Off the Beaten Path in Southern France

Saint Paul de Vence is one of the oldest medieval villages on the French Riviera. It is considered to be one of the prettiest hilltop towns in Provence. Circling the town are ramparts that overlook gardens, orchards, and villas. You can also see the peaks of the Alps in the distance. This pedestrian-friendly village is replete with buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, vaulted passageways and ancient fountains. The town is a mecca for artists. Masters like Matisse, Picasso and Chagall have left behind numerous artworks here. The winding cobblestone streets lined with old stone cottages are studded with art studios, galleries and museums. There is also the Fondation Maeght. This is a museum of modern art set amid a landscaped sculpture garden. The hamlet also boasts a stellar dining scene with its many cafés and restaurants that will leave you spoilt for choice. You could also meet a sommelier, join culinary classes or experience the hospitality of a local family while here.

Experience the indulgent life of the rich and famous for an evening at the Principality of Monaco. Take a private tour of this centuries-old kingdom of the House of Grimaldi on a delightful excursion out of Nice. Accompanied by your local guide, visit Monaco’s romantic Old Town, and catch a glimpse of the royal palace of Prince Albert II. Drive over to the lovely Monaco Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, which is also popularly known as the Saint Nicholas Cathedral of Monaco. This is where most of the royal family lie buried, including Prince Rainier III and his Hollywood princess, the legendary Grace Kelly. What’s a visit to Monaco without a stop at the ritzy Monte Carlo Casino? Replete with scandals and stories from its glamorous heyday in the 19th and early 20th centuries, admire its old world architecture as well as that of other historical buildings, like the famous Hotel de Paris. Drive up to the equally fashionable Monte-Carlo Grand-Prix area and take a lap around its famed racing tracks. (Half Day; Time of Day: Evening; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Please note the Cathedral is closed in the evenings).

Cannes is a glamorous resort town on the French Riviera. It is renowned for its annual international film festival, which rolls out the red carpet for film stars and celebrities from across the globe. But there is more to Cannes than just the allure of the film festival. The town’s historic quarter has sloping narrow streets with flights of winding steps. Its alleyways are lined with bakeries and wine shops, fishmongers and florists. Buildings from the 19th-century have doors bearing the initials of its first owners, original ironwork and interesting sculptures. To relax, sunbathers can head to the sandy beaches, while avid golfers can tee off at an 18-holf golf course. For some retail therapy, there are haute-couture boutiques, jewelry shops and Provençal markets to explore. Wellness enthusiasts can visit day spas and try freshwater and seaweed body treatments. In the evenings, head to any of the three casinos in town. Cannes’ dining scene features Michelin-star restaurants, casual eateries and pavement cafés. They serve traditional French specialties like bouillabaisse (fish stew) and daube (beef stew).

Board a luxury catamaran and cruise the Bay of Cannes. Meet the crew and sip a welcome drink as you set sail on the Mediterranean Sea. Sailing toward Pointe Croisette, admire views of the French Riviera. Glide past coves and beaches until you anchor near Lerins Islands, a group of four islands. Relax on the deck, sunbathe or opt for a water activity. Go snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding and cool off with a swim in the crystal waters. This tranquil spot is set against a backdrop of pine trees and fragrant scrubland of myrtle, cistus and honeysuckle. Then, a cold buffet lunch is served. It comprises an assortment of rice and pasta salads, meat and cheese platters, desserts and soft drinks. After that, sail along the Massif de l’Esterel, a coastal mountain range with its red volcanic soil and rocks. Take in views of the rugged landscape with deep ravines and oak forests. Drop anchor at a cove and go swimming before returning to Cannes. (Duration: full day; Seasonal: May-Sept, closed Mon; Time: 1015 hrs; Shared activity; No transfers; Starting point: Cannes Old Port; Meals included: cold buffet lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance. Cards are not accepted and it is required for guests to carry cash.)

The graceful architecture and historical significance of Avignon has earned the centre of the city the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once part of the dukedom of Anjou, a vassal of the Pope, Avignon has had its share of colorful medieval history. The Avignon papacy sat not in the Roman Vatican, but in the French city of Avignon. The Catholic church’s power and influence of those ages is captured in the fort-like Palais des Papes. The other iconic feature of this charming city is the Rhône River that flows past it, with the old wooden bridge of Pont Saint-Bénézet or Pont d’Avignon spanning the river. In July, and the Festival d’Avignon, the annual summer arts festival, also attracts travelers to this lovely French city with its tree-lined squares and wooden bridges.

Paris, standing by the romantic River Seine, by any other name would have been just as enigmatic and iconic. The city conjures up visions of cafés, wide tree-lined avenues, riverside promenades and a proverbial night life set to a background score of lively accordions playing Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose. A city of lovers, artists and fashion alike, Paris has set the tune for avant garde movements down the centuries. The city has always been at the vanguard of social and creative revolutions for generations – whether in art, fashion, gastronomy and cinema or with passionate ideals of liberty and equality. The city is peppered with quintessential museums like the Louvre with their equally celebrated displays of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, Rodin’s Thinker or Monet’s Impression, Sunrise. Stroll down its streets or sit down with a coffee and croissants at a corner café. Watch artists sketching the iconic Arc de Triomphe, fashionistas walking down the avenue des Champs-Élysées, and lovers sailing down the Seine. Peopled by towering maestros like Pablo Picasso and Modigliani to Salvador Dali and Coco Chanel, this is in Voltaire’s words: ‘the best of all possible worlds’.

Explore Paris and enjoy a picnic on this classic car tour. Make your way to the city center, where you will meet your guide and your classic car – a Citroën 2CV. Introduced in 1948, it is considered a masterpiece of minimalist automotive engineering. Spend the next 90 minutes driving around the city. Then take a break to enjoy a picnic lunch of cold cuts, cheese, and wine. Then spend another 90 minutes discovering the rest of the city. The tour is usually divided into five areas: north, south, center, west and east. You can customize the itinerary to suit your interests. In the center, go past the Louvre Museum, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. In the west, drive along the Champs-Elysées. The east contains the Grand Mosque of Paris and the Botanical Gardens. In the north, you will see Moulin Rouge and Opera Garnier while in the south you can explore the city’s Latin Quarter. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 1000 hrs onwards; Private activity; No transfers; Meals: picnic lunch, Please let us know about any food allergies in advance; Each vehicle accommodates a maximum of 3 people; Meeting point: Paris city center)