PROVENCE & THE FRENCH RIVIERA Blue-Roads | Europe
Glamour, picturesque villages and stunning mountain scenery: this tour through the French Riviera and Provence is sure to impress with its diversity and dramatic beauty! Join us as we experience the luxury of the French Riviera, marvel at the architecture of Avignon and venture into the mighty Gorges du Verdon - soaking up some fascinating history along the way.
TOUR CODE:
BEHPFNN-2 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads
Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!
About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Enjoy a picnic lunch and taste delicious produce at an olive farm in These tour notes contain everything you need to know Les-Baux-de-Provence before your tour departs – including where to meet, Marvel at the extraordinary Gorges du what to bring with you and what you can expect to do Verdon: the 'Grand Canyon of Europe' on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Experience the mesmerising Carrières document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you de Lumières multimedia art show in on tour. Les Baux-de-Provence
Please Note: We recommend that you refresh TOUR CURRENCIES this document one week before your tour departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date + France - EUR accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary
DAY 1 | NICE
Meet the group in the shining capital of the French Riviera and get to know one another over a delicious welcome meal. After all, there's no better place to begin our journey than alongside the clear waters of the Côte d'Azur! Accommodation: Hôtel Albert 1er (or similar)
MEALS: Dinner
DAY 2 | NICE – ANTIBES – FRENCH RIVIERA
After breakfast, our first stop will be Antibes - where we'll take some time to stroll the narrow streets and picturesque old port with our Tour Leader. Indulge in some local produce and soak up the charming atmosphere at the Provençal market - before enjoying some free time to explore this seaside town at your leisure. Later, we'll continue our journey along the Mediterranean Coast - where we'll have the evening free to relax at our accommodation in the French Riviera. Accommodation: Best Western Hôtel La Rade (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast
DAY 3 | FRENCH RIVIERA – AIX-EN-PROVENCE – ARLES
This morning we’ll make our way towards Aix-en-Provence – stopping for plenty of photo opportunities en route. Upon our arrival we’ll settle into a sumptuous included lunch, before having some time to explore this charming town at our own pace. Then, we’ll stop at a local vineyard to learn about the Provence rosé and enjoy a tasting of the region’s sweet wines. Later, we’ll move on to Arles – a city that’s famous as the inspiration behind Van Gogh’s paintings – and relish in free time to relax at our hotel or seek out a restaurant for some delicious local cuisine. Accommodation: Hôtel Acacias (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch DAY 4 | ARLES – PONT DU GARD – AVIGNON – ARLES
First today, we’ll pay a visit to the iconic Pont du Gard – an ancient Roman aqueduct with no fewer than three tiers of archways. And this afternoon? We’ll stop off in Avignon, where we’ll take a stroll around this historic city with our knowledgeable Tour Leader. After, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Palace of the Popes – one of the most significant medieval buildings in Europe and centre of the Roman Catholic world during the 14th century. Back in Arles, you’ll have the rest of the evening to spend as you please. Perhaps seek out a local wine cellar and sample some the of the local Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône wines – accompanied with a sumptuous French meal, of course! Accommodation: Hôtel Acacias (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast
DAY 5 | ARLES
Today, Arles is yours for the taking – so why not seize the opportunity to uncover thousands of years of local history and culture? Spend the day exploring some city highlights including the Arles Amphitheatre, the Church of St Trophime, the Langlois Bridge and the Vincent van Gogh Foundation. This evening, we’ll clink glasses over an included meal and share stories of our day. Accommodation: Hôtel Acacias (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner
DAY 6 | ARLES – LES BAUX-DE-PROVENCE – SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE – ARLES
First today: a stop at the famous Les Baux-de-Provence – renowned for its Les Baux stone. Here, we’ll experience an extraordinary multimedia art show within an old quarry – before continuing to a local olive farm. We’ll take a tour of the farm, learning all about the olive cultivation process and sampling some of the delicious produce as we go. Then? We’ll make the most of our glorious surroundings by tucking into a hearty picnic together. Appetites satisfied, we’ll make tracks to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where a visit to the impressive Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery is lined up for us. Vincent van Gogh lived here from 1889 to 1890 – and in the Van Gogh Field, you’ll have the opportunity to see 20 large-scale reproductions of his work. Before returning to Arles for the evening, we’ll enjoy some free time exploring the romantic and traditionally Provençal town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Accommodation: Hôtel Acacias (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch DAY 7 | ARLES – LUBERON – GRÉOUX-LES-BAINS
We'll begin today with scenic stops at some of the traditional villages of the Luberon. A region known for its spectacular countryside vineyards; villages perched on high hilltops; and incredible organic produce. This afternoon, we’ll visit the idyllic Sénanque Abbey, where we’ll meet the monks and take some time to enjoy the calming atmosphere and picturesque surrounds. And in Gréoux-les-Bains this evening, we’ll come together for a final group dinner – celebrating a wonderful tour of Provençal France. Accommodation: Villa Borghese (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner
DAY 8 | GRÉOUX-LES-BAINS – GORGES DU VERDON – NICE
As our tour comes to an end today, we’ll travel along the spectacular Gorges du Verdon – the jewel in the region’s crown. Known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’, picture steep cliff sides, rushing rapids and turquoise-coloured water. Our tour will end back in Nice, where we’ll say our goodbyes.
MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information
Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page
Other Information
Finances
CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.
Insurance Passports and Visas
You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport
We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring
Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:
Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear
Other things to pack:
Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin
OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:
Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm
That's it!
We look forward to seeing you on tour.