DAY 1: Overnight Flight
Depart for Europe.

DAY 2: Avignon
Upon arrival at Nice airport, meet your Travel & Company Tour Manager. Transfer to Avignon in the heart of Provence, France's cultural icon tucked between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner after spending an afternoon getting to know this charming town. (D)

DAY 3: Avignon
Launch into the spirit of Provence with this morning's sightseeing of Avignon, which includes a guided visit of the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Pont St. Bénézet with your tour manager. Started in 1335, the Pope's Palace is Europe's largest Gothic palace and remains a testament to the church's influence at that time. Today, visitors are left impressed by Giovannetti's frescoes along with the pope's quarters. Cap off the afternoon with a vineyard tour and wine tasting in the Chateauneuf du Pape region, famous for producing wine since the 13th century. (B)

DAY 4: Avignon
This morning discover the secrets to delicious Provençal cuisine during a morning cooking class. Don an apron and work with French chefs in a 19th century kitchen to prepare a meal. When you're done, you can grade your work as you enjoy your lunch with wine selected by a sommelier. (B,L)

DAY 5: Avignon
While the Papal Palace dominates the skyline, Avignon is perfect for wandering on foot on this free day. The medieval streets may be narrow, but the walls will keep you oriented as you pop through the shops, cafes or perhaps the Musée Angladon to see a van Gogh. Seek out a local market, or un marché, for an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local culture. (B)

DAY 6: Avignon
Enjoy a free day, or explore three of the region's most famous villages: Saint Rémy, Les Baux and Aix, on an optional excursion. The first stop of the day is Saint Rémy-de-Provence, a favorite destination for historical figures as diverse as Nostradamus, van Gogh and Gertrude Stein. Next stop: magnificent Les Baux, where you can check out the working medieval-era catapault, castle ruins, and view from the rocky outcropping on which the village is perched. Finish your excursion strolling the wide mansion- and fountain-lined avenues of Aix-en-Provence. While in the countryside stop to see a doll-making demonstration, a local tradition. (B)

DAY 7: Avignon
Today is free, or you can participate in the optional excursion that features several regional highlights. The Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard in the first century delivered 44 million gallons of water daily and was used as a footbridge up to the 1700s. Today, the engineering marvel continues to span 300 yards and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another stop on today's excursion is Arles, which you may recognize from van Gogh's popular oil painting Cafe Terrace at Night. Arles was on the map long before 1888, as you'll see when visiting the Roman Arena which is still used today, often for bullfights, with a 13,000-seat capacity. Just south of Arles, where the Rhone River meets the Mediterranean, you'll find the Camargue, Europe's largest river delta. Known for its ancient horse breed and natural beauty, one of its oldest sections is the town of Aigues Mortes, which Louis IX of France used as a departure point for the Crusades. The city is considered France's most perfectly preserved walled town. (B)

DAY 8: Avignon
Soak up all Provence has to offer—food, wine, scenery, and relaxation—during your last full day in the south of France. At tonight's farewell dinner share your memories and start to plan your return visit—we're sure you'll want to! (B,D)

DAY 9: Departure
Depart for the USA. (B)