Dates
July 1st, July 18th, and August 2nd 2012
Itinerary
This 14 night tour takes you through 3 countries, Spain, France, and Italy, visiting many popular sights along the way and staying in some incredible accommodations. We start in Barcelona, work our way north through Provence, France, then, on to the Italian Riviera. Finally finishing in Florence, Italy.
Day 1 - Barcelona(Cardona)
We'll greet you at the airport, then, it's off through the Spanish countryside to Cardona to spend the night at Paradore Cardona. In Spain, paradores are high class hotels that we once castles and historic places. Paradore Cardona is a castle dating back to the 2nd century and we'll spend the afternoon and evening there. On the way there, we'll visit the Monastery at Montserrat for lunch and to explore this unique place www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com. Dinner tonight at Paradore Cardona. (D)
Day 2 - Barcelona(Cardona)
After breakfast, we'll drive into the heart of Barcelona to spend the day enjoying the sights and sounds of Barcelona. In Barcelona we'll do a city bus tour, then, explore on your own in the afternoon. Check out this link for the details of the bus tour www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/. We'll dine tonight in town, then, drive back to Paradore Cardona for the evening. (B,D)
Day 3 - Barcelona to Arpaillargues
After breakfast, we'll drive north into France and the region of Provence. We'll spend the evening and have dinner at a wonderful chateau, Chateau Arpaillargues. Along the way we'll stop at one of the most famous Roman ruins in the world, the aqueduct, Pont du Gard. Built more than 2000 years ago, the Pont du Gard was created to carry water over 50 km from Uzes to Nimes France to support the Roman legions in the south of France. www.youtube.com video. (B,D)
Day 4 - Arpaillargues to Avignon
Today we'll visit the cultural capital of Provence, Avignon, www.avignon-tourisme.com on the Rhone River. We'll visit the Palais des Papes, www.palais-des-papes.com and Pont Benezet www.avignon-et-provence.com during the day and dine in the Place Horloge this evening. Our hotel, Hotel d'Europe is a luxury accommodation the heart of the walled city. (B,D)
Day 5 - Avignon
Today we can either relax exploring more of Avignon, or go off into the Provencal countryside to see the picturesque villages of Chateauneuf du Pape, Gordes, and Fontaine du Vaucluse. I have plenty of ideas of what else we can do today, I know this area very well! Dinner tonight on your own in Avignon. (B)
Day 6 - Avignon to Lourmarin
Today we'll explore the Provencal countryside even more heading over to Lourmarin. On the way stopping in Bonnieux, LaCoste, and Menerbes, all classified as some of the most beautiful villages in all of France! Dinner tonight is one you'll never forget! Le Castelas is a one of a kind, that's all I'm going to say.
(B,D)
Day 7 - Lourmarin to Moustier Ste. Marie
Lavendar fields abound as we drive from Lourmarin east to Moustier and the Gorge du Verdon. Moustier Ste. Marie is also classified as one of the most beautiful villages in all of France. With its many town fountains and wells, it has a dramatic setting perched in a gorge between two cliffs. Fun village to walk around! Dinner tonight on your own. (B)
Day 8 - Moustier Ste. Marie to St. Paul de Vence
Today we take a vacation from the vacation. Leaving Moustier, we'll drive through the Grand Canyon of Provence, the Gorges du Verdon, don't look over the edge, it's a long way down! Then we'll travel along the Route Napoleon to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, ending up just outside the village of St.Paul de Vence. Our home for the day is Hotel Messugues, a wonderful country retreat where you can relax by the pool or even take a short bike ride into St. Paul de Vence. Dinner tonight at Le Tilleul, in the village. www.restaurant-letilleul.com (B,D)
Day 9 - St. Paul de Vence to Diano Marina
Ever wonder what Nice, Monte Carlo, and Monaco looked like? Well, wonder no more. Today we'll take the seaside route along the French Riviera passing through these famous places on our way to Diano Marina in Italy. Hotel Jasmin, at Diano Marina has its own private beach just for us! Bring your sunscreen and hat when you spend the afternoon swimming in the Mediterranean, or, walk the beautiful promenade. I will request that all of our rooms over look the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner tonight at the romantic Osteria Vico del Rame, overlooking the Diano Marina harbor. (B,D)
Day 10 - Diano Marina to Portofino
Today we follow the coastline of Liguria all the way to Santa Margherita where we'll take a boat ride into Portofino. Portofino is the ultimate Italian seaside resort town. Catering to the rich and famous, there's no telling who you might see. Our hotel, while in the town is just a few blocks back from the harbor. Hotel Eden is a quiet family run hotel, great ambiance and value. Dinner tonight on your own at one of the many restaurants along the marina. (B))
Day 11 - Portofino to Manarola
Again, following the coastline, we'll travel to Portovenere, where we'll "ship you off" to the amazing Cinque Terre. The boat journey will take you to the Cinque Terre town of Riomaggiore, from there we'll walk a short distance to Manarola and Hotel Ca'd'Andrean. The Cinque Terre is a small enclave of 5 fishing villages, very remote, and only accessible by boat or train. Your 2 day pass will allow you to either walk the Via del Amore, a cliffside trail connecting the villages, and/or take the train between the villages. Dinner tonight at the harbor in Manarola. (B,D)
Day 12 - Manarola
Spend the day either hiking to the other villages or taking the train to each one. Parts of the trail are very easy, parts are more difficult, but, it's all doable. I'll let you know more about this when we're there. Dinner tonight is on your own. Maybe dine in another village then take the train back to Manarola. (B)
Day 13 - Manarola to Florence
We'll catch an early boat back to Portovenere and our van then, continue on to Florence. Along the way we'll make a quick stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Our hotel in Florence is situated in an excellent location for exploring this renaissance town, near the Duomo and the Piazza della Signoria. Spend the day shopping, strolling the lanes, gelato is a must, or visiting one of the many museums. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B)
Day 14 - Florence
Today, enjoy the many sights of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio, the Statue of David, the Bobili Gardens, the Duomo, the list is very long! Tonight we'll finish with a big bang at the ristorante Il Latini, famous for it's locally grown food and lively atmosphere. It's been seen many times on the travel channel and on the food network. It truly is an incredible experience, bring your biggest appetite! www.illatini.com (B,D))
Day 15 - Florence Airport
After breakfast we'll take you to the airport in Florence for your trip back home
Price for this 14 night tour: $4662 per person based on double occupancy, single supplement $500
Wanderlust Bike Tours reserves the right to change the price based upon the euro/dollar exchange rate.
Fly into and out of Florence
What's Included
14 nights in total, 6 in Italy, 6 in France, and 2 in Spain
All transportation by private vans and boats
9 dinners (D), 13 breakfasts, (B)
Bus tour in Barcelona
Admission to the Palais des Papes in Avignon
Admission to the Pont Benezet in Avignon
Admission to the Pont du Gard
2 day pass to the Cinque Terre
Boat ride from Santa Margherita to Portofino
Boat ride from Portovenere to Riomaggiore
Dinner reservation at Il Latini in Florence
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