French Riviera walk
European Gardens and Chelsea Flower Show Tour
18-day tour of Gardens of Italy and France show cases the very best of these popular regions. We visit the highlights in Venice, Verona, Tuscany, Lucca, Cinque Terre, French Riviera plus much more. Check out the itinerary for all the fantastic inclusions.
Unlike many other tours there are no hidden extras with The Tour Company – if it’s in the itinerary we visit it – there’s a big difference between itineraries that state “see” and our itinerary where you actually “visit” attractions, making our tours very competitively priced. Our tour itinerary has also been refined to eliminate many of the tiring aspects of travel – NO moving on every morning to a new hotel and we minimise long coach travelling, wherever possible. Click here to find out more about exqusite gardens in Italy.
Includes
- 17 nights hotel accommodation,
- All breakfasts,
- Special welcome and farewell dinners,
- Tour host,
- Transfers,
- Entrance fees to all gardens and events as per the final itinerary.
Dates
Available in June – $8,795. Single supplement $2,539
Itinerary
18 DAY ITINERARY Tour commences Venice in June and concludes in Bordeaux.
This tour dove-tails perfectly with a fabulous 8 day Adriatic, Greek Isles and Mediterranean cruise onboard MSC Orchestra or similaVisit Brantes Castle, a contemporary garden with a Tuscan influence and tour Saint Andre Abbey and gardens. There is free time to explore Avignon, perhaps tour the Papal Palace. Br, Venice return to Venice – to Bari, Santorini, Chania, Corfu, and Dubrovnik (cruise commences Venice 22 May ).
Day 1. Venice
Arrive in Venice, check-in, explore or relax. Meet your tour host at the hotel tonight for our included Welcome dinner. Accommodation 1 night le Lagon Hotel or similar, Venice. D
Day 2. Padua, Verona
Depart Venice this morning to visit the World Heritage Botanic Gardens at Padua then on to the city of Verona famous for Juliet’s balcony and the beautiful piazzas. Accommodation 2 nights Hotel due Torrior or similar, Verona area. B
Day 3. Verona Garden
This morning we visit Giardini Giusti – one of Europe’s most beautiful Renaissance gardens. This afternoon is free to explore Verona at leisure. B
Day 4. Villa Gamberaia
Depart Verona for beautiful and historic Villa Gamberaia, located in the hills of Florence before we head down into Florence itself. After our orientation tour of the historic centre of Florence, there’s free time in explore further or perhaps visit the Boboli Gardens before arriving at your hotel overlooking the Tuscan countryside. Accommodation 2 nights Villa Olmi or similar, Florence area. B, D
Day 5. Tuscany
This morning we visit Venzano garden. Afterward, we visit the World Heritage-listed village San Gimignano famous for its medieval towers and gelato. B
Day 6. Villa Torrigiani, Lucca
Today we visit Villa Torrigiani garden, a fine example of an Italian garden converted to English style in the 19th century. Later we continue to Lucca and visit the botanic Garden followed by free time in the beautiful village to explore at leisure. Accommodation 2 nights Hotel Metropole Santa Margherita Ligure area, or similar. B
Day 7. Cinque Terre
Enjoy a full day to explore the best of the beautiful Cinque Terre towns set in the most spectacular of locations along the Mediterranean Sea. B
Day 8. Serre de La Madone, Menton, French Riviera
Travel along the French Riviera to the town of Menton, where Lawrence Johnson created Serre de la Madone. Continue to Cannes, in the heart of the French Riviera. Accommodation 3 nights Pullman Cannes Mandelieu or similar, Cannes. B
Day 9. Villa Ephrussi
Today we visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, once home to Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild. Later then visit the acclaimed Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. B
Day 10. La Louve Garden, Grasse Perfumery
Explore La Louve Garden, a private French contemporary garden then visit Villa Noailles in Grasse and tour a perfumery to learn some of the skills of making French perfumes. B
Day 11. Avignon, Provence
Depart for Avignon. On arrival we have an orientation tour including the famous bridge. Accommodation 2 nights: Grand Hotel, or similar Avignon. B,D
Day 12. Provence gardens
Visit Brantes Castle, a contemporary garden with a Tuscan influence and tour Saint Andre Abbey and gardens. There is free time to explore Avignon, perhaps tour the Papal Palace. B
Day 13. Carcassonne and Canal du Midi dinner cruise
Depart Avignon for Carcassonne, a medieval style town famous for its walled fortifications. This evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the famous Canal du Midi. Accommodation Hotel de la Cite, or similar, Carcassonne. B, D
Day 14. Toulouse, Cahors, Rocamadour
We depart Carcassonne for toulouse and on to the medieval pilgrimage village cut into an alcove in the limestone cliffs at World Heritage Site – Rocamadour. Accommodation 2 nights Rocamadour. B
Day 15. Rocamadour
Free day to explore and enjoy Rocamadour. B
Day 16. Sarlat Markets, Lascaux Caves, Bergerac
Departing Rocamadour we travel to the market town of Sarlat in the Dordogne and the Lascaux Caveman caves, then on to the picturesque and historic village of Bergerac on the northern bank of the Dordogne River and to Bordeaux. Accommodation 3 nights Best Western, or similar, Bordeaux. B
Day 17. Bergerac, Sardy Garden, Saint-Émilion
We visit Les Jardins de Sardy, one of the best private gardens in the Dordogne area with Italian styling but with an English slant. This afternoon travel to World Heritage-listed Saint-Émilion. Explore its remarkable network of cellars and tunnels which have been used in the making of wines since the 19th century. After a tour, enjoy a glass of bubbles and a selection of Saint-Émilion’s macarons. Tonight enjoy our Farewell Dinner. B, D
Day 18. Bordeaux
The tour concludes after breakfast this morning, or stay on to visit the Bordeaux Botanical Gardens, recognised as progressive projects of landscape architecture. B
THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Available dates:
Commences June
Pricing:
