Personalized Tours in France, Spain and Portugal

Capture the essence of French heritage and culture: a delectable blend of art, ancient architecture, cuisine Provençale and wine...

In Giverny, home of the famous painter, Claude Monet, you can wander through the colorful gardens that inspired the artist and were instrumental in defining the new direction in fine art called Impressionism. In Paris, must-see visits to the Orsay Museum and l'Orangerie expand your appreciation of this movement and the many artists who belonged to it.

Walking on the Pont d'Avignon, with notes of the old nursery rhyme dancing in your head, is a very popular activity, but there is a lot more to do in and around this medieval walled city. The most notable, of course, is a tour of the Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes, a World Heritage Site). Seven popes actually lived there instead of in Rome during almost the entire 14th century. A short drive from there is the Pont du Gard, a three-level Roman aqueduct, one of the few examples of this type of architecture still standing in France today. As a World Heritage Site, it is another must-see and a fascinating reminder of ancient times.

On to pure relaxation and simple enjoyment of the countryside with a tour of tiny villages perched on rocky hillsides, local markets and visits to nearby wineries. Be sure to try the dry rosés of Tavel and Côtes du Mont Ventoux, as well as the full-bodied reds of Châteauneuf du Pape near Avignon.

Next is Arles (another World Heritage Site) with more Roman edifices: a coliseum and an amphitheater still used for various fiestas and lyric performances. Vincent Van Gogh spent a few years of his life in Arles. He was quite miserable there and ended up as a patient in the nearby St. Rémy asylum several times. But this is where he produced some of his most memorable art, and his memory lingers in the streets and around the cafes he frequented.

A cooking class demonstrating Cuisine Provençale can be on the program in Arles. Savoring aromas from the countryside wafting from your dinner plate while sipping a cool local wine is heaven for the nose and the taste buds!

Paul Cézanne, another grand master of French Impressionism, (Post-Impressionism, technically speaking) is waiting for you in his home town of Aix-en-Provence a few miles down the road. There, you can immerse yourself in the surroundings and scenery that were the inspiration for his amazing art. Houses, hills, valleys, quarries, the sea and many other places that he observed and committed to canvas are still there for you to absorb. Even his art studio has been kept intact since his death some 100 years ago. His easel, coats, hats and other objects are still there for the many visitors to see. What a thrill!

There are many more possibilities: Auvers-sur-Oise, Le Luberon, Les Baux de Provence, etc.

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Please tell us where and when you want to travel and we will create a custom tour that fits your specific interests, schedule and budget.

Your tailor-made package will include ground transportation, guided tours and hotel rooms.

The price of your program will depend on your needs (scheduled group tours, private guides...) and the number of participants in your group, the length of the trip, the category of hotels, the number of places visited, the time of year, etc.

We will do all the bookings and pay each individual provider on your behalf. In other words, you go and have fun and we'll take care of the details for you.

Orsay Museum, Paris

Giverny Gardens

Coliseum in Arles

Pont du Gard