Provence Escapade

From $1595.00, per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy.

Operated by Alumni Holidays International (AHI)

Trip Type: Loosely structured

Walk in the footsteps of Roman statesmen and celebrated artists on this getaway to the eternally enchanting region of Provence. Discover the seaside landscapes of southern France that inspired Impressionist painters Cézanne and van Gogh. Marvel at the well-preserved Roman ruins, breathtaking Mediterranean coastal scenery and charming hilltop villages that adorn this area. Your home base of Aix-en-Provence, a lovely town rendered in 17th-and 18th-century architecture, quaint cafés and fashionable shops, is conveniently near many of the region’s storied highlights. Optional excursions feature a journey to the picturesque fishing port of Cassis; a private tour of Château d’Ansouis in Les Luberon; a trip to Arles, renowned for its ancient amphitheater; and a visit to Avignon and the famous Pont du Gard. Enjoy beautiful Provence at your own pace in a relaxing season when it’s uncrowded and all yours to explore.

 
ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart your gateway city for Marseilles, France. (Flight provided for Air Package participants only.)

Day 2
Upon arrival in France, transfer to Aix-en-Provence and the Grand Hôtel Roi René. (Transfer provided for Air Package participants only.)
Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a festive Welcome Reception.

Day 3
Optional Excursion: Highlights of Aix-en-Provence. Explore this historic region capital of Provence, the City of Kings and Counts, on an informative walking tour. Its main street, the lively Cours Mirabeau flanked by intertwining plane trees and cafés, is one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Day 4
Optional Excursion: Cassis and its Calanques. Journey to Cassis, a charming fishing port on the Mediterranean coast situated at the foot of 1,300-ft.-high Cap Canaille, Europe’s tallest cliff. See the famous calanques, small coves crowned by towering white cliffs and needle rocks that rise out of the brilliant blue sea. These deep, narrow inlets once offered safe haven for storm-tossed sailors.

Day 5
Optional Excursion: The Chateau d’Ansouis and Les Luberon.  Enjoy a private tour of the elegant Château d’Ansouis led by the viscount and his wife. Drive through Les Luberon, an off-the-beaten-path, protected and picturesque region of rolling, rugged hills blanketed with forests and vineyard terraces. See ancient churches, towering fortresses and visit the scenic provincial hilltop villages of Lourmarin and Bonnieux.

Day 6
Optional Excursion: Ancient Arles. With its collection of well-preserved Roman ruins, the riverside city of Arles is truly extraordinary. The amphitheater of Les Arènes is a testimony to the enduring legacy of Roman construction. It is still used to stage bullfights. Admire the 12th-century portal of the Cathedral of St. Trôphime, a masterpiece of Romanesque style.

Day 7
Optional Excursion: Avignon and the Pont du Gard. Leisurely experience walled Avignon’s splendid environs with the attention it deserves, free from the crush of summer tourist crowds. Explore the impressive Palais des Papes, a medieval citadel embellished with towers and turrets that stands squarely on the banks of the Rhône River. Continue to the remarkable Pont du Gard, built by the Romans in 19 B.C. as part of a 30-mile canal to supply water to the town of Nimes. This enormous three-tiered aqueduct rises as much as 160 feet above the valley and was used through the ninth century. Its first level carried a road and its third, a conduit; all three levels were built without mortar!

Day 8
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to your gateway city. (Transfer and flight provided for Air Package participants only.)