Overview
Provence Arts & Scents is a luxury nine-day escorted tour of Aix-en-Provence and the Provençal region designed around its fine arts, cuisine and lifestyle. Group attendence is limited to eight (8) adults 21 years or older with a minimum of six (6) for tour viability.
An optional 3-day extension tour of Les Baux de Provence and Arles - Two Jewels in Provence - is available right after main tour ends; group attendence is limite to eight (8) adults, with a minimum of four (4) for tour viability. This tour is not sold separately.
Provence Arts & Scents starts on a Sunday, with welcome by GBT tour director at Marseille Provence Airport - or TGV train station in Aix - followed by private transportation transfer to a deluxe hotel in Aix. Tour ends on the following Monday, with transfer to Marseille airport or Aix TGV station for departures. Members joining Two Jewels in Provence will be transfered to hotel in Les Baux.
A group director, a chauffeured mini van, a local artist and occasional guides accompany the group during the program.
Prices:
$6,258 per person double occupancy; $6,679 single occupancy
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
For more information please contact GBT:
by phone: 914 576-5687
by e-mail: bea@goldenbeetours.com
Or see Frequently Asked Questions page (FAQs) for details.
Registration & payments
To sign up for this tour, please call between 10 am and 5 pm Eastern time, Monday - Friday, or fill out and mail to GBT the Registration form below. A reservation deposit of $1,000 per person is required to secure your booking, of which $ 500 is non-refundable. Deposits are by check only.
Guests are required to provide a signed Risk Release form (below) to join this tour; please fill it out and mail it with your Registration form and deposit check to:
Golden Bee Tours
523 Fifth Ave.
Pelham, NY 10803
Tour is guaranteed to run once six (6) or more guests register.
The balance of payment for your booked tour must be received no later than 40 days prior to the tour date; at this time, the reservation deposit becomes non-refundable. Balances may be paid by check, Paypal or credit card (Visa, American Express, Mastercard).
Registration is limited to eight (8) guests chosen on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of the deposit. The first eight people to tender the deposit will have priority to join the tour until 40 days prior to tour date, when payment in full must be received. If your deposit is received after the first eight people have registered, but before they have paid the balance, you may choose to be put on a waiting list in the order in which your deposit was received; should one of the original eight people cancel or fail to make payment in full 40 days prior to tour date, you will be notified that a space has become available and be asked to pay the balance of the tour cost within 48 hours. If no space becomes available - or if you decide not to join the group - you will have your deposit returned in full.
Click here for a Registration form
Click here for a Risk Release form
Cancellations/refunds/transfers
If you have to cancel your booking, the following refund policy applies:
40 days or more before the tour date: you will receive a refund of $500 (half the deposit)
between 40 and 30 days of tour date: the $1,000 deposit becomes non-refundable; all other payments made will be refunded
30 days or less of tour date: we regret that we cannot offer any refunds.
You may choose to transfer your payments to another tour at a later date, with credit according to the payments you have made. Transfers are not accepted within 30 days of tour date.
No refunds will be made to those who fail to join a tour without due cancellation, nor for accommodations or services not used or for a partially completed tour.
All cancellations must be requested in writing.
If GBT cancels a tour:
We may be forced to cancel a tour if circumstances beyond our control - weather conditions, strikes, war, political turmoil, terrorism or civil unrest - may deem travel unsafe at the tour's destination. In such cases you may choose between A - receiving a full refund of your deposit and all other payments made or B - transfer your payments to another GBT tour at a later date.
Provence Arts & Scents
Price includes:
- Private transportation transfer from Marseille Airport to hotel in Aix-en-Provence and from hotel to airport for departures
- Eight nights/daily breakfast in hotel
- Champagne reception on Day 1
- Two painting classes with Provençal painter - in her studio and outdoors; painting materials and travel container included; or
- Guided tour of the Cloisters and game of petanque with the locals
- One cooking class and al fresco lunch in 17th-century château of a French chef; ingredients provided
- Private chauffeured minivan during tour program
- Two lunches, three dinners, wine and beverages included
- Admission to exhibitions and museums in the program
- One full-day visit to St. Rémy de Provence
- One full-day visit to Cassis
- One full-day visit to Marseille
- Private wine tasting in select winery
- Company of tour director, painting teacher and occasional local guides during tour program
Two Jewels in Provence
Price includes:
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Champagne reception
- Two nights/daily breakfast in deluxe Relais & Château hotel in Les Baux de Provence
- Private chauffeured minivan during tour program
- One dinner in a Provençal bistro
- Admission to an audiovisual show in a stone quarry
- One full-day visit to Arles
- Company of tour director during tour program
Not included on tour prices:
- Airfare, extra hotel expenses such as laundry, telephone, fax & internet charges, spa/room services, bar or optional services
- Beverages/drinks other than in group dinners
- Private chauffeured minivan, meals, company of tour director or local guides during free time or on any deviation of tour's program
- Discretionary purchases
- Features or benefits beyond those specified in the 'Price Includes' section above
Trip cancellation insurance
We recommend that you purchase individual trip, air, health, accident, baggage and cancellation insurance from your insurance company, to prevent hardship and to recover charges in the event of unexpected cancellation of tour within 40 days of tour date. This coverage is also available through your airline or travel agent, and is based on the total cost, duration, destination of your trip and your age.
Dietary restrictions
Due to the nature of this tour, and the fact that it includes meals in local restaurants, we are not able to accommodate restricted diets or the dietary needs of people with food allergies. Vegetarian meals (though not vegan) are available most of the time.
Smoking policy
To ensure the safety and comfort of all tour members, smoking is not permitted during group activities or in the places we visit.
