Join Valerie Kent for an art enthusiast's dream
trip, spending 7 nights cruising the wine region of Provence
aboard the deluxe River Royale. Provence is brilliant with
lavender, sun flowers, and the azure blue of the Mediterranean.
You can smell the Rosemary and Thyme growing wild. No wonder
Cezanne stayed here all his life, Van Gogh made splendid canvases
here and Gaughin was as happy with the colour here as in the South Pacific.
After the 7 night cruise, we will spend an additional 4 nights in the
beautiful Roman Spa, and university town of Aix-en-Provence !
Wine is to the Provençal as natural as breathing. Wonderful local wines that do not leave the country are available throughout our trip
ITINERARY :
July 26 - Depart for overnight flight to Paris
July 27 - Arrive Paris and transfer to our River Ship the River Royale waiting for us in the heart of Burgundy.
“Greetings, empire of the sun, bordered like a silver edge by the glistening Rhône!
Empire of pleasure and of joy, Wondrous empire of Provence, who enchants the
world with your name alone.”
Frédéric Mistral (1830-1914)
July 28 - CHÂLON SUR SAÔNE - Included Excursion - Beaune & Hospices de Beaune
Centered in the heart of Burgundy, Châlon is an important centre for France's wine trade. From here, we will travel to nearby Beaune once the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy and visit the famous 'Hospices de Beaune'. Its history aside, it is an architectural jewel with a splendid multi-coloured tiled roof, now a symbol of Burgundy. Founded in the 15th century, the Hospices were given some vineyards so they could make wine and to this day the money raised from the annual auction of the wine supports many charities. In the town square is the Burgundy Wine market where we will
make a visit and enjoy a tasting of fine Burgundy wines !
- Dinner
July 29 - LYON - Included Excursion - City tour of Lyon
Lyon was founded by the great Roman, Julius Caesar, and has a wealth of Roman remains. It was also
a wealthy merchants' town in the Middle Ages producing the finest silks in all of Europe - they are still
producing some of the finest silks today. Lyon is very proud of its UNESCO protected “Renaissance
Quarter” that is so charming to explore.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 30 - TOURNON and TAIN L'HERMITAGE - Included Excursion - Wine Tasting & Tournon Walking tour
Nestled among the famous vineyards, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain L'Hermitage provide the perfect setting for
those who are true connoisseurs of chocolate and wine. Celebrate the region by indulging in some Côte du Rhône wines. Cross the Marc Seguin suspended bridge and visit Tournon and its historic castle. Discover the secrets of world-famous Valrhona chocolate during an informative onboard lecture and tasting arranged by the Valrhona School of Chocolate.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 31 - VIVIERS - Included Excursion - Viviers walking tour
Charming Viviers has retained its old-world charm. The town developed around its Romanesque cathedral. Our tour in Viviers starts in the 'Old Town' with an introduction to the city. We'll stop by Rue Chèvrerie, Porte Riquot, Maison de Chevaliers, Rue du Château, and Maison Elémentaire du Commerçant. Finally, we'll walk through the medieval streets of this charming town on our way back to the ship with time to explore the shops and little winding streetscapes.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aug 01 - AVIGNON - Included excursion - Walking tour and Palace of the Popes
Nestled in the lush hills of the Rhône Valley lies the medieval walled city of Avignon,
Named the “city of the Popes”. It was the centre of the Catholic Church in the 14th
century when the Palace of the Popes was equivalent of today's Vatican. Our walking
tour of Avignon starts at Clocktower Square, with its many cafes, shops and namesake
clock tower dating back to the 1300s, and now part of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). Next,
it's on to the Pope's Palace Square for an inside visit of the grand Palace of the Popes
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aug. 02 - ARLES - Included excursion - Walking tour of Arles
The name of Arles is closely connected with that of Vincent Van Gogh. Inspired by the
unique Provençal light, he spent a period of intense and impassioned work under the
bright sunny sky of Provence. During our walking tour we will discover Van Gogh's
Arles as well as the fascinating wealth of Romanesque monuments, such as the Roman
Amphitheatre and Constantine's Roman baths.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Captain's Farewell Dinner
Aug. 03 - Les Baux and travel to Aix-en-Provence.
After breakfast we leave the River Royale by private charter coach for the next component of our program.
We first head off to the ancient hilltop village of Les Baux. We will have time to wander the higgly-piggly streets where there are art galleries around every corner. If you want to buy art you'll have a wonderful time here. Just out of the village is an amazing treat. We have an appointment at the Cathédrale D'Images. 'Cathedrale' is the best way to describe this cavernous walk-in quarry which annually holds massive and dramatic expositions each year that allow you to actually walk into the world and time of the current subject. And this year the subject is Van Gogh in all his brilliant Provençal colour! Van Gogh was so inspired in Provence and his work here was pure indulgence in colour and emotion. We will then continue on to Aix-en-Provence for a 4 night stay.
The city of
Aix-en-Provence was first known as
Aquae Sextiae (the water of Sextius).
Sextius Calvinius was the Roman proconsul who founded the city in 124 BC after finding
the thermal springs here. Even now, 'Aix' is referred to as the
“City of 101 Fountains”
The city's old-time elegance reflects its former role as regional capital.
“a complacently conservative and stunningly beautiful place
that considers culture the sustenance of life.”
The medieval quarter and the Cours Mirabeau, a majestic tree lined avenue in the heart
of the city, (a verdant tunnel of foliage protects against the Provençal sun. Aix's life revolves
around this very area) are just steps from our hotel. Lining the north side of the street are
cafés (namely the Café des Deux Garçons, once an important meeting place for artists and
writers such as Frédéric Mistral, 1901 Nobel prize winner and founder of 'Le Félibrige' society
whose aim it was to preserve the history, culture and language of Provence).
Aug 04 Cassis on the Mediterranean and the Crête Road
I always love the drive down from Aix to the sleepy fishing village of Cassis on the rugged
Mediterranean coast. It shows off the Mediterranean just as we picture it in our mind - sparkling
and brilliantly blue as it contrasts with the sun-baked white of the limestone fingers that reach into
the sea and shelter pockets of sand beaches between them. The wide semi-circular quay is a
delight to stroll, with shops and restaurants on one side and bobbing sailboats from
everywhere around the world on the other. After free time for a leisurely lunch along the quay or
an optional boat ride to view the amazing 'calanques', we will leave the village and travel the
'Route des Crêtes' offering a Mediterranean view that you will always remember. For those of
you who paint, you will be compelled here, so bring your sketch pads with you today! We will
return to Aix-en-Provence in the direction of Mount Ste Victoire, made famous by Cézanne.
- Breakfast
Aug. 05 Villages of the Luberon
Today we travel north of Aix and up onto the Luberon Plateau. Here are the timeless villages kept secret until the book, “A Year in Provence”. Just as Peter Mayle tells it, these tiny villages, dotted sparsely over the plateau, have a timeless quality. Everyone who explores them will come away with an idea of what the Provençal are about. The legendary potent herbal brew “pastis” came from these villages. It is known locally as the “good-natured thirst quencher”. We will visit three of these lovely villages, view a true Roman bridge, and admire a fortified castle in the middle of a village perched like a broach on the Luberon slope, before returning to Aix late in the afternoon.
- Breakfast
Aug. 06 - Cezanne's favourite location to paint - Mte. Ste. Victoire
After breakfast we take a coach a short distance from town. Cezanne consistently walked to the
village of Le Tholonet and set up his easel on the porch of a windmill that offers a stunning view
of his beloved Mte. Ste. Victoire. It's a lovely little village and Cezanne's presence is still felt here.
- Breakfast
Aug. 07 - After breakfast we will travel to Marseille for our flight home.
COST : $ 5289.00 CAD (share twin)
Taxes : $ 380.00 CAD
Early booking Bonus - Save $300.00 per person for deposits received by November 15, 2007 !
($300.00 will be deducted from final payment)
Note: Cost is based on per person sharing twin accommodation
in both Paris and on board the River Baroness in Category #2.
Upgrade to Category #1 - $ 280.00 CAD per person
Ship Details - Click Here
Note: Staterooms in Category #1 have French balcony doors
INCLUDED FEATURES :
- - Return airfare from Toronto (add-ons available from other cities)
- - All transfers mentioned in itinerary
- - 7 night deluxe river cruise aboard the River Royale
- - All meals as shown in the itinerary above
- - All lectures and excursions as shown in itinerary above
- - Visits to - Van Gogh show at 'Cathédrale D'Images'
- - Cassis
- - Villages of the Luberon
- - Escorted by Valerie Kent with opportunities to paint throughout the program.
www.valeriekent.com
Deposit required to hold
a reservation - $750.00 per person
Balance due by : April 30, 2008
