Backroads

Chic, sometimes brash, yet undeniably sexy, the sun-kissed city of Nice is impossible to resist. Wander the colorful vielle ville (old town), an exhilarating mélange of French, Italian influences and Mediterranean flavors. Then switch gears and explore St-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval hilltop village with a maze of cobblestone lanes, gardens, ancient fountains, galleries, artisanal shops and cheery cafés.

Witness the unique luminosity of sky and landscape in southern France, and you'll understand why painters such as Cézanne, Picasso and Gauguin found inspiration here. With us you'll stroll the same streets as Marc Chagall, admire a chapel conceived by Henri Matisse, and visit the St-Rémy clinic where van Gogh admitted himself in the late 1880s, then walk with author Marie-Charlotte Bouton who reveals the pleine air locales that inspired the artist's Irises and Starry Night.

Uncover the secrets of Provençal cuisine during exclusive visits to an olive oil mill, a hidden winery and a local kitchen for an intimate private cooking lesson. Sample velvety Côtes du Rhônes while vintner Rodolphe de Pins shares winemaking anecdotes at his 11th-century château. Savor fresh olive oils under the tutelage of Moulin du Calanquet's charming Anne Brun, who explains olive cultivation (a 2,500-year-old tradition) and oil production.

Feel the sun's warmth on your face. Inhale the sultry sea air, the cool muskiness of a wine cave and aromatic essences at a perfume factory. Venture into an open-air market for authentic Provençal picnic goodies – plump tomatoes, saucisson sec and freshly baked baguette with tapenade and goat cheese. Admire colorful fabrics, sip a pastis and sample local chocolate and honey.

In Vieux Nice, wander the Cours Saleya, adored for its vibrant produce and flower markets since the 1700s. View the medieval cannon embedded in the ramparts of St-Paul-de-Vance and learn about the unusual "ammunition" that it allegedly once fired. Step into the Roman era atop the remarkable Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old bridge and aqueduct – constructed entirely without mortar – heralded as a marvel of ancient engineering. On a guided walk through historically rich Avignon, find out why the papal seat was moved here in the 1300s.