12 Nights / 13 Days
A lot can happen in the space of a journey.
You could go from the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps in the blink of an eye. A glass of wine in Burgundy can become another in the vineyards of Lausanne. A boat trip to islands off the coast of Cannes, a stroll through a village in Provence, and a cruise across Lake Geneva can all turn into another day out. And if it happens to be Women’s History Month, you might even get to know some legendary female icons along the way.
At the end, you can come out a different person altogether. One more content, revitalized, and inspired. And this is just what may happen by the end of this trip from France to Switzerland.
- 3 Nights in Nice
- 3 Nights in Provence
- 3 Nights in Burgundy
- 3 Nights in Lausanne
3 Nights in Nice | A Fragrant Beginning
Begin by seeing what you can get up to in Nice, one of the French Riviera’s most sought-after gems.
If life’s a box of chocolates, Nice is a colourful Mediterranean candyland of pastel facades, palm-lined promenades, and sun-kissed marinas. This is a place that doesn’t have a dim switch, forever bathing its visitor in a glow of a thousand suns.
Upon arrival, spend your first day embracing Riviera life along famous Promenade des Anglais, wandering the lively lanes of the Old Town, or lingering over a glass of rosé as the sea breeze drifts in from the coast.
Before long, the surrounding hills begin to beckon and the air of charm will fill with fragrance in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. Here, inside a historic perfumery, transform delicate blossoms into a signature scent of your own, which will forever remind you of wandering through the cobbled streets and quiet courtyards of the nearby hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Pretty soon Cannes will be ready for its premiere, awaiting to welcome you amid the glamour of La Croisette and the sparkling blue carpet of the Mediterranean. After a leisurely stroll past elegant boutiques and the famous Palais des Festivals, set out by boat toward the peaceful Lérins Islands, where pine forests and quiet coves lend a tranquil contrast to the Riviera’s cinematic shoreline.
With every village, fragrance, and sea-kissed sunset discovered along the way, Nice proves itself not just a starting point, but the radiant beginning of a journey that will carry you deeper into France and beyond.
Hôtel Croisette Beach Cannes – MGallery — Cannes
Just steps from La Croisette, this stylish 4-star boutique retreat combines chic design with relaxed Riviera charm. With its private beach, Mediterranean dining, and refined yet playful interiors, it offers an effortlessly elegant stay in the heart of Cannes.
Hotel Le Negresco — Nice
A legendary Riviera icon overlooking the Mediterranean, Le Negresco blends Belle Époque grandeur with contemporary artistic flair. For over a century, this dazzling 5-star palace hotel has celebrated French elegance, creativity, and timeless seaside glamour.
Seasonal & Women’s History Month Highlights
- Jasmine Festival (Fête du Jasmin) — August, Grasse
Each August, Grasse celebrates its iconic jasmine with fragrant parades, perfume demonstrations, music, and lively Provençal festivities honoring the flower at the heart of the region’s perfume heritage. - Women in Cinema — Cannes Film Festival Legacy
Cannes has long championed influential women in film. Special storytelling moments across the city reveal how visionary directors, producers, and actresses have helped shape the legacy of the world’s most celebrated film festival.
3 Nights in Provence | A Perfect Pause
Speaking of going deeper into France, don’t forget that the Riviera is your golden gateway for a trip to Provence.
Watch Nice’s sparkle give way to the softer tones of Provence as a scenic drive inland leads through rolling fields and storybook villages. Pause in one of them along the way and catch a glimpse of still life in the countryside, before arriving at your countryside retreat, where lavender-scented air and tranquil surroundings reveal a quieter side of France.
Not long after, Luberon will begin to reveal its timeless beauty. Hilltop villages like Gordes, Bonnieux, and Lourmarin will rise above vineyards and olive groves. You’ll wander their narrow streets filled with lively markets and small ateliers where artisans craft ceramics, textiles, and jewelry in the Provençal tradition. Then, somewhere between village strolls and market discoveries, a leisurely wine tasting and picnic may happen under the Provençal sun.
Another day may lead you to elegant Aix-en-Provence, where graceful fountains and vibrant markets animate streets long cherished by artists and thinkers. Or perhaps the road shall wind through the sunlit Alpilles to Saint-Rémy, before rising to the dramatic stone heights of Les Baux-de-Provence, where the immersive artistry of the Carrières de Lumières and a tasting of local olive oils capture Provence at its most enchanting.
Modest yet mesmerizing, Provence invites you to indulge in a pause that you wish could last a lifetime.
Domaine de Chalamon — Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Nestled among olive groves and French gardens in the Alpilles, this elegant 18th-century bastide invites guests to embrace the Provençal art of living. Sunlit rooms, cypress-lined terraces, and tranquil surroundings create a refined 4-star countryside retreat near Saint-Rémy and Les Baux-de-Provence.
Château de Fonscolombe — Near Aix-en-Provence
Set within a magnificent 18th-century estate surrounded by gardens and ancient plane trees, this 5-star Relais & Châteaux property offers an atmosphere of quiet Provençal elegance. Here, history, refinement, and the art of living come together just moments from Aix-en-Provence.
Seasonal & Women’s History Month Highlights
- Creators & Women Artisans Markets — Spring to Autumn, Provence Villages
Across Provence, open-air village markets highlight talented female artisans—from jewelry designers and ceramicists to textile makers and perfumers—showcasing handcrafted creations that reflect the region’s vibrant artistic traditions.
3 Nights in Burgundy | Vine to Wine
Before you know it, you’ll find yourself on a high-speed train north into the storied heart of Burgundy. As the countryside begins to roll, lavender fields give way to vineyards that appear like brushstrokes across the landscape, announcing your arrival in one of the most revered wine regions across the globe (as good a reason to have a glass as any).
Set up in the enchanting town of Beaune, a medieval gem where cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and centuries-old wine cellars reveal a place that has long perfected the art of living well. Wander its charming lanes with a guide and uncover the town’s deep connection to Burgundy’s celebrated vineyards before toasting your arrival over a memorable dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Of course, Burgundy’s greatest treasures lie among the vines themselves. Soon you’ll venture into the legendary Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, where generations of winemakers have coaxed world-famous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the very lands you’ll be standing on.
Tastings here are less about ceremony and more about storytelling, with each glass revealing the character of the land and the passion of those who cultivate it.
And should inspiration strike, you may choose to embrace Burgundy’s culinary soul with a hands-on cooking class (perhaps preparing classics like boeuf bourguignon or gougères) or instead work up an appetite with a leisurely bike ride through vineyards that seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon.
Whatever your time in Burgundy brings, it will most definitely be paired with a glass half-full of something extraordinary.
Hôtel de la Poste — Beaune
Located in Beaune’s historic center, 4-star Hôtel de la Poste offers classic Burgundian charm with cozy lounges, a leafy garden, and a welcoming restaurant celebrating regional flavors. Perfectly positioned along the Burgundy Wine Route, it’s an ideal base for exploring the region’s prestigious vineyards.
Hôtel Le Cep — Beaune
Hidden behind Renaissance façades in the heart of Beaune, Hôtel Le Cep is a character-filled 5-star retreat where historic charm meets warm Burgundian hospitality. A stay here places you steps from the town’s legendary wine cellars and cobbled streets.
Seasonal & Women’s History Month Highlights
- Each May, Beaune’s historic streets transform into an open-air wine celebration during Fleurs de Vigne. Local domaines (including several estates proudly guided by women winemakers) pour tastings throughout the town, offering visitors a lively introduction to Burgundy’s vineyards.
3 Nights in Lausanne | The Call of the Mountains
Can you hear that? That’s the call of the Swiss Alps. And it’s perhaps one of the few things that can make you put down that glass of Burgundy’s best and hop on a high-speed train bound for Lausanne, where the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, vineyard terraces, and alpine peaks create a landscape that feels almost impossibly serene.
After the glitz and glamor of Nice, the charm of Provence, and the wining and dining of Burgundy, Lausanne feels a little bit different; a little bit more airy and serene. Embrace this by spending your first hours wandering Lausanne’s steep, storybook streets and lingering among historic squares, lively cafés, before revealing sweeping lake views that seem to stretch into eternity.
When ready, answer that mountain call by heading to Stockhorn, where gondolas glide upward toward panoramic views of valleys, lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Crisp mountain air and quiet alpine trails offer a refreshing contrast to the Riviera warmth that began your adventure.
Back along the lake, the GoldenPass line traces one of Switzerland’s most scenic rail routes, delivering you to the postcard-perfect town of Montreux, where you can hum your favorite Queen song en route to its renowned statue of Freddie Mercury. After, take a leisurely stroll along the lakeside promenade toward the fairy-tale silhouette of Chillon Castle, whose medieval towers seem to rise straight from the water.
Of course, no visit to this corner of Switzerland would be complete without savoring its finest pleasures. A gourmet cruise across Lake Geneva pairs exquisite cuisine with breathtaking scenery, before the nearby Lavaux vineyards invite you to raise a final glass of elegant Chasselas wine to a journey that has carried you beautifully from the Mediterranean to the Alps.
Interesting Fact
Freddie Mercury’s Montreux
Montreux holds a special place in music history thanks to Freddie Mercury, who fell in love with the town while recording with Queen at the nearby Mountain Studios. He spent many peaceful years here, and today a bronze statue on the Montreux lakeside promenade still watches over Lake Geneva. An enduring tribute to the singer who called the town his sanctuary.
Departure | Until the Next Journey
A lot has happened between the Riviera sun and the Alpine air. You’ve wandered through perfumed hillsides, raised glasses in storied vineyards, drifted across lakes, and discovered villages where life seems to move at exactly the right pace.
Yet when the time comes for that private transfer to take you to Geneva Airport for your flight home, you will come to realize that every experience played a part in something life-changing, something that will linger long after this journey becomes a wondrous memory.
