11 Days/10 Nights (2 Nights in Paris, 4 Nights in Provence, 4 nights in Bordeaux area)*
Begin your journey in Paris, the "City of Lights", France's capital and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its picturesque 19th-century architecture is criss-crossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine that makes Paris an insatiable city for both first-time and frequent visitors.
Continue on to Avignon, one of Europe's most remarkable Medieval cities, located on the banks of the Rhône River, in southeastern France. You will discover the incredibly preserved 800-year-old stone battlements of Avignon and the impressive Pope’s Palace with a local guide.
Visit charming villages such as Roussillon, Isle sur la Sorge, Carcassonne, and many others in Provence. Explore the UNESCO world heritage site of St-Émilion, a medieval village perched above vineyards renowned for producing full-bodied, deep red wines, and easily the most alluring of the region's wine towns.
Forget all about time in the Dordogne region, tracing the ‘Route des Chateaux’ where you’ll see some of the country’s most famous estates producing wine for hundreds of years.
Itinerary is subject to change with or without notice. The
sequence of day trips may vary. The final itinerary will be given to
travelers prior to the start of the trip.)
Meet
your guide and fellow travelers in the hotel lobby for a leisurely
walking tour of Paris. Our guide will tell us about the history and
culture of this fascinating European capital while discovering
spellbinding neighborhoods.
Group welcome dinner with Parisian specialties.
Meals included: dinner
After checkout, we'll transfer to the Paris-Gare-de-Lyon train station.
Train journey from Paris to Avignon (high-speed TGV train – first class tickets) and then transfer from train station to your sumptuous hotel in Uzes near Avignon for check-in.
After check in, enjoy an afternoon of free time for lunch on your own and to explore the quaint town of Uzes.
Meet back up with the group for a fabulous welcome dinner with local specialties.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
After
breakfast, we'll head into the heart of rural Provence. The drive alone
offers some of the most stunning views of the countryside. This morning
we'll stop in the lovely village of Isle Sur La Sorgue for its traditional antiques market day.
After
a gentle stroll through Isle Sur La Sorgue we'll head to the tiered
village of Gordes, rising like a giant wedding cake over the rivers
Sorgue and Cavalon, jutting spectacularly out of the white rock face of
the Vaucluse plateau. While we're here we'll enjoy our tasty group
lunch.
We'll then continue on to one of the most impressive villages
of the Luberon, the ochre-red Roussillon where you'll have free time to
explore this historic old village.
We'll return to the hotel in the early evening so you have the chance to dine at your leisure.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
We'll
start the day with an adventurous guided walk on the famous Pont du
Gard, and ingenious 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct spanning the River
Gardon.
We'll then continue on to Avignon for a tasty group lunch in the historical center.
After
lunch, we'll enjoy a slow-paced guided walking tour through one of
Europe's most beautiful medieval cities since the 14th century when it
was briefly the capital of Christendom, and home of the Papacy. Graceful
Avignon's turn as the seat of papal power bestowed on the city a bounty
of magnificent art and architecture, none grander than the massive
medieval fortress and papal palace, Palais des Papes, where our expert City Guide will reveal the treasures and lifestyles of the pontiffs who
reigned in Avignon for almost 70 years.
Nearby, carpets of vineyards
unfold around tiny, medieval Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the epicenter of one
of the world's great wine-growing regions. Only a small ruin remains of
the château, but we'll take it all in as well as enjoy a tasting at a
nearby family owned vineyard. Group dinner in a family-owned local restaurant on the way back to Uzes.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Departure
for a morning of wine and cooking a' la francaise! Now get ready to get your hands
dirty during a fun group cooking class with a local chef learning to
make traditional Provencal dishes, followed by a relaxed group lunch.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure and dinner on your own in the enchanting village of Uzes.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Check
out of Uzes hotel, and transfer to the Bordeaux area. We'll begin our drive westward toward the
Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, stopping along the way
in lovely medieval Carcassonne, a fortified city with spiky towers and
imposing walls, which make it look like something out of a children's
storybook.
We'll lunch together in a traditional spot where cassoulet
or foie gras will, of course, be presented. Back on the road, we'll
pass through different wine growing areas before arriving in the Bordeaux area.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our
day will take us along the "Route des Château" so that you may admire
some of the most famous estates for so many great photo opportunities.
We'll stop to enjoy a private visit and wine tasting in a prestigious
Château in the Medoc area, followed by a group lunch.
We'll spend the
afternoon in Bordeaux, enjoying a guided walking tour of the central
city. Once known as the Sleeping Beauty of French cities, it is no
longer. Our expert City Guide will take you along the pedestrian-friendly
boulevards and show you the restored, neoclassical architecture and
high-tech public transport system. Since 2007 half of the entire city
has been UNESCO-listed, making it the largest urban World Heritage Site.
Afterward, you can enjoy free time in Bordeaux to explore and have
dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Drive
through the countryside of one of France's most fascinating provinces,
the Dordogne Region. We will stop along the way, viewing breathtaking
medieval wine estates and charming villages that line up along the
river. Our first stop is the picturesque village of Beynac for a cruise
on a traditional "Gabarre", a medieval style boat.
We continue to the
beautiful Sarlat Le Caneda, known always as Sarlat. Sarlat holds a
picturesque tangle of honey-colored buildings, alleyways and secret
squares, boasting some of the region's best preserved medieval
architecture.
Group lunch featuring a traditional meal in a local
auberge (divine duck and foie gras are some typical dishes). After our
mid-day meal, enjoy free time in this charming medieval town. Enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Visit a local winery in the Saint-Emilion area and enjoy a group lunch with tasting.
Enjoy free time to rest up at the hotel or explore more of the village life of Saint-Emilion.
Our local expert City Guide will take us on a unique visit of the underground
monuments of Saint-Emilion, including its impressive monolithic church,
dating back to the 12th Century. Return to the hotel for final group dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
After check out, meet your tour director and driver in the hotel lobby to transfer to the rail station in Bordeaux.
Train transfer to Paris (TGV high-speed train with first-class tickets). Transfer
by minibus from train station to hotel for check in and final night.
Leisurely afternoon on your own for last-minute Parisian shopping and
packing.
Meals included: breakfast
After
breakfast, the tour ends, and passionate travelers depart as
friends. So, until next time, or à la prochaine! Merci, thank you for choosing Nada's Italy for your French adventure. We hope to see you again soon and explore more amazing destinations with you. A warm hug goodbye and
have a safe flight! Bon voyage!
Meals included: breakfast
What's Not Included in Tour Package
Trip
price does not include airfare and anything that is not specified to be
included. Price does not include any personal related expenses or
travel-related expenses outside of the scheduled itineraries. The food
& wine that is included is what is presented during meals.
> The first day of this tour is Friday (you will need to book your flight from the USA on Thursday to get to Paris on Friday). The last day of this tour is Monday (arrival in the U.S. is the same day of departure on your way back). Some tours start and end in different cities, make sure to book your flights accordingly.
> Airfare is not included.
Nada's Italy can assist with Business and First Class airfare. Please
let us know if you need information about arrival and departure airport
for this tour.
> Reminders, hotel information, and arrival instructions will be sent only by email, please make sure we have your current email address.
> Transfers to and from the airport are not included in the tour rate. Please contact us if you'd like to add transfers to your tour package.
> You must be in good physical condition to sign-up for this trip! There will be a lot of walking uphill, downhill, walking over uneven pavement, and standing for extended periods of time. An average walking tour is about 2-3 hours without sitting.
> Even though tips to staff and restaurants are included, it is suggested that you put aside approximately $100 (US) in combined gratuities for your driver & Tour Director for your trip (and any voluntary additional restaurant gratuities are at your discretion).
> Nada's Italy strongly recommends that you purchase Travel Insurance for your trip. For suggestions on policies and a quote, please contact us.
> You should know that air conditioning in Europe, as well as WIFI connection, are not always as reliable as they are in the United States.
> The hotel
staff
assigns rooms to guests, some rooms may include stairs. A view is not
guaranteed. As Nada's Italy works mainly with luxury historic inns and
small upscale boutique hotels, rooms differ in size and layout. In
general, European bedrooms and bathrooms are smaller compared to US
standards. Each room has its own en-suite
bathroom with shower and/or tub, hair-dryer, and basic toiletry set.
Please
contact us if you have specific requests/needs.
> It is your
responsibility to obtain the required documents to travel to Europe,
please verify with your own country's travel laws and government
agencies. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
> In the unlikely event your tour does not reach the minimum participation requirement of 6 travelers, we will work with you to choose another available tour or tour date. We will do our best to make the transition as smooth as possible.
> Add extra nights and extend your stay in this amazing country. Contact us for a quote (subject to availability).
> Please note: while we do our best to adhere to our published
itineraries, they may be changed at the discretion of the Tour Leader
due to weather conditions and any other unforeseeable circumstances.
> Unless stated otherwise, all rates are per person, based on double occupancy, land only, in USD, and subject to availability. Rates may vary by departure date and are subject to change without notice. Nada’s Italy reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update rates, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice.
Feed your wanderlust with this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension to the Amalfi Coast. Explore Sorrento’s bustling streets and enjoy breath-taking views of the Gulf of Naples. Visit the awe-inspiring coastal villages, including Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano, then discover the ancient city of Pompeii.
Explore the gorgeous city of Florence on this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension with a deep dive into the masterpieces of the Renaissance. Learn about Florentine culture and local cuisine. Take a day-trip to the romantic Tuscan countryside and visit charming medieval hilltop towns and wineries, making this the perfect finish to your fabulous journey.
Treat yourself to an unforgettable trip to Venice on this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension. Discover Venice’s history, traditions, culture, and visit its most famous sites such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. You’ll also cruise in the Venetian Lagoon by private boat and visit the charming island communities of Murano and Burano.
With so much to see and experience, this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension to one of the world’s most beautiful cities is sure to take your breath away! Discover Rome's world-renown ancient sites, magnificent artwork, and vibrant local culture the way only Nada's Italy can deliver.
Complete your grand adventure with this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension to Paris, the City of Lights, with its iconic architecture, elegant boulevards, and high-end boutiques. Take a day trip outside Paris to discover the Palace of Versailles and its wonderful gardens, savor delicious Parisian cuisine and enjoy all this magnificent city has to offer.
The spirit of Spain and Catalonia’s bright Mediterranean culture and lifestyle will be the highlight in this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension. Get immersed in Barcelona's lively atmosphere and rich cuisine on a tasty culinary tour in the old fishing district. Be a part of the excitement in its bustling local markets, explore world-renown sites and the waterfront, combining all with the best tapas.
The destinations were all interesting and so different. We cannot praise our tour leader Christina Bastiani enough. Her knowledge was incredible, her leadership smooth and seemed effortless, attention to each traveler's needs was complete and carefully imparted. In short, Christina was our Italian Treasure. If you travel to Italy, you owe it to yourself to travel with Nada. Our experience was incomparable and our only complaint that the days went by too fast.
Mark & Teri
We have used Nada's Italy on 2 separate trips to Italy. They also helped us in Spain! We had wonderful and knowledgeable guides! They handled everything we needed and I would highly recommend them to help plan your trip, tours, excursions, hotels and anything else they come up with! Ciao!
Bill & Mary
Venetian Splendors is definitely a must do. Great trip, wonderful people. Can't wait to do another Nada's tour.
Melissa
It was truly the perfect vacation! Nada and her crew handled everything so all we had to do was enjoy ourselves. Will definitely do another of Nada's tours.
Bonnie
This "Tours for people who don't go on tours" is perfectly named. Every preconceived notion of a group tour can be trashed on day 1. The detailed planning ensures that you will get to see and do much more than most people, with expert leadership and extremely well-educated guides the whole trip. This trip is not about checking off bucket list items, but experiencing new customs, sights, people, foods, adventures, and fun! So glad we did this Jewels of the Amalfi tour and added days in Rome afterward. Grazie, Nada's Italy.
Nancy