Private Sightseeing Tours - Cote D'Azur and Corsica ULFR11

Personal Highlights:

• The opportunity to try your hand at making your own perfume in Grasse
• Following the grand prix course in Monte Carlo ( but at a more reasonable speed)
• Exploring the Provence town of Aix-en-Provence at your own pace
• Taking the high speed ferry between Marseilles to Ajaccio in Corsica
• Spending the time with the fishermen in Propriano

Day 1 Depart USA

You board your overnight flight to Nice, the start of your exploration of the Cote d'Azur and the enchanting island of Corsica

Day 2 Bievenue a Nice

In the morning you arrive in Nice and, after completing arrival formalities, you meet your guide who will ecort you to your car for the trip to your delightful hotel overlooking the Riviera Coastline. Your hotel in located in the hills between Nice and Cannes and offers serenity and scenery in one location. After your trip you may want to try out the spa to work out the jet lag or take a dip in the pool. This evening enjoy dinner with night time views of the Cote d'Azur

Day 3 " The Perfume Capital of the World"

We have left the morning open for you to adjust to your new environment and time zone. After lunch your guide will be waiting to take you to the nearby town of Grasse which is known as the perfume capital of the world. The town, like much of the Riviera was once affiliated with Italy and the town was famous for its leather gloves. Thanks to the partonage of Catherine de Medici, scented gloves became the fashion and Grasse supplied the perfume using the flower farms that prospered in the mild climate. Eventually, perfume replaced glove making as the main industry. You will have an oppoorunity to walk through the charming old town and to visit the Musee Internationale de la Parfumerie and learn the history of perfume. While synthetics now make up the bulk of modern perfume, certain flowers are still indispenable in French perfume. Chanel No.5, the best selling perfume in the world is made with a combination of rose de mai, jasmine and a synthetic musk. Chanel owns a farm near Grasse where the roses and jasmine are cultivated. After a chance to make your own perfume you head back to your hotel.

Day 4 Gems of the Riviera

This morning your guide will take care of the bags as you say goodbye to the hills of Provence and head for the scenic and ancient town of Aix-en-Provence.. First, however, you will explore the highlights cities of the French Riviera. The first stop will be the Principality of Monaco where you have the chance to follow the route of the famous Grand Prix, admire the palace and the casino and stroll the harbor in awe of the many yachts at anchor. The next stop is the hill top town of Eze offering winding streets and spectacular views of the coast. You next stop is the glamour city of Cannes, known for its film festival. You will see the Palais de Congres where the festival is held and admire the "palace " hotels that line "La Croissete: You wil have lunch in Cannes at one of the restaurants located below the promenade and leading on to the beach. Your last stop of the day will be Nice where you have the chance to visit the Matisse Museum. You then head to your hotel which offers elegant soliitude but is within walking distance of Aix..

Day 5 Catch of the Day

You have an early breakfast at the hotel because we want to arrive in Marseilles in time for the morning fish market. As they say in Marseilles, "Peche le nuit, vendu le matin" or "caught at night, sold in the morning". This is not a wholesale market but true B2C. As the fishermen dock their small boats they set up a tray on a folding stand, usually assisted by a female relative on shore. Once the table and scales are set up the fresh catch is deposited in the tray where eager customers are ready to buy and take off with their still-wriggling fish, eel or even octopus in plastic bags. For the essence of Marseilles it cannot be beat. You will then take a walking tour of the Panier district right off the old port. You will then return to the old port to one of the many restaurants that line the port for a meal of Bouillabaisse, the dish invented here.

Day 6 A Day in Aix-en-Provence

iWe have left this day open to allow you the opportunity to explore, at your own pace,  this ancient Roman town famous for its art and its many fountains. Take a walking tour of the old town and view some of the mansions built by wealthy merchants in days gone by before returning to the hotel for a leisurely lunch. Later, return to Aix with its myriad of boutiques, then sit with a drink as you ‘people watch' at the famous ‘Les Deux Garcons' on Cours Mirabeau, before returning for gourmet nouvelle cuisine.

Day 7 A Ferry to the Birthplace of Napoleon

After breakfast you are driven to Marseilles where you board a high speed ferry to Ajaccio the main city of Corsica. This island is the third largest in the Mediterranean with only Sardinia, Sicily and Cyprus being larger and is actually closer to Italy than France. While technically part of France this rugged and beautiful Island has its own culture and language and offers a unique Mediterranean experience. Upon landing you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel which is located just outside Propriano, a little Corsican fishing Village bathed in the scent of Myrtle on the Gulf of Valinco in south Corsica. Tonight enjoy dinner by the pool with stunning views over the water.

Day 7 Exploring Bonifacio

Today we will have a car and guide to take you to some of the scenic highlights of this mountainous and beautiful Island.After some touring you will arrive at the town of Bonifacio which offers historic attractions along with quaint waterfron bars. Of paricular historic note ins the ancient citadel which until 1983 served as the headquarters of the French Foreign Legion. After lunch in Bonfacio you retutn to the hotel  Tonight another dinner under the stars and overlooking the Bay is in order. Propriano is a fishing village so be prepared for fresh fish grilled to perfection.

Day 8 Food and Wine in Corsica

This morning you will set out to explore the culinary aspects fof Corsica. The island is noted for its chartcuerie, chesses and olive oil and you will get to sample them all. The island is also home to many wine growing areas and you will visit the Ortolo Valley which offers a micro climate ideal for good wine production. You will stop at Domaine Saparale for wine tasting and a light lunch before returning to the hotel

Day 9 A Tranquil Day in Propriano

We have left this day open to allow you to totally relax and absorb the rhythm of the island. If you like, the hotel can provide you a picnic lunch so that youn can explore the coves and villages nearby. The village of Propriano is just a short walk away and you may want to go down to see the fishermen and their catch. On the other hand you may wish to take a dip in the bay and catch up on your reading. The choice is yours.

Day 10 Return to USA

In the morning you will be driven to the airport for a flight that will connect with your US bound flight.

Services Included

• 1st Class rail travel as indicated on the itinerary
• Superior Rooms at the properties indicated in the accommodations area (We reserve the right to substitute a property of equal quality in advance of departure should the designated hotel be unavailable)
• Private Transfers to and from the airport or rail station at destination
• All meals as indicated on the itinerary by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
• Private guides for city explorations and private driver/guide while traveling.
• Entrance fees to all museums, attractions and other venues as indicated on the daily itinerary
• Baggage handling at all hotels
• All applicable taxes and service fees

Services Not Included

• International airfare (round-trip from hometown departure gateway to destination)
• Beverages with included meals (unless otherwise indicated on itinerary page)
• Any meals not indicated on the Itinerary page
• Items of a personal nature e.g. minibar, film, postcards etc.
• Gratuities to Guides and Driver/Guides (we provide suggested guidelines for your selected destination in your pre-departure material)
• Any passport or visa fees or government departure taxes (It is the traveler’s responsibility to secure the latest information regarding passports and visa requirements)

Available Year Round