Day 1:

Rail travel from Paris to Marseille, France's oldest city on the famous TGV, one of the fastest trains in the world. Transfer to Aix en Provence the elegant honey colored capital of Provence. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 2:

Spend the day exploring the delightful town and surrounding Provence countryside. Travel the "RouteCezanne," viewing the landscapes that inspired the artist "La Montagne Ste Victoire" as you travel through lavender fields and olive groves. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 3:

The following morning, drive to Arles, an ancient city boasting a wealth of Roman remains with the Roman amphitheater and baths. Visit the musee Reattu and the espace Van Gogh which displays Van Gogh's artwork and the work of the others artists. Next travel northeast where you will view the scenic countryside which so inspired Van Gogh's work. Continue to "les Beaux de Provence" and St-Remy to view the "St-Paul de Mausole" monastery, where Van Gogh sough asylum in May 1890 not long after he had cut off his ear. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4:

Excursion to Aviqnon, the former Papal Center, where you will see the famous bridge that inspired the children's song "sur le pont dAvignon." You'll also enjoy a wine tasting at a wineyard on the "route des vins'. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5:

Full day excursion to the Camargue, a vast marshland area that is a treasure trove of exotic wildlife and landscapes, immortalized by paintings from Van Gogh and Cezanne. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6:

Journey to the lively seaside town of Cannes, home of the "Festival international du Cinema", and to Antibes where Picasso spent six exuberantly happy and creative months in 1920s. Continue on to Nice. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 7:

Full day visit of Nice, capital of the "cote d'Azur", a magnet to great creative talents at the turn of century which evolved from tiny fishing villages to an international city.

Day 8:

Return flights home, or begin optional extension.