Splendours of Italy & Southern France
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'.
Itinerary
| Day Number(s) | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Fri) Arrive in Florence. |
| 2 | Morning tour of Florence. Transfer to Arezzo, the setting of 'Life is Beautiful', for lunch. Travel to Montepulciano. |
| 3 | Walk from 16th century Chiesa di San Biagio to Monticchiello (3.5 hours). Afternoon free. Evening wine tasting of the local 'vino nobile'. |
| 4 | Morning tour of Pienza. Walk the Val d'Orcia to Bagno Vignoni (3.5 hours). |
| 5 | Morning tour of Siena. Afternoon free to explore this enchanting city. |
| 6 | Visit Monteriggioni en route to Volterra, fascinating for its Etruscan, Roman and medieval history. |
| 7 | Travel to the Cinque Terre. Walk La Via dell'Amore, the Lover’s Walk (4 hours). |
| 8 | Walk from Santa Margherita to glamorous Portofino (1.5 hours). Optional boat to San Fruttuoso monastery. |
| 9 | Walk along the Portofino Peninsula. Visit the fishing village of Camogli. |
| 10 | Train along the spectacular Italian Riviera coast into France (unescorted). Travel on to Villefranche-sur-Mer. |
| 11 | Visit Beaulieu-sur-Mer and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Easy afternoon walk and scenic picnic. Visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (3 hours). |
| 12 | Travel to St Agnès and walk to Gorbio. Visit the town of Menton (2.5 hours). |
| 13 | Morning walking tour of old Nice. Travel to Aix-en-Provence. |
| 14 | Aix morning market. Afternoon stroll through the landscapes immortalised by Cézanne (2.5 hours). |
| 15 | Visit Les Baux de Provence – a village hewn from sheer cliffs. Optional visit to La Cathedrale d'images in Les Baux. Travel to Arles (2.5 hours). |
| 16 | Trip ends after breakfast in Arles (Sat). |
Trip Highlights
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At A Glance
Trip Length |
16 days |
Trip Code |
PEIF |
Activities |
|
| Walking (Easy), Culture (Easy) | |
Minimum Passengers |
|
| 6 people | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| France, Italy | |
Start City |
|
| Florence | |
End City |
|
| Arles | |
