The Cote D'Azur's Charming Nice and the Wines of Bellet

Before you board the cruise ship in Avignon, we invite you to spend two-nights in the Cote d’Azur’s charming city of Nice and explore France’s smallest appellation located in the wine region of Provence, Bellet.

The Côte d'Azur, also known as the French Riviera, is one of Europe's most glamorous summer holiday destinations. It twists and turns along the southern coast of France for a little less than 100 miles, and is dotted with glitzy legends such as St. Tropez and Cannes. The heart of the Côte d'Azur lies the city of Nice and in the hills just behind is the appellation of Bellet. Here the vineyards are terraced and the soil is full of pebble stones, sand & clay. The area is kissed by the sun and benefits from fresh winds from the Alps and, in the afternoon, humid winds from the sea.

One of the first regions in France rewarded with the AOC in 1941, Bellet consists of only 1,600 acres, 120 of those are grown between 650 -1,000 feet above sea level. Today there are eleven producers who proudly claim to bottle an AOC Bellet wine. Many are family-owned and operated, small boutique productions with an annual bottle output of less than two hundred thousand bottles a year.

Guiding you through this region is our long-time friend and superstar sommelier, Kelly, who has called France his home for over 20 years. Kelly draws on his past work with Michelin-star chefs and renowned winemakers to bring you a fantastic experience on the Côte d'Azur.

Day 1 – Independent arrival to Nice & Welcome Dinner [D]

You will arrive in to Nice independently and transfer on your own to La Pérouse. Only 15 minutes from the Nice International Airport, the 4-star hotel is caved into cliff next to the sea and offers the best views of Nice and the Mediterranean. Built in the 1930's and named after a French naval officer, La Pérouse is a boutique hotel that perfectly captures the essence of Mediterranean chic. Guests can also enjoy its
cliffside pool and panoramic solarium terrace.

Once you check in to your room you’ll have time to relax before your meet Kelly and your fellow travelers that evening in the hotel’s terrace for a special welcome dinner and introduction to Provencal wines.

Day 2 – The Appellation of Bellet [B, L]

Your day starts with a delightful buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant. After breakfast, the group will use small 8-passenger luxury vans to travel country roads for approximately 30 minutes to the boutique winery Clos Saint Vincent. Nestled in the hills overlooking Nice, Clos Saint Vincent is one of the top producers of the Bellet appellation. Winemaker Joseph Sergi is a close friend of your host Kelly and will be opening his doors on August 15th, the most important summer holiday of the year just for Honig guests. Here you will taste biodynamic wines made with several indigenous grape varietals that even many French people do not know! After a tour of the winery and a tasting of their estate wines, you will enjoy a wine-paired lunch at a nearby restaurant.

In the mid-afternoon. you'll return to the hotel and have some free time to spend exploring on your own. In the early evening you'll meet up on the hotel terrace for a themed wine tasting led by sommelier Kelly followed by a short walking tour of Old Town Nice. At the end of the tasting, you are free to return to the hotel at your leisure or stop in one of the many restaurants along the way to sample some local flavors during dinner on your own.

Day 3 – Optional tour of flower market & transfer to ship [B]

Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out of your room. You can store your bags with the hotel and either enjoy the morning on your own or join Kelly for a tour of the Saleya market in old-town Nice. Here you find the best Mediterranean specialties on offer including an exceptional flower market. Before noon you’ll board the motorcoach for the drive to Monaco for embarkation on Oceania's ship, Sirena. Bon Voyage!

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Price: $1,195 per person Single Supplement: $465.00

Includes: Two (2) nights hotel accommodations in a Double Standard room, two (2) buffet breakfasts, wine-paired welcome dinner, a winery tour and tasting, lunch with wine, walking tour of Old Nice, sommelier tasting, all entrance and tour fees, an English-speaking guide, transportation on deluxe AC motorcoach, bottled water on the motorcoach, hotel porterage, transfer to ship, and all local taxes.

Not Included: Airport transfer to hotel upon arrival, gratuities for the driver and guides, optional hotel upgrades and additional hotel nights, and all items of a personal nature.

Activity Level: Tour not suggested for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues due to extended walking.

Note: Times and providers are subject to change.

Travel Insurance: F&WT highly encourages protecting your travel investment in case of an emergency requiring you to cancel your trip. Your F&WT's Travel Advisor can assist you with procuring the appropriate coverage. Please make sure to read the cancellation policy on the registration form outlining our cancellation policy.