Garden Treasures Along the Riviera and Provence

May 11-20, 2009
sponsored by Federated Garden Clubs of CT




This seven night spring garden tour includes: round-trip airfare, breakfast daily, 3 dinners, 4 lunches, private and public garden tours and transportation, 7 nights accommodations and  an English speaking tour guide.      
 
REGISTER BY DECEMBER 31 AND RECEIVE A $150.00  DISCOUNT PER PERSON.    
 



Travel along the sunny Riviera and through the renowned landscape of Provence on our annual spring tour.   The tour showcases a stunning array of gardens, both private and public, from Italianate to English style, all blessed by a temperate climate and abundant sunshine. An English speaking guide enriches the tour experience. The hotels have ideal locations on the Mediterranean and in the heart of Aix en Provence.  






1.  Monday, May 11     Depart
Our coach picks up in Hartford, New Haven and Norwalk enroute to JFK.  Our Delta Airlines non-stop  flight to Nice departs at 5:35pm. Dinner is served on board.  



2.  Tuesday, May 12     Menton
We arrive at 8:20am  and begin our holiday with a visit to the rose-colored Renaissance style Villa  Ephrussi Rothschild, overlooking the Mediterranean.  The tranquil location and setting is an relaxing way to begin the program. We stroll the seven themed gardens, a haven of peace and beauty. After lunch at the Villa we continue to  Menton and  check into the Princess Hotel, facing the sea. Due to its temperate climate Menton is known for its beautiful gardens. Picturesque restored  old buildings stretch up the hillsides.  We plan a welcome dinner in Menton.



3.  Wednesday, May 13     Menton
We visit a private garden created  by three generations of  a family who,  over time , transported  an English Arts and Crafts garden to the Riviera. The current owner collects tropical species, particularly bulb plants from South Africa. We explore  Serre de la Madone Garden, created at the beginning of the 20th century by Lawrence Jonston, who also created the English Hidcote Manor Gardens. It is a haven of greenery, peace and beauty clinging to the flanks of the hillside.  We travel a short distance across the Italian border for lunch and a tour of Hanbury Botanic Garden, begun in 1867 by Sir Thomas Hanbury, when he  wintered on the Côte d'Azur. There is a Japanese Garden, a Garden of Perfumes and a fine collection of roses.



4.  Thursday, May 14     Nice/Grasse
Today we visit a family farm to discover how flowers have given Grasse, the World Perfume Capital, its aristocratic title. Here roses and jasmine are cultivated for use by the most well known names in the perfume industry. We are invited to explore a beautifully restored private garden nearby.   We complete the day in the medieval village of Eze at “a garden in the sky” .  Perched above  the sea,  the Jardin d'Eze  offers one of the world's most beautiful panoramas overlooking the French Riviera.



5.  Friday, May 15     Monte Carlo
We have a morning at leisure in  Menton. You may chose to relax by the sea,  tour the medieval old town, or shop for a Provencal specialty.  In the afternoon we drive to Monte Carlo and visit a “magic garden” containing several thousand “succulent” plant varieties, daringly landscaped on the rock-face.  We see the Princess Grace Rose Garden  boasting  3,500 rose bushes of over 150 varieties.  We see the charming streets of the Old Town, the Palace and the famed Casino. We plan dinner in Monte Carlo.



6.  Saturday, May 16     Menton/Aix
We’re off to Provence  to experience the glorious landscape immortalized by artists through centuries. We stay in Aix-en Provence, one of France's most elegant cities, at the Hotel Roi Rene, in the heart of town. After lunch we explore the narrow streets, leafy squares, and elegant architecture of this historic city.  



7.  Sunday, May 17     Avignon
We enjoy a day in medieval Avignon which is tucked behind colossal stone ramparts, and stands over the River Rhône among  neat olive groves and gnarled grape vines. We tour the impressive  Palais des Papes and take a walking tour through the historic walled city.  We  visit nearby Abbey St Andre, now  privately owned, to see terraced gardens, with wonderful views over Avignon. Italian style gardens surround the 17th century building.



8.  Monday, May 18     Aix
We visit the spectacular hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, and the intriguing Jardin de l'Alchimiste, a modern alchemy and botanical garden of magical plants created by two of France's most original designers. It is a piece of art presenting a journey among flowers, plants, trees, colors and atmospheres.  We have a farewell dinner in Aix en Provence.



9.  Tuesday, May 18     Return to CT
We bid farewell to Provence and return to Nice for our non-stop Delta flight to JFK , departing at 10:50am. We arrive JFK at  1:50pm where our coach stops at Greenwich, New Haven and Hartford.





This engaging experience includes:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • Breakfast daily, 3 dinners, 4 lunches
  • Hartford, New Haven & Greenwich coach
  • Tours and transfers as per itinerary
  • 7 nights accommodations
  • English speaking tour guide
PROGRAM PRICES  
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $3500  
Single Supplement: $600  
(cost based on minimum 20 persons)