The Best of the Alps and Provence

Discover our jewel in the South East of France. You will discover the diversity of two amazing regions, from quaint villages to the lofty peaks and glaciers of the Alps.

Experience the French culture through a local market, medieval villages, a 19th century oil mill, the majestic Alps and of course through local product tasting like chocolate, cheese and wine.

Day 1: Welcome to Aix-les-Bains We will pick you up at the Aix-les Bains train station. Upon your arrival at the hotel, you will have time to settle in and relax, either by the lake just outside the hotel or in the beautiful spa town of Aix les Bains In the evening, we will have an orientation meeting followed by a gourmet dinner.

Day 2: Cheese Tasting and Breathtaking Alps Morning: Cheese Tasting in the Alps Cheese is of course a specialty of France but especially of the Alps. We will go to a cheese factory to learn how cheese is made, how long it needs to age and the best part will be of course to taste different Alps cheeses with wine.

Afternoon: Glaciers, mountains and chalets in Chamonix We will be heading to the highest mountain in Europe. Breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc await us at Chamonix, the capital city of the mountaineers. You will have the choice to: - explore the inside of a glacier through a tunnel carved in the ice with its never-to-be-forgotten exhibit of ice sculptures. - take the highest gondola in the world to go to the top of "L'aiguille du Midi" at 12000 ft. You will have a breathtaking view of the Alps. - shop or stroll through the chalet-town of Chamonix, the biggest ski resort in the world. The high mountains and glaciers surrounded the town are majestic.

Day 3: Annecy or 'The Little Venice of the Alps' Morning: Market in Annecy Annecy is the French show-piece of lakes-and-mountain beauty. The Canal crossing Annecy brings Venice to mind as you stroll along its banks. We will stroll the medieval narrow streets to admire the renaissance houses along the canal as well as the famous old prison, one of the most photographed monuments in France! We will also have the opportunity to go to the local market in the old Annecy or to go on a boat ride on the cleanest lake in Europe, Annecy Lake.

Afternoon: Walnut Oil Tasting We will drive east along the Rhone River, through beautiful vineyards and picturesque villages to the lovely village of Chanaz. We will attend a walnut oil making demonstration in a 19th-century mill.

This is a unique opportunity that can't be missed since this mill is the only one left in France listed historical monument where the oil is still made like it was in the 19th century. You will of course have a chance to taste the delicious and organic walnut, hazelnut and almond oils as well as the homemade jams.

Day 4: Chocolate Tasting and drive to Provence

Afternoon: Chocolate tasting We will visit a chocolate exhibit, the "Paradis du Chocolat". The history and making of chocolate will have no more secrets for you. Tasting the delicious cakes made by Pierre Jouvenal, the famous chocolate maker of the Dauphine region will delight your palate.

Afternoon: Van Gogh in St Remy de Provence We will visit the beautiful old monastery of St Paul Mausole in St Remy de Provence. This is where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life and painted 150 of his famous paintings. This is now a nursing home that has a permanent exhibition of paintings by the patients. It is very emotional and fascinating to stroll through the bedroom where Van Gogh stayed during his very troubled time in 1889-90.

"Starry nigth", painted by Van Gogh in St Remy de Provence

Afternoon: The charming village of Les Baux de Provence
Discover this amazing medieval village dominating the valley and its Château, listed one of the most beautiful villages in France. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the site provides a unique view over the vineyards and olive fields of Provence towards the sea.

Day 7: Olive Oil in Gordes and Red Village of Roussillon Morning: From Olive Tree to Oil A local producer of olive oil will take us on a walk through his olive fields and share with us his knowledge and passion for olive oil making. He will show us the olive mill and we'll get a chance to taste his olive oil and tapenade. The history and the production of olives will have no more secret for you. You will have the opportunity to buy many olive products like tapenade, oil, olives but also bowls and items made out of olive wood.

Afternoon: The Ochre village of Roussillon and the Hilltop Town of Gordes. In the afternoon, we will visit two villages listed as the "most beautiful in France": the reddish village of Roussillon that sits on top of the world's biggest vein of ochre, and Gordes, sitting on a rock with an incredible view of vineyards and hills. Stroll the cobblestone streets or the reddish trails through the ochre formations, shop in cute small stores or have a drink watching people go by.

Day 8: Departure After our last breakfast together, we'll drive you to the Avignon TGV train station by 10 am.

Hotel in the Alps Situated in the heart of Savoie in the town of Aix-les-bains, this 3 star hotel offers luxurious and comfortable accommodations with view on the port of Bourget lake.

View from the hotel (Port at Bourget lake) Photo credit: C.F.Day

The rooms are equipped with one double bed or 2 single beds depending on your preference. All soundproofed guest rooms are equipped with bathtub or shower, a flat screen TV with international satellite channnels and free Wi-Fi internet access. Each guest room also features a free mini-bar stocked with soft drinks.

Hotel in Provence We have chosen an elegantly restored villa-hotel dating from the XVIIIth century located in the heart of Provence (25 minutes east of Avignon). The luxury hotel offers 16 bedrooms with private full bathrooms all with high comfort, tranquility and relaxation, with its 2 heated swimming pool set in over 2 acres of private grounds. The refined cuisine of the Chef, based on fresh seasonal local products, is an innovative blend of Provencal and contemporary gastronomy. Each bedroom has: a flat screen TV set, telephone, heating and AC, a minibar, a safe, ADSL and WiFi and a big full bathroom.

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