France, Provence & Riviera – Private Wine & Food Luxury

Iconic Wines of the Southern Rhone

Today our journey takes us to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. You’ll be greeted by your English-speaking, wine expert guide/driver for a visit to three leading wine estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.

The morning commences in vineyards high up in the Gigondas hills where your guide explains how “terroir” influences the wines that you will taste at the cellar of a leading producer.

After a wine-tasting lunch at an excellent local restaurant, you will
travel to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The 14th-century Papal chateau – a monument to this village’s rich wine history – towers over the village.

As you tour the scenic vineyards and the cellars of two leading estates your guide will explain how the diverse terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking methods define the characteristics and quality of the wines that you
taste.

Return to your hotel for an evening on your own, with local eatery suggestions provided.

Overnight La Mirande, Avignon

Meals B, L

Customized Tour: Provence Delights

Today, discover lovely highlights of Provence. Visit Isle Sur la Sorgue, a lovely village romantically surrounded by the river Sorgue. Antique lovers will find a slice of heaven with the nearly 300 permanent antique dealers and second-hand shops here.

Or, if you prefer, you may want to visit other beautiful villages such as Rousillon for a hike, Gordes with its magnificent views, or perhaps one of our favourite cities, Aix-en-Provence.

We can also include more wine touring this day to help round out your discovery of the Southern Rhone wine region.

Then transfer by train (or private driver) to your home for the next few days, the lovely 5* Relais Chateau member property, L’Auberge at Chateau de Berne.

At about 1.5 hours from Nice or Avignon, L’Auberge lies just to the north of Lorgues in the heart of the Chateau de Berne estate where 1,360 acres of woodlands and vineyards stretch out between the Mediterranean and the Gorges du Verdon.

Check into the hotel and spend the remainder of your day relaxing and discovering this enchanting property.

Enjoy a welcome wine-tasting dinner tonight with a tasting of Chateau de Berne’s wines.

Overnight Chateau de Berne, Flayosc

Meals B, D

Day of Relaxation

Today is yours to soak in the beauty of the region and discover the property at your own pace.

Included in your package is a tour and tasting at the Chateau’s wine estate located on the property. Fine wines have been produced on this Provençal
estate since 1750, while its 5,000 olive trees yield exceptional olive oil.

At the centre of this bucolic setting lies a 27-room, country-chic hotel awash in light, offering authentically regional, Michelin-star cuisine and an 8,611-square-foot Spa by Cinq Mondes.

Stroll the footpath or ride a mountain bike on well-marked trails. Evening on your own with suggestions provided.

Overnight Chateau de Berne, Flayosc

Meals B

Transfer to Eze

Enjoy a transfer to the train station and take the train to Eze Village, a veritable eagle’s nest perched high above the Mediterranean, just seven and a half miles from Nice.

Your accommodations will be at Chateau de la Chevre d’Or, an outstanding boutique Relais & Chateau member hotel that is integrated into the medieval stone village of Eze. The views are inspiring; on one of the frequent clear days, the view extends to St. Tropez.

Take the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the scenery. With small narrow roads, archways, superbly restored stone houses, shady squares, refreshing ancient fountains… you will be easily seduced by the marvels of Eze.

Evening on your own with suggestions provided.

Overnight Chateau de la Chevre d’Or, Eze

Meals B

Nice & The French Riviera

It’s worth taking the time to discover Nice in depth. Start with a visit to the famous farmers’ market, split between its famous flower market lined with buckets full of blooms, and a magnificent food market with long tables displaying exotic spices, colourful in-season fruits and vegetables, pastries, and more.

Wander with your guide through the narrow streets of the old town and then stroll along the famous “Promenade” before entering the heart of the city with its rich architectural and cultural heritage and its parks and gardens.

A delicious lunch uncovering the gourmet treasures of the area is included. We will customize your afternoon to your requests, which could include: free time for shopping; a drive along the coast of the Riviera featuring iconic Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes; a visit to Grasse – the perfume capital of Provence; or perhaps additional wine touring.

Return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon, and evening on your own with suggested local eateries.

Overnight Chateau de la Chevre d’Or, Eze

Meals B, D

Au Revoir

Transfer to the Nice International Airport or train station, and continue your journeys with fond memories of your Provence wine, culinary and cultural discoveries.

Meals B

Chateaux & Estate Visits

Only top-quality wine chateaux and estates are visited in this program.

Chateau visits are scheduled by special arrangement, and some chateaux or estates may not be available on your dates. Once you book your program we will contact the estates to determine which are available.

If there are specific chateaux or estates you would like to visit, please let us know, and we will contact your preferences first when arranging visits and tastings.