10 August

Monaco: Monte Carlo

Renowned for its casino, its Grand Prix and its oligarch-friendly tax policies, Monte Carlo is glamour and hedonism personified, with a price tag to match. This little principality enjoys a lovely setting, the villas and penthouses tumbling down the hillside towards the sweeping blue expanse of the Mediterranean.

11 August

France: Aix-en-Provence

12 August

France: Chalon-sur-Saône

Chalon-sur-Saône was once a key trading centre and port, situated at the meeting of Roman roads, the river Saône and several other inland waterways. The city’s distinguished history is reflected in its handsome buildings, and this is an excellent base from which to explore the southern Burgundy wine regions.

13 August

France: Tournus

The riverside town of Tournus is known for the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert, of which the Romanesque 11th-century church is the main surviving element. Other nearby sights include the splendid Château de Cormatin, the medieval village of Brancion and the Mâconnais wine region, home of the Chardonnay grape.

14 August

France: Mâcon

The little town of Mâcon lies on the west bank of the Saône, at the southern edge of Burgundy, and it’s a great base for sampling the region’s famous wines. A popular excursion is a trip to nearby Beaune, home to the magnificent medieval Hospices de Beaune and its prestigious wine estate.

15 August

France: Lyon

Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is one of France’s most appealing cities. Its reputation for gastronomic excellence is well deserved, with hundred of wonderful restaurants, and the UNESCO listed historic centre boasts a marvellous ensemble of Renaissance-era buildings.

16 August

France: Vienne

Vienne was an important trading centre during Roman times, and spectacular remnants of this era survive, including a remarkably well preserved temple and a hillside amphitheatre with marvellous views across the red-tiled rooftops. The city also hosts a renowned jazz festival during July, featuring some of the world’s most talented musicians.

17 August to 18 August

France: Avignon

The former papal stronghold of Avignon cuts a dramatic figure, perched above the Rhône and ensconced behind towering walls. The Palais des Papes was home to a succession of 14th century pontiffs, and still looms large over Avignon’s atmospheric old town.

19 August

France: Arles

The charming little town of Arles sits at the head of the Rhône delta, on the northern fringe of the sprawling marshlands of the Camargue. It’s a town with a long history, as evidenced by an impressive array of Roman ruins, and it's a great place to sample the essence of Provençal culture.

20 August

France: Lyon

Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is one of France’s most appealing cities. Its reputation for gastronomic excellence is well deserved, with hundred of wonderful restaurants, and the UNESCO listed historic centre boasts a marvellous ensemble of Renaissance-era buildings.

21 August

Switzerland: Geneva

22 August

Arriving in Paris

Paris is a joyful expression of all that is glorious about France, a city of rarified tastes, romantic riverside walks and the occasional rather rude waiter. Culture vultures will be in seventh heaven, with a plethora of galleries and museums housing some of the finest art collections in the world, and the restaurant scene is absolutely first class.