Splendors of Italy & Southern France

16 days - from $6095

A lyrical journey from Florence to Aix-en-Provence

A unique itinerary that combines lauded landscapes and delightful towns and villages with history, wine, art and culture on 16 fabulous days of discovery. Beginning in Florence we move southeast to the village in the sky – Montepulciano and its maze of boutiques and wine tasting cellars. Under Tuscan skies we wander across postcard perfect meadows and olive groves dotted with pastel coloured farmhouses in the Val d’Orcia. Siena, a city of refinement and class, is our next stop before continuing to the hilltop village of Volterra, famed for its Roman and Etruscan ruins. Glamorous coastal scenery awaits our exploration from our base in charming Santa Margherita. Sure to be a highlight for many will be our stunning walks to Portofino and the Cinque Terre.

The Côte d’Azur has attracted the well healed for centuries – drawn to its sparkling blue Mediterranean waters and seemingly permanent sunshine. We are based for three nights in the tiny hamlet of Villefranche-sur-Mer where we walk around the famed St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. We explore the gardens and spectacular views from the peaceful hillside villages of St Agnès and Gorbio. After a tour of Nice's old town we make our way via private transfer to Aix-en-Provence. Here we follow the story of two of the world's greatest Impressionist painters – Cézanne and Van Gogh. We stay in the towns they called home and walk in the countryside they so loved and captured on canvas in the 'Pays d'Aix'.

Highlights

• Arles - Van Gogh’s second home
• Cinque Terre's Lover’s Walk
• Aix-en-Provence - Cézanne's former home
• Portofino Peninsula walk
• Tuscan towns and villages
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval Siena
• The five villages of the Cinque Terre

Itinerary:

Day 1: Florence2: Montepulciano3: Montichiello - Montepulciano4: Pienza - San Quirico d'Orcia - Siena5: Siena6: Colle Val d'Elsa - Volterra7: Lovers Walk (Cinque Terre) - Santa Margherita8: Portofino - Santa Margherita9: Comogli - Santa Margherita10: Santa Margherita - Italian Riviera - Villefranche-sur-Mer11: St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - Villefranche-sur-Mer12: Menton - St Agnes - Gorbio - Villefranche-sur-Mer13: Nice - Aix-en-Provence14: Lac Zola - Aix-en-Provence15: Les Baux de Provence - Arles16: Arles
Included:

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader.

• 15 overnight stays in comfortable hotels.

• City walks and short rambles in some of Italy’s and Southern France’s most beautiful towns and country side, including Florence and Tuscany (Montepulciano, Montichiello, Pienza, Siena & Pisa), the Cinque Terre & Portofino,  Villefranche –sur-Mer, Nice & Arles.

• Free time to explore Siena, Volterra, Aix-en –Provence and Arles.

• Wine tasting in a local cellar at Montepulciano.

• Access to the most scenic section of the 'Lovers Walk' (Cinque Terre).

• Seven local cuisine dinners and 5 lunches based on local specialties.

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, drinks, optional additional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.