The Journey Continued...
Imagine yourself on the last day of your glamorous cruise down the Rhone and Saone rivers on the spectacular SS Catherine. It's time to pack up and head home, journey's end as they say. But wait...what if it didn't have to end? It doesn't! We have crafted for you a unique, private and personalized extension of your travels from Avignon to the Cote d'Azur, the epitome of the word "fabulous", the French Riviera!
There are endless ways to experience the Cote d'Azure from it's perched medieval towns to the bustling streets of Cannes, Nice and Monaco. Considering what pairs perfectly with your Uniworld river cruise was of the highest importance, so we have crafted the perfect after party to end your travels.
The French Riviera is in full swing in the summer. All of Europe, America and the rest of the world loves to visit. So how do we give you the perfect provincial experience without all the crowds and chaos? After countless hours of research, 15+ proposals, back and forth consultation with local French experts and a little stress and a few sleepless nights....we've found it!
There are endless ways to experience the Cote d'Azure from it's perched medieval towns to the bustling streets of Cannes, Nice and Monaco. Considering what pairs perfectly with your Uniworld river cruise was of the highest importance, so we have crafted the perfect after party to end your travels.
The French Riviera is in full swing in the summer. All of Europe, America and the rest of the world loves to visit. So how do we give you the perfect provincial experience without all the crowds and chaos? After countless hours of research, 15+ proposals, back and forth consultation with local French experts and a little stress and a few sleepless nights....we've found it!
Instead of putting you right in the middle of the high seasons crowds directly in one of the French Riviera's busy cities, we've selected a hotel high in the foothills, tucked behind security gates amidst olive groves and Japanese gardens. But you're only a 10 minute taxi to Cannes, 25 minutes from Grasse (perfume capital of the world) and 25 minutes from Old Nice. There's an endless opportunity for exploration but we've already included a full day exploring the best of the region and we've left one day free, your last day to explore more or simply lay poolside. The choice is yours.
Read on and see what the journey entails and please see my note after the pricing. It's a very personal note to you, all of my friends and clients.
Read on and see what the journey entails and please see my note after the pricing. It's a very personal note to you, all of my friends and clients.
DAY 1: Avignon to The Cote d'Azure
July 4, 2021
Welcome to Avignon in the South of France, synonymous with sun, warmth and "savor vivre"! Today we disembark the SS Catherine at the dock in Avignon where we're greeted by our private escort and driver for the next 3 nights. A private, luxury chartered coach awaits to wisk us away for our 5-star hotel in the French Riviera.
Enjoy a relaxing 2.5 hour ride, narrated by our guide as we make our way through the countryside before arriving at Hotel Le Mas Candille in the storybook village of Mougins.
After time to unpack and freshen up, join us in the hotel lobby for a celebratory welcome cocktail and tapas as a lite meal. Our escorts will be on hand to review all of the exciting sites to see on our full day tour of this magnificent region the next day.
DAY 2: The Best of the French Riviera
July 5, 2021
Wake up to a sumptuous, generous breakfast (including those hand made, fresh French pastries before heading out on a full days adventure.
Our escort and driver will meet us in the hotel lobby and we'll be off for our first stop of the day. A short drive down winding roads takes us to Cannes, famous for its International Film Festival. We'll make a brief stop to see the lovely Croisette and snap a selfie in front of the famed Palais des Festivals, scene of all the "red carpet arrivals" during the film festival.
Next we'll take a short and scenic drive through the hills and along the coastline for a stop in fabulous Nice! Our escort will take us on a brief walking tour of the old town and we'll have stops along the way for photos and to taste samples of traditional local foods like socca made from chickpeas, pissaladiere (a southern France style of pizza) and some of the best ice cream ever.
From Nice we'll venture up, up, up into the hills before arriving to the medieval village of Eze, said to have the "most beautiful view in the world. We'll have a longer visit in this fascinating hilltop village perched high above the Mediterranean Sea and there's time to wander the ancient streets, soak in the views and fill your camera with photos. We'll remain in Eze long enough where you can have lunch at your leisure at one of the many delightful eateries.
About Eze: The medieval village of Èze was built high above sea level, and thanks to this fact, you can enjoy a fairytale view of the French Riviera. A walk through the narrow streets gives the impression of visiting a castle that has no end, with thick stone walls richly covered with colorful flowers. No matter what your visit entails, Eze itself is an attraction and each building could tell you its own story, especially about the famous people who have visited. Walt Disney once journeyed to Eze for a short visit, fell in love and ended up extending for months. This is an absolute MUST for anyone visiting the region.Rejoining our escort and driver after lunch, it's off to royal Monaco. Monaco is an independent sovereign state well known for it's prestigious casinos, luxurious yachts and famous Formula One - Grand Prix.
As we arrive in Monaco, stop and gaze at the famous and stunning Casino where you'll also be able to spot the breathtaking Formula 1 track. Our escort will then take us on an exclusive, privately guided visit to the Oceanographic Museum and discover the spectacular reserves of the aquarium. This is no ordinary city aquarium visit. Founded by Prince Albert of Monaco and perched above the sea it's a spectacle of sea-life in a fantasy setting even Jules Verne would approve of. From the flourishes on the façades to the décor in the halls, every aspect of the Museum’s architecture evokes the marine world. Since it was opened in 1910, this Temple of the Sea has been an international benchmark for loving, protecting and raising awareness of the oceans.
After a short break to relax and have a drink we're off to our next destination. We'll arrive to the Prince's Palace of Monaco for a privately guided visit. The Prince's Palace, as its name suggests, is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. It was built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress and during its long and dramatic history, it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers.
Following a succession of transformations, the ancient fortress became one of the most luxurious residences of the seventeenth century, in a style extremely characteristic of the Louis XIV era. Prince Honoré II assembled substantial collections of artworks here, which unfortunately disappeared during the French Revolution, when the Palace was looted and used as a hospital for troops from the Italian Army.
Today, it is possible to admire the splendours of the Palace, including: the Palace Chapel, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery, the Red Room, the York Room, the Yellow Room or Louis XV Bedroom, and the Throne Room, as well as numerous frescoes, tapestries, and items of priceless furniture.
At the conclusion of our visit to the Prince's Palace, we'll board our coach and return to our hotel, Le Mas Candille.
Enjoy a dip in the many pools, a stroll to the village of Mougins, cocktails overlooking the olive groves and terraces...or all of the above. The evening is yours to do as you like. Dinner on your own at the hotel or in Mougins.
DAY 3: Mougin, Cannes and the Cote d'Azur (Free Day)
July 6, 2021
Wake up today without a care in the world (except it being your last day). The day is free to do as much or as little as you like. The fabulous French breakfast awaits you once again. Take in time at the Le Mas Candille Spa. Explore all of the hotels pools and spas or the olive groves and Japanese Gardens. You could taxi into Cannes in just 10 minutes and enjoy the waterfront, shopping, dining or rent a beach chair and just relax like a Hollywood celebrity visiting for the internationally renowned Cannes Film Festival.
Nice is a short jaunt away or even the perfume capitol of Grasse where France's perfume industry is based and is considered the perfume capitol of the world. Our hotel concierge can arrange a visit and you could even design your own custom scent.
Don't forget the magnificent village of Mougins, right were our hotel is located and a stroll of only 5 minutes from the hotel gates. It rivals stunning Eze that you visited yesterday but instead of overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it overlooks the Provence countryside and even the French/Italian Alps off in the distance. You simply can't go wrong with anything you decide to do today.
Lunch & Dinner at your leisure.
DAY 4: Your Journey Home
July 7, 2021
After a delicious breakfast and one last croissant, we'll check out of our home for the past 3 nights and prepare to return home or journey elsewhere. A single group transfer in the morning will be offered to the Nice airport with our escort and driver. Or if you have other plans we can arrange individual transfers onward.
July 4, 2021
Welcome to Avignon in the South of France, synonymous with sun, warmth and "savor vivre"! Today we disembark the SS Catherine at the dock in Avignon where we're greeted by our private escort and driver for the next 3 nights. A private, luxury chartered coach awaits to wisk us away for our 5-star hotel in the French Riviera.
Enjoy a relaxing 2.5 hour ride, narrated by our guide as we make our way through the countryside before arriving at Hotel Le Mas Candille in the storybook village of Mougins.
After time to unpack and freshen up, join us in the hotel lobby for a celebratory welcome cocktail and tapas as a lite meal. Our escorts will be on hand to review all of the exciting sites to see on our full day tour of this magnificent region the next day.
DAY 2: The Best of the French Riviera
July 5, 2021
Wake up to a sumptuous, generous breakfast (including those hand made, fresh French pastries before heading out on a full days adventure.
Our escort and driver will meet us in the hotel lobby and we'll be off for our first stop of the day. A short drive down winding roads takes us to Cannes, famous for its International Film Festival. We'll make a brief stop to see the lovely Croisette and snap a selfie in front of the famed Palais des Festivals, scene of all the "red carpet arrivals" during the film festival.
Next we'll take a short and scenic drive through the hills and along the coastline for a stop in fabulous Nice! Our escort will take us on a brief walking tour of the old town and we'll have stops along the way for photos and to taste samples of traditional local foods like socca made from chickpeas, pissaladiere (a southern France style of pizza) and some of the best ice cream ever.
From Nice we'll venture up, up, up into the hills before arriving to the medieval village of Eze, said to have the "most beautiful view in the world. We'll have a longer visit in this fascinating hilltop village perched high above the Mediterranean Sea and there's time to wander the ancient streets, soak in the views and fill your camera with photos. We'll remain in Eze long enough where you can have lunch at your leisure at one of the many delightful eateries.
About Eze: The medieval village of Èze was built high above sea level, and thanks to this fact, you can enjoy a fairytale view of the French Riviera. A walk through the narrow streets gives the impression of visiting a castle that has no end, with thick stone walls richly covered with colorful flowers. No matter what your visit entails, Eze itself is an attraction and each building could tell you its own story, especially about the famous people who have visited. Walt Disney once journeyed to Eze for a short visit, fell in love and ended up extending for months. This is an absolute MUST for anyone visiting the region.Rejoining our escort and driver after lunch, it's off to royal Monaco. Monaco is an independent sovereign state well known for it's prestigious casinos, luxurious yachts and famous Formula One - Grand Prix.
As we arrive in Monaco, stop and gaze at the famous and stunning Casino where you'll also be able to spot the breathtaking Formula 1 track. Our escort will then take us on an exclusive, privately guided visit to the Oceanographic Museum and discover the spectacular reserves of the aquarium. This is no ordinary city aquarium visit. Founded by Prince Albert of Monaco and perched above the sea it's a spectacle of sea-life in a fantasy setting even Jules Verne would approve of. From the flourishes on the façades to the décor in the halls, every aspect of the Museum’s architecture evokes the marine world. Since it was opened in 1910, this Temple of the Sea has been an international benchmark for loving, protecting and raising awareness of the oceans.
After a short break to relax and have a drink we're off to our next destination. We'll arrive to the Prince's Palace of Monaco for a privately guided visit. The Prince's Palace, as its name suggests, is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. It was built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress and during its long and dramatic history, it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers.
Following a succession of transformations, the ancient fortress became one of the most luxurious residences of the seventeenth century, in a style extremely characteristic of the Louis XIV era. Prince Honoré II assembled substantial collections of artworks here, which unfortunately disappeared during the French Revolution, when the Palace was looted and used as a hospital for troops from the Italian Army.
Today, it is possible to admire the splendours of the Palace, including: the Palace Chapel, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery, the Red Room, the York Room, the Yellow Room or Louis XV Bedroom, and the Throne Room, as well as numerous frescoes, tapestries, and items of priceless furniture.
At the conclusion of our visit to the Prince's Palace, we'll board our coach and return to our hotel, Le Mas Candille.
Enjoy a dip in the many pools, a stroll to the village of Mougins, cocktails overlooking the olive groves and terraces...or all of the above. The evening is yours to do as you like. Dinner on your own at the hotel or in Mougins.
DAY 3: Mougin, Cannes and the Cote d'Azur (Free Day)
July 6, 2021
Wake up today without a care in the world (except it being your last day). The day is free to do as much or as little as you like. The fabulous French breakfast awaits you once again. Take in time at the Le Mas Candille Spa. Explore all of the hotels pools and spas or the olive groves and Japanese Gardens. You could taxi into Cannes in just 10 minutes and enjoy the waterfront, shopping, dining or rent a beach chair and just relax like a Hollywood celebrity visiting for the internationally renowned Cannes Film Festival.
Nice is a short jaunt away or even the perfume capitol of Grasse where France's perfume industry is based and is considered the perfume capitol of the world. Our hotel concierge can arrange a visit and you could even design your own custom scent.
Don't forget the magnificent village of Mougins, right were our hotel is located and a stroll of only 5 minutes from the hotel gates. It rivals stunning Eze that you visited yesterday but instead of overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it overlooks the Provence countryside and even the French/Italian Alps off in the distance. You simply can't go wrong with anything you decide to do today.
Lunch & Dinner at your leisure.
DAY 4: Your Journey Home
July 7, 2021
After a delicious breakfast and one last croissant, we'll check out of our home for the past 3 nights and prepare to return home or journey elsewhere. A single group transfer in the morning will be offered to the Nice airport with our escort and driver. Or if you have other plans we can arrange individual transfers onward.
PRICING INFORMATION
The following pricing is per person covering the cost of the 3 Night - 4 Day extension after our Uniworld Cruise.
Please Note: The tour as priced requires a minimum of 5 cabins (10 guests) to operate. If we do not have the minimum number of participants, a private, smaller group tour can still be arranged but a cost increase may apply.
The following pricing is per person covering the cost of the 3 Night - 4 Day extension after our Uniworld Cruise.
Please Note: The tour as priced requires a minimum of 5 cabins (10 guests) to operate. If we do not have the minimum number of participants, a private, smaller group tour can still be arranged but a cost increase may apply.
Overview of Tour Inclusions:
Priced at $1819 per person (Single Supplement $809)
Gratuities for Escort & Driver Not Included
Deposits - Deposits are $910 per person ( $1820 per room)
Space is being held exclusive for our group until October 1st. A deposit is required to secure your space no later than September 30th, as I have to wire the money to France on October 1st. You may wait if you're not ready to deposit but we can not guarantee the hotel will have rooms left. It is smaller and boutique so it's best to hold your space, knowing if need be you can cancel by March 15, 2021 for a full refund later.
Final Payment - Due by January 1st, 2021
Cancellation Information - Cancellations requested by March 15th will receive a full refund.
Cancellations after March 15th are subject to full forfeiture of the trip cost.
Payment Information
Decouvertes has requested that payments be made in bulk to them from me. So I will be collecting your deposits and final payments personally and then issuing a wire transfer to Decouvertes for everyone's bookings. To save on credit card processing fees, a check or money transfer is preferred but if you absolutely need to use a credit card, we can make arrangements.
A Note From Chip.......
The first thing I want to point out, is that the above pricing is NET from our amazing tour company, Decouvertes of France. NET meaning, this is "at cost" to me. It's the same thing I would pay as a travel agent, discounted and zero commission. So essentially, you're getting my cost on the trip. I make absolutely no profit on this extension, nor do I get a lower rate than this. As this is high season in Southern France, it was more important to me to offer you this private extension at the lowest price possible. So I'm pleased to do so and service the bookings so we can all have an amazing experience.
After reworking this trip numerous times and in seemingly countless ways, I'm confident this is the right plan, continuing on in the style and service of our Uniworld experience. I have had it quoted, re-quoted and quoted once again by several vendors, looking for the best value.
As the South of France is quite popular this time of year, pricing is at a premium. I priced out the trip as unescorted, utilizing public transportation (trains and multiple taxis and a public group day trip) with minimal personalized service along the way and it came in roughly $400 per person less expensive. Personally, to have it run privately, with our own dedicated charter vehicle while we're still working through COVID-19, is the way to go in my opinion. I have personally decided I will do this post-trip as described, privately, whether we have the minimum number of guests or not.
Should you opt for something different and want to venture out on your own, I'm happy to assist in making those arrangements for you.
As always, if you have any questions at all, please let me know! Info@OceansAndLands.com
- Meet & Greet at the pier in Avignon
- Services of a Private Driver and Tour Escort for the entire trip
- Private Luxury Coach Transportation from Avignon Pier to Hotel
- 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation at Le Mas Candille - Superior Room
- Daily Breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail and Light Dinner on arrival to Le Mas Candille
- Private Full Day Guided Tour of the Cote d'Azur -Visiting Cannes, Nice, Eze, & Monaco
- Private Luxury Coach Transportation to the Nice Airport on Departure
- Daily Water Bottle onboard the Coach
Priced at $1819 per person (Single Supplement $809)
Gratuities for Escort & Driver Not Included
Deposits - Deposits are $910 per person ( $1820 per room)
Space is being held exclusive for our group until October 1st. A deposit is required to secure your space no later than September 30th, as I have to wire the money to France on October 1st. You may wait if you're not ready to deposit but we can not guarantee the hotel will have rooms left. It is smaller and boutique so it's best to hold your space, knowing if need be you can cancel by March 15, 2021 for a full refund later.
Final Payment - Due by January 1st, 2021
Cancellation Information - Cancellations requested by March 15th will receive a full refund.
Cancellations after March 15th are subject to full forfeiture of the trip cost.
Payment Information
Decouvertes has requested that payments be made in bulk to them from me. So I will be collecting your deposits and final payments personally and then issuing a wire transfer to Decouvertes for everyone's bookings. To save on credit card processing fees, a check or money transfer is preferred but if you absolutely need to use a credit card, we can make arrangements.
A Note From Chip.......
The first thing I want to point out, is that the above pricing is NET from our amazing tour company, Decouvertes of France. NET meaning, this is "at cost" to me. It's the same thing I would pay as a travel agent, discounted and zero commission. So essentially, you're getting my cost on the trip. I make absolutely no profit on this extension, nor do I get a lower rate than this. As this is high season in Southern France, it was more important to me to offer you this private extension at the lowest price possible. So I'm pleased to do so and service the bookings so we can all have an amazing experience.
After reworking this trip numerous times and in seemingly countless ways, I'm confident this is the right plan, continuing on in the style and service of our Uniworld experience. I have had it quoted, re-quoted and quoted once again by several vendors, looking for the best value.
As the South of France is quite popular this time of year, pricing is at a premium. I priced out the trip as unescorted, utilizing public transportation (trains and multiple taxis and a public group day trip) with minimal personalized service along the way and it came in roughly $400 per person less expensive. Personally, to have it run privately, with our own dedicated charter vehicle while we're still working through COVID-19, is the way to go in my opinion. I have personally decided I will do this post-trip as described, privately, whether we have the minimum number of guests or not.
Should you opt for something different and want to venture out on your own, I'm happy to assist in making those arrangements for you.
As always, if you have any questions at all, please let me know! Info@OceansAndLands.com