HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT KNOWN JEWELS IN FRANCE AND ITALY

HIDDEN

INPLAIN SIGHT

PROVENCE, GORDES

Known Jewels in France and Italy

BORDEAUX, BORJA LOPEZ

AS our world continues to evolve and adapt, dreaming of travel has become a wonderful escape from our day-to-day routines. At Esplanade we hope that soon dreams will become a reality, and what better way to jump back into travel than with off the beaten path locales in France and Italy! While it’s wonderful to spend time in Paris, Rome or Venice, countryside escapes offer space, fewer crowds, and outdoor activities while still allowing for wonderful history, food, and wine experiences. Let your imagination run wild – and give us a call to book your intimate European escape!

FRANCE

From prehistoric cave dwellings and Roman ruins to Impressionism and New Wave cinema, champagne, and chocolate: France offers it all. Take your time exploring the landscapes of the country, from the lavender fields of Provence, to the ethereal cave paintings at Lascaux, to the Renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley.

Prehistory, Wine, and Gastronomy in Southwestern France

Meet the winemakers and taste the dark red Malbec wines of Cahors. Learn to make duck confit from an expert chef in her kitchen. Visit historic sites that are closed to the public. All of this and more is possible in the charming region of Southwestern France.

Start in Bordeaux, a beautiful 18th century city on the swift Garonne river. It’s well known for wine houses, beautiful cobblestoned streets, perfectly preserved 18th century architecture, wonderful food and, of course, La Cité du Vin, the world’s largest wine museum. Spend a leisurely day with a private guide in the Medoc region visiting illustrious wine châteaux and surrounding vineyards on the Route des Châteaux. Take in the prestigious appellations which forged Bordeaux’s reputation for fine wines: Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac - with wine tastings, of course!

Head to the medieval town of St. Emilion, just 30 minutes from Bordeaux. This picture-perfect village is surrounded by vineyards and a thousand years of history, and its size belies all it has to offer. St. Emilion is heaven on earth for food and wine lovers alike. The town is easy to explore on foot, and there are winemakers around every corner who will welcome you into their cellars to learn about the winemaking techniques specific to the region.

LOIRE VALLEY

Further east, toward the center of France, is the must-see Dordogne Valley, forever a favorite of those looking for a quieter, more intimate experience. This region has a wealth of remarkable places of interest, especially prehistoric sites, and appeals as much to architecture fans and lovers of unspoiled landscapes as it does to sporty types and foodies. Hundreds of enchanting villages and peaceful hamlets have been left scattered along its rolling hills, chalky cliffs and fields of sunflowers, and the sunny countryside never fails to impress visitors. Boasting a whopping 22 of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages in France,’ the Dordogne Valley is home to some of the finest residential treasures in France. You can stay in a Michelin-starred country hotel or one of the many ancient chateaux in the area and combine your experience with tastes of the region’s delicious red wines and cooking lessons from expert chefs.

If it’s ancient history you’re after, have a guide take you through the Vézère Valley, home to the famous Lascaux caves and the troglodyte site of La Roque Saint Christophe and Les Eyzies de Tayac. Visit the Museum of Prehistory and wander through the village of Saint Leon sur Vézère, the city of Montignac or the Château de Losse showcasing beautiful formal gardens. Book a private guide through Esplanade who can take you on an indepth visit to obscure prehistoric sites - places that are not open to the public. There are many easy paths in the area that will take you through villages and wooded areas and canoeing along the Dordogne River is always a treat.

Picnics and Antiquing in Provence

Imagine strolling through lively town squares, generously shaded by plane trees, as you choose your cheese, bread, and charcuterie for a picnic. Savor delightful market days as you hop around beautiful hillside villages. This is the normal pace of life in Provence and adding this stop to your travel itinerary will bring a calm, centering element to your vacation.

Your Esplanade Travel Consultant can arrange for wine tasting and lunch with winemakers, gourmet meals at renowned restaurants, and scenic walks or bicycle rides through the Provençal lavender fields. Visit the Roman ruins at Nîmes or Orange and take in the towns of the Camargue region where you can see flocks of pink flamingoes and troops of wild horses. Inspired by the light and colors of this region, artists from Picasso and Van Gogh to Cezanne and Gauguin were inspired to live and create here in the early 20th century.

Provence also boasts some of the best antiquing in France. On market day, Isle sur la Sorgue becomes a mecca for those looking to pick up antique linens or flatware and more. Villeneuve les Avignon and Arles are also wonderful spots to hunt for antiques and fun souvenirs.

Splendor and Style in the Loire Valley

If it’s French splendor, style, and gastronomy you seek, the Loire Valley will exceed your expectations, no matter how great. Just a short train or autoroute ride from Paris, the region was once of immense strategic importance. Kings, queens, dukes and nobles came here to establish feudal castles and, later on, sumptuous pleasure palaces – that’s why this fertile river valley is sprinkled with hundreds of France’s most opulent aristocratic estates. With crenellated towers, soaring cupolas, and glittering banquet halls, the region’s châteaux, and the villages and vineyards that surround them, attest to over a thousand years of rich architectural and artistic creativity. The Loire Valley is also known for its outstanding wines (red, white, rosé and sparkling) and lively, sophisticated cities, including Orléans, Blois, Tours and Angers – yet more reasons why the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

iTALY

Everyone dreams of Italy, with its picture-perfect landscapes, remarkable food and wine, and rolling hills dotted with vineyards, villas, and olive groves. Stay in a beautiful villa that was once the property of a Medici cardinal or at a vineyard hotel that offers

luxury accommodations. To avoid crowds and have an experience all your own, let us suggest a few different areas: Tuscany, Umbria, and Alto Adige.

Medieval History and Rolling Countryside in Tuscany

With its perfectly preserved historic center, San Gimignano is hands down the most famous hilltop town in Tuscany. Nicknamed the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” San Gimignano is famed for the 13th century towers that give the town a recognizable silhouette. The towers were a show of wealth and power 800 years ago, and 14 towers remain to this day - there were 72 towers at one point! Stroll through the triangularly shaped Piazza della Cisterna or pop in at one of the many enotecas that line the streets to taste some local Chianti wine. If the Torre Grossa is open to visitors, you must climb it to see the views over the town and the surrounding hills and vineyards.

In the rolling hills northwest of Siena sits a medieval marvel of a town called Monteriggioni. Flocked by vineyard- and olive grove-covered hillsides, this 13th century town is completely enclosed with ancient walls punctuated by 14 guard towers. From a distance the town looks like a crown, and its unique façade may be why Dante mentioned it in his Divine Comedy. Every July, the Medieval Festival of Monteriggioni is celebrated and the streets fill with craftsmen, knights, and people in period costume dancing, singing, performing theater, jousting, and more. Spend a

SAN GIMIGNANO

TUSCANY

UMBRIA, TREVI

morning strolling through the medieval village, visiting shops and relaxing in one of the many cafés to enjoy local wine or pastries. Don’t forget to take a walk on the walls that surround the town for incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

The pretty hill town of Cortona on the border of Tuscany and Umbria was the setting for Frances Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun” memoir. Located east of Siena, Cortona overlooks the rolling hills of the area as well as Lake Trasimeno in the distance. If you are a lover of early Renaissance art, this is the town for you! The Diocesan Museum boasts works by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli, who was born in Cortona. There is also a municipal museum that features works from the Etruscan era - which is appropriate given that the city is protected by Etruscan-era walls.

Charm and Color in Umbria

Within Monti Sibillini National Park sits a small village on a hill – Castelluccio. It overlooks a wide valley surrounded by the Sibillini Mountains, allowing for breathtaking views year-round. However from May to early June is the sweet spot for a visit here in order to see the Fioritura, or annual blossoming of flowers in the valley. It is as if one has stepped into the middle of a very colorful pointillist painting - the valley is carpeted with a striped quilt of blossoming flowers: purple cornflower, bright red poppies, daffodils and more. This area is also known for growing lentils, a staple food in Umbria. The plane is 1350 meters above sea level, so make sure to bring a sweater or jacket as the temperature difference is extreme - but so worth it. En route to Castelluccio, you will pass through the charming town of Norcia, known for its wild boar products - sausages, ham, etc. - all delicious with a glass of red. The area is a hiker’s paradise and Esplanade’s excellent hiking guides can show you hidden gems.

Cultural Crossroads in Alto Adige

The Alto Adige is at the very northern part of Italy and was part of Austria until the end of WWI when it became Italian. Both Italian and Austrian cultures are very present here, making it a unique destination to spend several days. German is spoken as much as Italian, as well as the local dialect called Ladino. The spectacular jagged Dolomite mountains are the backdrop for picturesque small towns, hiking and skiing trails, cycling and, as with everywhere in Italy, excellent wines and food. There are more Michelin starred restaurants in this region than in any other region in Italy!

Accommodations here are beautiful and varied - from 18th century castle stays to sleek, modern 5-star hotels to smaller B&Bs. All offer spa services, as wellness is important in the Alto Adige, and Esplanade’s consultants can home in on the right choice for your travel style.

Hike the trails with one of our excellent guides who will arrange for a picnic stop along your walk. Or you could hike to a mountain hut where you can have the most exquisite lunch served to you by smiling locals. If you are not a hiker, you can take a cable car to some of the jagged peaks to take advantage of the views.

Visit a cheese maker who will introduce you to his cows and explain the process for cheesemaking or a local winemaker who will share her knowledge and philosophy with you. The relaxed

ALTO ADIGE, ITALIAN DOLOMITES

attitude of the region is a perfect complement to your days spent traveling and hiking – don’t be surprised when a shopkeeper you meet asks you to stop and sit while looking out over the vineyards.

The towns are a cultural combination of Italy and Austria, and this cultural mix makes the region all the more fascinating and gives visitors a strong sense of place. The atmosphere is Austrian as reflected in the architectural details of much of the region, tempered by an Italian approach to food and wine. However you slice it, this region is well worth a visit, and definitely off the regular tourist route for most American travelers.

PRiVATE YACHT CRUiSE iN THE MEDiTERRANEAN

It’s undeniable that the past year has changed how many view travel, and a private yacht charter in the Mediterranean may be the perfect solution for those less comfortable staying in town. Cruising is a perfect way to set your own agenda, take in the sights and have an ideal “off the beaten path” experience.

The Victoria del Mar, for example, accommodates 12 guests with 11 crew and will cruise French and Italian waters in the summer of 2021. Her master stateroom is located on the bridge deck aft and boasts a semi-private, full-beam air-conditioned aft deck space with removable windows. Two VIP staterooms with queen-size beds are located on the main deck and below are four more with the most luxurious accompaniments. Food is exquisite

CORSICA and, while every diet and desire are catered for, special dishes include sea bass with grilled summer vegetables, beef tenderloin cooked with white wine, and scallop carpaccio.

We recommend starting in the exotic port of Monaco, home to the most beautiful yachts in the world. The present-day principality of Monaco consists of three separate elements: Monaco itself, La Condamine, and Monte Carlo. Monaco is the Italianate town on “The Rock” where the Greek settlement was established two and a half millennia ago. Below The Rock is the resort area of La Condamine, the commercial area facing the port, now largely occupied by luxurious yachts. The third component of Monaco is Monte Carlo created in 1856 and where Prince Charles III opened a casino. Slightly inland are the Jardins Exotiques which contain over a thousand specimens of cacti and succulents.

After you settle into your yacht, sail west to Nice, noted for its beautiful seaside promenade and colorful architecture. In the foothills just outside, you will find Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a perched 15th century village with a big personality. Artistic luminaries such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse and James Baldwin, seduced by the beautiful light, all spent time here. In fact, Chagall is buried in SPDV – a testament to his love for the village. If you are a contemporary art fan, you must visit the Fondation Maeght, which house the most incredible collection of 20th century pieces.

Continue cruising into Italian waters and visit Italy’s largest

port, Genoa. It has been a considerable maritime and commercial center since the first half of the 1st millennium BC. Tombs have been excavated here which date back to Greek and Etruscan periods and it is also known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

Next to Portofino, once just a little fishing village but now quite upscale while still retaining its original charm. On the hill above the city is the church of San Giorgio which claims to house the relics of St. George pillaged from the Holy Land by the Crusaders. The 360-degree view from these monuments is quite spectacular.

Continuing along the Ligurian coast, you will reach Lucca, a charming and lovely walled town just inland from the coast. It has retained its Roman layout and the 4 km of medieval walls around the city are a perfect place for a shaded stroll. A bit further south is Pisa, home to the famed Leaning Tower as well as a beautiful baptistry and cathedral and one of the oldest medical schools in Italy. Pisa is an opulent town dotted with white marble monuments and worth planning for a full day to explore.

There are several islands for you to explore in this part of the Mediterranean. Each one is mountainous with beautiful beaches, crystal clear blue-green water, and a multitude of hiking trails. Island-hop, scuba and snorkel, and cap off your day with a glass of wine and unusual gourmet foods.

Your cruise won’t be without a good dose of history and intrigue - midway between the coast of Tuscany and the Island of Corsica lies the island of Elba, made famous in 1814 when Napoleon was exiled here for 300 days. Stripped of all significant power on the European mainland, Napoleon was allowed to reign over Elba with his accustomed energy, and he did much to improve the administration and economy of the island. Ten months later, he escaped his captors and slipped away to lead France once more – to the Battle of Waterloo.

The mountainous island of Corsica is French with a distinct Italian feel. It presents a mix of stylish coastal towns, fishing villages, dense forest, and craggy peaks (Monte Cinto is the highest). Donkeys still roam the countryside, and the music here is quite

MONTE CARLO, PORT HERCULE

unique - along with the island’s distinctive cuisine such as strong spicy cheeses, chestnut polenta and chestnut cookies. And as with everywhere in this region, the wine is delicious!

Sardinia boasts the whitest sand and bluest water you can imagine. In addition to the beaches, this beautiful Italian island getaway is home to many flocks of sheep and a roughly 7000 nuraghi, which are Bronze age towers, and settlements such as the tombe dei giganti (‘giant’s grave’ tombs) and domus de janas (‘fairy house’ tombs). The culinary scene has its own distinct takes on pasta, bread and dolci, its own wines (Vermentino whites, Cannonau reds) and cheeses.

TiME TO GO!

Whether sipping wine in France’s Loire Valley, hiking in the Italian Dolomites, or privately cruising the Mediterranean, these destinations have multitudes to offer and travelers can’t go wrong. Esplanade has spent decades building relationships across these regions and can customize your vacation beyond what you thought possible. Don’t face the stress of creating the perfect trip alone – contact Esplanade Travel and work with an experienced Travel Consultant.

Esplanade Travel focuses on international luxury travel, and unique custom-designed trips have been our trademark for over 65 years.

Our staff has collectively traveled to over 150 countries around the world, and we sell the destinations we know the best and love the most! In addition to the France and Italy, our primary destinations are Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, all of Europe and the UK, South America, India, United Arab Emirates and the islands of the South Pacific. ★

ESPLANADE TRAVEL

800-628-4893 | esplanadetravel.com info@esplanadetravel.com Instagram: @esplanadetravel