only assume that their decision was influenced by the fact that some of France's best vineyards are in the close proximity to the city. The wines from Chateauneuf du Pape have become icons among French Wines. The warm sun of the Provence region creates a heavy-bodied wine with a ruby red color, rich in taste, with a bouquet of cherries and spices. During our excursion we will discuss the origin of the wines of this area, and the special soil and climate conditions. We will travel through extensive vineyards and stop for a wine tasting in one of the oldest domains of Chateauneuf du Pape.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
CITY: Lyon
The "Traboules" And The Silk Of Lyon
Perhaps you have heard about the "traboules" of Lyon. But do you know the meaning of the word? And have you ever "trabouled" through Vieux Lyon or the slopes of the Croix-Rousse? This tour will tell you all about the famous hidden passageways and the city's efforts to preserve them. The passageways were used mostly by the silk weavers to protect their goods from rain while crossing the city. The "Maison des Canuts" the silk weaver's museum or a workshop, are well worth a visit, and as the guided inside visit will be narrated by authentic "canuts", this place offers a fascinating insight into the silk industry.
Approximate value: EUR €34 per person
CITY: Macon
Cormartin - Palace Of A Fairy Tale Time
Cormatin is one of those secret sites that you find only if you leave the beaten track. It is an impressive but intimate water castle that stands in a beautiful park. Fireplaces, ceilings and paneling, tapestries and furniture of the period add to this evocation of life during the time of the "Three Musketeers". The drive there itself familiarizes you with the beautiful countryside of this part of France, where white Charolais cattle graze peacefully and where villages take on picture-book aspects with flowers in the front yards and narrow lanes, and where people still have the time to stop and chat.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person
CITY: Nice
Grace, Glamour, Glitter - An Evening In Monaco
Two words which evoke a magical dream world. Monte-Carlo. We will try to help you discover the many facets of the Principality of Monaco. Monaco's exceptional location, between mountain and sea, its gardens, all qualities which make it the ideal destination for a romantic evening in an unforgettable setting. In 1997, Monaco was dressed up to the nines for the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Family Dynasty. We will start our evening with a dinner overlooking the bay of Monaco, and old Monte Carlo.
Approximate value: EUR €85 per person
CITY: Paris
Mona Lisa's Smile And The Louvre Museum
"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35 000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
An Evening At The Moulin Rouge
"The Moulin Rouge Theater is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colorful show "Feerie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes."
Approximate value: EUR €159 per person
The Artist's Quarter Of Montmartre
Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacre Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and love. Listen to the stories, and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person.
CITY: Arles
Les Baux And The Olive Groves Of Les Alpilles
To the east of Arles lie the limestone hills known as the Alpilles. They are the heart of Provence: between the Luberon and the Mediterranean Sea their jagged white peaks jut into the blue sky. The chain is home to many picturesque Provencal villages. Its most famous is Les Baux-de-Provence. All along the chain of blue hills can be seen olive groves and rich vineyards. The valley of Les Baux is now known for its olive oil and its green cracked olives. The wines from the wine cellars in Les Baux are among the best Cotes-du-Rhone. The Montagnette, a smaller chain of limestone hills, has picturesque landscapes where you can smell the Provencal herbs, thyme and rosemary.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
CITY: Avignon
An Afternoon In Provence
Peter Mayle and his book "A year in Provence" made this area world famous. We follow our local expert to the town of Roussillon, once site of a huge ochre quary. The dark orange-red of the soil and the lush green of the vegetation give a breathtaking contrast. Afterwards we follow the road of the lavender fields to Gordes. In June and July this area is full of the violet blue of this Provencal herbs.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Wine Tasting In Chateauneuf Du Pape
When the Pope's fled into exile, it was no coincidence that they chose Avignon as their retreat. We can only assume that their decision was influenced by the fact that some of France's best vineyards are in the close proximity to the city. The wines from Chateauneuf du Pape have become icons among French Wines. The warm sun of the Provence region creates a heavy-bodied wine with a ruby red color, rich in taste, with a bouquet of cherries and spices. During our excursion we will discuss the origin of the wines of this area, and the special soil and climate conditions. We will travel through extensive vineyards and stop for a wine tasting in one of the oldest domains of Chateauneuf du Pape.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
CITY: Lyon
The "Traboules" And The Silk Of Lyon
Perhaps you have heard about the "traboules" of Lyon. But do you know the meaning of the word? And have you ever "trabouled" through Vieux Lyon or the slopes of the Croix-Rousse? This tour will tell you all about the famous hidden passageways and the city's efforts to preserve them. The passageways were used mostly by the silk weavers to protect their goods from rain while crossing the city. The "Maison des Canuts" the silk weaver's museum or a workshop, are well worth a visit, and as the guided inside visit will be narrated by authentic "canuts", this place offers a fascinating insight into the silk industry.
Approximate value: EUR €34 per person
CITY: Macon
Cormartin - Palace Of A Fairy Tale Time
Cormatin is one of those secret sites that you find only if you leave the beaten track. It is an impressive but intimate water castle that stands in a beautiful park. Fireplaces, ceilings and paneling, tapestries and furniture of the period add to this evocation of life during the time of the "Three Musketeers". The drive there itself familiarizes you with the beautiful countryside of this part of France, where white Charolais cattle graze peacefully and where villages take on picture-book aspects with flowers in the front yards and narrow lanes, and where people still have the time to stop and chat.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person
CITY: Nice
Grace, Glamour, Glitter - An Evening In Monaco
Two words which evoke a magical dream world. Monte-Carlo. We will try to help you discover the many facets of the Principality of Monaco. Monaco's exceptional location, between mountain and sea, its gardens, all qualities which make it the ideal destination for a romantic evening in an unforgettable setting. In 1997, Monaco was dressed up to the nines for the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Family Dynasty. We will start our evening with a dinner overlooking the bay of Monaco, and old Monte Carlo.
Approximate value: EUR €85 per person
CITY: Paris
Mona Lisa's Smile And The Louvre Museum
"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35 000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
An Evening At The Moulin Rouge
"The Moulin Rouge Theater is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colorful show "Feerie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes."
Approximate value: EUR €159 per person
The Artist's Quarter Of Montmartre
Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacre Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and love. Listen to the stories, and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person.