Exclusive Provence: Private Residences, Gardens & Gallo-Roman Discoveries
April 25 – May 1, 2010
Arranged by Pamela Huntington Darling, Exclusive Cultural Travel Programs
This exclusive tour, designed for enthusiasts of Provence and its celebrated French Art of Living, offers private visits and receptions with their hosts at remarkable 17th and 18th century chateaux, residences and gardens, most inaccessible to the public, as well as private, expert-guided visits to outstanding Gallo-Roman sites, an inspiration to Classical Architecture, many recently and admirably restored.
We will travel through beautiful Provence and be welcomed by the proprietors of outstanding private residences and chateaux, several owned by members of the French nobility, some of which were built on Gallo-Roman sites, most inaccessible to the public. These residences feature unique architecture, décor, and noteworthy collections of art. We will visit some of the most impressive private gardens in Europe, cited by the French government as “Jardins Remarquables.”
We will discover with experts the major Gallo-Roman sites of the world and their latest revelations, some listed UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites, many recently and splendidly restored. Perhaps in no other colony of the Roman Empire did the Roman civilization achieve such astounding results as in Provence, priding major, remarkably preserved monuments of the Roman world. During the last 20 years, these Gallo-Roman sites have been extensively researched by experts.
To date, little or nothing has been published for the layman of the last 20 years of research. However, thanks to the experts who will guide us on our visits, we will gain first-hand knowledge of the latest discoveries and a more accurate understanding of Gallo-Roman civilization, the use of their monuments, their building techniques, and their meaning. Among our significant visits, we will view the unique Roman treasures discovered in 2007 in the Rhone River during archaeological excavations carried out by the French government, now on exhibit in Arles.
We will stay at the Château des Alpilles in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a 19th century former private residence set in a vast park, and at La Mirande in Avignon, housed in an 18th century private mansion next to the Palace of the Popes. Both 4-star luxury hotels offer refined detail and décor, spacious rooms and excellent service.
NEW! Reduced Tour Price: $6,750 $6,000 per person based on double occupancy; $750 $600 single supplement applies, based on an exchange rate of $1.50 $1.38/1 Euro, and a minimum of 12 participants (maximum 15 participants), plus a tax-deductible $300 donation to ICA&CA.
Rate includes: 6 days of private visits; 6 nights of accommodation in 4-star luxury hotels; all breakfasts; 5 luncheons and 5 dinners; costs involved in the program, including transport to and from events during tour, all private visits, expert guides, etc. For more information and to reserve, please email or call Pamela Huntington Darling at your earliest convenience. E-mail: pdarling@eventsofprestige.com. Tel: Paris: 011 33 1 45 67 62 81.
Tour highlights by clicking here.