Jeff Sainsbury Tours

The irresistible south of France has long attracted the rich and famous, as well as inspiring many of the great modern painters. It is not hard to see why, blessed as the region is with spectacular scenery, picturesque hilltop villages, evocative historical monuments, and a warm Mediterranean climate. The region also boasts an abundance of fine gardens, many of which have been created by designers and expatriates since the 19th century, when this magical part of France first became a popular wintering spot. Based in the dreamy old towns of St Remy-de-Provence and St Paul de Vence and the exciting Mediterranean city of Nice, we will visit an array of wonderful private gardens which seldom feature on garden tours and at which we'll be the exclusive guests of the owners. Renowned gardens, such the Rothschild's Villa Ephrussi, Chateau Val Joanis, and Lawrence Johnston's Serre de la Madone, also feature. Other highlights include the charming hilltop villages of Bonnieux and Les Baux, free time in some of Provence's best markets, and a visit to the world class Maeght Foundation modern art museum. Throughout the tour we will stay in comfortable, well-located hotels and sample some of Provence's renowned wine and gourmet food.

Land Tour Price:
9 Nights -- $4495.00
Single supplement: $825.00
Meals included: all Breakfasts (B), 3 Lunches (L), 1 Teas (T), 3 Dinners (D).
Limited to: 18 members

Tour Manager: Jeff Sainsbury

ITINERARY

April 20 (Monday) -- Depart
Board the plane for the overnight flight to Marseille.

April 21 (Tuesday) -- St Remy de Provence
On arrival at Marseille Airport we transfer to St Remy-de-Provence in the magical Alpilles Hills. After checking in to our well-located hotel, there will be time to relax or to explore the narrow streets in the lovely old town immortalized by Vincent van Gogh. We meet later for a welcome dinner at a restaurant nearby. (D)

April 22 (Wednesday) -- Alpilles Hills: a Private Garden, Les Baux, and Jardin de l'Alchimiste
This morning we enjoy St Remy's colorful weekly market in the squares close to the hotel. We then visit a wonderful private garden, which the owner has divided into nine beautifully designed areas, including, flower borders and tasteful formal terraces. We also spend time in the spectacular hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, before visiting the intriguing Jardin de l'Alchimiste, a modern alchemy and botanical garden of magical plants created by two of France's most original designers. Return to St Remy. (B)

April 23 (Thursday) -- Private Garden, Avignon, and Abbey St Andre
Following breakfast, we travel to a charming private garden with a distinct Italian feel. We then enjoy free time in Avignon, a lovely city with a well-preserved historic center enclosed by medieval walls. We cap the day with a visit to nearby Abbey St Andre, where the delightful Madame Bacou will show us around her magnificent home and terraced gardens, with wonderful views over Avignon. Return to St Remy. (B)

April 24 (Friday) -- Luberon Hills: Chateau Val Joanis, Bonnieux, and a Private Garden
This morning we head into the scenic Luberon Hills, stopping first at Chateau Val Joanis to explore its beautifully laid out terraced gardens, with an ornamental potager and roses. We sample some of the estate's fine wines and enjoy lunch on the estate, then visit a renowned private garden in Bonnieux, a lovely Provence village perché. The garden's neat, beautifully clipped shrubs and trees lend an Italian and Japanese feel. Return to St Remy. (B,L)

April 25 (Saturday) -- Aix-en-Provence, Parc St. Bernard, and Edith Wharton's Castel Sainte-Claire
Leaving St Remy, we travel to Aix-en Provence, one of France's most elegant cities, where we spend time at Aix's famous Saturday market. Later we travel to Hyères to see two early 20th century gardens: Parc St. Bernard, the famous Cubist garden laid out in the 1920s by the American garden designer Gabriel Guevrekian; and Castel Sainte-Claire, where the American novelist Edith Wharton lived and developed a garden of sub tropical plants. We continue to our hotel near the beautiful hilltop town of St Paul de Vence. (B,D)

April 26 (Sunday) -- Two Private Gardens and Grasse
After a leisurely start, we visit two outstanding private gardens in the hills around Grasse, the first a refined garden with many rare plants, scented shrubs, and fine vistas; the second a superbly executed modern garden created by one of the region's leading designers. private garden on the Cote d'Azur, with parterres, pools, and a wisteria-covered pergola. We then travel to Grasse for a gourmet lunch at one of the region's best restaurants. Return to St Paul de Vence. (B,L)

April 27 (Monday) -- Maeght Foundation, Gourdon, and a Private Garden
We start the day with a visit to the famous Maeght Foundation, home to a world class collection of modern art in beautifully landscaped surroundings. Later we drive into the mountains to the wonderfully situated village of Gourdon for lunch and a visit to the formal terraced gardens at Chateau de Gourdon, said to have been laid out by Andre Le Notre. Following lunch, we travel to a private garden where the delightful owner will show us around her informally planted terraces and serve us tea by the pool. We continue to the exciting city of Nice, the capital of the Cote d'Azur, and check in to our hotel, close to the old city and the daily flower market. (B,L,T)

April 28 (Tuesday) -- Monaco's Jardin Exotique , Serre de la Madone, and Villa Boccanegra
Today we drive along the famed Riviera coast to the Principality of Monaco. We visit the impressive Jardin Exotique cactus garden, dramatically set on a rocky cliff overlooking the royal palace, then continue to Menton close to the Italian border to visit Serre de la Madone, the 1920s Riviera garden of Lawrence Johnson, the American who also created Hidcote, one of England's finest gardens. Now being restored after a period of neglect, Serre de la Madone is a fascinating and enchanting garden. We then cross into Italy to the gardens at Villa Boccanegra, in part laid out in 1905 by British horticulturist Ellen Willmott. Return to Nice. (B)

April 29 (Wednesday) -- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Free Time in Nice
There will be time to enjoy Nice's colorful flower market before we make the short journey to St Jean Cap Ferrat to see the house and elaborate themed gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, overlooking the Mediterranean. We return to Nice for free time for personal sightseeing or shopping, gathering later in the evening for our farewell dinner. (B,D)

April 30 (Thursday) -- Depart
We make the short drive to Nice Airport for the flight home. (B)

Included in the tour price:
-- 9 nights accommodation in comfortable hotels with private bathroom
-- tour coach throughout with P.A. system and air-conditioning
-- entry to all gardens and sites as per the itinerary
-- all breakfasts and other meals as indicated in the tour itinerary
-- services of tour manager, usually Jeff Sainsbury, from Marseilles airport until departure of return flight
-- tips for hotel porters, bellmen, doormen, waiters at tour meals, and sightseeing guides
-- arrival and departure transfers (certain restrictions apply; please ask for details)

Not included in the tour price:
-- airfare and airport taxes
-- excess baggage charges
-- personal expenditure such as room service, telephone calls, drinks, and optional activities
-- meals other than those specified in the itinerary
-- tour manager and driver gratuities
-- travel insurance
-- any other items not specifically included