Immersive Senior Vacation to France, Italy, and Greece

Paris is a city in which visitors can spend a day or a month and still feel as if they need more time to explore. The majestic ambiance of Belle Époque masterpieces, art nouveau cafes, and the medieval lanes of the Latin Quarter accentuate the grandiose monuments that act as symbols of the city’s rich history. Exploring Paris with a guide will lead you to the top of the Eiffel Tower, around the Arc de Triomphe, inside the former train station now housing the Impressionist masterworks at the Musée d’Orsay, and through the labyrinthine galleries of the Louvre museum. The Louvre was originally a palace home to France’s royal family until the creation of Versailles in 1682.

The gallery hosts 30,000 artworks that are displayed across 645,835 square feet. You can discover some of the most famous art pieces of Western European history, along with extravagant artifacts from ancient World History, such as the Rosetta Stone. One of the most popular pieces of art is the Vénus de Milo,which is a stunning marble statue crafted around 100 BC that depicts a Hellenistic representation of Aphrodite when she was discovered on the island of Milos in Greece. The elegant representation of the idealized Greek beauty speaks volumes to the artistic aesthetic of the historical period and the importance of religious iconography.

The Palace of Versailles is located approximately 12 miles outside of central Paris, providing an accessible day trip with your private guide that will reveal the exuberance of the former French aristocracy. The sensational grounds encompass more than three square miles with the palace overtaking 721,183 square feet. The gilded architectural aesthetic of the chateau seemingly emerges from the idyllic natural setting, and the golden décor in the Hall of Mirrors captures the radiant design, commitment to luxury, and dramatic ambiance of the overall palace.

The grandeur of Nice derives from the seaside scenery with a picturesque blend of historical opulence and contemporary life. Serene palm trees soar above the seaside esplanade known as Promenade des Anglais, which runs for nearly two miles along the azure waters and white sands of the Baie des Anges. The city will become the symbol of the Mediterranean lifestyle with endless sunlight and charming cobblestone lanes that connect the world inside Old Town to the coastline. You will stroll through the city with a guide to navigate the maze of narrow streets that blend Italian and French architecture beneath Castle Hill.

Fishmongers at the Cours Saleya will showcase their fresh catches featuring octopus, mussels, sea bass, and more. The rosy seventeenth-century villa that crowns the Cimiez quarter hosts the Matisse Museum, displaying a collection of oil paintings, drawings, and tapestries crafted by the master artist. In addition, 56 sculptures accounting for nearly every statue the artist created are also displayed. The gallery spans nearly 30,139 square feet and provides a stunning overview of Matisse’s work, primarily between 1918 and 1954, which was the time he lived in Nice.

A guided tour along the Côte d’Azur will take you to the hilltop town of Eze, which is approximately 12 miles from Nice and situated upwards of 2,297 feet above sea level. The charismatic streets wind between the medieval walls and overlook the precipitous cliffs with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. The maze of cobbled lanes will take you back in time to when the town fell under the rule of the House of Savoy during the fourteenth century.

Exotic Gardens stand at the highest point of Eze and provide a majestic panorama from the colorful buildings of Monaco in the South to the shimmering esplanade of Nice in the North. A combination of aromas will drift out of the renowned Parfumerie Fragonard where you will partake in a fascinating perfume workshop experience. Your instructor will guide you through the expertise of using raw materials and extraction methods for producing complimentary fragrances, discovering the benefits of essential oils, as well as gaining insight into the importance of how subtle scents can accentuate a person’s natural aroma.

The city of Genoa is much more than Italy’s leading port, as it boasts a long and illustrious history of maritime power after defeating Pisa’s mighty navy in the tenth century. The coastline and open waters of the Mediterranean Sea remain an essential role in the culture of the bustling city. A guided tour of the city will take you along a portion of the city’s nearly 14-mile long harbor that holds a collection of cruise, pleasure, transport, and fishing vessels. The Old City will glint with preserved stone walls and narrow lanes that are shaded by the soaring tower homes.

Washing lines will reflect a touch of Old-World tradition that has been carried into the twenty-first century. The towers of the Soprana gate, erected in the mid-eleventh century, connect to the restored childhood home of Christopher Columbus. After viewing the prestigious architecture and artifacts within the collective palaces along the fascinating Via Garibaldi, your guide will lead you to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The Cathedral was initially a Romanesque basilica that was erected in the twelfth century and remodeled with a Gothic style in the 1300s. The sixteenth-century Renaissance dome captures the aesthetic of the time period and new architectural styles that captivate the powerful city-states. The twisting columns and crouching lions adorn the entrance and accentuate the distinctive depths that are created by the three receding arches that frame the doorway.

You will use Genoa as a base to explore the beauty of the Italian Riviera. Your guide will take you on tours to visit the stunning towns of Lerici and Portofino, as well the popular five towns of Cinque Terre that are connected by mountain trails or small marinas. The most Southward town of Riomaggiore was first erected in the thirteenth century and was nestled between the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Sea. Fishing boats will wade in the water in view of the rugged base that supports the greater mountainous outcropping.

The main street will bustle with activity from locals and visitors who want to enjoy the boutique shops and serene cafes. Small churches and shrines will adorn various niches throughout the town, leading to the grander fourteenth-century edifice of the Church of Saint John the Baptist. A small trail will lead to the neighboring town of Manarola, where you can view the terraced gardens, orchards, and vineyards that blanket the landscape. Local vintners manage the grapes and produce the popular dessert wine of Sciacchetrà. You can enjoy a sample of the delicious sweet wine accompanied by a plate of freshly-made cookies in a private cellar where you will find hints of dried fruit that tend to leave a delightful almond flavor on your palate.

Rome enchants visitors with a mixture of must-see landmarks and hidden charms that balance iconic antiquity, the epicenter of Christian faith, and contemporary culture that is interwoven into the historic niches of the medieval architecture. Your guided tours in Rome will take you through the fascinating wonders of the ancient world and the marvelous artworks that are displayed throughout the city like an open-air museum. From the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps, and from Pantheon to Piazza Navona, everything is accentuated by the captivating lifestyle of la dolce vita, which is apparent in the way locals sip their espresso, indulge in their lunch breaks, and bask in the delicious wines. Exploring Rome with your guide will bring to light the fascinating legends and grand architecture that are located in the Pantheon, which was erected in the second century AD after a fire destroyed the original.

The preserved Roman structure has inspired architects from around the world, including the likes of Michelangelo and Brunelleschi. The harmonious interior derives from the symmetrical proportions of the dome, as well as the sophisticated marble decorating the floor. The impressive tomb of Victor Emmanuel II signifies the respect paid to the first king of a unified Italy opposite the tomb of master artist Raphael.

Visiting the Vatican will take you inside the smallest independent state in the world, in addition to one of the most famous arts and antiquity collections that span more than a millennium. Your guide will provide incredible insight into the myths, tales, and histories of different works, as well as pointing out intricate details that accentuate the marvels of the Map Gallery, Papal carriages, and Egyptian sarcophagi. The Raphael Rooms highlight the elaborate aesthetic of the master artist who decorated the former apartment of Pope Leo X. The marvelous fresco entitled “School of Athens,” depicts the convergence of ancient ideals with Christian philosophy at the time by using contemporary Renaissance masters such as da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bramante, and Timoteo Viti.

Athens is renowned as the ancient capital of the Western World with remarkable ruins referencing the height of Athenian civilization and the evolution of the Byzantine Empire. The legendary Acropolis stands 490 feet above sea level at the heart of the ancient city and is visible along the winding alleys and wide boulevards, shining with milky marble ruins. Cafes and restaurants will fill with locals and visitors enjoying rich Greek coffee and the narrow streets of the historic Plaka district. Discovering Athens with your guide will help you explore the captivating antiquity including the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and the fascinating exhibits inside the Acropolis Museum.

Climbing to the top of the Acropolis will bring you to the base of the symbolic Parthenon, the symbol of ancient Greece and the cradle of Western Civilization. The breathtaking temple complex was originally erected between the fifth and fourth centuries BC as a tribute to Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare. It is truly a breathtaking sight. The pediments contain visible friezes that depict numerous stories from Greek mythology, such as the tale of Athena’s birth from the head of Zeus.

Traversing the incredible history and marvelous mythology around Athens will provide you with enchanting guided tours that take you through Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplio, and along a selection of islands in the Saronic Gulf for a tremendous experience that will highlight the culture, heritage, and natural beauty of Greece. The island of Hydra is a two-hour ferry ride from the port of Piraeus but will feel as though you have landed on an idyllic paradise that is emblematic of Greece’s marvelous secluded islands. The unique town welcomes you with a gorgeous port shining brightly against the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Small fishing boats and water taxis bound for isolated beaches and other towns will be scattered along the shoreline.

The tranquil lanes that lead away from the marina will offer access to dirt donkey paths and colorful houses that sit on steep mountain slopes. The pedestrian-friendly island will offer fabulous touches of nature’s pristine charms that will bring to life the preserved stone architecture like the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Cathedral, a seventeenth-century edifice with a stunning Tinian bell tower made from marble. The ochre-hued stones of the Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion express the eighteenth-century aesthetic of the island leading up to a struggle for independence, while the interior retains time-period furniture, folk costumes, and intricate handicrafts.

In the morning, the streets of Athens will return to their usual bustle as cafes open their doors and set out table and chairs for views to the stunning summit of the Acropolis. The gilded displays of history in the Byzantine Museum reflect a long period of Greek history displayed inside a nineteenth-century palace that was built for the Duchess of Plaisance. The former empire inherited the eastern territories of the Roman Empire and greatly expanded Christian orthodoxy with artwork and artifacts that span from the third to the fifteenth centuries. Your private transfer will greet you in the lobby of your hotel when you are ready, and escort you to Athens International Airport for your flight home.