MEDD

Take in the scenic majesty of Lipari during this driving tour that stops at idyllic vistas overlooking the Aeolian archipelago. Your ultimate destination is the local pizzeria Le Macine, where the owners will enthusiastically demonstrate the secrets to making traditional Sicilian pizza. You'll create your own pie according to your own taste and then settle in to enjoy it with wine and Aeolian cookies.

Experience the beauty of the Cote d’Azur in nature while walking along gentlly sloping trails that deliver spectacular views. Relax on the scenic drive from Saint Tropez to Bormes-les-Mimosas. This medieval village, built on the hilltop, is renowned for its blooms, especially the golden mimosas, at their most extravagant in winter, and colorful cascades of bougainvillea. Your hike begins at the Trapan Dam, where mimosa trees line the road that runs along the reservoir-lake that formed when the dam was built in 1969.

Your guide will meet you at the pier to a leisurely stroll around St. Tropez, along the chic waterfront and down narrow streets lined with colorful buildings. Along the way, discover the port town’s long history, one overshadowed by its reputation as a glamorous playground, while soaking up the ambience. You’ll follow a route that ends back in the harbor area, in the leafy square of Place des Lises.

Discover the scenic beauty of the port town and resort destination – and the surrounding region -- from the air on a helicopter flight. At the heliport, meet your pilot who will also serve as your guide for this private flightseeing trip. The views from the air are truly spectacular: see the Old Port, the harbor area, the popular beach of La Pampelonne and the luxurious villas surrounded by century-old pine trees.

In the 1960s, French architect Francois Spoerry transformed what had been a swampy area into a premiere resort destination. He drew inspiration for Port Grimaud from Venice, whose canals inspired the network of waterways, as well as French village traditions. Each house, painted in traditional Provencal hues, comes with its own mooring, making this seaside town a haven for sailors and yachtsmen. Your guided exploration begins with a walking tour along the quays and across pedestrian-only bridges.

The Esterel Massif is a mountain range whose volcanic origin is responsible for the distinctive ochre hues of the exposed rock and dramatic cliffs. Experience the rugged beauty of this region via an open-air buggy. As you navigate the trails near the hillside village of Saint-Raphael, enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the mountains, the seascapes and the sparkling blue sea. You’ll stop frequently to switch drivers, so everyone gets a turn behind the wheel, and to appreciate the panoramic views in full. There’s a chance to cool off with the dip in the sea or in a creek.

Soft sands are rare along the French Riviera, enhancing the appeal of La Pampelonne, a 4.5 kilometer stretch of beach just beyond Saint Tropez city limits. Your destination is Nikki Beach Saint Tropez, an exclusive private club, where you’ll have several hours of sun, DJ music, swimming and informal dining. This branch of the South Beach club has been a hot spot since opening in the south of France in 2002, drawing an eclectic crowd of jet setters, celebrities and vacationers of all ages. Relax on a sunbed for two, with your own umbrella for shade if desired.

A short distance from the coast, the estate of Château Saint-Maur Cru Classé covers 100 hectares, most of it planted with vines. The winery enjoys views of the 11th century ruins of the castle in the nearby village of Grimaud from its 21st-century storehouse, which was designed to blend into the landscape while introducing the latest techniques to its production of its Côtes de Provence Cru Classé wines. Fewer than 20 châteaux in Provence have obtained this prestigious designation.

From the saline rich waters to the patented creation of the tide effect typically missing in the Mediterranean, the secrets to producing some of Europe’s most prized oysters are revealed as you cruise the Thau Lagoon. On a tour of an oyster farm that has been run by the same family for generations, learn about the traditional methods they use to cultivate world-class Bouzigues oysters, named for the village that sits at the entrance of the lagoon.

The Camargue is an expansive area of wetlands set between the two arms of the Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of France’s least known regions of enormous ecological importance. Its diverse eco-systems and protected areas provide sanctuary to both flora and fauna, including hundreds of species of birds. From Sete, you’ll travel east along the etangs, the salt-water lagoons, to the marshlands where Louis IX established Aigues-Mortes in the 13th century.