Day 1: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Overnight Flight


Day 2: Thursday, September 27, 2012 Avignon, Provence - Tour Begins
Bienvenue! Your tour begins in the walled city of Avignon, in the heart of Provence. Meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant. (D)

Day 3: Friday, September 28, 2012 Avignon
This morning, take a walking tour through the walled city of Avignon, where the Popes moved in 1309, and learn about its rich history and culture. Spend the afternoon exploring the quaint streets, cafés and specialty boutiques that comprise Avignon’s charm. Or, take an optional excursion to nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape with its impressive stone-lined vineyards. (B)

Day 4: Saturday, September 29, 2012 Avignon - Arles - Pont du Gard - Avignon
Experience Provence and its Roman past during a walking tour of Arles, a true gem of the Provence region. Visit the Roman arena*, still used for local bull fights, and explore the town that inspired some of van Gogh’s most famous work. After free time for lunch on your own, drive through Provence’s colorful countryside to the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site built as a Roman aqueduct in the 1st Century AD. Return to Avignon for a leisurely evening and enjoy one of the city’s fine restaurants or cafes. (B)

Day 5: Sunday, September 30, 2012 Avignon - Aix-en-Provence - Eze - Monaco
Before you leave Provence behind, visit Aix-en-Provence. Take a morning walking tour in “the footsteps of Cezanne” – featuring the local markets and monuments of Aix-en-Provence’s old city. Upon arrival in the French Riviera, travel the scenic coastal road that takes you to the hilltop town of Eze Village. Navigate its winding medieval streets as they reveal stunning views of the Cote d’Azur and surrounding seaside cliffs. Learn the secrets of perfume making at a famous perfumery in medieval Eze. Spend the next two nights in cosmopolitan Monaco, playground of the rich and famous. (B, D)

Day 6: Monday, October 01, 2012 Monaco
A panoramic tour highlights the famous Casino of Monte Carlo, 13th century Prince’s Palace, and the Cathedral of Monaco, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried. Monaco captivates with its mild climate, breathtaking scenery and harbor filled with luxury yachts. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or sign up for an optional excursion to nearby Nice, capital of the French Riviera. (B)

Day 7: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 Monaco - Cinque Terre, Italy - Florence
Travel along the Riviera and cross the border into Italy. Stop in the seaside town of Rapallo where you will board your train to the famous Cinque Terre, a rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards. Arrive at this nearly inaccessible string of fishing villages tucked between the mountains and the Mediterranean where you will have free time for lunch and exploration. Next, it’s off to Tuscany and the Renaissance city of Florence. This evening enjoy a classic Tuscan meal in one of the city’s trattorie. (B, D)

Day 8: Wednesday, October 03, 2012 Florence
Discover the great city of Florence with the help of a local expert. Visit the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture of David. Enjoy a walking tour featuring the Piazza Del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistry. View the Palazzo Vecchio and the Church of Santa Croce. Continue with an informative explanation of Florentine gold and its fascinating techniques at a local gold shop. The remainder of your day is at leisure to experience the city’s shops, markets and outdoor cafes. (B)

Day 9: Thursday, October 04, 2012 Florence - Siena - Chiantigiana Road - Chianti Winery - Florence
Journey through Tuscany’s low-lying hills and olive groves to Siena, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Take a walking tour through Siena's narrow, Gothic streets and behold stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo. Enjoy free time to soak up Siena’s captivating ambiance. Have lunch in one of the city's cafes or climb to the top of the Torre Del Mangia for a breathtaking view of Siena and the Tuscan countryside. On the return to Florence, travel the picturesque Chiantigiana Road, past landscapes of low-lying hills, vineyards and olive groves. Make a special stop at one of Chianti’s most renowned vineyards with its very own medieval castle for a visit of the estates and a wine tasting session. Tonight, say farewell to your fellow travelers as you celebrate the end of a fantastic trip through Provence, Monaco and Tuscany. (B, D)

Day 10: Friday, October 05, 2012 Florence - Tour Ends
(B)

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Triple: $3919

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