Splendours of Italy & Southern France

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Florence, the cultural capital of Italy and the ‘gem’ in Tuscany's crown. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel that is centrally located (details are in your travel documents). Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving and departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transport's minimal carbon emissions. There really is so much to see in Florence, so if you are arriving earlier, plan to make a few discoveries of your own. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. This is followed by dinner in one of the sidewalk restaurants, where we can dine on local specialties and absorb the ambiance of this fabulous city.

This morning we enjoy sightseeing in Florence - the magnificent Renaissance masterpiece. After exploring this Tuscan icon we transfer to Arezzo, a town of less than 100,000 inhabitants, that packs a medieval punch with fine Romanesque structures and dignified piazzas. We have time to explore and have lunch amidst Arezzo's monuments. A more recent claim to fame for this charming town is the fact that it was the setting for Roberto Benigni's popular 1997 film 'Life Is Beautiful' ('La Vita è Bella') set during the time of the German occupation. In the late afternoon we drive through stunning Tuscan countryside enroute to the village in the sky - Montepulciano.

After breakfast we walk to the impressive Chiesa di San Biagio, a 16th century church nestled at the edge of the village walls overlooking the winding valley below. From here we commence our walk into the picturesque valley and through vineyards, olive groves and past pastel coloured villas, and across rolling hills. This is a morning of delightful Tuscan scenery enjoyed and experienced at its best - by foot. We then reach the restful village of Monticchiello, where we enjoy a flavoursome lunch under the welcome shade of creeping grapevines with a stunning view out upon Monticchiello's ancient main village gateway. After lunch we join the locals on a short local bus ride back to Montepulciano and then enjoy a sightseeing tour of its labyrinthine maze of alleyways and laneways and imposing defensive walls. We then are hosted at a wine tasting in a local cellar sampling this regions fine nectar. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore and go shopping in Montepulciano's classy boutiques. (3-4 hours walking/10km)

This morning we are transferred to the beautiful village of Pienza for a short sightseeing walking tour. Part of our tour will include the views from Pienza's city walls that are quite simply spellbinding. We take our time and pause to enjoy the captivating vistas. The classic Tuscan landscapes are unfurled before our eyes, encompassing burnt orange villas, tightly wound hay bales, meandering country lanes and fields of barley. We then depart for the charming village of San Quirico d'Orcia – a stop for us to buy lunch. The distinctive landscapes of Val d'Orcia, consisting of flat chalk plains interspersed by almost conical hills topped by fortified settlements, have inspired many Siennese artists and their paintings have come to exemplify the beauty of well-managed Renaissance agricultural scenes where inhabitants are depicted as living in harmony with nature. It is in this bucolic setting that we embark on our next splendid walk that takes us to the unique spa town of Bagno Vignoni. Here, the main ‘town square’ is actually a picturesque ornamental pool built by the Medici family! We can also cool our heels in the many Etruscan water channels that surround the old watermills just outside of the centre. This is a truly unique attraction in Val d'Orcia and a place very few tourists get to discover We then complete this fabulous day with an arrival in Siena in the late afternoon.

After breakfast we walk directly from our hotel to commence our morning sightseeing tour of Siena, offering us a fascinating chance to discover the best of this celebrated medieval city. Its ‘heart’ in every sense of the word is the famous 'Piazza del Campo', a grand fan-shaped piazza built on the site of the old Roman forum. Bordering the southern flank of the square is the 14th century Palazzo Pubblico, with some fine early Renaissance frescoes. Also of interest is the fine main church, the Duomo, a wonderful mixture of Gothic and Romanesque architecture with a particularly splendid façade. Our guide shows us the most interesting monuments as well as the hidden corners of the so-called 'red city' before we enjoy free time to make our own discoveries. Our afternoon is at leisure to go shopping or visit some of the many museums. Some of us may be just content to take a seat in the Piazza del Campo, sip on a local glass of ‘sangiovese’ and partake in another fine Italian tradition - the art of people-watching.

After breakfast we journey towards the ancient town of Volterra. On our way we pay a short visit to Monteriggioni (already mentioned in historic manuscripts from the time of Dante) and the charming small town of Colle Val d'Elsa. Monteriggioni sits on top of a small natural hillock and is a completely walled medieval town in the Siena province dating back to the 13th century. Its splendid fortifications were ordered by the overlords of Siena to control the Cassia Road that runs through Val d'Elsa and Val Staggia. Our next stop, pretty Colle Val d'Elsa, is equally worthwhile in terms of scenic appeal. This small Tuscan town is responsible for close to 15% of the world's fine crystal glassware production. In the early afternoon we arrive in beautiful Volterra, a place full of Etruscan history and famous for its alabaster. We enjoy a guided tour through the town, covering its Roman theatre and Etruscan ruins. At the end of the day you may stroll through the restful parklands or catch Volterra's famed sunset from the town walls before enjoying dinner in a fine local restaurant.

We bid a fond farewell to Tuscany and enter the province of Liguria and our next destination - the Cinque Terre. Our vehicle takes us to La Spezia, where we catch a train to the village of Riomaggiore - the last village on the Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore is a tiny collection of pastel shaded houses clinging unfeasibly to cliff faces and seemingly spilling down into the sea. The postcard-perfect harbour is populated by tiny row boats, painted in a kaleidoscope of colours. This is where we begin our world-famous walk, taking in the most scenic section of the 'Lovers Walk' to the village of Manarola and enjoying lunch whilst looking out to sea. In the early afternoon, as a group, we can also opt to continue the walk towards Vernazza - arguably the prettiest of the five villages. In the late afternoon we board our train for an hour’s ride along the dazzling coast to our pretty base in the village of Santa Margherita Ligure. (4 hours walking/10-12km - depending on route taken)

After breakfast we begin our scenic stroll to glamorous Portofino. En route we spend time to explore the best of charming Santa Margherita, including its awe-inspiring harbour packed to the gunnels with exclusive yachts and millionaires’ cruisers. As we approach Portofino proper we take time to visit its impressive castle and lighthouse, which are not be missed! The tiny hamlet of Portofino is arguably Italy's finest residential address and titles to properties here pass from generation to generation with the utmost of care and security. Its hillsides and picture-perfect harbour are enclaves frequented by presidents and movie stars. A visit here is truly a special experience. Our afternoon is at leisure to do our own exploration. Perhaps you may wish to take an optional powerboat ride to the ‘hidden’ monastery at San Fruttuoso. We then return by local transport to our base for the evening. (2 hours walking/5km)

Today we enjoy another walk along the peninsula of Portofino and also pay a visit to Camogli - one of the prettiest towns of Liguria. Camogli is a small Italian fishing village on the Italian Riviera in the province of Genoa. The name has a double meaning in Italian. The first translation meaning 'houses close together’ is apparent when you stroll through the town's narrow streets, which are lined by tall columns of pastel-coloured homes. The second meaning ‘houses of wives’ is not so obvious - it refers to the fishermen's wives who traditionally spent their time at home while their husbands were out at sea. We undertake a short scenic afternoon walk before returning to our base. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Santa Margherita. (2 hours/5km)

After breakfast this morning we travel along the Italian Riviera by train, en route to France and the stunning French Riviera. Our journey will last approximately five hours and the views out the train windows are stunning as we wind our way along the cliff face and through a multitude of tunnels. On arrival in Nice we are met by our French tour leader and transferred to the pretty hamlet of Villefranche-sur-Mer, our base for the next three nights. Dinner tonight is on the water's edge in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

After breakfast we walk directly out from our hotel to beautiful St Jean de Cap Ferrat. We walk on a pleasant coastal footpath around the peninsula that is speckled with pine and eucalyptus trees, small sandy beaches, meandering creeks, small picturesque ports and early 20th century villas containing magnificent gardens…beautiful! We enjoy a flavoursome picnic lunch along the way and there will be opportunities for a swim as well. The warm climate in this niche on the French Riviera has made it a favourite holiday destination amongst European aristocracy and international millionaires for centuries. This geographic area was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia (now ruled by Italy) until 1860 when the County of Nice was finally ceded by treaty to France. This coincided with the time when the peninsula became a magnet for royalties and wealthy visitors alike. In 1905 Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild chose Cap-Ferrat to build an opulent and exquisite Tuscan-style palazzo, now known as Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. A true highlight for us today is our included visit to the villa and a walk around its impeccable gardens, including a Japanese garden and a splendid rose garden. Our walk ends back in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, another aristocratic vacation resort, before we take a short train ride back to Villefranche-sur-Mer. (3 hours walking/10km)

After breakfast, a short train ride along the dazzling Mediterranean coastline takes us from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Menton (30 mins). In Menton we catch a short scenic bus ride up into the foothills for the start of our walk for today that takes us between the restful hamlets of St Agnes and Gorbio. We walk on a series of cultivated terraces, which at one time were used for growing olive trees, grape vines and fig trees, en route to Gorbio. After time to explore pretty Gorbio, we catch a local bus to visit Menton. This city has been called the most beautiful town on the French Riviera and boasts a warm microclimate that is favourable to lemon, tangerine and orange groves. It was under the ownership of the Grimaldi family up until 1848 before breaking away from the principality of Monaco and officially becoming part of France in 1861. Today Menton is popular vacation spot for the well-heeled and a highly appropriate place for us to indulge in 'people-watching' before returning to Villefranche-sur-Mer. (2½ hours walking/5km)

After breakfast we take a local bus from Villefranche to Nice (7 min) and enjoy the morning sightseeing on a walking tour of Nice's old centre, including its maze of staircases and lanes, fine Baroque churches, bustling flower market and the famous Promenade des Anglais. Nice’s Old Quarter is a warren of alleyways, boutique shops, cafes and restaurants awaiting discovery. After our exploration we have free time for lunch; perhaps you might pick up some fresh local fare and head across to the buzz of activity that is the Promenade des Anglais - a hot spot for street theatre, locals artists, 'beautiful’ people and visitors alike. In the afternoon we transfer by private taxi, travelling through the heartland that has always attracted Impressionist painters, to the centre of exquisite Aix-en-Provence – a journey of two-and-a-quarter hours. We then enjoy a walk in the heart of this most ‘Parisian’ of cities, with its wide boulevards, shady squares, enticing cafes and also being the former home of the artist, Paul Cézanne. We enjoy an included dinner tonight in a fine local restaurant.

After breakfast we enjoy free time to wander around Aix-en-Provence's impressive morning market - a wonderful introduction for many into the sights, smells and sounds of typically bustling French produce market. You can buy what you need for your picnic lunch for today's walk. Aix-en-Provence (‘Aquae Sextiae’ in Latin) was founded in 122 BC and was named for its thermal springs that are remarkable for their impressive heat as well as for containing healing properties in the form of lime and carbonic acid. Aix-en-Provence is often referred to as the ‘city of a thousand fountains’ and includes a hot-water fountain that dates back to 1734 and is covered in moss due to its constant 35°C (93°F) water temperature. Possessing a relaxing ambiance Aix-en-Provence's streets and parks are all well laid out. Cours Mirabeau, a wide thoroughfare that is planted with double rows of plane trees, bordered by fine houses and decorated by fountains, divides the town into two sections with the old town lying to the north. This is the most interesting part of Aix-en-Provence with wide but irregular streets and fine old mansions dating back to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Along this avenue we also find Les Deux Garçons (‘the two boys’), the most famous café in the city. Built in 1792, it has been frequented by the likes of Cézanne and Ernest Hemingway. During the middle of the morning we transfer to the start of our walk - a scenic pathway along the foot of the white-peaked Sainte Victoire, where Cézanne walked, mused and painted. We then stroll through pine forests to the lapping waters of Lake Zola, where we enjoy our picnic lunch. It is still likely that we may encounter some artists working with their easels in this ethereal countryside. A short climb leads us to a rim above the deep valley, where the views extend over a countryside draped in thyme and rosemary, with the imposing mountain of Sainte Victoire just a stone’s throw away. After our walk we are transferred 10 minutes back to Aix-en-Provence for an afternoon at leisure. (2½ hours walking/6 km)

After breakfast we transfer to the Alpilles Mountains (literally meaning ‘baby Alps’), a small range of abrupt limestone crags carpeted with sparse pine, aromatic herbs and wild flowers. Perched above an otherwise flat Rhône Valley, the views are jaw-dropping with the vast plains of the Camargue to the south, a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea and, to the north, the many villages that dot the plains with the famous Mont Ventoux providing a backdrop. After an hour's stroll along the crest, the medieval village of Les Baux appears with its grey stone buildings huddled in tight formation below the ruins of its imposing castle and the whole lot hovering dizzyingly above the plains. We enjoy our picnic lunch by a centuries-old limestone quarry before exploring the 1000 year-old village of Les Baux, with its narrow cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Afterwards we enjoy some free time in a little-known café that has been run by the same family for 400 years - the perfect place to sit and admire this stunning site. We then transfer for 15 minutes to Arles where we discover in Vincent van Gogh's second home the city's Roman legacy and its rich historical heritage. What could be more perfect than a coffee or 'pastis' in one of the lively cafes that once paid host to famous painter. We enjoy a final group dinner in a local restaurant – a perfect way to bid each other ‘bon voyage’! (2 hours walking/5 km) (Please note: Itinerary variation for 22 Jun 2012 departure - refer to 'important info' section)

Our trip ends after breakfast in Arles. Arles is connected by rail to a number of other destinations in France including Nimes (30min), Montpellier (1hr), Marseille (40min), Avignon (20min) and TGV direct services to Paris (4hrs). For those wanting to spend more time in Arles to further explore this fascinating town, additional nights’ accommodation can be booked at the same time you book this tour. (Please note: 22 June 2012 departure ends in Saint Remy de Provence)