Splendours of Italy & Southern France

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Perhaps it’s the sumptuous flavours that first draws us to France and Italy, or maybe the promise of famed ruins and drop-dead gorgeous scenery. Whatever it is you come to discover, you’ll find the perfect combination in southern France, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • We start in Florence, the city that gave birth to the Renaissance
    • Discover charming villages such as Monticchiello and Bagno Vignoni, hidden to mass-tourism by their location and tiny size
    • Stay for a couple of days in Siena, a Tuscan city of refinement and class
    • From our base in charming Santa Margherita, we make excursions to Portofino and the Cinque Terre

What's this trip about?

    Perhaps it’s the sumptuous flavours that first draws us to France and Italy, or maybe the promise of famed ruins and drop-dead gorgeous scenery. Whatever it is you come to discover, you’ll find the perfect combination in southern France, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityFlorence
End CityArles

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Attractions

  • Arles
  • Avignon
  • Cinque Terre
  • Florence
  • Forum
  • La Spezia
  • Paris
  • Rhône Valley
  • Siena
  • Tuscany

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Florence

Your trip begins in Florence, the cultural capital of Italy and the gem in Tuscany's crown. No activities are planned for today so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel, which is located centrally in town. There really is so much to...

Day 2 Florence - Arezzo - Montepulciano

Start the day with a walking tour of the heart of Florence, the birthplace of Renaissance. You will witness some outstanding works of art that have been preserved over the centuries. Stroll along the streets and enjoy the essence of Italian history and culture. You wi...

Day 3 Monticchiello - Montepulciano

After breakfast you will walk to the impressive Chiesa di San Biagio, a 16th-century church nestled at the edge of the village walls. It overlooks the winding valley below. Walk into the picturesque valley and through vineyards, olive groves, past pastel coloured vill...

Day 4 Pienza - Val d'Orcia - Siena

This morning you will be transferred to the beautiful village of Pienza for a walking tour. Be mesmerised by views from Pienza's city walls. You'll see classic Tuscan scenes – burnt orange villas, tightly wound hay bails, meandering country lanes and fields of barley....

Day 5 Siena

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Siena this morning. This is a fascinating chance to discover the best of this most celebrated medieval city. Its heart, in every sense, is the famed 'Piazza del Campo', a grand fan-shaped piazza built on the site of the old Roman forum. Bor...

Day 6 Monteriggioni - Colle Val d'Elsa - Volterra

After breakfast, journey towards ancient Volterra. On the way you will pay a visit to Monteriggioni, a totally walled medieval town. Its fortifications were ordered by the overlords of Siena to command the Cassia Road running through the Val d'Elsa and Val Staggia. Yo...

Day 7 Cinque Terre - Santa Margherita

Bid farewell to Tuscany as you enter the province of Liguria. From La Spezia you will take a local train to the village of Riomaggiore, the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore is a tiny collection of pastel houses clinging impossibly to cliff faces b...

Day 8 Portofino - Santa Margherita

After breakfast you will begin a scenic stroll to glamorous Portofino. En route, spend some time exploring the best of Santa Margherita, including its wonderfully coloured historic heart and the awe-inspiring harbour. Stroll through a pleasant agricultural landscape t...

Day 9 Camogli - San Fruttuoso - Santa Margherita

This morning a short train ride will take you to Camogli, one of the prettiest towns of Liguria. Upon arrival you will go for a scenic walk onto the western part of the Portofino Peninsula. A short climb brings you to the hamlet of San Rocco, where a scenic path then ...

Day 10 Menton

After breakfast, travel along the Italian Riviera by train, en route to France and the stunning French Riviera. Your journey will last approximately five hours – the views out the train windows are stunning as you wind your way along the cliff face and through a multi...

Day 11 Menton to Beaulieu-sur-Mer

After breakfast, take the scenic train along the coast to the town of Beaulieu sur Mer. Overlooking the Cap Ferrat peninsula, the town’s harbour is the very definition of postcard-perfect. Begin your walk along a pleasant coastal footpath around a peninsula speckled w...

Day 12 Menton - St Agnes - Gorbio

Today you’ll take a short scenic bus ride up into the foothills for the start of your walk. It will take you between the restful hamlets of St Agnès and Gorbio. St. Agnès, with its granite homes set like an eagle’s nest above the Riviera, sits a staggering 800 metres ...

Day 13 Nice - Aix-en-Provence

After breakfast, take a local bus from Menton to Nice (approximately 30 minutes) and enjoy a morning of sightseeing on a walking tour of Nice's old centre. Explore its maze of staircases and lanes, fine Baroque churches, bustling flower market and the famous Promenade...

Day 14 Lac Zola - Aix-en-Provence

Browse the stalls of Aix-en-Provence's impressive morning market, a wonderful introduction to the sights, smells and sounds of a typically bustling French produce market. Be sure to stock up on local specialties for today’s picnic lunch. With a relaxing ambiance, Aix-...

Day 15 Les Baux de Provence - Arles

Journey to the Alpilles Mountains (literally ‘Baby Alps’) after breakfast (approximately 1 hour). This is a small range of abrupt limestone crags carpeted with sparse pine, aromatic herbs and wild flowers. Perched above an otherwise flat Rhône Valley, the views are ja...

Day 16 Arles

Your trip will come to an end after breakfast in Arles. If you have time before departing, Arles has a good Saturday morning market with many local products that you might like to taste. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful markets in Provence. Arles is connected...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,200
Price per day$388
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.

At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.

We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (15 nights)

Transportation & Flights

Local bus,Private vehicle,Train,

Transportation & flights

Local bus,Private vehicle,Train
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a group trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Visa requirements
Visas are currently not required for Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian or UK/EU passport holders wishing to visit Italy and France as a tourist. Some EU nationals may travel in Europe using only an identity card, however it is your responsibility to check with the relevant authorities if this applies to you.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Le Calendal Hotel
  • 5 rue Porte de Laure, 13200
  • Arles
  • FRANCE
Trip ID
peregrine-PEIF

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