Vines and Lavender: France's Luxe Latitude

• Day 1: Riviera Rendezvous - Embracing Mediterranean Glamour

Welcome to the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera, where your journey into luxury begins! As you step into the embrace of the Mediterranean, the glittering coastline beckons with promises of glamour and indulgence. Your first evening sets the tone for the adventure ahead as you dine waterside at Fontvieille marina, surrounded by sleek yachts and the gentle lapping of azure waters. Let the balmy sea breeze carry away your travel fatigue and prepare you for the wonders that await.

• Day 2: Nice Narratives - From Rothschild Opulence to Old Town Charm

Today, we embark on a journey through time and taste along the stunning Côte d'Azur. Our first stop is the breathtaking Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This pink-hued palace, a testament to Belle Époque extravagance, houses over 5,000 works of art, including treasures once owned by Marie Antoinette herself. As you wander through its nine themed gardens, each a masterpiece of landscape design, you'll feel as though you've stepped into a fairytale.

From palatial grandeur, we move to the vibrant heart of Nice. The winding alleyways of Vieux Nice (Old Nice) invite you to lose yourself in their charm. Let your senses guide you through the bustling Cours Saleya market, where the colors and aromas of fresh produce, flowers, and local delicacies create a symphony of Provençal life. Cap off your exploration with a glass of pastis at a sun-drenched café terrace, embracing the laid-back Niçois lifestyle.

• Day 3: St. Tropez Sojourn - Where Vintage Glamour Meets Modern Luxury

Prepare to be dazzled by the timeless allure of St. Tropez, a name synonymous with Riviera chic since Brigitte Bardot first set foot on its golden sands in the 1950s. Your Local Expert will guide you through a tapestry of experiences that define this legendary resort town. Wander through narrow lanes lined with pastel-hued houses, their shutters hiding the secrets of celebrity visitors past and present.

No visit to St. Tropez is complete without indulging in a Tarte Tropézienne, a cream-filled brioche that has become the town's culinary calling card. As you savor this sweet treat, gaze out over the harbor where mega-yachts bob gently in the Mediterranean breeze, a reminder of the jet-set glamour that still defines St. Tropez today.

• Day 4: Aix-en-Provence Artistry - In the Footsteps of Cézanne

Today we trade coastal glitz for inland refinement as we explore Aix-en-Provence, a town that seems to have stepped straight out of an Impressionist painting. Your Local Expert will lead you through a labyrinth of centuries-old streets, each turn revealing architectural gems and hidden squares where fountains tinkle in the Provençal sunshine.

Follow in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne along the plane tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, Aix's grand boulevard. Here, elegant 17th and 18th-century mansions stand as testament to the town's golden age. But Aix isn't just about the past - at Château La Coste, cutting-edge art installations by world-renowned artists like Tadao Ando and Louise Bourgeois dot the landscape of a working organic vineyard. As you sip wines produced on this very soil, you'll experience the perfect blend of Provence's artistic heritage and its contemporary vision.

• Day 5: Calanques Cruise - Nature's Masterpiece on the Mediterranean

Prepare for a day of natural wonders as we set sail to explore the Calanques National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These dramatic limestone cliffs plunge into waters so turquoise they seem almost unreal. As our boat navigates the fjord-like inlets, keep your eyes peeled for hidden beaches and secret caves, accessible only by sea.

The Calanques are a paradise for wildlife, home to 900 plant species and rare birds like Bonelli's eagle. As you cruise past towering cliffs and dip into secluded coves, you'll understand why this pristine stretch of coastline has inspired artists and adventurers for centuries.

• Day 6: Provençal Perfection - From Lourmarin to Luberon

Today, we dive deep into the heart of Provence, starting with the enchanting village of Lourmarin. Made famous by Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence," this quintessential Provençal village is a maze of narrow streets, its Renaissance château standing sentinel over sun-baked stone houses and fragrant lavender fields.

But the highlight of your day comes as you climb aboard a vintage Citroën 2CV, the iconic "deux chevaux" that epitomizes French automotive charm. As you putter through the Luberon Mountains, vineyards and olive groves stretch to the horizon, punctuated by hilltop villages that seem to float above the landscape. Your journey culminates at Domaine de la Citadelle winery, where you'll taste wines that capture the very essence of Provence in every sip.

• Day 7: Ancient Wonders - From Roman Aqueducts to Papal Palaces

Prepare to be awestruck by the Pont du Gard, a testament to Roman engineering genius that has spanned the Gardon River for two millennia. This UNESCO World Heritage site, with its three tiers of honey-colored stone arches, is not just a feat of construction but a work of art in its own right.

From Roman grandeur, we move to medieval magnificence in Avignon. The imposing walls of the Palais des Papes, the world's largest Gothic palace, transport you to the 14th century when Avignon was the seat of Western Christianity. Don't miss the chance to dance sur le pont d'Avignon - the famous bridge immortalized in song.

Our day concludes in Les Baux-de-Provence, a village perched dramatically atop a rocky outcrop. As the setting sun paints the limestone cliffs in shades of gold and rose, you'll understand why this has been voted one of the most beautiful villages in France.

• Day 8: Arles and Carcassonne - Where History Comes Alive

Step into the world that inspired Van Gogh's most famous works as we explore Arles. The golden light and vibrant colors that captivated the troubled artist still infuse this ancient city with a special magic. From the remarkably intact Roman amphitheater to the sun-dappled café terraces, Arles is a living museum of 2,000 years of history.

As we journey towards Carcassonne, we'll pass through the wild beauty of the Camargue, where white horses roam free and pink flamingos wade in shallow lagoons. Then, rising from the plains like a vision from a fairy tale, the medieval citadel of Carcassonne appears. With its 52 towers and double ring of ramparts, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest and best-preserved medieval fortress in Europe.

• Day 9: Carcassonne and Canal du Midi - Medieval Marvels and Waterway Wonders

This morning, delve deeper into the mysteries of Carcassonne. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets within its massive walls, each corner revealing a new chapter in its 2,500-year history. From Visigoth fortifications to Cathar intrigue, Carcassonne has seen it all.

In the afternoon, we shift gears to explore the bucolic beauty of the Languedoc region. Here, rolling vineyards give way to sun-drenched olive groves and fragrant herb gardens. Cap off your day with a leisurely cruise along the Canal du Midi, a marvel of 17th-century engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you glide past lock-keepers' cottages and ancient plane trees, you'll experience the gentle rhythm of life along this historic waterway.

• Day 10: Bordeaux and St. Émilion - Where Wine is King

Welcome to Bordeaux, the world's wine capital and a city so beautiful that Victor Hugo once described it as a mix of "Versailles and Antwerp." Your first stop is the medieval village of St. Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. Wander through centuries-old limestone streets, each turn revealing charming wine shops and hidden cellars.

The pinnacle of your St. Émilion experience comes at Château de Ferrand, a Grand Cru Classé estate. Here, amidst sun-dappled vines, you'll learn the secrets of Bordeaux winemaking before indulging in a tasting of some of the world's most sought-after wines.

• Day 11: Bordeaux Unveiled - Elegance on the Garonne

Today, Bordeaux is yours to discover. Let your Local Expert guide you through the largest urban World Heritage site, where 18th-century elegance meets 21st-century innovation. Marvel at the Place de la Bourse, its symmetry perfectly reflected in the mirror-like surface of the adjacent water feature.

For a different perspective, hop on a bike and pedal along the Garonne River. As you cruise past the futuristic La Cité du Vin wine museum and the historic Pont de Pierre, you'll understand why Bordeaux is often called the "Port of the Moon."

• Day 12: Paris Bound - From Vineyard to Eiffel Tower

Bid adieu to Bordeaux as you board the high-speed train to Paris. Watch the French countryside blur past your window, vineyards giving way to the iconic Parisian skyline. As you emerge into the bustling heart of the capital, the City of Light unfolds before you.

Begin your Parisian adventure with a stroll along the Seine, taking in iconic sights from Notre Dame to the Louvre. As evening falls, the Eiffel Tower beckons, its iron lacework illuminated against the twilight sky. This is Paris as you've always dreamed it.

• Day 13: Parisian Pleasures - From Montmartre to Michelin Stars

Your final full day in France is a celebration of Parisian life in all its glory. Choose to explore the artistic enclave of Montmartre, where Picasso and Modigliani once roamed, or delve into the royal intrigues and revolutionary fervor that shaped French history.

As the sun sets on your French adventure, ascend the Eiffel Tower for a farewell dinner you'll never forget. Dining high above the glittering city, with all of Paris spread out before you, you'll raise a glass to the memories made and the joie de vivre experienced throughout your journey.

• Day 14: Au Revoir, France - Memories to Last a Lifetime

As you savor your final Parisian breakfast, take a moment to reflect on the tapestry of experiences that have made up your French odyssey. From the sun-drenched beaches of the Riviera to the mist-shrouded vineyards of Bordeaux, from medieval fortresses to modernist marvels, you've traversed not just a country, but centuries of history, art, and culture.

As you bid farewell to France, know that you're not just leaving with souvenirs, but with a piece of the French art de vivre in your heart. Until next time, au revoir!