France: The Reach of the Romans

B= Breakfast • L= Lunch • R= Reception • D= Dinner

Sunday, September 21, 2025: Depart home for Turin, Italy.

Monday, September 22: Arrive in Turin, ITALY | Transfer to hotel | Welcome reception
Upon arrival at Turin-Caselle Airport (TRN), you are met and transferred to our hotel in Turin’s city center, which was an ancient Roman castrum (military garrison town) and the first capital of Italy. The balance of the day is at leisure to relax and perhaps stroll around the neighborhood. We gather this evening for a welcome reception and introductory lecture. Dinner is at leisure. Two nights at the 5-star Grand Hotel Sitea. (R)

Tuesday, September 23: Turin: Walking tour, Museum of Antiquities | Welcome dinner
This morning we delve into the elegant city of Turin with a local art historian as our guide, tracing the city’s glorious, 2,000-year history. During our walking tour we will see the ancient Roman Quarter, dating back to when the Roman city was called Augusta Taurinorum; pass by some of the many stunning Residences of the Royal House of Savoy (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), such as Palazzo Carignano, Palazzo Madama, and Palazzo Reale; and see medieval churches and stately squares. After lunch on your own, we visit the Museum of Antiquities, which has a section dedicated to the region’s Roman cities and especially Augusta Taurinorum. The museum is housed on the grounds of the Royal Palace of Turin, also part of the aforementioned Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. Gather for a welcome dinner this evening. (B,D)

Wednesday, September 24: Turin: Egyptian Museum | Lyon, FRANCE
In the morning we explore Turin’s renowned Egyptian Museum in the company of one of the curators (schedule permitting). This is the only museum other than the Egyptian Museum in Cairo that is solely dedicated to Egyptian art and culture. The collections that make up Turin’s Egyptian Museum, which once were property of the Royal House of Savoy, were enlarged by excavations conducted in Egypt by the Museum’s archaeological mission between 1900 and 1935. After an independent lunch in Turin, we travel to Lyon, France. Check-in to our hotel and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Two nights at the 4-star Best Western Hôtel du Pont Wilson. (B,D)

Thursday, September 25: Lyon: Walking tour, Lugdunum, Gallo-Roman Museum, Cathedral of Saint Jean Baptiste
Enjoy a guided stroll this morning through the old town of Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then drive to Lugdunum, the Roman city built two millennia ago on Fourvière Hill. Visit the well-preserved theater, the oldest in France, as well as the smaller odeon. After an independent lunch we visit the Gallo-Roman Museum, which displays numerous artifacts from nearby excavations. Cap off the afternoon at the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Jean Baptiste, which features a giant, working medieval clock. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure in Lyon. (B)

Friday, September 26: Ampuis | Pont du Gard | L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Check out of our hotel this morning and drive to Ampuis for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing south to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, our home for the next three nights. En route, stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pont du Gard, the aqueduct built by the Roman leader Agrippa that also served as a bridge over the Gardon River, for a behind-the-scenes walk inside the aqueduct (pending confirmation). Check-in to our hotel and enjoy some time and dinner at leisure. Three nights at the 4-star Grand Hôtel Henri. (B,L)

Saturday, September 27: Arles: Musée de l’Arles Antique, walking tour, Saturday market | Alyscamps | L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Begin this morning with a visit to the Musée de l’Arles Antique, which houses the world’s second finest collection of sarcophagi, after the Vatican’s. We then take a walking tour of the ancient city center of Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose earliest Roman monuments date to the 1st century B.C., including its amphitheater and theater (viewed from the outside). After some time to explore the Saturday market, and a stop for lunch, we visit the 4th-century Roman necropolis of Alyscamps, located just outside Arles’ city walls. Dinner tonight is at leisure. (B,L)

Sunday, September 28: Vaison la Romaine | Orange | Wine tasting | L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Today we explore towns and sites near L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, beginning with the charming village of Vaison la Romaine, whose Gallo-Roman remains, spread over several sites, make this the largest archaeological site in France. The medieval town is perched on a hill overlooking the main town, with its impressive castle of the Counts of Toulouse. After lunch at a local restaurant we drive to Orange, where we visit the Arc de Triomphe and one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world. Return to our hotel, stopping along the way at a local winery for a tasting of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Enjoy an independent dinner in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. (B,L)

Monday, September 29: Avignon | Marseille | Farewell dinner
On our way to Marseille we stop in Avignon, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Palais des Papes, a fortified, 14^th-century palace that (with 49,000 square feet of floor space) is the largest Gothic palace in all of Europe. Its priceless frescoes still remain in the private chapels and apartments used by the popes. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore Avignon independently before we continue to Marseille, settle in to our hotel, and then gather for a festive farewell dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Hôtel Mercure Marseille Canebière Vieux-Port. (B,D)

Tuesday, September 30: Transfer to airport | Fly home
You are met at our hotel for a transfer to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) for flights homeward. (B)