OVERVIEW

Venture into the Provençal countryside with a truffle hunter and a truffle-hunting dog for a demonstration of how to find these coveted fungi, after which you will sample them with several local wines. Your adventure will take place near Rognes, a village known its wine, quarried stone and the cultivation of black truffles. These delectable fungi delicacies, sometimes called Provençal black diamonds, grow underground near the roots of specific host trees. Their locations are closely guarded, as the truffles are highly prized for their pleasant aroma and earthy flavor. Accompanied by a truffle hunter and a specially trained truffle-hunting dog, you will head into the vines in search of black truffles. Once the dog sniffs out a truffle, the hunter will show you how to extract it from the soil without damage. It is a slow, methodical process that reflects the value of these black fungi. After truffle-hunting, you will enjoy a tasting of truffles paired with local wines.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hunt for black truffles in the Provençal countryside with a guide and truffle-hunting dog.
• See how to methodically extract the truffles from beneath the soil without damaging them.
• Enjoy a sampling of black truffles thoughtfully paired with local wines.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain an insider’s understanding of the challenges in building two avant-garde landmarks by touring them with a guide. Perched along the waterfront, La Cosquer Mediterranée was designed to embody Marseille’s deep bond with the sea. Instantly recognized for its prominent cantilevered overhang, this three-level public space also features a conference center with portholes beneath the sea. As you will discover, that lower floor presented all sorts of unusual circumstances that pushed the boundaries of architecture. The building faces MUCEM, a national museum devoted to Mediterranean civilizations. Its audacious design includes elements such as tree-like columns, a lacy façade that resembles a fishnet and a slender footbridge that connects it to the towering ramparts of Fort St. Jean. The square-within-a-square shape of MUCEM is classical in one sense but radically different because of the building materials. The concrete filigree that shields much of the structure is particularly stunning.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour two futuristic landmarks with your guide that will describe the designs.
• Discover how the challenges of building an underwater conference center were overcome.
• Recognize how a national museum used revolutionary materials to achieve its design.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Savor a selection of Provence wines paired with locally produced cheeses in Aix-en-Provence, a medieval town that begs to be explored. You will begin with a walk along the leafy Cours Mirabeau, a wide boulevard framed by cafés, bookshops and elegant mansions with wrought-iron balconies. The beloved plane trees that shade the boulevard are about 200 years old. You will likely see landmarks such as the Mousse Fountain, which is fed by a natural thermal spring where the Romans bathed. In time, you will stop at La Fromagerie du Passage, a shop that sells extraordinary cheeses and wines. During the tasting that follows, you will sample a selection of wines paired with a charcuterie of local meats and cheeses produced through traditional methods. Chances are, one of the wines will be a rosé, which is by far the dominant wine produced in Provence.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a wine tasting and charcuterie at a cheese shop in Aix-en-Provence.
• Learn about the wines produced in Provence, especially the most prevalent rosés.
• Meander along Cours Mirabeau, a leafy boulevard that runs through the heart of Aix-en-Provence.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Marseille, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Marseille, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Cathedral La Major
• Le Panier old quarter
• Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Viewpoint

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Marseille.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Visit the Le Panier old quarter in Marseille, the oldest city in France, and admire the city's sights from a viewpoint.
• Behold hilltop Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica and its belfry, the city’s dominant icon.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a wine tasting at Domaine La Dona Tigana, an esteemed winery in Cassis that former soccer star Jean Tigana has owned for the past few decades. As an introduction to the Bordeaux region, you will first explore Cassis on an enlightening walk. The town couldn’t be more enchanting, especially around the port, an area that has inspired countless artists over the years, including painters Raoul Dufy, Paul Signac and Georges Braque. The winery is equally alluring as you will discover while touring the cellar and vineyards, where certified organic white grapes are most prominent. You can expect to learn about the history of Domaine La Dona Tigana, the Cassis terroir and the particulars of the winemaking process. During the tasting, you may be offered a crisp Blanc de Blancs blend, a white varietal made entirely from Marsanne grapes and a charcuterie as an accompaniment.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the extraordinary Cassis winery that former soccer star Jean Tigana owns.
• Sample a selection of the estate’s premier wines served with a charcuterie of local products.
• Enjoy a walking tour through Cassis that focuses on the picturesque port area.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Browse Marseille’s delightful old quarter of Le Panier, observing daily life and indulging in regional tapas and wine. Upon arriving, you will first pause for photos of the emblematic Cathedral la Major, a monumental church of Byzantine design that can hold up to 3,000 worshippers. It was constructed in the 19th century and became the last cathedral built in France. While walking along the often steep narrow streets of Le Panier – the spot where the Greeks founded Marseille in 600 B.C. You will discover charming squares, colorful facades, and local artisan shops brimming with handcrafted treasures. At a popular restaurant in the quarter, you will savor a selection of tapas that will likely be served with locally sourced goat cheese, green and black tapenades and anchoïade, an anchovy-based sauce that originated in Provence. To enhance this culinary experience, you will enjoy a glass of wine. You will also have some free time to wander through the neighborhood's unique shops, perhaps finding the perfect souvenir to remember your time in Marseille. Soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant community, known for its rich artistic heritage and welcoming locals.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Le Panier, the wonderfully atmospheric old quarter of Marseille.
• Indulge in a selection of tapas made with locally sourced ingredients and a regional wine.
• Snap photos of Cathedral la Major, an incredibly ornate 19th-century landmark.
• Feel Marseille come alive through its artistry and uncovering handcrafted treasures.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the most photogenic destinations in the Luberon, an area in the heart of Provence known for its forested valleys, craggy limestone hills and medieval villages. While meandering along the narrow cobbled streets of Lourmarin you will surely be inspired, much like Winston Churchill, who painted there in his later years. Roussillon is even more colorful as much of the village is tinted with red, orange and yellow ochre pigments quarried nearby. Following the guided tour, during which you may see Roussillon’s historical yellow-hued St-Michel Church, you will enjoy free time to wander about and dine on your own. Lavender takes center stage in Coustellet. In early summer, the purplish flower blankets the surrounding hills and is so synonymous with the village that there is a Lavender Museum. While browsing the exhibits, you will learn how lavender is harvested and distilled to create essential oil for soaps and perfumes.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Visit three absolutely gorgeous medieval villages in the Luberon area of Provence.
• Wander about the cobbled streets of Lourmarin and the ochre-tinted village of Roussillon.
• Browse the Lavender Museum in Coustellet, where the flower is distilled for essential oil.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.