Immerse yourself in beauty as you spend the first few days of your tour in the magnificent city of Paris. Enjoy a number of shared tours taking in the main sites and relax with time at leisure to do as you please before making your way by train to Lyon, the gastronomical capital of France and a gem of a city that is often (unfairly) overlooked. Enjoy a private walking tour of the historical centre with its cobblestoned streets - a UNESCO world heritage site. From the cosmopolitan cities of Paris and Lyon, make your way to Avignon in the heart of Provence, where you can enjoy visiting the Pope's Palace (also a UNESCO site), and a serene cruise along the Rhone river at leisure. Then take in the sites and smells on your shared tour to picturesque Provencal villages. Onwards to Nice, where you can take things at your own pace on the independant sightseeing bus through the city, taking in the main sites. Enjoy a full day shared tour to many of the great places along the Riviera such as Cannes, Antibes and Monte Carlo. With airport pick up, train connections between cities, shared sightseeing tours and time at leisure as well as comfortable hotels and 24/7 support, this is trip not to be missed.

Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. After visiting the city you will no doubt find it hard to disagree. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The city's most prized museum is the Louvre, though there are dozens of other important ones.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

You will receive a welcome package with your vouchers, and itinerary, city map(s) and train tickets (where relevant) upon your hotel arrival.

Enjoy a half day (3.5hrs) shared panoramic tour of Paris with an English speaking driver-guide. On the tour you will discover the monuments which have made Paris famous throughout the world: Concorde Square - Louvre Museum, Seine river and its bridges, French Academy, Cité Island with the Palace of Justice and Notre-Dame Cathedral (stop and free time) - Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), the Latin Quarter with the Sorbonne and the Pantheon - Arch of Triumph - Champs-Elysées Avenue - Eiffel Tower (photo-stop) - Invalides with the dome of Napoleon’s Tomb, Opera House -. Walking tour on your own in Montmartre, near Sacré-Coeur Basilica and the artists’ square. (Includes hotel pick up and drop off).

Belloy St Germain (3*) located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, a few steps from Saint Germain-des-Prés and the Sorbonne University, near the Luxembourg Gardens and Notre Dame Cathedral. This hotel’s central location allows guests to explore the nearby areas such as the lively Saint-Michel and Odeon. The hotel offers 50 rooms with cable TV and in-room coffee makers. The rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, satellite channels, tea and coffee making facilities and a private bathroom. Rooms are accessible by a lift. The hotel also offers a reading room with musical ambiance, on-site ticket purchase to local events, the free daily newspaper and babysitting services.

Overnight at Belloy St Germain (3*).

Enjoy a morning shared coach tour with an English speaking Guide which emphasizes the history of the capital starting from the Roman period until today. Paris was born 2000 years ago and began at the Cite Island (Ile de la Cite). First you will admire the geometric design of Vendome Square and the fantasy of the old Opera House. Then, it is on to the Marais district, with its private town houses of nobility dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. With a short transfer by boat to Cite Island, you will have a guided visit of the interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral. You will then cross the Latin Quarter with its old university (the Sorbonne), the Luxembourg Gardens and Saint Germain des Pres with its Romanesque Church and its famous cafes. You will then return to rue des Pyramides, near the Louvre Museum. (Includes transportation by coach, mini-cruise on the river Seine, entrance and guided visit of Notre Dame Cathedral, the services of a guide throughout the tour).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Belloy St Germain (3*).

Enjoy the many wonders of Paris. Consider taking a stroll down one of the many quays by the river Seine, or wandering around any of the fascinating neighbourhoods such as Montematre, the Marais or the Left bank. Of course there are a plethora of museums and galleries to choose from if you are so inclined. Consider getting a 2 Day Paris Pass that includes a Paris Transport Travel card for 2 days (zone 1-3) to see all of the sites that are of personal interest to you. The Paris Pass is a smartcard offering free access to 65 attractions in Paris such as the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Orsay museum, Musee Rodin, commented cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and Pompidou museum. With this pass, you have access to 22 museums, 24 historical monuments, 15 art galleries, 3 tourist attractions, 1 cruise and special offers in shops and restaurants. Please contact your Advisor if you would like more details.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Belloy St Germain (3*).

Lyon is one of the most beautiful Renaissance towns of Europe, immaculately preserved houses and shops line quaint cobbled streets retaining much of the atmosphere of centuries past. It's here that you can enjoy the city's famous cuisine in the lively bouchons (traditional inns) The city has a myriad of attractions apart from those related to food, not least its fabulous wealth of architecture and historical buildings. There are still Roman ruins from the ancient settlement, including a theatre on Fourvière Hill where performances are still regularly held. Lyon was at the forefront of the silk industry in the early-19th century. The weavers' houses can still be visited in the Croix Rousse district of the city, evoking a still palpable sense of the thriving industry that was once native to this area.

Take a private train station transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Relax and enjoy the two hour train ride from Paris to Lyon on the high-speed TGV.

Train station transfer in Lyon with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Hotel Mercure Wilson Lyon (3*) hotel is a short distance from the banks of the Rhone, between Place Bellecour and the Part Dieu business district. The hotel boasts entirely renovated rooms with the latest in modern decor featuring broadband WiFi Internet, LCD TV, minibar, safe, feather bed and airconditioning. Private parking facilities are available onsite.

Overnight at Hotel Mercure Wilson Lyon (3*).

Enjoy a three hour private guided walking tour through the historical centre of Lyon with an English speaking Guide. If you would like to add the service of a car and driver, please contact your Sales Advisor.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Mercure Wilson Lyon (3*).

Avignon city is well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to early 15th centuries. The palace is an impressive monument and sits within a square of the same name. Nearby, Notre Dame des Doms cathedral is a Romanesque building, mainly built during the 12th century.

Train station transfer in Lyon with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Relax and enjoy the scenery on the way to Avignon.

Enjoy a train station transfer in Avignon with a private vehicle with French speaking Driver.

Explore the highlights of Avignon at leisure on an unescorted tour of the UNESCO world heritage sites of the 12th century Pont d'Avignon (with audio guide), and the 14th century Pope's Palace (with audio guide) before an hour long cruise and dinner. The Pont d'Avignon was the first construction over the Rhone river, between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea in the 12th century. The bridge collapsed in the 17th century and the king never wanted to pay for restoring it. To this day, it stands as an unfinished structure. The Popes' Palace stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century and is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe. Then take a boat trip on the Rhone river, sailing upstream along the Rocher des Doms and the Pont St Benezet and back downstream to Villeneuve. Finally, enjoy a 3 course dinner in a gastronomic restaurant (drinks not included).

The Bristol(3*) hotel is located on the Rue de la Republique, Avignon's main street and within the town's old ramparts. The lobby is of medium size and a spacious lounge and bar area lead off from the lobby. This storied property offers onsite parking, a boutique, and WiFi internet connection throughout.

Overnight at Bristol (3*).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Enjoy a half day (5hrs) shared excursion to some of the main sites of the area; the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct, Les Baux de Provence and the site of the triumphal arches of Antiques, just outside of Saint Remy de Provence. Dating from the 1st century and classified by UNESCO, the Pont du Gard is the most well conserved part of the Roman aqueduct of Nimes. From here, continue on to Les Baux de Provence, a historical village located upon a rock 245 metres high. Wander around the village at leisure checking out the museum of santons (typical dolls made in this area), the hotel des Porcelets - a beautiful 16th century house and the romanesque building of St Vincent's church. The last stop on your tour is just outside the bussling market town of Saint Remy de Provence where you get to stop at the Antiques - a triumphal arch and funeral monument located in a field of olive trees which VanGogh used as his backdrop for many of his paintings (he lived here for a number of years). (Includes a tour by minibus with an English speaking Driver/Guide).

Overnight at Bristol (3*).

Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a glittering jewel of the Côte d'Azur. It is a city built on wealth and prestige, and not a little pretension. Head away from the Promenade and you'll find a different, more thoughtful Nice. History shows itself in the Roman and Grecian ruins in the Parc du Château, art manifests itself in the form of the outstanding Chagall and Matisse collections, and the old town simply oozes Mediterranean charm.

Enjoy a train station transfer in Avignon with a private vehicle with French speaking Driver.

Take the high speed TGV from Avignon to Nice. Enjoy the scenery of the Provence countryside during the 3-4hr journey.

Train station transfer with private vehicle and English speaking Driver.

At just a hundred metres from La Promenade and near the Masséna square, the Massenet will welcome you in a warm and cosy atmosphere.

Our rooms are all unique, high in colors, dressed in elegant fabrics from Designers Guild.

You will appreciate the convenience of our private car park. Tranquility in the heart of Nice !

Overnight at Massenet (3*).

Enjoy a full day exploring the Cote d’Azur on a shared tour. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cannes before continuing on to Antibes. Founded by the Greeks in the 4th century, the town of Antibes has fortified walls and a fortress which date back to the 17th century.

Enjoy lunch at leisure in Nice.

In the afternoon, enjoy the stunning coastal views as the tour departs for Monaco passing by Villefranche / Cap Ferrat with its beautiful bay, considered the first port of Nice. Once in the principality of Monaco, enjoy a panoramic visit of the city with the Prince’s palace, the cathedral (which houses Princess Grace Kelly’s grave). From here, the tour continues on to the city of Monte Carlo – known for it’s formula one “circuit”. Enjoy some free time in the main square to see the highlights : the famous casino. A different route is taken on the return to Nice (the middle road) and a stop is made in the beautiful medieval village of Eze to visit at the perfume factory Fragonard. Enjoy some free time before the return journey to Nice.

Overnight at Massenet (3*).

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (A supplement for transfer between 8pm and 7am may be charged).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Nice airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.