Provence - Riviera Garden Tour
7 days / 6 nights in Provence
MONDAY APRIL 23rd to SUNDAY APRIL 29th 2012
$1899 twin share per person*
A week in Provence & the French Riviera to admire the most beautiful gardens of the South East of France!
23 April – Avignon, the Popes' City
Transfer from Avignon TGV station to the hotel in Avignon.
Hotel de l'Horloge*** : a 19th century house built from dressed stone and opening directly onto the Place de l’Horloge, the hotel is ideally located in the heart of Avignon’s historic and tourist district, close to the Popes’ Palace and the city centre’s shaded cafés and small shops.
Afternoon at leisure to visit Avignon and its main monuments, the Popes’ Palace and the Pont d'Avignon.
24 April – Perched villages and gardens in Luberon
Visit of the private garden La Louve in Bonnieux: a contemporary garden in a series of terraces. Each terrace has its own specific character with immaculately clipped shrubs and a surprising variety of indigenous plants.
Lunch on your own.
Continue to Val Joanis in Pertuis, a classic Aix bastide, originally a feudal manor and now an important wine producing estate. Surrounded by extensive vineyards, the gardens are planted on three terraces, interspersed with flowers, vegetables and fruit trees.
Then, visit of Lourmarin castle, the very first Renaissance castle built in Provence, composed of two parts: the old wing of the castle was built in the late 15th century by Foulques d'Agoult, whereas the 16th century Renaissance wing is completely furnished and houses 15th to 19th century art collections.
25 April – Discover a garden overlooking Avignon
Visit of the abbey gardens in the massive 14th century Fort St André in Villeneuve les Avignon: the style is very Italianate in its influence, laid out in various terraces planted with roses, irises and many local plants.
Lunch on your own.
Then, visit of the Jardin de l'Alchimiste in Eygalières, close to the Renaissance Architecture of the Mas de la Brune, the garden invites its visitors to a blooming evocation on the theme of Alchemy. The contrasts and the lights, the shapes and the colours, the flowers, the trees and the stones, invite the visitor to a quiet meditation.
26 April – Visit Cannes, Croisette and beaches & Grasse perfumes
Visit of the Jardin de la Pomme d'Ambre in Fréjus and tasting of a "home" oranges wine: Nicole discovered the French Riviera when her parents came to settle in a house of the "Belle époque" surrounded of a plentiful garden from orange trees, climbing rose trees and giant eucalypti. Much later, she planted her memories of childhood in a romantic garden. Nicole is very appreciated by gardeners amateurs like botanists, historians or researchers of the whole world impassioned by the Mediterranean flora.
Lunch on your own: it is possible to organise the picnic in the Jardin de la Pomme d'Ambre to be requested in advance.
Continue to Cannes, embellished with palm trees and sandy beaches: famous café-terrasses, elegant shops, la Croisette and the film festival centre.
Stop in Grasse for visit of a perfume factory.
Check inn at your hotel in Nice.
Hotel Suisse***: perched between the sun and the sea, the Italian-style Hotel enjoys a unique location with exceptional views over the Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais. It is the only hotel in the city that offers such panoramic views. Just minutes from the Old Town and the Port, the hotel is the ideal starting point to explore the charms of Nice’s old town. You will be able to use the private beach near the hotel.
27 April – Nice & French Riviera:
discover a garden overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
Visit of Nice, capital and queen of the Riviera: discover the promenade des Anglais, the old town with the flower market, the Castle Park overlooking the Baie des Anges.
Lunch on your own.
Continue to St Jean Cap Ferrat for visit of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: discover the most beautiful French Riviera Palazzo and its nine wonderful gardens. Through the art dealers and experts she befriended, Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild sought out artworks all over the world, transforming the Villa at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat into a collector’s paradise. Between sea and sky, overlooking the bay of Villefranche, the nine heavenly gardens are adorned with patios, fountains, ponds, flowered and shaded paths.
28 April - Explore the gardens of Monaco & Menton
Visit the exotic gardens in Monaco, one of the most visited gardens in the world. These unusual gardens cascade down a steep rock face with over 6 000 species of cacti and other succulents.
See the Prince's palace and the changing of the guard just before midday.
Lunch on your own.
Continue to Menton to visit the garden of La Serre de la Madone, created in the 1920s and 1930s by Lawrence Johnston, mostly known for his design of the gardens of England's Hidcote Manor.
29 April – Departure from Nice
Transfer to Nice airport.
End of our tour.
Price per person $1899 (Twin share basis)
Included:
· Transfers & transportation by 8 seater air-conditioned Mercedes Vito minibus
· Accommodation in double/twin rooms in 3*** hotels (6 nights)
· Breakfasts at the hotel
· Services of an English tour leader
· Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the above program
Not included:
· Meals
. Beverages
. Personal expenses
. All not mentioned above
* guaranteed departure for a minimum of 8 passengers
To Book or Enquire
Please call us now on +61 (0)2 9247 4233 or 04 1491 4746
Alternatively, you can Skype us about this holiday by clicking the button below.
