Essence of France

Explore more of the culinary scene of the “City of Light” with a gourmet dinner before spinning the wheels of time from the backseat of a retro car, cruising through the chic boulevards and peering up at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe from a vintage Citroën 2CV. An icon of the French motor industry, the idiosyncratic 2CV (short for Deux Chevaux, i.e. two horsepower) was in production from 1948 until 1990, and sets hearts a-flutter with its instantly recognizable design. Your personal driver will drive you down the Champs Elysees, past iconic bridges and grand plazas, and by sites such as the Opéra Garnier and the Ile de la Cité.

Whatever your image of Provence is – quaint villages, rolling fields, silvery olive groves – experience the best this region has to offer on a full day tour. Start your morning in the historic village of Saint-Rémy and immerse yourself in its bustling weekly market. Meander the cobbled streets of Les Baux-de-Provence, a picture perfect hilltop village. Before returning to Aix, experience one of the world’s most impressive multimedia presentations: the Carrières de Lumières. Making use of a former quarry, iconic works of art are projected onto the surrounding rock, accompanied by stirring music.

Enjoy an interesting visit to the incomparable Palace of Versailles. The palace and gardens of Versailles reflect the extravagant tastes of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King." On this excursion, travel by coach to Versailles where your local guide will recount the history of the palace and lead you through the various rooms of the State Apartments. Of particular interest are the Queen's bedchamber and the famous Hall of Mirrors. You then have leisure time to explore the incredible gardens, some of the most famous in the world, which took over 40 years to complete.