Calanques National Park , France
SMALL SHIP ADVENTURES
M / V Athena , Portoferraio , Elba Island , Italy Nice , France
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Fly from the U . S . to Marseille , France .
DAY 2 • Marseille , France • Transfer to Avignon Arrive in Marseille , where you ’ ll transfer to Avignon to check into your hotel and meet travelers who took our optional Southwest France : Toulouse & Carcassonne ’ s Medieval Marvels pre-trip extension . Novotel Avignon Centre
DAY 3 • Explore Avignon Explore Avignon on a guided walking tour , including Palais des Papes ( Palace of the Popes )— a medieval fortress and largest gothic palace in Europe . Later , gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant . Meals : B , D | Novotel Avignon Centre
DAY 4 • Arles • Local farm visit • Embark ship Transfer to Marseille to embark your ship , stopping along the way in Arles for a walking tour and then continuing to a local farm for lunch . Later , enjoy a Captain ’ s Welcome Dinner . Meals : B , L , D | M / V Artemis or M / V Athena
DAY 5 • Explore Nice Dock in Nice , the French Riviera ’ s largest city and unofficial capital , and set out to explore its iconic sights , including the outdoor flower market of Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya . Meals : B , L , D | M / V Artemis or M / V Athena
DAY 6 • Nice • Optional Monaco & Monte-Carlo tour Explore Nice on your own , or join our optional tour to Monaco and Monte-Carlo . During the tour , you ’ ll visit renowned landmarks such as the Grimaldi Palace and the Casino de Monte-Carlo . Meals : B , L , D | M / V Artemis or M / V Athena
DAY 7 • A Day in the Life of Imperia Spend A Day in the Life with a local family on their farm . Roll up your sleeves and help with daily chores , as you experience rural life firsthand . Then , sit down for lunch together before heading back to the ship . Meals : B , L , D | M / V Artemis or M / V Athena
DAY 8 • Explore Cinque Terre Today you ’ ll discover Cinque Terre , where five Italian villages cling to rocky cliffs along the Italian Riviera . Designated UNESCO World Heritage for their scenic beauty and historic ambiance , Cinque Terre ( known as the “ Five Lands ” in English ) offers beautifully preserved pastel architecture , narrow alleyways , and close ties with the sea . You ’ ll visit two Cinque Terre villages before setting out by boat to Vernazza for a walking tour . After , visit Monterosso for lunch . Meals : B , L , D | M / V Artemis or M / V Athena
DAY 9 • Marina di Carrara • Conversation about marble quarrying • Optional Pisa tour Dock in Marina di Carrara to visit the Carrara marble quarries , where we ’ ll board 4-wheel-drive vehicles for a tour . There , meet a former quarry worker to discuss the negative impacts of marble quarrying . This afternoon , you may join an optional tour to Pisa San Rossore railway station and the Leaning Tower of Pisa , where we ’ ll also embark on a guided walking tour at the Piazza Dei Miracoli . Meals : B , L , D | M / V Artemis or M / V Athena
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 7 , enjoy A Day in the Life of a village in the Southern Alps , where we ’ ll spend time on a local family farm and learn about the native flora .
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / fmr 181